The State of the 49ers

The defense is tired. The offense is ineffective. Everything that could have gone wrong has.

Manny Lawson is out for the year while Alex Smith recovers from a separated shoulder. The offensive line is struggling allowing pass rushers to annihilate our quarterbacks.

Frank Gore can't seem to find a hole within that line either.

What happened to all those expectations? Did this team get arrogant too fast? Does anyone need to remind them that they only won 6 games from 2004 to 2005? This team does not deserve to have a swagger yet.

Now the young 49ers face adversity and their response the next couple of weeks will determine if this season is a success or not.

Offensive coordinator Jim Hostler has tried to blend Mike McCarthy's West Coast Offense with Norv Turner's Coryell Offense. However, all I see is a mere shadow of both offenses. It appears Hostler may have bit off more than he can chew trying to do so much with both styles because it sure has not translated on the field.

The offensive line looks confused out there and Alex Smith looks like a lamb to the slaughter. Smith is not the problem. His legs and decision making has gotten him out of trouble. Imagine if the line could actually give him time to find receivers downfield.

The defense has been the stand out unit through the first four games. The unit is tough and quick. However with the offense lagging way behind, I wouldn't be surprised if the 49ers started being referred to as the Ravens of the West.

The expectations were obviously too much for the 49ers to handle.

All we can do is sit and wait this out, again.