Did the 49ers just have the worst NFL offseason ever? Let's rank them

Yahoo Sports ^ | Aug. 10, 2015 | Frank Schwab

[Michael.SF.]

1. 2015 San Francisco 49ers

On this list we have seen examples of great players retiring suddenly in their prime, losing big-time players in free agency, the stunning departure of top coaches at or near their peak and legal troubles bringing down elite talents. The 49ers had a combination of all of those factors this offseason, I couldn't find another example of a team having so many various factors resulting in so many huge hits to the roster:

Coach Jim Harbaugh was chased off to Michigan, guard Mike Iupati, running back Frank Gore and others departed in free agency, offensive tackle Anthony Davis, and linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland suddenly retired (defensive end Justin Smith retired too, though that was more expected) and pass rusher Aldon Smith was released after his latest arrest. I could not find one offseason that was a reasonable comparison to what has happened to the 49ers.

[Michael.SF.]

As a 12 year former season ticket holder, and still a fan, I would say this guy is 100% spot on.

Niner's will be lucky, very lucky to hit .500.

[Hugin]

You never know. It’s also an opportunity for a lot of people to step up. If they do, it will seem brilliant.

[MisterArtery]

Things are looking up. Banished Edwin Edwards briber Eddie DeBartolo made an appearance at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

[NormsRevenge]

What’s the over under on how many times they replace the field this year? ;-)

Go VIKES!!

[Fiji Hill]

Why do they insist on being called the San Francisco Forty-Niners? Santa Clara, where they play, is 45 miles away. It is definitely not San Francisco, having a completely different mindset.

[Michael.SF.]

Why are they called the NY Giants?

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Niner's will be lucky, very lucky to hit .500.

While I think the sabotage and firing of Harbaugh by the spoiled little owner was the purest idiocy, GM Trent Baalke is a Parcells protege and keeps finding decent defensive talent. Even with the huge losses of Patrick Willis and now Aldon Smith, the 49ers have some good young talent for their defensive front seven.

The losses on the OL may be harder to overcome, but at least they won't spend the season with the owner leaking damaging rumors about the head coach to the local and national media - that can only help. I think 8-8 is likely.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Things are looking up. Banished Edwin Edwards briber Eddie DeBartolo made an appearance at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Eddie DeBartolo deserves to be enshrined at the Hall of Fame for his football accomplishments, as Charles Haley noted.

[Fiji Hill]

Why are they called the NY Giants?

Why not call them the Jersey Giants? The name would be not only accurate but alliterative.

[glennaro]

Though not an extraordinarily tough schedule, playing in a competitive division I think the once-great 49ers (my home team) will be fortunate if they win 6 games. Not a great thing for the ultra-high priced tickets at Levi Stadium which hosts the next Superbowl.

[Hugin]

Whatcha think now?

[Hugin]

You sure nailed it about the defense. Offense is good but they still seem to have trouble punching it in from the red zone. That’s been their biggest weakness the last few years. But Kaepernick seems much improved over the off season. I always though he was pushed in too soon, and would have benefited from being a backup for Alex Smith for a while. Hopefully he’s ready to now live up to his full potential.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Offense is good but they still seem to have trouble punching it in from the red zone. That’s been their biggest weakness the last few years. But Kaepernick seems much improved over the off season.

Wow, was Hyde impressive tonight - some decent run blocking, but he created a lot of his yards with his cutbacks. I wouldn't have expected Hyde to be the star running back on Adrian Peterson's comeback night. And you could see how much that defense missed Novarro Bowman - the guy's a force and will do a lot to compensate for the loss of Willis and Borland. And while Aaron Lynch isn't Aldon Smith any more than Tim Harris was Charles Haley, he can get pressure on the QB.

I thought Kaepernick had a nice, efficient night passing, and it was good to see him using his legs to gain some yards when needed. He still doesn't have a great receiving corps - Vernon Davis really seems to have faded, and I don't even know if Torrey Smith had a reception tonight. And the right side of the OL is going to have to prove it for a few more games before I believe Kaepernick isn't going to get killed this season. But a nice win and a good night at Levis.

[Michael.SF.]

I think I am 0 for 1 in my loser's pool. 😉

(Did not see the game as I am out of the country.)