San Francisco 49ers Predictions 2008
August 25, 2008
-Brad Marchetti
After a 5th straight losing season 2008 San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan needs to win now. Nolan has added offensive smart guy Mike Martz to help an ailing offense that ranked dead last in the NFL last year. An open QB competition is taking place to try and find a solution for an anorexic offense. Nolan’s task of turning things around won’t be an easy task in an improving NFC West division. The NFC West San Francisco 49ers are at 80-1 odds to win the 2009 Superbowl.
The 49ers bland offense will have a new makeover with Martz calling the shots but RB Frank Gore remains the centerpiece. Martz plans on taking advantage of Gore’s soft hands out of the backfield and make him a newer version of Marshall Faulk. Gore is a leader in the lockeroom and a warrior on the field that hits the hole like a bull. San Fran will run the spread offense most of the time but the QB could be in danger behind a line that allowed 55 sacks last season. Martz’s quarterbacks are put in danger in his system, so whoever plays is likely to get injured. QB Alex Smith has been a $24 million dollar bust and J.T Sullivan looks to have the inside track on the job. Sullivan has 3 years of experience in Martz’s system and he has been very accurate and decisive in the preseason. Sullivan will have a proven NFL wideout in new addition Issac Bruce who still runs crisp routes in his 15th NFL season. TE Vernon Davis (4.38 40-speed) is due for a breakout year and WR Arnaz Battle is a tough cookie with some potential. This offense can’t be any worse than last season but expecting Martz to turn the 49ers into the greatest show on turf is a dream. Look for Frank Gore to have a huge season but the offense to still finish near last in the NFL. The NFC West San Francisco 49ers are at 5-1 odds to win the NFC West.
Stud inside linebacker Patrick Willis leads a second year 3-4 defense that should be improved with another year of seasoning under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. The 49ers defense upgraded talent on the D-line with 1st round draft choice Kentwan Balmer and DE Justin Smith from Cincinnati. Balmer is a big body that should do a good job of keeping defenders off Willis so that the All-Pro can make plays all over the field. The addition of Smith will help the 49ers need for a pass-rusher. Free-agent LB Dontarrious Thomas will battle Brandon Moore for the ILB spot vacated by Derek Smith. Look for OLB Manny Lawson to also make an impact at some point as returns from a knee tear. San Francisco poured a lot of money into CB Nate Clements who did a fine job covering teams best wideouts every week. What the 49ers did not get out of Clements last year were turnovers as the star DB had only 1 int and that needs to change. Safeties Mark Roman and Michael Lewis looks very good. The underrated Mark Roman (5’11″ 200) is one of the most punishing tacklers in the NFL and Lewis is a fine blitzer. The 49ers special teams are well-rounded with solid legs and returners.
NFL predictions for the NFC West San Francisco 49ers are not too bright for the upcoming season with their lack of playmakers. Frank Gore is a tremendous running back but I don’t think Mike Martz can cure their offensive woes. This team has a strong coaching staff that should be able to squeeze the most out of their average talent however. If QB J.T Sullivan turns out to be better than expected San Francisco should win 6 games in the NFC West. The NFL betting odds OVER\UNDER for the 2008 San Francisco 49ers is at 6 wins with the OVER at -155.
NFL Predictions San Francisco 49ers Power Ratings
2007 San Francisco 49ers NFL Betting ATS Record: 5-10-1
1-10 Scale
Coaching: 7
Quarterback: 5
Running Back: 8
Offensive Line: 5
Receivers: 6
Defensive Line: 6
Linebackers: 7
Defensive Backs: 6
Special Teams: 8
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