Fear the Bay

Written by Brandon G.

11/26/2019

The 49ers are the real (use whatever word you’d like) deal.

It took 12 weeks but the league is finally putting some respect on them boys from the bay. And they deserve it. 

Many of the critics were quick to bring up their weak schedule (let’s be real I was one of them). The early part of the season featured wins against the following teams:

Buccaneers (Below Average)

Bengals (Absolutely Awful)

Steelers (Surprising, but not good)

Browns (Ha)

Rams (Respectable, but disappointing)

Redskins (Next)

Panthers (They got McCaffrey)

Cardinals (Twice) (Still not good)

And ultimately, they lost their only game against a legit contender in the Seahawks, until Sunday Night against Aaron Rodgers. However, their schedule isn’t their fault.

BUT, how are they winning those games? The way winning teams do and all the Football Analytic nerds preach to build a winning team. 

It starts in the trenches, and they’re winning on both sides of the ball at the line of scrimmage. On offense, they’re protecting Pretty-Boy Jimmy G and using a backfield committee to simply pound the rock down your throat. On the other side of the ball, they’re winning at the line of scrimmage and consistently getting pressure only bringing 4 or 5 guys. HUGE recipe for success. 

Their receiving cast gets the biggest question mark. But with a stud like George Kittle, the long undervalued Emmanuel Sanders and breakout rook Deebo Samuel the promise is there. 

The final stretch will show us a lot of who the Niners really are, with games against the Ravens, Saints, Rams and Seahawks to close out the season (which may very well dictate the division and where the road to the Super Bowl goes thru in the NFC. 

There still may be doubters, but watch the tape and tell me they boys from the Bay aren’t built for postseason success. 

Written By Brandon G.

9/16/2019

Lamar Jackson Is Here To Stay

After putting up a PERFECT passer rating in Week 1, Lamar Jackson followed up that performance with a pair of TD’s, 272 yards through the air & 120 yards on the ground.

Still not bad for a running back right?

Don’t get me wrong, he missed some easy throws against the Cards (give me a QB who hasn’t from time to time). BUT what are the things you want to see from your 2nd year franchise guy? Progression, growth and maturation just to name a few. And Lamar has shown all that in just the opening 2 games of his sophomore campaign.

 Let’s be real here, last year you were all surprised when you saw the guy actually stay in the pocket for a full play…and probably even more surprised that he (as an NFL QB) actually made a great throw. Now, I’m not letting myself off scot-free (yes that’s how you spell it I looked it up).

“He can’t throw.”

“My lord he can’t hit the backside of a barn.”

“He can’t get away with the stuff he got away with in college.”

Yes… that was me.

But hey, man landed on the moon and Lamar Jackson has led the Ravens to an undefeated start while posting back-to-back 100+ QB Ratings. His decision making and poise in the pocket appear to be similar to those of a vet, and his athletic ability just brings us back to the nostalgia of a Michael Vick.

Don’t get me wrong, the young buck ain’t no Tom Brady…but he’s going to be around for a while.