49ers’ Chip Kelly discusses Blaine Gabbert’s 3rd-down checkdowns

Everyone can agree 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw far too many checkdown passes last year, correct?

Last week, Kelly suggested it’s impossible for him - or anyone unfamiliar with last year’s play calls - to make sweeping judgments on how players performed in 2015 based on film review.

“I think one of the misconceptions is how people can evaluate tape and say ‘This guy made a wrong decision,’” Kelly said.

[...] that (receiver) was just running a clear-out route that had nothing to do with the play.

[...] to analyze the film from All-22 standpoint and say ‘This guy’s making some poor decisions,’ that’s hard if you don’t know what the play call is.’

There is certainly some truth in Kelly’s stance, although it’s also obviously a way to avoid publicly criticizing the players he inherited.

Kelly maintained he’ll hold off on making critiques until he sees the 49ers in-person once the offseason program starts April 4.

Can he bend if he’s an offensive lineman?