I’ve got another game we can play as we spin our wheels this offseason.
What will the Niners regular record be next season?
This is not a fruitless exercise. This is another way of examining how the Niners currently stack up against their competition.
Some questions to consider while making your projections: How will the Niners change next season? How will their opponents adjust? How will the Niners adjust to those adjustments?
I’m guessing the Niners will pass a bit more next season than they did last season, simply because Frank Gore is getting older and they’ve invested so much into the passing game this offseason – Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins.
I’m guessing the league will run much less against the Niners defense. Instead, opposing offenses will try to spread them out and attack with quick passes.
I’m guessing teams will make it a priority to bring pressure against the right side of the Niners line to force Vernon Davis to stay at the line of scrimmage and block.
Those are my assumptions. Here are my predictions.
Game 1: @ Green Bay. L. Why: The most lethal spread offense in football will score lots of points and force the Niners to pass. LOLBClay Matthews will bring tons of pressure and force Vernon Davis to help pass protect, and the Niners will get outscored.
Game 2: vs. Detroit. W. Why: A good spread offense, but the Niners proved last season they can handle the Lions skill players (Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Nate Burleson, Jahvid Best), and Aldon Smith proved he can handle LT Jeff Backus – 1 sack, 2 QB hits.
Game 3: @ Minnesota. W. Why: Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder isn’t good enough to beat the 49ers.
Game 4: @ New York Jets. W. Why: Neither Mark Sanchez nor Tim Tebow is good enough to beat the Niners, either.
Game 5: vs. Buffalo. L. Why: Mario Williams. It’s no secret that right tackle Anthony Davis has struggled against the league’s best pass rushers, and Mario Williams is the league’s best pass rusher, and he’ll be lining up against Davis, making life tough for Alex Smith and the offense. On the other side of the ball, the Bills have are committed to the spread offense, and they’ll use the Packers blueprint to sqeak out enough points to win this game.
Game 6: vs. New York Giants. L. Why: Anthony Davis has to face Justin Tuck in this one. In the NFC Championship Game, Tuck recorded 1.5 sacks, two QB hits and one tackle for a loss. He dominated the matchup. If Frank Gore were a few years younger, the Niners could avoid Tuck by simply running the ball, but Gore’s only useful for 10-15 carries at this point in his career, so the Niners are going to have to pass to beat the Giants, and the Giants don’t give QBs much time to pass.
Game 7: vs. Seattle. W. Why: The Niners are too good to lose three straight home games. Seattle’s a young team with a new quarterback – Matt Flynn. They’ll keep the game close, but they won’t beat the Niners at Candlestick next season.
Game 8: @ Arizona. W. Why: I expect Aldon Smith to manhandle Cardinals left tackle Levi Brown in this game. Larry Fitzgerald will get open, but if the Niners pass rush can dominate the Cardinals offensive line the way they should, the Niners will win.
BYE WEEK
Game 9: vs. St. Louis. W. Why: St. Louis a young team. They’re not ready to challenge the Niners at Candlestick.
Game 10: vs. Chicago. W. Why: The Bears’ offense is too conventional to hurt the Niners defense. Everything starts with the running back, Matt Forte, and the Niners can shut him down because they can shut down any running back. On top of that, the Bears offensive line is no good. Jay Cutler will get hit and turn over the ball multiple times.
Game 11: @ New Orleans. W. Why: Too much disarray for the Saints this offseason. Even in the Super Dome, they won’t be cohesive enough to beat the Niners.
Game 12: @ St. Louis. W. Why: The Rams young spread offense should click at this point in the season behind QB Sam Bradford, WR Danny Amendola, WR Brian Quick, WR Chris Givens and RB Isaiah Pead. Of course, they still have Stephen Jackson, the old, tough running back, but he’s a bad matchup against the Niners defense. LDE Chris Long is a bad matchup for the Niners offensive line. With all that going in the Rams favor, they still can’t quite beat the Niners in this one, but they come close.
Game 13: vs. Miami. W. Why: The Dolphins will struggle to move the ball and score points. Their offense is not equipped to hurt the Niners defense.
Game 14: @ New England. L. Why: A great spread offense that can force the Niners into tough matchups, like Perrish Cox against Brandon Lloyd in the slot. The Patriots will outscore the Niners in Foxboro.
Game 15: @ Seattle. L. Why: It’s tough to beat the Seahawks in Seattle two seasons in a row. It’s so tough the Niners have never done it. They barely beat them in Seattle last season – Michael Crabtree had to make that amazing catch and Larry Grant had to strip Tarvares Jackson at the end to seal the victory. The Seahawks will be better next season, and by Week 16 their offense should be pretty good behind Flynn. On defense, rookie LDE Bruce Irvin could force Vernon Davis to block. The Seahawks will win the game by a point or two.
Game 16: vs. Arizona. W. Why: The Niners will not lose three games in a row to end the season. They’ll handle the inferior Cardinals at Candlestick.
Final Record: 11-5
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I agree with your reasoning on the eleven wins. Disagree on the five losses whatever your reasons.
Final Record: 16 – 0
Then three straight wins to get the elusive #6
:)
Damn right!
Grant can you be more constructive in your article ! Plz.
niners are better than that. We can beat the packers and we can bear seattle again and also buffalo. frank gore can run easily 15-18 carries a game at 50 to 80 yds a game and then add on all the rest of the running backs we got we should easily be able to rush for 180 yards a game. what defense is going to be able to stop that? 14-2 final record only because I don’t know about the giants and patriots they always get a lucky break here in there. Grant CONE HEAD STOP BEING SO PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE NINERS!!!!
GRANT U SUCK GET UR SELF A BETTER JOB YOU DONT NOE NUTHING 13-3 AGAIN WITH THE 6TH RING
Nice post. Very impressive.
Grow up man, the niners are good but 16-0 with a pedestrian qb in a pass driven league, use your brain not your heart. 11-5 or 10-6 and winning the division is the more likely scenario.
I disagree with you RednGold1. The 49ers will beat some of the teams so bad that the league will give them an extra credit for it.
Final record; 17-0
Then three straight wins to get the elusive #6
(The Rams will be so afraid to play the 49ers that they will forfiet their second game)
I disagree with you Cohen. Your prediction about niners getting out scored by Gb and the 49ers losing in Foxboro i really disagree with you. You haven’t seen the 2012 team played as yet, and you’re telling everyone they’re going to get out scored by GB? And if the niners made it last year to the SB, they wouldv’e gave the Patriots a beating of their lives…
I like the list with the exception of the Buffalo game. One matchup that favors the Bills can’t be your entire basis for thinking the Niners will lose to a team that was sub 500 last season. The Niners are a significantly better team than the Bills.
Losing to Buffalo? Really?
Grant, you are obsessing way too much about the spread offense against our defense. Did you see the Bills once Harvard boy got his money? He pulled off a Ponzi scheme. He sucks.
You spread out against us, that gives us a lot of space to get a running start and smash anybody and everybody. Whoever starts that game for Buffalo, won’t finish it. And the backup will wish he had another job someplace else.
What do you see in the Buffalo D that can stop us? Williams? That’s all? Isn’t he coming off an injury. His last few years in fact I don’t think he played all 16 games. And DE’s coming off of injury often don’t look as good as before. We played the NO Saints last year in the playoffs. And for much of that game, had them in check. Are you suggesting that somehow the Bills are better, or we got worse on defense to the point we can’t handle their version of the spread?
Life was tough for AS ALL year last year! When did he have it easy? Yet he still managed a 13-3 record (2nd best in the whole NFL) while getting hit just about more than any other QB on a dropback basis. AS didn’t wilt and do stupid stuff last year when he was sacked.
I really don’t get you love of the Bills at all Grant. In what phase are they better than us? D/O/ST/coaching? I don’t think they are better in even 1.
If our D can’t stop them, they are not “elite”.
Agreed…the Niners are a better team than Buffalo. One guy won’t make a difference. Plus what’s with the hating on AD? He’s improving every year and will be solid this season. Same goes for The G Men. The only teams that scare me are GB & NE but we have a much better D and they have a much better O based on last year. I’m guessing our D will be better in the second year with Fangio and all the key players returning and same goes for the O. I’ll take 12-4 and a 1st round bye.
AS had a lot to do with making life tough for himself.
Agree GC.
He could wussed out and quit. Had he done so, things would have been easy for AS. And the Niners don’t get even half as many wins.
Last year we lost to Arizona who was a sub 500 team the year before…
Not at home.
12-4 , we will win against the Packers because they will not know what to expect with passing game. L James has monster game 65 yards rushing , 50 yards in passing game , Moss gives rest of O blueprint what Packers will do
Why do all your articles make me feel like I’m in the middle of a conversation with self-obsessed 12 year old boy? Its probably because you can’t think past your own thoughts. What I hate the most about sports writers is that they write with abandon for accountability; bubblegum fart dreams. Your articles don’t hold up for longer than the time it takes to read them. You are like the US Weekly of the Webzone. You should start writing “best dressed Niner”, “Niner’s favorite colors”, “49ers, are just like us”. You should be covering Justin Bieber for TigerBeat. You should keep your opinions about football limited to things you can’t possibly predict and leave the reporting to the professionals. I hope you taste my bubblegum fart you lame.
@Ninernate
What is wrong with the subject matter here? You are welcome to disagree with it. I certainly just finished telling him about the Bills. But, the subject is legit.
There is nothing of real merit going on in the football world right now. Grant has to get something up every day or so. What is wrong with this idea?
Maiocco covers the same team during the off-season but he doesn’t and, likely never does, write articles making predictions with 2 sentence analysis. The issue is not trash talk in the off-season, its that he ONLY excels at writing bubblegum fart dream articles.
I’m sure there is an audience for it. Its just that audience includes the guy telling me to stop booing Alex Smith in 2010 because its the first football game he attended and he wants to cheer on his team. Well buddy, for the rest of us that had to pay through the nose to keep our seats during the crap seasons…This Ain’t Good Enough! Step it up son.
@Ninernate
A while ago, Grant was doing game by game analysis of how he thinks it will unfold.
He wasn’t going in order for some odd reason. And he said he would do every game. But then stopped for some reason after the Niner-Pat game (again way out of order).
Why he stopped, I don’t know. I wish he didn’t. I too like detailed analysis over short paragraph analysis. It was unique, and interesting. Nobody else was doing it at the time. Those posts were detailed. Whether you agreed with them or not.
Our coaching staff with all summer to prepare against McCarthy and his staff? Advantage 49ers. We will be victorious.
Not gonna argue much about the record as I think it will be tough to have a repeat of last season although I think we’ll be between 11-5 and 13-3. I dont agree with some of the reasoning though. Like someone else said just because another team might win one matchup of the game doesnt mean they’ll win. I also expect Anthony Davis to be a monster this year and be one of the best RT’s in the game, just watch.
Also sure Gore may only get 10-15 good carries a game but they also got 3 other running backs who can all get 10-15 carries a game if needed. We didnt need Gore in the regular season game against the Giants last year and Im sure Brandon Jacobs would love to make the Giants pay.
I like the assessment Grant but your not giving the Niners dline enough credit against a spread offense. The Niners will go with a 4 man line that includes Cowboy wide, MacDonald and Soap/RJF inside and Aldon wide left. That’s enough beef, speed an toughness to get there. Most underrated line in all of football right there!
@ GB Win……..Its just about damn time we beat this team in GB, Offense will come out rolling, pressure on Rodgers. I think we barely win this one 31-27
DET………. Win, Its the home opener, nuff said
Minn…..W…..Child please
@nyj…. Tough place to play. I think we lose because I cant stand their fat coach and Ill hate him more after..LOSS
BUFF……..Easy win. By at least 17
NYG…….Payback will happen, Giants dont even make the playoffs. WIN
SEA……Another close Win. Division rivals, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN
@ARZ. Loss. Just thin we split with them this season.
BYE……WIN, Because Ill watch the Raiders, PaCKERS and Cowdungs lose.. =-)
Stl……Cmon easy Win
Chi…..Another close Win. Battle of wills, but at home and have the primetime lights on.
@Saints……Loss. Tough playing in Dey house, even though I think they wont be as good. Just see a let down
@stl….sweep
mia….Win.
@N.E Loss. And I think we lose BIG! But will see them again in the Superbowl
@Sea…….Loss Split.
Arz Go into the playoffs wi
——————-BREAKING NEWS————-49ERS VS SAINTS BEST GAME—————————————
th a win.
11-5… Excuse me 12-5. ;-)
Another solid season. I think other teams will figure out our defense better, but this season the offense steps up and carries the heavier load.
1. GB (L) (Pack usually lucky in Lambeau)
2. Det (W)
3. Min (W)
4. NY.J. (L) Just my gut feeling
5. Buf (W)
6. N.Y.G (W)
7. Sea (W)
8. AZ (W)
9. Rams (W)
10. Bears (W)
11. Saints (L) Saints have bye week vs Raiders week prior and revenge game.
12. Rams (W)
13. Mia (W)
14. N.E. (W)
15. SEA (W)
16. AZ (W)
13-3 again for NFC home field advantage throughout playoffs! Sweep NFC West this season!
