SportsCrack

San Francisco 49ers Year in Review

The 2007 NFL football season has been great. Although I can’t remember a football season that I didn’t enjoy, this year was so chock full of headlines and interesting stories, it would take days to cover them all. Throw in my first full season of NFL Sunday Ticket, and you’ve got yourself a good time. Anyway, I’ve taken it upon myself to pick a few random NFL teams, and take a look at their season as well as a look ahead to what’s in store for them next year. We’ve all been talking about the playoff teams so much; I’ve felt the need to write about some of the non-playoff teams. Call it a swan song of football before I jump into writing about basketball, if you will. Anyway, today’s team: The San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers started out the 2007 season as the trendy sleeper pick of the pre-season. They were coming off an improved 2006 performance and signed many key free agents including CB Nate Clements and WR Ashley Lelie. Frank Gore was coming off a fantastic year (1695 rushing yards, 8 TD’s) and Alex Smith appeared to be maturing into the starting QB role after an equally impressive 2^nd year in the NFL (2890 passing yards, 16 TD’s 74.8 QB rating).

The 49ers started out 2007 with an impressive come from behind victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the second Monday Night Game of the evening. Although the offense was stagnant for the most part, many were optimistic about it all, concluding that the Niners could come from behind and win close ball games. Not to mention, it was a divisional victory and who complains about divisional victories, right?

The optimism continued in Week 2 as the 49ers squeaked out another close win in St. Louis 17-16. Alex Smith again had a mediocre showing, but Frank Gore rushed for a respectable 80 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 2-0 49ers could easily have been 0-2, but they were not – and there defense was playing fantastic. 49er fans were beginning to think that all of the preseason hype was beginning to look legit and they did indeed have a playoff caliber team.

However, it was at this time boys and girls that the wheels began to fall off the 49er bandwagon. They dropped six straight leaving them at 2-6 and looking at a Monday Night match up against their division rival, The Seattle Seahawks. During this nationally televised game, the 49ers were shutout 24-0, in one of their poorest showings in franchise history. They would not win again until Week 12, an overtime thriller against the Arizona Cardinals. But by then, it was too late.

During the final five weeks of the season, the 49ers would go 2-3, beating the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They finished the season 5-11 and are generally regarded as the biggest disappointment of the entire season, when taking into account pre-season predictions. After last years run at the NFC West title, the 49ers were outclassed by the front running Seattle Seahawks in both games this year, being outscored 47-3.

There is a lot to look forward to next year, though. Patrick Willis, the 49ers first round draft pick won defensive rookie of the year honors. Frank Gore, while not having his best of years in 2007, is still relatively young and can only get better. While the defense isn’t anything to write home about, you’d be a fool to think it can’t be tweaked a bit and be a top 10 unit.

2007 Team Leaders

Passing

T. Dilfer - 113 completions, 219 attempts, 1166 yards, 7 TD, 12 INT

Rushing

F. Gore - 260 carries, 1102 yards, 4.2 average, 5 TD

Receiving

A. Battle – 50 receptions, 600 yards, 12.0 average, 5 TD

Defense

P. Willis – 135 solo tackles, 39 assisted tackles, 4 sacks

One of the big questions going into the off season for the 49ers is what to do at the quarterback position. Will they stick with Alex Smith? Perhaps they will give Shaun Hill a chance? This is a topic in and of itself (one in which I will be writing about next) but you can’t rule out the 49ers taking a QB in the draft, either. Alex Smith has appeared to hit a stopgap talent wise, but he could still get better. It is however, a major concern that the organization will have to address for the team to live up to its true potential.

One of the most glaring needs for the 49ers is of course, the wide receiver position. Darrel Jackson is in no way a #1 receiver and Ashley Lelie did not live up to expectations at all in 2007. This could again be because of the inconsistency at the QB position (the team started 4 different QB’s during the season) or the 49ers could need better receivers. I believe it is a mixture of both.

If the 49ers focus on a promising younger receiver, possibly a quarterback and depth on defense in the draft, they have a realistic shot at accomplishing next year what they were supposed to this year. We’ll all just have to wait and see.

Playoff Interview Special: Green Bay Packers

As you all know, I've been interviewing fans of particular playoff teams over the past week or so. This editions interviewee is Alex Holowczak, a very respected member of the http://armchairgm.com community.

Football Crack (FC) Be honest: Did you want Brett Favre to retire at the conclusion of last year’s season?

