Lots of high expectations for this club. But we will have to see if last year was a bit of an overestimation, with 7 wins vs the likes of carolina, atlanta, a regressing new orleans, and detroit. 2 ot wins vs. atl and one vs. carolina add to the questions. Are they the team of the future, or the one who got slapped around by the rams and gbay.
Home domination wins vs. mia and phil are the bright side.
coaching.
- the mooch ship is intact, but whether the helmsman has enough to put them over the top is questionable. It was actually always the front office of the niners which was the heart of the club. That nucleus is now coaching the browns, retired, or on probation. What was once exceptional is now living on old press. Folks just don't realize the importance of those losses, looking at the pawns on the field instead.
stable
QB- One of my top rated guys is garcia. he runs, he throws, hes a great field general, and very much deserves his pro bowls.
stable.
RB- the strength here is actually the oline. They could plug in anyone, just like the broncos. Hearst is good, Barlow nearly so, just needs seasoning, beasley the fb is as key as the oline for blocking. So don't go fretting about the halfbacks. Keep the eyes on the oline, and beasley.
stable.
WR-Owens has become a disturbing distraction. Players with his profile wind up dividing the team, and his preferential treatment cause other players to devote less effort. Worse he's overrated, maybe 10 other wr in the league as good or better (oh, I'm going to hear it for that remark).. JJ stokes is sporadic at best, disappears for whole games. They have some new talent at TE in Eric Johnson and this will add more dimension. Tai streets is in his make or break year, thus far a bust. This pass offense was in the middle of the pack last year, even with a top rated qb. Not a good sign. Reminds me a bit of the gbay situation last year, you could kick them all to the curb and start over with little problem.
stable but average.
Oline. the heart of the club here. top 2-3 in the league. they return in tact with the addition of Ron Stone, pro bowler, a major stand out at the giants. With an oline like this, anything is possible. However, age has arrived, watch closely for cracks in the cement. The whole offense will cave if they have problems here.
stable
The defense is a work in progress. Just 2-3 years ago it was absolutely miserable, injury riddled, with the worst of things in the secondary. Last year, as one of the healthiest teams in the league, they moved all the way up to average.
dline-
No sacks, and they're doing what they can to get some. Unit in tact. Bryant young and dana stubblefield just don't get to the qb anymore, but very young guys andre carter and john engelberger have huge upside. Also picked up dt flanagan and moran in the offseason to add quite a strong depth.
An upgrade.
Linebacker- below Average pack who are very young and will be better this year. Smith is the leader, but soon to be overtaken by all desire no skills jeff ulbrect in his 3rd year. Julian Peterson top pick in his 3rd year is the key. Will he turn into the great pass rusher he was in college? Jamie winborn 2nd year had a great first season and is the other one who can make this squad better.
Potential upgrade to above average.
Secondary- Has continued to be a club weakness, but considering the lack of pass rush, tough to tell just how bad they are. the loss of lance shulters to tenn. is big, and his replacement out of chicago, Parrish, is just above average. Zack Bronsin has been a pleasant suprse but limited skills. The potential lies in young Ahmed Plummer who has show some brilliance, and Jason Webster. they could be better this year, but most likely about the same. New guy Mike rumph was a monster at miami, but its a bit much to expect a contribution early on. All in all about the same as a year ago.
Stable, til rumph shows his stuff.
Kicking- got a rookie to watch on the fg's. should be fun. 4th round pretty high for one of these, and my early prediction is he struggles. Good punter.
Conclusion. Would I be saying anything by pointing out the youth movement, and potential. No.
Fact is this team may have been hurt more by reallignment than any other (how's that?). Say goodby to 6 easy wins. In addition, they barely squeeked by many teams last year, narrow win margin. And that while being very healthy. This year a much tougher schedule, could cause more injuries, and a retrenchment in the win loss column. With their somewhat limited passing game, and reliance on running and defense, I don't like them in the fav role.
