LaMichael James

The San Francisco 49ers are an anomaly among NFL teams, a team that makes more trades in a year than some divisions.

General manager Trent Baalke is reportedly at it it again. This time it's selling, with the Niners looking to unload their second-round pick from two years ago in the person of running back LaMichael James.

No one's questioning that the team is shopping the former Oregon star, so the real question becomes: What can the 49ers reasonably expect in return for James, and what can NFL teams in turn expect for that investment?

As Eric Branch of SFGate.com reports, a number of sources are reporting that the 49ers are actively shopping the 24-year-old.

This did not appear to be news to James himself:

That jibes with a report from Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, who writes that James hasn't been shy about wanting a bigger offensive role.

It does, however, fly a bit in the face of what Baalke told reporters at the combine in February, according to Barrows.

“LaMichael is a 49er," Baalke said. "He’ll continue to be a 49er.”

Even then though, Baalke conceded things hadn't gone as planned with James in San Fran, per Barrows:

It's tough. There are certain game plans where LaMichael was meant to play a little bit bigger role than he ended up playing, but that's the game. Every game you go in with a plan and sometimes that plan changes based on what you're seeing and what the other team is doing. So you've got to be flexible. It's up to LaMichael and it's up to every player. We tell every one of our players this: 'It's up to you to earn time on the field.' So it's not as much about what he hasn't been doing, it's as much about what Frank [Gore] has been doing.

Frankly (sorry, couldn't be helped), it's difficult to really gauge James' value to an NFL team, because we've barely seen him in the NFL.

Year	G	Att.	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rec.	Yards	TD
2013	10	12	59	4.9	0	2	16	0
2012	4	27	125	4.6	0	3	29	0

The 49ers all but certainly didn't spend a second-round pick on James in 2012 to give him 44 offensive touches in two seasons. He was going to be the complement to Gore. The lightning to the veteran's thunder.

After all, James had gashed defenses at Oregon for over 5,000 yards on the ground over his career. James rushed for over 1,800 yards, averaged over seven yards a carry and scored 18 touchdowns in 2011.

Year	G	Att.	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rec.	Yards	TD
2011	12	247	1805	7.3	18	17	210	1
2010	12	294	1731	5.9	21	17	208	3
2009	13	230	1546	6.7	14	17	168	0

The year before? He had 1,731 rushing yards and 21 scores on the ground.

Heading into the 2012 draft, Rob Rang of CBS Sports wrote, "Even for those who witnessed his blur-quick footwork and the where-the-heck-did-he-go elusiveness, there is much more to James than meets the eye."

After the 49ers drafted James, Mike Mayock of the NFL Network said, "Keep in mind he's a third-down change-of-pace guy who can hit you a home run. The 49ers didn't generate a lot of yards on offense, and this guy gives them the ability to hit a home run from anywhere in the park."

Yes, at 5'9" (maybe) and 195 pounds, no one expected James to be a 25-carries-a-game running back.

No one thought he'd end up on a milk carton either.

James fell completely off the map in San Francisco, buried behind Gore and Kendall Hunter on the depth chart. As NFL fits go, it was the worst-case scenario for James.

The 49ers are a power-running football team that gets a lead and then pummels their opponents into a pile of goo. Gore and Hunter are both excellent fits for the scheme.

James? Not so much. The snaps on offense just haven't been there, and even when they have, many of the play calls smacked of square pegs and round holes.

This isn't a knock on the 49ers. Some players just don't fit some teams, and with Marcus Lattimore (another between-the-tackles bell cow) set to join the team in earnest after a "redshirt" rookie year, James is going to be buried even deeper down the depth chart.

There have been some brief flashes in the few chances James his gotten. His 4.7 yards a carry is respectable, although the sample size is small. James fared even better than that in the 2012 postseason, averaging 5.9 yards a carry and scoring his only NFL touchdown.

James also fared pretty well as a punt returner in 2013. His 10.9 yards per return a year ago ranked inside the top 10 in the NFL among players with 20 or more attempts.

That success in the return game denotes that James remains a dangerous player in the open field. Throw in James' ability as a receiver, and it's not hard to imagine a best-case scenario where James becomes a faster version of Danny Woodhead of the San Diego Chargers.

A poor man's Darren Sproles, if you will.

Of course, James has also had issues putting the ball on the ground, dating all the way back to his time in Eugene. In just those 44 career touches, James has three fumbles, and he put two more punts on the ground last year.

Those fumbles didn't help endear James to the San Francisco coaching staff, and while it's theoretically a "fixable" problem, it isn't going to help James' trade value any.

And talented or no, that value could use all the help it can get, because right now, the 49ers would be looking at the draft pick equivalent of a bag of Cheetos in compensation.

It's not even really about James per se. There just isn't a big trade market for running backs period.

The aforementioned Sproles, who is the gold standard among diminutive tailbacks, netted the New Orleans Saints a whopping fifth-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year.

Given what James has (or hasn't) done to this point in the NFL, the 49ers probably aren't sniffing that.

As Bleacher Report's Dylan DeSimone points out, the most likely scenario may involve James becoming part of some draft-day wheeling and dealing next month:

If the price is no higher than that, then some team will come calling. James was a top-10 prospect at his position on many draft boards just a couple years ago, and there are plenty of NFL clubs who don't have San Francisco's depth in the backfield.

Whether that change of scenery will jump-start James' career remains to be seen, but at this point, it looks like both sides are going to test the theory out.

After two underwhelming seasons in the Bay Area, running back LaMichael James may have played his last down as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. 

Ever since he was drafted in the second round of the 2012 draft, pundits questioned his fit in offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s offense. The questions are warranted based on the fact the Niners have been reluctant to use James in any capacity. 

Here’s what 49ers beat reporter Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com had to say about James’ fit at the conclusion of the 2013 season: “James certainly does not appear to be a good fit with the 49ers, who are built to be a power-running team. The 49ers do not believe James has the kind of blazing speed to succeed as solely an outside runner.”

If that truly is the case, why did San Francisco draft him in the first place? It’s not like the 49ers were going to build their offense around James. Frank Gore was coming off of a 1,200-yard season, and the team had just made an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n--pqmfL5Kc

As far as I can tell, James was drafted to be a change-of-pace back who could effectively create mismatches out of the backfield. The only problem is the 49ers have been reluctant to give him the chance to properly utilize his skill set on Sundays. 

According to the analysts at Pro Football Focus (subscription required), James has only logged 137 offensive snaps in two seasons (playoffs included). That is by far the lowest snap count of any running back who was drafted in the first three rounds of the 2012 draft. 

Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, David Wilson, Isaiah Pead, Ronnie Hillman and Bernard Pierce have all logged more snaps than James. That’s a travesty when one takes the time to examine general manager Trent Baalke’s comments prior to the 2013 season, per Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com:

I'm a big believer -- we are big believers -- in a three-headed approach. In other words, having a group of backs that bring to the table something a little bit different than the other one so you can do a lot of different things. But also having those backs be able to do enough things the same so you don't become so predictable on game day.

Despite Baalke's remarks, there seems to be a bit of a disconnect between the general manager and the head coach. 

Bleacher Report's Dylan DeSimone told me that he believes head coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t want anything to do with James: “James was 100 percent a Baalke pick, which is odd because you'd think Harbaugh would adore him, having been ripped by him when James was at Oregon and Harbaugh at Stanford.”

DeSimone is right: You would think Harbaugh would value him. In two games versus Harbaugh at the collegiate level, James rushed for 382 yards and scored four touchdowns. 

Yet, if we know anything about Harbaugh, he marches to the beat of his own drum. 

Even though Baalke drafted James, it’s clear Harbaugh instructed the coaching staff to work Gore into the ground. Why? Because Gore amassed more snaps and carries than he did in 2012. 

If the 49ers were sincerely going for a three-headed approach in 2013, Gore would have had fewer carries and James would have played more snaps than he did in 2012. But that simply wasn’t the case. 

James averaged 3.2 offensive snaps a game in 2013 and 14.4 offensive snaps a game in 2012. That’s a significant drop-off. Did he specifically do something to warrant a demotion, or did Roman feel more comfortable utilizing players with whom he has a higher level of trust? 

DeSimone feels Roman incorporates the star players whom he trusts more: "He [Roman] has not incorporated a single role player that wasn't a star in three years. Every player that excels, excels because they were a first-round pick."

"He hasn't guided any auxiliary players in the right direction or created a role for them. James, with his unique skill set, could've had a tremendous role in the read-option and as a bailout for the often pressured Colin Kaepernick."

Instead of having that tremendous role in the read-option, James was relegated to situational return duties. Over the course of 10 regular-season games, he fielded 23 punts for 251 yards and 12 kickoffs for 321 yards.

By no means were the numbers mind-blowing, yet they did garner high marks from the folks at PFF. He received a plus-2.8 kickoff return grade and a plus-1.4 punt return grade. 

Surely, James would have liked to have had a bigger role outside of his special teams contributions, but there’s no getting around the fact that he doesn’t fit San Francisco’s plan of attack on offense. He’s an outside runner who hasn’t earned the trust of the staff to bang between the tackles. 

Is that his fault? No. Everybody (Harbaugh, Roman and Baalke) is at fault for his ineffective nature. James being stuck in this particular situation is not his fault. He had absolutely no say as to where he went on draft day. 

Who knows? He could have went to a team that featured him as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and thrived. We haven't seen enough of him to know what type of player he is at the NFL level. 

The only thing we do know is that James’ horrendous fit in Roman’s offense makes him expendable. 

Odds are he won’t be cut because of his lofty draft status, but he could end up being a sweetener in a draft-day trade if the 49ers try to move up to secure a player they like on Day 1 or Day 2.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. 

Follow @TysonNFL

The line of succession seems fairly clear in the San Francisco 49ers’ backfield.  Frank Gore is entering the final year of his contract and is only beginning to show the signs of age.  He only had three 100-yard games last season but still managed to play three-quarters of the team’s snaps and was still effective.

Behind him, Marcus Lattimore is one of the most exciting prospects for 2014, with head coach Jim Harbaugh expecting great things out of the former South Carolina star.  It remains to be seen precisely how and when Lattimore will take over the majority of the workload, but the general plan has him set as heir apparent in the backfield.

Elsewhere in the backfield, Bruce Miller looks set to be the starting fullback once more, while Anthony Dixon proved his versatility filling in at the fullback position, as well as contributing on special teams.  When Gore hasn’t been available, Kendall Hunter has been the go-to backup. 

With those pieces in place, the 49ers’ backfield looks ready for 2014.

The odd man out, then, is LaMichael James.  What is James’ future role with the team, if any?

When James was drafted out of Oregon in 2012, expectations were high.  James was to add explosiveness and speed to the offense.  General manager Trent Baalke said as much about James and fellow early draft pick A.J. Jenkins, while Harbaugh praised James’ playmaking ability and speed.

Expectations were through the roof.

Since then, James has been involved in exactly 137 offensive snaps, including the postseason.  He’s carried the ball 39 times for 184 yards and added another five receptions to his total.  He only hit double-digit snaps in one game in 2013.  He’s been slightly more involved on special teams, returning 49 punts and kickoffs in two years, but it’s a far cry from how he was originally billed.

What James has added to the team is some special teams consistency.  The 49ers started out very poorly last season with Kyle Williams averaging only 5.1 yards per punt return.  James more than doubled that in his time returning punts, and he improved on Williams’ kickoff yardage, as well.

If James does remain with the team, then he’s going to have to accept that his current role is likely to be the peak of his contribution to the team.  He certainly still has that explosiveness in space, but for one reason or another, the team has opted not to use him on offense.  That usage isn’t going up with Lattimore’s addition to the active roster. 

Whether you agree with the decision or not, it seems James will never live up to the second-round billing he received in 2012

The team can certainly afford to keep James around, as he’s still on his rookie contract.  He’ll only count a little more than $900,000 against the salary cap in 2014, so even if the 49ers just unleash James fully as a special teams threat, they’ll be happy with his contract.

The issue, rather, is roster space—do they keep James and drop Dixon or Hunter to make room for Lattimore?  Do they consider keeping all the running backs together, using six or seven valuable roster slots on running backs alone?  That would leave the team weak at other positions.

That might be why speculation has started to spread about possibly dealing James to another team for another draft pick.  Considering his stellar college career, James still probably carries more trade value than any of the other lower-tier running backs on the roster.  If they’re struggling to find room for all of their running backs, more ammunition in the draft could be an attractive option for the team.

Who would want James? 

The first name that readily comes to mind is Chip Kelly, coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and former coach of the Oregon Ducks when James was a star in college.  James would be an upgrade over Bryce Brown as the second running back on Philadelphia’s squad, and he would be a piece already familiar with Kelly’s style of offense.

Assuming San Francisco could get a plan in place for the return game—a big assumption, considering how it struggled to fill the position at the beginning of the season—a swap of James for a late-round pick would make sense for both sides.  It would give San Francisco even more freedom to make moves on draft day, while loading Philadelphia up with someone experienced at running its hurry-up style of offense.

