Bleacher Report - Articles by Brandon Cee

NFL Power Rankings: Why Are Football Fans Uniting and Loving It?

Brandon Cee — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:31:19 -0400

Mostly everyone loves to see the demise of a great team.

People enjoyed seeing the bickering of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens and their fall from grace and friendship.

People loved it when the Dallas Cowboys lost Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin and started their downward spiral toward a quarterback carousel and mediocrity that ultimately ended with Tony Romo as their savior.

They loved it when Steve Young was knocked out, Jeff Garcia was let go, and Owens made a mockery of the 49ers before being traded, starting the Niners' downward spiral toward NFL embarrassment.

All across the NFL there are teams that fall and teams that rise and there are teams (and fans), that love seeing certain teams fail.

However, right now it seems football fans from everywhere (except in New England) are excited and anxious to see a team that has been great for so long finally collapse.

Here you have the New England Patriots.

The demise of the Patriots is coming together as though it has already been written in the NFL history books.

After the Pats won three Super Bowls in four years, the Pittsburgh Steelers surprised everyone by winning it all as a Wild Card playoff team in 2006.

Then one of the Patriots’ biggest rivals in recent years, the Indianapolis Colts, broke the routine of second (and third) fiddle and finally won the Super Bowl in 2007.

Then in the 2007-2008 season, the Patriots' rose back to NFL superiority and went undefeated, winning all 16 regular season games. They got through the playoffs and advanced to the Super Bowl in 2008, looking like immortals ready to claim the top spot in NFL greatness.

However, in the Patriots' way were the New York Giants, who eventually stuck it to one of the greatest offenses in NFL history and beat the Pats in the closing seconds, 17-14, creating a collapse of mammoth proportions that appeared to have been already written.

Then the division that the Pats have dominated for so long got better.

During the offseason the Dolphins hired one of the greatest coaches in NFL history to be their general manager and they also received an upgrade at quarterback; not to mention two good running backs who appear to be 100 percent back and ready to resume their NFL careers.

The Jets acquired a future Hall of Fame quarterback to lead their team to the promised land, a move that definitely made the team better.

Finally, the Bills appeared to have everything working at the same time, from their QB to their RB to their defense and special teams. They all seem to be on the same page and will be in the playoff hunt.

Then to open the ’08 season, the Patriots lost their starting quarterback and franchise player in the first quarter of the first game, against one of worst teams in the NFL.

The Pats relied on an unproven quarterback who has not started a game since his senior year in high school, thus showing the ignorance and failure of the coaching staff not to hire a proven backup QB.

The Pats’ defense (that many thought were declining prior to the ’07 season) show their age against worst team of ‘07 (the Miami Dolphins) and get blown out 38-13 at home, in the third week of the ’08 season.

This came after the Pats skimmed by two of the NFL’s worst from a year ago in the New York Jets (19-10) and the Kansas City Chiefs (14-10).

Even with the NFL’s scheduling the Pats’ first four games against the league's four worst teams from a year ago (Chiefs, Jets, Dolphins, and 49ers), it’s still not going to help New England. It is only postponing the fall.

With an aging defense that will take a few years to rebuild, it appears the Pats will have some rebuilding to do after this season. Without their franchise QB, a decent backup QB, and a running game, it appears the fate of the New England Patriots has already been written.

With cohesiveness of the offense and defense slowly deteriorating, we are already living history.

And football fans are loving it.

Power Rankings

Easiest Team to Rank

Tennessee Titans

After the first three weeks they are easily the best team in the AFC, but so far it's tough to put them above the G-Men and Cowboys.

Toughest Team to Rank

Pittsburgh Steelers

They beat the Texans and the Browns and got stomped by the Eagles. I see this team falling as the season gets older.

1. New York Giants (previously No. 1)

They needed overtime to beat the hapless Bengals, but then again it was hard to find a junior varsity team to practice with that would resemble them. They stay at No. 1 until someone beats them.

