The Niners' Year is Coming....in 2010

Originally posted by Paul_Hofer:
Smart analysis. Here's the positive spin.
(First of all you mis-typed Dashon and studly).

The argument that a team will be better next year doesn't preclude success this year. This applies to most of your points.
1. Hill has already won as QB.
2. Bruce is proven. Morgan has shown enough for us to believe he'll produce again. Crabtree needs little seasoning for his favorite college paydirt play, the wide receiver screen.
3. If Marvel Smith is healthy in 2010, he'll be healthy this year.
4. Haralson and Lawson didn't play fulltime last year. Lawson barely played on passing downs and he still came up 3 sacks.
5. Roman was the prevent safety. This hurt the defense because it kept them on the field while first downs were caught in front of Roman. If teams beat Goldson, at least the defense gets off the field fast. The trade for turnovers will be an advantage this year.
6. This offense is similar to 2006, one the majority of the players already know.
7. Come on 2010.

We may have a better team next year, but we may not need to lower expectations this year.

Overall, this is an interesting discussion. I do not feel capable of predicting how individual players will do this year.

My sense is that the coaching staff as a unit has been improved. This staff will get better production from the players that we have. That should produce more wins, but as we know the "should ofs" do not always happen.

This will be a key year in looking at the players that we have. Clearly, the coaching staff and the front office feel that there is a good chance the the players have not, or have not been allowed to, fulfill their potential. Most critically, they choose to go with the pass rushers and nose tackles that we have. This year the players will have the chance to transform their potential into production.

The trade for a second first round pick was, in my estimation, a brilliant move. It makes sense to see how the team plays this year, and then have two first round picks to use to pick up the missing parts.


If most things fall into place this year, we could go 9-7 or 10-6.


A brief note on the road to good grammar. Your third point needs to be rethought.


3. If Marvel Smith is healthy in 2010, he'll be healthy this year.

As you have it, his physical condition in 2010 will determine his physical condition in 2009. This is impossible.

It should read.

3. If Marvel Smith is healthy in 2010, he will have been healthy this year.

I channeled my inner Ron Burgundy when I read your last sentence before item #1 . . .

As far as your analysis, it's hard to argue. Clearly with question marks at key positions several things will need to break the Niners way to win the division and/or make the playoffs.

But I'm optimistic the Niners can break through in 2009. I think the coaching tandem of Rathman and Chris Foerster will help Raye fulfill Singletary's offensive vision early and generate a top 10 running game. This will take pressure of our QB and WR's to carry the offense but a healthy Marvel Smith is a must.

An offense that stays on the field will help both sides of the ball.

Great analyst MadDog. While I don’t agree with all of your points I do feel that we might be a year away from really making a push into the post season. I feel that more then anything this team needs to develop an identity. The recent constant coaching changes have really hurt. We’ve gone from a West Cost offence (McCarthy) to a Run Heavy/Vertical offence (Turner), to a clueless offence (Hostler) to a wide open pass happy offence (Martz) back to what we’re being told will be a Run Heavy/Vertical offence. It takes time to build an identity. I fear that if the team doesn’t produce the way some think they should, people will be screaming for even more changes. Most people tend to look at wins and losses as the only barometer of a teams progression. It’s altogether possible that we have the same win/loss record and still end the season as a better team than last year. A team poised to make a run next season. I’ll spend this year paying more attention to the team than its record. Sure, it’s possible that because the NFC West is so weak that we could end up 9-7 and win the division by default. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be happy if we do, but I’d rather see us get to the point where we take the division, stomping necks and kicking tail in the process. It’s hard for me to see that happening when we’re once again starting over and learning (or relearning) a whole new system.

Good post mad dog, was an interesting read. I hope you are wrong about 2009 solely because I am tired of them not making the playoffs, but I am extremely encouraged for 2010 (granted we don't go 2-14 or something). We have some draft picks and some young players who will be veterans by then. Everyone will be in their second year in the system, not their first. No doubt 2010 will be better than this year, just hope this year isn't horrible.

Originally posted by 23zack80:

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by Paul_Hofer:
Smart analysis. Here's the positive spin.
(First of all you mis-typed Dashon and studly).

