Have 49ers improved enough to become winners?
We've already witnessed the final preview for the 2009
The players coach Mike Singletary envisions as key components to this year's squad - at least early in the season - are going to have short nights. So don't tune in late for the 7 p.m. start against the Chargers or you'll miss them.
Therefore, what we saw on the field in those first three games is about all we have to try to gauge how the 49ers will fare this season.
Singletary on Thursday expressed his satisfaction with the first offseason and training camp under his command.
"First and foremost, it's been a great offseason, in my mind, from start to finish," he said.
I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to agree with him. From a personnel standpoint, I don't see how the 49ers will be better when the club takes the field next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
After all, the two most glaring weaknesses from last year's team - offensive line and pass-rusher - have less depth than a year ago at this time.
The 49ers surrendered 55 sacks in consecutive seasons. While the offensive line certainly was not responsible for all of those sacks, it's still an alarming number. And the 49ers did not address the situation in the offseason.
The team's pass rush was the other area of concern. Again, the 49ers did not add anybody it expects to get after the quarterback.
As it turns out, the 49ers' hopes rests on improved play this season from right tackle Adam Snyder and outside linebacker Manny Lawson. Snyder had a very good training camp before being sidelined for a week with an Aug. 22 knee injury (he'll be back in the starting lineup tonight). But Lawson has yet to show any flashes of being a productive NFL pass-rusher.
I asked Singletary what leads him to believe the offensive line and pass rush will be better this season. He said he is confident the run game will be much-improved, and I certainly agree with him on that point.
"We're going to have to be able to run the ball in order for us to be successful," he said. "I think we were able to accomplish that."
But to believe the 49ers' pass rush is going to show a significant upgrade takes a leap of faith.
"I've said all along, I have total confidence in our ability to get after the quarterback," Singletary said. "But it's more than meets the eye. I think it's the total 11 guys on defense playing together at one time."
In the first three exhibition games, the 49ers' only sack came when a quarterback tripped over the feet of an offensive lineman and fell. Sure, the 49ers have not game-planned for an opponent during the exhibition season. But you would think there would be enough talent that the defense could produce a legitimate sack on a pure one-on-one move.
"Let's revisit that in a few weeks, and then ask me again and I think I'll have a better answer for you," Singletary said. "But I don't want to go into speculating, and this and that and all that other stuff. I have my reasons. In a few weeks, let's revisit that."
* * *
In the weeks leading up to training camp, I trumpeted the team's improved corps of wide receivers. That area, too, has not shown as much as I thought it might. Here's what I saw from that unit:
Isaac Bruce: He's the only receiver on the roster who looked better than expected. Watching him daily was a treat. Certainly, at 36, he's past his prime, but he's still pretty good. He is smooth, precise and professional. He's more than a little quirky, but not in a diva-like way. He's stays to himself and does as much as he can to avoid added attention.
Josh Morgan: He is expected to have his breakout season. He opened camp strong, but then seemed to plateau. He has great ability, but he has yet to showcase it consistently.
Arnaz Battle: This is a player all 49ers fans should appreciate. He's been given nothing, and he continues to work hard and play hard. Part of the reason he's battled injuries throughout his career is because he does not shy away from the physical part of his job. A lot of teams can do far worse than having him as their No. 3 receiver. I'd say, he's the team's second-best receiver right now.
Jason Hill: He proved he can play. The third-round pick of the 2007 draft generally played well when given an opportunity in the second half of the season. But for most of camp, he's been the forgotten man, losing his playing time to Battle and Micheal Spurlock. He must regain his confidence and be willing to fight for a job.
Dominique Zeigler: He has fantastic hands and is a good route-runner. I've seen numerous times when WRs coach Jerry Sullivan will tell the young players to watch how Zeigler does it. In the right situation, he can be a solid complementary receiver. He is the only one of this group that still has practice-squad eligibility, so that might be his ticket - at least initially.
Micheal Spurlock: He has some value as a slot receiver, but his value to the team is as a handy man. He can return kicks. He can play the slot. And the former college quarterback has been offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye's top choice to run the "Taser."
And then there are . . .
Brandon Jones: When he signed became the highest-paid receiver on the team when he signed a five-year, $16.5 million contract as a free agent. He was the deep threat to open camp, as he and Alex Smith seemed to be forming a nice tandem. Jones got off to a great start. But then he dove for a pass during a practice Aug. 6 and broke his shoulder. He is expected to miss games through September.
Michael Crabtree: When and if he decides to sign, he will surpass Jones to become the highest-paid receiver on the team. He did not practice during the team's offseason program, and he remains without a contract agreement.
* * *
To summarize the 49ers heading into the 2009 season . . .
--The run game is better with an offensive line playing to its strengths, and Frank Gore and Glen Coffee looking strong.
--The quarterback play should be more consistent with Shaun Hill.
--The wide receivers haven't shown as much improvement as expected, making it questionable whether they can keep defenses from crowding the line of scrimage to stop the run.
--Vernon Davis looks as if he'll be used as a receiver and not just a glorified tackle.
--The run defense looks like it won't be a problem.
--The pass rush, which is the key to the entire pass defense, is still very, very questionable.
--Special teams should be about the same as it was a year ago.
My kneejerk reaction is that this is a 6-10 team. At least, that's how the first unit looked to me when I watched the first three exhibition games. This club does not have a lot of margin for error. Things will really have to fall into place - and answers will have to emerge from within - for the 49ers to hover around .500 and be right there to contend for the NFC West.
But I'm willing to implement Mike Singletary's recommendation.
"Let's revisit that in a few weeks, and then ask me again and I think I'll have a better answer for you."
* * *
* * *
A number of former 49ers players have sighed up as ambassadors for a new form of fantasy football that does not focus on just the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. Ronnie Lott, Derrick Deese, Gary Plummer and Brentson Buckner are among the former players who are teaming up with Trench Fantasy Football.
"Fantasy football takes away from the essence of the game," Buckner said. "You might as well be playing 8-man or flag football. Trench Fantasy makes you watch the trenches. You learn the whole game, and now you're a football purist."
Fantasy players can learn more about Trench Fantasy and register through Sept. 9 to start leagues for the upcoming season at TrenchFantasy.com.
* * *
Actually all we really have on offense to base our beliefs on is what we saw from Hill and Baas and Rachael and Bruce and Morgan etc.LAST year. And what we have seen and heard about Snyder and Gore and coffee etc this year.
We really have not seen the starting O line for anythime this preseason.Hill has been allowed to throw what,about 20 passes? And that with the poor O line with sims etc.
We just need to hope and trust that the players that played well last year and helped us win 5 out of the last 7 games are going to play as well or better this year.
We know we have not seen all the pieces on the field and we know that the game plan would have been quite different if those players were in that can do different things.
What I am saying is that we can't judge Raye,Hill,the pass rush or the much of anything until we see then play a few games when it counts.
Matt,
Please tell Gary Radnich with KNBR to cool it with his Shaun Hill logic. He has almost asked every 49ers rep on the air why Shaun Hill is the man being that he is finally named the starter for the first time after being in the league for 8-9 years. It is obvious that he was never given an oppertunity to be a starter. If Hill bombs in a few weeks then maybe Gary can talk. Tell him to cool it for me! Secondly, who is out there after this year on the free-agent front for pass rush?
Joe
I completely agree with your assessment. The 9ers did not add talent at pass rusher, o-line, or QB. The other thing that jumped out at me is that a proven OC was replaced with an OC who has a less than stellar track record. I didn't necessarily disagree with firing Martz but the Raye hiring was underwhelming to say the least. Guys with very good reputations walked away from Singletary because of things they heard in the interview process. That is very concerning to me. He had to hire a never-was because the better options didn't want to work with Sing. I don't really do predictions but 6-10 sounds about right. My only question for Jed is, will 6-10 be good enough to bring Sing back for another year?
I'm willing to give Sing a few weeks to see where his leadership takes the team before forming an opinion. I have a very uncomfortable feeling that I'll need heavy doses of ant-acid by the beginning of October.