That lack of an answer in the return game is a major caveat, however. 

James has been the best answer on special teams for years now, and there isn’t a clear answer already on the roster.  The most likely scenario which would lead to a James trade would probably be if the 49ers were to take a player in the 2014 draft who could return kicks.

If you see the 49ers taking someone like Odell Beckham out of LSU with their first-round pick, you could then see a draft-day trade of James to a team not enthused with any late-round running backs.  It’s not a move that’s likely to happen before San Francisco has a returner in mind, however—it’d be too risky of a move.

Will we see James on San Francisco’s final 2014 roster?  My gut says no—the team will find an answer to the returner situation somewhere else.  That could open the door for teams interested in a shifty back in space to make the 49ers an offer. 

Keep an eye on the return game situation as it develops this offseason.

San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James exited the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks with a neck injury.   

ESPN's John Clayton reported the news and noted that James' return to the game is questionable:

Bleacher Report injury expert Will Carroll weighed in, expressing how brutal the hit James sustained from Seahawks special teams ace Ricardo Lockette was:

Here is a look at the play as it happened, with James being twisted by the helmet to the CenturyLink Field turf:

However, despite the scary nature of the play, James returned to the game as a kick returner (via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee):

James is a speedy, change-of-pace back who is also dynamic as a returner. Losing him for any extended period would have robbed San Francisco of a valuable, versatile contributor who is capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.

With only 10 games played in the regular season and 14 total touches from scrimmage, though, this team has had success regardless of whether or not James has been in the lineup.

The physical nature of this third matchup between NFC West rivals of the year should see the Niners lean on bigger bruisers in the backfield for success, headlined by 30-year-old veteran Frank Gore.  

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree sliding back into the lineup for the San Francisco 49ers projects to be a real shot in the arm for this offense, not only because he is a prolific player in his own right but more so due to the outward ripple effect it will have on the team overall.

By having him back in a featured role, the unit suddenly becomes whole again, and the coaches now have a truckload of options in regard to what they can do offensively. 

A player of Crabtree’s caliber alleviates pressure from a lot of other areas and provides that kind of systematic flexibility. That's what he does as a true No. 1 wide receiver. Most notably, a team’s vertical prowess tends to open up options underneath, whether it is for the running game or short-to-intermediate throws with potential for yards after the catch.

In the sport of football, everything is interconnected that way.

So, at long last, the 49ers have what could be the final tumbler that unlocks the full gamut of this team's three-headed backfield—particularly how they use two of their recent investments in speed-star running backs Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James.

With a full corps of flankers now on standby, these complementary scat backs suddenly become very, very dangerous underneath weapons. The Niners have not yet attempted to use the tailbacks to aid the passing game, but as they get healthier at wide receiver, they may find that there are a lot more opportunities to.

At the post-game presser in Week 12 where the 49ers had their best passing day of the 2013-14 season over Washington, coach Jim Harbaugh was able to talk about a recent philosophical expansion of the offense, which included throwing to the backs:

We had some shots called. [Colin Kaepernick] got to some check downs a few times. Didn’t hit any big ones checking the ball down to the backs, but we’re trying to get the ball to backs a little more in the passing game.

Throwing to the running backs seemed like San Francisco’s ticket to getting Hunter and James involved, not only because of their high-powered skill sets but also because it’s hard to justify taking carries away from Frank Gore.

This was rumored to happen in the beginning of the season, and after the offense was drowning, but it had not materialized until last week. In a dozen games this season, Hunter and James have combined for just three catches for 17 yards (Hunter had 16 grabs for 195 yards in his rookie year alone).

So, if anything, Harbaugh's Niners had regressed in that regard.

Fortunately, it is now a wing of the offense that is getting some long overdue attention from the coaching staff, and it is an unheralded wrinkle that could make this a far more dangerous offense come playoff time. Let's take a look at how Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman can utilize two of their untapped role players and what could potentially be in the works. 

Develop a Functional Screen Game

Understandably, the 49ers are a power offense, whereas screens tend to be deployed by more finesse-style teams like the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, for instance. Philosophical walls averted any efforts by the staff until now, even though their personnel had been screaming for them to try it, ever since drafting Hunter in 2011 and James in 2012.

These two were lauded space runners, so it seemed the system would evolve around them, but crickets were heard for about two years.  

Though it went fairly under the radar, one of the recent breaking developments happened when the offense threw a few screens in Week 12. With Greg Roman feeling heat after back-to-back losses, he made it a point to finally tweak the approach, trying new tactics to see what pops.

It’s a totally new concept, so they shouldn’t beat themselves up for a lack of success early on, or feel a need to abandon it after only three play calls. And as 49ers Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley notes, there is a lot of upside to doing this, like going half the length of the football field at a time.

Besides, coach Harbaugh’s post-game comments seemed to imply the Niners are working to forge this wrinkle into their offense, and it would be an experiment that would extend beyond just one week. Teams that are productive throwing to the backs, namely the Saints, practice it and practice it, until it becomes second nature.

For them, it is designed to be a home run play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUszqTx9bus

So, they need to continue to chip away just the same, taking the good with the bad. The good news is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. They do have the personnel to make this a part of the offense for years to come. And for one of the league's more spectacularly high-volume offenses, there is still quite a bit they can add.

Taking a look at the 49ers options, it seems endless.

Outside your rudimentary dump-off screen to the halfback, the 49ers can infuse double screens that provide quarterback Colin Kaepernick with not one but two options. San Francisco is also strong on both sides of its offensive line where it can run it either way, and this type of play lets the QB pick and choose which alley he feels better about on a given play.

Options for an offense always make it harder for a defense, too. 

It places strain on opposing linebackers and safeties because not only do they have to diagnose which side of the field the ball is going—and get there through quite a bit of congestion—but they also have to make an open-field tackle on an elusive runner with a low center of gravity.

That’s tough sledding if you’ve got to do that periodically for four quarters. At some point, somebody is going to miss.

Middle screens and shovel passes are two more ways to take advantage of a stocked aerial unit and swift runners that are low to the ground. With teams having to respect the drop-back by Kaepernick, that delay is enough to get the defense back on its heels, right before pitching it to one of the backs underneath.

Getting low between Mike Iupati and Alex Boone, a 5’7” Hunter and a 5’9” James can flat-out disappear, and good luck penetrating that wedge of blockers if you can't even locate the back in the first place. This is a new tactic the 49ers can use to chew up field between the hashes. It would be a great complement to their dive, off-tackle and lead plays. 

