San Francisco 49ers Have Much to Prove If They Want To Be Super Bowl Contenders

If there is one thing we have learned this far into the NFL season, it is that Jim Harbaugh is a genius and all others are less than him.

Ok. Maybe that is too strong, but he has a strategy to coaching that could not be figured out in college and has yet to be figured out in the NFL.

He has taken a decent NFL team that has experienced several disappointing seasons as of late to a 6-1 start to the season and possibly one of the best teams in the NFC.

The win at Detroit proved that, as does the second half against the Eagles. Other than that, Harbaugh and the 49ers have gone about their business week-in and week-out. It has led them to that 6-1 record and a couple plays away from a 7-0 record.

Despite all those good things, there is still a ton for the 49ers to prove this season.

Currently, the 49ers are said to be one of the best teams in the NFC, but can we really say that San Francisco can hang with a team like the Green Bay Packers right now?

To extend that further, can the 49ers really have Super Bowl aspirations?

It is the ultimate goal, right?

It is a long season and the 49ers are just seven games into it, but there is still a lot to learn about Harbaugh's boys. They have all the potential to be a legitimate contender in the NFL this season, but we have yet to fully see it despite a 6-1 start.

We can all agree that Harbaugh has positioned Alex Smith every game to have success on the field, but he has yet to show that extra something to make us say "Yep, that is a Super Bowl winning quarterback."

And maybe he does not need to.

Rex Grossman did not have it and he made it to a Super Bowl, and there have been many more less than decent quarterbacks before him.

However, the more Smith flies under the radar, the more opposing teams will feel the need to expose him.

To the 49ers' credit, those opposing teams will have to get around the monstrosity that is the San Francisco offensive line to get to Smith.

This is not to say that the 49ers cannot create that extra something to make them realistic Super Bowl contenders, and if anyone can create it it is Harbaugh. But giving a game away to the Cowboys, as well as keeping the Browns around into the fourth quarter are things that need to be fixed.

Harbaugh is learning and the team is learning, and that combination has led them to an NFC elite 6-1.

Give them another seven games and maybe we will be talking about the 49ers having realistic Super Bowl aspirations. For now, we can sit back and watch this team learn and develop as a whole and continue to play playoff-bound football.

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns Preview & Predictions

The Week 8 match-up of the 49ers (5-1) and Browns (3-3) has "comebacks" as a part of its storyline. Braylon Edwards is still questionable no matter how optimistic Jim Harbaugh is, and Peyton Hillis' possible return to the Cleveland backfield. Montario Hardesty has run rather well in Hillis' absence, but it will be good to have the Madden '12 cover boy on the field again.

However, the backfield is one part of the game this weekend that the 49ers will not have to worry about, particularly because the 49ers' rushing defense ranks among the best in football, Hardesty is a rather shallow runner and Hillis is coming back from injury. It stacks up for San Francisco to have another ho-hum day in the trenches.

What the 49ers do have to worry about is the feeling of a trap game.

San Francisco is 5-1 and in charge of the NFC West, as well as an elite team in the NFC. A team like the Browns have no shot at the win at Candlestick, right?

Unless you let them have that shot, which is what many are afraid of in Week 8.

The Browns' offense is mediocre and their defense one of the best in the AFC.

Pounding the ball, as Harbaugh would prefer, is the name of the game this weekend for the 49ers, but look for a low-scoring game where Gore and the defense stand out.


X-Factor

The Browns will be looking to run their way to a "W" this week, as such is there offensive strategy nearly every week.

Hardesty should get the bulk of the carries this week, but look for Hillis to get double-digit carries as well if he gets on the field.

With that said, the 49ers' rushing defense must continue good play, as rushing their way to a win may be the only way for the Browns to claim a victory at Candlestick on Sunday.

In all games played at Candlestick for the 49ers this season, each opposing running back has left the game with injury at some point in the game with less than mediocre numbers to show.

Both Hillis and Hardesty will need to watch their step on Sunday.


Prediction

Pretty simple here. The Browns will not win running the ball on Sunday, so Colt McCoy will have to have a career day for Cleveland to win. As long as the 49ers' secondary does not collapse, that will not happen.

Also, the San Francisco offensive line will need to continue to improve and create lanes for Gore to run for big gains. And i expect many of those this week.

