Are the 49ers the most improved team in the NFL?

Originally posted by ChaunceyGardner:
Hate to admit it but the Raiders are the most improved.

ok so they went from s**t to suck

Originally posted by ChaunceyGardner:
Hate to admit it but the Raiders are the most improved.

This is real tough for me to agree with at this point.

Originally posted by KknighthawkK_9er:

Originally posted by northvan49erman:

Originally posted by WillistheWall:

Originally posted by northvan49erman:

Originally posted by ZRF80:
Based on what ?

What kind of question is that? if you're speculating during the offseason what exactly are you supposed to base things on? I suppose I'm basing my opinion on the points listed above.

don't worry new guy ZRF acts like this all the time. Just ignore him.

edit:

As for the topic, I would say we're up there. Some people say washington but their OLine is still a mess IMO, plus they didn't have very many draft picks. Personally as much as I can't stand the Seahawks I'd say them, they had probably the best draft(I think we were right up there with them) and they added 2 decent RBs. Their improvements might not pan out though. Also Baltimore had a really good draft with Cody/Kindle and adding Boldin+a few tight ends in the draft. I really like how we shored up our OLine, got a better oline coach, added some speed, etc. We got tougher as a team. I definitely like what we did, hopefully we win the division this year.

Nice... ya, I agree, seahawks are up there, but, okung for jones is probably a downgrade (at least for okungs first year) ... I'm meh on the RB's... white is average and washington might be injured... tate will take a while... hasselbeck is a year older.

baltimore looks good fosho.

Good stuff. I wouldn't say that Baltimore is the most improved, simply because they have been good for 10 years. Good analysis on the Seahawks. Both of these teams had good drafts, but I'm not sure how much improved they are in the short term. Baltimore's offense could be really good this year; pair that with a defense that will be stingy as long as Ray Lewis walks the field, and a winning formula ensues.

It's gotta be the Lions for most improved. They acquired Tony Scheffler to pair with Pettigrew, CB Chris Houston, Vanden Bosch (who could be good if he's healthy), Nate Burelson, DT Corey Williams, and several other good depth players before the draft. Then they drafted Suh, Best, DE Willie Young, and CB Amare Spievey, all who could and likely will start right away, and Jason Fox (Starting LT in 2011, maybe RT at some point this season).

They still have a patchwork offensive line, their secondary has some question marks, and their LB corps doesn't have much depth, but there is room for optimism. The offense could be fun to watch this year, Megatron is one of the best 3 or 4 receivers in football, the Defensive Line could be really good, and if Jahvid can stay healthy, he has ROY written all over him.

It is the Lions, but not long ago, they were 0-16.

P.S--They got a new backup QB as well

yup.



championship!

Even his best Joe impersonation couldn't keep him on the team.But as long as they can beat those Fudgin Packers I'm happy

Did you lose Spencer? Or was he just misplaced?

~Ceadder

[ Edited by Ceadderman on May 6, 2010 at 03:06:44 ]

From last year to this year, I think the Seahawks are the most improved team. They'll probably have 5 new starters this year. They entered the offseason with glaring weaknesses at LT, FS, RB, WR and DL. Well, they drafted Okung, Thomas and Tate and traded for a pass rush specialist in Clemons and decent Rbs in White and L.Washington.

I expect the Niners to be improved for sure but we only added 2 starters this offseason. How can that make us the most improved team from last year to this year?

This can only be decided in the W-L columns.

I think Seattle is the most improved team. That doesn't mean I think they will be very good but they were horrible last year and I think their draft, free agency, trades, and guys getting healthy that were banged up last year make them MUCH improved.

My other picks would be the 49ers, Oakland, and Baltimore.

Originally posted by DownSouth:
I expect the Niners to be improved for sure but we only added 2 starters this offseason. How can that make us the most improved team from last year to this year?

I agree with you but people forget about young players developing (even Willis can get better) and continuity being big factors in teams getting better year after year. Even more-so than any rookie's impact most of the times.

