Okay, guys, it’s National Prediction Week. All over the land insiders, outsiders, upsiders, downsiders, and yo momma’s postman are throwing their brains into the ring to engage in the fine old pastime of Prognostication. Get your votes in this week or spend the year as a dickless pickless.
The roster was trimmed to 53 over the weekend with the following players getting the axe (and 4 of them got claimed by other teams and the Packers signed earlier release Scott Tolzien to their PS):
T Carter Bykowski (R)
CB Marcus Cooper (R) (claimed by Chiefs)
WR Austin Collie
TE MarQueis Gray (R) (claimed by Browns)
WR Chad Hall (claimed by Chiefs)
RB Jewel Hampton
WR Lavelle Hawkins
LB Joe Holland
WR Chuck Jacobs (R)
LS Brian Jennings
ILB Travis Johnson (R)
CB Darryl Morris (R)
OL Patrick Omameh (R)
WR Kassim Osgood
DL Mike Purcell (R)
S Trenton Robinson (Eagles PS)
FB Jason Schepler (R)
S Michael Thomas
G Wayne Tribue
QB Seneca Wallace
OL Kenny Wiggins
The team then took back the following guys for the Practice Squad:
CB Darryl Morris
OT Carter Bykowski
WR Chuck Jacobs
RB Jewel Hampton
OL Patrick Omameh
DL Mike Purcell
S Michael Thomas
There’s one spot left to fill on the Practice Squad, but the final 53 man roster looks like this:
Offense: 24
QBs (3) Colin Kaepernick, Colt McCoy, B.J. Daniels
RBs (5) Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Bruce Miller, Anthony Dixon
WRs (5) Anquan Boldin, Marlon Moore, Kyle Williams, Quinton Patton, Jon Baldwin
TEs (3) Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek
OL (8) Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Alex Boone, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Daniel Kilgore, Joe Looney, Adam SnyderDefense: 26
DL (6): Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Ian Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Will Tukuafu, Tony Jerod-Eddie
ILBs (5): Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite, Nicky Moody, Nate Stupar
OLBS (5): Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Dan Skuta, Corey Lemonier, Cam Johnson
CBs (5): Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown, Nnamdi Asomugha, Tramaine Brock, Perrish Cox
Ss (5): Donte Whitner, Eric Reid, Craig Dahl, C.J. Spillman, Ray VentroneSpecial Teams: 3
K Phil Dawson
P Andy Lee
LS Kevin McDermott
So that’s it. The long offseason is over. The search for viable WRs seems to have been successful. All that remains is six days of high anxiety til we kick off the 2013 season. Go Niners!
“49ers have signed WR Chris Harper off Seattle’s practice squad.”
Head scratcher.
Unlike last year…I think the defense will get stronger as the year goes on…and the offense will be the best since….ever 🙂 14-2
I’m going with 13-3. I think Kappie will finally figure out how to score in the red zone.
Now Packers have signed second ex-49er QB, Seneca Wallace.
9/8 Packers – Toss Up
9/15 @ Seahawks – Loss
9/22 Colts – Win
9/26 @ Rams – Toss Up (Short Week, travel)
10/6 Texans – Toss Up
10/13 Cardinals – Win
10/20 @ Titans – Win
10/27 @Jaguars – Win
11/10 Panthers – Win
11/17 @ Saints – Loss
11/25 @Redskins – Win
12/1 Rams – Win
12/8 Seahawks – Win
12/15 @ Buccs – Toss Up (Travel, Early Start)
12/23 Falcons – Toss Up
12/29 @Cardinals – Win
I see 9 wins, 2 Losses, 5 Toss ups. If they go 2-3 on the Toss Ups (to also take into account a fluke loss somewhere)
Then 11-5 is my final prediction.
If it comes down to the final game, we are at Cardinals, the Seahawks host the Rams.
Chris Harper is similar in size and makeup to Boldin/Crabtree
meaning he’s a strong physical receiver. He was picked a few picks ahead of Patton.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1620463/chris-harper
I am wondering who gets cut from the 53 so they can add Harper.
The 49ers trade OLB Cam Johnson to the Colts for 7th rounder next year.
According to Ian Rappaport of NFL.com Niners received a 7th rd pick for Johnson.
