- It's the first time since 2009 in which San Fran started a year 2-0 (ended 8-8). Almost had a chance at 3-0, except Brett Favre had to break our hearts. Brad and Nick were there for that one. I'm still peeved at the conservative play-calling late in the game, running three straight with Glen Coffee to force Minnesota to use all of its timeouts, only to punt the ball back to them. This included a run on 3rd and 6 against a defense that Coffee was averaging just a shade above 2 yards/run. I digress completely....crap.
Week 3 opponent this year? The Vikings. In the Metrodome. Let's hope for a much different result in both the game and the season. - Speaking of Mike Singletary - Ok, no one was speaking of him. In fact, most people want to forget about his up-and-down two-year stint as Niners coach. However, I have to give him credit for kick-starting a new era of Niners football, particularly with the attitude readjustment he gave to Vernon Davis. VD's career started out poorly, and it never looked like he would ever live up to his promise. Singletary lit a fire under his ass, and Davis has been a complete beast since. Anything that comes out of his career is in large part to Singletary. Davis has become the key component in a much improved passing offense, the best it's looked since the Jeff Garcia days.
- Where was Randy Moss? I had to double check the stat sheet. He did record a catch for 14 yards, but is not yet a serious option in 2012 for Alex Smith, who has developed quite the connection with Davis (3 TDs) and Michael Crabtree (13 catches, 143 yards) so far. Entering the season, I didn't expect much from Moss, who last played in 2010, rocky stints with three separate teams. I haven't heard anything bad about Moss. I'm hoping he's providing the veteran leadership that some of these younger wide receivers could benefit from.
- The last time I remember the Niners having this effective of an offense and defense at once...was the last time they won the Super Bowl in 1995. Maybe my memory has faded, but just on quick thought, I can't remember any other better overall Niners squads since then.
- I think I'm going to be a couple games off on my Niners prediction. There's still time for that to come true, but everything I've seen this year would indicate they will finish better than my 9-7 projection. I still think we'll lose a handful of games. Perhaps we don't reach the 13 win mark from last year, but that won't mean last year's team was better. Our division has improved (Ariz is 9-2 in their last 11; Seattle 6-4 in their last 10; Rams will be more competitive with Fisher as coach), so a couple losses in division wouldn't shock me. But I'm upping my projection of the Niners to 11-5.
- Frank Gore - still bringing it - I believe Frank Gore reads obscure 49ers fan predictions from out-of-market fans. Before the season started, I said that Gore would succumb to Kendall Hunter this year. What we've seen from Gore through 2 weeks, I think I'll be eating crow. Gore is averaging 100 yards/game on 6+ yards per carry, with a touchdown in each game. Things can obviously change, but barring injury, I don't think Gore is giving anything up this year.
I hope you're all enjoying the start of this year as much as I am. This year has potential to be a special year. I hope to share my joyous observations throughout the year (and hopefully into February).
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