Alex: I wanted Brett Favre to play on, because I thought that Favre was better than Rodgers. I still think he is better than Rodgers. I do think he should retire at the end of this season, though. 2007 was his last hurrah, and it would be great if he got to another Super Bowl.

(FC) I ended up taking Priest Holmes with my last free agent pickup in my fantasy league (I know, I know) although I almost took Ryan Grant. Do you think he’s for real? What do you think he’ll do next season?

Alex: I honestly don't know. I think next year will be more of an indication. Everyone thought Larry Johnson was unbelievable when he started out, but he dipped in form in his second real year. I certainly believe he is Green Bay's Number 1 at RB. Brandon Jackson was horrible, although Deshawn Wynn was good too. I would wait until next season before passing judgement. Of course, he could just be benefiting from a good O-line.

(FC) What do you drink, if anything during Packer games?

Alex: I drink Fruit Juice - I usually watch them on NFL.com with the scrolling scoreboard. I can't really pop down the road to Lambeau Field.

(FC) Out of the rookies that played this season, who is your Green Bay Packer Rookie of the Year?

Alex: James Jones. He could be potentially a great NFL reciever. I've also been hugely impressed with Mason Crosby though, but I suppose I'd have to go with Jones because kickers always get overlooked. Both are on my keeper league, and I'm glad to have them!

(FC) Do you own a pair of Wrangler jeans?

Alex: Do I own Wrangler jeans? As it happens, no. But then, I don't own any jeans...

(FC) What’s your prediction for the Packers/Seahawks game?

Alex: I think the Packers are too good for the Seahawks, especially at Lambeau Field. I think we are stronger on both sides of the ball, and I would like to think we can beat Seattle. I also hope we win, because SSreporters was very cocky in the Seahawks-Redskins game, so I'd like it to be the Packers that end the Seahawks dreams.

(FC) What about your prediction for the year? Do you think they can beat the Patriots?

Alex: Can we beat the Patriots? No. But I think Indianapolis can if they get the chance too. I think Green Bay can beat Indianapolis, but not New England. I can't see us beating Dallas though in Dallas. So I think our challenge may end in Dallas if we have to go there.

(FC) I’m going to be honest: at the beginning of the season when the Packers started off hot, I kept predicting week after week that they would eventually fall off and suck for the rest of the season. Yes, I’m retarded, I know. What was the general Packers fan consensus going into this season? Were you surprised that they were doing so well?

Alex: I think 2006 was a good rebuilding year. 8-8 with an inexperienced squad was a good achievement. 2007 just built on it. Last year's players were all 1 year more experienced, and I think it helped a lot. They got to grips with the gameplan more than they did last year. Brett Favre said the team was hugely talented, and it seems like he was right. I personally didn't think we'd do this well, maybe make the playoffs, but they've exceeded my expectations. I thought the Pack would do well because the schedule was fairly easy to them, especially compared to our division rivals.

(FC) How did you become a fan of the Packers?

Alex: Madden 2000, I picked a random team, and it was the Packers.

(FC) How do you watch Packers games since you live in the U.K.?

Alex: I watch most on NFL.com. In the regular season, we get Sunday and Monday night games live, so if the Pack play then, I'll record them and watch the following evening. The evening games start at 3am ish. The 1pm ET starts are 6pm here, so they are easy enough to track on NFL.com. The Super Bowl will be live, so I would watch that if the Pack were in it. But even that would finish at nigh on 3am. And I have to be up at 5:30.

(FC) Who is the MVP of the 2007-08 Green Bay Packers?

Alex: Brett Favre, without a shadow of a doubt. He's been exceptional.

(FC) This has absolutely nothing to do with sports, I’m sorry, but whenever I talk to someone who is from the U.K. I ask them this. What is your favorite U.K. candy bar? What about your favorite American candy bar? Have you had that chocolate bar with the little air bubbles in it?

Alex: Little air bubbles in it? I can remember "Aeros", if that's what you mean. They're nice, I must admit. To be fair, if you say the phrase "candy bar" to anyone in Britain, you're liabel to have "stupid Yank", or phrases to that extent thrown back at you. On similar lines, it's a good job you don't have to spell favourite in front of them! But my favourite sweets... Well, I live in the Black Country, it's an old industrial heartland. If you google maps it, and look at the UK, type in Dudley, West Midlands, and I live about a mile away from that. Fairly near to Birmingham. The Black Country is famous for having traditional confectioners, and they produce a lot of good "sweets". Hard-boiled, mainly. I'm thinking of "Strawberries and Cream", "Blackcurrent and Raspberries", "Pear drops", "cola bites", and other such things along those lines. Favourite American "candy"? I don't really know which confectioners are American. Also, Birmingham is the home of "Cadbury", who are the most famous chocolate manufacturers over here. Unless "Rowntrees" are American, because Fruit Gums, or Fruit Pastilles are quite popular. Haribo, are they American? They sell well, too.

