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San Francisco 49ers: Thresholds for Success in 2016

By Trevor Irvine

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) look on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) look on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

A Niners QB must throw 20-plus touchdowns in 2016

Seriously, can a real Niners QB please stand up?

The Niners are a storied franchise because they had QBs like Joe Montana and Steve Young play for them.

Why do the current QBs want to stink up the place so bad?

In 2015 Gabbert and Kaepernick combined for 16 TD passes. Is that bad?

Hmm…. Yep.

It was one of the main reasons the offense was the worst scoring offense in the NFL at 14.9 points per game. We saw time and time again an offense which couldn’t get out of it’s own way. Third-down conversions were just awful, with checkdown pass after checkdown pass just tormenting us with its mangled promises.

Kelly was brought in because he knows a little about a NFL offense. Even in 2015 prior to his firing with the Philadelphia Eagles, their passing game was ranked 12th in the league.

Whoever wins the Niners starting QB job, needs to take it and run with it. With Kelly calling the plays, there is no excuse for the QB to not hit the 20 passing TD mark in 2016. It is not a hard number to hit. Last season, the Atlanta Falcons ranked No. 6 in passing offense and they had 21 TD passes. The Pittsburgh Steelers ranked third with only 26 TD passes.

The Niners need to score more TDs to win games. They overly rely on kicker Phil Dawson which is fine (he is good enough) but kicking FGs doesn’t win you too many games in today’s NFL. With an improved running attack and an improved O-line, whether it is Kaepernick or Gabbert, one of them just has to smash through the 20 passing TD barrier and hopefully go well above it.

One of them needs to take the next step and become an accurate thrower who can make plays with his feet when under pressure. They each have enough experience and talent to make it happen.

We will know soon enough.

Next: 49ers defense must total 40-plus sacks in 2016