Several San Francisco 49ers fans have been rather, uhm, voiciferous in their assertions that their team will improve so much upon their 2007-08 campaign that they will be capable of challenging the Seattle Seahawks for the division title.
Let's set the record straight, shall we?
Defensively, Seattle has the far superior squad. Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and LeRoy Hill make the best 4-3 scheme LB trio in the NFL, hands down. Hill could very easily be a Pro-Bowler were he on a different team. Marcus Trufant is one the best three or four cover cornerbacks in the NFL, and Kelly Jennings held his own with excellent play last year in his rookie season. Patrick Kerney is one of the most athletic defensive ends in the NFC. Brian Russell and Deion Grant are a formidable safety combination with excellent vision and knowledge of the game. Seattle gave up 390 fewer yards than San Francisco, and 73 fewer points. The Seahawks forced 34 turnovers (tied for 2nd in NFL with Indianapolis) in 2007-08; the 49ers just 22 - only the New York Jets (21) and Philadelphia Eagles (19) had fewer takeaways.
On the offensive side, there is no question who is better: Seattle. Even with 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander completely inept in 2007-08, Seattle still outrushed the 49ers by 142 total rushing yards (1,619 to 1,477). At quarterback, Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck is a perennial Pro-Bowl-caliber performer; Alex Smith, San Francisco's projected starter, completed just 48.7% of his passes (94-193) for 914 total yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a passer rating of 57.2. Frank Gore, San Francisco's lone offensive standout, had a tough year in 2007-08, getting just 1,102 yards on 260 carries and picking up 5 scores, but he figures to rebound from some nagging nicks and dings that slowed his production last year.
Seattle picked up Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett this offseason to bolster their running game, and every expectation has Seattle improving offensively with better balance, more options, and better athleticism at wide receiver. Mike Wahle, the former Caroline Panther Pro-Bowl guard, looks to improve the left side of Seattle's offensive line, further aiding their interest in improving the running game. San Francisco's big offseason acquisitions are WR Isaac Bruce (Saint Louis Rams castoff) and new Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz, the 4th O.C. in the past five seasons.
If San Francisco manages to eke out 6 wins with their current roster, the NFL should be shocked beyond belief. That franchise is in complete disarray - no viable option at QB, an inexperienced and sack-prone offensive line, unproven and old wide receivers, a defensive backfield that can't cover their own eyes, and a defensive line with no signs of improvement from 2007-08.
In fact, the 49ers might win only 1 divisional game.
The upcoming season looks bleak if you're a Niners fan. The incontrovertible facts support that truth 100%.
I agree it is Seattle all the way this year. I do believe that SF has a chance to win two conf games this season because my Rams are aging, had a marginal draft and still have Linehan as thier Head Coach.
rmac
I hear that Niners' qb Alex Smith is looking for a celeb girlfriend so that he can model himself on the Cowboys' Tony Romo. No word as of yet as to who the lucky girl might be . But suggestions are that he's looking at Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus , Carrie Underwood,former Cosby kid Raven Symone and Britney Spears. Now comes the hard part for Smith figuring which of 'em has an IQ low enough that'll match Simpson's.
Hey Alex if the number on your jersey higher than their IQ then you're fine. Simpson's is 9 just like Romo's jersey number.
As for the Seahawks the NFC West is their's for the taking. However I shudder to think how this team'll fare once Jim Mora Jr takes over at the helm. 'cause Mike Holmgren he's not !
Agreed, Mora is no Holmgren, but the pieces are in place for Mora to succeed once Mike leaves after 2008-09. Once it's in his hands, we'll see if he has the ability to keep a competetive team going in the right direction.
beefsupreme,
I hope then, since you're such a man of your word and of honor, that you will gleefully dish yourself a nice, fat, juicy helping of crow when my Seahawks trounce your Niners.
I've already offered SEVERAL Niners fans the following wager, and I offer it to you:
IF... San Francisco wins 3 divisional games this season, or...
IF... Alex Smith starts all 16 regular season games, or...
IF... San Francisco finishes 2nd or better in the NFC West, or...
IF... San Francisco finishes with a .500 or better regular season team record, then...
I will wear an Alex Smith jersey to EVERY Seahawks home game in the 2009-10 season.
However, IF... ALL of those things DON'T happen - I remind you, ALL of them, not just one - then YOU must change your avatar to one of Matt Hasselbeck with his arms raised in victory and keep it that way for the entire 2009-10 season.
Well stated, rmac. I offer 2 points only: (1). the Niners have added some good young talent on D the last couple years; that Willis kid is a beast, and (2). While there's little doubt Seattle's receiving corps brings more athleticism, they are extremely green. Regardless, though, I would be absolutely shocked if SF wins more than 4 games total. Go 'Hawks!
rmac'
You're expecting far too much from nate49er at this juncture.
As to Mora taking over from Holmgren I'm not too enamored with his abilities. And I say this merely from the stance of his tenure in Atlanta. If he couldn't clearly handle Vick and all of the ensuing adversity thrusted upon him. Then I seriously doubt that he can handle a team that's talented and determined as Seattle. He lives of the Mora name and little else.
And as a coach his abilities has to come into question. During his time there what has he actually achieved ?