Although they have a couple squads with upgrade potential, overwhelmingly they are in a stable mode, and that is still a cut below the real talent in the league.
Home domination wins vs. mia and phil are the bright side.
coaching.
- the mooch ship is intact, but whether the helmsman has enough to put them over the top is questionable. It was actually always the front office of the niners which was the heart of the club. That nucleus is now coaching the browns, retired, or on probation. What was once exceptional is now living on old press. Folks just don't realize the importance of those losses, looking at the pawns on the field instead.
stable
QB- One of my top rated guys is garcia. he runs, he throws, hes a great field general, and very much deserves his pro bowls.
stable.
RB- the strength here is actually the oline. They could plug in anyone, just like the broncos. Hearst is good, Barlow nearly so, just needs seasoning, beasley the fb is as key as the oline for blocking. So don't go fretting about the halfbacks. Keep the eyes on the oline, and beasley.
stable.
WR-Owens has become a disturbing distraction. Players with his profile wind up dividing the team, and his preferential treatment cause other players to devote less effort. Worse he's overrated, maybe 10 other wr in the league as good or better (oh, I'm going to hear it for that remark).. JJ stokes is sporadic at best, disappears for whole games. They have some new talent at TE in Eric Johnson and this will add more dimension. Tai streets is in his make or break year, thus far a bust. This pass offense was in the middle of the pack last year, even with a top rated qb. Not a good sign. Reminds me a bit of the gbay situation last year, you could kick them all to the curb and start over with little problem.
stable but average.
Oline. the heart of the club here. top 2-3 in the league. they return in tact with the addition of Ron Stone, pro bowler, a major stand out at the giants. With an oline like this, anything is possible. However, age has arrived, watch closely for cracks in the cement. The whole offense will cave if they have problems here.
stable
The defense is a work in progress. Just 2-3 years ago it was absolutely miserable, injury riddled, with the worst of things in the secondary. Last year, as one of the healthiest teams in the league, they moved all the way up to average.
dline-
No sacks, and they're doing what they can to get some. Unit in tact. Bryant young and dana stubblefield just don't get to the qb anymore, but very young guys andre carter and john engelberger have huge upside. Also picked up dt flanagan and moran in the offseason to add quite a strong depth.
An upgrade.
Linebacker- below Average pack who are very young and will be better this year. Smith is the leader, but soon to be overtaken by all desire no skills jeff ulbrect in his 3rd year. Julian Peterson top pick in his 3rd year is the key. Will he turn into the great pass rusher he was in college? Jamie winborn 2nd year had a great first season and is the other one who can make this squad better.
Potential upgrade to above average.
Secondary- Has continued to be a club weakness, but considering the lack of pass rush, tough to tell just how bad they are. the loss of lance shulters to tenn. is big, and his replacement out of chicago, Parrish, is just above average. Zack Bronsin has been a pleasant suprse but limited skills. The potential lies in young Ahmed Plummer who has show some brilliance, and Jason Webster. they could be better this year, but most likely about the same. New guy Mike rumph was a monster at miami, but its a bit much to expect a contribution early on. All in all about the same as a year ago.
Stable, til rumph shows his stuff.
Kicking- got a rookie to watch on the fg's. should be fun. 4th round pretty high for one of these, and my early prediction is he struggles. Good punter.
Conclusion. Would I be saying anything by pointing out the youth movement, and potential. No.
Fact is this team may have been hurt more by reallignment than any other (how's that?). Say goodby to 6 easy wins. In addition, they barely squeeked by many teams last year, narrow win margin. And that while being very healthy. This year a much tougher schedule, could cause more injuries, and a retrenchment in the win loss column. With their somewhat limited passing game, and reliance on running and defense, I don't like them in the fav role.
Although they have a couple squads with upgrade potential, overwhelmingly they are in a stable mode, and that is still a cut below the real talent in the league.