Do not underestimate the Browns' defense, though. If the 49ers get into the passing game, the Cleveland secondary is one of the best in the AFC, which makes for another way the Browns can pull one out in San Francisco.

49ers win 24-13

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Comparing the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild Trades Now

Hindsight is 20/20. I believe that is how the saying goes. However, when the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild made their series of trades this past offseason, there was no turning back, and there really was no need to. Both teams walked away feeling better about their teams heading forward.

Fast forward to two weeks into the 2011-12 NHL season, and what is the consensus on how each of these teams did in those trades?

To re-cap, Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi were traded to the Wild for Brent Burns and Martin Havlat in two separate trades. Also, the Sharks acquired winger James Sheppard from the Wild for a third round pick.

We finally got to see all these players dressed in their new sweaters and out on the ice with their new team, giving us a great look at how these trades stack up.

Brent Burns for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and 2011 1st Round Pick

The trade shocked the hockey world on Draft Day 2011.

A premiere defenseman in the prime of his career traded for a scoring winger with so much potential.

For now, this trade is a deadlock in terms of which team got the better of it.

Burns has done so much by just being a presence on the Sharks defense. His big body and pounding shot from the point is why San Jose wanted him and he has not disappointed one bit so far.

Setoguchi in Minnesota was another great fit for a team in dire need of offense. So far, Setoguchi has impressed with three goals through eight games, and also is second on the team in shots on goal. He is getting opportunities to show what he has, which is something that was simply not going to happen in San Jose.

As for Charlie Coyle, the Sharks No. 1 forward prospect at the time of the trade, he continues to play well for Boston University and is one of the better prospects in Minnesota's organization.

The winner of this trade has yet to be determined, and may not be for the next few years until the Wild's prospects show up.

Martin Havlat for Dany Heatley

The swap of two premiere forwards in the NHL shocked the hockey world yet again.

Sniper Heatley for speedster Havlat in another trade benefiting both teams on the surface and leaving both teams feeling better about their rosters.

Heatley, although battling an injury, has been the Wild's go-to offensive player, as he leads the team in points and shots on goal. Granted he only has five points, which is telling about the Minnesota offense, the Wild are still 3-2-3 through eight games this season.

Havlat, on the other hand, has only played in two games with the Sharks so far, after battling an injury early this season. Through those two games, he has tallied two assists, while creating chemistry with line mates Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe who all complement each other very well.

For now, the Wild got the better of this trade. Havlat has been injured and Heatley is everything Minnesota needed in a No. 1 offensive threat. Heatley will lead the Wild and Havlat is prepared to be that role player needed when called upon, at least that is how it seems.

Havlat does make the Sharks a faster team, and the offense will come in time, but Heatley has seemed to fit right in and we are waiting to see from Havlat what he can do on the ice.

Havlat makes the Sharks a more well-rounded team, but Heatley is the centerpiece of the Minnesota offense.

James Sheppard for 3rd Round Pick

It would seem as though the Wild dumped the troubled Sheppard onto the Sharks. In fact, let's call it that because that was exactly what it was.

Sheppard was the ninth overall pick in 2006 and has yet to live up to that potential, which would explain why Minnesota gave up on him after five years.

For the Sharks, he will play in more of a depth role, slotted somewhere on the fourth line when healthy. However, that is the problem right now—health.

After two offseason knee surgeries, the 23-year-old has not begun on-ice activities yet and there is no current timetable for that to happen.

It seems like the Wild got away with one right here, but if Sheppard regains his health, his potential is through the roof as a Top 10 pick in the NHL Draft.

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San Jose Sharks: 5 Players Projected For Big Seasons So Far

The San Jose Sharks are not off to the most ideal start at 4-3-0 through the first two weeks of the season. However, we can still get a good look of how this team will fair come mid-season and further.

The roster is stacked head-to-toe with talented players seeking a shot at the Cup and this season is as good as ever for this franchise to win one.

First things first, there have been no surprises.

Chemistry is an issue, which we assumed would happen after an offseason in which GM Doug Wilson basically switched up the top lines. Also, the defense is as good as advertised, and Brent Burns heads that attack.