2. Dallas Cowboys (2)

They took care of business in Green Bay in an authoritative manner.

3. Tennessee Titans (10)

The Titans' defense is fierce! Trent Dilfer said it looks like the defense he played with in Baltimore.

4. Buffalo Bills (3)

They came back from a two-score deficit twice in the fourth quarter for the win. Trent Edwards made his claim that he should have been picked No. 1 overall back in the ‘07 draft.

5. Denver Broncos (10)

Who would have thought the Broncos would win throwing the ball and not with their trademark running game?

6. Philadelphia Eagles (9)

The Eagles' defense absolutely dominated the Steelers' offense unlike any team I’ve seen in awhile.

7. San Diego Chargers (Not Ranked)

They lost to Carolina and Denver in the closing seconds, and then trounced the Jets. I think they're back. Next up: Oakland Raiders.

8. Green Bay Packers (6)

They got whupped. Aaron Rodgers’ feet finally hit the ground and he realized this isn’t going to be so easy.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

If the Packers got whupped, the Steelers got really whupped. Double-time. If they don’t start protecting Big Ben they’ll fall really fast.

10. San Francisco 49ers (NR)

Okay, okay, they beat the Lions. But they beat ‘em the way they should have, something that they haven’t done for awhile. They could be 3-0 if they didn’t have five turnovers in the first game.

11. Carolina Panthers (5)

They scratched up the Chargers and ran circles around the Bears, but got caught by the Vikings. I think they bounce back.

12. Washington Redskins

I was wrong. I said the ‘Skins would not rise any more in my power rankings, but they did. Maybe the NFC East is a four-team race.

13. Arizona Cardinals

They lost to the Redskins in Washington, and that’s not an easy game.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They lost to the Saints, but I think the division is between them and the Panthers. They’re 2-1 and could be 3-0.

15. Baltimore Ravens

Their two wins are against the Falcons and Browns.

16. Atlanta Falcons

Who would have thought this team would be 2-1? It’s amazing what coaches can do.

17. Miami Dolphins

The final score was 38-13. Was it really a surprise? The Pats barely beat the Chiefs and Jets. And remember last season when they were running up the score? Teams don’t forget!

18. Jacksonville Jaguars

They got a big time win over the Colts. Is this the spark they needed?

19. Indianapolis Colts

Big time loss to the Jags; is this team fading fast?

20. Chicago Bears

I still don’t know what to think about the Bears. Is their defense back or not? Their offense certainly isn’t.

21. Minnesota Vikings

Tough opening schedule, but they came out of it 1-2. It’s certainly better than 0-3. The only place to go from here is up.

22. New Orleans Saints

At No. 22 they still might be overrated. It’s hard to win when your defense is bad.

23. New England Patriots (9)

Wow, what a drop. I think they deserve it, too. Who have they beaten? And who have they lost to? All teams in the bottom of the NFL.

24. New York Jets

Another team that’s overrated. There is no cohesiveness with the coach and QB.

25. Seattle Seahawks

They're 1-2 and they beat the Rams.

26. Oakland Raiders

They darn near pulled it out in Buffalo, but conservative play and bad defense in the fourth quarter lost it for them.

27. Cincinnati Bengals

I said last week that if they lost I was going to put them last. But how could I? They took the Giants into overtime and Houston, Cleveland, Kansas City, Detroit, and St. Louis are really bad.

28. Houston Texans

They have the Jags next. An 0-3 start after week four isn’t so bad. They could be 0-4.

29. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland, Cleveland, Cleveland! The people will be shouting "Brady, Brady" after a few more bad plays.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

They lost to the Raiders, Falcons, and Patriots. They’re bad.

I still have that bright idea: Trade Larry Johnson to the Bengals for Chad Johnson.

31. Detroit Lions

The laughingstock of the NFL, and nobody can take it from them! Except for the Rams, of course.

32. St. Louis Rams

Ugly!

Tell me what you think.