Matt, I have to ask, you think we a worse team than last year? Last year, with Nolan coaching the first half of the season and us starting out 2-6 we finished with a better record (7-9) than you claim we will have this season (6-10). I find that confusing. We have the QB that took us to that improved second half now starting from day one. While our depth at O-line isn't as good I believe the starting five are better and more cohesive. The new offensive coordinator fits our talent better. The running game looks much better. I am seeing better play out of our DBs than I saw last year. I guess my question is this, were did we get worse? I know we didn't improve the pass rush but i dont think it got worse either. So I just want to know why you think we are a worse team.
MM, great article, I would have to agree wit the assessment. I too am not overly optimistic about the season. I think the first four games leading up to the bye will tell us a lot.
Good job asking the tough questions of Sing. I think we are all a little suspect. If this were a corporation and we were share holders I’d be selling, b/c they DID NOT address the problems at hand. We gambled and took a diva WR. Marvel Smith retired. Snyder is unproven for a full season of consistency AND Manny just looks odd out there. I think this NFL is above his game. He is more of a 4-3 OLB.
I am hoping for 8-8. Go 9ers!!!
Sounds about right. One question, Matt. How has Singletary's rah rah motivational style held up with players over the course of a long training camp? Seems like it could get old fast, kind of like two-a-days.
Matt I agree with you. We just don't have enough talent on our lines. But at least Coach Singletary has them playing hard and the team is not an embarassment
I do not think we are a worse team this year and I think you will see the development of some of the young talent we have. Now our line is in better shape than last year just because of the length of time they have been together..and correct me if I am wrong but Baas is the only starter not signed past this year so that looks good for the future though I admit we do lack depth tremendously. Now as far as pass rush, I haven't seen anything through the preseason that has satisfied me much less excited me but I do know that we have undergone a tremendous philosophy change on both sides of the ball as compared to the beginning of last season. I would place any amount of money on the line that we don give up 50 sacks this year regardless who the QB or O-line is just because our philosophy changed. Now I am not saying we are going to be overly effective on either side of the ball either but I am a little bit more patient than some other fans might be because I didn't think we would be a playoff team until next year anyway but I did see this as the best team in the past 6 years and 8-8 with a two game swing either way. We are no longer in the depths of Detroit and Kansas City but we aren't much better than the Saints or Redskins either..the only advantage we have is our division might be a little weaker. Arizona will not make the playoffs this year because they are going to feel the pain of losing both coordinators so it comes down to us and Seattle and I think the youth of the 9ers should shine through. While I see no FA pickup or draft pick making a dramatic impact this year I think it is time for the picks from from '05 and on to show us something and IF we stay healthy then we have a good chance at playoffs which is the best thing I can say about this team since Mooch
Matt,
Can you do a predictions column? Here are a few of my predictions:
Willis and Heitmann will be the only 9ers to make the pro bowl.
Alex Smith will start at least 6 games either due to Hill's ineffectiveness or injury.
Dashon Goldson will end up being a liability in coverage and be replaced by Roman or someone else.
9ers Defense will be in the bottom 5 in the league in Sacks.
Manny Lawson will have less than 5 sacks.
Chilo Rachal will be replaced by Tony Wragge due to ineffectiveness. Rachal makes some big hits but he misses too many assignments.
Frank Gore will have a solid year but he will rush for less than 1200 yards.
Crabtree will sign but will not have a big impact on the offense. Less than 40 catches. I know I know. Big stretch there.
We better stay healthy on the OL! Starters may be able to get it done, but.........
Pass Rush is worrisome. Romo had time to check his e-mail in the pocket and still pick us apart. It won't matter that we can stop the run if we can't get off the field on 3rd down. Sure, blitzing works against chump QBs, but the Class Acts lick their chops.
How could we get better? No 1st rounder (absent) or 2nd rounder (traded), one FA a Journeyman (Evans), one injured(B.Jones) and one retired (M.Smith).
Alaska77 - Better in secondary? Well, I like Dashon's promotion, but W.Harris on IR, M.Lewis good against the run but now nicked up and Nate had a crummy pre-season. Yikes.