Mora Jr. isn't inheriting the same kind of team in Seattle as he was given in Atlanta. Granted, he didn't do much correctly while he was with the Falcons, but he didn't have the GM or owner he has in Seattle.
It'll all unfold in time. I'm not 100% confident he will be a particularly good head coach for the Hawks, but I'm also not going to assume he'll fail.
It makes sense to be skeptical and not blindly positive about his eventual takeover, but no one knows what will happen until then.
thx rmac:
Ya got me to thinking when you mentioned Gore being nick ... so I looked at some numbers concerning the Hawks running back situation last year. I keep hearing from the 9er fans that Gore was "hurt" last year (hiz yrds per carry was down .7 yds from the year before). Based on the numbers this means
A) the organization didn't have the trust in another player to get the job done
B) The offensive line performance was degraded.
When looking at the Hawk running backs you notice that no matter how inept we were running the ball as you pointed out the Hawks (20th)rushed for 9 more yrds a game than the 9ers(27th). Furthermore, Alexander was "hurt" (somewhere) and when the coaches had enough they put Morris in without hesitation. Morris actually gain 1 more yd per carry than Alexander. Which indicated that the O-line play was solid and in now way had anything to do with Alexanders numbers. 4.5 yds per carry is respectable.
If you take Alexanders 207 carries and assume 4.5 yds per carry (= 931 yds) and add Morris's 628 yrds (at 4.5 per) you get a team total 1560 yds outa the primary RB position or an adjusted team total rushing yds of 1834 placing the Hawks at 14th in the NFL in rushing right behind the Cheetas (Pats for U east coasters) and Yds per carry for the team would have been 4.2, in the top 10 and right there with the Boys and Squeelerz. Not bad company! all by adjusting one mans numbers to an "assumes shoulda been" standard achieved by his back up.
Last edited by C_Hawkz76 on August 1st at 7:03 PM.
Now consider that the Hawks went out and got Jones (3.6 yds per carry) and Duckett (5.2 yds per carry) and improved the O-line with Wahle. Yes Jones had a "down year" you don't acquire RB's in the off season because they gained 2000 yds, there are some risks but for the Hawks they are no worse than they were with Alexander. And .. will have improved line play which even as it was had the capability to match up with the big guyz as already discussed.
While we're having fun with numbers adding the adjusted rushing performance to the achieved passing performance (with out any considerations for ball control etc) The Hawk's (9th total O last season) O-line played well enough to earn the team an adjusted 363 yds per game which would have ranked the team 4th overall in O .. right behind the Bouyz and Packers (the Cheetas blew the league up in that category with a statical anomaly of 411 yds per game! ... jus something to chew on Frisco fans ... phisssst
remember this was "fun with numbers" I hope most o that made sense and correct me if my numbers are outa line I did round a few and its Friday evening hint hint ....
Last edited by C_Hawkz76 on August 1st at 7:13 PM.
As of Mora ... Paul Allen wont put up with any slack in his organisation ... Alexander was not too sacred .. nor was Holmgren himself so sacred that he was relieved of his "cooperate duties" and relegated to "Coach". There will be no wallowing in the pig trough for the Hawks. If Mora doesn't get the job done .. continue the tradition it will be adious amigos .. A down year at times ... it happens. As long as PA is the man there will be a lot more ups .. period
Last edited by C_Hawkz76 on August 1st at 7:12 PM.
While I think the Niners will be improved, it won't be enough to dethrone the Seahawks. I have Seattle going 10-6 and winning the NFC West. SF will go 7-9.
rmac' A lot of the Seahawks' success'll be dependent as to their start. If they come out of the gates running and not miss a beat then they ought to do well. The NFC West is their's to lose. And I can't say that the teams within their division will be able to give them that much resistance.
Quite the contrary, sf801608 - I know a great deal about the 49ers organization, including roster moves, coaching changes, scheme differences, et al.
Until the Seahawks moved to the NFC West, I was also a 49ers fan, and the Super Bowl of my dreams had Seattle edging San Francisco 31-28 in double-overtime. Now that they're in the same division, I cannot in good conscience root for the 49ers.
However, that fact doesn't predicate the reality that your 49ers are in serious trouble - an unproven offensive line, a young and fragile QB, ineffective wide receivers... the list goes on.
Add in ANOTHER new offensive coordinator and that this could very well be Nolan's final year in the Bay Area, and you have the makinigs of another 5-11 or 6-10 season down there.
I'm just your average sports nut, I suppose. Of course I'm a bit of a homer - the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies are my teams - but I stick with my boys down the stretch, through thick and thin.
What can the Mariners do to rebound from their worst season in twent years? Will Erik Bedard recover in time for the 2009 season? Ryan Rowland-Smith and Brandon Morrow look to make the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, so can they combine with Felix to create a young and effective 1-2-3 tandem? How will the M's new front office guru fare - will Chuckie and Howie be able to stay "hands off" long enough for the new VP/GM to accomplish anything positive? Can the Seahawks recover from their early-season woes and rebound for a fifth straight NFC West title? How will the team handle the transition from Mike Holmgren's regime to the ways of Jim Mora Jr? Can the Hawks' defense stop anyone? Can the offense put up more than 200 yards?
Any of you folks out there interested in healthy and creative debate about anything, feel free to speak up!