The Niners can also get the backs outside on the perimeter or in the slot, running bubble and tunnel screens.

Above is an example of a double screen that features an option to dump it off to the tailback on the weak side and or hit the tunnel to the strong side.

This is a classic shotgun look by the 49ers on a third-and-long, which the 49ers could easily run this out of. You'll see this multiple times per game. It features two wide receivers and Vernon Davis all spread out, as well as Vance McDonald as the in-line tight end.

Theoretically, the 49ers could post James out wide at the Z position and Hunter in the backfield, or vice versa (blue arrows).

Clearly, what the 49ers would be trying to do here is create alleys with their athletic offensive line, as well as with their physical receivers and tight ends. What this play does is provide a simplified read for the quarterback, while allowing these runners to secure a quick pass and get behind a titanic convoy.

These lanes essentially funnel the runners downfield, where cornerbacks and safeties have a lower rate of success making tackles. 

Embrace the Check Down

The 49ers have the option of doing this without retooling their scheme or trying new plays that have a low efficiency rate. It is a matter of the quarterback being able to scan the entire field and have the confidence in his running backs to make the catch and turn up field.

He has to be aware that there are guys sitting nearby that are that wide open.

Every critic and fan knows Kaepernick is a bit partial to keeping his eyes downfield, and rarely will you see him check it down willingly. That being said, the onus is on the coaches to communicate to him what they are trying to do with the backs. And on game day, they can emphasize that message on certain downs, so Kap remembers they're there.

Ignoring the check down has gotten them into trouble, as they’ve had to face a lot of third-and-long situations.

The 49ers have to take what the defense gives them, even if they are looking deep on first and second down. Not to mention, with this revamped receiving corps, you have to anticipate that they’ll be doing that even more, and as a result, Hunter, James and even Frank Gore are going to be all alone at times.

In all likelihood, the 49ers are going to continue to spread it out, but they’re still poised to utilize a lot of their “22” personnel, which they have put to use as much, if not more than, any team in the league this season.

The relevance here is that personnel grouping stipulates two running backs at a time.

Most commonly, the 49ers use the Power I and the new regime has also proven to be quite fond of the diamond formation, which includes up to three backs. Along with the split-back and T-formations, there are a litany of multi-back looks that the Niners could design outlets for.

This presents openings to dial up different combinations of Gore, Hunter and James, while providing them with all different assignments, some of which may be used to confuse the defense. And if they’re using the No. 2 and No. 3 backs, San Francisco has two chances to make a linebacker miss on any given play.

For the most part, it is about mismatches and creating space.

Like we mentioned, now that the 49ers have the receivers to challenge secondary units down the field, it opens a whole world of opportunities underneath. Safeties will be less focused on their backfield now, and it’ll be on opposing linebackers to win one-on-ones with abnormally quick runners. These aren't your normal feature backs. 

It would show a lot of moxie and veteran savvy if Kaepernick began picking on stockier defensive players with Hunter and James, knowing he doesn’t have to put it all on his arm to win games.

Challenging teams vertically is great, but what’s even better is if the defense has taken that away, the 49ers offense can still dunk it down to the back for 3-7 yards at a time with the possibility of ripping big gainers since their tailbacks have upside after the catch.

That helps Kaepernick look like the total package at quarterback and makes the offense more complete. It places strain on a defense because they have to protect the entire gridiron and can’t over-commit to the deep or shallow parts of the field.

Check downs have all kinds of potential, especially for teams that have the receiving corps to sweep up all the traffic between the first five to 10 yards and bring it downfield with them. Once Crabtree and Co. clear that area out, it’s on James and Hunter to get free with delayed routes, arrows routes, digs to the sideline and even the famed Texas and wheel routes, which are a West Coast staple.

Quick hitters and yards after the catch are the name of the game.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, this is West Coast football, where high-percentage passes to the backs are key to engineering drives and opening things up on the deep part of the field. Outlet receivers are just as important to look at as any. If the 49ers really wish to unchain their offense where it's operating at 100 percent efficiency, this is the way to do it.

Originally, the argument opposing this theory was that the New Orleans Saints get so much pass production out of Darren Sproles because they have the dynamic threat of Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston down the field, and that’s why the 49ers could not expect to run it with the same type of success.

That, and the fact that they’re inherently a power offense.

That was a valid argument.

But now, with a receiving unit built of Mario Manningham, Vernon Davis, Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree, the 49ers have plenty to run clear-outs and work the ball to the backs in space. And with Harbaugh’s comments, we now have confirmation that the coaches are willing to adjust their scheme to suit the players and the evolving state of the offense.

All in all, roles for Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James should begin to develop, and if they do with some success, it could be a very dangerous part of how the 49ers offense operates for the next half-decade.

Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com. Personnel information provided by Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus. Screen grabs taken from NFL.com Game Rewind (subscription required).   

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Critics want to cast Colin Kaepernick out without looking at the sum of what is afflicting the San Francisco 49ers offense. And that’s fine and all, but it might be a little misleading, especially when this team comes roaring back, restocked with weapons and a tweaked offensive approach.

Analysts like ESPN’s Trent Dilfer, who said, “Take away Kaepernick’s first read and he becomes a remedial passer,” may be over-analyzing the quarterback's game while overlooking all of the moving parts involved. For one, it’s not just the first read; it’s the second, third and fourth. All of Kap’s weapons are getting shut down.

It is not a single defect in one player’s game that has discombobulated the offense.

When asked what he thought of Kaepernick’s struggles this season, Pro Football Hall of Fame wideout Jerry Rice said, “I think it’s because he doesn’t have the guys outside.” This is a far more logical take because it is all-encompassing—it does not omit things like injuries, play calling, the quarterback's experience or lack of chemistry.  

We already witnessed in 2012 that the 49ers signal-caller could effectively cycle through his reads and hit everything on the route tree. But the fact is, a lot of things have changed and the 49ers have not adjusted accordingly.

Subsequently, this offense is hollow and non-threatening.

“Even though Frank Gore is going to be that workhorse they hand the ball off to, you’ve still got to have guys outside to strike fear into opposing teams and to be able to defeat bump-and-run,” Rice added about the team’s offensive struggles. "I think they’ve been missing a lot of components." 

It is simply an element that they are without, and as a result, teams are able to put the offense in a stranglehold.

