Originally posted by Joecool:
Expect to see 8 in the box. Put yourself in the opposition's shoes and tell me who concerns you more, Alex Smith being able to consistently get the ball to the weapons or Frank Gore behind an even more powerful line? Weapons are nothing in the NFL if there's no one to get them the ball.
As for weapons, if I'm Seattle, there's only one proven homerun threat and that's Vernon. Basically, make sure he doesn't beat you and contain Gore. Until Alex Smith proves he can be deadly, ain't no team moving away from 8 in the box. This entire thread has overlooked the key to our offense for the past six years now.
Yes, we have been a run first team, but this is also the first time we've had these as well:
1.
Returning OC
Now I know not everyone likes Jimmy Raye, but this team has lacked continuity for six years at that coaching position. That alone gives this team less amount to learn, which means more time to refine what they already know, and therefore provides more confidence for a squad that barely had any to begin with.
2.
Offensive weapons
Outside of Gore, name me any REAL offensive talent we've had to progress Alex Smith. Antonio Bryant? Brandon Llyod, Bryant Johnson? Kevan Barlow (yeah, I went there!)?
Hell, only other offensive threat I could think of was Eric Johnson and he was plagued with injuries after Alex's first season to count as a viable threat. Now, he has two Pro Bowlers and a strong rookie in Gore/Westbrook/Dixon for backfield, Crabtree, Ginn, and Morgan to provide speed on the outside, Walker to provide mismatches with LBers and safeties, and let's not forget VD, who has finally stepped up to his potential and can do everything from block to catch to YAC...I could keep going but there's more to get to
3.
Rejuvenated OL
Outside of Heitmann, who had real experience on the OL last year, let alone experience together? Now Staley has matured into a true NFL LT, Baas has made the transition to C where his size and strength will pay huge dividends for Gore, and Rachal is coming into his 3rd year and should be near full transition into the NFL tempo.
Now, we do have rookies, but lets look at our two first rounders. Anthony Davis is probably being given the hardest role as he will be blocking speed rushers and OLBs. As he's shown at Rutgers and even during each progessing preseason game, he's goten better with experience and worked on timing and footwork. also, his strength is stupendous (shown on straight up blocking) and has a knack for blocking on the run (great for getting to the outside and trap plays inside).
As for Iupati, he has shown a truly impressive transition from small school football (granted Idaho is in the FBS, not a BCS school and considered one of the weakest school in division I) to the NFL. We already knew he was disgustingly strong, but his ability to sustain blocks and have the speed to not only get to the second level but completely catch LBers off guard is hard to do even by veteran standards.
Also, between Iupati, Baas, and Rachal, there's a little less than 1000lbs in the middle of that line to get Gore loose, b/c we all know he LOVES to run between the tackles.
4.
Coaching maturity
I think this gets overlooked, but each year Singletary gets better and better at bringing this team together and putting his plan into place. People forgt that he's never had any position higher than LB coach and yet was given the reigns to head coach an NFL squad.
Sure, he had some bad blunders over his 1.5 seasons (some being the Seattle loss at home his first game, Arizona loss on MNF, loss to the Falcons after poor game planning, losing Clements after the Houston game b/c he had him returning punts, etc.), but each game he got a little better, a little smarter, and now he has a full season under his belt and has built and rallied this team around his message and has the full devotion of this team, just like every great coach in the NFL.
So, after all of that, I welcome 8 in the box. Our OL will be good enough to handle it, our QB will be smart enough to exploit it, our WRs will be fast enough beat the single coverages, and most all, our coach will sit back and laugh at it
BRING IT ON NFL!!! BRING IT ONNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