This is how I see it.
. GB (L)
2. Det (L))
3. Min (W)
4. NY.J. (L)
5. Buf (W)
6. N.Y.G (L)
7. Sea (W)
8. AZ (W)
9. Rams (W)
10. Bears (W)
11. Saints (L)
12. Rams (W)
13. Mia (W)
14. N.E. (L)
15. SEA (W)
16. AZ (W)
10 wins 6 losses
you have them losing to all playoff teams and even a stinker loss to the jets. what are you saying about their playoff chances
The old poop-a-roo strikes again…
I see several people saying that we are going to loose to the Jets, and Packers and the Pats??? No faith people, We beat the Saints last year which one of the best passing attacks in the NFL last year. Jets, Sanchez and Tebow, are you serious, Green Bay’s D was at the bottom of the list last year, Rodgers won’t have all day in the pocket and he will get hit several times. The Pats, D ranked in 29th overall, We will beat the Pats, Gronk will be tough, Loyd is over rated, Welker will get his touches but 80/20 Pass vs. Run Brady will throw at least 2 Picks. Some of you guys are underestimating our D and know one really knows if we are going to have a good offense or not this year. If we have a good balance Run vs Pass and can get the ball down field on a consistent basis, we should 3-4 losses on the year.
Your prediction sucks pal ! Find anothe sports to predict. hahaha
4 losses in first 6 games….
two things…a lot of AS bashing will be re-explored…
and the confidence of the team will be shaky
Regression to the mean almost guarantees a drop to 10-11 wins next year.
Not sure I’d pick the Bills to win but the 49ers will likely drop a game to a bad team at some point in the year. Every team does. The 49ers did last year when they lost to the Cards. Giants lost to the Redskins (twice!), Ravens lost to the Jags, etc. etc. I could see an “oops!” game against the Bills, Jets or Miami.
I’d swap the Giants and Saints – the 49ers are going to knock the out of the Giants. Drew Brees is an entirely different animal in the Dome and won’t supply the 49ers with a 5 turnover lead.
A split with Seattle makes sense as much as I hate to say it. They’re strong enough to upset the good teams, especially at home. Another split against the Cards wouldn’t surprise me either.
I think the 49ers win one of the games between the Pack and the Pats just because the defense is that good. They’ll force enough turnovers in one of those games to eek out a win.
I guess I’m predicting 11-5 also albeit via a different path.
msc
The purpose of the regular season is only to get into the playoffs. Once you are there, anything can happen.
The last 2 Super Bowl winners were teams who got into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. They didn’t have all that impressive of a regular season at all. They managed to get in and find ways to win 4 games in a row and became Champs.
I’ll only say I want at minimum a home playoff game (at least 1). I truly believe we can beat anybody. Anywhere. Anytime. We are tough. Most teams aren’t.
Regression to the mean in terms of turnovers is almost inevitable. But we can beat that if the offense picks up the slack, and we stay healthy. So long as we avoid injuries, I am optimistic. Harbaugh is a hell of a coach. A full year in the system for the offense and the addition of Moss, Manningham and James offers new possibilities.
I’m more concerned about regression to the mean on injuries. The 49ers defensive starters only missed 8 games last year. That is ridiculously lucky.
with improved consistency in coaching (addressing the OL and secondary shortcomings in spread offense scenarios) and nfl bonifide weapons improvement at the WR position i expect improved 1st and 2nd down chunk yardage and therefore improved efficiencies on 3rd downs and red zone play calling regression to towards league means….to compensate for some of the most opportune turnover the team had last year….which i believe will translate to a more satisfying team dominance for the next couple of seasons
injuries not withstanding
My 2 cents: You must be the average fan. Your knowledge of 49ERS football lacks depth and your reasononing does’t offer any insight and often ends up short on meaning. I read your material only because I’m a true webzone faithful. Time and time again I walk away disappointed. This is the last time. Truly consider changing carrier paths.
Sorry for the hateful words. Good luck.
@3 What the hell is a “carrier” path, something tells me you clean toilets for a living so what the hell do you know.
He never said he was a fan, hes a freaking writer
Referring to Pee Wee as a writer is generous
I remember your predictions last year. You predicted Alex Smith would suffer such a severe injury in the Detroit game his career would be over. Fortunately it all turned out differently and for the better. Niners? 15-1 with a stinker loss to Arizona…
If only that injury had happened…sigh…
I agree with the 11-5, just not some of those losses. Reasoning a loss on one match up is not a very good way to determine an outcome on a game, because if it were I would say we would win every game based on the JSmith94 ASmith99 combo to win every match up every time. Also Gore only needs a hole to make a big play so 10-15 carries could still spell 2 big plays. Plus there is a stable of backs behind him that will contribute, and that’s besides the fact that the 9ers have the most creative run scheme in the NFL. I don’t think it will matter whos running the rock, J.Harbaugh will put the team in position to win every game this season. Not scared of anyone this year.
“Not scared of anyone this year.”
Now, other teams will fear us. As they should. I hope their medical insurance is paid up to date when they play us.
If the Niners begin with a win in Green Bay, it’s going to shock the NFL. And, they can do it. One good OLB rushing the passer isn’t going to win the game for the Pack. And, the first game will show that the Niners have added enough receiving power to have a passing game even when Vernon is blocking.
I will be incredibly thrilled if we beat GB. We have a *much* better D and ST, but you cannot compare our qb situation, and that is ultimately what I think will decide the game.
If you say that around here, you’re liable to get your yard TP’d.
To most of these people, even the ones that USED to have a clue, Alex is better than Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Brodie, Y.A. Tittle and Jeff Garcia combined, they think he should have been the MVP last year and, as if that isn’t enough, they’re pissed he got married because that means they can only pine away from afar. Their love (and idiocy) knows no bounds and the well of excuses for just what a bust he is will never, ever, run dry.
Just wanted to let you know.
Not worth commenting on, other than why do a lot of haters have this weird psycho-sexual dynamic about them? I’m trying to figure out which personality trait causes the other.
Keep lying to yourself. But I’ll be looking for you with a roll or two of TP in your hand around my house.
We should be the team to beat next season. I know the Giants are champs, but every 49er player and coach knows we were/are the better team.
The 49ers are back and relevant. The offense will have some special wrinkles this season. When Oregon beat Harbaugh’ old college team Stanford last season if was because of Oregon’ extraordinary speed. And perhaps the speediest player was L.James. Harbaugh knows what LJ is capable of and he went after him in the draft. Harbaugh will present special packages that will exploit his talents. Moss, Manningham and Jacobs will add more weapons as well.
The Defense is back and the SP teams are looking to make amends to last years disappointing championship loss.
I see a best of 12-4 and worst of 11-5 with either record still good enough for a Playoff and Super Bowl run.
All In!
Teams will run MUCH less against the Niners? In the last decade, only five teams have seen fewer rushing attempts than the 353 the Niners saw last year, and only one team in that span saw fewer than 342 rushes. How much less can teams run against them? Especially when Aldon Smith is on the field for every down.
10-6. Don’t ask me why.
HOOOOOOOOOWEVER!!! It still wins the division and a home playoff game :-)
The Niners will be better but their record drops to 10-6 because the turnover ratio won’t be as favorable combined with SF being the hunted. Winning on the road in Green Bay, New Orleans, and New England are all big hills to climb. Plus home rematches against the Super Bowl champs and the Lions point to a very challenging schedule. Go 49ers!
why in every article do i see grant bashing frank gore? i dare him to say it to his face lol.
Oh, just shut up. Frank is old, for a running back. The team knows, it, he knows it. Only goobers like you are dumb enough to think he’s not past his prime.
He’s been a great, if spotty player. But his best days are behind and I suspect he’s on his final contract. Hope he’s saving his money.
the team knows it? how do you know that mrs. says? frank will show you dimwit this season book it.
You’ve definitely given Anthony Davis a bit of a pasting there. If Davis continues to improve (which he should do with a full off-season) then Vernon will have more leeway to run routes against teams with good pass rush on their left hand side. After the back end of last season, I just don’t see the 49ers coaches reverting to leaving Vernon in to block. They’ll find other ways.
Also, I think players like L. James and Moss could assist against teams that are getting good pressure. The extra speed and play-making ability to help spread out the defense and open something up for quick passes.
That’s why they are gonna run directly behind A Davis and wear out those supposedly beasts he can’t block…..
I haven’t defended Grant on his articles and those who bash sometimes are correct. I have done so in the past, but this article is realistic and it’s a prediction, not solid truth, so those who think that the article doesn’t have merit need to go back and really read what was said. Grant, I don’t agree with each loss/win but I agree with the final tally, 11-5 seems right to me; we will probably lose one we shouldn’t and win one that may be a stretch (Packers) but I like the prediction. For those doing the math, it still leads to the playoffs, unless one of the division teams has a better record (not gonna happen) then we’re a wildcard. Nice read Grant, thanks.
i stopped reading when you said the 49ers would lose to buffalo.
Every year, every team will beat at least one team they should have been walloped by and lose to some team they should have walloped. On paper, we shouldn’t have lost to the Cardinals last year and we should have beat the Saints. I think Grant is being highly realistic with his assessment.
Further, I don’t like how everyone bashes on him. He’s the only journalist out there other than Kawakami and Cohn Sr that is not running a popularity contest. He writes what he thinks and sees and not what wins him popularity points. The man is doing his job and earning his paycheck.
Oops, my post above should have said “we *shoudln’t* have beat the Saints.”
Grant
You are neglecting a simple fact about football.
If a defense can get consistent pressure with a 4 man rush, they will likely put the team in position to win.
You like to bring up BW and how he saw the QB. Well, SY said once a QB knows how to read the blitz, he wants teams to blitz. It exposes them. And you make them pay.
If you don’t blitz, that extra guy or 2 are in coverage. Holes don’t open up, and the QB has nowhere to go with a pass rush in his face in no time flat. No QBis going to do much game in, game out if this happens.
The Niners D was so good last year because we didn’t blitz a lot. The only reason to blitz is if you can’t get there with 4. No reason to expose and open holes in your D by blitzing if 4 get pressure/sacks.
That being said. Why is our DL not going to be as good rushing the QB this year? Teams who spread are exposig their QB dangerously. Especially teams like us who can rush 4 and get pressure.
A BIG reason why the Giants destroyed the Pack last year in the playoffs was because they got pressure on AR with 4. You said AR torches zone. Well, it is a lot harder to do when you have 8 back there opposed to 7 or 6. AR couldn’t do it to the Giants. He stands no chance to do it against us. We have PW/NB, who can get anywhere fast near the LOS. A Pro Bowl CB. He’s in trouble.
Opps
Meant 7 back there. Not 6 or 5 which happens if you blitz.
17-2, only losses coming at New Orleans and at Seattle.
-The offense will continue to be the most balanced in the NFL.
-Increased efficiency/effectiveness from AS results in 3800yds, 31td, 8 int
-Randy Moss plays major factor early on in Red Zone, forcing teams to choose between doubling him and Vernon Davis.
-Frank Gore’s role in the offense is limited, but Kendall Hunter will step up with little/no drop off.
-LaMichael James will be team’s best offensive rookie playing in spot role.
-AJ Jenkins will not dress on game day early in the season.
-Aldon Smith sets team sack record.
-Defense leads the league with fewest rushing yards and points against.
-ST’s continues to help offense and defense win the field position battle.
On a tangent – did you notice how much Hunter’s lower body has beefed up this year? He looks like Gore now.
A full year in an NFL workout program has made a huge difference.
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Jhereg-HG/hunter2.jpg
On the right is a pic from this year’s OTA, the left is self-explanatory. To my uneducated eye Hunter looks a lot thicker in the trunk this year. He may be ready to take some of the heavy lifting away from Gore.
We need A.J. Jenkins to do the same next year, but more in his upper body.
Jenkins needs to beef up all over. That kid is skinny. Lindsay Lohan told him “eat a sandwich!”
He’s got the speed and the hands though – in 2013 he could be Roddy White.
Yeah, he was a ‘potential’ pick. If he works really hard he has a chance to be special. If not, he’ll never get off the line against press coverage. Time will tell.
@msclemons:
Here’s a look at Hunter’s workout with a company in Texas:
http://www.ninersnation.com/2012/7/10/3149884/video-kendall-hunter-doing-work
He’s got some beastly legs.
1. GB (W)
2. Det (W)
3. Min (W)
4. NY.J. (L)
5. Buf (W)
6. N.Y.G (W)
7. Sea (W)
8. AZ (W)
9. Rams (W)
10. Bears (W)
11. Saints (L)
12. Rams (W)
13. Mia (W)
14. N.E. (L)
15. SEA (L)
16. AZ (W)
17. ATL (W)
18. PHIL (W)
19. Baltimore…. (W in a squeaker)
12-4, 15-4, World Champions #6.
Not with Alice at QB.