Some are questioning why they didn’t keep Hawkins.
His preseason with the Niners is the usual anomaly. Very good numbers against non starters.
In 5 previous NFL seasons Hawkins has scored 1 TD in the 52 games he has played in.
The production wasn’t there and the coaches took into account the opposition when he scored.
Just means the guys they kept had more upside and talent.
11-5 Western Division Champs. Not sure where the losses are but some bad luck, injuries, and the bouncing ball all will play a part. i do think we start the season at 2-0 though.
10-6 Skeeber.
Don’t like the first half of our schedule and the second half is curious at best with the injury concerns to Mario and Michael.
I see Wild Card for us this year.
12-4
Before the draft, a lot of people were comparing Chris Harper to Boldin. Harper’s slow and strong. Now both Harper and Baldwin can learn from Boldin how to use their big bodies to their advantage. Harper will also have friendly competition with Patton due to draft position. It’s a good move for SF, particularly if Baldwin doesn’t workout for the 49ers.
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The Cam Johnson trade is interesting. A 7th rounder doesn’t seem like enough, and now we’re back to one backup OLB in Lemonier. It’s not that I thought Cam was that great, it’s just that a 7th rounder never really does much for your football team. Best 7th we’ve had in a while was RJF. But, 7th rounders thrown into a deal help sweeten the pot, allowing Baalke to move up and down the draft board easier. Buy low, sell high. That’s exactly what the 49ers just did with Cam. His stock may never be higher.
Sorry to see Cam Johnson go. Per Barrows the 49ers see Harper as a potential TE or H-back rather than a WR. Still have not heard anything definitive on Owen Marecic – does Harper’s signing make that move less likely now?
Cam was a 7th himself Spit, it’s a wash.
BJ Daniel could be on his way too?
What’s nice about our situation now is, we’ve got fewer and fewer slots to bolster.
This is how you stay relevant for the future.
Hold multiple Picks, tweak the talent, build depth.
7th Rd Picks let you experiment without having to deal with the mad scramble of UDFAs too.
We’re potentially holding 4 3rd Rd Picks for next year also.
Those 7’s are good throw ins too as you mentioned.
Ok, here goes:
Wins: IND, HOU, AZ, @TEN, @JAC, CAR, @WAS, STL, SEA, ATL, @AZ
Losses: GB, @SEA, @STL, @NO, @TB
A gut check start to the season at 1-3, but a finish of 11-5 and 4-2 in our division.
Love stealing Seattle’s 4th rounder, essentially adding it to our draft haul.
Me too Skeebs.
Screw Pete
Haven’t watched the wire regarding Michael Robinson but, I’d have to think they bring him back after Week 1?
Could be a money move with a Vet perhaps?
16-0
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NJ – I wouldn’t put Daniels or Cam Johnson in the same class with RJF. Neither have played much against first team starters.
I jnow what you’re saying Spit, my point is that 7th Rd guys are always longshots.
Sometimes you can steal a gem like RJF of course.
BJ Daniels just might be a steal like that too. Time will tell.
I’m hopeful OT Luke Marquartdt will prove to be a gem for us also.
He came as an UDFA, which is why having those 7th Rd Picks can also be useful in taking some of those type of chances.
Little to no risk Picks with the potential for future reward if you can retain them and coach them up.
Best way to maintain depth and manage the budget too.
I’m sorry we lost Marcus Cooper.
Tall CBs with speed aren’t an easy commodity to locate.
NJ – Did you see our boy TE Ladarius Green in the Charger game? I remember we both liked him coming out of college as a 3rd or 4th rounder. Looks like he’s developing nicely. Too bad he plays for the Chargers. A lot to overcome there. But the kid’s a stud.
Bruce Miller is another steal for us as a 7th Round Pick too.
Yes I did Spit.
I also noticed one of my sleeper guys this year got dropped from Oakland.
DE David Bass.
I thought we might have taken a shot on him like we did with Cam.
Landing Lemonier was a stroke of luck in that regard.
I am happy we got Vance however, he was high on my TE wishlist.
No regrets with him and Eric Reid.
Patton too.
Suddenly our WR Group is looking pretty promising.
Let’s not forget Brian Jennings, Eric Johnson, Eric Heitmann and Kyle Kosier as past successes for us in the 7th Rd too.