Houston: Just about everything you said in that last post is based on rumors that were shot down long ago. We know that one coordinator was told that Sing wanted to base his offense on the running game and play action pass and if that was not what the coordinator prospect was comfortable with then he should say so now . He said so and was never offered the job.He would have been if he agreed but he did not agree to changing his preferred style.
We know that Raye was THE 1st guy Sing contacted after being hired as the permanent HC. He was a perfect fit for Sing and not an after thought at all,but was 1st in line. Of course Sing and Scott interviewed others but none of them fit any better than Raye,so Raye was the 1st guy in and the last one standing ,after the long process.Nobody turned Sing down. Perhaps Sing would have rather had a younger guy with more experience in calling games? But he wanted that guy to call a offense just like the Raye offense. Sing rejected him because he would not be enough like Raye.Raye was the perfect fit for Sing's vision. If they flop,then you can complain on the fact that the team is playing poorly on offense,not on old shot down false rumors.
While I agree with Matt that we failed to get deeper at RT and OLB over the offseason, I think it's clear the team we'll put on the field in Week 1 will be better than last season's team.
Adam Snyder has looked great at RT. His play has benefitted a great deal from him being allowed to focus on RT. Also, the whole line is now playing to its strengths, rather than to the intracacies of Martz's offense. So we'll be better prepared to take advantage of our OL's strengths. This makes our current OL unit much better than last year's.
Also, before we dismiss Manny and the rest of our pass rush, we should give them a chance. Haralyson was a revelation last year. Also, Justin Smith is an underrated pass rusher from the DE position, even in the 3-4. With Ice, McDonald, and Balmer in the middle, all young players with added experience, its not crazy to think we'll get a much better push up the gut.
We were 7-9 last year, and 5-4 after Singletary took over. JT started lots of games for us last year. The NFC West is still relatively weak, and last year we took both games from the Rams, tied the Hawks 1-1, and lost two competitive games to the Cards. We went 3-3 in division. I don't think it's outlandish to expect us to go 4-2 this year.
I think Crabtree's insanity has got everyone down in the dumps, and rightfully so, but we still have pleanty of reasons for optimism. Mike Singeltary, Frank Gore, Joe Staley, Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, and Justin Smith foremost among them.
The sky is falling,the sky is falling...Oh wait a minute,it's not falling yet but might be if the team doesn't play well in the regular season. But why not start whining and crying now ? Because it is silly to do so,that's why. lol.
I was referring to the multitude of interceptions they had, i think we are +8 in turnovers this preseason. Nate will be Nate once the season begins. Dashon is better than Roman, and i think Harris' injury was a blessing in disguise, what i have seen from Bly has looked better than harris has in a while. Also Reggie Smith seems to be coming into his own. So yeah, i would say the secondary looks better this year.
Hey Matt would it be this Saturday or the Saturday before the Niners first game that Crabtree would have to sign before he missed a game check?
Joe, I think Peppers was franchised this year so he should be available. He will be pricey and never played in a 3-4. Orakpo and Maybin would have been nice, but I was willing to gamble on Crabtree...
As QB, we can ride out Hill.
The team is much better. I can't think of a unit that stepped backwards. The kids are a year older and the OL/DL have had another year to gel.
I would like to mention the secondary, running backs & linebackers who are significantly better than last year.
The only area that I don't like is OC. No way is Raye an improvement over Martz.
I say 8-8 minimum and with a bit of luck better than that & in the playoffs.
" the two most glaring weaknesses from last year's team - offensive line and pass-rusher - have less depth than a year ago at this time." ---
which is the #1 reason why McCloughan needs to go
I'm not so sure we haven't downgraded at QB. I know O'Sullivan got a lot of criticism for too many interceptions, and deservedly so, but I think a good portion of that was him just following Martz's system which wasn't a good fit for the team's personnel and put a ridiculous amount of pressure on JT. The guy clearly had the best arm and most accuracy on the team. I know the players weren't too fond of him and he was Martz's guy, but he's got some talent. He won the #2 QB job in Cincinatti, something I'm not sure any of the 49ers current could do. He did have a 116.4 QB rating this preseason. Just saying.
