(49er16 and myself will begin previewing all 32 NFL teams today. 49er16 starts the preview off with the San Francisco 49ers. Tomorrow I will preview the Eagles. These posts can be soon both here and at Keith's Sports Journal, although the KSJ posts will also feature pictures and videos)
By 49er16:
Well a new year and a new beginning. Of course the 49ers have been saying this since the 2002 season, the last time they made the playoffs. But this year is different. Out is Mike Nolan as the head coach and general manager, in is Mike Singeltary as the head coach and Scott McCloughan as the general manager. Out is Just Turnovers O'Sullivan in is Shaun Hill and Alex Smith. Out Mike Martz, in Jimmy Raye.
So yes the 49ers start the year off with a new head coach, new offensive coordinator, and a new starting quarterback. But there are a lot of questions still surrounding this team. And if they want to continue their momentum from lasts year's hot finish, then they have to answer them quickly. Because the NFC West is still a weak division that is up for the taking, even though Arizona reached the Super Bowl last season.
Who Wins the Starting Quarterback Spot?: It was funny to hear 49ers fans boo Alex Smith when he took his first snap of the training camp. Smith was suppose to be the franchise's savior, but instead we got a short, small-handed quarterback with a weak arm. Smith looked great under former offensive coordinator Norv Turner, but faltered once he left and was eventually injured.
This opened up a spot for Shaun Hill. Hill has been the Rodney Dangerfield of the 49ers. He never gets any respect. Even though he has a winning record as a starting quarterback. And if it were up to 49ers fans, Hill would be our starting quarterback. But it's not up to us, so there will be a battle between Hill and Smith. This will be the most important decision of Singletary's coaching career. Whoever he chooses to be the quarterback at the start of the season, will lead to how the 49ers play this season. The wrong choice and the 49ers are headed for another 7-9 season.
Where's Michael Crabtree?: I haven't seen this guy play a single down in the NFL yet and I'm already tired of him. He's just another T.O. in training. And his contract holdout isn't helping matters. Crabtree is holding out because he wants top 5 money, even though he was drafted at the 10 spot. But Crabtree has this belief in himself that he is special and deserves top dollar. I just want this holdout to end, for Crabtree can make it too camp and get used to the NFL game. That's if he's healthy?
Will Josh Morgan Emerge?: With Crabtree holding out, Josh Morgan has emerged in the 49ers training camp. Morgan, who was drafted last year, was a steady receiver last year for the 49ers. And with Crabtree gone, Morgan has been receiving the majority of reps in practice. His situation reminds me a lot of the J.J. Stokes-Terrell Owens situation ten years ago.
Stokes, like Crabtree, was a number one draft choice. Owens, like Morgan, was a late round pick up. While Stokes failed to ever reach his potential, we all know what happened to Owens. He became of the best receivers in the NFL. I just wonder if we could be seeing another one of these situations between Crabtree and Morgan?
Will MMA Training Help Patrick Willis?: Patrick Willis has been a beast for the 49ers at the linebacker spot since being drafted two seasons ago. And now the word has come out that he has been MMA training. When Jerod Allen took MMA lessons, he drastically improved as a player. And he was already one of the best defensive lineman in the country. Now Willis is using MMA to hone in on his reflexes. I hope it works and Willis turns into the best linebacker in the NFL, if he isn't already. Plus Willis is now the sure-fire leader of the defense.
The Defense Could Dominate: The 49ers defense could become of the best in the NFL. They finished last season as the 13th ranked defense and could be even better this season. With Willis leading the way, look for Manny Lawson, Parys Harrelson, and Justin Smith to dominate. A top 10 defense isn't out of the question for the 49ers.
Prediction: 9-7, 2nd NFC West
Agreed about Crabtree. I'm also sick of his act and he hasn't even played a game yet.
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