Question: I was heartened at the pick-up of Barry Sims especially to give Jonas Jennings competition at tackle. Matt, what do you think of the O-Line as it stands? Will they be able to help the run, and avoid injuries to the Quarterbacks? Can you foresee more moves to strengthen the O-Line? Thank you -- love the blog.
Tom, Mountain View
A: In terms of talent, I thought the offensive line was, or rather should have been, strong last year. It was as baffling as anything during that horrible 2007 season that the line was such a mess. Remember, the offensive line was something that Mike Martz immediately cited when he first joined the 49ers. If Jennings remains healthy, I think it's a great line. Of course, that's a big "if". Now that Sims is in the mix, the 49ers have Jennings insurance so to speak. If he's hurt, the talent level drops, but only slightly.
- Matt
Question: Matt -- In my mind, the Sims signing is probably more important for how it impacts the long-term future of Rachal than the additional depth it provides at tackle this year (although, it's nice to have given the lack of depth there). My real question is this, however: If Rachal shines in camp, what are the odds Baas moves to center and starts over an aging Heitmann? Baas played like a star there in college. A stud line of Staley, Snyder, Baas, Rachal and (even) Jennings is young enough to really gel and play together for years.
Mike, Montclair
A: Heitmann aging? Dude's only 28! I would never bet against Heitmann. Remember, Heitmann was drafted with little fanfare, started 12 games his rookie season, many of them with a broken hand. He's been a starter ever since. That's a much better start than Baas has had. Now having said that, Heitmann is entering the final year of his contract. It's entirely possible that the 49ers' brain trust will want to go in a new direction with an interior line of Adam Snyder, Eric Heitmann and Chilo Rachal, all guys that the current regime has drafted. But ousting Heitmann in favor of Baas, IMHO, would be a big mistake.
- Matt
Question: Hey Matt, I am California dreaming I know but is there ANY chance that our 49ers would ever get Eddie back? He sounds like he would like to get back into owning a team and the 49ers are going nowhere with the Yorks at the helm. We only have to look across the bay to see how a bad owner translates into a bad team. I would love to see us do well this year but I am not very optimistic right now. Hopefully I will change my outlook after training camp.
Paul, Lodi
A: When we asked Eddie D about possibly owning another team a few months ago, he was iffy on the subject, saying that he didn't know if he had the energy to run a team. In that regard, a union between Eddie D and nephew Jed York - the definite heir apparent to the 49ers' kingdom - makes a lot of sense. Eddie D would provide guidance; Jed York, who loves Eddie D., would provide the energy. The hiccup in that arrangement is John York. I doubt he would step aside to allow his brother in law to step in. Is there any chance? I'm reminded of a scene from Dumb & Dumber:
Question: Hey, Matt! I just discovered your Blogs and I LUV 'em! Keep it up! As we rev up towards the season, my optimism is growing. I feel that our Niners have a great attitude and LOTS of talent both in players and coaches. How does the overall feeling of this offseason compare with last year when everyone had such high expectations? I can now honestly say I believe making the playoffs is a very real possibility. Your thoughts on this from your insider's POV? Thanks! Go NINERS! Go CAVS!
- John, Tucson
A: Wahoowa. Well, Nolan is doing his best to tamp down expectations, starting with removing that absurd "Win the West" banner he hung in 2005. But if you read what Mike "Wow!" Martz has been saying, you'd think the 49ers were planning to re-write the offensive record book. To say he is excited about his offensive weapons - Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore - would be an understatement. I've been thinking a lot lately about expectations and optimism. One of the beauties of the NFL is that the long offseason breeds optimism. Teams hire a few coaches, add a few free-agents, bring in a draft class, have months of intra-squad scrimmages and suddenly everyone is saying, 'You know, I think these guys could make the playoffs.' I think the fans of just about every team (except maybe Chicago) naturally become optimistic in the offseason. In terms of ticket sales, it's rather ingenious.
- Matt
Question: Hi Matt. This blog is of the hook. Im a die hard everyday niner fan. Keep up the awsom work. my question to you is; Is this team ever goin to get that fire that i know they have on the feild, it just seems to me that they have the talent but the spend a whole lot of time second quessing themselfs. i would love to see more aggression on the feild. I know that they work hard and I will always be a Niner Fan. thank you and big shot out to you.
Leebob, Sacramento
A: Thanks for the shot out. It's actually a good question. The 49ers have plenty of high-character players but I would question whether they have enough fiery players. I think Joe Staley and Vernon Davis fit that category. But if I were a fan, I'd like to see more. I'll have more on this topic at a later date ...
- Matt
Question: Hey Matt, love the Blog. You and Matt M do a great job. Since you got this great new camera, and I know your dieing to use it, how about a tour of the 49ers facilities and headquarters?
Josh, Merced
A: OK, but per NFL rules, it would have to be a 90-second tour.
- Matt
Question: With all these blurry pictures and all these allusions to Manet and the impressionist painters, are you getting artsy on us or are you lobbying the Bee for a camera with a faster shutter speed?
Bob, Pacifica?
Answer: Artsy? Don't worry. I'm not at the point where I'll be mailing anyone my left ear ... yet.
- Matt
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