Anyone can Predict, its what your putting up to back up your prediction. So it really doesn’t really mean anything.
The Niners record will depend – primarily – on how much the offense improves on 3rd downs and in the red zone.
13-3 If the o-line, QB, and WRs elevate their play
10-6 if they don’t
My prediction is that the offense will not resemble the Saints… but it will be competent, converting on third down and in the Red Zone around the league average, and Randy will get a few home runs. The defense and ST will still be very good, and the offense will take up enough of the slack from a more typical (historically) turnover differential, to get us over the top. We won’t see the second coming of Joe Montana or Aaron Rodgers, but we will manage to get solid, effective QB play and our 6th Lombardi Trophy.
I have a hunch that the O will be more explosive and consistent. Moss is 6’4″ and can jump so that should help a lot on 3rd down and red zone plays. Toss it up there and let him go get it. Not many CB’s will win that jump ball. We didn’t have that option last year that the opposition had to account for. Gore, Hunter, LMJ, Moss, Manningham, Crabtree, Walker, VD are all capable of making big plays meaning we will have a more balanced attack with a bigger threat of breaking a big one with any offensive package we put on the field. It’ll be hard for the opponent to stack the box so we should see less 3rd & long situations like in years past when it was always Gore up the gut on 1st & 2nd down and then 3rd & long followed by a punt.
I’m picking 12-4….plus or minus 1 just ’cause “On any given Sunday….”
Oh, and…I think we clean the pack’s clock…2TDs +
Rodgers will get his points against us, just like Brees did – so the challenge is for our offense to take a step up and show they can do that, too. Playing them in Lambeau is not trivial. But I think we have a good chance. Let’s see how the pre-season plays out. The key thing is to avoid injuries, but that’s true for every team, in every season.
They’ll never EVER do that with Alice at QB. He regresses this year. Bookmark this page.
Be sure to bet the ranch on that spread. Either way it’ll be life altering but if you lose, we can all point and laugh.
I predicted 10-6 before last season in the sfgate blog. In 2012 I’m saying 9-7, 10-6 at best.
The 49ers will improve alot on offense and a little on defense, but…
- The 2012 road schedule is ultra-nasty
- Despite the win/loss record, the NFC West is becoming one of the most physical divisions in football. Call if the “Black-And-Blue West.” Even if the 49ers NFC West win-loss is good, the games will wear them out
- Lack of OLB depth will hurt later in the season
I will be quite pleased if the 49ers go 10-6 in regular season.
The good news:
- The 49ers will have more blow-out wins
- They will have a much better points for/against ratio
- The 49ers will make it to this year’s Super Bowl and possibly win it
- The 49ers will be even better in 2013. If they can keep the coaching staff intact the 49ers will dominate even playoff caliber opponents
There is one scenario for a better then 10-6 record… the defense finds the chemistry to become one of the historically good defenses, similar to the 80′s Bears, 2000 Ravens or Tampa at their peak. Possible, but they must stay healthy.
Most people in the NFL football world think the Niners are the team to beat this year and they are most likely right. We won’t lose 5 games this year, that writing is just being a hater. That’s dumb. Not even sure if we’ll lose 3.
It’s not being a hater, it’s simply being cautious. We all want 16-0 but that’s not realistic for our schedule. We may lose to those people expect us to lose to or we have an off day, but we will still kill it at the end of the season.
I predicted 10 wins last year and I think I will stick with that for the 2012 season. I hope I am surprised again by how many more games than 10 we actually win !
We play a tougher schedule and teams are not going to be surprised by the Niners this season after they almost made the SB last year,so it will not be easy.(and the NFC West will be tougher too ).
But on the other hand the defense all seem to think they were only at a fraction of their potential last season because they never really understood why they were doing what they were doing (according to Willis they just did what they were told but didn’t really understand the defenses that were being called and why they were being called,but do now). They will all be comfortable in the defense from day one this year and the training wheels will come off completely.
And hopefully we can see the training wheels come off of the offense and off of Alex,if the coaches finally gain trust in him.
Alex will be better (I hope !),because he will be in the system for a 2nd season and should know it like the back of his hand and he will have new and better players around him and several of the returning players on offense will be more seasoned .
A real training camp this year and the 2nd year in a new defense and offense should lead to a jump in performance all around ! But that jump will be needed just to stay on track with last years sucess ,because of the harder schedule.
No way the niners lose opening game vs packers. It is good you and everybody else thinks that will happen though… because whenever it is general opinion they will lose…. they win. Mark my words and bookmark this they will go 15-1, come back here to call me a jackass if they don’t.
I’ll be here…
.
Oh wow u managed a post where u didnt slam AS or call him Alice. Still didnt include any football related info but getting better nevertheless.
Carefull what u wish for. If something happened to AS you would actually have to start posting coherent football opinions instead of hate. That or leave this blog………..How sad
What is it about the Jets that make some of you faithful think the Niners will lose to them? That team is as dysfunctional as they come and they’ll be unravelling by week 4. Plus, I’m going to the game and I don’t plan on watching the Niners lose.
Yeah, I agree, Sean. Our schedule is tough and we will lose some, but the Jets don’t concern me as much as some.
Sean I’ll be at that game too. Keep me posted as to where you sit I’ll do the same….
I will be at that game too Bay, we should hook up?
Definitely. I’ll be buying my tix in the next few weeks. I’ll post the seat and section.
Are you gonna wear a Niners jersey? I m going with a bunch of Jets fan so I think it will be safe, you?
Good luck with that FDM! Should be a real joy meeting that clown!
Easy Prime, at the end of the day, were all 49er fans.
@Prime Time:
They are two devoted 49ers fans going into an opposing team’s stadium to cheer on the 49ers. That’s all that matters, or at least all that will matter that day. Their common 49ers fandom should outweigh any silly argument on this blog.
Plus, I suspect that most of us are more civil in person than we are on this blog and would more than likely get along with most of the other commenters.
Except for TIM. That guy’s a d!ck.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
For sure Claude, things get heated on here but I know bay is a fan, just in a twisted way. Im pretty sure if we meet we wont even talk football, have a beer a move on!
Schwetty says, “Except for TIM. That guy’s a d!ck.”. LMAO! : )
@Jack:
Since you like the skit so much, here’s an early Christmas present for you:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/4156/
That’s what I’m talking about. Different outlooks- same team. Cheers fellas. Have a blast and root your a$$es off for the niners. I feel the same way that Claude does, except his tim is my onelame. ;-/ lol Go Niners!
Bay, I can’t remember off hand my section but I’m in the second row on the goal line and I’ll be wearing my Gore jersey. My buddy is a Jets fan and he wore his jersey in 08 when we went to Candlestick so you know I’m representing.
Bay, section 117. My buddy and I are in New York from the friday to the monday.
Love it. At the end of the day we are just Niner fans going to an opposing stadium to cheer for our team. It’s true!
I’ll let you guys know where I am sitting when I buy the tix. I’ll be there from Friday to late Sunday night. And yes I’ll be wearing my Harbaugh niner jersey : )
I’m also there with a pal coming out from the Bay Area!
After the victory we should meet up at Finnertys (http://www.yelp.com/biz/finnertys-new-york), the dive bar for SF transplants in the East Village. We can then all get into a Alex Smith-based brawl and tear up the place ;)
Wow get over your Anthony Davis obsession, child.
agree with your conclusion Grant – we’re every bit as good as last year, but this year we have the schedule of a division champ and we wont be sneaking up on anyone.
from my unprofessional eye, i think injuries are the big wild card. if we’re healthy, i love our chances. i think Harbaugh et al keep the team hungry, and a hungry team plays hard and hits the other guy first, so hopefully we continue to inflict injuries as opposed to take them.
So, we can count on having the 29th best passing offense and be 31st on third downs again. Great. Just what I was hoping for.
Grant, you have just surpassed your old man for arrogance and ignorance. Have you considered becoming a writer? …a real one!
Grant-
I’ll quibble with your take on Buffalo. They were good last year before some injuries, but that good? I dunno. The Bears added Jullius Peppers last year and he certainly made an impact, but he didn’t change his team’s fortunes. I don’t know that M. Williams is enough to make them all that much better. As to picking on AD, the Bills have already said they’re going to move Mario all over and not just rush him from one side.
Are teams going to test Boone & Davis? Sure. Are they going to spread us out? Yep.
My point is that Harbaugh isn’t going to try to survive what defenses do to us; he’s going to attack defenses and make them react. I’d like to see more work on the ‘Hurry Up Offense’.
Fangio already knows how to attack.
@brotha
“Are they going to spread us out? Yep.”
If you are an OC, do you really want to give the likes of Aldon Smith, PW, NB, Ahmed Brooks a nice running head start into a tackle? Because if you spread us out, you will.
@DS
Well the alternative (trying to run on them) isn’t that attractive either! Aint it grand!
If we don’t mess up, nobody is going to do much of anything to us. And yes. It is grand.
:- )
@Grant:
In May, you predicted that the Packers game would be low-scoring and gave the edge to the 49ers. Now, you say that Packers will score a lot of points, and the 49ers will lose.
What changed since May?
I’ve spent more time thinking about the matchup. I think I was wrong in May. I feel like Aaron Rodgers can move the ball and score points with quick passes from spread formations against the Niners. I think he can find favorable matchups and scramble. It’ll be something this Niners defense hasn’t seen yet. The Packers have a long time to prepare for the game and Mike McCarthy is a great coach. It seems unlikely that Fangio will shut them down Week 1. The question for me is can the Niners offense keep up?
But so is Harbaugh! Just look what he did last year with no offseason, marginal quarter back and limited skill position players on offence except for Davis and a banged up Gore! Harbaugh is a motivator of men, This can’t be understated or ignored. They will come out with something to prove! Much better with him then the coaches of the last several years. They added some pieces but Harbaugh is the one that will put the groceries to good use! This will be one big Feast all year long!
@grant:
Thanks for the quick response.
Rumor has it that the Packers may play Perry at LOLB and move Matthews to ROLB. Does that change your analysis?
On defense, I envision the 49ers playing the Packers something like the way they played Detroit. Rush 4, keep 7 in coverage and mix up the coverages. Hopefully, that will help limit Rodgers’ ability to make quick throws. With the full offseason to learn and practice Fangio’s system, I expect the 49ers’ defense to be even better than they were against Detroit. I also expect they will study the Packers’ losses to the Giants and Chiefs for hints on how to defend against GB.
On offense, I think that the Packers’ weakness against the run plays into the 49ers’ strength. I also think it will help the 49ers minimize obvious passing situations, keep the Packers’ pass rush somewhat in check and set up nicely the play action passing game. Again, because it is their second year in the system and because they added talent at the playmaking positions, I expect the offense to improve over its 2011 performance.
Of course, if Boone+Davis is not an improvement over Snyder+Davis, the other improvements won’t matter as much.
I’m pretty sure McCarthy will cook up some match-ups favorable to Rogers. Victory may hinge on Fangio’s ability to adjust in the 2nd & 3rd Quarters. And yes, we’ll have to ring up some points to stay in the game, but a heavy dose of Gore to play keep-away. A run blocking scheme like we used against Detroit may cool the jets on those edge rushers, and a couple of long shots to Moss, even if incomplete should give them something to think about.
Grant
“It’ll be something this Niners defense hasn’t seen yet. ”
What makes you think that the Packers won’t see anything that they haven’t seen yet from our defense?
Brandon Jacobs said flat out that the toughest defense he played last year was ours. It reminds of a quote about the Ravens Defense.
“You can gameplan all you want. Then you play us. Then you’ll know.”
(Not word for word mind you. It was said quite a few years ago.)
Typically the D is ahead of the O early on in the season, so your flip flop doesn’t make a lot of sense. We get the same amount of time to prepare for them too and we have the COY on our side. GB’s D wasn’t all that good last year so we will score…how will they contain us?
I think the Packers have a better coaching staff.
@Grant
Not to be argumentative, but now you’re making the same points that Claude, Hofer, Prime, myself, and the bevy of ‘Smithers’ made for Alex last season. I think highly of Aaron Rodgers also, but he’s going to be facing a blitz package like he’s never seen the like of before. And as we defended Alex last season, he’s going to have a difficult time completing anything but the OUR FATHER…while looking up from his back.
“I think the Packers have a better coaching staff.”
It’s time to put the wine bottle down Grant.
I am not a big supporter of Mike McCarthy, yes he won a Super Bowl but surely he had some input in picking AS over AR with the Niners pick, or was Nolan just so thick and pick the nice guy over the QB?
All of this discussion, while interesting, means nothing. That’s why they play the games. Predictions months before the games are played are even less meaningful than the inane blather from the talking heads in pregame shows.
@BigSkyNiner
Aw, C’mon, man. Its a way of dodging election year blather from all sides! I would actually rather browse over archeological football arguments (Carr vs A.Smith; really?) than listen to posers lie about who loves the middle class more and who’s going to fix this and rectify that. Buncha’ hooey.
I’d rather “swat flies and swap lies” with you-all.
Keep in mind I did say the discussion is interesting. So, obviously, I spend time reading it.
BSN: “All of this discussion, while interesting, means nothing”
No where in the title of the blog does it say that it’s supposed to mean anything. This is a blog not a thesis, it’s only about being interesting and if it’s only that then it’s hit it’s mark, if it’s anything more then great!
GB: W – Both offenses will be rusty for the first game but with our superior defense that gives us the edge. With our improved WR group our passing game becomes more of a factor and the GB defense wont have any tape to prepare for it. 49ers win a very close game.
Det: L – Riding the high of the win in GB the team let’s the guard down for a sec even though it’s the home opener and the Lions still smarting from last years loss come in with guns blazing. This is the team that will try to spread us out and I don’t think after the big win the team will be in the right mindset for another huge challenge.
Min: W – The Vikings will be lucky to win 3 games this year and this wont be one of them. 2nd year QB and a terrible defense and the jury is still out whether their Frazier really has what it takes to be a HC.
NYJ: W – Our defense will be too much for either QB to handle. Although their defense will be better this year they are still young in spots and old in others and will need another year to get things fixed on that side of the ball.
Buf: W – This will be a close one. Ultimately I believe our defense can hold the bills offensive production which it will need to do because I’m not sure if we’ll be able to score a lot ourselves. Might go either way but I’m still siding with our boys on this one.
NYG: W – Until we know anything about their running game and if Reuben Randle is any good or not it’s too soon to say whether the Giants actually improved in the off season or not. If they didn’t then we should win np as we used to be evenly matched and we did get better this year. If they did improve then this will be a real dog fight again and could go either way.
SEA: W – Petey’s boys are only dangerous at home when they have the crowd behind them. Otherwise they’re a college team that gets outplayed on the road.
Ari: W – I’m just not seeing anything about the Cardinals right now that suggests they have any ability to match up with us. Their secondary is pretty good but since we dont pass deep it’s mostly moot and their DL and LB’s are either average or old.
STL: W – Their defense wont be able to stop most teams this year. The offense needs to find some consistency before they are a threat. Another team that will be lucky to win 3 or 4 games this year and again this wont be one of them.
Chi: L – Cutler wont be picked off 5 times again and even though we’ll be the better team on paper their defense will be more ready to play and our winning streak will leave our guys feeling a bit too good about themselves to take this game seriously enough to win.
NO: W – This team will win all their easy games and lose all the tough ones. They have the skill positions to win but without any direction or leadership they wont be able to beat the equally talented but better organized and prepared teams like ours.
Stl: W – Same reason as before.
Mia: W – OK lets go down the list; No QB(Garrard? c’mon there’s a reason he’s in Miami), no RB, no WR and an average at best defense. This is a 2 win team.
New: L – If this is a home game it’s a W. This will be a really close and great game, similar to the regular season game against the Giants last year. Lots of great plays on both teams and both sides of the ball will give a close finish with the last team with the ball winning, unfortunately it’ll be the Pats.
Sea: L – Bruised and battered from the battle with the Patriots plus a long road trip will make this game extremely difficult to win. Petey will have his gang extremely fired up for this one and along with that crazy loud stadium will ultimately be too much for our boys to overcome.
Ari: W – After two tough losses JH rallies the team to absolutely crush the Cardinals once again at the end of the season to send the team into the playoffs on a positive note.
Season record 12-4
LOL. Love the name and Pic. Classic movie.
Ok I’ll play.
1. @GB (L) Opening day in Lambeau against one of the best offensive machines in the league equals a loss.
2. Det (W) This is an overrated team that is all pass offense and not much else. Niners win convincingly in the home opener
3. @Min (W) Bad team, easy win.
4. @NY.J. (W) Right up there with Detroit on the overrated meter. Chants for Tebow will be loud after Sanchez is picked a couple of times
5. Buf (W) An up and coming team, I could see the Niners losing to on the road, but not at home.
6. N.Y.G (W) Revenge is good but it’s not the Championship game.
7. Sea (W) Both games will be close again this year
8. @AZ (W) Keep the good times rolling at home
9. Rams (W) Rams are still a year or two away from being contenders
10. Bears (W) This will be one of the toughest games on the sched. Niners will squeak out a win.
11. @Saints (L) Tough place to win and the Saints will be coming off the bye.
12. @Rams (W) See above
13. Mia (W) This team is not as bad as many think, but still not good enough.
14. N.E.(L) This could be a nothing game for the Pats with their easy schedule. They may be resting players by this time. If not I see them winning a tight game.
15. SEA (L) The Hawks are always tough at home and this will be no different. Niners lose to a motivated division rival.
16. AZ (W) Cards will be playing out the string, Niners will be playing for homefield in the playoffs. No contest.
12-4 and top seed in the playoffs is my prediction. The more I look at this schedule, the more I disagree with those who say it’s more difficult than last year. It has some better teams at the top, but overall I think last years sched was tougher. It’s gonna be fun. Only 9 days until first Training camps open people…
Rocket,
I like your prediction of a 12-4 record for the 49ers [14-2 to 10-6 is the range, IMO]. I also think you’re on the money with the individual game predictions. Having said that, there’s a good chance the 49ers win one, or more, of the games that look like losses; and lose one, or more, of the games that look like wins.
I like your list Rocket but I think the 49ers will win one of the Pats/Pack games. The defense will force enough turnovers in one of those games to eek out a win.
Toss in the inevitable loss to a bad team (happens to every team, every year) and we end up in the same spot.
The team finishes 7-9 after a year full of injuries and the ball bouncing the other way. I don’t see anyone mentioning the grueling schedule that will wear down on the players. The Seahawks are a top ten defense, the Cardinals came on strong the second half of the season last year, and I don’t think our team sweeps either team. I think the rams win at home. Losses at GB, Buf, both NY teams, which is where I believe we see the injuries mount.
By then, Randy Moss is tired of being a decoy and clearing out for other receivers. Remember, his contract is for ZERO guaranteed money, which means if he isn’t getting passes, he isn’t getting paid. The 49ers offense isn’t about deep passes, because they can’t protect the QB long enough to make the deep throw.
I think losses at NE, at NO, at Seattle, and at home against ARZ.
Final record 7-9
“Remember, his contract is for ZERO guaranteed money, which means if he isn’t getting passes, he isn’t getting paid.”
No. It means if he isn’t on the team, he isn’t getting paid. His contract is on a per game basis. Not a per catch basis.
Please think before you type while hating the team. What teams fan are you? Likely the Pack. You know what you’ll be seeing and you’re scared. Lots of barking. Little bite.
As a vested veteran Moss’ contract becomes fully guaranteed after week 1.
7-9?
I think you are confusing Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers with Pete Carroll’s Seahawks.
>>Losses at GB, Buf, both NY teams, which is where I believe we see the injuries mount.
Why do you see injuries mounting in those particular games? Are you privy to new bounty schemes or know something about unsafe field conditions? If so, the league wants to to hear from you!
>>Randy Moss is tired of being a decoy and clearing out for other receivers. Remember, his contract is for ZERO guaranteed money
Remember why his contract is for ZERO guaranteed money (and as DS pointed out is not per-catch). If he is getting tired of “clearing out for other receivers”, the team cuts him and moves on. We have an upgrade on our recieving corps this year that won’t make that move a shock to the offense.
Actually DS is wrong but what else is new. Moss contract is for 2.5 million with incentives he can earn just over 4 million. It isn’t solely a per game salary. He has td, ypc, and playoff incentives. So, yes he can and will quit on this team. Cut or not, he is a factor in the losses this season.
Mike
You’re pathetic. As you point out it is $2.5 million. No wait it is $4 million. No wait it is…you actually didn’t give the actual number yourself.
Virtually all NFL contracts have incentives of various accomplishments linked to money. We have no idea what will happen, so using your logic, we don’t know players salary right now.
Logic = mike? No.
Mike
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/randy-moss/
Before you run your mouth off, and call somebody out, you may want to check out the facts first.
Total cap hit is $2.5 million
I was going off of memory fool. Where you got $4 million from, probably the same place you excrete your waste from.
Go home. You’re not ready to play with the big boys. And FYI. If you do ever grow up, and come back on the blog, you may want to start your post as:
“I don’t know if DS’s figure is correct. I had heard it was….” That is how people don’t come off as a jerk.
Here is going to be my last post. This site is as clueless as the city counsel.
Randy Moss contract as sited by bayarea sports nation:
In addition to a base salary of $1.75 million, Moss will earn $46,875 for every game he is active on the 49ers’ 46-man roster — a possible $750,000, if he plays in all 16 games. Moss can make another $1.5 million in incentives based on playing time, receptions and being named to the Pro Bowl team.
Here is the link :
http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/3/13/2869167/randy-moss-san-francisco-49ers
Have a nice day :)
“This site is as clueless as the city counsel.”
Mike, You shouldn’t use DS as the level of knowledge this blog holds.
Mike sez: “Here is going to be my last post”
So, question is: How can we miss you if you won’t go away?
Geez, Mike. You give props to the ‘hawks and cards for coming on strong towards the end. You even throw a little sunshine towards the rams, but you completely dissmiss the 9ers’ 180, going 6-10 to 13-3?! The come from behind victories, etc?! You’re quick to point out the tough schedule, but last season, did the 9ers not beat Cincy, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and NYG, during the regular season, which were all playoff teams!! Didn’t we not host the NFC Championship game?! Do you honestly believe 13-3 was LUCK?! Why would you think any different this season?! Are you a 9er fan?! What gives brutha?!
How’s that “glass half full” going down Mikey?
The beauty of this whole thing is that is just an opinion. You guys are all making fun of the injury comment. Here is why I think the 49ers will be injured by week 6.
GB stretches the field. It is a lot of up and down the field for the defense. That will losen up some hamstrings. They also have The best pass rushing LB in Clay Matthews. That means there will be a lot of hits on an aging Gore who is more prone to injury now later in his career.
Then you follow the Green Bay game up with 4 more physical defenses. Detroit, NY Jets, Buffalo, and NY Giants. There will be a lot of hits on the QB no matter how you cut it. Orakpo and Kerrigan are league leaders. You can’t expect Lamicheal James to stay in and block at 5-8 195.
So yes, I think the 49ers will resemble the 2011 Giants when it comes to injury. Can they overcome that? I think they have the best coaching staff in the league to do it with. I just don’t think they break the .500 point this season. If nfl history has anything to say, with that schedule rank, they are going to fall right around the 7-9 rank.
Orakpo and Kerrigan are league leaders.
That might be relevant if the 49ers were going to play the Redskins this year. Since they aren’t, it’s not.
To your broader point, the defenses that the 49ers play this year are no more physical than the defenses they played last year. In fact, I think you can make a strong argument that the defenses the 49ers faced in 2011 were better and more physical than the defenses they will face in 2012.
The beauty of this whole thing is that is just an opinion.
Yes, but opinions based upon incorrect facts aren’t worthy of much consideration.
The 11-5 record sounds realistic and is a record I’ve seen a lot of fans and bloggers predicting. Though predicting which games those wins and losses will come in is another story. One thing for certain, that first game against the Packers is going to be a game that Harbaugh & Co. have been game-planning for weeks to play. It will be the game that they want to set the tone for the season with. And, it’s not going to be in December on the “frozen tundra.” Beating last year’s team with the best record in the NFL would send notice to the rest of the teams that last season wasn’t a fluke. I see that first game as a surprise win, but not an upset because the 49ers will be a very good team even if they don’t match last season’s record.
Assuming an approximately normal distribution of wins and losses, I’d predict 65% chance of a 14-2 or better record and a 99.5% confidence for a 11-5 or better record. I’m taking into account Niners’ tremendous depth at all key positions (maybe except safety), and I think Kaep/JJ can come in for Alex and be effective for a few games in case of minor injuries. Most likely record: 12-4.
I’m not going to predict outcome of individual games at this stage, but I’d think that the first game against Packers will find both O’s a little rusty and tentative. The better defense will squeak out a win. I’ll go with the Niners.
The Patriots, and the Packers and the Saints had a combined home record of 23-1 in 2011. The Jets were not that great overall, but went 6-2 at home losing only to the Patriots and Giants.
Sanctions will hurt the Saints, but N.O. will play with a chip on their shoulder. By game 11 they should have adapted well, running the same offense, and a smarter pass defense too.
The 49ers will win all but 2 NFC West games, but the NFC West is quickly becoming the most physical in football. The victories will come at a price, making non-NCF West games all the more more difficult.
I’m sticking with 9-7, 10-6. If the defensive front 7 is healthy at the end of the season, the 49ers are Super Bowl bound. The 49ers will do what the Giants did this past season.
If the 49ers can keep the assistant coaching staff intact, they will dominate in 2013.
It may be difficult for the defense to replicate the year they had in 2011 – nearly perfect. The offense is loaded and their new big guns will fire on target this year. Some call it taking off the training wheels, others (like me) believe it is now a 14 speed road bike ready to utilize all of the bells and whistles missing last year. No more cross chaining – the offensive highs and lows of 2011 will be replaced by one gear – fast.
