[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.

[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]

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.