Furthermore, once you really step back and look at the entire picture, it is clear to see that it is not all on the man behind center. He's endured. Even with the extreme variable change from 2012 to 2013, Kaepernick has still played proficient football since being inserted into the starting lineup:

The takeaway from this is that the 49ers quarterback isn’t all of a sudden deserving of being typecast as a one-read quarterback or completely inept—the man needs help. He needs help from the minds in the play booth and he needs help from his supporting cast.

It is true that Kaepernick could’ve done more at times, but the same could be said about everyone else. And yes, these losses do not reflect well on the quarterback at the time, but we’re learning that these sporadic shortcomings are a character flaw of the team. Just take a look at the games they dropped in 2012 till now—the entire team simply doesn’t show up.

Time and time again, San Francisco comes out flat, fails to execute and gives the game away with terrible play calling.

In nine non-wins dating back to 2012, including the playoffs, the 49ers have allowed an average of 146.8 rushing yards per game and let up 10 rushing touchdowns in those contests. Running back Frank Gore also averaged 13.8 carries per game, only getting 20 attempts on two occasions.

Overall, they missed tackles, couldn’t sustain drives and got out-coached.

So this column is not a reactionary piece thrusting 100 percent of the responsibility on the team’s franchise quarterback. Instead, it is more of a long overdue message to the 49ers brain trust in regard to what they can do to enhance their offensive output; namely by surveying opportunities and putting forth the extra effort to create new roles for idle players.

If the Niners want to get better, they’re going to have to venture out to uncharted waters and be resourceful. 

Spread the Ball Around

To walk through the tunnel on game day and consistently have nothing designed for any of the auxiliary players on offense is befuddling. There isn’t a team in the National Football League that is more reliant on its flagship players, particularly in the passing game.

Each week, there has been a grave failure to integrate non-stars into the offense.

Yet, in the past two years, they’ve consciously invested in talent via the NFL draft and currently have a plethora of weapons on hand to attack teams in the air and on the ground. Weapons many teams around the league would be ecstatic to have. 

Time passes, and they continue to hold back. To unchain this offense, the staff needs to write in and call new plays that aren’t as predictable as the sun rising.

They must diligently work to field a more filled-out attack that doesn’t allow the defense to zero in and clamp down by the second quarter. San Francisco must challenge teams to defend every inch of the field, and do so with as many players as possible.

The 49ers can accomplish that by emphasizing roles of existing players.

Part I: Boosting Situational Football with Vance McDonald

Tight end Vance McDonald is a second-round pick the team was truly elated to add, particularly its coach, Jim Harbaugh, who compared the rookie to Iron Mike Ditka and slapped him with the No. 89. The inkling was that he’d be an impact player right out of the gate.

Nine games in, McDonald only has only reeled in six balls for 86 yards all season, earning just 15 targets.

His Rice teammate Luke Willson, who now plays for the rival Seattle Seahawks, has twice the production and was drafted three rounds later. Dion Sims (Dolphins), Levine Toilolo (Falcons), Chris Gragg (Bills) and Mychal Rivera (Raiders) are also all mid-to-late rounders selected well after McDonald that have had more success early on.

It is not like the rookie is incapable, either. To reiterate, the offensive staff has not scripted a thing for him. There has been no real attempt to get McDonald rolling in any one game, even though he is averaging 14.3 yards per catch on the year, posting big grabs of 19, 20 and 25 yards in three different games.

There’s plenty of reason to get him more involved, it just hasn't happened.

He’s been snubbed by offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who, for one reason or another, refuses to call more pass plays with him as the first read. And wouldn't you know it, the one notable time he did, McDonald caught it out of the flat and steamrolled Richard Sherman to pick up the first down.

In fact, he’s moved the chains 4-of-6 times touching the ball this year (66.6 percent).

For a team struggling with situational football as much as San Francisco, currently the least-efficient passing unit on third down, per NFL Team Rankings, the 49ers could certainly benefit from a big-bodied target like McDonald.

Just put it up and let the tight end highpoint the ball. It's about opportunities. 

With his physical dimensions, McDonald was brought in to make the contested catches, but he can’t do that without being targeted. At 6’4”, 267 pounds, with the wingspan of an archangel, the Niners need to begin trusting him as a rebounder. That means 5-7 targets per game and see what shakes loose.

And if the coaches are not confident in his abilities to contribute on a down-by-down basis, that’s fine, too. Scale down his role and plan to get Vance McDonald involved specifically on third-down situations and in the red-zone, where he can use his body to shield defenders, as well as his power after the catch.

Part II: Adding a Safety Valve and Big-Play Spark with LaMichael James

LaMichael James is another early-round draftee that many believed would soon be a big piece to the puzzle on offense, perhaps even adding a brand new dimension as a receiving outlet for the quarterback, very similar to New Orleans Saints scat back Darren Sproles.

Embodying that shifty roadrunner type, James is essentially cut from the same cloth, possessing like physical traits that would enable him to carry out near-identical play designs. Though, again, no job has materialized for the former Heisman candidate from Oregon.

Oddly enough, James has only taken the field in three games this season, in a year where the 49ers are desperate for playmakers no less.

It is as if the front office drafted him without any real prior discussions of how they’d utilize him. Typically a second round pick is not inactive for 18 of his first 25 regular season games. And with as pioneering an offense we’ve seen this be at times, it is that much more of a shock.

But the 49ers have just recently begun making him a part of the active 46 again, which means they could be open to the idea of getting him more work (if he responds well, of course).

That being said, the Niners must: (1) Develop a screen game and (2) Chain him to Colin Kaepernick.

The 49ers need to cut back on the long balls and slow-developing routes, and return to quick passes that have run-after-the-catch potential. James is perfectly suited for this, which should make him the front man in San Francisco’s late-season rebirth on the offensive side of the ball.

Concocting a screen game around the No. 23 would allow him to get on the field and contribute inversely to Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, expanding what this team is capable of offensively. Having him in the quarterback’s hip pocket also gives Kap an outlet when there’s pressure.

Overall, they need to construct an underneath game that features LaMichael James as an open space runner. There is also potential for gained yardage. If you watch Sproles, there are a lot of little gainers before he actually busts one, but the Saints know this and remain committed to it.

Sean Payton knows that at one point or another the defense is going to be out of position or a defender will take a bad angle. And that’s really all it takes: time, elbow grease and a little bit of persistence. The 49ers have not gotten any of their guys multiple touches on a day to allow them to get a rhythm like this.

James is a player they need to do this with.

Since they set the standard, here is a look at another successful example staged by the New Orleans Saints and none other than Darren Sproles. It was his eighth touch of the night versus the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, closing out the first half.

He touched the ball on two of the four plays leading up to the score.