I was willing to gamble with Crabtree too.... Boy do I wish I could go back in time!
This team is in better shape than it was 5 years ago, but as it is still a work in progress we can at least take great comfort this time in knowing that things might finally be going in the right direction.
A lot of people need to calm down, 2010 will inevitably be the REAL year things start to take shape for the 49ers.
Its preseason!!! 116.4 QB Rating in preseason is not the same as being in the regular season against 1st team offenses.
I wonder if Crabtrees posse will still be with him in a couple months when he is flat broke? This is getting stupid now I look all the time on espnnews to see if he got signed im just starting to get tired of it. What else is there to prove?
Understood. Just saying he had a good preseason and beat out Carson's little brother for the #2 spot. Not sure Hill or Smith could have done that.
Well, I'm not saying these guys can't get heat on the QB, but I sure haven't seen anything yet. I want Manny to have success but we're still waiting. Ice didn't show much this summer and I was hoping for more from Evans. Coaches say Balmer is getting there, I hope they're right. Justin Smith is my man, no argument. McDonald hasn't had a chance to show off, maybe tonight. We need to see it. I'll support them no matter, but to win games we need better.
You can't take last year's pig, slap some new lipstick on it and call it better.
Other than adding depth at RB, the 49ers have done nothing to improve the team from last year. Someone at 49ers HQ needs to get a clue, hire someone that knows what they are doing and get out of their way so they can fix this mess. The 49ers should have fired everyone from McCloughan down and started over. Instead we're off on another experimental project with an inexperienced HC, a loser OC, and the same players that couldn't get the job done before.
Everyone is intitled to their opinion and thats respectable. im gonna look a lil more optimistically and go with a solid NFC title. (9-7) maybe 10-6. here is why:
Last years team was 7-9 should have been 8-8 or 9-7 and won the west and been in the playoffs... Thanks martz... and i believe this is an improved team.
I think the offensive line is as solid as it has looked in a while. i think synder finally being put at ONE position will greatly improve his game and he will get very good. This guy was a 3rd rd pick remember (lets not 4get Nolan screwed the guy)
~ this 1-2 maybe even 3 punch combo we have at running back is the best its been in a long time, much improved over foster IMO. we are a running team so those things are very important.
~ we are starting the season with hill, not O' turnover that single handly lost us games. Hill is in an offense that fits his strengths and i just beileve his "game magic" so to speak just comes out on sundays and his use of the play action pass will move the offense.
~ Martz sucked, in IMO he has always sucked. He is not a genious, he runs an offense that is not efficent. he just happen to have the greatest fit with some of the greatest players to fit into the perfect offense. As we have seen anywhere else he takes that Offense is terrible. Raye might seem "boring" but if its simple and to the point the players can make it look awesome.
~ Defense, ok the pass rush im going on blind faith it will come around, but I really feel now that Nolan is gone and done ruining the D and we have a simple and efficent 3-4 it can be a top ten D and with a aoild running game and a little praying maybe even top 5.
~Goldston in, Roman out
~Finally all the young talent is a year older, and i think the WR core will come together and grow throughtout the season
Spot on Matt. I think this entire situation puts the continued spotlight on poor drafting. As discussed Walsh was a great coach but he might have been a better player personnel guy. He was special with two things having a great system and most importatnly finding guys who were perfect for that system. For the most of the last decade we have been a bad of clueless idiots throwing junk against the wall hoping something sticks. Lawson is a perfect example of this. He should be GONE! He can stop the run and cover a litte. That is the easy part. With regards to our o-line...what a joke. Wallace is a joke and we pass on a chance to get a quality tackle in the early rounds this year. We deserve to be a loser 6-10 team this year.
Honestly after rereading my own post i think this is a better team than last year due to subtraction, seriously....
