Here they are, my pick to finish dead-last, or to win the NFL Draft Lottery, however you want to look at it. With Brady Quinn getting so much press as the potential #1 pick next year, I love how my choice for team #32 just picked a QB last season. It makes for some more drama, like we had this season with Reggie Bush. It came down to 3 teams in this sport for me, but when I looked at the schedules, I have the 49’ers finishing a stellar 3-13. How did a team so great fall so low?
Team Strengths:
If you are going to finish 3-13 chances are you don’t have many. But there is a light at then end of the tunnel for San Fran. In this year’s draft they selected Vernon Davis, who many think will be the next great TE in the League. A good Tight End definitely speeds up the learning curve of last season’s Overall #1 Alex Smith. If Davis can come in a compete immediately, then Smith will have the safety net that all young QB’s need. With no running game to speak of the offense is going to need to rely on the short passing game. They also brought in FA Wide-out Antonio Bryant to attempt to get Smith some weapons down the field. It will be a struggle early for San Fran but I think the offense will improve as the year rolls on.
Team Weaknesses:
There are plenty of question marks heading into this season. This defense just doesn’t look very good to me. That coupled with some of the offenses in the division and the AFC West, leads me to believe that keeping opponents off the board is going to be a problem. Getting Manny Lawson with their second 1st Round choice should help the pass rush, but the back 7 is weak.
2006 49ers Schedule:
@ Arizona
St. Louis
Philly
@ KC
Oaklnad
San Diego
@ Chicago
Minnesota
@ Detroit
Seattle
@ St. Louis
@ New Orl
Green Bay
@ Seattle
Arizona
@ Denver
Mike Nolan has this team headed in the right direction. What they need now is some stability. If the fans and ownership can stay the course and give Nolan the time he is going to need to get this thing back on track I expect the 49’ers to get back. Wins and Losses are not important this year, the progress of Alex Smith and the rest of the younger players is. If they show improvement the results will start to come. 3-13 for this team is realistic, but I could see them stealing a couple from an unsuspecting team or playoff team late in the year, but I will stick with the 3-13 for them this year.
Team Strengths:
If you are going to finish 3-13 chances are you don’t have many. But there is a light at then end of the tunnel for San Fran. In this year’s draft they selected Vernon Davis, who many think will be the next great TE in the League. A good Tight End definitely speeds up the learning curve of last season’s Overall #1 Alex Smith. If Davis can come in a compete immediately, then Smith will have the safety net that all young QB’s need. With no running game to speak of the offense is going to need to rely on the short passing game. They also brought in FA Wide-out Antonio Bryant to attempt to get Smith some weapons down the field. It will be a struggle early for San Fran but I think the offense will improve as the year rolls on.
Team Weaknesses:
There are plenty of question marks heading into this season. This defense just doesn’t look very good to me. That coupled with some of the offenses in the division and the AFC West, leads me to believe that keeping opponents off the board is going to be a problem. Getting Manny Lawson with their second 1st Round choice should help the pass rush, but the back 7 is weak.
2006 49ers Schedule:
@ Arizona
St. Louis
Philly
@ KC
Oaklnad
San Diego
@ Chicago
Minnesota
@ Detroit
Seattle
@ St. Louis
@ New Orl
Green Bay
@ Seattle
Arizona
@ Denver
Mike Nolan has this team headed in the right direction. What they need now is some stability. If the fans and ownership can stay the course and give Nolan the time he is going to need to get this thing back on track I expect the 49’ers to get back. Wins and Losses are not important this year, the progress of Alex Smith and the rest of the younger players is. If they show improvement the results will start to come. 3-13 for this team is realistic, but I could see them stealing a couple from an unsuspecting team or playoff team late in the year, but I will stick with the 3-13 for them this year.