The argument that a team will be better next year doesn't preclude success this year. This applies to most of your points.
1. Hill has already won as QB.
2. Bruce is proven. Morgan has shown enough for us to believe he'll produce again. Crabtree needs little seasoning for his favorite college paydirt play, the wide receiver screen.
3. If Marvel Smith is healthy in 2010, he'll be healthy this year.
4. Haralson and Lawson didn't play fulltime last year. Lawson barely played on passing downs and he still came up 3 sacks.
5. Roman was the prevent safety. This hurt the defense because it kept them on the field while first downs were caught in front of Roman. If teams beat Goldson, at least the defense gets off the field fast. The trade for turnovers will be an advantage this year.
6. This offense is similar to 2006, one the majority of the players already know.
7. Come on 2010.

We may have a better team next year, but we may not need to lower expectations this year.

Thanks for the grammar help. Much appreciated.

As for your points:
* The QB battle will be decided in preseason (I believe after the 3rd game). So, while Hill is in the lead, Singletary has not committed to him.

*Bruce is proven, and played well at the end of 2009. At some point, age will catch up to him. It might be this season. I don't see a major impact in 2009, just average play.

*I don't think anyone knows what we've got in M. Smith. This year will say a lot about his chances to bring stability going into 2010.

* Lawson did play first and second downs, and was taken out in most passing 3rd down situations. He just has never been a good pass rusher, let alone great. Haralson had a very quiet 8 sacks, and is simply not a consistent enough presence on defense. For a 3-4 defense, we simply do not have a dominent rush backer, and that continues to be a weak area for this team.

* There has been dramatic turnover on offense since the 2006 season. About half of the offensive starters are new. The change in systems from 2008 to 2009 is pretty striking. There will be growing pains.

* I agree with your comments about Roman. My only concern is Goldson's health, and ability to limit big plays in the secondary. It is a risk I am willing to take, but he is going to need some time to adjust as the starter.

It will be by the 3rd game/after the 2nd game.

Thanks. By the third game is correct. The earlier, the better.

Originally posted by foreign49er:
Good post mad dog, was an interesting read. I hope you are wrong about 2009 solely because I am tired of them not making the playoffs, but I am extremely encouraged for 2010 (granted we don't go 2-14 or something). We have some draft picks and some young players who will be veterans by then. Everyone will be in their second year in the system, not their first. No doubt 2010 will be better than this year, just hope this year isn't horrible.

Tempered enthusiasm for 2009, with the eyes clearly on making a move in 2010. This team will need some time to develop and have a sense of stability.

[ Edited by MadDog49er on Jul 24, 2009 at 05:36:15 ]

I see us making strong run for playoffs in '09, but gonna be fun and exciting year!

I think you make a lot of very good points. I look at our schedule and I see a lot of tough games for this team. We experienced success last year at the expense of some bad teams. This season we have a lot of tough road games at the Vikings, Texans, Colts, Packers and Eagles to name a few. I will address your points.

1) The starting QB- This is the year the Niners find their starter, but we don't know who that person will be going into camp.

Hill hasn't won the job because Singletary hasn't awarded the job to him yet. Yes, he won more games than he lost, but 5-3 to finish the season is just above .500. Just being better than J.T. O'Sullivan is not amazing.

You said that "Teams with unsettled QB battles in training camp rarely emerge past the .500 mark." I have to wonder, though. When Singletary picks his guy, it's settled right? I guess you mean teams who don't know their starter going in to Training Camp. I think that's true in a lot of cases, but I'm not as worried in this case. This particular coach has a lot of trust and a lot of respect. That goes a long way. I think when you have a situation where the players are unsure about what's going on, or doubt the coach's decision, that's where teams get into trouble. Or sometimes the coach just isn't sure who to go with. I guess I just have reason to be optimistic that it will work for Singletary.

I understand what you mean though, about getting the issue settled for good. 2009 could see us start one guy and having it fail then having to go with the other guy. I'm hoping the issue is settled in Training Camp, but if not, you're right 2010 will see a starter going in.

2) The Niners' WR's are still a year away. The team should see the emergence of Josh Morgan, but the other side of the field is not going to be permanently occupied and satisfied until Michael Crabtree becomes productive.

I think you make good points here. Morgan was impressive in limited action, but still has much to prove. Crabtree's foot is a question mark. Isaac Bruce is solid, but Brandon Jones is another question mark. I think, though, now that Morgan and Hill have more experience, and considering Jones is a veteran, I think we'll be okay here. If our QB gets them the ball, I'm confident they'll make a play.

