A Press Democrat Blog

Cohn Zohn

Lowell Cohn's pertinent and impertinent take on sports

Greg Roman outsmarts himself

Wednesday, at 8:35 by

Here is the opening to my Thursday column about 49ers’ offensive coordinator Greg Roman who has a tendency to be a smarty pants: Last Sunday, just before the 49ers’ first offensive play against the Falcons, I said out loud to myself, “Colin Kaepernick is going to throw a pass to Michael Crabtree.” Sure enough, Kaepernick threw a dinky little pass to Crabtree for one yard. The game before that against the Packers, Kaepernick threw a pass to Crabtree on the… Read More »

Lowell on Kaepernick and Roman

Monday, at 9:59 by

I have received emails and comments this morning by readers ticked off at me because the Niners’ offense hasn’t been boffo. Many write that Colin Kaepernick is doing no better than Alex Smith, and they seem steamed at me for backing the switch to Kaepernick. Fine, I can take it. I still believe Kaepernick is a better QB than Smith and I support the switch. If you don’t like the change, don’t get on my case. I have no power… Read More »

Greg Roman is the real problem — so fire him

Monday, at 7:48 by

Here is the opening to my Tuesday column about 49ers’ defensive coordinator Greg Roman: SANTA CLARA I have a suspicion Jim Harbaugh will agree with what I’m about to write. I suspect Harbaugh believes Greg Roman is not good enough to be the 49ers’ offensive coordinator. I sure don’t think he’s good enough. Harbaugh has stressed again and again, “This is Greg Roman’s offense.” When I first heard that simple declarative statement, I thought, “Gee, Harbaugh is praising the underling.… Read More »

What is the 49ers’ offense?

Wednesday, at 12:51 by

Janie McCauley from AP just asked Jim Harbaugh if he is an innovative play caller. Without hesitating, Harbaugh replied, “This is a Greg Roman offense.” Interesting. Enlightening. Harbaugh said Roman designs most of the play book and calls the plays. Before the season started I asked Harbaugh who calls the plays and he got all quiet and secretive in the Harbaugh-secretive manner like the entire world is at stake depending on how he answers. Now we know Roman, who is… Read More »

West Coast Offense has moved beyond Bill Walsh

Thursday, at 6:57 by

I wrote my Friday column based on group interviews today with 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Both talked at length about how the West Coast Offense has evolved beyond what Bill Walsh imagined. Fangio went so far as to say no one runs the Bill Walsh offense even though they still call it the West Coast Offense. I found all this enlightening and frankly thrilling and to read my column please click here.

Three new 49ers coaches

Friday, at 5:32 by

Here is today’s 49ers press release announcing three new coaches, all following Jim Harbaugh to the 49ers from Stanford. 49ERS ANNOUNCE COACHING STAFF ADDITIONS   The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have named Greg Roman offensive coordinator, Vic Fangio defensive coordinator and Tim Drevno offensive line coach. “I am very excited that these three men are now part of the 49ers coaching staff,” said 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and a level of… Read More »

Gut feeling re: Greg Roman

Friday, at 1:16 by

I have a gut feeling about Greg Roman, almost surely the new offensive coordinator at the 49ers. He won’t design the offense by himself — Jim Harbaugh will have lots to say about that — but he’ll probably call most of the plays. And he will assert his point of view and challenge Harbaugh. This challenge part is important. A good head coach wants assistants who challenge his assumptions and bring new ideas. Mike Singletary did not want this in… Read More »

David Shaw to Stanford and 49er repercussions

Thursday, at 10:45 by

Stanford just announced David Shaw is their new head coach. This frees up other Stanford coaches to go with Jim Harbaugh to the 49ers. Expect Greg Roman to the offensive coordinator. He would help Harbaugh create the game plan and he would call some, maybe most of the plays. Harbaugh is vague about who calls plays during games. Vic Fangio is likely to be 49ers defensive coordinator. He did a nice job at Stanford. He has a history in the… Read More »