This article pretty much agree with what Barfarn said above... but I'm confused as hell by this... why are they building up Dial limited experiences at NT and completely dismissing Jean Francois experiences at NT?
I can't find video of Dial playing the zero tech NT position, more video has him at 3-4 DE like the article said... and when the 49ers went to the 4-3, they moved Dial to NT and he failed to make the roster. Combined that with, I've easily (and semi accidentally) found video of Ricky Jean Francois playing NT for the 49ers from years ago and the 49ers listed him as a NT
In recent years Jean Francois has been mainly playing DT/DE but he has played back-up NT full time while with the 49ers, which to my (very limited) knowledge Dial has never done. To say Francois isn't versed in it and dismissing him in comparisons to Dial seems a tad insulting to me.
That being said, I'm sure we'll see Dial lined up in the middle some, because Capers likes those long arms blocking passing lanes up the middle, just like we saw Peppers there... and Dial is probably better against the run. But Jean Francois and Dial are both very versatile in where they can line up across the DL.
IMO this part is BS. Even IF Dial was released well before they made their releases and IF Price was the #2 NT (which I question both), then part implies they were gambling, that they didn't care about losing their back-up NT, because they KNEW Dial would be signing with them over any of the other 30 NFL teams.
Doesn't it make much more sense, that Price was the 3rd NT, and they kept Ringo because he played better than Price... releasing Price, and then saw Dial was released and liked him more than Ringo? Because now both Francois and Dial can back-up the entire interior DL from 0 tech to 5 tech and takes pressure off a recovering rookie Montravius Adams to learn multiple positions and let him focus on his strength (pass rush up the middle, especially from the 3 tech)
Originally Posted by: beast
Beast [BTW Nice work on Roster prediction-Not sure how you missed on McCray LOL. See, Ted sets his roster late ‘cause he’s checking the net to make sure no one gets it right, if you had McCray on your 53; Pearson WR would have made the 53; FYI Pearson’s mom is pretty pissed at ya LOL].
You are correct, on the SF depth charts Dial was shown as a “RDT” and that is where he primarily played. But In 2014 after SF’s 2 NTs got hurt [Dorsey and Williams] Dial started 6 games at NT at end of season. In 6 starts, 329 snaps he had 30 tackles, 2 sacks, 10 hurries, 2 hits and was really stout v. d-teams. That is some hefty production.
In ‘15 and ’16 he played very well for another 150 or so snaps at NT, when backing up due to injury and Purcell’s ineffectiveness . The RDT in Fangio’s D is a 2 gapper, so Dial’s talents make him a proficient at NT. But, he’ll make a decent 1 gap move from time to time. He is Letroy Guion! A perfectly average, maybe a touch better than average, NT. He is a better STs player than Guion.
I think Ringo was a better player than Price and this is born out by the waiver claims; Bengals passed on Price; but claimed Ringo. And now ya gonna learn why Ted minimizes BU vets; 'cause you lose good young players. But, both got washed out too easily playing zero. Cant speak for RJF play at NT in SF that was a while ago. But, watching his play GB last year for 30 some snaps last year, he was not very stout even when blocked 1 on 1. So, I'd say today Dial is a HUGE up grade at NT over these 3.
Actually dont know why they even signed Francios, based on our game in '16, he was pretty bad, accept that he is Reggie White in the lockeroom. Now I wonder if Ted anticipated a mass SF D exodus and brought him here to recruit, as well.
But, given how much we played base, these 3 were fine if we need them to play a few snaps a game or for a game or two if Clark got hurt and until we got one off the scrap heap. I think Dial's singing indicates we're going to play more base with 1 or 2 safeties at ILB; and/or Clark wont be playing NT.