3) The Niners' OL will be fully ready to go in 2010. 2009 is an experiment at RT

This is the one thing I'm most apprehensive about. If Smith is healthy, then I think we're set. If not, then we're not. Baas allowed 0 sacks last season, and the left side of the line was better for the run than the right side. I don't think there will be an adjustment time here. Smith is a former Pro Bowler. He knows how to play. Rachal has his rookie year behind him. I don't see how the OL isn't ready until 2010.

4) The pass rush is not there, yet. The team lacks a dominant pass rusher, and 2010 will be the year the team finally addresses this issue.

Why can't 2009 be the year this issue is addressed? Lawson was drafted for his pass-rushing ability. It's not his fault Nolan hates to rush the passer. Lawson was so good in coverage and running laterally because that's all Nolan used him for. Singletary and Manusky both know a little something about playing linebacker. With Haralson having turned it on last year, and Singletary insistent on using Lawson this year, they don't have to wait until 2010 to address it. They are addressing it now. Will it work? That part is unknown. If it does work, then the issue is addressed.

5) Dashon Goldson is going to have serious growing pains. Goldson gives playmaking ability, but expect a spike in deep home runs against the Niners.

We don't know how good Goldson can be. #1 can he stay healthy? That's a big question. Is he a good player who just is too fragile to play? I don't know. You could be right, we could be giving up some big plays early before Goldson figures out how to play out there.

6) Singletary, Raye, and company need time to get it all together. A new OC means a new start again, and that typically spells trouble for a franchise that has not adapted well to the continual line of OC that spin through the team every year.

You know, I've tried to make this point to people, but I believe Jimmy Raye's system requires less of an adjustment than you might think. Having been through Martz' extremely complicated system last year, this is likely going to come as a relief. The routes are the same, and the system is simplified a great deal. A lot of the terminology is the same as well. I look at it as going back to what Norv was doing, and key players were here at that time: Eric Heitmann, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Moran Norris, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill. The entire offensive line save Marvel Smith played under Hostler's system which had a lot of Norv in it.

That being said, they're going to a zone blocking scheme in the run game, which was wildly successful in Denver, but will take some adjustment. And there is something to be said for how a coordinator calls a game, what he expects of you, so I suppose there is something to that. But not enough to hurt us, IMO.

7) The Niners will have 2 first round selections next season. I believe the team will still need to draft some playmakers in 2010 (maybe a Will pass rusher, maybe a reliable TE, maybe a stable RT, maybe a stud FS). But, slowly, the amount of new talent needed to make a run is shrinking. The Niners appear to be set at virtually every position on offense (outside of RT, LG and maybe TE), and defense (Will, NT, maybe FS and CB). The club has wisely extended players to keep them from running away, and that bodes well down the road.

Overall I think you're right. A new head coach always needs an adjustment period. Both the coach and the team. I believe the Front Office understands this. I believe the majority of fans understand this, except for the majority of fans on message boards. I don't think 2009 is a big experiment. I think the 49ers have a real shot to make some noise this season, but I don't expect a big playoff push. I expect 8-8 or 9-7. If everything works well, perhaps as much as 10-6.

Good post, and sobering analysis.

I think 8-8 would be a great accomplishment for this team. The key for this year is who will step up at NT, and whether or not we can increase the # of turnovers this year. Another key will be the productivity of the run game late in the season.

I think the OL will be solid, as long as they are healthy (knock on wood) and the QB play will be much improved due to the playcalling.

Go Niners!

Originally posted by ajnbruin:
I think 8-8 would be a great accomplishment for this team. The key for this year is who will step up at NT, and whether or not we can increase the # of turnovers this year. Another key will be the productivity of the run game late in the season.

I think the OL will be solid, as long as they are healthy (knock on wood) and the QB play will be much improved due to the playcalling.

Go Niners!

THIS... the NT and QB situations will determine our 09 success. If all goes fairly well, 9 wins and a sniff at the postseason is quite achievable, and 2010 will be the year of SB ring #6 !!!

Manny Lawson and Haralson can hit the edge fast and hard, but interior DL pressure has got to be their friend. They are not so special as to excel without great help from the DL. If we can cause havoc up the gut, this forces blockers to gamble more in protecting the edges. A good NT will lighten the load on our ILBs and give them more freedom in range and blitz options.

The best thing that could happen to the franchise this year would be for one of the QB's to prove he's good enough to win the NFL and have the offense basically set. Then, the team could focus on pass rusher and NT in the next draft with those 2 firsts.

Excellent post MadDog; you make a number of interesting points that are worth considering--if for no other reason than to temper the enthusiasm that tends to run rampant at this time of year.

