est.1985":3fwywxn0 said:
This thread is scary delusional. Look, I'm a Niners fan, but I'm not stupid enough to say the Hawks can't win the division or the SB. S***, they damn well might do it. But I just don't understand how 90% of the people posting on here not only see the Rams as bigger threats than the 49ers, but also claim that they will take such a nosedive in production. Why is it ok to claim Kaep will degress, but not Wilson? The 49ers have a top notch coach and a QB on the rise, and we've all seen what that type of combination can do for a franchise. Some even claim that the 49ers will drop the 1st two games. The Hawks? Big chance for a loss there. The opener against GB? Ha! We smashed on them so bad in the playoffs and we beat them in their house to open the season last year. If you say that that wooping on the Pack doesn't count then you can never mention 42-13 ever again.
As has been stated multiple times. It's not hyperbole, the reasons to question whether the Niners can maintain success are very legitimate. The number of question marks on your team right now is huge. I know Niner fans want to just assume that Keap will turn all the receivers who have proven absolutely nothing into superstars but the reality is that the odds of that receiver core developing into a formidable group is highly unlikely. Even the odds of Boldin performing at the levels Niners fans think he will is highly unlikely and it's not wishful thinking. other than a stellar playoff performance he has been an average #2 for the last several years so unless he got younger, faster and somehow has suddenly learned how to get open, it is far more likely that his numbers are very pedestrian and he is being asked to play a role he has never had success at in stepping into the #1 spot.
Keap has wheels and a strong arm but he will be tested significantly this year. One of the reasons Boldin hasn't been a top producer is because of his style of play. He is that guy you can throw the ball to when he is covered and if you place it correctly he will come down with it the majority of the time but he is not that guy that gets separation or quickly gets open. Kaep will have to learn how to get the ball to him and prove he is willing to throw to a covered receiver and do it with touch and accuracy, both of which he still has to prove he can do consistently. I think we will see Kaep trying to force balls way to much this year and something Niner fans have to worry about is his confidence. If he starts to struggle how will that effect his game and don't kid yourself, all the ingredients are there for him to struggle.
Behind Gore you have often injured or unproven back ups and Gore is now on the wrong side of 30. It won't surprise anyone if Gore gets injured or just doesn't produce like he has in recent years and until Lattimore is ready you don't have a stud replacement for him.
Defensively I know you think you got stronger from the draft but lets get real here. None of your draft picks have proven they will be any better than the depth you had last year and it is more likely they won't be in their rookie season and that's not even mentioning your rookie FS replacing an allpro.
Even your special teams is in question. Who is returning KO's? Ginn killed us a couple years ago.
I've said multiple times if the Niners can overcome all those question marks and Kaep can continue to progress, I will give him and Harbaugh full credit but the reality is the odds are against it and Jimmy would at least have to learn to get his starters off the field and give that depth a chance to grow.
Playing your starters 90+% of the time is not sustainable, especially when your key players are approaching the end of their careers.
Good luck but as I said before I believe the Rams will sweep you this year. They are built to do exactly that. If Amendola wasn't injured last year in your second game, I believe they would have swept you last year.