Originally posted by 9erfan4life:
Originally posted by ttime:
No..No..No. The bar should not be lowered because of changes. If this team does not make it to the play-offs then the season should be considered unsuccessful. Otherwise Sing should have remained as the HC.
This team has more offensive fire power than both Baltimore and the Steelers. The big question is if it will be Alex or Kap who brings it all together. An offensive minded coach should be able to produce with this unit..this year.
The defense on the other hand is the major question mark. This has been advertised not to be a bend but don't break group and the speed that was badly needed has been added. I still think that they should have kept Manny and paired him with Smith on the outside while pairing Brooks with Willis on the inside and we would have had a better LB core than anyone that will be put on the field. So currently, some questions still exist here.
As far as the defensive backs, they have added speed and a far superior safety in terms of his ability to tackle and make plays. He sort of reminds me of the Packers old safety L. Butler in his size and play making ability.
The team's recent advertising of Mays is concerning though. He reminds me of Jeff Fuller; who was arguably one of the best SS that this team has ever had and to give up on him after one year while given Alex seven years, seems a bit hasty. Any coach worth his salt would love the opportunity to coach a kid with that much potential. Coach him up and place him where he can excel.
The defensive backs do have better size and speed as well. I would not be surprised if the rookie starts at some point in the season. His size and speed screams lock-down corner and like Mays he should be coached up and put in a position to succeed. Spencer and T. Brown offer great insurance.
The success of the DL will greatly depend upon SOAP and it remaining healthy. Some big question marks here.
I have not predicted wins and losses since the glory days and won't do it here. But, change should not lower expectations. Play-offs or bust.
some silly statements
A team should always believe they can win and strive toward the playoffs and beyond. But to say the season is lost if they don't is kind of dramatic.
Especially with a new coach, system and players that have very little time in a short pre season.
Teams that look good on paper are not always going to produce. The NFL is a total team sport chemistry and timing is everything.
Being in one of the weakest div helps greatly and the playoffs are a clear goal. I'm more looking at how the teams plays under the new coaching system and try to limit the stupid mistakes we've all seen in recent years.
This team played some ok football last year and also played horrible football. The lack of discipline was very apparent. I want to see sound football first and the wins will follow.
Actually, the only silly statement suggest that change must result in lower expectations which makes no sense in the game of football otherwise why change?
Moreover, neither Baltimore or the Steelers have the offensive fire power than the 49ers. Gore is a top five back and although Rice is very good, at best he is equal to Gore. Neither have the TE skills and flexibility that the Niners have. With the addition of Edwards, the Niners have a very talented WR corp that can arguably compete with any of those two team. The TE position puts the Niners on top. The apparent deficiency is QB.
The new coaching staff does not get a pass here. They have assembled a talented group which is more than capable of achieving immediate success. Other teams have done it with less and you can provide all the excuses that you want; but i choose not to do so. Atlanta, N.O., Seattle, and a host of others have achieved immediate success after a coaching change.
So before you categorize someone else's opinion as being silly, you may wish to reflect on your own opinion otherwise it may be proven to be that what you categorize others as.
