week 1 SAN FRANCISCO at NY GIANTS by Nolan Dalla

[MadJack]

49ers by 2

For the first time in history, the NFL will kick off the season with a special Thursday night game. The 49ers are scheduled to play the Giants at the Meadowlands. It is impossible to handicap this game so early, but what is interesting is seeing the line movement that is happening. Several days ago, this line opened at PICK EM. Yesterday (Sunday) the line moved to SFO -1. Today, the line is SFO -2. The early money is flowing in on the 49ers. Since it's unlikely that the line will cross a key number (3), I see no reason to bet this game early. Add the intangible of a huge emotional home opener for the Giants with the Sept. 11th anniversary on the horizon, and this game is a toss-up. As much as I like the 49ers coming into this season, this is a game the 49ers could easily lose. No early bet.

 

[IE]

7/6/2002
San Francisco 49ers - Bob Dickson


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July Report

The 49ers rookies and veterans will open training camp this year on Saturday, July 20th. 49er HC Steve Mariucci was very pleased with all of the mini-camps. There were no obvious confrontations between Mariucci and Owens, in fact, all I saw was them joking around together. The players came in there in good shape and there were no serious injuries to speak of. With the starting positions pretty much set, they are just looking to add depth, particularly in the defensive backfield.

Very few changes since my last report. The Niners did acquire Cade McNown from the Dolphins for a tentative late round draft pick, based on whether McNown stays on the roster. They always liked Cade as a potential 49er QB and wanted at least a look at him before writing him off.

The 49ers still like Willie Jackson, but he's trying to hook up with Spurrier and the Redskins. If they don't get Jackson, look for them to add another receiver somewhere during training camp.

The place kickers came out about even during the mini-camps and Jamie Rheem was finally released, so it's the rookie Chandler vs Cortez. I think they'll keep Chandler unless he misses too many in camp.

QB Jeff Garcia - Jeff got his contract so look for 30+ TDs again
Tim Rattay - Will back-up Garcia this year
Brandon Doman - The rookie will battle for the 3rd spot
Cade McNown - Picked up for a look see.

RB Garrison Hearst - Starting tailback
Kevan Barlow - Will see more time this year, possibly in 2 RB sets
Fred Beasley - Re-signed as the starting FB
Terry Jackson - Back up FB and HB
Paul Smith - May play FB this year and special teams
Jonas Lewis - Special teams player

WR Terrell Owens - So far, no sparks with Mariucci.
J.J. Stokes - Took a big pay cut to stay
Tai Streets - This will be his make or break season
Cedric Wilson - Another big WR that might blossom this year

TE Eric Johnson - Has won the starting TE job and Clark is gone
Justin Swift - Will battle the new rookie for the back up spot
Mark Anell - The new rookie from Wisconsin

PK Jeff Chandler - Drafted in the 4th round
Jose Cortez - Had 4 kicks blocked last year

OL Right now it appears that Stone will play RG along side with his old Giant teammate, RT Scott Gragg. Dave Fiore will switch to LG along side LT Derrick Deese. With C Jeremy Newberry re-signed, the offensive line looks solid. They could use a little back up strength.

DEFENSE The additions of CB Mike Rumph and LB Saleem Rasheed will do a lot to add depth here. They are hoping that Reggie McGrew, who reported in much better shape this year, can stay healthy and help the defensive line. Newly acquired strong safety, Tony Parrish was able to practice with the team this time. I'm not real pleased with the loss of defensive team leader, S Lance Schulters, but in today's cap situation, you can't win them all.

That's it until next month.

 

[Hooks]

Player changes

Player changes

LOSSES
Q.B. Rick Mirer signed w/Oakland
T.E. Greg Clark waived Feb.27th
R.B./K.R. D. Allen signed w/Minn.
L.B./S.T. T Killens signed w/Denver
L.B. jeff posey signed w/Houston
S. Lance Schulters signed w/Tenn.


ADDITIONS
Q.B. Cockerham (FA ,Minn.)
Q.B. A. Garcia(Cal. St. Sac.)
R.B. Simonton(R. Ore.St.)
G. R. Stone(FA, N.Y.G.;4 yrs.)
D.E. S. Moran(FA,St.L.;3yrs.)
S. Tony Parrish(FA,Chi.;5yrs.)


Ted Tollner(S.D.St.) is new Q.B. coach.

These changes are as of June 2nd.

 

[cooz3]

additions should also include...

flanagan ..from chicago...i think??...cooz

also i am by no means as experienced in capping as nolan and jack...but i think this game is an early chance to make some loot in the upcoming season....assuming there are no serious injuries to the niners in the dreaded preseason...these two teams in my opinion are going in completely opposite directions...this niners team should really cause some problems this year....there young defense really came along in the second half of the season last year...more specifically the last 4 to 5 weeks...and there team has basically stayed the same which is a huge achievment in this day and age of the salary cap...as for the giants i think they will be horrendous next year and take a step backwards...they have signed no one of signifigance and they have lost a whole bunch of veterans without any replacements to name...whats even more troubling is thier offensive line is in shambles...look for collins to have a long long season...with a lot of sacks and a lot of picks...i think after the emotion wears off within the first 10 minutes or so this game becomes lopsided and quick...cooz

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Cooz....good points.

