Are we better this year than last?

I'd say we should be better.

1. This is the best secondary we've had since 94 and you could argue we are deeper in the secondary than the 94 squad, even without having an all time great like Deion and peak Merton Hanks.

2. Dline looks better on paper than last year. Stronger at edge and should be more stout against the run.

3. Wide receivers for days. Once Aiyuk gets fully integrated, this group can torch defenses so many ways. Deebo looking fantastic and the depth is better.

4. We all know about CMC. But I'm excited for Jordan Mason as the official RB2 and Guerendo. Hopefully Guerendo remains healthy.

5. Brock is only in year 3 and has had his first full offseason as the unquestioned starter.

6. We upgraded at RG.

7. Our defensive identity is back.

Now the bad is no Trent Williams and while this is going to hurt A LOT, reality is even with Trent, we weren't even average on Oline. That reality is going to bring a resolution to this holdout. Either by scheme/playcalls or the holdout being resolved. I don't think it'll derail the season but it will stifle the effectiveness of the offense.

Slightly better if TW plays, worse if he does not. If you factor in injuries, we will likely be worse regardless of whether TW plays (#4 healthiest team in NFL in 2023 by adjusted games lost).

With TW, offense is about the same. QB slightly better, RB slightly worse (CMC and Juszczyk a year older), WR slightly better (more depth), TE slightly worse (Kittle a year older). OL the same with TW (TW is 36, upgrade at RG) or significantly worse without him.

Defense is slightly better. DL is worse (downgraded starters from Armstead and Young to Collins and Floyd, Hargrave is a year older). LB slightly better (Campbell is an upgrade as a 3rd LB), DB better (added Yiadom and Green, Brown should be an upgrade over Gibson).

Too many unknowns to say for sure. Will Huffanga be 100%? How much will the defense miss Greenlaw? And most important, is Sorensen the answer? And with Brandon Staley also on board, are there too many cooks in the kitchen?

And on offense, will CMC have lost a step being a year older? And is this the year the NFL finally figure out how to stop the Shanahan offense?

Going into this season everyone was looking for a great year. Purdy was going to have a full off season to get ready and he would have one more year of experience. The Niners added some help at WR. They were bringing in a new DC.

Then everything started to unravel. Aiyuk and then Trent holdout. Their first round pick gets shot. Greenlaw and Hufanga still aren't ready. You just can't predict what will happen.

If healthy...

Perhaps.

But we are not whole. Not yet.

Originally posted by 49ers808:
Only way we are "better" than last year is if we win the SB

This.

1. Health is most important
2. Stopping the run is key
3. Oline play is also critical

Outside of Fred Warner, 49ers are looking 100% worse after 2 games.

Originally posted by D0PEMAN:
Outside of Fred Warner, 49ers are looking 100% worse after 2 games.

Good thing the season isn't two games long then.

We need CMC and Dre back. It'll change the attitude on both side of the ball.

Originally posted by titan:
We need CMC and Dre back. It'll change the attitude on both side of the ball.

Well we ain't getting back CMC for awhile. Not sure about dre.

Not sure if it's good news, but the Rams may be without Kupp next week

Looks like they are worse. But it's just 2 games so who knows. Now everyone is injured. This early in the year. Not looking good now but the season is long.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Looks like they are worse. But it's just 2 games so who knows. Now everyone is injured. This early in the year. Not looking good now but the season is long.

you weren't saying that last week lol

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Looks like they are worse. But it's just 2 games so who knows. Now everyone is injured. This early in the year. Not looking good now but the season is long.

you weren't saying that last week lol

As new data comes in sometimes opinions can change.

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Looks like they are worse. But it's just 2 games so who knows. Now everyone is injured. This early in the year. Not looking good now but the season is long.

you weren't saying that last week lol

He wasn't even saying that in another thread a few hours ago.