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 
That’s one thing that sucks here. Without NFL Network, which I refuse to pay for, we only get Broncs and Cowboys games.
You guys keep me posted, and I love it.
423 Manchester. That’s the address to the Playboy mansion FYI. Don’t try going there without an invite.
Beats the hell out of the new swamp on my porch after I just got done cleaning up the last one.
More rain here in the last month then we’ve had in at least 6 years.
I’ll try to keep up, but the weather’s made it impossible. I’ll be ready for the season. I’m in training.
You can usually catch games on the internet RT. Quality is not the best but watchable usually.
Hunter is practicing again. Hope he is in one piece…he is important to the whole puzzle.
Tough injury for a RB, can’t think of an instance where a RB has resumed his career at the same level from an achilles can anyone else?
Let’s hope Hunter can.
Come to think of it I can’t name one. I strained an achilles once and it took me 18 months before that leg was pain free. Of course I didn’t have the care that a 49er does but nonetheless that is one badass tendon to injure. I just strained it, didn’t tear it. (I think)
If Hunter can make it back and perform…two things will be clear…he is a tough S.O.B. and…I should have went to a different doctor.
Makes me laugh, the Smith/Kapernick comparo is on and since Smith went 80 yds and a TD on his opening drive he was, by insinuation better than Kap, who also went 80 yds and a FG.
WTF, Kap went 4 for 4 and ran for another down, in other words he was perfect.
Glad Smith had success so far, hope it continues both for his sake and the Niners improved pick but give it a rest with the Smith is better than Kap bullshit. A) he ain’t on this team anymore and B) Kap played better than Smith in most categories.
ITS OVER.
OK so Kap went 62 yds but you get the point capisce?
I concur…Kaepernick has tools that should make him elite. Of course he will have to prove it this year, and I think he will, but each QB in the league has their own “something”. Is Kap better than Manning? Roethlesburger? In my opinion he could be.
In my mind his football sense, good health, fitness, and youth makes him “better” than anyone else…this year at least. Nothing matters more than the win/loss record though. I know some will crucify me with my own words, but I couldn’t think of anyone else I would rather have than Kaepernick. I say this while also knowing he has yet to complete a full season as the starter.
Reserve me a cross next to yours, I think Kap has a viable chance to be the best and I would keep him over all the other good young guns out there.
Pass the nails.
It will never end, 12th. Especially on skeebs blog.
Funny you should say…
Eric Reid apparently suffered a ‘mild’ back injury in practice today. No other word.
kid looked good for his first outing I thought.
Haralson looks like he is coming back strong too. That would be a big bonus for that Defense.
They kept 3 OLB last year, I think they keep 5 this year. Haralson is a heck of a backup to have. He is starting caliber.
Hampton is a bit of a disappointment so far. If reports are right his blitz pick up is sub par. That kid can run and is a load but If he can’t get up to speed with his blocking he is a gonzo. Dixon is playing good ball at the moment too.
Niners have their replacement for Soap. Ian Williams looked solid and got good push into the pocket. Don’t see Dorsey winning that battle but he should be a good rotation guy along the line.
Yeah, Williams did well. As did Reid. McDonald had a couple drops, but did pretty well. Didn’t really see much of Dorsey.
McDonald has huge potential, he needs to use the juggs machine every spare minute but even as is he looks like an even trade for Walker.
New thread is up.