And its nice to see that, at least in the long term (for 2010) you are optimistic about the team's improvement.

I tend to agree, somewhat, with GoFD, that the change in HC should make a difference this year. The team should be better this year, IMHO, because of that change.

So far, we have seen improvements in the team's morale, in its conditioning, in the intensity and focus at OTAs and minicamps, and there's no reason to expect that to change for training camp and beyond. Ultimately, that attitude and focus should translate onto the field on Sundays, one hopes.

Irrespective of the actual won-loss record this year, however, I expect that it will be much more fun to watch Niner games than it has been in the past several years.

If Jimmy Raye proves to be a capable play caller, and Singletary proves himself a capable game manager (he appeared capable enough last season and should only improve), then the team may play somewhat "above its head" this season. IMHO.

Either way, however, your optimism for the 2010 season is shared.

I am much more optimistic for 2009. We get massive improvement by not running Martz' giveaway offense. With Raye, Rathman, Coffee, improved OL (Rachal, for instance) and Sing's emphasis on the run we are much better in TOP, lower turnovers, and points allowed to other teams. This in turn opens up the passing game with play action, etc. Did I mention Warhop is gone, which also helps a lot.

Can't say the defense improved its personnel, except by demoting Roman. He either got beat deep or gave receivers an enormous cushion, so just about any competent replacement is an improvement. Defense is improved by not having to be on the field so much, and running a consistent 3-4 (not the "Big Sub" and other BS).

Overall, we should be able to stay in most games without getting blown out, and win our fair share. It will be a tougher, more physical team in a weak division, so the playoffs are a good possibility.

As always MD, you have some very insightful information that brings a different skew about our team. I agree with most of what you said, but I also believe that the "intangibles" will separate us from a winning or losing season. For example, I agree with GoFD in that Coach Singletary is clearly the reason why we improved at the end of last year. He brought out more from the same personnel and I believe he will only continue that and build upon it. This is but one intangible.

So with that in mind, I wanted to address each one of your points. This post deserves attention. Heck, it is one of the only ones in NinerTalk where we have some coherent and factual information to digest and I thank you for that.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
The Death of the Ghost of Steve Mariucci is coming soon.

Since Mooch was fired at the end of the 2002 season (be careful what you ask for, fans), after winning a spectacular playoff game against the NY Giants (Yes, our last playoff win was nearly 7 years ago), the Niners have had 6 consecutive losing seasons, gone through 4 head coaches, 8 starting QB's: Garcia, Rattay, Dilfer, Dorsey, Pickett, Smith, Hill, O'Sullivan; 6 years running of new offensive coordinators: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. The parade of personnel is staggering.

This first paragraph says it all. How far the mighty have fallen. All we have to do is look at this and scream I want John York's head. Well, that is the past and we are moving forward with a brighter future with his son, the Eddie D. clone, Mr. Jed York. It starts at the top and always has. Thank God that at least we have a full-time owner who is heavily involved with our team now.

The Niners seem to be building something we haven't seen since Mooch was canned, a winning season. And that day is coming soon...in 2010.

Many Niners fans expect the 2009 season to end of the Ghost of Mooch, but the team is not ready yet. Here is why?

1) The starting QB- This is the year the Niners find their starter, but we don't know who that person will be going into camp. Either Hill or Smith is going to emerge as unquestioned man to run the ship in 2010. If Hill emerges as the starter in 2009, he will have his chance to prove to the NFL world that he deserves to be classified as a starter in this league, not just a guy who comes off the bench mid-way through a season to salvage whatever is left in the year. If Smith emerges as the season starter, or replaces an ineffective Hill, he will be the guy to possibly regain the franchise QB tag. Skeptics will say that neither man is the guy to lead the 49ers into the playoff. I disagree. It just isn't going to happen this season. Teams with unsettled QB battles in training camp rarely emerge past the .500 mark (unless they have a studly defense, which we don't). A year from now, we will know our starter, and that stability will help.

I agree wholeheartedly on this point. Hill has already proved he can win and come back from behind in the face of his own folly...speaks volumes!! Now, IMO, it comes down to Alex. Is he the future or are we spending another draft pick next year for a QB? So far so good as evidenced by the media articles about his progress in the off-season. It is time to put up or shut up for him and I am looking forward to his return to the field either way...it just has been awful for the young man.