No Nolan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, No Moving guys around/hybrid D's, less RT problems (jennings/ starting sims), no Roman starting, No JTO, no foster(that one is a lil addition due to coffee/sheets), No martz. No TCB/Green pass rush combo....
am i missing anything...
i think we just fixed a lot of our problems to make us a better team
Fair enough, thanks for explaining. I'm waiting for them to convince me. I favor Dashon, but he'll get tested by vet QBs and OCs early in the season. I think he'll answer the tests even if he gives up a play here or there. Nate says he was working on an aspect of his game this summer; I'm hoping he's right. Bly can play, but I'm not yet convinced he's more effective than Walt. Michael Lewis has a few liabilities in deep coverages, though Istill like his experience and leadership.
I too was impressed with Reggie's play, and I see him breaking in soon.
The three INTs against Denver were gifts from Orton; although we had the sense to make him pay. Roman's pick was caused by QB pressure, which is the way its supposed to work. We'll see, and I'm hoping for the best.
I've been as critical as anyone, but it's a team game and maturation is underrated. Our guys can catch the ball & if the QBs perform, we'll be alright, even without Crabtree.
D will struggle against elite passers, but most teams do.
Dang, now I'm bummed. Who wants to buy my season tickets? 50% off.
MM - My heart doesn't want to believe you and I'm tempted to write a long rebuttal stating my case for why I believe this team is totally underrated right now. However, my mind is afraid you could be spot on. Let's hope not.... losing is getting really really old around here.
my quick response to that is how do you know that Sing doesnt have a system and has put players into that system that will succeed...
quick answer: we dont!! cuz the season doesnt start till next week... Walsh didnt build his machine in a month.
I feel Matt writes one article about WHETHER OR NOT this team has improved, hints it may not have and ppl are jumping ship like the titanic!!!!!!
well boys call me the Captian cuz im going down with the ship....well know more bout what we have on sept 13th
Geez Matt way to take the air right outta the room!! lol Just kidden
Don't forget, the defense has been creating turnovers in preseason and in Napa vs the Raiders.
However they've still been playing "bend but don't break", and I'm not convinced they'll be able to stop the run.
ShaneO, thanks. I'm in off the ledge, tickets no longer for sale. You mentioned the change at Head Coach and OC which I think are huge improvements (Martz was going to force-fit our team to his mold, not adjust to the talent). OL I agree, improved. I'm expecting improved performance from the WR & TE positions as well. Thanks again.
its definatley wait and see time. The team created turnovers but it was in preseason. The pass rush looks no better, but it has been preseason and without game planning or running any schemes we don't really know. The running game looks better, but it has been preseason. The fact is simply this, we start the season against everyones favorite picks to win the division, Seattle and Arizona. How we do in those two games will give us much better perspective on the season. If we can beat our division early then we will be promising, if we cant and we start 0-2 then look to 2010. this is a hard week to get through.
Have 49ers improved enough to become winners?
No.
1. No QB upgrade. Hill is ok. He is more like a good backup.
2. No Pass rush. Manny lawson is a joke. He wouldn't even be on a PS for many teams.
3. I am not sold on Sing as a coach. He may be a good motivator but his in-game management skills are raw. He not good enough to overcome the lack of talent in this team.
I hope I am proven completely wrong.
~v
Matt:
got to agree with ShaneO. last year's team went 5-3 under Singletary, without TC or offseason to work his system.
10-6 very optimistic, if Hill plays out of his mind
9-7 fair chance, Gore does not fumble once
8-8 most likely, if 50% are run plays
7-9 time to get Nate Davis some starts
6-9 Scott gets fired
Good luck Niners!
Matt; One of the great things about sports, is that to try to predict the out come of a game or an event is a fools game. Lead pipe favorites lose and long shots win. My standard of play is Championship Ball. As fan of the 9ers I "hope" they will be a championship team. As an observer of NFL football, this team is awful. Try as I might I do not see any big differences between this team and the teams of the last few years. As a fan I "Hope" I am wrong!
I agree with your assessment Matt, as depressing as it is. The fact is, McCloughan really added nothing that will help the team THIS year. He got an extra #1 pick next season, but ironically may not be around to use it.
This team is really no better or worse than last year. They could have won anywhere from 5-9 games last year and it'll probably be the same this year.