Juggernaut Rankings: Top 10 and Season Projections

Brandon Cee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:18:18 -0400

Week One Juggernaut Rankings: 1-10

1. Chargers

This team was a few plays away from going to the Super Bowl last year, and that was with L.T. and Antonio Gates on the sideline. They have an outstanding running game and a very good defense. Put that with their improved passing game and kick returner Antonio Cromartie, and this team has it all rolling.

2. Colts

Payton Manning to Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, it's the same old' thing. Just try to stop it! Along with their menacing defense, the Colts will continue to give teams fits.

3. Patriots

The defense is still getting older. The linebackers and corners are not getting any better. This team can’ not keep it up forever, no matter how many touchdowns they throw, and if Tom Brady goes down, so will this team.

4. Jaguars

Great defense, playoff experience, clutch QB, great running game, and good special teams, this team has it all, except a big-time receiver. Big-time contenders.

5. Cowboys.

Tough to put the first NFC team fifth, but if you look at the other teams, they have been to playoffs and won games against arguably better teams than the NFC has. The Cowboys look ready for another big season, but playing in the NFC East is no joke. Hard to see this team staying healthy all season long.

6. Vikings

If you can run the football and stop the run, you have an excellent chance at winning football games. The Vikings are excellent in both. They also have a very good pass defense and an improved pass game, since acquiring speedster Bernard Berrian and having QB Tarvaris Jackson come into his second full season as the team's general.

7. Giants

The defending Super Bowl Champs have lost quite a bit this offseason, starting with retired DE Michael Strahan, free-agent departure safety Gibril Wilson, and DE Osi Umenyiora gone for the season with injury.

However, this team is still to be considered in the top tier of the NFL. Eli Manning returns with postseason and Super Bowl experience, not to mention a whole truck load of confidence.

WR Plaxico Burress returns fully healthy unlike last season. Head Coach Tom Coughlin also returns poised to defend his crown.

8. Steelers

When opposing teams play the Steelers, they know they’re going to be in a dogfight. The Steelers are constantly one of the toughest teams in the NFL. They win by running the ball, throwing to the tight end, and playing fierce defense along with outstanding special teams.

QB Ben Roethlisberger is a player who plays best in the clutch and is one of the top QBs in the game. The tandem of RBs Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendanhall is sure to be one of the best in the league.

9. Browns

Last season, QB Derek Anderson showed that he could be a great QB in the NFL, but this year, he must show that he can be consistent. The Browns have tremendous firepower on the offensive side of the ball in WRs Braylon Edwards, Donte Stalworth, and TE Kellen Winslow.

Kick returner Josh Cribbs can score a touchdown anytime the ball is in his hands. The defense, however, needs to become better if this team is to remain in the top 10.

10. Saints

An explosive offense. QB Drew Brees and WR Marques Colston are sure to hook up a bunch this year, along with newly-acquired TE Jeremy Shockey. Shockey is determined to prove he’s still an elite player.

RB Reggie Bush is coming into his third year and is the main man in the backfield for the second straight season. He has yet to prove he can run in between the tackles and gain the tough yards needed by a No. 1 RB.

Teams that just missed. Buccaneers, Eagles, Texans, Packers

Preseason Projected Division Champions and Postseason Projections

AFC West

San Diego Chargers (home-field advantage, bye)

AFC East

New England Patriots (bye)

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC Wild Cards

Indianapolis Colts

Cleveland Browns

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (bye)

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (home-field advantage, bye)

NFC South

New Orleans Saints

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

NFC Wild Cards

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Contending teams that just missed playoffs

Seattle Seahawks; Philadelphia Eagles; Green Bay Packers; New York Jets; Houston Texans; Tennessee Titans.

Surprise Team

San Francisco 49ers

In 2006, the 49ers were in the playoff picture late in the season, barely missing them by two games. Frank Gore had 1,695 yards rushing and average over five-yards a carry. Alex Smith had 2,890 yards passing along with 16 TDs and 16 INTs.

