2008 49ers Season Preview Part III
When I am wrong I am more then willing to admit it, in fact I have eaten crow quite emphatically more then a few times in my 34 years. If I am wrong about something I want to know about it so that I might be allowed to correct myself and endear myself to you the reader. Truth be told though I honestly don’t place much stock in whether or not someone approves of me or my opinion. I am not here to make friends, in fact I don’t even like friends, they’re overrated. No, I am here to state my opinions and do my best to give insight into the sport of football in general and the San Francisco 49ers in particular.
So allow me to be the first to say that I was wrong, at least for now, in my earlier assessment of one John Thomas O’ Sullivan. I recently stated that I did not believe the journeyman quarterback possessed the necessary skills to lead this or any other team on the field. Being bounced around the league like a diseased hot potato will elicit that form of thought in coaches and fans alike. I failed to fathom how if a man did indeed possess the intangibles and overall athletic ability to be named a starting quarterback in the NFL, he could be overlooked for so long. How did so many coaches and GM’s miss on this amazing talent by signing him and subsequently releasing him a few months or a few years later? This was my take on the JTO show landing in the bay earlier this year.
O’Sullivan was never expected to challenge for the starting position, that war was supposed to be waged between former first overall pick Alex Smith and JT’s fellow team jumper, Shaun Hill. If the spring mini-camps and OTA’s were any indication that is exactly how it would have been played out once training camp opened. It transpired that way at first with Smith and Hill taking the lion’s share of the first team snaps in practice and O’Sullivan being relegated to working with the practice squad. Something happened shortly thereafter, Smith began showing signs of confusion and not knowing where his receivers were going to be at on any given play. Then Hill was said to have a sore and tired arm causing the coaching staff to require him to take a few days off. The rest is history as O’Sullivan was almost immediately placed with the first team offense and has not looked back since.
I say this only because it has been and is my inclination to have Smith starting when the season opens up in less then one week. I was never sold on O’Sullivan as any form of long term solution to the quarterbacking woes of this team, I’m still not. However after his performance in Chicago against the vaunted Bears defense I do believe that JTO gives this team the best chance to win out of the three men we have on the roster now. That of course could change as the season trudges on and Smith learns more of the offense and increases his aptitude on the field. He had better be ready to do so just in case O’Sullivan fails to produce and the fans are clamoring for him to start once again. Overall I am not as worried about JT getting the starting nod for week one as I was just a few weeks ago but that is not to say that I am completely sold on him either.
Now onto the matter at hand, games 9-12 of the upcoming season.
November 10, 2008 – @ Arizona
The second meeting of the season between these teams and the importance of the match-up will very much depend on where they are record wise when the game takes place. Will either or both of them be in the running for the NFC West title at midseason or will they be manning their usual position as bottom feeders in the division? While I have no discernable way to ascertain what the answer to that question is, I always give my best effort in attempting to give an accurate depiction of what I think is going to happen. I see this game going squarely in the 49ers favor as the offense should be running strong by this time and the defense anchored by Willis will be ranked in the top 10 overall. The Cardinals won’t go quietly however being that they are at home for this contest and will have a certain amount of revenge to exact from their division rivals. In the end it won’t matter as Gore puts up another great game and the defense stymies Warner and Co. 49ers 34 Cardinals 17
November 16 – vs. St. Louis
Believe it or not this is the first meeting of the season between the 49ers and Rams, I can’t remember the last time these teams had their initial game so late in the season. A great deal will already be determined when this game takes place, most importantly whether or not either team was able to capitalize on the new season and improve on a 2007 season that saw both fall well short of their own expectations. The Rams were able to convince running back Steven Jackson to get his tail into camp and quarterback Marc Bulger is somewhat healthy as the season opener approaches so barring anymore setbacks, they should be ready to face a very different 49ers team. San Francisco’s receiving corps will be sporting a look that the Rams secondary has not seen before as Isaac Bruce faces the only other team he has ever played for and newcomer Bryant Johnson presents a new look as well. 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz will also be squaring off against his former team and attempts to show them the mistake they made in letting him go before the 2006 season. This game should hinge on defensive play and the ability for either team to get off the field on third downs as two potent offenses will have the ability to make it a long day for their opponent. 49ers 21 Rams 17