Formation: Shotgun

Personnel: Posse (3 WR-1 TE-1 RB)

Down-and-Distance: 2nd-and-10

Quarter: 2nd

New Orleans is about 30 yards out with only 13 seconds remaining on the clock. On top of the game situation, this spread look from Drew Brees and Co. has to have defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and the Cowboys thinking that the Saints are taking a shot at the end zone.

The first thing they’re likely to notice is that all-world tight end Jimmy Graham is lined up in the backside slot, which is no doubt setting off bells in the heads of the entire defense, as third-year linebacker Bruce Carter is alone shading him in off-man coverage.

The Dallas safeties are probably thinking about squeezing No. 80, so their eyes are not in the backfield.

Meanwhile the corners still have to worry about manning up with the three wide receivers, which includes Marques Colston outside. By the time all that information has been processed—and much, much more—the ball is ready to be snapped and Sproles is an afterthought.

Remember those four pass-catchers the Cowboys were so worried about?

Nothing but a decoy to clear out a whole lot of green grass for Darren Sproles who has all the room in the world to comfortably catch this dump off and follow the designed screen up the right sideline.

There is not a defender in sight.

Now the defense is in a position they don’t want to be. They’ve got to track down one of the best open-field runners in space and make the tackle. Not only that, but the downfield blocking and hustle from the two O-linemen that created the wedge was perfect, giving the Saints the head start from the get-go.

Sproles is on the move.

And he knocks it out of the park, scoring a 28-yard touchdown in roughly five seconds flat.

The defense never even knew what hit it. It was a brilliant play call, and just the kind the Niners need to draw from. Mismatches, like a linebacker on LaMichael James, plus the added bonuses of scheme and misdirection make this an avenue the 49ers must explore.

San Francisco also has one of the most revered offensive lines in the league, known not only for its power, but for its uncanny athleticism as a collective unit. Pro Bowler Joe Staley was once a college tight end, and perhaps the most versatile blindside tackle in the NFL today.

As for the guards, Mike Iupati is a like a wrecking ball on rocket-powered roller skates and converted swing tackle Alex Boone moves remarkably well for a 6’7” interior offensive lineman.

Veto Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman

49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman does handle the play-calling duties for the team and has since 2011—nothing has changed. While there were questions about his ability to cook up game plans and call plays, his offense was always an improvement from what was in place prior to his arrival. So, for a while there, Roman got a pass because of it.

However, San Francisco is now looking to take the next step and it seems like he is holding the team back, or jeopardizing its chances at the very least. 

Perhaps the Niners to need take this to a level they don’t want to go, which means shaking up the natural order of things on Sunday. It’s true that Harbaugh is not one to breach the hierarchy that has been assembled—mainly because he respects the chain of command and doesn’t want to create unnecessary distractions—but something must be done.

As an offensive-minded head coach, the 49ers head coach might need to start vetoing Roman’s play calls in the game, especially when they don’t include Frank Gore for long stretches at a time. When Vernon Davis was out of the game versus Carolina and San Francisco was only down one point at halftime, they came out for the third and fourth quarter and only gave Gore two carries.

Frank the Tank was averaging 5.1 yards per attempt on the day.

This has been a self-destructive pattern of Roman’s, whether he is aware of it or not. It has resulted in losses in games that were very winnable well into the late minutes, even when the defense was dog tired but still standing strong.

But why hasn’t anything been done?

To take a stab in the dark, Harbaugh might not be overruling Roman because they already have enough issues with clock management. Taking the time to kill his selection, choose another, then relay it to Kaepernick and get the huddle going may not fit under the play clock.

So, aside from the prospective danger of compromising their relationship, there’s a chance Harbaugh cannot justify it from a logistical standpoint. Why complicate things further, right?

On the other hand, 49ers beat reporter Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News communicated that Harbaugh may very well be “overruling or discussing” the play calls on game day already, which is why it has taken the offense so long to get organized at times.

Whatever the case, the current play calling needs an outsider’s perspective.

 

Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com, unless specified otherwise. Screen grabs provided by NFL.com Game Rewind (subscription required). Quotes from Jerry Rice taken directly. 

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LaMichael James, second-year running back for the San Francisco 49ers, remains more secret than weapon on offense these days.

Injured for three games, playing sparingly in two more and inactive for three others, James has had quite the tumultuous sophomore season in 2013.

James began the year gracing the sidelines in casual 49ers street ware. An MCL strain in his left knee precluded any possibility of sporting the more illustrious red-and-gold apparel.

Once James was healthy, the coaching staff afforded him only mop-up duty against the already-thrashed St. Louis Rams and Houston Texans. One could question why James hadn’t received more playing time, seeing as the 49ers were in need of an offensive spark following two sound defeats and a 1-2 start.

Yet, returning to their fundamental, ground-and-pound approach with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter seemed apt as well. Getting back to the roots of what a team does best works out more often than not.

But that only accounts for San Francisco’s first five games of 2013. Where has James been relegated to since then?

The electric Oregon Duck product and his seven carries for 31 yards have been submerged in a running-back depth chart that includes Gore, Hunter and, most surprisingly, Anthony Dixon.

Dixon’s all-around value on special teams has elevated him above James for the time being. A positive-1.7 rating for his work in coverage, which ranks fourth-highest on the team, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), lends credence to that assertion.

Dixon also produced two short-yardage touchdowns in the same two games that James was active.

All that being said, James can—and will—materialize as the 49ers’ best secret offensive weapon as the season moves forward.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is widely lauded as a highly sophisticated football brain. Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle noted as much in analysis of San Francisco's Week 8 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In making “all the right moves,” Roman had the Jacksonville Jaguars “completely unprepared for the 49ers’ multi-formations and personnel groups,” commented Lynch, via SFGate.com. Five touchdowns via misdirection plays resulted from San Francisco’s prolific formations on offense.

James, for his part, should fit seamlessly into that dynamic, creative approach.

James possesses all-world speed and game-breaking elusiveness both as a runner and a receiver. Top-three career marks in the Pac-10/Pac-12 of 5,668 yards and 57 touchdowns from scrimmage—in just three collegiate seasons, mind you—is proof enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n--pqmfL5Kc

A 40 time of 4.35 according to NFL Draft Scout doesn’t hurt either.

Roman will find a way to utilize that talent when it matters most.

The coordinator’s creative mind will produce game plans that feature James out of the backfield in Pistol and read-option sets, as well as a receiver from the slot and out wide. James will utilize his shifty, scatback qualities in space and thereby exploit mismatches against opposing defenses.