Aero chocolate = Delicious

(FC) What would the motto be for the Packers 2007-08 season off the top of your head? Real quick!

Alex: Brett Favre's last hurrah.

(FC) Excellent answers Alex, thank you for your time!

NFL Runners-Up Playoff Tournament

This whole thing in no way exists, obviously; I just got the idea because I was getting bored by all the current NFL playoff teams. Not bored in the sense that I don’t want to talk about them, think about them or write about them anymore – I just missed some of the other teams, I guess. So, in the interests of… I don’t know, anyone who cares I guess, let us take a look at the NFL runners up tournament.

The NFL NIT tournament is constructed the same way the normal playoff system is. The number 1 and 2 seeds in each conference get a bye week, 3 plays 6, 4 plays 5 – why am I explaining this, you all get the idea, right?

Since some divisions had two or even three teams that made the playoffs, there will be no ‘division’ winners getting the 3 and 4 seeds since well, that just doesn’t seem right. So, all of the seeds will be determined strictly by their records and tiebreakers will be handled in typical NFL fashion, turning to records against that particular opponent, conference records and all that other good stuff. Also, this whole thing can gauge how much your team sucks, because if they don’t make this tournament, than well, they didn’t have a very good year. Sorry.

After the seeds and games are out of the way, I’m going to pick who I think would win. Yes there will be an upsets – just like in real football! Thus, you may or may not agree with who I think would win any given game. If not, I’m sorry and just say so in the comments -- you can even call me names, I have a pretty thick skin. I made up the scores, too because well, it only seemed right.

Anyway, enough bull-ish rules let’s begin!

First off, the seeds:

AFC

1. Cleveland
2. Houston
3. Buffalo
4. Cincinnati
5. Denver
6. Baltimore

NFC

1. Philadelphia
2. Minnesota
3. Arizona
4. Carolina
5. New Orleans
6. Detroit

Wild Card Round

Baltimore @ Buffalo – Buffalo wins 27-6. Baltimore lost 9 of their last 10 games. In short: They suck.

Detroit @ Arizona – Arizona wins 23-17. This would actually be a pretty good match up. However, Detroit didn’t have a great second half of the season whereas Arizona was consistent throughout.

Denver @ Cincinnati – Cincinnati wins 21-17. Another pretty good match up. However, Denver was 2-6 away from Mile High and as much as Cincinnati underachieved this year, I think they would pull out a win at home.

New Orleans @ Carolina – New Orleans wins 30-16. I’m sorry, but unless Jake Delhomme is QB, I can’t take Carolina too seriously. Even then it's a stretch, especially with David Carr’s white gloves somewhere in the stadium.

All in all nothing too big happens, unless you count the Saints beating the Panthers in Carolina a big event and I do not.

Divisional Playoffs

Cincinnati @ Cleveland – Cleveland wins 34-27. Yes, Cincinnati beat Cleveland in Week 16, but I doubt it would happen again, especially in a ‘playoff.’

New Orleans @ Philadelphia – Philadelphia wins 27-20. If Reggie Bush were healthy, I might have taken New Orleans, but he’s not… so I won’t.

Buffalo @ Houston – Houston wins 27-17. I have nothing logical to say for this one except that if they actually played, I think Houston would win.

Arizona @ Minnesota – Minnesota wins 30-20. Jackson/Peterson/Taylor > Warner/Edge.

Again, nothing too big happens, really.

Conference Championships

Houston @ Cleveland – Cleveland wins 26-17. Cleveland beat Houston during Week 12. They would also do so here, I think.

Minnesota @ Philadelphia – Philadelphia wins 23-20. Philly actually beat Minnesota in Week 8 and I consider them a better team. I did think for a while about this one, though.

No surprises, unless you think Houston would have beat Cleveland. I did not though, so there you go.

Runner Up Super Bowl

Philadelphia @ Cleveland (in Hawaii) – Philadelphia wins 27-24 in OT. This one could have gone either way, but I think Joe Johnson’s blitzing schemes would confuse Derick Anderson enough for the Eagles to win by a field goal in OT.