At the time, Norv Turner was the Offensive Coordinator (OC), and he left for San Diego after the season. The 49ers then hired an unproven (OC) that was overwhelmed and overmatched everyday.

Now the 2008 team is much better than that 2006 team. With improvements on the offensive line, at wide receivers, in the secondary, at the linebackers, on defensive line, and at the offensive coordinator.

This team is ready to step up and be the team everyone expected in '07.

The following notable players the 'Niners have now that they didn't in '06 include:

CB Nate Clements, LB Patrick Willis, WR Isaac Bruce, WR Bryant Johnson, LT Joe Staley, SS Michael Lewis, DE Justin Smith, LB Takeo Spikes, DT Aubrayo Franklin, and KR Allen Rossum.

Offensive Player of the Year

LaDainian Tomlinson

Defensive Player of the Year

Patrick Willis

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Darren McFadden

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Keith Rivers

Offensive Surprise Players of 2008

QB: Phillip Rivers

RB: Thomas Jones

RB: Rashard Mendenhall

WR: Jerricho Cotchery

WR: Bernard Berrian

WR: Jerry Porter

TE: Vernon Davis

Teams With the First Five Draft Picks of 2009:

Atlanta Falcons; Miami Dolphins; Chicago Bears; Kansas City Chiefs; Baltimore Ravens

Please comment.

San Francisco 49ers' Positional Rankings

Brandon Cee — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:21:47 -0400

Each of the San Francisco 49ers' positional units are ranked 1-9.

1. Place Kicker & Punter

Sometimes it’s sad to say the kicking unit is the best on the team, but this might not be so bad. Look for Kicker Joe Nedney to nail the long ones and come up in the clutch and Pro-Bowl Punter Andy Lee will become the defense’s best friend by "Coffin Kicking" all season long.

2. Linebackers

This line backer crew is one of the best in the NFL (It might be because Patrick Willis is two people). If you don't believe me just watch a few running plays. These guys will get to the ball.

3. Secondary

The secondary is only as good as the pass rush. Just ask all the teams last year that played the Giants in the playoffs.

However, with former Pro-Bowlers Nate Clements, Walt Harris, and Michael Lewis on the field at once, opposing offenses will have trouble passing and running, as long as the Niners' offense can stay on the field for at least 29 minutes a game.

4. Running Backs

To have an outstanding running back like Frank Gore on the unit and be ranked as the fourth best on the team says something. Look for Gore to be a look-a-like Marshall Faulk, at least if the QB's can get him the ball. The addition of Deshawn Foster boosts the running game during Gore's breaks. Something he hasn't had thus far in his career.

5. Offensive Line

This underrated unit will soon show the NFL how good they can be. They moved second year player Joe Staley to left tackle after an impressive rookie season and the moved oft-injured Jonas Jennings to right tackle. If he can stay away from the trainer’s table he's still a very good pass and run blocker.

The unit also had an addition by subtraction this off season by the retirement of "Future Hall a Famer" Larry Allen. The man is an absolute juggernaut for the first three quarters. He just didn't have the stamina to play four quarters last year. The unit is very capable of being great.

6. Tight Ends

Vernon Davis had a decent sophomore season, and is primed to burst this season under Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz. Davis is also a good blocker. Back-Up Tight End Delanie Walker is impressive at running routes and catching the ball and it's been said he might line up a few times in the slot this year.

7. Wide Receivers

The addition of Isaac Bruce brought experience, consistency, and reliability, something the team has lacked at the position since the arrival of Head Coach Mike Nolan. The signing of Bryant Johnson, also, brought explosiveness and a down field threat.

Arnaz Battle has been the leader at the position for the last few years and is a very good possesion receiver but he definitely couldn't do it himself. Rookie Josh Morgan has looked great during the preseason but that was the preseason.

Jason Hill still needs to prove he can be relied upon. Overall this unit is greatly improved from last season but it’s yet to be seen how that will translate on Sundays.