Shifting formations with James, Gore, Hunter and/or fullback Bruce Miller behind and alongside quarterback Colin Kaepernick will create pre- and post-snap havoc for the opposition. Add in versatile tight ends Vernon Davis and rookie Vance McDonald to these schemes and James suddenly becomes an X-factor on offense.

Will he take a pitch to the outside or hide behind his massive offensive linemen on a handoff up the middle? Will he run the wheel route or dart his way downfield for a big pass play? Is James a decoy or a bona fide target?

These are just some of the questions that defensive coordinators must address in their game-planning against James and the 49ers offense.

Make no mistake: Gore and Hunter are still the two firmly entrenched backs in this system.

But also don’t take the majority of touches going to these veterans to mean that James is an outlier on this team.

Critical upcoming matchups against two first-place NFC teams, the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, will in all likelihood decide the fate of the 49ers in the conference standings. James should be an integral weapon to beating both of those clubs.

In the words of head coach Jim Harbaugh, courtesy of SFGate.com's John Shea: “[We’d like to] get LaMichael in the mix. We want to get that going. He’s too good of a player not to be playing.”

Due to a 49ers bye in Week 9, the viewing world must wait awhile to see if Harbaugh’s thought-provoking words translate into dynamic action from James on the gridiron.

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Imagine that you’re an iconic college football player and the driving force behind a powerhouse university—let’s say, the Oregon Ducks.

In rags-to-riches style, your ultimate goal in life is to become a contributing NFL player and perhaps a star someday. Then your moment comes when you're drafted high by an offensive-minded team that not only can help you reach your ceiling, but one you can win world championships with.

Then suddenly, as if the organization had a change of heart, you discover that you’re just no longer part of the plan. Or at least you’ve been placed on the back burner for your first two years. You’d probably have a lot of questions rattling around in your head.

You’d be dismayed.

“Some things I just don’t understand at all,” San Francisco 49ers tailback LaMichael James said in a tweet that was later deleted, via Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. “I don’t work at State Farm. I’m not trying to be insurance.”

James, the former NCAA speed demon, is currently dealing with this vexing truth, continually being relegated to the inactives list during games. 

On Monday, in a press conference wherein 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was grilled on the topic, he acknowledged that there has been a back-and-forth between the coaches and James during this time. He knows it is a sensitive issue.

Harbaugh also understands that the recent draftee is displeased with his non-involvement, having spoken with him personally and catching wind of the aforementioned tweet, per the team’s official website:

His development has been fine. He’ll be back playing. I know the talk about "insurance," etc. It is not slight to LaMichael [James]. LaMichael is a very good player. He is a very valuable member of our team.

There is going to come a time, like last year, where he is fully in the mix and depended on. I know he wants to play, he wants to be contributing. And when he is dressed, he is contributing and doing that.

Again, Harbaugh insisted that there is an open line of communication, he is where he needs to be in terms of development and that James will have “very big role” for this football team.

Obviously James feels different about things. Following the presser, the second-year running back sent this out to over 100,000 of his followers from his official Twitter account:

This was also tweeted on Sunday day when he was listed as a healthy scratch in Week 6 versus the Arizona Cardinals:

It is clear that James remains bothered by his non-involvement.

Granted, San Francisco sits at 4-2, they are scoring points as a team and maintain one of the beefier rushing attacks in all the NFL. Having James on the bench is not costing them games. Still, it is inhibiting the growth of the offense and causing one of its higher draft picks to become pretty sour.

Is it worth it for running back Anthony Dixon or another non-factor like Nate Stupar or Marlon Moore? No, probably not.

Let’s take a look at what the 49ers are missing out on by having one of the most prolific players in college football history hogtied in the locker room while games are taking place on Sunday.

Radical Expansion of the Run Game

1,731 yards rushing and 24 total touchdowns made Oregon pinup LaMichael James a Heisman finalist as a sophomore in 2010, coming in third only behind Andrew Luck and winner Cam Newton, both of whom were eventually selected No. 1 overall in their respective draft classes.

So, let’s expunge the myth that James can’t run the football.

He is a flat-out dangerous human being with the ball in his hands, once ranked as the 25th overall player on Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board on ESPN (subscription required). The legendary draft guru also consistently had James as the No. 2 running back, only after Alabama’s Trent Richardson.

Now flexing in the National Football League, this is one guy who can totally change a defense’s perspective, simply because of his unique athletic ability and the fact that he differs stylistically from what the 49ers already have in place.

Remember, the team already has its north and south runners.

This is a player who can stretch teams horizontally, going east to west, offering a change of pace that San Francisco really does not have right now. Between the three of them, it is a perfect collage of talent, representing both ends of the spectrum and everything in between.

You’ll have Frank Gore and LaMichael James on two ends with Kendall Hunter’s skill set providing a happy medium, able to do it all, just as general manager Trent Baalke envisioned with this “three-headed approach,” via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

But it hasn’t happened yet. Instead, the 49ers have been about hard charging, between-the-tackle football, winning the past few weeks strictly off power rushing. But they also have an ultra-athletic group of offensive linemen, so there is potential to develop more of a perimeter game.

Mike Iupati is a brilliant pulling guard, Joe Staley and Anthony Davis are big, strong edge protectors that can move and Vernon Davis is arguably the best blocking tight end anywhere. With their united ability to set the edge, get out in space and knock guys off at the second level, James could use his speed to get outside and leave burn marks on the defense.

Speaking of the top speed he has to offer, James can potentially bring the read-option back to San Francisco, providing just the spark they need.  

A backfield composed of Colin Kaepernick and LaMichael James—two of the team’s fastest players—can present problems for a defense. You’ve got 4.45 speed going one way and 4.53 speed going the other, which plays mind games on the defense before the ball is even snapped.

Not to mention two completely different style runners, touting long speed and quick burst.

Then there is the expertise James brings, having played in Chip Kelly’s renowned uptempo offense at the University of Oregon, which has him prepped and ready for this kind of attack. That's assignment-based football: one false step by a defender and he’ll make you pay.

Sure, Frank Gore is the best runner the 49ers have, but when the outside linebacker or defensive end whiffs on the read, he’ll maybe gain 15 yards while James has the extra gear that enables him to make a house call. You can’t supplement that kind of ability with field vision and experience.

Having trouble in the red-zone? James can help there, too.

He had 53 rushing touchdowns in his three-year career with the Ducks, many of which came in red zone situations.

During that time, James demonstrated an amazing ability to cloak himself behind his offensive line, zigzag through traffic and break the plane before the defense even knew what hit it. It did not take long for him to show these skills off at the next level.

