I really don't want to give up on this team so early already, but heck, the way they're playing, even making the playoffs on a wildcard seems to be a reach.
Yes, our offense looks like they have taken a step back.
Yes, Kap can definitely get better, honestly he looks like he's on the verge of a slump
Yes, the receiving core outside of Boldin looks destitute.
Yes, the secondary (with the exception of E. Reid) is
BUT I think the glaring issue that has got to be addressed if we want to turn all of this around, is figuring out what our identity is offensively. They say they want to get the running game going, yet it seems that Roman has based the entire offense around the gimmicky read-option pistol offense which limits Gore, makes the running game practically nonexistent, and puts more emphasis Kap's arm. Not to mention, the whole league has figured us out, they've caught up and know how to defend against it. Everyone realizes this except the coaching staff apparently. Who do they think they're fooling? This isn't college football, the NFL evolves at a rapid pace and it's time they go back to the drawing board and do the same. The team will continue to get chewed up and spit out until adjustments or changes are made. I suggest we wipe the dust off the 2011 playbook and start from there.
I still have hope that we'll turn things around but there's still a huge chance we don't even make it into the playoffs and we'll go into a mini, temporary rebuilding stage. But hey, maybe we need it to come back even better for next year.