THE NFL RUNNERS-UP TOURNAMENT WINNER: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

NFL Divisional Round Preview: Part 1

The NFL Divisional Playoffs, one of the best weekends of the year. Two days chock full of pure football goodness. Not to mention, after it’s all over – we still have next week’s conference championships! This preview will have two parts: Part 1 will deal with Saturday’s games, while Part 2 will deal with, yup; you guessed it – Sunday’s games.

Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers (Saturday 4:30 EST on FOX)

This is of course the first playoff rematch since the “We’re going to get the ball and we’re going to score” comment by Matt Hasselbeck in 2003. As we all know, Al Harris ended that game with a pick-six.

This time around the Packers are the NFC North champions, one of the hottest teams in the league and have the number two offense in the NFL. The Seahawks are the champions of a weak NFC West, but are coming off an emotional win in the wild card round and have some key veteran playoff experience.

As with most games, there are going to be many keys to this match up. One of which is Ryan Grant and if the playoff pressures will get to him. I’ve since been convinced that he’s a good running back (especially after taking Priest Holmes over him for my final FA pickup thus extending my fantasy losing streak) and I think he’ll continue his fantastic season in this game.

Another key is going to be whether or not Deion Branch plays. By all accounts, he should, but the question is going to be how healthy will he be on Saturday?

Also, don’t forget: This game is being played on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Sorry Seahawks fans, but I’m going to have to take the Pack in this one. Get rid of that Shaun Alexander character and you should do much better next year.

Prediction: Green Bay 30 Seattle 24

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots (Saturday 8:00 EST on CBS)

This is another playoff rematch game. The last time the Jags and Pats met in the playoffs was during a Wild Card match up in 2005. It wasn’t much of a game, though, with the Patriots spanking the Jaguars 28-3 in Foxboro.

This time around the rosters are quite different. The Patriots have proved that they can have a functional rushing game when they need too, while the Jaguars rely on their 149.4 yards rushing average per game to make the game more manageable for quarterback David Garrard.

Like last week’s game, the success of Jacksonville’s rushing attack will be key on two fronts: One, they’ll win the time of possession battle (keeping the ball away from the explosive New England offense) and two, take a bit of pressure off of David Garrard who in his first playoff start last week, threw an uncharacteristic two interceptions.

A lot of people are predicting a Jacksonville upset, but I’m afraid I can’t do the same, although it should be a great game.

Prediction: New England 31 Jacksonville 24

10 most intriguing stories of the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round

I’ve always liked the divisional playoffs more than the championship round. This is probably because there are two more games in the divisional round and hey, the more football the better right?

Luckily for all of us, there are some great storylines in the upcoming divisional playoffs. So, in typical Football Crack fashion, we’re going to do a Top 10. Because everybody loves Top 10’s, right? Right? Hello?

10.) The Patriots ongoing quest for 19-0. I know, I know. It’s been beaten to death. But the storyline is there and I had to include it here.

9.) The ongoing Cinderella season from Brett Favre. Admit it; you were part of the 99% of people who didn’t live in Wisconsin who thought he should retire last year.

8.) The opportunity for Peyton Manning to right the ship after his last six interception game against the Chargers. I’m saying he’ll have two interceptions max in this game.

7.) Jaguar Paul Spicer and the aftermath from his “Patriots should be barred from the playoffs” comment after Spygate. The Patriots are saying they don’t need bulletin board material, but you have to wonder.

6.) Another opportunity for Philip Rivers to prove how much he sucks on national television. He had a pretty good game last week, yes, but just wait.

5.) The opportunity for an Eli/Peyton Super Bowl. The likelihood of this happening is probably hovering around 5% but it’s still there.

4.) The ongoing scrutiny of Eli Manning. I have to agree with Michael Strahan when he says that no one in the world is under as much scrutiny as Eli Manning. He plays in New York, and he’s a Manning. Nothing short of a Super Bowl win or to a lesser extent an NFC Championship game appearance will get people off his back.

3.) Tony Romo’s Mexican vacation. Apparently, this past week instead of staying in Dallas and not doing anything at all, Tony Romo went down south with Jessica Simpson. If the Cowboys lose, watch out.

2.) The opportunity for another L.T. post game meltdown. I can’t wait.

1.) “We’re going to get the ball and we’re going to score” Matt Hasselbeck at the beginning of OT during the last Packers/Seahawks playoff game. Al Harris then picked him off for a TD. Will Hasselbeck finally get revenge? Put on NFL Network right now, it’s probably on.