The First to Six (aka SF) Thread

[James89]

How do you guys feel about their chances this year? I can honestly see them winning the West, or going below .500 and not making the playoffs at all. Alex Smith is gonna have to step up his play from a year ago, and hopefully the absence of Turner doesnt slow that progress. The only problem I see on the defense is the d-line. Other than that I think we can make some noise this year.

[Tdoggy57]

SF FTW. 9-7 playoffs. Smith is the great gamemangager that he is,Gore is a good back,and the D is very solid.

[pastapadre]

Heres my opinion

http://www.thebrushback.com/sleeperteams_full.htm

[James89]

I'm just afraid that our d-line will get pushed around this year and we will be suspectible (sp?) to the run. Thats never a good thing, especially in the NFC West.

[Tdoggy57]

B.Y will hold it down as always,Aubrayo will do very well coming from the ravens,and whoever our other DE is(hoping McDonald) I'm sure he will do good enough. Unless you have total bums,which we don't,it's not that hard to just get blocked and stay standing lol.

[James89]

Heres my opinion

http://www.thebrushback.com/sleeperteams_full.htm

That Gibbs part was pretty funny.

[James89]

B.Y will hold it down as always,Aubrayo will do very well coming from the ravens,and whoever our other DE is(hoping McDonald) I'm sure he will do good enough. Unless you have total bums,which we don't,it's not that hard to just get blocked and stay standing lol.

I heard Aybrayo was injured. Any news on that?

[Tdoggy57]

He's out for the preseason.

[James89]

Hopefully he returns full strength. We are relying on him to be out NT. I wish Sopoaga could fill that role though.

[Tdoggy57]

Cohen FTW

[aaronsharrow]

If you ask me, the Defense should be much improved with Nate Clements, and them having a average season last year, shows them that they can win. If Gore stays healthy, and Alex Smith keeps improving they will be dangerous, but I still feel that if Arizona's O-line can play atleast average they will be decent, and hiring a former Steelers coach will help, because the O-line was very important there, for the run game, which should help Edge. Thats what hurt Arizona the last few years they had no running game so defenses could just be ready for the pass, and there was no o-line, so no qb could suceed. The Rams added alot of talent on Offense with Bennett, the former TE from Miami, and a great return specialst which should help them get better field position. If Bulger stays healthy, and Barron keeps improving there O-line will be great with him and Pace, and Stephen Jackson and the passing game will both work great. I'm not really sure about there defense though. I think Ty Hill should improve in his second season. He his a Ball Hawk, and I think that if there secondary can play decent they will be in there, and the Seahawks have been consitent for many years in a row, and you can never count them out. I think every team in the division can say on this day that they have a shot to win the NFC West.

[DNEUM]

IMO, the two biggest factors for us this year will be Alex Smith and our ability to gel on D.

Alex's rookie year, he had one of the worst supporting casts ever. Last year he was able to up his C% to just under 60% compared to barely breaking 50% his rookie year. Even though Norv is gone, this will be the first year of his career where he doesn't have to learn a new system. He finally has to legit targets to throw to and easily has his best supporting cast yet. The OL is in good shape and has good depth. I think if Alex can climb into the 60% completion range and top 3000 yards and 20 TD's, we'll be in good shape on the offensive side of the ball.

On D, we finally have the talent in place to move to the 3-4 and have a solid unit. The biggest question, with possibly up to 5-6 new starters, is how they will be able to gel and play well together. Obviously, the sooner they do, the better off we'll be.

One thing that can't be overlooked, is that we have the possibility of having the easiest schedule in the NFL this year. PFP has us ranked as having the easiest schedule heading into the season and if this holds up to be true that could be huge. For a team that's looking to gel on both sides of the ball and needs to have a lot of potential talent prove itself, having an easy schedule could really help things along.

I think we are an 8-9 win team, but with the schedule I think 10-6 is a real possibility, which will be good enough to win the division. I think both sides of the ball will finish somewhere in the teens rankings wise, with the offense being higher than the defense.

[Terrorblaze]

I love this dirty water

[LVradio]

Have you heard about the Strangler?

[Vertebrae]

It should be a good year for the 9ers...I believe they can squeeze in a playoff berth...I'm thinking wild-card.

[Charger]

Patrick Willis FTW!

[James89]

Nolan finally beat the Cards last night. Alex Smith showed he has ice water in his veins by leading that final drive.

[DNEUM]

I was really impressed by the D. I wasn't expecting them to play as well as they did, especially in shutting down their passing game. Holding them to 100 yards passing after Arizona averaged 300/gm in the 4 previous games was huge. Both Boldin and Fitz got shut down.

Offense was horrible most of the game, but Alex was able to come through with some big plays in the end when it mattered most.

