Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
Originally posted by RichmondPete:
Its true no matter what you think about bleacher report. With Harbaugh we would have won the division last year and the year before
I agree about last year. This year, I have to give it to the Rams. Bradford and McDaniels could be deadly. Sam didn't even have any recievers last year. Now he has Gilroy and Clayton back, plus Amedolia.
With the exception of AZ, our division is working to get better. And I honestly believe we drafted for next year (Kap, Culliver, even Aldon Smith). Also, we have no idea what our defense will look like under a new DC and players leaving to free agency.
I don't think they would pick up a defensive player at #7 thinking he only a future contributor. They would have selected a passrusher in the second or third round if that was their mindset. With possible starters available at need positions (Prince, Fairley) and good depth with the second tier of outside rushers (Justin Houston, Brooks Reed), you have to think they would have been targeting an immediate starter at that slot. Aldon Smith is a day 1 starting talent in my eyes, I think he is going to shock a lot of people.
I don't believe the niners will struggle as much as everyone else does due to the labor situation. The niners are returning nearly all of their starting lineup on both sides of the ball, all of these players are used to horrible coaching situations.
I only see the rams as a threat, not the favorite. They don't have a bluechip player on either side of the ball.
[ Edited by RichmondPete on Jun 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM ]