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Updated: Biggest Individual Surprise of the Year

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Updated: Biggest Individual Surprise of the Year

  • DrEll
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 8,027
How can it not be Jimmy G ? If one needs a reminder, please review the last page of the JimmyG thread. During preseason, many (including myself) were quite concerned about him being the real deal. Now sitting at 11-2, cant imagine we'd be here without him.

If only he can cut back on the "weekly dumb mistake" antic, he's golden...
I voted AA

To see a player as raw as he was suddenly realize his potential in year 5 is one the most shocking and pleasant surprises I've seen. It's extremely rare for a guy to look that raw for that long and still become elite.
  • HERN
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 5,444
I get the AA vote and I don't disagree.

My vote tho went to Fred Warner. This is a 3rd round linebacker that was asked to fill in some big shoes since his rookie year. Dude has done a superb job in doing so.

No moment is too big for him. He is the general in that defense. If he's not already a top 5 LB, he will be soon. Maybe as soon as next season.
I created that first individual surprise thread

Top 3:

1- Ward

2- Armstead

3- Bosa and Samuel
  • mayo49
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 64,320
Originally posted by CharlieSheen:
I voted AA

To see a player as raw as he was suddenly realize his potential in year 5 is one the most shocking and pleasant surprises I've seen. It's extremely rare for a guy to look that raw for that long and still become elite.

Yeah, AA has had the biggest turn around - making him my biggest individual surprise of the year.
Dante Pettis

I'm surprised he regressed. Started to play well towards the ending of last season and thought he was gonna take off this season with Jimmy being back but I'm disappointed.
  • mayo49
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 64,320
Mosert is also one of my biggest surprises. Coming out no where to take the starting job.
Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Not sure how Ward is not in this poll! If I had to list my top five it would be:

1. Jimmie Ward - I didn't think he would be good even if healthy.

2. Ahkello Witherspoon - I was ready to move on from him too, never expected him to start playing elite. He's been disrupting passes, getting picks or near picks. Outside of the past 2 games, his tackling improved, tracking the ball improved, and covering without getting PI improved.

3. Daniel Brunskill - I thought he'd be average at best. He's been far better than that and has proven to be a legit starting caliber OL.


All the others in the poll I'm not really surprised by. I know they had the talent and ability and wasn't writing any of them off yet, especially with better supporting casts around them. Even Moseley, I saw something that popped out to me in both pre-seasons that made me think this guy is a hidden gem. Although, you can't just go out and shout something like that here without being instantly berated by the naysayers...

Brunskill has always been very good everywhere he has played. For the San Diego State Aztecs and the San Diego Fleet of the AAF. He has good technique and is a better athlete than people give him credit for. He tends to be an excellent pass blocker at every level he has played at. It doesn't surprise me that he succeeded. Having watched him over the years I would expect that.
  • mayo49
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 64,320
Brunskill has been solid - we need him to keep it up.
The fact that we have this thread and multiple different answers is my biggest surprise and I love it 🤙
A very positive sign thread... i voted Warner but after looking at the results i can't argue with A.A.
What a year so far... let's keep it going.
Buckner not doing anything
Originally posted by NinerPrideinNJ:
Buckner not doing anything

He is getting the double teams and making Armstead look good. Making Armstead look better than he actually is. Of course AA improved this year and I'm happy. But I believe he is not quite as good as he looks. He is a product of Bosa and Buckner drawing a lot of attention. Plus he is in a contract year playing out of his mind.
Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Originally posted by NinerPrideinNJ:
Buckner not doing anything

He is getting the double teams and making Armstead look good. Making Armstead look better than he actually is. Of course AA improved this year and I'm happy. But I believe he is not quite as good as he looks. He is a product of Bosa and Buckner drawing a lot of attention. Plus he is in a contract year playing out of his mind.

You have some good points, but its not like he wasn't doubled last year or the previous.
Originally posted by DRCHOWDER:
Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Originally posted by NinerPrideinNJ:
Buckner not doing anything

He is getting the double teams and making Armstead look good. Making Armstead look better than he actually is. Of course AA improved this year and I'm happy. But I believe he is not quite as good as he looks. He is a product of Bosa and Buckner drawing a lot of attention. Plus he is in a contract year playing out of his mind.

You have some good points, but its not like he wasn't doubled last year or the previous.

After the big year Buckner had last year they are extremely focused on him. Much more so than even last year. Not quite to the Aaron Donald level but approaching that. He still occupies a lot of blockers and eats up space and blockers. He is still doing his job. Buckner is just not getting as big of numbers on the stat sheet. But that doesn't mean he isn't a good player.
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