2) The Niners' WR's are still a year away. The team should see the emergence of Josh Morgan, but the other side of the field is not going to be permanently occupied and satisfied until Michael Crabtree becomes productive. This is not going to happen in 2009. Crabtree is still recovering from his foot injury, will more than likely be a training camp holdout for some time, and has a LOT to learn before making an impact in the NFL. 2009 is his year to learn the game. 2010 is when we will see something. At TE, this is a big year for Vernon Davis. He has to show that he can run routes effectively, and be a player the team can count on. If so, the Niners have the complete package. If not, they are going to have to look elsewhere. Rookie TE's can make a sizable impact, so if Davis is not the answer, another player can step in and produce.

I too agree here.

However, I never underestimate talent. Talent is as talent does especially in the NFL. When you got "it" you use it naturally. I believe that Crabtree will make more of an impact than most here including you MD who I respect very much as someone who scouts well. Crabtree has been immediately successful every time he was introduced to a new level of football, high school and then college.

I expect him to continue that in the NFL. He may not be the 100 catches/10 TDs WR yet and would be ludicrous to expect that, too. Rather, I see him making some very important catches especially in the red-zone for us this year. IMO, he will be an impact player this year by the fourth game of the season...a little time to assimilate the NFL field culture.

Remember how bad our secondary was in 1979 before the three DB amigos. I kinda of feel that same perception with our WR squad this year. Finally, Crabtree, Morgan and Bruce alone make a great squad. Now add Jones, Hill, AB and Ziegler and the depth is actually quite good.

Both Alex and Hill will have more reliable targets than ever before which will remove the 8-9 man in the box.

Add Davis to this mix and we may just surprise ourselves on just how good we can be. Davis has taken great pains to become a better catcher and more flexible during the off-season. Yes, he drops one on occasion, but it is not the norm now. I see Raye using him more on short routes expecting YAC.

Just another weapon in Raye's arsenal to use. Yea, we have much better weapons offensively than ever before.

3) The Niners' OL will be fully ready to go in 2010. 2009 is an experiment at RT, and it could go many different directions. Either M. Smith could emerge as a healthy player who will lead the right side of our OL into 2010, or the Niners will install either a developmental player with upside (Boone, Bender) or use a draft choice. Staley, Heitmann (who Fox Sports stated was our best OL by far in 2008), Rachal, all look solid. At LG, either Baas will play well and pick up an extension, or the Niners will look elsewhere (draft, FA). The key is continuity, and the Niners have at least 3 solid guys going into 2010 that are written in stone.

Again, I agree.

The big question mark for 2009 on our OL is RT, period. Staley, Baas, Heitmann, and Rachal will be returning from last year. If Smith stays healthy, then he can give this OL that rock of Gibraltar on the other side for about two years while we develop Bender and Boone especially Boone as he could be a steal if he too keeps his head on straight.

For continuity reasons, I hope Baas is extended and Smith excels. Then, all hell will be breaking lose on DLs in 2010 with a vengeance!!!!! If Smith fails and Baas leaves, we will have another year of continuity pains.

4) The pass rush is not there, yet. The Manny Lawson experiment is ready to roll, and I'm hoping to be wrong in my prediction, but rushing the passer has never been Manny's strength (he is much better in coverage and running laterally), and I don't see anything to change my opinion at this point. If he has gained the supposed 15 pounds (which he supposedly stacks on every offseason...soon he should be approaching 300 pounds), and strength, we might have a decent pass rusher. However, Parys Haralson is this team's decent pass rusher. The team lacks a dominant pass rusher, and 2010 will be the year the team finally addresses this issue.

I remember reading just how important those front three are to the edge rushers so that they can keep the OLs off them. Well, we have more continuity on our DL with Balmer becoming better and competing against Evans and McD for the right side. J. Smith and Franklin are penciled in at LDE and NT.

Lawson and Haralson will be improved with another year under their belt in this system run by Manusky. Even if both are successful, I still look toward next year for another pass-rusher especially as 3-4 WILL rich as the 2010 draft will be.

This D has improved and already did well against the run. Hopefully, we don't have to wait until 2010 to see the pass-rush where I, too, hope you are wrong about Manny.

5) Dashon Goldson is going to have serious growing pains. While the board loves to bash Mark Roman (deservedly so in terms of forcing turnovers), Roman was a solid, steady and seasoned deep defender. Goldson gives playmaking ability, but expect a spike in deep home runs against the Niners. Spectacular versus steady. I'll take the risk on spectacular, but the Niners may need to visit the draft next season if Goldson does not work out.