During these first two weeks, we have seen some players stand out from the rest, and we can pretty much guarantee gigantic seasons from them this season based on what we have seen from them during these first few games.



5. Ryane Clowe

Clowe has had quite a start to the 2011-12 season so far. He has tallied six points, including two goals and four assists on a second line that is starting to figure each other out with Martin Havlat in there.

We know Clowe is good for a mass number of PIMs, but it may be his offensive game that could climb this season thanks to a maturing Couture and crafty Havlat.

Last season's total of 62 points is very attainable of he continues to get the looks he has been given. We can be sure to see him climb over the 70-point mark if things continue this way.


4. Patrick Marleau

Marleau almost should not be on this list just because we have begun to expect big seasons from him in San Jose.

However, this first line is so in sync on the ice that it is almost a guarantee that he will not only match his usual 70-point total, but may be just his second season of over 40 goals.

With Thornton and Pavelski playing as well as they are on that first line, this is probably the most likely of scenarios for statistics on this team.



3. Joe Thornton

Another player who we expect big things from in San Jose year after year.

To reiterate what this first line has the capability of doing this season, Thornton, Marleau and Pavelski play with such comfortability around each other that all three are set to have major seasons.

The first line has been getting looks, and it is just a matter of time before the goals start piling up.

Thornton is the facilitator on this line, and although is goals scored will hover around the 30-goal mark, we will see his assist total soar this season. With scorers like Pavelski and Marleau, it is almost inevitable.

We can expect around 60 assists from him and close to 80 points if things keep up.


2. Brent Burns

Burns is as good as advertised, if you hadn't noticed.

He has proven to be a decent defender, as well as a dominant force on the power play with that heavy shot from the point.

It does not seem he is fully used to the order of business in San Jose just yet, but that will come around with time, although we can already see him and Vlasic creating a little chemistry from game to game.

From the looks of it, we can expect around the same season that he had in Minnesota last year, which was 17 goals, 29 assists and a total of 46 points. However, that +/- will rise considerably from his -10 with the Wild.

Good things happen when he is on the ice in San Jose.

If everything goes according to plan, his ho-hum season will earn him a spot in the NHL All-Star Game.


1. Joe Pavelski

You do not have to pay much attention to the game to know that Pavelski is loving his duties on the first line these days.

With Marleau and Thornton on this list, why not round out the entire first line with Pavelski. These three players have such chemistry together that their stats will undoubtedly rise this season.

Pavelski is getting shots at the net he never thought would come, and it is thanks to Marleau and Thornton for setting those shots up.

So far, he has six goals and two assists in seven games, but he leads the team in shots on net, as well as leading the team in shooting percentage at over 16 percent.

He is poised for a giant year if paired up Thornton and Marleau for the rest of it.

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San Jose Sharks: What To Make of the Team's Slow Start

How do you explain a team with this many talented players and that much of a hype surrounding them starting the season off 1-3?

You got me. In fact, you may have everyone.

The offense, on paper, is solid. The defense, on paper, is a surefire hit. Then why have they lost three games in a row at the beginning of the season?

The bounces simply have not been going their way, but that is not the entirety of what we make of this.

The chemistry on the offense is lacking, to say the least. It is not true for the first line, who have had so many open chances at the net that it makes my stomach curl just thinking about how many point-blank shots have been missed this season. But the second, third and fourth lines have struggled with communication and overall chemistry, and that is the whole of why pucks have not found the back of the net.

Another kicker is that the chemistry issue will have to be re-established once Martin Havlat makes his debut, quite possibly this Friday in New Jersey. He will be on the second line with Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture, most likely.

Surviving a six-game roadtrip on the east coast is one thing. Establishing a consistency with your linemates during that time is quite another.

Another idea as to explain the sluggish start in San Jose is the admission that maybe the Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues are simply better than the Sharks at this time.

The Blues are projected to finish anywhere from sixth to eighth in the Western Conference, and the Ducks are projected among the top-tier teams in that league.

Missing Havlat, paired with a rusty Niemi and mediocre Thomas Greiss, and adding in new players and no chemistry simply equals an average team in the Western Conference, which is what the Sharks have displayed thus far this season.

They are learning. We will give them that.

Niemi will be quicker, Havlat will fit right in and the offense will find consistency. It may be as easy as that, although we know it is not.

