2021 49ers Are Open For Business

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Skeebers — 11 Comments ↓

The offseason wheezes out the door tomorrow, taking its annual break from boring us all to death. So long, Nothingburger, see you in February.

The first order of business after the players check in will be to find out who’s vaccinated and who isn’t. This shouldn’t be a politicized issue, but it is. And the locker rooms are going to suffer some or a lot of dysfunction because of it.

How much trouble the 49ers will have is anybody’s guess at the moment. But any unvaccinated player who causes his team to forfeit a game this year, as well as a paycheck for every player on both the teams involved in the forfeit, is going to have some serious shit rolling his way.

The NFL also intends to fine unvaccinated players $14,650 for any COVID-19 protocol violations, which further applies pressure to the idiots who feel the overwhelming urge to slip out after curfew and party with friends.

No name guys who screw up the COVID rules will no doubt be cut immediately, but what will they do if a big time guy causes a forfeit or a loss that could have been prevented?

In the meantime, the 49ers should be strong contenders this season. It will no doubt be Jimmy Garoppolo‘s final year in the red and gold, so let’s hope he goes out with a bang. Maybe even a ring.

Tagged with: 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo
Posted in Training Camp

Plenty of Nothing

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Skeebers — 11 Comments ↓

At this point in the offseason, “no news is good news” rules the day. It means no 49er has broken any of his precious bodily parts or been arrested for some type of bad behavior.

There’s been quite a bit of speculation about whether Trey Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo will win the starter’s job when the season opens. But Lance hasn’t played in nearly two years and also has to learn Kyle Shanahan‘s rather massive playbook, so it seems obvious to me that Garoppolo will open as the starter.

I would expect the team to use Lance much like New Orleans used Tasom Hill. They’ll work him in with specialty plays, probably for short yardage downs and plays near the goal line.

Other guys of interest in training camp and preseason are the massive new OG Aaron Banks, the two new RBs Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell, and the 3rd round CB Ambry Thomas.

Of this group, I’d expect the RBs to contribute quickly this year, because Shanahan has a green thumb when it comes to RBs. The CB will get a lot of play, too, since the team is a little thin at that position. Banks could struggle, though, much like Javon Kinlaw struggled last year. He’s gotten by on his biglyness through high school and college, but the NFL is different. He’ll need to learn technique in order to succeed in the pros.

This will be an interesting training camp and preseason, unlike most years where everything is locked up and there’s very little drama during the month of August. I dare say we’ll all be watching the exhibition games with far more attention than we usually do.

Tagged with: 49ers, Aaron Banks, Ambry Thomas, Elijah Mitchell, Javon Kinlaw, Jimmy Garoppolo, Kyle Shanahan, Tasom Hill, Trey Lance, Trey Sermon
Posted in FOS Speculation

Fear and Loathing in Bandwagon City

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Skeebers — 23 Comments ↓

The OTAs have come and gone. This year’s version was cut short prematurely, skipping the mini-camp portion of events after the league took away the final “volunteer” day as punishment for a rookie CB making contact with a WR during a no-touchy practice. Somewhere in the country Mike Ditka and Mike Singletary are butting heads and thumping their chests and grousing about the pansies that have taken over the NFL.

Even with all these delicate rules, the 49ers managed to put two guys on season ending IR, one for an Achilles and one for an ACL. The players were both backups, so the damage isn’t severe, but it does add to the growing reputation that the 49ers are one of the most fragile teams in the league. Every prediction of how they will fare each year is always qualified by the odious phrase “if healthy.” I can’t think of any other team in the NFL that evokes this sort of “buyer beware” sticker.

And we haven’t even mentioned RB Jeff Wilson Jr., who tore his meniscus in the 49ers locker room before OTAs even began! He’ll start the season on the PUP list and miss at least the first six games.

Every time we want to think that last season’s injury bug was a just a freak situation that won’t happen again, some player sneezes and breaks something vital to his footballing abilities.

Training camp is six weeks off now. I shall use the time to think good thoughts and fight off the urge to scream, “WE’RE CURSED! ABANDON ALL HOPE!”

Posted in Organized Team Activities

2021 Organized Team Activities

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Skeebers

The OTAs are underway, with about 90% attendance from the players who gave lip service to the NFLPA’s edict to boycott these “voluntary” work outs but clearly value their jobs over their union solidarity.

Wise choice, lads. After all, there’s a brand new defense to learn (for the veterans, too), as well as a brand new offense (rookies only). Falling behind the learning curve would not be a recommended approach to an NFL career.

While the new DC Demeco Ryans is brainwashing his troops into enthusiastically accepting his version of how to run a defense, as opposed to former DC Robert Saleh‘s version, the offensive coaches will be stuffing as much of Kyle Shanahan‘s system into QB Trey Lance‘s noggin as they can possibly stuff.

Maiocco suggested the games in this coming preseason might be the most anticipated practice games in 49er history. That seems about right to me. If Jimmy Garoppolo hangs onto his job and avoids injury this year, then these practice games will be about all we’ll see of Lance until next year. The games will also give us a clue whether this new guy is all he’s cracked up to be, or has a long way to go.

2021 will also be a milestone year for the franchise. Shanahan will be entering his fifth year as the HC, something no other HC has achieved since the York’s took over the team in 2000. Mariucci lasted 3, Erickson 2, Nolan 3.5, Singletary 2.5, Harbaugh 4, Tomsula 1, and Kelly 1. A massive era of stumble-bumming around appears to have mercifully come to an end.

This could finally be the year the team establishes itself as a perennial NFL contender. No more of the extreme up and down fluctuations that have plagued us for the past twenty years.

Tagged with: 49ers, DeMeco Ryans, Jimmy Garoppolo, Kyle Shanahan, Robert Saleh, Trey Lance
Posted in Organized Team Activities

Summer Clearance Sale

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Skeebers

The 2021 Schedule will be released this Wednesday. In the meantime, here’s a plug for longtime Outsider member NJ49er, who’s stumbled into a little side business lately. In his words:

“What started as a unique image for my motorcycle seat, has garnered much interest and has become a minor venture into “NJ49er” wear.

The image [featured below] is what is available as the player in red jersey and white jersey, so I can apply them to alternate apparel colors. I’ve also done the bike seat in the same image embroidered. From that came the rest.

The digital transfer is used mainly on T-shirts and sweatshirts. My problem has been getting the apparel via my vendor. Depending on interest going forward I’ll try to stock up on the popular color (Red/White) and size as needed.

I’ve embroidered several hoodies for the kids and Grandkids and they look outstanding.”

If any of you are interested in getting one of NJ’s offerings for yourself or as gifts, you can contact him for pricing, sizes, colors, etc. at: NewJersey49er@gmail.com.

In the pics below, you’ll notice the T-shirt is a bit rumpled. That’s because I wore it during my nightly repose. Skeebette suggested I iron it before taking these photos, but clearly I dodged that extra effort. Nice work, NJ!

Posted in Uncategorized