8. Defensive Line

Much improved as far as depth is concerned and the arrival of free-agent acquisition Justin Smith is sure to improve this unit. First round draft pick Kentwan Balmer has yet to make an immediate splash so far.

Nose Tackle Aubrayo Franklin appears to have all the physical assets but is often hampered by injury. Isaac Sopoaga is big and strong and has stints of brilliance but has not been able to be consistent. This unit has a lot to prove.

9. Quarterbacks

I just heard someone say, "If you have three good quarterbacks then you have none." Definitely, at least, two of the quarterbacks are capable but have not shown that they could win consistently. J.T. O'Sullivan will make his first start of his career against the Cardinals to open the season.

Unless O'Sullivan is spectacular expect to see Alex Smith get one more chance. Prior to the start of the season this unit is by far the weakest of the team. If they can surprise and be decent to average expect the Niners' to contend.

Special Teams were not ranked due to them changing dramatically season to season. However, under Nolan the Niners' have had a very good special teams unit.

Are the San Francisco 49ers' Fans All on Track?

Brandon Cee — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:23:40 -0400

The start to the San Francisco 49ers' 2008 season is less than two weeks away!

And the 49ers' quarterback is: Montana? No. Young? Ahhh, No. Garcia? No! Smith?? NO!!! J.T. O' Sullivan? Yes!

Now you’re on track. Wait a second, who is O'Sullivan? Well, I don't know. Let’s ask Head Coach Mike Nolan. Wait, he doesn't know. Let’s ask Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz. Hell, he doesn't even know.

The guy hasn't started a NFL game, and he's been in the league for six years. Yeah, you heard, six years. This is why no one knows who he is. The season that will be the deciding factor for Mike Nolan's future with the 49ers lies in the hands of a quarterback that has never started a game.

A quarterback who has never prepared to start a NFL game. A quarterback who has never gone into the locker room at halftime and then came out ready to play. So much is riding on jersey No. 14. Another coach with some...guts, would of went with the guy he started it all with.

Mike's (Nolan) faith is in J.T.'s hands. Alex Smith's faith is in his hands. GM Scot McCloughan faith is in his hands.

If O'Sullivan does well and wins games, most importantly the first four, Alex Smith's days with the 49ers are numbered. If O'Sullivan plays well through the first half of the season, Smith might as well pack up, and Mike can leave his things as they are. On the other hand, McCloughan can start counting his days.

If O'Sullivan does not do so well for the first two to four games, Smith can start warming up. He'll get another shot. If he does well, Mike's job may still be on the line because of his early season shenanigans. If he does poorly, Mike's hours are numbered. He might be gone by the eighth game. McCloughan will probably be gone by the end of the year, too.

Maybe the only scenario that can save this team is if O’Sullivan is absolutely terrible in the first or second game. Or perhaps he gets injured, and Smith comes in and plays great. This would be a situation where everyone keeps their jobs, and all is fine and dandy.

However, everyone’s days are numbered if this team fails. This is how it should be. A team in this much turmoil, coming into its fourth year with the same leadership is not something to be admired.

Probably the only winner that comes out of this year will be the other Mike. Mike Martz. If this team wins, it's because of him. If this team loses, he's probably the new coach, maybe by mid-season, or by 2009.

The other true winners are the fans. If the 'Niners win; things are great! If the 'Niners lose; it's about time for some new leadership! It’s a win-win situation.

The most important Mike is in Seattle, and he won’t be there in ’09: Mike Holmgren. Now we can breathe. If the owners know better, they would finally see that things are finally coming full circle.

Oakland Raiders' Schedule Preview/Predictions

Brandon Cee — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:44:26 -0400

Oakland Raider fans have much to be excited about. From an explosive, rookie running back to the newly acquired, fifth-year, two-time Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall. So let’s get run down the schedule and evaluate the competition for the Raiders and predict the possible outcome.

