Peter King released a power ranking of all 32 teams in his regular Monday Morning Quarterback column. Of course, the buzz in Niner Land is that he ranked Seattle at 11, a playoff team. Where were the 49ers? At 19 - on the playoff bubble.
What's his major argument? The 49ers did not go after Donovan McNabb. That's it. He openly praises the 49ers "solid up-the-gut unit" and "impenetrable tackles" on defense. So really his major argument is the lack of a superstar quarterback.
Clearly King thinks that first-year transitions are not a huge deal. McNabb, a west-coast quarterback his entire career, would seamlessly transition to a Coryell-termed offense. Continuity is something 49ers are intimately familiar with, insofar as they haven't had any at the offensive coordinator position.
Having Smith come back means that he can focus on advanced offensive techniques in March. McNabb would be meeting people, learning the system and building rapport with his receivers through training camp. Alex Smith can focus on the intricacies of blitz pickup.
Pete Carroll would also be in the midst of a first-year transition. Yes, the Seahawks have some improved pieces. Earl Thomas and Russell Okung were fantastic first-round picks. But at the end of the day, the core of that team is still in tact.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is in the twilight of his career and Charlie Whitehurst is a completely unknown entity. Their only true pass rusher, Patrick Kerney, retired. Between the personnel and the transitions to new systems on both offense and defense the Seahawks are dubious threats to the NFC West throne.
King opened up this article with all you need to know about his rankings:
"...let me embarrass myself by ranking the NFL one through 32. That's not being overly modest -- just realistic. I stink at this."
I couldn't have said it better.
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NinerFan2TheCore
Niiiice! Way to give him the biz, Oscar! When you give stupid reasons for your rankings that's what the rankings end up being...STUPID!
May 19, 2010 at 12:36 PM
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Nick S.
"I think Peter is one of the better sportswriters around..." Actually, he's really not... not by a long shot.
May 18, 2010 at 10:17 PM
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Bill Bird
Can't really blame Peter King on this one. I've soured on Alex Smith. He hasn't shown anything yet. And we're going into yet another season with a QB who turns from a glass slipper to a pumpkin the moment the regular season starts. Can you really blame Peter King for thinking otherwise? Sure -- the 49ers have some great pieces on offense and defense. There's no question of that. They have an inspired motivator in Singletary -- no question. But the most important player on any team is the quarterback. Teams live and die by the QB. That is a simple fact. The QB's play affects both offensive and defensive personnel. So far? 49er fans have seen nothing out of Alex Smith that would lead them to think that better days are ahead. Had he finished with glorious game against the Rams to closed out 2009 -- then things would have been different. But he didn't. Instead -- he stunk up the joint against the league's worst team. End result? We barely beat a club that we should have annihilated by five touchdowns. So -- I don't blame Peter King for feeling the way he does. He hasn't seen anything out of Alex Smith that would change his judgement. Neither have I. Sad, but true.
May 18, 2010 at 5:37 PM
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Frank
I think Peter is one of the better sportswriters around...but, he's an East Coast homer from the word go. If you look at his top 10, he has only one West Coast team, the Chargers. He ranked Seattle way too high...based on...what, a new head coach and a nice off-season? He not only dissed the Niners, but the Raiders, too, saying they'd only win 5 games. I think he's wrong on both counts...because Singletary has his team truly ready to win the NFC West. Alex is in the best situation ever...with an improved OL, same OC, speedy young WR corps, terrific TE's in Vernon and Walker, improved RB corps (I personally see Anthony Dixon as a major find) and his team's confidence he'll light it up this season. Singletary added Mays and Bowman to an already good defense. He added some real spark to what was a weak KR game. All things point to them being the best in the West. As for the Raiders, he said they wouldn't win 5 games...same reason, no marquee QB. We'll see...I think Oakland's good enough to go 8-8. They had a very good draft and either Gradkowski or Campbell will give them solid QBing Russell couldn't. Besides, it's silly to make forecasts this early!
May 18, 2010 at 6:31 AM
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Barry Williams
Peter King is bored and needed something to write about today. All journalists get more love when they are noticed. He got a lot of peoples attention today with this garbage. Seattle will be lucky to win 6 games this year. And how about Carolina? Those clowns are going to have a tough enough time in their own division. I'm fine with the Nines being dissed. I rather them have some fire in their bellies from a slight in a May power ranking. Hard to rank with power, when the players aren't even allowed to compete in pads yet. Not to mention, none of these rookies has even signed a deal. Not worried about it, but kind of pissed that he would dare diss the Bay like this. Teams that play the Niners are really going to enjoy the day off when they are done getting their heads beat in. Take that to the bank. Weazy
May 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM