Prediction Time!

I predict at year end we call this a rebuilding year in which we were competitive. We will finish 8-8 which will feel like 11-5 because the team fought the whole way unlike last year's 8-8. We will lose 3 games that hinged on one play late in the game that tilted the result. Maybe it's a bad call or a missed FG or a turnover salting away the clock but the team will exude heart.

I don't think most fans realize how close 8-8 is to 11-5. It's 3 plays. It's a make or miss league and when a play is there to be made, it must be made otherwise it's opportunity lost. Catch balls that hit hands, have the ball in the outside hand, 5 points of contact and play with passion until the whistle blows and not after.

A few stat lines...
Kap: 3,450 26 - 11. 450 rush 3 TDs.
Hyde: 1,200 9tds
Torrey: 68 1000 8td
Hayne: Top 5 yards per punt return 1TD. Numerous impact plays in KO and coverage.

I'm most excited about the secondary. Acker becomes a borderline #1. Tartt sees more action than just dime and takes on a chancellor role of playing in the box on TE and crossers and a run Dynamo.

Def finish top 6 vs the run.

We are just too young, too inexperienced to expect to close games efficiently.

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Rascal, I got the opposite impression. To me it looks, and sounds like, the players really like and respect JT.

Anyway, as for predictions:
W Vikes
L @ steelers
W@ Cards
L Packers...but could be W based on loss of both GB WRs. Depends on how well they have adapted by now.
L @ Giants (this is another outside shot, but not a good one)
L @ Ravens
L SEA outside shot at win here at home. Depends how well OL is playing by then. If OL solidified, then even shot at home
W @ Rams
W @ falcons

L@ SEA
W CARDs
W @Bears
W Browns
L Bengals with an outside shot assuming Brown is at RT and Bell is at other TE, and Easton doing well at C, plus Kilgore has been playing last 8 weeks.
W@ Lions
W Rams
Count 'em up and 9 Ws with an outside shot at GB due to loss of both WRs, outside shot at SEA home if OL has solidified, and Outside shot at Cincy, again if OL has solidified, for 12 Ws ...but the 9 is more realistic.

But, if you compare it to the Harbaugh era clip, the atmosphere is completely different. The guys seemed to be much happier with great team spirit. I mean the Tomsula clip I chose was actually after a win and I couldn't even see a single smile from the players. I don't know about you, the vibe to me just feels terrible.

Better than the horrible seasons of 1999 (4-12) and the loss of Steve Young, 2004 (2-14) with the quarterback play of Tim Rattay, and 2005 (4-12) in Alex Smith's first full year starting.

6-10 or better.

Originally posted by Rascal:

But, if you compare it to the Harbaugh era clip, the atmosphere is completely different. The guys seemed to be much happier with great team spirit. I mean the Tomsula clip I chose was actually after a win and I couldn't even see a single smile from the players. I don't know about you, the vibe to me just feels terrible.

Seeing guys exhausted after a preseason game is probably common. Many guys in that room are competing for a limited amount of space. They are probably emotionally and physically tired.

If they can get though the first 8 at 3-5, they be 10-6. That's a tall order and some things will have to break right.

But I believe they're going to be a good rushing team, with a surprisingly fine defense. Jaquiski Tartt will be a household name - at least in Niner households - by the end of the year. Jarryd Hayne will turn the league on it's ear as a returner, and if he gets some reps, he might be a positive surprise there too. But he may not get that chance because Carlos Hyde is going to be awesome!

Kenneth Acker had me excited last summer; this year I think we may have found our best corner in years!

The big question isn't the o-line - we know it will have some troubles. No Kaepernick is the question: he's going to be a big help to a great running game; but we haven't seen yet whether or not he's really improved in his reads and his release, and mostly in his decision-making. IF (and that's in caps) he's turned the corner, no one will miss Harbaugh and his shenanigans. If not, we'll still be pretty decent once things gel, because I truly believe Tomsula has a better finger on the pulse of the team than we've had in a long time.

I'm excited!

Originally posted by 49erphan:

hah. I just read about this.

9-7

Earlier in the offseason I was thinking 8-8 but I think 6-10 or 7-9 are more likely. I think they are somewhat looking towards 2016 or 2017

The lack of depth at tackle is an issue. If staley has to miss a game or two, boone moves to tackle and creates a very young G C G combo. If boone misses a game or two we are playing with a very inexperienced line across the board.

11-5

Torrey Smith and and Bush regain what we lost with Delanie and Moss. Vernon Davis returns to form. Passing game goes to back to 2012 playoff run level. Hyde becomes a household name as one of the best backs in the NFL. Bowman is Bowman. Unknown Corner group plays surprisingly well. Mangini defense makes up for lack of true dominant pass rusher. Eric Reid makes the jump to All pro gets 8ints.

Originally posted by jbeale49:
I predict at year end we call this a rebuilding year in which we were competitive. We will finish 8-8 which will feel like 11-5 because the team fought the whole way unlike last year's 8-8. We will lose 3 games that hinged on one play late in the game that tilted the result. Maybe it's a bad call or a missed FG or a turnover salting away the clock but the team will exude heart.

I don't think most fans realize how close 8-8 is to 11-5. It's 3 plays. It's a make or miss league and when a play is there to be made, it must be made otherwise it's opportunity lost. Catch balls that hit hands, have the ball in the outside hand, 5 points of contact and play with passion until the whistle blows and not after.

A few stat lines...
Kap: 3,450 26 - 11. 450 rush 3 TDs.
Hyde: 1,200 9tds
Torrey: 68 1000 8td
Hayne: Top 5 yards per punt return 1TD. Numerous impact plays in KO and coverage.

I'm most excited about the secondary. Acker becomes a borderline #1. Tartt sees more action than just dime and takes on a chancellor role of playing in the box on TE and crossers and a run Dynamo.

Def finish top 6 vs the run.

We are just too young, too inexperienced to expect to close games efficiently.

This. Especially the highlighted. Winning is always just a bonus.

9 wins and 7 brave losses. A few experiments, some that failed but some wha' influenced the game itself.

Originally posted by natrone06:
11-5

Torrey Smith and and Bush regain what we lost with Delanie and Moss. Vernon Davis returns to form. Passing game goes to back to 2012 playoff run level. Hyde becomes a household name as one of the best backs in the NFL. Bowman is Bowman. Unknown Corner group plays surprisingly well. Mangini defense makes up for lack of true dominant pass rusher. Eric Reid makes the jump to All pro gets 8ints.

Very underrated aspect of the 2012 team.

Moss, Walker, Davis provided 3 guys who could stretch the field. The number of guys capable of stretching the defense went down to 1 in 2013, and ZERO in 2014.

We have that type of speed back now. Smith perfectly compliments Boldin, Davis is healthy, Bush is the ideal 3rd down back. Simpson could add something when he comes back from suspension. Ellington and White are two explosive athletes, they could make some noise. I like our skill positions this year.

Whos gonna rush the passer? Certainly you cannot blitz every play? Whos gonna pass protect for Kap to have enough time to find Torrey & Vernon deep? Whos gonna open holes for Carlos Hyde? I didnt see any of those answers ALL Preseason, not even in the dress rehearsal. 6-10

Originally posted by natrone06:
11-5

Torrey Smith and and Bush regain what we lost with Delanie and Moss. Vernon Davis returns to form. Passing game goes to back to 2012 playoff run level. Hyde becomes a household name as one of the best backs in the NFL. Bowman is Bowman. Unknown Corner group plays surprisingly well. Mangini defense makes up for lack of true dominant pass rusher. Eric Reid makes the jump to All pro gets 8ints.

I concur.