Ping 49ers fans

[Darkiller]

All right, so things don't look too good for us out there.
2-6 at the midway point and Alex Smith isn't even playing this WE because of a knee injury...meaning he's not even making "progresses by being on the field".

Which brings me to this:
what are you faithful looking forward to now, for the reminder of the 2005 season ? personnaly, two things,

1- Steve Young's half-time ceremony Nov 20th for his Hall of Fame ring. And further along, the 2006 season when they said they will retire his #8 jersey in a home game. At least, we'll have Steve back at Candlestick for a game, and that bring joy to every Niners fans :)

2- please keep Alex Smith in the starting lineup, even if/when he struggles. That's what the Colts did with Peyton Manning in 1998 and look where he is now. I fear Nolan isn't "true to his words" and actually keeps on switching QBs based on their last game's performance. They must play Alex when he is healthy and keep him in there.

[cthomer5000]

what are you faithful looking forward to now, for the reminder of the 2005 season ? the end of it?

[Vince]

Personally? I'm really excited about how the season is shaping up. Yeah, bear with me.

We've already got two wins. We SHOULD have one more (Dallas). Our team has shown some flashes of brilliance, and the defense looks like it could be a good unit if our offense could keep it off the field every once in a while. Alex Smith isn't developing, sure...but this team looks like it's headed in the right direction. If our Offensive Line can get healthy, and start to play a little better, our offense might finally start to click. Barlow and Gore have been pretty productive, and that's with nothing to work with.

If you look at the rest of the schedule, we might be looking pretty good. Though a tall order, an upset of the Bears wouldn't be a complete and utter surprise (to me, anyways). On top of that, I think we should put up a good fight against Tennessee, Arizona (ugh, I'm trying to forget that ugly Mexico City game) and Houston. After last season, 4-12 or maybe even 5-11 looks really good.

[Darkiller]

I agree 5-11 would be neat (oh my gosh...where are we at)

[Vince]

(oh my gosh...where are we at)
We're climbing out of the valley. (At least that's what I keep telling myself)

[hahnkim]

All I'm looking forward to is Reggie Bush in the backfield.

[kingfc22]

All I'm looking forward to is Reggie Bush in the backfield.
At this point, I would take a dominant DL or OL. I love Bush, but I think Barlow and Gore will play much better with an O-line that can actually block. I knew our defense was going to be the strength of the team going into the season and with all the injuries we should go into next year with a very deep roster on that side of the ball. Lee and Nedney have performed well and I like Amey as a KR.

As for the offense, Smith needs to start once he is healthy and not get pulled no matter how bad the game gets. Battle is going to be a solid WR in the NFL and Lloyd needs to become more consistent and not just provide the highlight catch. We SORELY miss Eric Johnson this season and that is one of the main reasons our offense is constantly 3 and out.

[Greyroofoo]

i would look forward to getting sooooo drunk that I thought the OTHER team was the 49ers

[Bad-example]

I am enjoying this season, watching the young guys develop. There is reason for optimism for this club.

I think the 49ers have got the right coach. The team plays hard for him and believes that better times are coming. Nolan has this club going in the right direction. A lot depends on the (admittedly suspect) front office and their ability to retain/attract talent in the offseason, but Nolan was a good hire.

The offense is clearly a work in progress. It all starts with the offensive line and this area will take some time. The return next year of Eric Johnson will help the passing game. I suspect that Battle and Lloyd will end up being pretty decent receivers, but adding a dangerous WR in the offseason would be a big lift. At QB...well, the 49ers have bet heavily on Smith becoming a star. I believe he will, and watching him develop should be worth watching.

On defense, I like what the front seven has shown thus far. The defense is last in the league but looks to be improving. Retaining Andre Carter and Julian Peterson this offseason should be a priority. Areas of need include a monster DE, a starting S and CB and depth everywhere.

I am still unconvinced how committed ownership is to winning, but this club is on the rise.

[kiwiLB57]

I looking forward to Baas and Snyder getting some decent work in the back half of the season. Take Newberry out, he isnt doing anybody any favours punishing himself like that. Give him the op he needs now so he is right for next year. Shift Heitmann to centre and let Snyder and Baas play.

Give Gore more and more time.

I am looking forward to Pickett playing again this weekend. Go the fourth string kid. I am actually cheering for him more than Smith. If Cody can turn things around at the QB position, we may do a little better...

[Emiliano]

Personally? I'm really excited about how the season is shaping up. Yeah, bear with me.

We've already got two wins. We SHOULD have one more (Dallas). Our team has shown some flashes of brilliance, and the defense looks like it could be a good unit if our offense could keep it off the field every once in a while. Alex Smith isn't developing, sure...but this team looks like it's headed in the right direction. If our Offensive Line can get healthy, and start to play a little better, our offense might finally start to click. Barlow and Gore have been pretty productive, and that's with nothing to work with.

If you look at the rest of the schedule, we might be looking pretty good. Though a tall order, an upset of the Bears wouldn't be a complete and utter surprise (to me, anyways). On top of that, I think we should put up a good fight against Tennessee, Arizona (ugh, I'm trying to forget that ugly Mexico City game) and Houston. After last season, 4-12 or maybe even 5-11 looks really good.
I agree 100%. I've been lucky to watch every Niner game this season, and I got pretty excited at times, especially by the defense, which is very good IMO.
As everyone have already said, the crucial point is the O-line. If the offense can't keep up with ball possession and somehow long drives, the good D is useless. It's the NFL, you can't stop another offense for 60 mins (well, you can, but it's very difficult...). In the draft, assuming we have an high pick, I'd go for an OT, a dominant OT. Anthony Clement and Kwame Harris are really bad. I wouldn't go for Bush, although I think he's spectacular. With Barlow and Gore, you have 2 quality and different backs. Gore is going to be a great back IMO, I love watching him play.

[kingfc22]

For some reason, Gore reminds me of Tiki Barber every time I see him on the field. Now if only he can improve his pass catching skills then he would get a lot more PT.

[Darkiller]

I agree taking Bush would be, at this point, a useless pick because Barlow and Gore both have stardom potential although Barlow has disapointed last year (and this year, he is playing hard but the OL is just catastrophic so there is nowhere to run).

At this point, I think taking a WR is a must.
the OL has been hit hard by injuries but once we have Jonas Jennings at 100% next year and Baas and Snyder start to play well then it could be much better. We have used quite a few high picks this year on the OL so I doubt we'd use a 1st rounder on a Tackle or a Guard in the 2006 Draft. We lack "playmakers" so let's go get a WR.