Week One: Denver Broncos

Let’s not forget that it’s on Monday Night Football, in Oakland, where the Raiders have thrived for so long. And let's also not forget it’s against the HATED Broncos, who have terrorized Raiders for so long.

The Broncos have been on a steady decline in the last few years, and Mike Shanahan may have reached his window of success in Denver. No unit has vastly improved over the last few years for the Broncos. The Raiders, on the other hand, have improved with the experience of young players and free-agent acquisitions.

The Raiders' home field, running game, and big plays contribute:

Raiders 34 Broncos 20

Week Two: @ Kansas City Chiefs

Another great rivalry game. Chiefs are in a rebuilding mode; Raiders are slightly past that point.

It's rare the Raiders play in KC this early in the year, and they'll rely on kicking:

Raiders 16 Chiefs 10

Week Three: @ Buffalo Bills

Good early-season matchup. Raiders fly across the nation a little over-confident and meet a good QB—Trent Edwards—and a stingy defense.

Bills 20 Raiders 10

Week Four: San Diego Chargers

It’s a home game, but the Raiders are simply not in their league at this point. The Chargers are too balanced. Raiders keep it close for most of game.

Chargers 31 Raiders 14

Week Five: Bye

Week Six: @ New Orleans Saints

Another trip across the country for a young team. The Raiders' tough defense and running attack are not enough to contain big plays.

Saints 28 Raiders 17

Week Seven: New York Jets

Any Raider fan will tell you that the Jets always, always, always give the Raiders a tough time, no matter who’s at QB. Now it’s Brett Favre. Anyone remember last time he played in Oakland?

Jets 20 Raiders 10

Week Eight: @ Baltimore Ravens

Another trip across the U.S. doesn't seem fair, however, the Ravens will probably have a rookie QB playing and the Ravens defense is simply not as good as it used to be.

Raiders 27 Ravens 3

Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons

Another rookie will be starting at QB, and this one’s a little better. But it won't matter. Oakland's defensive backs are too good, and the Falcons will be too bad.

Raiders 31 Falcons 10

Week 10: Carolina Panthers

Panthers are also on a steady decline and are too busy fighting injuries...and each other.

Raiders 17 Panthers 13

Week 11: @ Miami Dolphins

There is always a game in the Raiders' season where they somehow find a way to lose. Though the Dolphins are improved.

Dolphins 13 Raiders 10

Week 12: @ Denver Broncos

Broncos remember how they lost last time. And the Football Gods simply could not let the Raiders sweep the Bronc's.

Broncos 24 Raiders 17

Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs will be improved from their last meeting, and once again, the Gods are watching.

Chiefs 17 Raiders 14

Week 14: @ San Diego Chargers

San Diego will be fighting for playoff seeding. They'll be at home, and they'll be all over Norv's former team.

Chargers 34 Raiders 14

Week 15: New England Patriots

With injuries, fatigue, and playoff seeding settling in, only the latter is for the Patriots.

Patriots 31 Raiders 21

Week 16: Houston Texans

Raiders feel a little break from the competition.

Raiders 21 Texans 14

Week 17: @ Buccaneers

Al Davis is looking for a new coach to harass, Lane Kiffin is looking for a new team, the players are looking forward to vacation, and Chucky's looking to run the score up!

Buccaneers 31 Raiders 10

The young Raiders' tough schedule gets the best of them: Raiders to fall 6-10.

San Franciso 49ers: QBs Are Not The Only Story

Brandon Cee — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:49:23 -0400

The start to the 2008 season for the San Francisco 49ers has been full of quarterback talk. I've been guilty too. However, now it’s time to focus on the real bright spot for Niners: the defense.Let’s be honest, Head Coach Mike Nolan is, was, and will always be a defensive minded coach and with this team, it surely shows. The defense is greatly improved from Nolan’s first year.

