[CrazedZooChimp]

While we're way off topic, I think they were quite prudent this year. With Lynch and Shanahan both in new roles, the temptation would have been to behave like kids in a candy store. I like the approach, use the season to get the feet wet, evaluate game situations with the Shanahan's program, then look to be aggressive in years 2 and 3. Get the right players to fill the most pressing needs, don't just spend money.

I think that's accurate. Better to know how draft picks and young players pan out and then use the money to fill the holes. I'd also point out they've been hit by god knows how many injuries. As I watched players drop like flies on Sunday I couldn't help thinking, "man, the Niners need Turley..."

Back on topic, I think maybe one of the most underrated aspect of Shaw has been the ability to find and retain quality assistants. I mean, how the hell did we get Duane Akina, maybe the best DB coach in football, and keep him for this long? Shaw pretty intelligently, it seems, promoted Mason when Fangio left with Harbaugh, and later promoted Anderson when Mason left. Both of those seemed to pan out about as fantastically as possible. And more recently, getting Gould might be one of the best assistant hires I've seen at Stanford ever. I'm sure resources from the University have helped hiring and retaining these guys, but I'm guessing Shaw fought to get the resources needed to get them and keep them, after having the talent to identify which guys he needed. Have we lots any assistants to something that wasn't a promotion (ie. assistant to head coach)?

[CrazedZooChimp]

While we're way off topic, I think they were quite prudent this year. With Lynch and Shanahan both in new roles, the temptation would have been to behave like kids in a candy store. I like the approach, use the season to get the feet wet, evaluate game situations with the Shanahan's program, then look to be aggressive in years 2 and 3. Get the right players to fill the most pressing needs, don't just spend money.

I think that's accurate. Better to know how draft picks and young players pan out and then use the money to fill the holes. I'd also point out they've been hit by god knows how many injuries. As I watched players drop like flies on Sunday I couldn't help thinking, "man, the Niners need Turley..."

Back on topic, I think maybe one of the most underrated aspect of Shaw has been the ability to find and retain quality assistants. I mean, how the hell did we get Duane Akina, maybe the best DB coach in football, and keep him for this long? Shaw pretty intelligently, it seems, promoted Mason when Fangio left with Harbaugh, and later promoted Anderson when Mason left. Both of those seemed to pan out about as fantastically as possible. And more recently, getting Gould might be one of the best assistant hires I've seen at Stanford ever. I'm sure resources from the University have helped hiring and retaining these guys, but I'm guessing Shaw fought to get the resources needed to get them and keep them, after having the talent to identify which guys he needed. Have we lots any assistants to something that wasn't a promotion (ie. assistant to head coach)?