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Bigalke said 07/08, 08:22 PM
San Francisco has retooled to the point where they can contend in a weak division. In reality, this is every team's division to lose... none look like strong contenders. However, San Francisco is at least attempting to give its young QB the tools -- through coaching & free agency -- to get better. The O-line needs some quick growth, but the skill is there on both sides of the ball...

The 3-13 St. Louis Rams are not any significantly better. Beyond Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger -- both players who have battled injuries in recent years -- there is little to glow about. Torry Holt has bum knees and is a shell of his former self. Isaac Bruce is now with the 49ers. Drew Bennett keeps decreasing in production. How many more plays can they get out of Orlando Pace?

They too have a new O-coordinator... but he has far fewer tools with which to work. If Bulger goes down, not a wholly unlikely scenario, is Trent Green really the answer?!

San Francisco has the better look on both sides of the ball, and has made the effort to improve their team coming off a 5-11 season where they went 3-3 in division. The Rams are aging further from their glory & will be at the bottom of the NFC West.

Bigalke said 07/09, 09:26 AM
Do I think Smith or Hill are better than a healthy Bulger? No... but do I think we will see a healthy Bulger? The Rams' QB has had injury woes two of the past three seasons. I'd rather have Smith or Hill, furthermore, than Bulger's oft-concussed backup, Trent Green...

As you say, "Bulger was hurt and when he was healthy, the OL couldnt help protect him, leading to some costly INT's"... and then you assert that THREE ROOKIE O-LINEMEN are going to be the answer to all his troubles?! You try to say the 49ers shuffling their line is a detriment, but that when the Rams do it this becomes a positive? At least SF has people with NFL experience trying to protect Smith/Hill...

As far as receivers, Holt is a shell of his former self. He had the fewest YAC of his career last year, his receiving average continues to drop year after year, and Bennett will not provide the same fright to defenses as Bruce used to to free up Torry. Bennett was never the MAN in Tennessee... he has had ONE 1000-yard receiving season in his career, coming three years BEFORE he went to St. Louis...

Again, depending too much on rookies always backfires...


The Rams will finish last

Bigalke said 07/09, 10:18 AM
You are right, Bell isn't a rookie... but the others ARE. I read and REREAD what you said, and it still seems foolhardy to depend on a young O-line to protect a beleaguered QB with recurring injury problems.

Yes, you look at Holt's numbers for the past two seasons and he looks fine... but if you look further back than that, when the decline started, you see his YPC have dropped consistently the past four seasons... his receiving numbers are DOWN. He's 32, he has knee problems... he's NOT the same guy he once was...

In the end, you fail to refute ANYTHING I say about your choice of team here. Why? Because it is readily apparent that San Francisco is taking meaningful steps to improve its roster and its chances in a weak division. The Rams, meanwhile, have a vastly-depleted WR group, their QB is injury prone and his backup is a hit away from a lobotomy. Jackson, if healthy, provides ONE weapon... but if Bulger is not protected by that YOUNG O-line, who will get it to the former Beaver?

Both teams have new coordinators... but only one has a chance of IMPROVING its situation from last season. That team is the 49ers...