Granted they go back a ways but, maybe guys like BJ, McDermott and Marquardt can return huge dividends for us also.
Harper can also fill Harbaugh in on what’s happening in Seahag land
You made me go back and look at the RJF 2009 Draft Class.
Quite the headscratcher in hindsight –
1 10 Michael Crabtree WR
3 10 Glen Coffee RB
5 10 Scott McKillop LB
5 35 Nate Davis QB
6 11 Bear Pascoe TE
7 10 Curtis Taylor S
7 35 Ricky Jean-Francois DT
But….2008 was even worse –
1 29 Kentwan Balmer DT
2 8 Chilo Rachal G
3 12 Reggie Smith CB
4 8 Cody Wallace C
6 8 Josh Morgan WR
7 7 Larry Grant OLB
Bruce Miller’s a good one, although he’d never have made an NFL team if it wasn’t for Harbaugh recognizing he could play FB. I think he could easily have been an undrafted free agent.
NJ, the amazing thing is that after two consecutive Crap on a Stick drafts like that, Harbaugh and Baalke were still able to turn things around so dramatically and quickly.
It all starts Thursday night! Sunday for us. I went camping last night to get it out of the way. I am ready for some football!
http://youtu.be/jGK4P_UD7a8
Quite amazing what a good GM can do for a Roster Grump.
Spit I had Bruce on my ‘List’ at his DE position.
Kudos to HarBaalke for seeing his athleticism to convert him to FB.
The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.
11-5
Other Dennis?
spit – 16-0 is a long shot but I think doable. Harbs is a great motivator and he seems to know his talent but he was still outcoached in a few games. You don’t need the cloud of dust when you have the weapons we have.
Winder – I think Harbaugh and his 49ers could one day go 16-0 if Harbaugh somehow gets the team moved into the AFC East.
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That said, Harbaugh still has a lot of work to do to find his own personally perfection – or at least sniff it. First off, he needs to care more about his players and not give other players the sense that he’s full of bs. I don’t know how the fleecing of Brooks and his contract was received (Divens knows) in the locker, and I haven’t seen anything about “making the T Brown contract right,” but you put all of that together with the recent claim by Seneca Wallace (right or wrong), that the team used him, and eventually guys get weary.
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Harbaugh also needs to dump the “Who’s got it better than us?” I hope he finds something new. How ’bout, “Dominate on 3?” That seems original.
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Regarding his personnel decisions, Harbaugh might be holding onto Frank Gore too long. Lattimore may prove to be a mistake. LaMicheal James is too small to run the ball consistently for me. That leaves us with Kendal Hunter, who I like a lot but going forward into 2014, we need more running backs in the stable.
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And Harbaugh must stop acting like a fool on the sidelines during games. He’s a baby. I love him, but, “Come on, man.”
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Last but not least, in big games Harbaugh must find a way to get his players loose and relaxed. We lost the Super Bowl because Harbaugh and the team were too tight and everyone made too many mental errors and foolish mistakes for 3 quarters of football. Quinton Patton is a jokester and that’s exactly what this team needs more of. Montana used to put jock itch powder in hair dryers. Walsh donned a bellman’s uniform. Patton lightens the mood, but Harbaugh needs a little more of that around campus. Pete Carroll is the exact opposite of Harbaugh. In fact, Carroll, in my opinion, is too loose. But Harbaugh is too uptight. Whichever guy finds the middle ground the fastest will be the guy who hoists the Lombardi trophy first. Pete needs to clamp down on the drug use, and he needs to create a more professional atmosphere in Seattle. Harbaugh needs to find jokesters and embrace them, recognizing that players play better when they’re having fun and not taking everything too seriously.
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Put all that together and move us to the AFC East and we’ll piss off the Dolphins and Shula somethin’ fierce.
Spitty
You were down on Frank Gore 3 years ago. My question is without Gore the Niners don’t win even 8 games.
Last two seasons Gore has rushed for 1211 yds and 1214 yds. Last year his average per carry went up .4 yds from 4.3 to 4.7.
Keep hammering this point and you’re bound to be right in another 3 years.
Three years ago this was a dumb assessment and remains dumb even today. Gore is very vital to the offense and is the heart and soul of the offense and we’re lucky to have Frank.