Game 1 – @ GB (L)
Game 2 – Det (W)
Game 3 – @ Minn (W)
Game 4 – @ NYJ (W)
Game 5 – Buff (W)
Game 6 – NYG (W)
Game 7 – Sea (W)
Game 8 – @ AZ (W)
Game 9 – StL (W)
Game 10 – Chi (L)
Game 11 – @ N.O. (W)
Game 12 – @ StL (W)
Game 13 – Mia (W)
Game 14 – @ N.E. (W)
Game 15 – @ Sea (L)
Game 16 – AZ (W)
**13 – 3 again. If teams look at last year’s film they will only be seeing about 60% of the offense. The other 40% will be the winning differentiator in 2012 – talent and scheme. All in!!
Like it Hofer! Why the loss to Chicago?
“Why the loss to Chicago?”
I’d love to see the 9ers win every game but I don’t believe they will and they won’t win every home game either. The Bears should be the surprise of the NFL in 2012. With MForte, they will have a more balanced attack plus adding BMarshall, they will be very competitive in each game. I don’t see the 9ers going 14-2, so this is a game they lose due to looking ahead the following week to the road game in N.O. with another road game right behind in StL.
Thanks Hofer. Only 14 days left!!
Hofer:
Your rationale for the CHI loss reminds me that I wonder about a couple of the accepted assumptions about NFL teams.
1. That teams play poorly one week because they are “looking ahead” to an important game the following week.
2. That the Niners won’t be able to “sneak up on anyone again this year”…which implies that they did so last season.
Both assumptions fly in the face of the amount of preparation teams go through for every game.
drs,
My feeling is that the 9ers did sneak up on teams early last year. They didn’t change much after mid year yet they kept winning. Yes the excellent play of the defense and ST were largely responsible but the offense player their part even with a decimated WR corp.
It is human nature to look ahead into the future. I think it happens in the NFL more than most would like to admit due to the so-called complexities of the game.
In terms of preparation, a team lacking talent and an HC with X and O experience can prepare 22 hours a day but it won’t guarantee success.
*played*
Grant expressed an opinion earlier in this thread, one shared by others here and elsewhere, that Moss will have to prove he can still get deep before he draws double coverage. Also that Alex will have to prove that he can deliver it deep. Its hard to argue the overall point, but our first three opponents are NFC North, and I don’t know how easy they’re going to make it for Moss and Alex. I’d imagine they’re about sick to death of seeing the back of Randy’s jersey in the end zone, and that they’ll provide deep help. If not, easy money. If so, they’ll spend manpower on that and open up something else. If those opponents clamp down on Randy then later some other teams won’t, and we’ll get our easy money then.
Two points about the D in the early season:
1/ I’m hoping some of the match-up advantages teams come up with will be against Patrick and Navorro, because they aren’t advantages; our guys can make the plays.
2/ I think guys like T.Brown and Culliver and Cox and Brock will be playing faster this year (familiarity with system, no ‘thinking’, just go) and with more confidence. They’re Int totals may improve.
Moss’ speed isn’t the concern. It’s his head. He needs to prove he can play without throwing tantrums and sulking before opponents will take him seriously
Actually, I would think that he has to do what you said for the Niners to take him seriously, not their opponents. His speed and hands will be enough to make the other teams take notice.
I didn’t realize what a brutal schedule Harbaugh’s team had. They could realistically be 3-5 or 4-4 going into their bye week (and 0-2 to start things off). NFC West is going to get a lot tougher the next few years too. Being generous, I’m thinking a 10-6 season.
Sometimes Grant you can really be onto something, but then you take that one belief and apply it to the extreme. Anthony Davis does have difficulty with the best speed rushers, but you act as if the 49ers can’t adjust their offense to compensate. Remember last season they compensated for Davis and only ran into a major problem when they had to adjust for both Rachal and Davis.
49ers vs. Spread Offense. There are three games I can think of where the 49ers really had difficulty against a high-powered offense; @Philadelphia, vs. Saints (Playoffs) and vs. Dallas. In all cases the 49ers even in their simplified, rudimentary offense and defensive schemes still kept the games close enough to win two of three.
Everyone, including you apparently, continues to evaluate the offense and the defense separately, while ignoring TOP and momentum. If the 49ers have just a little bit improved passing game where they are able to let’s say increase their 3rd down conversion efficiency from let’s say from 23rd in the NFL to the mid teens, and improve redzone play even slightly plays a HUGE impact on maintaining a rested, healthy, red-hot defense. You wrote an article about Alex Smith, hence the 49ers 3rd down efforts on April 12 –
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2012/04/inside-the-49ers/alex-smiths-problems-on-third-down/ – which I think if improved even slightly has a cascade effect on both how teams play the 49ers.
Historically (like within the past 5 seasons), the defense has always outpaced the offense in terms of performance. They’re simply used to being on the field for more plays because of how non-functional the offense has been. Imagine for a moment you tell 11 guys who are conditioned to play long periods of games suddenly find themselves taking a 1/3 less or even up to maybe 40% less snaps than they have over the past 3 seasons …. that sounds like a recipe for a defense that could be just as healthy as last season and possibly more effective.
Good comment
With Alex, the best they will do is 9-7, no playoffs. With JJ, 11-5, possible Super Bowl. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a blind, stupid fool.
Yes, I’m insulting all you Smith man-crushers.
Guy, for days you have tried to get people to bite, no one is having it, your lost kid, nice try though.
Good for all you vets out there not feeding the troll! Go Niners!
http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee419/telecat_johnson/crumb1-1.jpg
Crimeny Telecat, I’m not an Alex fan but even I don’t call him “Alice”. He’s not a great QB but he deserves more respect than that. Very low class on your part.
With Alex, the best they will do is 9-7, no playoffs. With JJ, 11-5, possible Super Bowl. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a blind, stupid fool.
Yes, I’m insulting all you Smith man-crushers.
Actually, you’re insulting yourself with that stupid assertion.
Whoops…all but the last sentence should have been in quotes…
“With Alex, the best they will do is 9-7, no playoffs. With JJ, 11-5, possible Super Bowl. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a blind, stupid fool.
Yes, I’m insulting all you Smith man-crushers.” From “.”.
Actually, you’re insulting yourself with that stupid assertion.
@ Grosse
Glad you corrected that, dude. When I saw the ‘headline’ on the sidebar I clicked on it to see who was dumb enough to write that. I was momentarily disappointed in you, then found the correct attribution and wasn’t surprised in the least.
Poor J.J.; to be adopted by the Nate Davis Fan Club is like a lifetime membership in the Flat Earth Society.
“teams are not going to be surprised by the Niners this season”
Can someone explain this to me? In the modern NFL, each team has a huge complement of professional coaches and staff spending countless hours looking at and analyzing tape on their upcoming opponent. They see what they do, they know what they’ve done to their previous opponents, they know the quality of their opponent’s opponents, records, strengths, weaknesses, every bit of data about tendencies, etc. Unless they pull a completely different game plan out of the blue, how in the world does any team “surprise” or “sneak up” on another team?
I think because its such a copy cat league, there was no history of Harbaugh and co. and their playcalling and what they would do in certain situations.
It was documented that a lot of teams were looking at tape from his Stanford days to try and figure out what they like to do in game/situational plays.
They did surprise a lot of teams last year with their 3 TE sets and DL pass plays. Those type of things did catch teams off guard and made it more difficult to prepare for. Now the league is on red alert when it come to the Niners because there is tape on their tendencies.
Thanks FDM, I could see that in the beginning the season when the Harbough system was an unknown. But by mid-season? There was plenty of evidence as to what the Niners were about.
Also, a team “surprising” another team has an element of the supposed superior team dismissing the other as an inferior opponent. There was plenty of game film on how the Niners were really taking it to their opponents in game after game, especially on defense. That they could “surprise” a competently coached opponent – i’m not seeing it.
I think a better statement is “no one will be initially surprised” by the Niners this season…. but even that statement isn’t true because no one has seen Harbaugh’s version of a passing game with the options presently available on this team.
It comes down to the players.
Now that we have a real HC, it comes down to the execution of the playcall.
We now have a WR who teams have to gameplan for. Didn’t have that last year. Anybody see SFGATE today? The stuff RM did that got him kicked off the Vikings? He still managed 2 TD’s in 4 games.
RM isn’t a dork anymore, he can get us a lot of plays. Make teams pay for double teaming VD. They 2 both, that means they are not in their base D, we run. Our OL was pretty good running the ball when they face nickel/dime packages. If a D is in their base formation, they have to choose who to 2. Better choose correctly. And you better have very fast LB’s because they need to run down KH/James.
Once the team gets into the swing of things, our offense will do a lot of damage.
i think it’s kinda like a 3-way, but with 2 guys. u know going in what the ground rules are, but in the middle of it something sneaks up on you that you weren’t expecting.
@Fabio
????
Okayyyyy. What???
throw a flag on the 3 way with 2 dudes!
My point also! Very informed fan!
haha wowwww. youl justify saying were gonna lose a game because of 1 PLAYER….ONE SINGLE PERSON is going to make the difference in a game with 2 team of 53 people. hello wake up, every team has a star player that doesnt mean they win them games. i also find it amusing how wel lose at least 2 games because anthony davis got beat by rushers last year that makes alota sense
Blaming Davis is a cop out. The teams that beat the 49ers understood the heart of the matter – keep Alice from completing third-down/red-zone passes and you have a decent shot at beating the 49ers.
All they had to do was step in Alice (not difficult) by pass coverage or the rush, and you make the 49ers one-dimensional.
The law of averages says the injury bug and turnovers will get much closer to the mean, and thus, if the 49ers cannot convert third-downs or red-zone opportunities into first downs and touchdowns, they will lose.
Thus far, there has been no indication Alex will improve at all. The preseason games will show us something – if he looks like he has, historically, he will not be better. I still suspect massive regression on Alex’ part. There is no reason to believe in him, and there is a LOT of reason to doubt him.
The Green Bay game will tell us EVERYTHING. I’ll be out of town, without internet access that weekend, so I won’t even know how the game went until later in the week. Maybe I’ll take a radio so I can hear the score, anyway.
If Alex sucks against Green Bay (and their crappy defense), Harbs will make the leash into a training collar. Again. Or if we’re real lucky, he’ll waive him before they leave the stadium and force him to make his own way home. That is the best outcome, AFAIC.
Guys, nobody looks at “tape” any more. Nobody uses “tape.”
They shoot with digital video cameras, and they render the video onto DVDs, or they just hoop up the computer to a nice, big HDTV and watch it on that. Probably Blu-Ray at that, since the resolution is so much better.
Same with “looking at the ‘films.’” NOBODY shoots film any more, except maybe NFL Films.
Get a clue or STFU. Ignorance only makes you Smithers look worse.
Really. If we were to listen to Harbaugh, you might get the impression the 49ers were still using *film*.
“Well, there’s really just the film on Shawntae and (he’s an) experienced player in the league, to go off of right now.”
“Yes. Given. Film study, practice, room, meetings, blackboard, the shotgun approach to teaching him.”
-JH.
Het dot, why don’t you go be an ignorant jerkoff on some other site.
Forget about him ribico. He has nothing. Not even a name.
Hey ribico, why don’t you come to my house and try to FORCE me to go to another site?
Or better yet, go express your undying love/lust for Alice someplace else yourself? There is no rule stating Alice must be lusted after or you have to go someplace else, so just try to force me, tough guy.
I’ll tell you what I don’t have – a crush on Alex Smith. You do. I bet you go through a lot of KY jelly.
Wheres the hospitality Ribico and Ds? Only a rat would bait someone into an arguement. Well I expect that from the BIG RAT ds, but Ribico didnt think you were the type.
bait, md? care to show me this bait? did you even follow the thread?
It doesn’t matter, dot, with his sexual psychosis is not worth the muscle effect to type a comeback in his direction.
Yes I did Ribico. Where did he mention you? Do you reallt defend Smith that much ,when the Smither name is brought out. You think it’s you personally?Naaa gotta say you stuck your nose in and called him out first, for what? Not being a fan of Alex? Then you use the Rat (ds) card and try to snitch and get someone booted. Cmon Ribico Dont be a Rat (ds)
@ninermd:
The enemy of your enemy is not always your friend. Didn’t you learn anything from Iraq and Afghanistan?
>>Where did he mention you
In the very first posting of this thread. It is telecat’s response to my “teams are not going to be surprised by the Niners this season” posting in a different thread (can I help it if he doesn’t know where to place his postings)
md, please get all our facts together before calling out other posters, mkay? if you can’t at least do that, then follow your own advice and refrain from answering unless the post is directed to you.
Are you sure he is the new guy? he kinda seems like 23jordan haha js the post he said saying JJ would have a better record then alex smith made me think it was him hahahaha
Grant, you took care of the previous clowns spouting this Alice nonsense. How about ridding us of the latest escapee from the big top.
@ribico
+1
Good gawd, what a bunch of f*cking crybabies you are.