Also adding starters can make the old starters depth if they are still on the team. This team's weakness', O-line and the return game, should be 1000% better than last year. So even though there may only be 1 or 2 new starters week 1 the team has a chance to be significantly improved.

[ Edited by Gavintech on May 6, 2010 at 08:20:45 ]

Originally posted by DownSouth:
From last year to this year, I think the Seahawks are the most improved team. They'll probably have 5 new starters this year. They entered the offseason with glaring weaknesses at LT, FS, RB, WR and DL. Well, they drafted Okung, Thomas and Tate and traded for a pass rush specialist in Clemons and decent Rbs in White and L.Washington.

I expect the Niners to be improved for sure but we only added 2 starters this offseason. How can that make us the most improved team from last year to this year?

You could add Ginn to the list which makes it 3

Originally posted by northvan49erman:
Apologies if this is redundant, but I think we've had one hell of an offseason. How many teams can say they have improved every single position on the field, and in some cases markedly... Go down the list and, if we stay healthy, we're better everywhere

OLINE: Bass, contract year, coming into prime
Rachal, coming into prime
Staley missed what 6-7 games last year
Obvious additions of Davis/Iupati
Boone in shape

WR: full year of Crabtree with experience
Morgan/Hill coming into prime
Tedd Ginn Jr adding speed

QB: The most controversial, but I'm an Alex fan and I expect huge things this year.
improved O-line, improved WR, more confidence, 2nd year with same
coordinator... better WR play means less deflected balls/ints (seems like we
had a lot last year)

RB: Dixon adds depth, maybe supplants Coffee... additions to OL improve RB play

TE: Hopefully Nate byham proves to be better than Pascoe, if so, we're better
I expect VD to continue to develop, softening those hands over time.

KR/PR: don't need to explain this one.

LB: Brooks, Haralson, Willis, Lawson (contract year) all coming into prime
Bowman probably a better Mike backup

CB: Nate uninjured, returns with huge chip on his shoulder, he is the kind of guy
that will work his ass of and bounce back....
Brown will probably be improved

S: Mays, if he is able to learn quickly will be a huge upgrade at backup SS... who
knows, maybe he supplants Lewis
Goldson coming into prime

DL: meh... probably the only spot that there wont be much improvement... maybe
Mcdonald or Balmer, but I don't have my fingers crossed.

Coaching: Solari, Brown, Schottenhiemer, Alex has another year with Raye, Sing
has a full year under his belt, might lead to better planning/game
management.

I welcome any criticism

What!! Nate still has the chip on his shoulder? I thought that is the reason he missed the rest of the year, to get it fixed. OMG!!!

I'd say the raiders and the seahawks.

Originally posted by VA49er:
This can only be decided in the W-L columns.

Originally posted by northvan49erman:

Originally posted by WillistheWall:

Originally posted by northvan49erman:

Originally posted by ZRF80:
Based on what ?

What kind of question is that? if you're speculating during the offseason what exactly are you supposed to base things on? I suppose I'm basing my opinion on the points listed above.

don't worry new guy ZRF acts like this all the time. Just ignore him.

edit:

As for the topic, I would say we're up there. Some people say washington but their OLine is still a mess IMO, plus they didn't have very many draft picks. Personally as much as I can't stand the Seahawks I'd say them, they had probably the best draft(I think we were right up there with them) and they added 2 decent RBs. Their improvements might not pan out though. Also Baltimore had a really good draft with Cody/Kindle and adding Boldin+a few tight ends in the draft. I really like how we shored up our OLine, got a better oline coach, added some speed, etc. We got tougher as a team. I definitely like what we did, hopefully we win the division this year.

Nice... ya, I agree, seahawks are up there, but, okung for jones is probably a downgrade (at least for okungs first year) ... I'm meh on the RB's... white is average and washington might be injured... tate will take a while... hasselbeck is a year older.

baltimore looks good fosho.

And this is why I hate threads like these.