He just seems to make plays in practice and I remember he got so burned in that NO game. I thought something was wrong with him injury-wise though. I think his success will be contingent upon his pass-rushing teammates. If their QBs get as much time as they did in 2008, then 2009 won't matter for Dashon as he will get torched.

The other safety, M. Lewis, is who concerns me. He's getting up there in age and use his body like brick wall. How long can he handle that kind of constant pounding? He can't. Therefore, we need a SS in next year's draft...do you think so? I think the secondary may still be very susceptible to big plays especially if something happens to Lewis, God forbid.

6) Singletary, Raye, and company need time to get it all together. I expect the Niners will retain all of their main coaches (Sing, Manusky, Raye) for 2010, and that continuity is going to help us. This season, we are going to see the growing pains of transition, once again. A new OC means a new start again, and that typically spells trouble for a franchise that has not adapted well to the continual line of OC that spin through the team every year.

Another agreement.

It will take the season for all of them to gel together. However, the focus will be on Raye more so than the others including Singletary, IMO. Because of all the turn over in our OC, this is another year were change can have a negative impact. It just doesn't feel that way though especially through the off-season programs.

The players especially the QBs are familiar with the type of offense he runs and started to get acclimated very quickly to it. I keep hearing and reading how Raye's offense is very similar to Turner's (frickin' rat!!). The other thing I read is that Raye molds his offense to his players and not the other way around.

That alone is huge and could make for a breakout year for our offense from a very optimistic point of view.

7) The Niners will have 2 first round selections next season. I believe the team will still need to draft some playmakers in 2010 (maybe a Will pass rusher, maybe a reliable TE, maybe a stable RT, maybe a stud FS). But, slowly, the amount of new talent needed to make a run is shrinking. The Niners appear to be set at virtually every position on offense (outside of RT, LG and maybe TE), and defense (Will, NT, maybe FS and CB). The club has wisely extended players to keep them from running away, and that bodes well down the road.

I love next year's draft. Three picks within the first 64 in a much more talented draft than this year's. This draft seems to be very deep in DE/OLB hybrids. There also seems to be some very good RTs and OGs available in later rounds, too. I also see that the safety class will be pretty good at the top. Lots to be excited about...that is for sure!!!

I could be wrong on my prediction for 2010. The Ghost of Mooch could be killed off in 2009. The curse of the Super Bowl loser ALWAYS kills off their victim (Cards better watch out), the Rams and Hawks appear weak. However, I just don't see this year as the year, and I hope fans do not become discouraged in 2009.

The run begins in 2010.

I still think and believe that this year could be our year to wake up the NFL. We may not win a SuperBowl, but we will make our own division and NFC take some serious notice. I believe we can win the NFC West because of our weak division especially since AZ's OC and DC left for greener pastures in KC. We will see how the players respond to them.

The other one that concerns me is Seattle and that D of theirs. Those LBs will be formidable and should not be underestimated. I just think we will be more physical just because of who we have as our HC and that will separate us from the rest.

The Rams will be picking in the top five again.

I think 2009 will be a good year for us preparing us for our sixth SuperBowl in 2010!

Thanks again for your insight...it is greatly appreciated especially in these times of lull.

Go 49ers!

Originally posted by oldninerdude:
Excellent post MadDog; you make a number of interesting points that are worth considering--if for no other reason than to temper the enthusiasm that tends to run rampant at this time of year.

And its nice to see that, at least in the long term (for 2010) you are optimistic about the team's improvement.

I tend to agree, somewhat, with GoFD, that the change in HC should make a difference this year. The team should be better this year, IMHO, because of that change.

So far, we have seen improvements in the team's morale, in its conditioning, in the intensity and focus at OTAs and minicamps, and there's no reason to expect that to change for training camp and beyond. Ultimately, that attitude and focus should translate onto the field on Sundays, one hopes.

Irrespective of the actual won-loss record this year, however, I expect that it will be much more fun to watch Niner games than it has been in the past several years.

If Jimmy Raye proves to be a capable play caller, and Singletary proves himself a capable game manager (he appeared capable enough last season and should only improve), then the team may play somewhat "above its head" this season. IMHO.

Either way, however, your optimism for the 2010 season is shared.

I also think the team will improve, but I'm not sure that will translate to more wins. For some, the above statement does not make sense. However, improved play does not always translate to more wins and losses. I project a 7 win season right now.

This is the season of "ifs", which makes football so much more interesting that sports with pre-determined playoff teams, and pre-determined scrubs, like NBA basketball.