The Niner's have inside Linebacker Patrick Willis as the anchor of the squad. Willis is coming off of his rookie season where he led the entire NFL in tackles. If you’re not so sure on this guy just look at what kind of game he had against the Vikings Adrian Peterson last year. How about 14 attempts for 3 yards. Actually if you saw this game you would have thought Willis was in the Vikings huddle. He was glued to Peterson when he had the ball.Oh yeah, did you see him run down that Cardinal receiver? If not, he was 15-20 yards behind the WR and caught him. How about that?

Willis is not the only one. The Niner's have this cornerback Nate Clements. Some people think he's overrated. These people obviously did not watch a Niner game in '07. This guy is great. Just watch a sweep coming his way. Although I think teams learned not to run his way because chances are it’s going to be a no gain. Clements is a total team player. He can wipe out a running back in the open field or take out a blocker and let someone else get him. Oh, his coverage ability isn’t bad either.

Outside Linebacker Manny Lawson is pretty good too. Unfortunately he missed most of '07 with a knee injury. This guy is lightning. He looks like a CB playing OLB, but he's 6'5" 240lbs. He's pretty good at getting to the QB too.

Free Agent acquisition defensive lineman Justin Smith isn't too shabby either. This guys motors going at 120 mph all the time. He did have only 2 sacks in '07, but he played on the Bengals where he was the only decent defender. However, he backed that up with 78 tackles, which is a lot for a defensive end. And in the Niner’s 3-4 scheme he is to stop the run and take up offensive lineman and let the LB's get the QB and the glory.

Strong Safety Michael Lewis makes RB's think twice before heading his way. The guy's a wrecking ball that reminds me a lot of John Lynch. CB Walt Harris has played in the NFL for 13 years, but is now at his best. OLB Parys Haralson is coming into his third season and has beat out Tully Banta-Cain for the starting spot. Keep an eye out for him.

ILB's Jeff Ulbrich and newly acquired Takeo Spikes are battling it out to start alongside Willis. Ulbrich is a non-selfish player who could start on half the teams in the NFL, and Spikes' resume speaks for itself. I could go on and on about this defense. You just have to stay tuned to the most underrated defense in the NFL.

I believe they could be ranked in the top five by season’s end. And their real enemy is going to be on their own team. The offense. Can the Offense keep them off the field and score so the defense can defend it? I think so, watch out for them.

Alex Smith Not Getting His Fair Shake

Brandon Cee — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:03:54 -0400

Over the last few weeks it has appeared as though the 49ers are weighing more heavily on J. T. O'Sullivan being the starting quarterback. O'Sullivan has been practicing and playing with the first team offense and Alex Smith has been practicing and playing with the second team offense.

That automatically gives O'Sullivan a notch over Smith. Today (Aug. 14) Coach Mike Nolan was asked if it was hard to coach Smith when he doesn't work with the first team. Nolan replied by saying, no not really, the personal is mixed a little bit, the structures the same, the attack is the same, the plays are the same.

This to me is a little bit absurd. Smith has not had a chance to work with the first team offense. How can you gauge a player by not working with the best players on the team? The second and third string running backs get to work with first team. It’s the same with every other position.

I have a few theories as to what is going on around Niners camp.

First the coaches are allowing the rest of the team to get better with O'Sullivan starting because he knows more of the offense and this will also allow time for Smith to learn the system. Then they will eventually go with Smith.

Second O'Sullivan is actually, really winning the job and it is his to lose. If the team actually thought Smith would or could lose the job why would they not draft a QB (maybe Colt Brennan) for the future?

Third, it is their intention to make it appear as though Smith may lose the job, and then he gets his opportunity to play with first team and shines, therefore, he wins the job and gets confidence and respect from teammates.

Fourth, Smith was never going to win the job because of his little confrontation with Nolan last year. That’s why he doesn't get to work with the first team.

I sure hope it is the First or Third theory. I could not imagine the Niners going with O'Sullivan. In O'Sullivan I see a few good plays but overall not what is going to cut it. If they were to go with O'Sullivan this has just set this great franchise back again.