49ers a force in the NFC again or not yet?

Question

niners seem to be going in the right way is this the way to become elite again or will it take another.

Answer 1

They're heading toward being a decent (read 9-7) team again. After the end of the Rice-Montana-Young Era, they kind of lost themselves. Frank Gore's a good running back to try and base an offense around, and Alex Smith isn't too bad at quarterback. Heard they signed Ashley Lelie, too, he'll make a nice addition at wide reciever (when that shoulder of his heals, though). But, in order for the 49ers to be more successful, they need to be more consistent.
The first thing is to review their whole defense. I'm seeing too many games with high scores, not enough with numbers barely out of single digits. Being flattened by the Chiefs isn't exactly a case for excellence.

So, in a manner of terms, what's needed is new blood, more experience, and especially more defense.

Answer 2

I am a huge Niner fan, but they aren't there yet. They have a good core on offense with Smith, who will improve, and Gore, the best RB in the NFC not named Shaun Alexander, or maybe better. I think Lelie is a good fit for Smith, but I thought Bryant was last year and was wrong. The O-line still needs work. On the other side, I love the addition of Nate Clements and Michael Lewis. They will improve the Secondary. But they still need a LB and DL to be great. I was hoping for Adalius Thomas, but oh well. I would say they will be a force starting in 2008 for a long time.

Answer 3

"No way in hell are they a force. I would think Arizona is closer to being a force than they are. All they did this off season is sign a bunch of overrated FAs. They still dont have reliable QB play with Alex Smith. The WRs stilll have absolutely no talent even if u combine all of them. The offense will just be a one dimensional offense with Frank Gore. In the NFL, if you dont have reliable QB play and a two dimensional offense, you will not win games (unless your the Bears). Also, this is not the way the rebuild. Yea i understand they had 35 million under the cap, but making Nate Clement the highest paid defender in NFL history is just ridiculous. The way to rebuild a team is through good drafts, and they are just doing this in a totally wrong way in SF." --PackLover

That's great! You have it figured out......but wait a minute your forgetting one thing, the Arizona will always be Arizona no matter what they do. Imagine that a Packer fan hating on the Niners. A Packer fan obviously jealous of San Francisco's franchise. Cool it packer fan.

Answer 4

We won't know for sure until they get on the field and start kicking some ***. I can't wait for draft day to see who they take, they have lots of picks to work with. I like what they have done this offseason, they are fulfilling their needs in the seconday and a new wide receiver. I still think they need another impact player to elevate the whole team, a supersuperstar, but next year they should be better, and in a weak NFC west they should compete for that playoff spot. I'm pumped up already. As far as being an elite team, we'll have to see how Smith develops, because as you know an elite team needs an elite quarterback.

Answer 5

They're going in the right direction for sure. I don't know that they are a force yet, but give them a couple years. Alex Smith is going to grow into a good QB. If they can hang onto Frank Gore, get a big play reciever and keep improving that defense over the next couple years they have a chance to become an elite team again.

Answer 6

They already created an impact this year, sweeping the Seahawks. They have started to improve the defense, they just need some better interior DL/LB's and they can be a contender. Their offense is fine as they just signed Ashley Lelie. I say they'll make it to the playoffs, give it two more years before they become top-notch in the NFC as most of the key players besides Bryant Young are still very young.

Answer 7

I think they are definitely playoff bound this year. They are definitely moving in the right direction with the signings of Clements, Lewis, Franklin, and Lelie. They still have holes to fill at LB, DE, WR, and OL. There are still lots of good free agents in the market with our 30 million left. The draft also looks good. I think we should get carriker or okoye at #11 or trade up to get Calvin Johnson. We still need Alex Smith to get confident and Johnson would provide that, and the two will be the next great duo. This year, I think playoffs are a great chance, and the following year a super bowl victory.

GO 49ERS!

Answer 8

Maybe keeping Julian Peterson would have been a good idea but if Alex Smith can decerase his interceptions and increase his touchdowns, 49ers could pose a threat. Frank Gore needs to continue his Pro Bowl running game and Manny lawson well be a fierce force if he can gain weight (He's only 240 lbs. at 6'5")

Vernon Davis well be on fire and I think 49ers= playoffs in 2008.

Answer 9

No way in hell are they a force. I would think Arizona is closer to being a force than they are. All they did this offseason is sign a bunch of overrated FAs. They still dont have reliable QB play with Alex Smith. The WRs stilll have absolutely no talent even if u combine all of them. The offense will just be a one dimensional offense with Frank Gore. In the NFL, if you dont have reliable QB play and a two dimensional offense, you will not win games (unless your the Bears). Also, this is not the way the rebuild. Yea i understand they had 35 million under the cap, but making Nate Clement the highest paid defender in NFL history is just ridiculous. The way to rebuild a team is through good drafts, and they are just doing this in a totally wrong way in SF.

Answer 10

it'll take one or two years but the niners are becoming a force in the nfc and maybe by 2009 they can be going to championship games.