Those injuries could be making San Francisco a team flying under the radar this season. Nate Burleson believes the 49ers can compete this year thanks to Kyle Shanahan getting players like Garoppolo and running back Jerick McKinnon back. The team also added another dynamic weapon this offseason in running back Tevin Coleman.
"With what [Coleman] can do and what he brings to the table, it's going to remind you of what Kyle Shanahan did with them when he was with Atlanta," Burleson said. "That's when we saw Tevin Coleman as the best compliment to Devonta Freeman."
How much more competitive can the 49ers be in 2019?
"You won't see San Francisco getting blown out this year," Burleson added. "That's my guarantee."
Kyle Brandt took it a step further and said he believes the 49ers can compete for the division title in the very tough NFC West.
"Every year, a team goes from last to first," Brandt said. "Don't be shocked if the Niners win this thing."
He reminded everyone what Shanahan, Lynch, and the 49ers went through during their first two seasons together. The team faced a lot of adversity.
"Year one, starter year, they didn't really have the quarterback, and then they come tearing down the stretch," Brandt said. "They're hot. Year two, I keep saying is an incomplete. I can't possibly begrudge them for losing all those games. You lose your franchise quarterback. They just lose everything.
"This is the year, though. The Lynch thing; we all root for John Lynch, the Shanahan thing. This is year three, the no excuses year. It's time to start winning or frankly, maybe this thing is not working out."
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