Matt, all valid points, but there is a very good player that was added to the defense this offseason that you didn't mention...his name is "Continuity." All defensive starters and defensive coaches are back. That is a big addition to the team that hasn't had continuity on defense for almost a decade. ...Mr. Continuity is a two-way player -- he's also on the offensive line this year. I think that is a valid basis to say that there is reason for Sing to say that they can look within and find improvement.
yo bro... you make the most sense to me. I think Matt is either smoking something or he is trying to fire up his blog... it's working, a lot of "faithful" are succumbing to his "optimism".
Coach Singletary is the only change that will matter this season.
Nolan hired Martz out of desperation and simple "not knowing what the heck he is doing". Singletary could have kept Martz and it would have made his life easier, but he fired him instead. that really shows me that Coach Sing knows what he wants and how to get there. Going through 6 or 7 OC shows that Coach Sing does pay attention to details.
Did anyone see Deion talking Crabs on NFL Network? If so, please post.
i can already see this season with games decided by fewer than 3 points plus or negative. it really feels like we're going to run run run, and then we're going to fall behind and we'll have to pass to get back in it. if this is the game plan, i see another losing season ala nolan years.
if we run, and run good, then they should use play action to set up the pass. i hope they mix it up and really make it a balance offense. the nolan led offense still haunts me.
9-7 is my prediction.
Being that we haven't been game planning yet and have kept it plain vanilla, I'm willing to give them a chance first. Based off of late last season, there's no reason to think that they won't pick up where they left off.
I mean, if we're going off of preseason here, then the Cards are horrible (SB curse in full effect), Seattle can't stop a pass to save their life, and the Rams... Yup, same ol' sorry azz Lambs.
here ya go:
i'm watching the nfl network right now and they're talking with deion sanders about crabtree and he's saying that crabtree SHOULD get more money. omg...with this guy talking like that, there's no way crabtree is going to sign. d. sanders is yammering away like an idiot too. he's also saying that crabtree is willing to sit out the whole year. the sportscaster ask sanders if crabtree REALLY going to sit out and come back on next year draft? and sanders said yes, crabtree is going to sit and relax. it really boggles the mind.
Wow. Crabby is a fool. I'm to the point where I don't even want the idiot on my team now.
Sanders, Irvin, his idiot cousin Wells and his agent have blown this dude's head up to the point of no return.
My question is, will these clowns still be around after Crabby's NFL career goes nowhere? There's always the UFL I guess...
Remember 2007, when Norv left, and we were told everything will be fine, we have some great coaches on the staff, we don't need to bring in anyone new to replace Norv, we can just promote Hostler? Now, in 2009, we have some of the same logic. We tried to bring in an OT, but he's gone now. We didn't bring in a pass rusher. But, don't worry, everything will be fine, even though all through the pre-season, the starters can't generate a passing game, and no one on defense can mount a pass rush. There is more reason to be worried than confident.
Sing is right about one thing. We'll know a lot more after the first few regular season games. Really, the first two.
The best teams in the NFL can rush the passer. The Niners have shown no ability to do this for several years. Until we can put pressure on the QB, it won't matter how good the rushing game is or anything else. To win consistently in the league you need pressure. Saying that we haven't put in defensive game plans as a reason for no pressure in the exhibition season sounds like an excuse. The offenses are not game planning either, so it looks like it comes down to physical ability, or the lack thereof. Please use one of those draft picks (or both!) to get someone who can get after the quarterback.
Here's the interview
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-preseason/09000d5d81263600/Where-s-Crabtree
With guys like this in his ear, the kid could lose a lot of money.
lol no prob bro,..... lets go 9ers!!!!!!
Working fool..... Feel the same wy bro
Matt you are spot on! As I have been saying all spring and summer, this is a 6-10 team, plus or minus two. Reasons are clear, a head coach that is in way over his head, no pass rush, and a noodle-armed QB who is nothing more than a career back-up. One caveat, Nate Davis could bring the 49ers a few more wins if he is inserted in the second half of the season, once we get off to a 2-6 start.
deion is such an idiot too. he mentioned that there were 2 teams that was interested in trading for crabtree's right, and then the nfl network sportcaster said, "well, the trade deadline has passed so i don't think it's possible." deion didn't say anything after that. you should look at deion's expression. he had this "ok, u got me" look. what a complete id-git.
