Can’t wait for NFL 2008
Since the beginning of this dark year in Bay Area sports, which
unofficially began with last season’s 9-23 combined record from the
49ers and Raiders, the San Francisco Giants have been difficult to
watch (especially at home), the A’s have traded away their identity
(when we all thought that it was their identity they were searching
for), and the Warriors appear to be losing their offseason battle
to the Los Angeles Clippers (never a good sign).
Can’t wait for NFL 2008
Since the beginning of this dark year in Bay Area sports, which unofficially began with last season’s 9-23 combined record from the 49ers and Raiders, the San Francisco Giants have been difficult to watch (especially at home), the A’s have traded away their identity (when we all thought that it was their identity they were searching for), and the Warriors appear to be losing their offseason battle to the Los Angeles Clippers (never a good sign).
Although I’m not necessarily ready to give in to all the rage that is the San Jose SaberCats just yet, it clearly has not been a very good year for Bay Area sports. In fact, it’s been rather dreadful.
Believe it or not, it’s actually somewhat difficult to harp on the negative each week when writing a column, not to mention the fact that I’m a complete downer in the process and become impossible to work with. And I blame the column!
So let’s bring some sunshine into everyone’s lives.
NFL training camps kicked off this week, with the 49ers beginning today in Santa Clara, while the Raiders started yesterday in Napa.
Since the Niners and the Raiders placed Northern California professional sports into this funk, though, I believe it’s up to them to get us out of it. And I think they can.
The 2008 NFL season can’t come soon enough.
There, I said it.
Starting with the 49ers, the season will be won or lost depending upon who comes out of the quarterback situation. Barring that the Niners don’t make a run at Brett Favre, we’re looking at an Alex Smith/Shaun Hill-/JT O’Sullivan footrace.
It’s likely Smith will get the nod in Week 1, but simply opening it up for a discussion can only pay dividends.
It was the offense that proved to be so inept last season that it single-handedly squelched the “sleeper” team status the 49ers were given by many experts, but everyone saw that coming in their sleep. If every analyst says you’re a sleeper, you tend to lose your sleeper status.
With that said, Smith should be given another chance, at the very least. It’d be ridiculous to dump a No. 1 pick after just three seasons, especially one who was out for nine games last year, and who was in the process of learning a lackluster offense from coordinator Jim Hostler.
New offensive coordinator Mike Martz should, at the very least, make the offense watchable again. The only question is whether or not Martz’ pass-happy schemes will work with the offensive ingredients the Niners have.
I thought the 49ers should have looked at coordinator Cam Cameron, who’s worked wonders with running backs in the past, and perhaps would have done the same with San Francisco’s Frank Gore.
Considering a Martz offense relies heavily upon timing and precise routes, it’ll also be interesting to see if the 49ers’ offensive line can prove to be better than it was last season – which was rather hapless.
On the other side of the Bay, the Raiders could be given dreaded sleeper team status as we get closer to the start of the season. Although that title would perhaps come one or two seasons earlier than it should, it would be a sign of the direction the team is heading.
JaMarcus Russell is signed, Darren McFadden is ready, and the Raiders boast the third easiest schedule in the league this season, not to mention the addition of Javon Walker and DeAngelo Hall, if anything, brings the team legitimacy.
New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp specializes in the West Coast offense, and although Russell may not appear to be that style of quarterback, he did hook up with tight end Zach Miller in the final game last season for eight passes and 84 yards.
Russell to Miller, remember that combination. It could be potent in the near future, especially if Oakland’s offensive line doesn’t crumble. Although last season’s move to the zone blocking was certainly an improvement, new additions like Kwame Harris need to step in immediately.
The question, as it seemingly is every year with the Raiders, is how all the behind-the-scenes dealings will affect the team. Head coach Lane Kiffin appeared to be getting the boot at one point in the offseason, but here we are at the beginning of training camp, and Kiffin is still around.
But let’s not harp on the negative. The 2008 NFL season can’t come soon enough.