“Lattimore may prove to be a mistake.”
What an insightful comment bolstered by absolutely nothing to back it up. Do you know something that nobody else does here? I think this is just you throwing stuff up on the wall to see what sticks.
Fact of the matter the Niners took a risk drafting a first round talent that was hurt and basically redshirting Lattimore until he heals.
Deep rosters have this opportunity
and again most pundits agree that the Niners have a stable of running backs second to none in the NFL.
We now own 12 draft picks in the 2014 draft, PLUS one or more compensatory selections. Baalke will have ammunition to move around again.
Jameis Winston QB 6-4 227 freshman Fla State
was 25 of 27 for 356 yds and 4 TDs
against Pitt.
One of the best first games ever and a QB to keep an eye on.
RB is the least of this team’s worries. DB depth and how these WRs shake out are the biggest immediate concerns.
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The Super Bowl was lost in no small part to the absolute shitty coverage provided by our pro bowl FS Dashon Goldson. In the Atl game, the Packer game, and the Balt game, he was burned on play action and double moves for easy early scores. The D line by the Super Bowl was gassed and battered, and if not for the power outage (and subsequent rest) may have been scored upon more. Supposition? Sure, but nothing beats rest when you are tired.
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Nicest thing I saw all preseason was Reid step for step with the deep WR on the opening play vs Minn. Rarely did you see Goldson that close to a deep WR.
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As far as Harbauugh goes, well, whatever he’s doing is working thus far. No need to change things radically. I think he’ll find his footing as he moves along. He already appears a little less psychotic on the sidelines. Maybe it’s the glasses.
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The talk around T Brown and his contract has either cooled off, or been taken behind the scenes. Brown himself hoped to get it done before the GB game.
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This may prove to be a distraction after all.
I saw a link a while back – I think it was Pro Football Focus, but can’t remember for sure now – that said the guy on our defense, who graded out as the worst player on the field in the Super Bowl, was Justin Smith.
When arguably the best player on your team is so crippled by injury that he is now the weakest link, and you have no better options, you’re probably screwed right out of the gate. And having Aldon also hurt right next to him only magnified that.
Divens is officially a free agent and Okoye is now on IR.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2013/09/49ers-settle-with-divens-okoye-to-injured-reserve.html
A bit alarming to me is the fact that 2 guys drafted for D line depth (Tank and Dial) are both on the IR/Non-football injury list. I think they can both be activated after 6 weeks, but I have little idea if either will be healthy by then.
Giants released my SLO guys Ramses Barden. 6’6″, 224. Sign the guy for end zone fades.
We have ham last year, he catches the 3rd down pass from Kappy in the Super bowl . . .
Final reminder: both FF drafts are TONIGHT. 6PM for yahoo!, and 8PM over at ESPN. Good luck.
Shit, Am I in the yahoo league? ESPN? I can’t remember.
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Thank God for Autodraft . . .
You prognosticating this year, Chuck?
That’s like the old J.P. Morgan quote, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it.” “If you have to ask which FF league you’re in, you’re not gonna win it.”
You’re in the ESPN league if that helps any. That’s, OK. You can battle it out with Rob for the cellar. His FF wins are scarcer than an A.J. Jenkins reception.
Put me down for another 9-7. If there’s one thing I know, and know well, it’s hangovers. And I think we’re gonna suffer big time from the SB loss hangover. Makes me sick just thinking about it again. Time to make that hangover go away. Best solution? Pour yourself another drink.
I’m stuck between 12-4 and 11-5. The Niners have a tough early schedule, but should get stronger as the year goes on.
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If Seattle learns how to win on the road, the Niners may not get the division. Then again,. I don’t think they are as good as the Niners.
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12-4. Only because this’ll be Kappy’s emergence as a force in the NFL. I think we are going to pretty much ditch the read-option this year. I think they ditch the full deck, diamond dog, or whatever that 4-guys-in-the-backfield thing was called.
Dennis, I was the hands-down winner until Gronk went down.
And, good for you to get your belly-aching out of the way early. You really should be a Cowboy fan. How about the Jets?
If anyone is going to suffer from Super Bowl hangover, it’ll be Baltimore. They’ve lost a bunch of players and may have lost their hunger.