Well Thor,he can be traded starting next March.If he did sit out the year and there were these ficticious teams that were willing to pay him top 5 money,or whatever the fantasy they are pushing,then he could be traded then.
But if that were true,the Commish would have the heads on a platter of those teams GM's and owners.That would be BIG time tampering.
Sounds like a last gasp attempt to worry the Niners ,but I really doubt the Niners are taking that seriously.
But like Jed said erliere this week,the team is in touch with Parker daily.The relationship between the Player and agent and the team is fine.Jed said they have offered a generous offer and they want to be sure it is a very generous offer because they want a happy player when he does come into camp.I still think it will be about 18 mil guaranteed,as I have thought from the start.We shall see.
And now for some football,you know,players who actually go on the field and play,lol
Montana-Clak: You probably would have said the same stuff about Bill Walsh being over his head,when he has that pathetic record in his first 2 years. But you don't even give Sing one year to see how he does,even though he turned this thing around when he took over last year. Most HC's get at least 3 years before they are judged. But some folks just hate on Sing,I wonder why ?And some people are just FortyWHINERS and are always yelling that the sky is falling. Why not wait a while and give the guy a chance,unless you wish for him to fail for SOME reason?
But even a broken clock is right twice a day and you are right about Davis,if nothing else,lol.
Matt;
Would find out if any trade offers for Crabtree where made to the 9ers before the trading dead line?
Thank You
P
Sopoaga and Franklin do not garner double team attention thereby freeing up an outside pass rush. These two are normally being locked-up by single offensive linemen. Until we get stout in the middle we will continue to have poor sack/QB pressure numbers.
Matt, I think the team is pretty much the same as last year with some upgrades, but I think this year team is better than last year. the difference is this is a well coach team and it will play either to it's potential or above it. My prediction is this team will be above 500.
This team will be 5-11.
The scheme matters a ton too. Dick LeBeau made James Harrison a star. Maybe Manusky will made Lawson or Brooks one too. So far, I'm impressed by Manusky.
This is quite simple, I have been on the wagon for the last 5 seasons and we haven´t been able to grow from one season to the next. If we don´t make the playoffs, the whole scenario needs to change. And honestly, I really don´t think we will.
So for that reason, this is my 2010 wish list. FIRE MCLOUGHLAN, SINGLETARY and RAYE. Keep Manusky and Rathman.
Hire Holmgren as GM and Shannahan as HC (CAN YOU IMAGINE GORE AND COFFEE WITH SHANNAHANS SYSTEM). And not just because they are part of our history... simply because they´re the two best options on the market.
Holmgen will inherit a good core, not nearly as decimatted as Nolan (and that is the first and last time I´ll mention HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED) he inherited. My guess is we will have 3 picks in the top 50. We develop Davis and draft a third round at QB to provide another option.
And then simply trust the wisdom of two very experienced and succesful people and give them 2 years to take us back to the promise land.
As a fan, I would love to see nothing more than our 49ers be succesfull this year. But as you have pointed out MM, our GM didn´t address any of our poblems this year (and I do consider drafting Crabtree the right move). Ownership has to understand that as a franchise we have to start over, yes REBUILD if you want to call it. But this time, I do think the rebuilding process will be very vey short.
Matt,
I had started to think that you have drank the Singletary cool aid. Finally an objective view. It seems to me that the press was all over Nolan since day one but Singletary is getting a free pass. Why is that? This team is not any better that it was last year or the year before. I would bet that we would have won the same number of games in the 2nd half of the season last year if Nolan was the coach. Seems like the media is buying what Singletary is selling, without any evidence of how good of a coach he is. Why is that? Please stay objective.
8 and 8!
We have bad QB play except for the rookie who is learning. Davis is slow a foot but has a strong arm. Good possibility he'll be starting by mid season. I think by then we'll be out of contention. Let the young kid learn on the job! Besides, he's the only one who can complete a pass to an outside receiver.