Congratulations Randy Cross!
Randy Cross was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame today. While at UCLA Cross was an All-American selection and helped the team win the Rose Bowl in 1976.
With the 49ers Cross won three Super Bowls and played in three Pro Bowls. So thanks for the memories Randy and Congratulations on your induction.
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49ers Betting odds
One thing that I dont know anything about is betting, it seems like these guys do though.
49ers Position Breakdown: O-Tackles
Next up in the positions breakdowns are the offensive tackles.
Joe Staley
Last season Staley was the unanimous best lineman that the 49ers had, this year could be different. The 49er Faithful are hoping that Staley’s knee is heeled but we have seen time and time again that it takes a year if ever to recover from a knee injury that involves ligaments. If Staley is back to full strength, he will be the 49er’s starting left tackle and a good one at that.
Anthony Davis
The 49ers need Davis to be good right away. For a team that would like to run the ball, the right tackle position is key. Last year no one on the team was able to hold down that spot. Davis is big even by NFL lineman standards. He also is very athletic and could be a stalwart on the 49ers offensive line for years to come.
Adam Snyder
Every good offensive line needs a sixth man who’s a jack-of-all-trades, a guy who in case of injury, can play tackle or guard and can be used on either side of the line. This year for the 49ers that will be Adam Snyder. Last year’s starting right tackle is a quality back up but isn’t good enough to be a starter.
Barry Sims
With injuries to Staley and Snyder last year, Sims got quite a bit of playing time. Sims did a great job while filling in at left tackle. The 11-year veteran is a great player to have on the team because he brings experience and knowledge to a rather young group of offensive linemen.
Alex Boone
The former Buckeye has gone through a lot over the past couple of years. He fell in the draft because of his character issues, people questioned his work ethic when he came to camp overweight, and he never really caught on with the 49ers. This year seems a bit different; Boone came in looking like he went on the “Biggest Loser” show and came out a winner. This guy probably will be put back on the practice squad.
Chris Patrick
Patrick will probably be the odd man out and might not even make the practice squad.
10 Best NFC West Players
This is my list of the best veteran players in the NFC west.
1. Patrick Willis MLB 49ers
Willis might be the best player in the league. During his three seasons in the NFL he has lead the league in tackles twice; in 2008 he was off by 10 tackles. P-Will makes everyone around him better and embodies what Mike Singlertary wants out of his players. The only thing that could hold P-Will back is his bum ankle, but that’s a minor concern.
2. Steven Jackson RB Rams
Jackson managed 1,400 yards on a team that couldn’t even threaten to pass. He does it all, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, get a short yard first down, or take it to the house. If Jackson can get any help this season he will be a monster.
3. Larry Fitzgerald WR Cardinals
Agreeably the best receiver in the game right now, Fitzgerald is a beast. If this were a “Best NFL Players” list Fitzgerald would be ahead of Jackson but because Shawntee Spencer owns him, combine that with the loss of Anquan Bolden and you have the reason for his drop.
4. Vernon Davis TE 49ers
Davis is a match up problem for any team. Last year the tight end had over 900 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns, but his biggest impacts (literally) are his blocks. Davis didn’t have much luck catching the ball his first couple of years but what kept him in the starting lineup was his ability to block.
5. Darnell Dockett DE Cardinals
Dockett is one of the most underrated players in the league. Overshadowed by an amazing offense, Dockett has quietly become one of the better 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL. If you follow him on Twitter you know that’s the only thing Dockett has done quietly.
6. Adrian Wilson S Cardinals
Wilson is in the same boat as Dockett. They are both highly underrated and don’t get the respect they deserve because the Cardinals seem like an offensive team. Any receiver that has met Wilson in the middle of the field would probably beg to differ.
7. Frank Gore RB 49ers
Not unlike Steven Jackson, Frank Gore can do it all. It seems like Gore should be higher than seven on this list but due to the inconsistent offense of the 49ers, Gore hasn’t produced up to his potential since 2006. This year should be different. The 49ers went out and drafted two huge offensive linemen and have had the same offensive coordinator for two consecutive years since Gore has been in the league.
8. Andy Lee P 49ers
A few years ago Andy Lee was the best player on the 49ers. There isn’t too much to say about him except that he can punt the heck out of the ball.
9. O.J Atogwe S Rams
The ball hawking free safety always comes up with interceptions. His ranking on this list takes a hit because the Rams are really bad.
10. Michael Crabtree WR 49ers/ TJ Houshmandzadeh WR Seahawks
I couldn’t leave either of these guys off the list. Houshmandzadeh played well last year but only came out with three touchdowns. Crabtree should jump up this list after he plays a full season.
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49ers Position Breakdown: Tight Ends
So next position to be broken down are the tight ends.
Vernon Davis
There’s no doubt that if there’s one guy who has benefited the most from Mike Singletary’s tutelage it’s is Vernon Davis. Over the last few years we’ve watched a guy who inspired the “We want winners” rant turn into a record tying tight end. This year Davis will look to break the tight end touchdown record, and it shouldn’t be close. Last year Davis was the 49er’s main receiving threat until week seven and the end of the Crabtree hold out. At that point they changed the offense and V.D went on to score 10 of his 13 touchdowns. This year the 49ers have weapons around V.D; look for him to have a monster year due to the inability of our opponents to double cover him.
Delanie Walker
When I looked at the stats I was a bit thrown off. Walker only had 21 catches for 233 yards; I thought they would be a bit higher than that. Stats or no stats any 49er fan can tell you just how important Walker has been the last few years. Over the last few seasons the 49ers didn’t have weapons, what they had to do to counter that was create mismatches. Walker is a mismatch wherever you put him; he’s too big for corners and too fast for linebackers. The combination of V.D and Walker forced teams to focus their coverage towards the middle of the field, this year they won’t be able to do that.
Nate Byham
This kid has a chance to make the team. Some people project him as a full back but I’m not willing to make that jump yet. He is a big time blocker with underrated hands. If he does make the team, look for him to have a big role on special teams.
These last two guys probably will compete for a roster spot but it doesn’t look good.
Tony Curtis
JJ Finally