Damn for being a new guy, he’s got your agendas down to a T……… Although I think Smith will crack top 7 this season. Doesnt mean everyone has to. Dude you’re dealing with Rats. They are cowards who slap and run and tell. Especially ds. Ribico is a little out of character with this Rat trap.
Grant, just a couple questions: can the Niners stop the run, and will they struggle against spread offenses? Kidding aside, how about evolution and growth from the offense and defense this year? No team is ever as static as you assume. Your overall prediction of 11-5 if probably accurate, as the overall quality (not just certain aspects of their styles) of opponents increases this year. However, I’m still gunning for 12-4 or 13-3! With an improved conversion rate on 3rd down (not to mention getting into less 3rd down situations with a more explosive offense) and in the redzone, this team could be unstoppable – even vs. teams that won’t rush up the middle 30 times a game.
What makes you think the offense will be more explosive?
Grant. In the media the Kobe Bryant question and answer is all over the place. So in good spirit of this debacle. What about the Greatest 49er teams ever? Id have to say, the 94 team would beat any of the others. We still have 2 weeks. Yaaawn
Not a chance. The ’84 team was the best.
Record wise Yes, but that 94 team was ballin.
’89 Team was the best
’94 defense wasn’t near as good as ’84.
You can have Deion, I’ll take Bobo, the Hammer, Wright and Hicks any time, every time.
Yes I know many of you children won’t know who Bobo and the hammer were. CATCH UP!
As a TEAM, ’84 is the best team ever to play football. Bar None.
But no rice in that bowl. Jr was in his prime in 94. It would be a tough hard fought game if they played.
I think there were two styles of football between the ten years. If you remember, Deion didn’t like to tackle. I am not taking anything away from the shut down corner he was, but he wasn’t much for contact after the catch.
In 84, teams ran first then passed. The 84 team was better at the run. I doubt the 94 defense would have been able to stop the run on the corners which is where I believe Bill Walsh would have attacked.
The 84 team would have controlled the clock much like the 2011 team did. I believe a match up would have mirrored the 2011 New Orleans/ SF game.
Since I am sure there will be cries for stats, here they are:
offense:
1984 run attempts 534 for 2465 yards at 4.6 y/a
1994 run attempts 491 for 1897 yards at 3.9 y/a
1984 pass attempts 496 for 3901 yards at 7.5 ny/a
1994 pass attempts 511 for 4163 yards at 7.6 ny/a
Defense:
1984 pass defense 546 attempts for 3381 yards at 5.7 ny/a
1994 pass defense 583 attempts for 3501 yards at 5.6 ny/a
1984 run defense 432 attempts for 1795 yards at 4.2 ny/a
1994 run defense 375 attempts for 1338 yards at 3.6 ny/a
Gotta go with the ’89 team.
Montana was a god that year.
I agree. 89 team was one for the ages. Probowl/HOF players all over the roster and the depth was incredible. I’d rank the 94 team second and the 84 team third.
No team QB’d by Steve Young could beat any team QB’s by Joe Montana.
Um, no.
1994 versus 1982, for instance.
drsgrosse says:
July 13, 2012 at 6:28 am
“No team QB’d by Steve Young could beat any team QB’s by Joe Montana.”
Not sure if this is a ‘slant’ against S.Young, but I wouldn’t count out SY because while JM had the natural ability to win games, SY had an unfettered will to win games. JM being the Boxer type, and SY being the Puncher type would have made for must see viewing!
Looks like some fans are still living in the past……..
FDM says:
July 13, 2012 at 8:15 am
Looks like some fans are still living in the past……..
Whats wrong with remembering a Rich past? FIIIIIVE Super bowl teams. I think fans that have been around that long deserve to talk about the greatest franchises History. Whats the matter FDM, wasnt around to celebrate those? Or is to much attention not pointed at Smith? So when we win this year all of the others are swept away and not remembered? Why so bitter FDM? Do you have new news on the 49ers that reporters dont? Have a beer and look up some old games and watch what GREATNESS WAS! CHEERS!!
Grant was not even alive in the 80′s and don’t think he remembers the 94 team that well, he was probably 7 or 8.
Well Mario Williams better get there in 2 seconds flat Everytime because there back 7 is a horrible matchup against the niners skill positions
Little Cohn still taking potshots at Big Anthony Davis…
pathetic
Anthony Davis establishes himself as an All Pro this year.
A few thoughts on a few thoughts…
- The Jets game is not in the bag. They were 6-2 at home last year, only losing to the Giants and the Pats.
- New Orleans will be extremely difficult. I would feel better if the 49ers would playing them early, but by week 11 they should have adapted to their new (temporary) coaches. The Saints will be running the same systems on offense, went 8-0 at home last year and will play with a chip on their shoulder.
- Anthony Davis might never live up to his lofty draft status, but there is steady improvement. He’s only 22. A baby by O-line terms. He will develop into a solid RT. What he needs most is consistency at RG.
- Predicting a so-so regular season record does not mean I think the team is getting worse. The NFC West is getting better. If the 49ers eek into the playoffs, I’m looking for them to make the Super Bowl. Like Parcel’s NY Giant teams, they are built for the post season.
- The 49ers (and the NFC West) are on a long term ascendency. In 2013 the 49ers will dominate. The rest of the NFC West will be busy creating football’s new Black and Blue division.
- Its way, way too early to judge Jenkins. The WR roster is deep. Look for a clearer picture in about 3 years.
- The team has good depth, but the big vulnerabilities are depth at OLB, and the right side of the O-line has not worked together very long.
@ Ribico – If you’re that sure, make the bet. Otherwise, quit sobbing. Alex will never be your slobbering love slave.
How can you say that when they have the #29 passer in the league. Don’t talk to me about passer rating, talk to me about third-down conversions and red-cone efficiency.
Sure they have better receivers (we hope) but they have the same bust throwing the ball.
The 49ers will NEVER reach the Super Bowl with Alex Smith.
Part of why Smith has been such a pedestrian QB was the fact that he had NO ONE to throw the ball to. Just look at the NFC Championship game. 1 catch for 3 yards by wide receivers. THAT is a total breakdown by the wide receiver corps. There wasn’t a decent WR on the team last season. Crabtree is all Diva and no production. Now that Smith has some real NFL receivers, let’s just see if his numbers dont improve. It is obvious that Harbaugh has rejuvenated Smith’s career. Can Smith take this team to the SB? I think the better question is can this team help Smith make it to the SB. SB Quality Defense with an above average offense = ring on the other hand…
We’ll see. I have tried to bet people and they’re not biting, so I suspect despite all the chest thumping and Alice worship, they’re not so sure about him.
There’s an element of…
They sure will be disappointed when he averages one touchdown a game, again.
I’ll gladly stand up and take my lumps if I’m proven wrong, but no one wants to make a bet for charity on Alex. I will make the bet against him. $50 to your favorite charity if Alex wins the Super Bowl. $50 to Fat Kitty City if he doesn’t. Y’all think he’s that great, you should be willing to put money on him.
So, who’s a man here, willing to step up and make it real?
No one? What a surprise. Y’all are a bunch of f*cking crybabies.
Kittycat, I thought the posting style seem familar, all insults. Why the new handle – did Grant ban your last account?…
So now it’s Superbowl or nothing, eh? You’re setting a pretty high bar for a POS like “Alice”, aren’t you?
Everyone focuses on the players on our team, including the new additions. But no one (or only a few) mention our coaching staff . Harbaugh, Roman, Fangio,and Seely (let’s not forget the ST guru) will have these guys ready and believing in the system for 2012, which will be a tweaked version of 2011, obviously. It’s silly to guess our record, but we’re all bored, won’t watch the Olympics, and rookies don’t report for another week. But if a prediction is needed? 12-4/13-3….I think we lose to GB, but keep it close. Buffalo won’t trouble us, we mightl lose a game within the division because it’s a division opponent and they know us. Add I think NO play their hearts out to avenge the playoff loss, no matter how their season is progressing by week 11.
(.) Says
“I’ll gladly stand up and take my lumps if I’m proven wrong, but no one wants to make a bet for charity on Alex. I will make the bet against him. $50 to your favorite charity if Alex wins the Super Bowl. $50 to Fat Kitty City if he doesn’t. Y’all think he’s that great, you should be willing to put money on him. ”
Ok So u r pickin the field of 31 teams vs one led by alex smith (not to mention its a team ur suposedly a fan of) thats shitty odds.
Who in ur opinion is the best QB in the league?
Would you bet $50 that his team wins the SB?
Probably not, because a whole lot more goes in to winning a SB than the play of a QB (like ur PR fumbling twice in the NFCCG).
Has anyone seen (.) and 23Jordan in the same room at the same time?
Just saying that around the time one disapeared, another one showed up sounding veeerry familiar
Have fun folks. I’m heading off to Cabo San Lucas for a week.
Beware Cartel members with Weapons provided by the US Department of Justice!
FASTR………+1 LOL
Have fun Nick Row, I will be off to Fla in a few weeks.
NickRow,
Try to relax and have some fun in the sun. Let’s see if you could stay away from the blog (unlike me when I was on vaca) while you’re gone bud (lol).
Enjoy!
Yes, better get in your Mex time before their whackjob president-elect takes office.
It’s funny to read what everyone disagrees with grant on. Unless you say 16-0 people will cry. I think 11-5 is spot on. Possibly 12-4 but no higher in my opinion. Where those 4-5 losses come from idk. Can we beat NE, NO, GB, NYJ all on the road, yes but not likely. We are gonna lose some games people
I agree that a lack of depth in the secondary could make the defense vulnerable against spread offenses, but I am not sure it is as big of a weakness as you make it seem to be
Niners will go 12-4. They have improved their offense and their defense is as good as there is in the NFC. There will be good teams on paper who will have bad seasons and visa versa, so it it hard to say which games will be won or lost. But I believe this group is hungry and talented enough to get #6. WE MUST stay in front of the Steelers in the TRC (Total Ring Count).
The beauty of this whole thing is that is just an opinion. I believe the 49ers go 7-9. NFL history says that is probably right. I think the 49ers will have some key injuries early. Here is why I think the 49ers will be injured by week 6.
GB stretches the field. It is a lot of up and down the field for the defense. That will losen up some hamstrings. They also have the best pass rushing LB in Clay Matthews. That means there will be a lot of hits on an aging Gore who is more prone to injury now later in his career. Alex Smith won’t be coming out of a game through week 6 with a clean jersey either.
Then, you follow the Green Bay game up with 4 more physical defenses. Detroit, NY Jets, Buffalo, and NY Giants. There will be a lot of hits on the QB no matter how you cut it. Orakpo and Kerrigan are league leaders. You can’t expect Lamicheal James to stay in and block at 5-8 195.
So yes, I think the 49ers will resemble the 2011 Giants when it comes to injury. Can they overcome that? I think they have the best coaching staff in the league to do it with. I just don’t think they break the .500 point this season. If nfl history has anything to say, with that schedule rank, they are going to fall right around the 7-9 rank. Only one nfl team beat that mark with the same strength of schedule to finish 8-8. 6 finished lower and 3 finished at 7-9.
Who knows, maybe 8-8 wins the division this year. If this team makes the playoffs, I have no doubt they represent the NFC in the superbowl. I just think injuries are going to cost them some games. I don’ think they are worse than any team they face and I certainly think they can beat everyone on their schedule. I just think the timing of the schedule’s strength is their biggest opponent.
Didn’t you already say this once?
They also have the best pass rushing LB in Clay Matthews.
Demarcus Ware, Terrell Suggs, and Tamba Hali disagree. Aldon Smith also thinks you are wrong.
Alex Smith won’t be coming out of a game through week 6 with a clean jersey either.
As opposed to last year, when he was sacked more than any QB in the league?
Perhaps you should find another way to spend your time. You’re not very good at this.
@Mike/justin:
If nfl history has anything to say, with that schedule rank, they are going to fall right around the 7-9 rank. Only one nfl team beat that mark with the same strength of schedule to finish 8-8.
I didn’t realize playing the 24th strongest (or 7th weakest) schedule was so crippling.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/56896/2012-nfl-strength-of-schedule
Thanks Claude. I knew the schedule wasn’t as dire as some are making it out to be and this confirms it. People get caught up in the teams at the top without taking into account it’s a small percentage of the overall schedule. I still think last years was tougher than this this years is going to be. The Niners faced a number of top ten defenses last season and played a division that sent three teams to the playoffs. They didn’t get a cake walk to the NFC Championship game last year.
Actually Claude, it is the 26th toughest schedule. It’s the number of 1st place teams the 49ers have to face coupled with a grueling travel schedule. I didn’t realize I needed to explain each point in detail. I thought the schedule was self evident. But since you’ve shown a constant and consistent need for further explanation, here is the travel schedule which is what makes the overall schedule tough.