Division wins are always big. With St. Louis next week and not playing very well Week 1, to start 2-0 with both games in the division would be awesome.

[James89]

Yea secondary was sick. I have never seen us cover like that. Walt Harris showed he has at least another pro bowl year in him.

[MannyBeltre]

I hate the Niners almost as much as the Rams now, but they are definitely building their team the right way. I don't think they will make their move for the title till either next year or the year after, as Seattle still has the best roster in the West. Plus, we have been consistent over the last three years, and our defense looks much improved. I think San Fran falls into second place, about two games behind Seattle. But I think they will make their move next year and make the race interesting.

[James89]

I hate the Niners almost as much as the Rams now, but they are definitely building their team the right way. I don't think they will make their move for the title till either next year or the year after, as Seattle still has the best roster in the West. Plus, we have been consistent over the last three years, and our defense looks much improved. I think San Fran falls into second place, about two games behind Seattle. But I think they will make their move next year and make the race interesting.

How do you figure? We have always played Seattle close. Even during our crap 4-12 year we nearly beat them in SF. Last year we swept them, Nolan should be 4-0 against the Rams, and now Nolan has beaten the Cards. I think we got a real shot at winning the division this year. In fact, I am 90% sure we will come out on top. We are more than capable of going 6-0 in the division this year. Its the "out of conference" schedule that worries me. We have to play the AFC North and NFC South.

[Terrorblaze]

In fact, I am 90% sure we will come out on top. We are more than capable of going 6-0 in the division this year.

LMAO

I'll take that bet

[James89]

LMAO

I'll take that bet

Which one? 6-0 or we win the division?

[MannyBeltre]

How do you figure? We have always played Seattle close. Even during our crap 4-12 year we nearly beat them in SF. Last year we swept them, Nolan should be 4-0 against the Rams, and now Nolan has beaten the Cards. I think we got a real shot at winning the division this year. In fact, I am 90% sure we will come out on top. We are more than capable of going 6-0 in the division this year. Its the "out of conference" schedule that worries me. We have to play the AFC North and NFC South.

Our team was no where near healthy last year. When you have Seneca Wallace handing off to Maurice Morris, throwing to a receiver in Deion Branch who had been in the system for a couple weeks, of course San Fran will play well against Seattle. We had no Tubbs, our best run stuffer, no pass rush from Wistrom, and no coverage with Hamlin and Boulware. We still don't have Tubbs, but now we have a grade A pass rushers with Kerney and Tapp, the best LB's in the league, and new safeties with Grant and Russell. Seattle is just as strong as our Super Bowl year, if not better.

Plus, you just barely beat Arizona last night (at home), that usually isn't a good thing.

[DNEUM]

I don't see how you can't say that the Niners won't COMPETE for the division this season. Especially once you factor in the schedule. After the bye week, the only 2 decent non-division games we play is the Saints and Bengals. The rest of the non-division games are against shitty teams. Going 4-2 in the division isn't a stretch at all (Sweep Cards, split with Seahawks and Rams). If that happens, we're looking at 9-7 or 10-6 with the easy out of division schedule we have. 10 wins will win the West IMO.

[dmull]

I can't see how any of you guys can say anything after 1 game.

Oh, the Packers got lucky and won. We're taking the division!

[James89]

Our team was no where near healthy last year. When you have Seneca Wallace handing off to Maurice Morris, throwing to a receiver in Deion Branch who had been in the system for a couple weeks, of course San Fran will play well against Seattle. We had no Tubbs, our best run stuffer, no pass rush from Wistrom, and no coverage with Hamlin and Boulware. We still don't have Tubbs, but now we have a grade A pass rushers with Kerney and Tapp, the best LB's in the league, and new safeties with Grant and Russell. Seattle is just as strong as our Super Bowl year, if not better.

Plus, you just barely beat Arizona last night (at home), that usually isn't a good thing.

Yea but when we beat you in Seattle, you had both Hasselbeck and Alexander and I believe both had been back for some time by then.

And we had never beaten Arizona under Nolan, so any type of win against them is a good one.

And DNEUM is right about the schedule. We finished 3rd last year, so we are going to have an easier schedule than the Hawks will. We can beat everyone in our division, and have an easier schedule that St Louis and Seattle. Winning the division isnt out of the question.

[Terrorblaze]

lol

[DNEUM]

lol

We get it that you don't like the Niners or think they're any good. If you don't have anything to say other than LOL or LMAO to every few comments and can't post something worth actually discussing ala Manny, then stay out of the thread dude.

[CR Knight]

We get it that you don't like the Niners or think they're any good. If you don't have anything to say other than LOL or LMAO to every few comments and can't post something worth actually discussing ala Manny, then stay out of the thread dude.

He's a Raider fan, so he has to LOL about something.:D

[KMart2180]

We will win the division easy IMO. Im thinking more towards home field in the playoffs. If our offense ever starts to click we will be a great team in the NFC. The team is starting to remind me of the Ravens SB team. I know they are not as good as the Ravens SB team but they are playing lights out Defense so far.

If the offensive coordinator ever calls a good game ....... we should be putting up way more points. But as long as the D is shutting down the opposing team we are straight. Cause Defense wins SuperBowls.

If you look at the schedule there is really not 1 team that I can say will def. beat SF. I think we have a chance to atleast compete in all of them. There is not 1 team thats makes me think " thats a loss". Next week's game will be our toughest @ Steelers and then later we have to go to Panthers, Ravens @ SF might be a nail biter but the schedule looks good for a 11-5 season 10-6 lowest.

[James89]

I would be confident if our offensive cordinator didnt blow chunks. I think the Steelers are going to kill us next week. We get the Ravens at home, but they should still come out with the victory. Hosstler (or however you spell his name) needs to trust Smith more. He didnt make a single bad pass in the St Louis game.

[DNEUM]

We will win the division easy IMO. Im thinking more towards home field in the playoffs. If our offense ever starts to click we will be a great team in the NFC. The team is starting to remind me of the Ravens SB team. I know they are not as good as the Ravens SB team but they are playing lights out Defense so far.

If the offensive coordinator ever calls a good game ....... we should be putting up way more points. But as long as the D is shutting down the opposing team we are straight. Cause Defense wins SuperBowls.

If you look at the schedule there is really not 1 team that I can say will def. beat SF. I think we have a chance to atleast compete in all of them. There is not 1 team thats makes me think " thats a loss". Next week's game will be our toughest @ Steelers and then later we have to go to Panthers, Ravens @ SF might be a nail biter but the schedule looks good for a 11-5 season 10-6 lowest.

I'm definitely not that confident. I think that we can certainly compete but aren't anywhere close to good enough to even think about having the division in the bag, let alone home field advantage for the playoffs. That's going overboard right now.

2-0 start, in the division, is awesome but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Our defense is playing much better than we've been used to but we're still giving up over 300 ypg so far. And our offense is dead last right now after 2 weeks with only 190 ypg.

Bottom line, 2-0 is a nice start but we still have a long way to go at this point.

And I definitely agree with the playcalling. Its driving me crazy right now, Hostler needs to grow some balls.

[dmull]

We will win the division easy IMO. Im thinking more towards home field in the playoffs. If our offense ever starts to click we will be a great team in the NFC. The team is starting to remind me of the Ravens SB team. I know they are not as good as the Ravens SB team but they are playing lights out Defense so far.

If the offensive coordinator ever calls a good game ....... we should be putting up way more points. But as long as the D is shutting down the opposing team we are straight. Cause Defense wins SuperBowls.

If you look at the schedule there is really not 1 team that I can say will def. beat SF. I think we have a chance to atleast compete in all of them. There is not 1 team thats makes me think " thats a loss". Next week's game will be our toughest @ Steelers and then later we have to go to Panthers, Ravens @ SF might be a nail biter but the schedule looks good for a 11-5 season 10-6 lowest.

You're thinking a 11-5/10-6 record and home field adv.? Makes no sense.

Also, the Packers have played 10x better than the 9ers against better teams and I'm not even sure they'll win the North. And Seattle is a much better team than Chicago.

[MannyBeltre]

You need an offense to win the division. Seattle always starts slow, but we will come through. You could see Shaun and Matt get better after each play against Arizona, too bad they blew the one that counted most. I still think we come out on top, but will be a real battle next year with you guys.

You could easily be 0-2, but the NFL doesn't count "almosts", wins are all that matter.

[James89]

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80272d87

I agree with him in saying its good that the expectations have changed, but you have to play to win, not play to not lose.

[DNEUM]

You need an offense to win the division. Seattle always starts slow, but we will come through. You could see Shaun and Matt get better after each play against Arizona, too bad they blew the one that counted most. I still think we come out on top, but will be a real battle next year with you guys.

You could easily be 0-2, but the NFL doesn't count "almosts", wins are all that matter.

Exactly. Even though like I mentioned above we still have a long way to go, the way I'm looking at it is, hell we've played 2 pretty horrible games against division opponents and are still 2-0.

If our offense starts clicking, which it very well could because its always harder for the offense to start out strong than the defense not to mention we didn't look this bad even last year, we might be able to do some things.

[James89]

http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=3436

Chrissy Mauck
September 20, 2007

Linebacker Manny Lawson’s promising season came to an abrupt end during Wednesday’s practice while covering tight end Billy Bajema on a pass along the sidelines. Although Lawson did some light running with the trainer and rode the exercise bike during the final portion of practice, an MRI later revealed a torn ACL.

“I heard a pop and I remember that was what CJ Brewer had talked about when he did his, so I was nervous,” said Lawson. “I tried to test it out but really I just had to wait on the MRI.”

In his first two games, Lawson was tied for second on the team in tackles with Michael Lewis with 14 total tackles (8 solo and 6 assists). He also had a half sack and one pass defensed.

“I was really looking forward to doing big things this year for my team, but the hardest things is just knowing I won’t be able to be out there practicing and playing in games with the guys,” said Lawson. “But, things happen for a reason and I will be back.”

Lawson was a tireless worker throughout the off-season conditioning program, adding an extra 17 pounds of muscle mass to his 6’5” frame. Even prior to the start of the team’s official off-season program when the weight room was being remodeled and the equipment was moved into the locker room, Lawson found a way to get his workouts in.

He’s already determined to put that same type of dedication into his rehabilitation.

“I’m going to be here all the time,” said Lawson. “Jeff Ferguson even lives right across from me, so I already told him I might be a late night visitor at his house pestering him to work extra with me.”


Unbelievable. This really sucks. Hopefully we dont miss him too much. I hate injuries.

[DNEUM]

Damn that really blows. :(

[James89]

Well here is some good news.

Patrick Willis won rookie of the week for the second time in a row, while Nate Clements was voted defensive player of the week.

[DNEUM]

Nice!

Willis has been playing like a monster, he's been everywhere.

Hopefully Clements can snag a pick off Big Ben this week.

I'm still majorly bummed out about Lawson though. I was reading all summer about how hard he'd been working (he added 17lbs), just sucks to have him get injured like that especially after the good start. Hopefully he'll be able to come back strong next season. I just hope we don't miss him too much this year.

[Tdoggy57]

Yea the Lawson news is horrible. That changes the whole defense. We lose a lot of speed,coverage ability,pass rush ability, and comedic relief.

[moz]

wow I just read the title to this thread....funny stuff.

[DNEUM]

Well now its looking like Alex could be out for the rest of the season. The MRI revealed major damage to the tendons in his shoulder and he's likely going to have surgery which would put him out the rest of the year. I guess he's going to see Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion but either way its not looking very good.

This sucks man, injuries are downing any hope of competing for the division.

EDIT: Just found some more info and it said that Smith won't have surgery and could be back after the bye week.

So who knows what to believe at this point, guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Terrorblaze]

Blessing in disguise

Smith can't play and won't lead anyone anywhere. hell it was a miracle they won the first two games and you can't rely on lucking out every sunday. 49ers are better off looking for a legit QB sooner rather than later before Gore's robo knees give out.

[DNEUM]

Regardless on whether Smith is the answer in the long run or not, it certainly doesn't help them this season. Smith is a better QB than Dilfer without question IMO. Without Smith in the line-up, we are a worse team than with him in there.

[James89]

Exactly. Whether or not Smith will turn out to be a great QB doesnt matter. If he is out for the year, our season is done.

[DNEUM]

Latest news on Smith...

The San Francisco 49ers say that Dr. James Andrews has reviewed the MRI performed on Alex Smith's throwing shoulder and concurred with the team's initial diagnosis: the quarterback has a third-degree separation of the right shoulder.

A timetable for his return to the field is unknown, but surgery does not appear necessary at this time. Andrews made no recommendations for treatment, and Smith will continue to wait for the swelling in his shoulder to subside before further evaluation.

A source close to the quarterback told ESPN's Ed Werder that Smith would consult with Andrews for a second opinion amid concern his shoulder might have been seriously damaged enough to require surgery that would have potentially ended his season. The source said the quarterback would follow Andrews' recommendation.

The team said that once Andrews completes his review, its medical staff will meet with Smith and discuss his options. The 49ers say Smith was in their training room receiving treatment on his shoulder Wednesday morning.

[James89]

Even without VD, Smith, and Lawson, we lose by just two. Our offense is down right pathetic. I heard they had 60 total yards of offense through the first 3 quarters. The 0-line has regressed in a big way. The defense cant do it by themselves.

[Tdoggy57]

Ahhhh good memories when Terror was downing the Niners D,and unfavorably comparing them to the Rams D. Now THAT deserves a prick-level "lol".

[Terrorblaze]

alex smith lol

[Rudi]

alex smith lol

kevin riley lol

[Terrorblaze]

lol it was a joke lol


lol lol lol lol lol lol






































































:etomato:

[dmull]

kevin riley lol

Who dey? The 1-4 Bengals?

LOLOLOLOL