November 23, 2008 – @ Dallas
There was a time when the outcome of this game might have been a tough call. Not so much in 2008 as the Cowboys are being predicted by many to not only win their division but the Super Bowl as well. Quarterback Tony Romo leads a high powered offense and has a bevy of weapons to target when he is on the field. Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton give Romo big reliable targets at receiver and now that Marion Barber is taking over as the main option at running back there will be more continuity there. On defense Dallas will have somewhat of a new look at Adam “Pacman” Jones has been cleared by the league to play for the Cowboys this season. Along with linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Zach Thomas and defensive tackle Tank Johnson (if he can stay out of trouble) this unit should be able to keep opposing offenses at bay this season. The 49ers will be pressed to get stellar play from the offensive line and quarterback positions as Dallas will no doubt be stacking their line upfront in an attempt to stop Frank Gore and the running game. By all estimations the Niners will be lucky to keep this game close after the first half. Cowboys 28 49ers 17
November 30, 2008 – @ Buffalo
For the second week in a row the 49ers travel to unfriendly confines as they face off against the Buffalo Bills in week 12. Not much has been given to Buffalo in terms of finishing any higher then third in the AFC East this season, much the same way that the 49ers have been graded out for 2008. Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is poised for another excellent season after amassing 1,115 yards on the ground and seven scores in 2007. The Bills will be starting second-year quarterback Trent Edward this season as he managed to push ahead of incumbent J.P. Losman in the training camp battle this summer. Josh Reed and Lee Evans are serviceable receivers who should make like a little easier for Edwards as well as give Lynch some room to run when spreading the field. The Bills lack any big name starters on defense save for linebacker Paul Posluszny and as such they ranked 31st against the pass and 25th against the rush in 2007. Unless their defense suddenly gets an infusion of talent look for more of the same from them this season and for the 49ers to have a productive day on the ground and in the air this week. 49ers 34 Bills 17
Come back later this week where we will look at the remaining four games of 2008 as the 49ers attempt to make a playoff push!
Current projected record: 7-5
Filed Under: Commentary • Featured
I agree with jordan. 
Did you forget about his horrific injury? It's not just a hammy pull or something, it's the kind of injury ...
Your favored player is Steve Young? And Alex Smith? What you smokeing boy? Next year this time Smith will be ...
I agree with your comments. Finally someone who gets it. You're a niner fan I actually agree with.(I hate most ...
Jerry,you can’t start this thing and just up and leave.To many innocent people will be slaughtered.It will be worse than vietnam when Pol Pot massacred 2 million people after we left.Should we have been in vietnam in the first place?No,but you have to finish what you start.We need to finish this thing.
no he won’t, Clinton didn’t. Its time to quit spreading the
fear card.
Adam Bush 1 was the person that left all the South Vietnameese to be slaughtered. There gonna keep killing
each other weather were there or not. You don’t win
religous wars.
And jerry,if Hillary woud have won the nomination,I would just say that I didn’t agree with any of her politics.At least she’s a tough American women.Her politics are all fucked up,but she’s an American.Obama is a fucken terorrist man.The sayin goes,when you wanna see the true presidential canidate,don’t look at what their doin now,lookwhat they dod 5 years ago.Man that guy is the most unamerican jerk i have ever seen.He never used to put his hand over his heart when the National Anthem was on,and he stiil won’t wear and American flag pin on his suit.Goto youtube and type in his name and listen to some of the shit he had to sat about our country.
No fear card bro.The facts card.
thats the problem. The last 8 years the US has been in a
downward spiral. You must be in 6 or 7 figure club. Obama
is as American as anyone else in this country.
how the hell did this turn into a discussion about politics??
nicely said adam, electing obama would be disastrous, hes gonna pull out of iraq and the counrty will coplase, leadin to another terriorist regime, democrats are like hippes….”peace and love duuuuude” those terriorist dont give a shit about us being in iraq, they attacked ther twin towers before that, and oh ya, cliton had a chance to kill bid laden, but he choose not to,….great move buddy……….just listen to mcain, hes the man, the democrats almost abolished our 2nd amendement a couple months ago…remeber?
Its an election year. I’m gonna let you guys enjoy
this bullshit session.
The comments section of this blog is turning into a hot steaming pile of political BULLSHIT.
yea im supposed to go, my uncle has season tix and he said he was going to give me a few for me and the wife. his tix lets you stay in one of the boxes.
man all this political talk..i feel responsible for this..haha.. sorry guys didnt mean to start it. ill try to keep it Niner news from now on.