In fact, his first-ever NFL touchdown came on a 15-yarder. Let’s take a look at this key score versus the Atlanta Falcons in the 2012 NFC Championship game. It is a perfect example, seeing as how it reflects a little bit of everything we’ve discussed, it is an outside run on the read-option in the red zone.

Personnel: 11 (3 WR-1 TE-1 RB)

Formation: Shotgun

Down-and-Distance: 2nd-and-10

Quarter: Second

The 49ers were down big in the NFC title game, struggling to push the ball through the air and neglecting the run a little too much. They finally got a drive going after a few nice runs by Frank Gore, but once they got in scoring position, No. 23 entered the game at tailback.

The ball is snapped and the Niners have multiple sets of eyes watching Colin Kaepernick and LaMichael James—expecting a give to the back, a keeper by the quarterback or a potential pass down the field. After all, in this frame, it does appear that San Francisco’s receivers are running routes, not blocking.

All the while, Joe Staley, Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone and Anthony Davis are blocking left, clearing out that right side. Left guard Mike Iupati is in motion, pulling across the formation.

James gets the handoff going right, with his offensive line taking care of the front seven quite handily. The two Falcons linebackers that crashed down on the run could not take the right angle in time, frozen by the sleight of hand of the read-option. The tailback is in a position to blow right past them and he does.

That leaves only three real potential tacklers and James is still four yards behind the line of scrimmage.

The blocking was exceptional on this play.

Vernon Davis nails his assignment, clearing out the cut lane for James. He also received support from the wideouts on the perimeter, not allowing the defensive backs to dig back inside and get an arm on the ball-carrier.

So far in every frame, the 49ers offense has been just a step ahead of the Falcons defense.

James is too quick. He bursts through the seam and a last-ditch arm tackle from the linebacker tailing him won’t even put a kink in his momentum.

Making the Passing Offense Three-Dimensional  

It’s no secret; the passing game in San Francisco is in distress with a debilitated receiving corps and growing pains from quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The only worse-ranked aerial unit in the league is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the 49ers are currently tied for 30th with the Oakland Raiders, per NFL.com.

Outside of Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis, the 49ers do not have a single dynamic player to throw the football to right now. And the one exception that probably should have gotten going by now—rookie tight end Vance McDonald—hasn’t had more than one catch in a game.

If the front office is not going to procure any outside talent while Mario Manningham and Michael Crabtree are returning from their respective injuries, then the coaches need to pull James off the bench to help Kap. Due to his position, this will be an easy player for the quarterback to get the ball to.

When all else fails, a checkdown to the running back (with potential for yards after catch) is much better than a sack, throwaway or worse. And though the 49ers have Gore and Hunter, it is safe to say that James is a bit different.

As most of us are well aware, the player comparison is and always has been Darren Sproles, running back for the New Orleans Saints. And it’s eerily close, especially when you consider how rare this type of player is. Over his career, Sproles has proven to the world that big things can come in small packages.

Especially if used properly.

James has a like build and similar tools as Sproles, making him an enticing option as an outlet receiver for Kaepernick, even more so now during these trying times. It could even reach a point where the coaching staff is scripting plays with James as the go-to receiver out of the backfield.

Stick routes, Texas routes, wheel routes and more may all make their way onto the play-call sheet on game day. Not to mention the array of screens the 49ers could utilize to get James running in space with a convoy of blockers. Uncontested balls on screens and short routes with high-degree cuts and pivots will get him touches.

It is true that San Francisco runs an entirely different system from New Orleans, but nevertheless, it can become a wrinkle without altering the offense.

James can do all his receiving work underneath, providing a bail out for Kap, just as Sproles does for Saints quarterback Drew Brees. It is a killer for opponents on third down, in long yardage situations and in the red zone. Through the course of a game, it loosens up the defense immensely.

Things begin to open up elsewhere because now the defense cannot overcommit to guarding particular sections of the field; they have to protect the entirety of it. It gains the respect of the players and defensive coordinators, essentially putting them on high alert.

It is very abrasive that way.

And as we’ve seen with Sproles, there really is no limit to what a physically gifted scatback can do if utilized the right way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYfsHPu5y1g

Darren Sproles receiving facts (h/t Pro Football Reference):

• In 2011, he was the team’s third leading receiver (86-710-7), behind TE Jimmy Graham and WR Marques Colston.
• In 2011, Sproles was No. 2 on the team in targets (111).
• In 2011, 97 percent of his receiving yards came after the catch (690 of 710).
• In 2011, he averaged 82.1 all-purpose yards per game, which was among the league’s best.
• In 2011, his 86 receptions were good enough for No. 7 in the league, making him the only running back in the top 15 in said category.
• In two seasons with New Orleans (29 games played), Sproles has 2,224 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns.
• In 2012, Sproles topped All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals) in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
• His career all-purpose yards (15,012) are third among active players, ranking only behind Steve Smith and Wes Welker, having recently surpassed Tony Gonzalez.
• Sproles holds the NFL single-season record for all-purpose yards with 2,696 (2011).

Of Sproles’ 25 receiving touchdowns since 2008, would you believe that 11 have come after runs of 20-plus yards, including four over 45 yards? And that of his 16 receptions between one and nine yards away from the end zone, Sproles managed to convert eight into scores, via Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus.

That being said, James can be used as a pass-catcher to help the 49ers attack the length of the field, as well as contributing in the red zone. This is the mold of player that James is meant to be and despite the underwhelming size that tends to irk the critics, the overall production is clearly off the charts.

Like the pocket rocket from the Bayou, LaMichael James can harness his explosive ability to develop into an all-purpose dynamo.

Conclusion

For a team that has not only been at a loss for big plays on offense, but generally struggling to sustain drives, it is baffling that the 49ers have remained so conservative with one of their most physically gifted offensive players—one they invested in. 

James can also contribute on special teams, working as a punt and kick returner, which is another area that has been lacking for San Francisco. According to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, the team's current returner, Kyle Williams, has 16 fair catches on the season, which is already the ninth most in franchise history.

During his brief period fielding kicks as a rookie, James flashed, even making a critical late-game return that set up the game-winning touchdown versus the New England Patriots.  

In short, the 49ers are leaving potential big plays and risking losses when they do not take full advantage of their resources. Making waves with a player that they may or may not be counting on in the future is also damaging each week it continues.

As a staff, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman need to make it a point to activate LaMichael James and begin to integrate him into the three phases on game day, which are rushing, receiving and returning. These are all facets where he has value.

So, as one can plainly see, there are a lot more reasons to have him active on game day than there are to keep him sidelined. 

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