Week 1: @ Green Bay Packers – Sunday September 9, 1:25pm FOX
Week 3: @ Minnesota Vikings – Sunday September 23, 10:00am FOX
Week 4: @New York Jets – Sunday September 30, 10:00am FOX
Week 8: @ Arizona Cardinals – Monday October 29, 5:30pm ESPN
Week 12: @ New Orleans Saints – Sunday November 25, 1:25pm FOX
Week 13: @ St. Louis Rams – Sunday December 2, 10:00am FOX
Week 15: @ New England Patriots – Sunday December 16, 5:20pm NBC
Week 16: @ Seattle Seahawks – Sunday December 23, 1:25pm FOX
History says the Niners will be injury ravaged and finish below 500? Please enlighten us with some numbers to back that up. You’ve made a number of mistakes in this post from Matthews being the best pass rushing LB (he’s not) and referencing two players that aren’t even on the Niner schedule this year.
Take injuries out of the equation. They are unpredictable and can hit any of the Niner opponents as easily as it can them. There’s also the fact this team lost some key players last year (Willis, Walker, Morgan, Edwards, Ginn to name a few) and still continued to win. They have depth and Coaching to overcome that if it happens. Obviously if you lose key players at multiple positions that is tough to overcome, but again injuries are unpredictable. Saying defenders will pull hamstrings against GB because they throw the ball a lot? C’mon what is that, the readers digest guide to football?
I’m not knocking your prediction as much as the way you came to your conclusion. How about giving us some indepth comments on how the Niners match up with teams you think they will lose to instead of predicting injuries to be the difference?
You are playing physical teams. Physical teams cause injury. Look at how many injuries another physical team i.e. the Giants had with a schedule that mimicked sf’s 2012 schedule.
That is why I say the 49ers are going to suffer some injuries.
I’m sure you need a picture painted as well.
Here it is:
Sunday
10/02/11
at Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Won 31-27
Sunday
10/09/11
Seattle Seahawks
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Lost 36-25
Sunday
10/16/11
Buffalo Bills
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Won 27-24
Sunday
10/23/11
BYE
Sunday
10/30/11
Miami Dolphins
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Won 20-17
Sunday
11/06/11
at New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Won 24-20
Sunday
11/13/11
at San Francisco 49ers
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Lost 27-20
Sunday
11/20/11
Philadelphia Eagles
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Lost 17-10
Monday
11/28/11
at New Orleans Saints
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Lost 49-24
Sunday
12/04/11
Green Bay Packers
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
lost 38-35
Sunday
12/18/11
Washington Redskins
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Lost 23-10
—
Saturday
12/24/11
at New York Jets
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Won 29-14
Clay Mattews must be overrated, because I think Mr. Davis handled him. Green Bays’ OL is suspect. Expect Mr. Rogers to be knocked out of the neighborhood. The 49ers trainer did wonders last year when injuries were more prone to happen due to the abbreviated training camp. With a full training program by Mr. Uyeyama I believe these players will again stay relatively healthy throughout the season. When the 49er Offense plays against the toughest defense in the NFL everyday in practice, it is no wonder that it will be ready to decimate the others with their fully implemented game plan utilizing all the weapons provided by the DOD.
The gameplan will be brilliant at Green Bay and the outcome devastating for Packer fans all over this great country of ours.
Clay Matthews overrated? Try 37 solo tackles in 2012, 3 ff, 3 ints, 1 td and 6 sacks. He is a pass rusher first, then a LB. He obviously pails in comparison to a true LB like Patrick Willis who had 74 solo tackles, 4 ff, 1 int, and 2 sacks. Green Bay just uses him differently.
He is a load for any RB to pick up.
I expect week one to be a game of the decade though.
Mike/justin:
Could you pick one name and stick to it?
He had 6 sacks last season. That is nowhere near an elite number. Matthews is a solid player but he’s not even close to being the best pass rushing LB.
Matthews is media built, overrated and has Hulk Hogan Hair. What a *** Packer. He is nowhere NEAR elite!
Clay Mathews played hurt last year, he’ll be good again.
217 posts and Grant has TWO responses. Nice to see you are participating in the “game” you started.
Should have also mentioned all TWO of the responses were for the same post.
Party at Drew Brees’ house! He’s buyin’.
I am really bummed out, I was hoping that he was going to be a Free Agent next year, and the Niner’s would get a real QB, who will most likely be in the Hall of Fame and has a ring and maybe more, now we are stuck with the ugly chick at the high school dance that nobody wants to dance with. Sigh !!!
Look at this way, Neal. The Niners got the QB that beat the $100 million man for basically pennies on the dollar. More front office smarts!
LOL, That’s a good one Ribico!
hahahah your right Ribico, our QB beat Brees, and our QB nobody else wanted. Kind of like a face only a Mother ( Harbaugh ) can loved.
lol +1 Ribico
http://www.playerwives.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bleacherreport1.jpg
Troll wagon needs a new paint job? LOL
Checked out Bary Zito wife and others.
http://bustedcoverage.com/tag/barry-zito-wife/
neal your a pervert
Latino,
Why is Neil a perve? I I like the picture. It’s hot. A better example o a perve is a swinger. Wouldn’t you agree?
@ Bay
I think Jerry Sandusky is the pervert poster boy right now; deservedly. So much so that if I were on the city council of Sandusky, Ohio I’d introduce an ordinance to re-name the city. The pic of Zito’s fiancé was cute and appropriate, as you said.
Bayarea you just like to use the same name calling and same analogies, your boring, try to be a bit more creative
Latino Heat,
To me a perv is someone that looks into a peep hole in a girl’s lockeroom,now that is perverted or to Catch a Predator show, the link just shows good looking women, do you call yourself heat because it you can easily get upset with this little blog, perhaps a angry class might be needed. The only heat from you is your blow hole.
Fitz Pervvvvvvvv!!!!!!!!!!!!
LH
Also formerly known as Ratnich Garcia. I thought I smelled a dirty rat on here. How is your Roach Coach business?
Gone for a couple of weeks not much has changed. Will say this since I was in the Detroits Lions den to speak of, the Lions fans I was around are thinking that AS has turned the corner and get this they have some fear about the guy. However all of them agreed that the Lions will defeat the Niners handley. I couldnt resist a little bet a la MD, Niners loose I have to wear a Lions jersey for a day and post a pic on face book which I dont even do face book.
NOT to worry. Ill be there to cheer loudly. And if all else fails, Im pretty sure I can hit Megatron with a battery from where I sit. Nothing serious just out of commision, Johnny “KOBRA KAI” style. lol Dont worry Bro. Its our home opener. NO WAY we lose.
“sweep the leg”
“Get him a body bag”
“No mercy”
“Your the best…….around, nobody is ever gonna keep ya down. Your the best…..around…..”
Do you have a problem with that Mr Lawrence? No Sensei…. My Fave……”I really like your ar Mrs Larosso” lol Classic
*car*
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I believe you but that tells me Lions’ fans are even dumber than Smithers.
troll, get lost
I invite you o try to force me to get lost.
ooohhh, tough guy hey?
You’re the one trying to tell someone what to do, keyboard-lily.
Here are strength of schedule results for the last 11 years:
Rams held the spot in 2011. Finished the season 2-14
Panthers held the spot in 2010. Finished the season 2-14
49ers held the spot in 2009. Finished the season 7-9
Chiefs held the spot in 2008. Finished the season 4-12
Panthers held the spot in 2007. Finished the season 7-9
Patriots held the spot in 2006. Finished the season 12-4
Dallas held the spot in 2005. Finished the season 9-7
Tampa Bay held the spot in 2004. Finished the season 5-11
Detroit held the spot in 2003. Finished the season 5-11
Chicago held the spot in 2002. Finished the season 4-12
And just for good measure, Atlanta held the spot in 2001 and finished 7-9. that is two winning records in 11 years. 1 was 12-4 the other was 9-7.
As I said, “history” doesn’t bode well for the team. It is just an opinion, not gospel. I’m not telling you Santa Claus is fake. I am only saying that their strength of schedule doesn’t sit well on a historical point of view for success.
@Neal,
You’re a fool ! With all your bone head remarks. Are you really that stupid?
@ momma boy,
Did you get some free computer time in San Quentain today?. My bone head remarks are shared by many on here, ofcourse you being in prision, AS means to Ass snifer.
@ prime,
Fatnich go cry to your Mommy, you twerp.
LH,
You don’t follow sports and the Niners, you just enter beer drinking contests.
Yes he really is that stupid, literally! neal is a troll, hater, and clown all wrapped into one. He offers zero value to this blog, just ignorant comments
What value do you add LH? Your next commwnt that has anything to do with football will be your first. Now run along and get me some tacos.
Jack,
It is obvious that LH is not a very happy person, , how would you like running the Family roach coach business for over 30 years?
..and theres hack jammer to the rescue, mind your own business jack, your as significant as neal, which is zero……..
Bring it on LH, perhaps calling a friend doubt you have one, family member might get you out of your angry depression. life gave you a curb ball wah wah wah. Get some professional help.
Neal, bring it on? What are you in highschool?
Just because someone razzes you, you don’t need to go all postal!
You can give it but sure can’t take it can you little one!
And jack, you realize that adding to the nonsense just makes you look like the a hole? Avoid the baby chatter, you will have less stress
Prime,
You are arrogant, narcastic and dulusional, your one of the worst defender on here bashing people.
Come on Latino, if you try real hard I’m sure you can come up with something about football.
Prime,
At least you discuss football, hell I even agreed with you once this week. That might be bad news for both of us : )
Fitzbob, cry, cry, cry is all I hear from you!
Jack, I dont speak football with amateurs, you and neal are below that anyways
LH,
I am surprised you have your own computer, don’t you live with 15 family members in a 2 bedroom house. The only football knowledge you have is drinking beer at half time. Your a hack!!
Fatnich Prime, Are you still living in your mommy’s basement? you loser.
You don’t speak football with anyone Latino. All you do is pop up every week or so and bitch about someone.
Go over to ESPN Deportes, they have a futbol blog over there. At least then you won’t have to talk out of your a$$.
You don’t speak football with anyone Latino. All you do is pop up every week or so and bitch about someone.
Is that not what the haters do everyday about Alex?
LH,
Did I just see you handcuff on a episode of cops? How good Niners turn bad.Sorry about your brain lost.
Neal if this were hockey you would have gotten a game misconduct before the puck dropped, if it were basketball, you would have fouled out in the first quarter. Your so easy to rile you pathetic hot head, one comment and your all stir crazy, chill bro, you make this banter to easy.
LH,
Don’t continue to go after me, and I won’t go after you. Your just really easy to go after because of your short temper.
^
Mosh Pit
It’s always nice to log on to the computer and read some cogent debate about the 49ers.
And then, come to Grant’s little dive for shitz and giggles and to remind me why the world is doomed to die from an overabundance of middle school stupidity.
Middle school stupidity.
With the risk of being shot at dawn, for this prediction i would say, that i can not find anything that will prevent us from winning the 2 first games, Packers away, yes, thats difficult but given the fact that we have the best defence i would stick to this rather that to a offence that needs time to interlock with routes and a lot of communication, it is bound to fail for the offense in the beginning. Home againt the Bills, well acording to my belives that an easy win because the Bills have to travel across the country, with jetlag and soforth, my prediction will be 12-4 or 11-5 this comming season, and with a little bit of luck we will be 13-3 again.
@ Green Bay
How do you beat the packers?
1) Bring pressure with 4 rushers. Can the 49ers do this? most definitely!
2) Keep the Packers offence off the field. Can the 49ers do this? Yes, the niners had the sixth best average T.O.P last year, this says we can hold on to the ball well.
3) Win the TO battle, +28 shouldn’t happen again, but you can be assured that we will still get our fair share of TO’s, with seven in coverage most of the game there will be opportunities to get interceptions, and you just have to think back to Donte Whitners hit against Pierre Thomas to know that we will be causing fumbles!
4) Shot plays. this is the biggest unknown, can Randy Moss excel? how will the 49ers all new receiving corps play against what was one of the worst pass defences in the league?
This will be a great game no doubt! I think that it is just as important for the niners to compete well as it is to win the game.
Win probability 49%
Detroit
Another top passing attack, Home opener, you can bank on the Niners being truly fired up for this one!
It’s really the same formula against Detroit as it was for Green Bay, only Detroit aren’t as good offensively as GB, but should be more challenging from a defensive standpoint, I think that Detroit’s so-so O-line will prove the difference as the niners make Staffords day a bad one.
Win probability 65%
@ Minnesota
Complacency will be the Niners biggest danger against a vastly inferior team. AP won;t be up to full speed and he really is their only true threat.
Win Probability 78%
@ New York Jets
Bad attitude team, QB issues, weak WR corps. This one will probably be quite a low scoring affair, being in New York will make it more of a challenge!
Win probability 60%
Buffalo
Deceptive team, really hard to gauge how good they will be, Fitzpatrick is dodgy a lot of the time but is capable of putting up big numbers at others, their D should be better with an improved D-Line. But again O-line issues will provide the Niners with enough opportunities to Win this one.