It was tough to see this slow of a start coming, what with the massive potential on paper, but this start to the NHL season was inevitable. They are learning to play with Brent Burns and Michal Handzus in different situations, and missing open opportunities just adds fuel to the frustration.

How do explain the slow start?

You don't. The talent is there, the potential is there and it is just a matter of time before this team meets the hype.

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Composure and Resilience Define Jim Harbaugh's Impact on San Francisco 49ers

Forget the infamous Jim Harbaugh/Jim Schwartz postgame scuffle. Forget Schwartz' comments before the game. Forget Harbaugh's over-celebratory postgame handshake to a Lions coach that was clearly not in the mood.

Monday and Tuesday have now passed and with the Harbaugh/Schwartz debate dying down, it is time to talk about the actual game. More specifically, let's talk about the 49ers, a top-3 team in the NFC.

The Lions/49ers game on Sunday was as good an example as any as to what Harbaugh has brought to this team.

Down 10-0 in the first quarter on the road at Ford Field against that type of defense would force any team to completely shut down. However, it was this new mindset the 49ers now have that fueled them to a tremendous effort the rest of that first half, and into real contention in the second half.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the 49ers' locker room at halftime. Judging by the postgame handshake, postgame press conference and postgame speech, i can only imagine Harbaugh's halftime pep talk to be something along the lines of the movie "Miracle."

Does Alex Smith, with his back up against the wall, lead the 49ers down the field on their final possession of the game without Harbaugh on the sidelines?

Doubt it.

This new "never say never" attitude that was hinted at in the Eagles game, and clear as ever in the Lions game, comes from the head coach.

The cool and calm appearance of Smith marching down the field, with all parts of the offense working together, comes from the head coach.

The 4th and goal from the six-yard line made that as clear as ever.

If it was not evident what Harbaugh is doing in San Francisco after the handshake, it most certainly was in that postgame speech to his players.

The fire and the passion does not come through any more clearer than through Harbaugh's actions, and his team responds time and time again.

He asks Smith to take care of the ball, Gore to keep on keeping on and the defense to make plays. He expects the players to rise up and play above their ability level, and that was what happened on Sunday in Detroit.

Harbaugh is doing special things in San Francisco, and his team is responding with W's and ever-growing aspirations.

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Preview & Predictions

As far as i am concerned, if you picked the 49ers and Lions as the game of the season thus far in Week 5, you are a lying liar.

Sure, the Lions were on a roll from last season and the 49ers' franchise received a makeover with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, but a record of 9-1 between them?

C'mon.

It is pretty obvious what the Lions/49ers match-up details this weekend. It will be the Lions relentless offensive attack and determined defense against the 49ers trying to find something that works....anything.

The 49ers are 4-1 for a reason, though.

However, against this Detroit team, the 49ers will need everything to work on the defensive side of the ball for there to even be talk about how this offense will react to Ndamukong Suh & Co.

What the 49ers do have going for them is a tremendous defense against the run, which should not be a problem against an off and on runner like Jahvid Best.

Another thing that San Francisco has going for them is a decent offensive line and an offense made for the quarterback to get the ball out of his hands quick.

The 49ers will be on the defensive a lot against these Lions, but there are a few holes that they can pick at in this game. Rest assured, Harbaugh will find them.



X-Factor

There is zero doubt in anyone's mind that the deciding factor of this game depends on how well the 49ers cover Calvin Johnson and how well they protect Alex Smith.

Personally, the quick slants and crafty play-calling of Harbaugh will play a huge role in taking that Lions' front line out of the game. How long can you keep Suh out of a game for? We will find out on Sunday.

Carlos Rogers will most likely get the call on Johnson, but you better believe he will not be the only one with an eye on him. The best defense on Calvin Johnson is one with three players surrounding him at all times. Freak of nature.


Prediction

Despite the Lions looking virtually unstoppable so far this season, the 49ers offense stacks up against them as well as anybody in this league.

Smith's ability to get rid of the ball quickly to a receiver and/or throw the ball away when needed and avoid the sack will go a long way on Sunday.

Ultimately, it will be Smith's arm (yes, his arm) and Harbaugh's play-calling that will get San Francisco this win on the road against one of the best the NFL has to offer.

49ers win 27-24

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