DMH42":3slshgde said:
Tough, physical game. I think it's just a glimpse of what we have coming in the future. This kind of football is awesome to see. Lots of respect to the Hawks. Y'all have a good team. Things I think after seeing this (will keep it short)
- Niners have best Oline in NFL, no one else close
- Niners have best LBs in NFL, no one else close
- Hawks have best secondary in NFL, no on else close
- both teams have top 5 Dlines
- both teams have stable of tough runningbacks (Lynch and Gore were warriors) can't believe Buffalo let him go
- both teams could use some more WR talent. Although I think Niners Wrs core if including VD Are pretty good, just outclassed in this game by Hawks secondary
- both teams have questions at qb. Although hawks have more of developmental issue that has good chance of improving. Niners know what they have in Smith. If he keeps turning ball over, he will be riding bench. IMO, Niners with Kaepernick will be VERY dangerous team.
Can't wait for the war coming in seattle in December. I have feeling it will be very meaningful game. Will come down to execution, minimizing mistakes and who wants it more. Good luck on rest of the season gentleman.
As MOST people have said here -- you most certainly are welcome. Contrary to popular belief of some ... there ARE actually 49ers fans out there who are intelligent and who aren't thugs. As I mentioned in the other 49er fan thread, my best friend is a 49ers fan. Our friendship goes back to the days of Montana and Rice and when the Seahawks were in the AFC West, so we've never thought of ourselves as being true rivals. It's always good when intelligent fans from other teams who aren't obnoxious or rude want to chime in. Here's my .02 on what you had to say ...
On the 49ers Offensive Line -- I'd have to agree that they are in the top 10. The absolute best though? I don't know. That Patriots team's offensive line was right up there. I said back in 2010 when the 49ers drafted Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati that this was a group to watch out for in a couple of years. That dominance was certainly on display on Thursday night. That O-Line is without a doubt the strength of the 49ers -- that's for sure.
On the 49ers LB's -- maybe, maybe. The Packers' Clay Matthews is special, but the rest of his group isn't nearly as dominant. Chicago's Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher aren't what they used to be. I'd say this Seahawks group IMO is definitely up there in the Top 10. K.J. Wright and Navorro Bowman are virtually the same guy. And it was former 49er fullback Michael Robinson who called rookie MLB Bobby Wagner a young Patrick Willis. But as far as the Niners LB's being the absolute best -- yeah, I might buy that.
On the Seahawks Secondary -- As you probably know, Richard Sherman (the only one of the starting 4 who didn't make the Pro Bowl last year) just might be the best CB in all of football right now. Going in to this weekend, he was leading the league in Passes Defensed. With the way he's playing right now, it looks like he could effectively cover the wind itself if asked to. I'd have to agree the Hawks Secondary right now is the best in the NFL.
On the Defensive Lines -- Absolutely. The D-Lines for both teams are certainly right up there (though yours certainly showed up to play on Thursday while ours -- specifically Mebane -- not so much).
On Lynch and Gore -- both guys certainly ARE tough and warrior-like. But if I were starting a team ... and you said I could have either Gore or Lynch ... I'd take Lynch in a heartbeat. In many ways, he reminds me of an Earl Campbell in terms of his sheer force of will, his Terminator-like tenacity, and the level of aggression he runs with. Don’t get me wrong – Gore is very good. It’s just given a choice, I’d take Lynch.
On the 2 WR Corps – you’re absolutely right. I’ve been saying that for some time now that the 49ers receivers are a true Achilles Heel of this team … and it’s become painfully obvious that the same thing goes for the Seahawks. If I’m John Schneider, I’m pouring major resources in to upgrading both the WR Corps and the Offensive Line. Hopefully they’ll have as good a luck in this upcoming draft in those 2 areas as they’ve had in terms of the defense.
Completely agreed as far as the QB’s are concerned. My 49ers friend LOVES to defend Alex Smith and I always tell him the exact same thing. Alex Smith AT BEST is an accurate passer who is a game manager. But, if you put pressure on him ... or if you need him to actually WIN a game for you -- he'll choke. IMO, Kaepernick is your future starter at QB. If I’m Harbaugh, I look to groom him to take over as starter possibly as soon as next season. On Wilson, he’s obviously a rookie. Some of the struggles he’s had can be attributed to his O-Line and WR … but others can simply be chalked up to rookie-itis. As I wrote to the other 49er fan … all the hubbub surrounding Wilson’s height is just that – talk without any real evidence to show that it’s truly an issue.
I completely agree that the December game up here in Seattle is going to be a war. Given the struggles that Alex Smith had in his own home stadium, I find it hard to believe that he’s going to improve on his performance at the CLINK. I totally agree that it’s going to come down to who wants to win more. Until then, Adieu.
