Surprise Players

Anthony Davis will be the player before injury.

Because of better coaching, just about every player should improve (a little or a lot). I think the entire Oline will be duking it out (no locks besides Staley). With the abundance of DBs (our most rounded out / deepest position), I can't guarantee any locks TBH. There's gonnna be a lot of heated battles in camp

I'm down with some of this tho, to say the least...

Eli (stacked on muscle, motivated and has the skillset)

Tank (trimmed down for what he's suited for / best at, OLB)

Eric Rogers (size/speed, killed men in the CFL, Chip's guy)

Kelvin Taylor (bloodline, doesn't know how to fumble, even Hyde gave him big props)

The Blair Itch Project (Tasmanian Devil has the drive and skillset, likely to be solid depth off the bat)

Purcell (slight improvements every year he's been with us, will get more snaps in practice and playing time while Ian / Glen get healthy)

Why not Shaun Draughn. The guy surprised us all last year with how effectively he was inserted into the offense. Now he has a full off season with the team.

Draughn

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

Why not Shaun Draughn. The guy surprised us all last year with how effectively he was inserted into the offense. Now he has a full off season with the team.

Draughn

Exactly. That RB battle could be a big one. You brought a huge point...players like Hodges, Harris, Draughn, Brown, etc. will all have a full off season under the same system. That could make a BIG difference in consistency in their play.

I LIKE MARCUS "WATTTTAAAAAA" RUSHHHH as my very very surprise player!!

I also like " I'M NO GARBAGE" BURBRIDGE (WR) FROM MICHIGAN STATE!!

Cajuste and Harold. I think Bruce Miller can do well year in a non-traditional role for him.

Overall, I think our defense is top 15 worthy as it stands today. I'm hoping the majority of happy surprises along the way happen on offense.

My honest opinion is that either Gabbert or Kap will surprise. I know that is "hedging" the bet here, but Chip has shown he can get some performance out of mid tier QBs. I do not think that either QB will perform at a top 5 level, but one or the other will be hovering close to or in the top 10 QBs. It is just speculation, as any of this is, but I do have some hope that the team will field an exciting and fun offense.

If I had to be pinned down on the QB to deliver, I would say Gabbert. I am a Kap homer, but I think Gabbert will fit better in Chip's offense. He is smart enough to make the quick decisions needed, accurate enough to make the plays, has a decent arm and has some modicum of athleticism. Plus I think Gabbert has some fire in him now that he is in a place that could be a resurgence for him.

As much as I love Kap, I'm not sold he is the guy to run a quick fire, up tempo kind of offense. If he can prove otherwise, I will be ecstatic.

On the defensive side of the ball, I think the team has incredible potential. There is a ton out there so it is hard to pick one guy. I really think Tartt or Ward is going to break out, with my inclination leaning toward Tartt. He showed some really positive flashes out there last year and my hope is that he only gets better. It isn't well regarded here on the Webzone, but my hope is that Tartt and Reid can become an upper echelon safety tandem. Reid is a fine player who has slipped in the past few seasons, likely due to tentative play after his concussions and then a scheme adjustment he wasn't comfortable with. If he can piece his game together he could be something special.

I'm going to go with Dontae Johnson and/or Marcus Cromartie.
I think Johnson was overlooked by Harbaughs staff, who always seemed to go with vets over young players with potential.(I don't consider last years All-Scrub staff as coaching) He's no longer a rookie and is a bigger corner to match up with some of the bigger WR's and IMO outplayed Acker last season.
Cromartie played with a lot of fire and aggression when he got a chance last year who again I think outplayed Acker last season.
I'm rooting for these two guys to make a big splash.

Originally posted by Sourball:

I'm going to go with Dontae Johnson and/or Marcus Cromartie.
I think Johnson was overlooked by Harbaughs staff, who always seemed to go with vets over young players with potential.(I don't consider last years All-Scrub staff as coaching) He's no longer a rookie and is a bigger corner to match up with some of the bigger WR's and IMO outplayed Acker last season.
Cromartie played with a lot of fire and aggression when he got a chance last year who again I think outplayed Acker last season.
I'm rooting for these two guys to make a big splash.

Nice call on Cromartie. He played his ass of last year. I know they are looking at him between FS and CB.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Why not Shaun Draughn. The guy surprised us all last year with how effectively he was inserted into the offense. Now he has a full off season with the team.

Draughn

Exactly. That RB battle could be a big one. You brought a huge point...players like Hodges, Harris, Draughn, Brown, etc. will all have a full off season under the same system. That could make a BIG difference in consistency in their play.

Last year they started with a rookie and a rugby player backing up Hyde, this year they have Harris, Draughn, Davis, Taylor...whole different look! Draughn is one of my favorites as he caught the b all so well out of the backfield and will add that dimension. Hyde isn't bad either so defenses will have to be honest.

Yeah, dtg, we went from a position of liability to one of abundance....and good players, to boot. Really present surprise but we have Trent to thank for that, stealing talent from Wal mart and a used car dealer. Unnnhhh...reportedly both guys were happy to leave.

Lots of changes afoot---lots of surprises ahead! here's some I'm hoping for;

OFFENSE; Balducci shows enough to take the backup center spot away from Martin. Miller is used frequently as a move TE or H-back cuz Kelly employs alot more gap-blocking, ball-control, fullback oriented run plays than ever before. MacDonald overcomes his dropsies and becomes a reliable threat. Taylor is Hyde's backup and proves to be a workhorse.Cajuste makes the 53.

DEFENSE: Robinson proves to be a shut-down corner. Redmond is right behind him. Armstrong wins the ILB competition. Tank proves his worth at OLB with 9 sacks. Armstead has an all-pro season at LDE, and so does Ward at CB.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Why not Shaun Draughn. The guy surprised us all last year with how effectively he was inserted into the offense. Now he has a full off season with the team.

Draughn

Exactly. That RB battle could be a big one. You brought a huge point...players like Hodges, Harris, Draughn, Brown, etc. will all have a full off season under the same system. That could make a BIG difference in consistency in their play.

Agree on Draughn.

BUT, NC, is it really the same system??

Last season's JT debacle offense is in the trash where it belongs.

Please correect me if I'm worng but Chip is bringing in a whole new system that the total offense will have to learn.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

Why not Shaun Draughn. The guy surprised us all last year with how effectively he was inserted into the offense. Now he has a full off season with the team.

Draughn

Exactly. That RB battle could be a big one. You brought a huge point...players like Hodges, Harris, Draughn, Brown, etc. will all have a full off season under the same system. That could make a BIG difference in consistency in their play.

Agree on Draughn.

BUT, NC, is it really the same system??

Last season's JT debacle offense is in the trash where it belongs.

Please correect me if I'm worng but Chip is bringing in a whole new system that the total offense will have to learn.

Sorry, I mean guys like above we're coming in of the streets, mid season from other teams, etc. Now they all are learning together with a full off season to prepare.

Boldich Predictions:

Tiller replaces Beadles after the 3rd game.
Tank becomes a tank and rolls up double didget sacks.
Martin and Mike Davis get cut.
Eric Rodgers catches fire and becomes a threat all over the field.
Buckner is Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Ronald Blair is Honorable Mention All Pro.
Bruce Miller returns to the Defense as an ILB.

You wanted "bold", IMO -that's bold.