While I’m not a fan of either Obama or Mccain. I think Obama will win the election btwn the 2 of them if anything its going to be b/c Mccain wants to keep us in Iraq for years and years to come. While I don’t think we should pull out 123 i do think a steady decrease in our troops would be nice. I myself have quite a few friends who are over there right now and who have served multiple tours over there already.
However I think in the end its obama’s VP Biden who becomes president within 1-2 years B/c while i hate to say it. I think we all know its true or have atleast all thought that something like it could happen. Thats assasination..Would hate for something like that to happen and hate to play race card but you know gonna be atleast 1 attempt b/c of that simple factor..
But again I’m not a fan of either. Don’t like Mccain being so pro war. and don’t like fact that Obama seems to walk around the economy questions. Nothing straight out just kind of walks around the question without being direct about a plan to turn the economy around..
I would love love love love for a candidate to just turn around and say straight out I dont know. But I’ll find out. Or I haven’t formulated a plan yet but one is in the process of being put together.. b/c hell atleast thats honest. Half the crap they spew is rubish anyway.
Anyway, Lets get rid of politics and jump back to football. All hear to discuss Niners so lets get back to that
One thing to clear up though..ive got mad respect for the former POW. I just dont want the same old Bush politics. I can forgive Obama for not putting his hand on his heart, hes trying hard now to be a true American. I just dont support this war any longer. Now we got Russia to deal with. Biden has 30 years of foreign affairs experience, the lady from Alaska has none. She is one step from running our country. An ex-beauty queen and a fisherman will be running our country. That would be disastrous. Well see in November though. Other than that…Go Niners..lets go kick some Cardinal Ass!
Adam, good point about Vietnam. We should finish in Iraq, i agree, but my connections tell me the main problem is identifying the enemy. That shit is impossible and we will be losing too many americans. Lets not abruptly leave, but i dont want a president who supports us being there another 100 years.
I think that comment by McCain was to Shore up the far right vote.I don’t think he meant it literally.Enough polititcs.Niner Pundit it’s an election year.One wrong word and it’s a whole differant discussion.I’ll keep it on football from now on.
And by the way Snyder is starting at Left Gaurd.For now at least.
I really hope Lelie doesnt light it up with the Raiders.
Niner Pundit why did you delete my last post?
Nah,I think Lelie will be invisible on the Raiders.Like I said before I think if they would have kept Lelie it would have been at Marcus Hudson’s expense.So fuck em.We don’t need him when we have 2 TE’s that can play reciever.
But what does interest me is how the Cards signed Brandon Moore and then released him soon after.I wonder if they picked his brain about our D,then released his ass.
AND GOD SAID LET THERE BE PEACE AT 49ERSNEWS.COM!!!
Adam…I didn’t delete anything. Believe me if I deleted anything, I’d be deleting 200 comments in this comment section not related to Niner football….
OK,lemme try this again.Check out this comment by Nolan..LMFAO.
“He’s just got a calf [injury]. He should practice tomorrow. He’s got two calves, one is sore.”
does anyone no who’s starting in rolb and in free safety. cant find the lineups.
Free safety will be Mark Roman.And Rolb will be a combination of Justin Smith,Roderick Green,and TBC.
damn! mark roman. i thaught goldson would get the start. can cover more ground and can knock the snot out of recievers nose.
The Cardinals have lost seven of their past eight regular-season openers. Lets make that 8 of their past niner this Sunday. Go Niners!
Other NFL news: I cant believe Chad Johnson has legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco. NFL has recognized the change and will allow him to wear it on his jersey from now on. With Bruce getting old and Johnson signed to a short term deal, could Ocho Cinco possibly fit in Martz’s offense if he decides he doesnt want to play for Cincy again?
ocho nocho. i hope not. what’s roy williams’ contract status. he seems to have some character. i have seen a few interviews with him and he seems to have a level head. we all know he can make some plays. i’d like to see him come aboard. but again i havent looked into his contract and what not.
I can remember reading something about Roy Williams wanting to be traded out of Detroit.But I think they wanted a 1st rounder for him and nobody was willing to give that.But I would love to have R.Williams here.I would love to have Chad johnson,but he is just one wierd dude.How are you gonna change your name to a number.Its like me changing my name to Adam 49.
did you guys hear about tatum bell jacking rudi johnson’s luggage. i guess he was cut and then they signed rudi johnson to take his place. so tatums dumb ass jacked his luggage. and they got him on camera. what a loser
chad johnsons just a idiot, and hahahahahahahaha about tatem bell stealin the luggage