I'm really torn on this game right now, because we have two very contradictory facts. There are very simple, but cut to the core of the major differences between these two teams coming in:

NY GIANTS will have a HUGE emotional edge coming into this game. If you don't think Giant's Stadium will be rocking for the home opener just prior to the 9-11 anniversay, you are mistaken. Add the 49ers coast to coast travel and the short week (from the final week of pre-season) and the Giants have an edge here. Many games are won just by emotion and good preparation. it will be interesting to see how both teams arrange practices and prepare for the short week. Keep in mind that SFO will probably lose a day of practice with the cross country trip, whereas Giants are comfortably at home. This quirk in the schedule may very well make BOTH of these teams GO AGAINST plays in the final week of pre-season. Starters will not play much in that last game, with the opener so near.

SFO's enormous advantage comes at QB. Right now, I'll take Garcia over ANY QB in the league. That includes Favre. This is a real superstar who is highly competitve, throws well on the run, and has excellent reads on defenses. Wanna compare him to Kerry Collins? Garcia alone with worth 7 points. Add the 49ers duo of WR's and that's probably 10 points over the Giants. However, precision offenses are always prone to getting de-railed with good defense (see Rams in Super Bowl last season). If Giants defense rises to the occasion, New York will win this game in my opinion.

ND

 

[TLove]

Niners

Niners

Emotional edge aside for New York, if San Fran is healthy they should win this game easily. New York is on a donward tailspin. Can't wait for training camp. It's going to be a great season.

NFL and College is where my experience is wagering. Can't Wait.

I also learned there is easy money to be had in the preseaon if you pick your spots. I'll try to add as much explanation as I can for my plays.

 

[4bubba]

July 14

Nolen, I do understand your theory. Offensive teams would have trouble in this situation. If a team like the Colts or the Vikings were going to N.Y., I would go for the Giants. However I feel the 49ers relied as much on their D at the end of last season. They are very balanced.
I feel the 49ers are 6 points better on Special Teams alone.

One factor I now realize I was wrong on is the short week. The 49ers last preseason game is on Wed night August 28.
They will have over a week to get ready for the Giants. However I cant see an established and veteran team like S F worrying about the 5th and last preseason game. They should actually have over 2 weeks to get ready.

I feel this game will go off at SF -6 to -7.

 

[Hoops]

Barring injuries, suspensions, etc., a line under SF -3.5 is a 'gift'. Giants have three new, inexperienced offensive lineman, a new defensive coordinator, and lost some key defensive personnel. This is a below average team that would shock me if they finished at .500 or above.

Niners might not go 12-4, but at 10-6 or 11-5 they will probably be better team overall this season. Added Stone (Pro Bowl lineman to replace 82 year old Ray Brown) from the Giants, and Mayberry at center who was a coveted free agent. Barlow and Hearst are one of the better running back tandems in football. Garcia is only getting better, as is the defense that had little turnover in personnel and is going to be very good in the seasons to come if they keep most of their key guys.

This is one of the 5 best teams in the NFL playing a mediocre Giants team that is getting too much credit for homefield and the 9/11 'anniversary'. Sure, they and the crowd will be pumped for the game, but so will the Niners...if it's a 14-0 game at the end of the first quarter, none of that will matter much.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Bubba wrote:

I feel this game will go off at SF -6 to -7.



Reply:

That's simply not going to happen. I don't care what happens between now and early September, there is NO WAY the line will go that high. I would be surprised if it crosses 3. I do agree that 49ers are clearly the more talented team, as I have picked them to win the NFC this year. I believe they are in a great spot to displace the Rams as the premier offense in the NFL. This is because the Patriots may have given the other 31 teams a blueprint on how to shut down this offense. Second, I don't trust Martz as a head coach. I'll take Mariucci in a heartbeat. Back to the Giants game -- the Giants offfensive line is a concern, but since the 49ers weakness is defensive (their pass defense is still shakey), I expect New York will throw a lot in slant patterns and send out extra receivers designed to confude the 49ers secondary. If Collins decides to put his head in the game instead of in dreamland, the Giants are at least equal to if not have a better chance that the 49ers to win this game.

 

[gjn23]

If you're leaning to the Giants I'm all over the Niners. Better team.

Tough to bet teams on cross coutry trips, but since it's the opener and on national TV, la ittle different situation.

The 9/11 factor, won't be a factor. Home opener is enough emotion, I don't think that will have any effect. In the end the better team should win, cover???? Waiting to see what the line is at and how the injuries play out over pre-season.

 

[4bubba]

July 27

N Y GIANTS

CB Sehorn and C Ziegler are two of the few veterans back and very important. C Ziegler is one of only 2 returning starting offensive linemen and the only one playing the same position there. After major knee surgery during the offseason, they are questionable to even be ready for the regular season opener.

www.newsday.com/sports/football/gia...n0727jul27.story?coll=sns-ap-giants-headlines

 

[4bubba]

July 31

As Nolan pointed out, this will be a tremendous event in NYC. I am not sure how it will affect the 49ers, but I am sure the younger GIA starters will be on an emotional roller-coaster for at least 36 hours before the game.

Here is what is going on:

www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-qplug312804844jul31.story?coll=ny-giants-headlines

 

[acehistr8]

I like the Giants here in a big way as well. We are still talking about a team with one of the top 3 QBs in the league and TO, who arguably is one of the top WR in the league. I will take the -2.5 here as a big gift.