You have our fringe players "coming into their prime". Don't mention nothing about Seattle's fringe players "coming into their prime"

You got Okung as a downgrade to an aging, struggling Jones and taking a year. Where you have Davis/Iupati as upgrades and big upgrades right from the rip.

You have White as average. For a #2 or #3 RB he's nor bad at all. You have Dixon and Coffee apparently more than average.

You have Washington as "might be injured" Where as you have Staley and Clements back healthy.

You have Hasselbeck a year older. No mention of Spikes, Clements or Heitman being a year older.


People around here needs to learn not to use homerism when making an analysis like this. Are we an improved team? We sure look it on paper. But only on the o-line and return game. We surely aren't the most improved team. Not even close.

Originally posted by MazDanRX787:
No. Jets, Dolphins, Redskins, Lions, Seahawks, Bengals, Ravens. Those teams are. 49ers are certainly improved but not as much as those teams. They didn't address a severe weakness sufficiently so far this offseason. The secondary is horrifying with the exception of 38. O-line has been upgraded to a satisfactory degree. The WR's are very questionable. Thankfully we have a pro-bowl TE.

I can agree with all the teams you mentioned except the fins and bengals, as I can argue either way in relation to the 9ers. I also agree with our WRs - although we have a lot of talent and potential and have shown glimpses of awesomeness, I will wait till next season to form an opinion (same goes for VD).

Originally posted by krizay:

Originally posted by northvan49erman:

Originally posted by WillistheWall:

Originally posted by northvan49erman:

Originally posted by ZRF80:
Based on what ?

What kind of question is that? if you're speculating during the offseason what exactly are you supposed to base things on? I suppose I'm basing my opinion on the points listed above.

don't worry new guy ZRF acts like this all the time. Just ignore him.

edit:

As for the topic, I would say we're up there. Some people say washington but their OLine is still a mess IMO, plus they didn't have very many draft picks. Personally as much as I can't stand the Seahawks I'd say them, they had probably the best draft(I think we were right up there with them) and they added 2 decent RBs. Their improvements might not pan out though. Also Baltimore had a really good draft with Cody/Kindle and adding Boldin+a few tight ends in the draft. I really like how we shored up our OLine, got a better oline coach, added some speed, etc. We got tougher as a team. I definitely like what we did, hopefully we win the division this year.

Nice... ya, I agree, seahawks are up there, but, okung for jones is probably a downgrade (at least for okungs first year) ... I'm meh on the RB's... white is average and washington might be injured... tate will take a while... hasselbeck is a year older.

baltimore looks good fosho.

And this is why I hate threads like these.

You have our fringe players "coming into their prime". Don't mention nothing about Seattle's fringe players "coming into their prime"

You got Okung as a downgrade to an aging, struggling Jones and taking a year. Where you have Davis/Iupati as upgrades and big upgrades right from the rip.

You have White as average. For a #2 or #3 RB he's nor bad at all. You have Dixon and Coffee apparently more than average.

You have Washington as "might be injured" Where as you have Staley and Clements back healthy.

You have Hasselbeck a year older. No mention of Spikes, Clements or Heitman being a year older.


People around here needs to learn not to use homerism when making an analysis like this. Are we an improved team? We sure look it on paper. But only on the o-line and return game. We surely aren't the most improved team. Not even close.

You're right... its not that cut and dry and there is some homerism here... but I think you're points aren't that convincing.

I think we have a inordinately high number of players who are set for possible breakout years/major improvments, whereas I don't think the seahawks do... thats my point

washington's injury is a lot more serious than clements, or staley's, come on... The guy might be useless next year...

my point about staley/clements is that these guys, if healthy are additions to the team, but no one factors them in to offseason additions... whereas washington was not in seattle last year, so he counts as an addition.

okung for jones is at best a lateral move for the first year.... and davis isnt replacing a hall of fame takle.

the qb position is a lot more important than the mike/2nd cornerback position... and heitman isnt that old

I mentioned White cause everyone thinks this is such an amazing move, but is it really? its just not much of a big deal.... it has nothing to do with whether or not dixon/coffee are an improvement, ... you took that out of context.