A Return for the Niners??

[Newc]

Gore signs a 4 year extension, Alex Smith looks to be progressing quite well and Clemens now will roam in the secondary. Any other Niner fans getting ready for a return to greatness?

I have to say, I've had my doubts about Smith and even hoped at the beginning of last year that maybe he would flop and the Niners would then be looking to draft Quinn ( i still hold on pretty tight to those Montana years), but it looks like Alex is coming along pretty well. With the D getting better I am excited for the new season.

 

[grantphilly]

been a ninners fan since 85, they proubaly should have made the playoffs last year if they wouldn't have got sweept by the f*#kn cardinals

 

[kjones]

Seriously. Freaking Cardinal's. But the Niner's definately seem to be progressing out of their slump years and moving back towards the top where they belong! Here's to making the playoffs this year!

 

[philipm31]

I sure hope so. The best thing that happened to Smith was Norv Turner. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to improve because he has a stud RB behind him--something that Montana never had, nor did Young--but the WR corps is going to be problem. I don't know who is going to be catching balls for them other than Arnaz. Is he still playing for them?

 

[kjones]

Ricky Watters was a pretty good back.

 

[Newc]

So was Roger Craig and Rathman

 

[philipm31]

But my point is that Gore is a stud running back while guys like Craig and Watters were multipurpose freaks, who you could employ in either the run or pass game liberally. Think about the fact that Ricky scored 3 TDs in the Niners last SB, but the one that you consistently see on highlights is his receiving touchdown, because it just showed how he was able to combine his days as a flanker and RB so well in the open field. However, Gore is the type of back you can just hammer away at a defense all day for 30 or more carries. Watters tried to change his MO in Philly and I think ended his career in the Top 15 rushing (as did the Bus), but the main thing that people remember about Watters is his versatile nature. The same goes for Craig. Neither of those guys needed to be stud backs, though, not with QBs like Montana and Young orchestrating things.

 

[Rebellin' Irish]

I sure hope so. The best thing that happened to Smith was Norv Turner. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to improve because he has a stud RB behind him--something that Montana never had, nor did Young--but the WR corps is going to be problem. I don't know who is going to be catching balls for them other than Arnaz. Is he still playing for them?

He still is, but the additions of Darrell Jackson, Ashley Lelie, and third-round draft pick Jason Hill may force him out of a starting spot.

 

[kjones]

But my point is that Gore is a stud running back while guys like Craig and Watters were multipurpose freaks, who you could employ in either the run or pass game liberally. Think about the fact that Ricky scored 3 TDs in the Niners last SB, but the one that you consistently see on highlights is his receiving touchdown, because it just showed how he was able to combine his days as a flanker and RB so well in the open field. However, Gore is the type of back you can just hammer away at a defense all day for 30 or more carries. Watters tried to change his MO in Philly and I think ended his career in the Top 15 rushing (as did the Bus), but the main thing that people remember about Watters is his versatile nature. The same goes for Craig. Neither of those guys needed to be stud backs, though, not with QBs like Montana and Young orchestrating things.

I guess I misunderstood your use of the word "stud." I thought you just meant "good" or "tough." Instead, it seems by "stud" you meant "a power back." If that's true, I'm with you.

 

[philipm31]

I guess I misunderstood your use of the word "stud." I thought you just meant "good" or "tough." Instead, it seems by "stud" you meant "a power back." If that's true, I'm with you.

Yeah, that is pretty much what I meant. I hate to think that I actually am looking forward to a year with a MIA tailback as one of the franchise cornerstones to the Niners.

I believe that we had another Domer on the team win a SB ring. Marc Edwards was on the team with Young in 1994, I believe. I really want to see the Niners back in the thick of the playoffs again. It has been far too long.

 

[Newc]

They will be. Nolan really has this team back on track and they are quickly making their way back up.

 

[Rebellin' Irish]

Yeah, that is pretty much what I meant. I hate to think that I actually am looking forward to a year with a MIA tailback as one of the franchise cornerstones to the Niners.

I believe that we had another Domer on the team win a SB ring. Marc Edwards was on the team with Young in 1994, I believe. I really want to see the Niners back in the thick of the playoffs again. It has been far too long.

Edwards was drafted in '97, well after the 49ers' Super Bowl victory. He did get a Super Bowl ring under the Patriots in 2002, though.

Still, he was there for the comeback drive against the Packers in '99--even made a drive-sustaining catch, too.