Let's call a spade a spade since this is the first time that I have blogged in detail about the 5x champion San Francisco 49ers... the end of the season last year sucked balls. Unlike other bozos who write for this blog, I am not one for consolation awards. We came up short of our goal to win a Super Bowl... yet again. And we somehow managed to lose all of our quarterbacks to injury doing so along the way.
There is no other team in the NFL who has a more intriguing and interesting Quarterback situation than the San Francisco 49ers. Which a lot of people are saying is the leading story coming into this year. You have a huge unknown in Brock Purdy, who has shown flashes and taken the fan base by storm. You have an even bigger unknown with raw, young talent, Trey Lance. And then in the wings, the ultimate Kyle Shanahan rehabilitation project... Sam Darnold. You would think that the first blog I wrote would be centered around the most important position on the field and the battle that is set to ensure. I am here to tell you that I will not be doing that.
The 49ers lost another important position player this off-season, and it is the focal point for this blog. Yes, of course I am talking about...
The placekicker.
Despite being "Good as Gould" for the majority of his tenure, and delivering 49er fans some amazing moments, like beating Aaron Rodgers in his last playoff game ever at Lambeau. Writers note: I attended this game against the Packers in only a pair of Adidas running shoes, APC jeans, one hoodie, a Colin Kaepernick Jersey, and of course my gold jacket. Despite multiple people from Wisconsin telling me I'd freeze or get sick. But thats a topic for another blog.
Robbie Goulds tail end of tenure with the 49ers was... well interesting and that is being kind. What I really mean is, a bit fucking annoying when he wasn't splitting the uprights. Whether it was the dude holding out in 2019 and delivering cryptic messages whilst using the "family" card to justify his actions. And then proceeding to be kind of dog shit that season, including a game where he missed 3... yes 3 field goals against the Cleveland Browns. My list of grievances with Robbie is long. Too long to really go into extenuating detail because I want to focus on the good, on the positive.
Last thing about Robbie, I loved playoff Robbie I really did. And I don't dislike the dude, I just think he talks a lot... for a fucking kicker. I also hear he is a big golfer. I would like to go ahead and add Robbie Gould to the list of people I think I could beat in a golf match. I welcome it at any course in the Bay Area, he has a bit of time to make this happen... family activities pending of course.
I digress, which will happen from time when I am given full creative control. To pull some of my business writing into my passion project... BLUF; Robbie wants to play elsewhere (probably Chicago) and one of the 49ers glaring needs was... a kicker.
Again, not a numbers guy but the 49ers play a lot of close games. Robbie had some big kicks and to be honest at times when our offense stalls out from defenses adjusting to the running game, inconsistent play at QB for a number of reasons, or when Kyle is going to Kyle we need points. Our defense is good enough to where we are one of the few teams who can win games kicking field goals. With all of this in mind, GM John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan had to take action because kicker is actually an important position for the 49ers.
So what did one of the best front offices in the NFL do? They put pen to paper, and did the work. They got in the lab, scouting, hours of film, interviewing coaches, teammates... they got ready, they got better. And they went out and got their guy.
Seriously, the kids got some juice. Let's start with the physical stats... 6 foot 211 lbs? The man will be a problem on kick offs if anyone gets to his level, I am talking about decleating some people. I am very excited to be able to next year hopefully add some touchdown saving hit stick highlights from Jake Moody. With that kind of build, very good chance he wont be an injury machine unlike other kickers not to be named. He also is from Michigan, which means he is a tough guy. It takes a different mental constitution to brave the Michigan winters and he's done it for his entire life. Dan Campbell is in his office punching air that he didn't grab this kid.
I can tell you this, the kid definitely has some strong hamstrings... he showed that in the playoffs when he booted home a 59 yarder that would have been good from 65:
Again, I am an eye test guy and Jake Moody has it. I am not joking when I say he could and likely will be one of the greatest kickers of all time. Also it should be noted, he never missed an extra point in college. A lot of folks are saying we reached, I disagree strongly.
Had we passed the old fat man in a sleeveless hoodie who spends his summers in Nantucket probably would have grabbed him. Don't forget y'all, the Raiders drafted Sebastian Janikowski in the first round. On that note, remember when Janikowski attempted the longest field goal ever:
I think Moody is making that with a few yards to spare to be honest. In fact it would not surprise me if during his pro career, he shatters the NFL kicking record.
Any way, Justin Tucker you are on notice. Tell me what other college kicker has a 10 minute highlight video, oh ya you can't because it doesn't exist. Jake Moody will kick 3 game winning field goals his rookie year, bet your unborn childrens eyes on it. That will be just the start of his road to Canton Ohio.
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Mini-doc needed when TI put the whole state of Wisconsin in his back pocket with that playoff appearance for '21 season... all time move.