Win Probability 65%
New York Giants
REVENGE GAME!!! I think the Niners will be more fired up for this one than any other game, I dearly hope that Kyle Williams has a Monster game, but realistically it’ll be a really hard fought close game between two really good teams. Grant seems to think that Tuck vs Davis will decide the game, i think that is a really myopic way of thinking, I mean JPP is by far the superior player, he will be more of a threat than Tuck in my opinion. Also Grant keys on Frank Gore, this again seems myopic, Gore is 29, still at the tail end of his prime years, for the first time he has been working out at team facilities in Santa Clara, and it is my belief that he will be better, fitter, faster as a result. The 49ers have possibly the best fitness training staff in the NFL as demonstrated by the lack of injuries suffered last year.
Win Probability 55%
Seattle
I hate the Seahawks, really I do. They are an improving team but we are still better! At Candlestick we will prove it! Probably another low scorer, but our D will make it hell for whichever schlub is playing QB for Seattle. Stop Lynch stop Seattle!
Win probability 70%
@ Arizona
Also improving, but still an inferior team. They signed Snyder this summer who in my opinion was the only player to spend as much time in the backfield last year as Smith and Gore! Their QB issues and weak O-Line will probably result in a niners win here!
Win probability 70%
St Louis
Bad team, vastly inferior to the 49ers. another complacency test
Win probability 80%
Chicago
Another team with O-Line issues, also, like buffalo, hard to gauge. I think they will be good this year, possibly taking Detroit’s place in the playoffs.
win probability 55%
@ New Orleans
I don’t care about the Bounty crap, the Saints will forever be very dangerous with Brees and co in the superdome this will be a very tough game.
win probability 45%
@ St. Louis
Same as before complacency is the biggest threat.
win probability 75%
Miami
Big QB issues here, but a good Defence and O-Line will make this one closer than people think.
win probability 60%
@ New England
See @ Green Bay, only the Pats WR’s aren’t as dangerous and their D is just as bad if not worse with a lot of rookies and inexperienced players starting for what has recently been a cover your eyes awful unit. this one is simple, if the Niners wr’s are playing well we win, if the wr’s end up looking like last years unit then it’s a different story.
win probability 50%
@ Seattle
Did I say that I hate Seattle? cos I really do! being in Seattle makes this a pickem game it could literally go either way and it wouldn’t surprise me. Wankers!
win probability 50%
Arizona
This one depends on whether anything is riding on the outcome. but i’d still put the niners as heavy favourites.
win probability 70%
Overall despite the supposed “tough” schedule there ain’t a team that we play that I’m afraid of any more! every game can be won, but given that luck plays such a massive role in the NFL i’m gonna go for a 12-4 record and a #3 seed in the playoffs.
Different outlook with the winning percentage. I like that.
Going strictly by opponents regular season win-loss, the schedule does not look that daunting. But the road schedule is a meat grinder.
Packers home record: 8-0
Saints home record: 8-0
Patriots home record: 7-1 (starting at 8:20 PM eastern time, December 16)
Jets home record: 6-2
As for home, the hottest team the 49ers host in 2012 (NY Giants) plays better on the road.
Apologies for repeating, but the NFC West is becoming the most physical in football.
The 49ers could make significant improvements and still wind up 9-7 or 10-6.
I’m still optimistic. The 49ers are built for post season football. If they squeak into the playoffs, or cruise in, I think a Super Bowl is in the cards.
Very good observation. I also think the 49ers are built for the playoffs. They have all the tools this season, and smith has a lot of pressure to improve, but I really think the most pressure will be on the coaching staff this season. To keep this team focused and not believing the lost only because of fluke plays. Will be the key. To have a better imagination on how to switch things up and not be predictable is too. The league will be going hard at the 9ers this season.
Its so hard to predict Win/Losses. I’ve done about 10 different results. But i figure that of the 4 tough non divisional road games (GB, NE, NYJ, NO) we go 2-2. Of our 6 divisional games we go 5-1 (losing either @ Ari or @ Sea, going 3-0 at home). I think we beat MIA and MIN. That leaves us with games vs NYG BUF CHI DET all at home which i believe we will go 2-2 possibly 3-1. Giving us a record of 11-5 which is easily enough to win the division.
There isnt a team the Niners cant beat on the road or at home. 16-0 is a possibility. The Niners are a damn good team, every team is going to fear us and they will know that they have been in a game – ouch.
Road games: Packers, Vikings, Jets, Saints, Patriots are all beatable. Seems unlikly we win all those games. 3-2 would be real good and obtainable.
Road games: Cardinals, Seahawks, Rams, this is going to be a tough division. I think we can win these three. 3-0
Home games: Lions, Vikings, Bears, Giants, Bills, I can see 5-0 here, wont be easy tho.
Home games: Cardinals, Seakhawks, Rams, good games but we win 3-0.
We win no less then 11 games, but yah, 14-2 works for me.
Thank you undercenter.
Why is there so much talk about regression to the mean? The great teams (like we once were) never regressed to the mean (average). That is why were great!
The teams that are in the playoff hunt every year before the season begins who most people think have a real chance are not average. They are well above the mean.
So, please everybody. If you are a fan, you don’t think about regression to the mean. That means last year was a complete fluke. And we do suck. Greatness is defined by not regressing to the mean over a long period of time.
1982, 1985 and 1995 called and would like a word with you.
Grumpy
I have honored your request that I don’t reply to your posts. The deal only works if you do the same.
To answer your reply:
And I believe the Niners went back to back, and the Bills went to 3 Super Bowls in 4 years or something like that. There are lots of teams that don’t regress. They are the ones that matter.
I know this is old news to some, but I had thought JJ would be 2 and CK number 3, at the moment CK is number two according to MM from comcast.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/49ers-Mailbag-Kaepernick-enters-camp-as-?blockID=740192&feedID=2800
Yeah your the moron that was saying JJ would beat out Alex for the starters job and now he can’t even win the #2 job!
Classic hater BS!
Prime you are a hater, here I talk football all you do is hate. I know it sucks for you to be living in your Mommy’s basement loser lol.
Oh now you talk football? Before it was and you said ” your only on here to pick fights” your words, no one else’s and now your telling me you talk football, grow up clown!
Ofcourse you and your BFF, DS takes things verbatim. Bringing in JJ was security in the future and next year AS will be kicked to the curb and JJ and CK will battle for # 1.
So Neal JJ can’t win the #2 this year but will be battling for the #1 next year?
WOW, you really are an idiot!
It is July dope head, smoking too much weed, JJ has plenty of time to prove himself to being numbr 2 this season and if he is not that is ok , because Kaep is playing better and will be the started in 2013. When your man crush is kicked to the curb. Oh yea Giants win woo hoo !!
What is it neal? make up your mind, the future predictions of this guy starting and this guy getting kicked to the curb is lame hommey. Then again what else are we to expect from the haters, it will be excuse after excuse and future predictions all year. What a joke all of you are
LH,
Their is really nothing else to say, other then wait and see. Glad Timmy pitch great yesterday and still waiting for the Sharks and the rest of the NHL to make some moves after the Wild signings.
I am Nostradamus.
OK, so predict when Grant will start a new topic! ; >)
Doesn’t matter what topic he starts if the mod allows every single conversation to turn into a Smith fight.
Either moderate this blog or shut it down.
Ted: + 1,000.
Agreed Ted!
Ditto Grumpy
Ted, count me in. The whole “Smith Apologist” VS “Smith Hater” thing is past worn out.
Just win the division, which they should and everything takes care of itself. If it means going 8-8 and getting to the playoffs, whatever, thats all it takes.
Like 300 comments – have to say the column worked!
More like 30 worthwhile comments, and ten pages of middle school stupidity.
Grant is the Snookie of 49er bloggers.
I don’t know much about Grant (Or Ulysses either) but if he’s a chip
aren’t we in for a fun time. Accentuate the positive ELIMINATE the negative, watch out!
Check out Baylor wide receiver Gordan who the Niners are interested in and he seems he interested in the Niners too. he has size and speed. This is on Matt Barrows blog, sorry if it is redundant.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/
@ Neal
While I appreciate ANY movement of the discussion back to football, I’m confused by “interested in”. Wasn’t Gordon just drafted by Cleveland the other day? I think they spent a 2nd.
Yeah dumb a$$, the Browns drafted him 2 days ago, no wonder no one takes you serious, your as dumb as a sack of hammers!
oh my god pervie, do you have a clue what the supplemental draft is? man you are lost, stick to the alex hate, at least its semi believable you have a brain
I have a life and I don’t think about the Niners or read about them 24/7 Latino Beat and Pervtime, you are both losers probably in real life, one lives in his Mommy basement and other runs a roach coach at a flea market.
Brotha Tuna thanks for your sane response.
then dont run your mouth if you dont know what’s happening with the team
I will do the hell I want Pedro!!
Neal, chill brooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prime,
I am watching Secret Millonaire right now, it makes all of this nonsense riduculous and stupid in the thick of things. I am out for tonight.
I wonder if Goldson regrets not signing the 25 million dollar contract that was offered last year. We will find out tomorrow.
I miss the Eric Branch days. Schoolyard epithets and Diva slapfests do not make a blog.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
As an alternative to spitball fights, here’s an exercise: Pre-Camp Guesses of divisional standings. We’ll need to do this again a week before Opening Day after seeing whatever various teams and rookies show in PreSeason, but at this point the guesses are based on:
>continuity of roster & coaching staff
>any momentum from the previous season
>talent level on rosters
>free agency gains & losses
>draftees (to the extent they make a first year impact)
{ Please remember that participation is voluntary and that Alex, CK, JJ, Tolzein, Nate Davis, Cody Pickett, Peyton Manning & Michael Crabtree are NOT on any rosters I’ll be bringing up. OK?}
NFC East- Pretty tight division; they could beat each other up. It looks to me like 3 teams got better and G-Men got younger. Last year Coughlin was “on the hot seat” and won it all. This year its Andy Reid, so watch out for
#1/ Philly. Their D is talented and will play much better this year after melding together. Their offense will be better with Macklin healthy and DeSean’s head screwed on properly.
#2/ NY Giants. This is a bit of a toss-up for me between G-Men and Pokes, but I’ll go with NY based on the thinnest of ideas, that Giants find ways to win and Cowboys (so far lately) find ways not to win. Since all teams are gunning for the Champs, Giants may be harder tested outside their division than Cowboys. Giants D will be good again. Offense will need to blend in some new talent and play better on OL.
#3/ Cowboys. One year they’re going to break their juju in late season. I think the run game will be solid, helping Romo, and the back of the D looks improved.
#4/ Washington. They already have a decent defense. How much Shanahan can get out of his run game and new QB will determine their record, but they’re definitely ‘trouble’ for some teams and can be spoilers.
OK. There’s one. I’m sure there will much disagreement with my picks, try not to spank me too bad and please don’t burn down my house. We can probably keep responses straight by having separate threads by division.
Oops there goes another chance for Mr. Goldson to get a long term deal done. Likely he will not be back next year. Play your heart out this year Mr. Goldson so the teams will line up to sign you to a big money deal.
This is bad news for the the Niners not signing this guy long term. They had two chances now and he will have a big year again and will be a hot commodity in free agnecy next year.
Sure he takes chances and is aggressive and sometimes overplays, but his ability to make big plays, cause turnovers, and the leadership he brings to not only the secondary, but entire defense, makes him one of the best players on the roster. Not happy about this at all!
@FDM:
It takes two to tango. Should the team have overpaid for Goldson?
The word is that he wanted $8 million/year. Do you think he is worth that much? I don’t. He’s good, but he’s not elite/special. I also question how much leadership he brings. After Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and Donte Whitner, there wouldn’t seem to be much room/need for additional leadership on the defense.
Also, if the team re-signed Goldson for $8 million/year, there is no way they would be able to keep Bowman past the 2013 season, and I think Bowman is a special player they should try to keep. They may not be able to keep Bowman anyway (how much money should a team devote to the ILB position?), but I’d like them to try.
Besides, the word is that the 2013 draft has is much deeper at safety than the 2012 draft was and that there will be quality players available at the end of round 1.
Mr. Balls makes valid points. I would much rather sign Mr. Bowman over Mr. Goldson if I had to choose. That would be a no brainer. 6 million a year is more than enough for a good safety. If somehow Mr. Maranthe manages to sign Mr. Bowman to a long term deal next year, he would be a financial god in my mind.
FDM,
I would blame Goldson and his representative more than the team. Maiocco reported quite a while back that the Niners were willing to go 7 mill per for Goldson but he and his agent wouldn’t back off 8+ because of the Weddle deal. That wasn’t going to happen with this front office especially when two safeties have signed for the amount the Niners were offering in the past two weeks. Goldson is taking a big time gamble because an injury or a downturn in his play, and he will wish he had signed for what was offered this season.
I just hope he has the sense to show up on time for camp. If he pulls some BS move like waiting until just before the season starts, he’ll hurt himself and the defense.
It appears they can franchise him again next season according to MM at Comcast. Also I bet they offered him about 30 million and the going rate is 36 million for 5 years