Well, here we are, after the ecstasy of the playoffs, the agony of the Super Bowl, the anticipation of the draft, the tedium of the offseason, and the intense hyperbole of the fans, poised on the start of the 2013 season. Beyond the fact that Dennis may expire due to the excitement of seeing Peyton Manning hand the ball off three times before he retires to the sidelines, this game could very well be a precursor to a game in February. I can’t stand Denver, I don’t think Manning will get that far (and beating Denver in another Super Bowl would be spectacular), but they certainly had their shot last year, if not for the epic playoff fail vs Balt.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, there are some issues to iron out in this preseason. Mainly who will step up to become the wide receivers on this team? Bouldin and ? KW is off the PUP list, but is not a bona fide #2 at this point. AJ Jenkins is still buried on the depth chart. The rest are either young, untested, or damaged goods. Manningham is still PUPped. Crabs of course is more than likely out til December.
RB is more than good to go. Gore is rested and ready. LMJ is strong as well. Kendall Hunter is hurt, as is Marcus Lattimore, but Dixon and Hampton are fine if unspectacular backups. TE is set with VD and VM. I’m curious to see how he does in his blocking assignments. The line remains pretty much intact. They even got perennial backup Adam Snyder back from AZ.
Defensively we get to see how the loss of Dashon Goldson affects the defense. Culliver is out. Eric Reid and Nnamdi Asomuaga take their spots. Rogers and Whitner are coming off fairly non-productive seasons, and Tarrell Brown is coming off a contract screwup of epic proportions. He may be the key to the future of the defensive backfield going forward (and my hope is they renegotiate a deal for him this year) as Rogers and Whitner will not return. But that’s a topic for another day.
It’ll be interesting to watch for guys like rookies Corey Lemonier and Vance McDonald. Eric Reid certainly will get a lot of playing time. I’m also interested in seeing Ice’s replacement Ian Williams up front. I’d also like to see if Dorsey can play, and if this D line can gain needed depth. That won’t be known for a while though. Preseason heroes are a dime a dozen.
ST? Well, the Niners brought in Phil (don’t call me Richard) Dawson after the debacle that the Joe Nedney season turned into.
Other than that, the Niners would be very happy to dodge the injury bug that raced through the team in practice.
Forty Niners Forever 
It’s live contact play to win football finally.
Though it’s Pre Season, I’m looking forward to the guys trying to make an impact.
These games are typically boring, bland and, outright vanilla by nature however.
A kid I’ve seen a little of is CB Marcus Cooper from Rutgers.
Long shot 7th RD pick but, I love his size.
Kilgore trying to take the job from Goodwin should be interesting too.
Okoye? Major project.
Parys? Can he hold off the youngsters?
Just show some rhythm and execution.
Above all, stay healthy.
Please don’t get hurt…..etc.
Its like Gameday! only weaker. Still a big step up over which cap Kap is wearing.
Or what clothes he ain’t wearing. . .
Yeah, what a bunch of crap we’ve had to endure so far this year. Hope’s are high and all’s right with the world. Let’s play some ball.
Football is back! Well, sort of. It’s mostly the future Home Depot employee vs the future UPS driver, but they’re still hittin’ each other.
Preston Riley!
God will punish you for that. I’d go to confession if I were you.
Penitent: Bless me Father for I have sinned. It’s been one year since my last confession. I’ve used the Lord’s name in vain. Committed adultery. Forgot to keep the sabbath holy. I’ve even murdered a man. But then I went and uttered the name P****** R**** in mixed 49er company.
Fr.: I can absolve you from the first four offenses my Son. But you’re screwed with that last one.
Eric Wright was just signed by the Niners. Commence kvetching, Dennis.
Funny thing is, they got their draft choice back, and still got the guy. Although he was immediately put on the non-football injury list. Which means he’s drying out? I don’t know how much of a help he’ll be, but he takes the place of Perrish Cox as the 5th DB as Cox moves up the depth chart.
Whole lot of weirdness going on. Too many injuries and shit Got to come out of this game healthy.
Looking forward to some football.. Stay healthy please.
Hey! Good to have you back, Chico . . .
Thanks.. It’s letting me comment now..
Get some reps in, see who stands out for bench players, and nobody gets hurt. That is all you need from this pre-season BS. They should have two of these only. One about a week from now after a few weeks in camp, then a two week space until the final one. If you can’t figure out who the players are by then, the coaches aren’t trying. It’s just a money maker, and an injury maker…
That’s just it, the newbies and trying to make the team and become starters so they go all out. the vets know they are in like Flint so they just go out and play causal.
Three guys I’ll try and key on tonight…
Ian Williams at NT. Getting rave reviews in camp. Berger tells me he’s a 3-down player as he can rush the QB in the 4-3. We’ll see…LMJ at RB, and more importantly, watching him return punts. Assuming he catches ’em first. Been a fan of his since his first snap as a Duck. Eric Reid at S. Didn’t like the pick one iota. Wasn’t impressed w/ his coverage skills at LSU. But for the love of Christ, all he has to do is beat out Craig Dahl to win the starting job.
I am interested in see how our OL is after the starters exit. So far all I’ve heard is good things, if we can maintain a strong Oline I think the sky is the limit. i would really like to see the speed of the Defense with all the new DE’s and OLB’s. Should be fun.
Liking what I’m seeing from my Duck, LMJ on this first drive.
Quack. Quack.
He looks stronger to me, hits harder and not bouncing off like last year.
Gotta luv these pre-season games. Garbage time starts in the late first quarter…
Yikes. 2 fumbles in 2 series.
AJ Jenkins. At least he caught a ball, I wasn’t sure he could. Too bad he immediately fumbled it away to Denver…
Backup pass rush looks good.
Tolzein isn’t looking very good. Colt’s safe. FOr now.
And McDonald with the drop. He alligatored it.