How about you, Bullit? Did I miss your pick?
I’ll go with 12-4 just like last year.
I got dibs on Kappy.
Can’t have Bullitt copy my pick.
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Change mine to 12-3-1.
Goddamn yahoo! still hasn’t opened up our draft lobby. How can I draft Alex if I can’t get in? Looks like I’ll have to roll right and throw it OB…
Dennis picks:
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QB : Alex Smith
RB: Michael Robinson
WR: AJ Jenkins
TE: Delanie Walker
It’s the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Offense!
OK. One down. One to go. Berger selected Kap with the 1st overall pk. Hope you didn’t jinx ’em. I got some of the guys I was targeting. NO Niners. You know me, I’m superstitious as all get out. No jinxing here. See those of who are also drafting over at ESPN in a few. Good luck.
Spit I think the guys in our Locker Room appreciate the focus Harbaugh brought to this Roster.
I agree, he’s over the top at times on the sidelines but, guys like Tuna were also extremely focused and out of control at times while doing his job.
Football players by and large appreciate discipline and a HC that exudes confidence.
Kaep is the straw that stirs the drink now.
No more wishy washy, aw-shucks, Gentleman Alex under Center.
Kaep is an assassin.
This is where the winning attitude comes into play.
A HC that delivers his message through his QB, while the QB stares down the Defense and goes at them, guns blazing.
Guys like Norv and Rex don’t win for that reason too.
Too much fun and not enough iron fist gets you 6-10 everytime.
Singletary brought plenty of discipline but,had no strategy to impart other than ‘keep pounding’.
The winners in the NFL find the pulse of their players and focus them on the mission.
We’re lucky to have a leader on the sidelines after too many years of ‘let’s give this a try’.
Much as we hated Jimmy Johnson, he got into his players’ heads.
If you can’t motivate a guy to fight for his last breath to stay alive, he’s not a guy you want playing beside you when it comes to staying alive or, giving everything, and then some, to achieve the prize.
I love stories like Patrick Willis and Ian Williams too.
Guys that fought like h3ll to overcome obstacles in their lives while keeping themselves hungry to be the best.
You can keep the the College pretty boys that are pampered and stroked all their lives only to flame out when it comes time to work.
Give me a 7th Rd guy with a chip on his shoulder or, a guy that grew up dirt poor and, appreciates what it means to earn an NFL wage anyday.
Greg Papa was talking about Nnamdhi saying he looks like the All Pro that played for the Raiduhs a couple of years ago and the Niners got a steal for what they’re paying him.
This coming from the voice of Raiduh Nation who has no love for the Niners.
Alex Smith every camp was said to be really in tune with things. Blah blah blah. It’s only talk . . . When he’s facing Aaron Rogers on 3rd and 7, I’m sure that Papa’s comforting words will be ringing in his head.
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http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t3DppaXz4-o&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dt3DppaXz4-o
Aldon Smith and Delanie Walker broke up a party at Aldon’s house in 2012 by firing guns in the air. Things that make you say, hmmmm!
Sunday kickoff can’t get here soon enough.
We have the Fox national game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsi9z8o4P6s
Yeah, just saw that, Bergs. Same party with the knife fight that Smith was in. My question is, why wait a year and a half to file suit?
If you ever get invited to a pro football player’s party, best to turn down the invite. All these heat packing idiots getting wasted in one place is a collateral damage waiting to happen. And you could be that damage.
skeebs mario manningham will be our #2 when he gets back
wow cam johnson is out
Where ya been, ROB?!?!?
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And what’s your prediction?
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Back in the day, football players just liked to do blow and hang out. . .
Skeebs, who gave me all kinds of HS when I wrote that TO was not a professional receiver?
Admit your mistakes sometimes and don’t be so harsh on scouts who have opinions?
RG III? You totally missed him.
I didn’t.
Huh?
Congratulations Skeebers! Your site just hit the top 500,000 for popularity in the last 30 days!
Skeebs, as far as wide receivers go, I compare them to horses.
First, you check their teeth to determine their real age.
Then you saddle them to check their demeanor.
It’s a process.
A good wide receiver is just like a good horse.
He loves the ride as much as you do.
New post is up.