Clinging To A Postseason Dream
October 10th, 2019
BY IRA KAUFMAN
John Lynch is making his former franchise look bad.
Don’t expect any apologies from the Bucs icon, a Ring of Honor member who has overseen the resurrection of a proud franchise in northern California.
Yes, the 49ers are back, and they’re back with a vengeance as the NFC’s only remaining unbeaten team. Three years removed from a 2-14 debacle under Chip Kelly, San Francisco is currently listed at No. 4 in the weekly Associated Press power rankings while the Bucs wallow at No. 23.
Showing Team Glazer how it’s done, writes Ira Kaufman.
The 49ers were 7-25 in the two previous years before Lynch was named GM and Kyle Shanahan replaced Kelly on the sidelines. They closed with a rush after an 0-9 start in 2017, building up hopes, but last season was derailed in Week 3 when Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a torn ACL
While the Bucs are still pining for respectability, the 49ers have shown the Glazers how it’s done — and done rather quickly.
Lynch and his advisers have been very shrewd in building a young, vibrant organization. The 49ers traded for Garoppolo and Dee Ford, drafted Nick Bosa and signed Richard Sherman, Kwon Alexander, Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman as free agents.
Just look at them now.
Sherman provides veteran leadership in the secondary, Bosa and Ford are critical components of a fierce pass rush and the 49ers lead the league in rushing, averaging 200 yards per game on the ground and a nifty 5.2 yards per carry.
San Francisco has outscored its opponents by 70 points through a 4-0 start and outgained them by a whopping 679 yards.
Does that sound like a fluke?
Bucs Dreams
It all began right here in Tampa with a 31-17 victory as the 49ers victimized Jameis Winston for a pair of pick-6 returns. That was the start of something big and Monday night’s 31-3 rout against Cleveland reinforced the notion that the 49ers are for real.
“Everybody is going to have an impression of us after this game,” Bosa said last week. “We want it to be a 4-0 good impression, not as a ‘fake undefeated team,’ like people are kind of saying now.”
Then Bosa went out and showed a prime-time audience why he was the second overall pick in the draft, posting 2 sacks, 5 QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
“They beat us in every facet of the game,” said embattled Browns coach Freddie Kitchens.
Lynch takes no pleasure in seeing the Bucs stumble to a 2-3 getaway.
Lots on the line for Todd Bowles’ defense Sunday
His eyes are fixed on the NFC West crown and the upcoming road matchup against the Rams, who scored 87 points last season while sweeping the 49ers.
Lynch overcame a shaky start as an NFL executive. He used the No. 3 overall pick in 2017 to select Solomon Thomas, who is now a reserve defensive lineman. He traded back into the first round to take linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 31. Foster washed out due to an array of off-field issues.
But Lynch kept plugging away, building an ornery offensive line that has helped San Francisco own a possession time of 34:05. In Kelly’s final season, the 49ers ranked 31st in offense and 32nd in defense.
San Francisco is now Top 5 in both categories.
“We’re going to assemble a team that will make you proud,” Lynch said upon his introduction.
Every year, Buc fans look on with envy as teams come out of nowhere to make the postseason. The Bills did it two years ago and they may do it again this season. Here come the 49ers.
That’s why Sunday’s game in London is so critical. A 2-4 record heading into the bye week would kill any momentum forged in Los Angeles. If Tampa Bay can regain the .500 mark, a playoff run wouldn’t require an active imagination.
Lynch’s team is trying to hold onto first place this weekend. The Bucs are trying to hold onto their hopes and dreams.
In the words of our chief executive, let’s see what happens.
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October 10th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Happy for Lynch.
October 10th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
And yet JL gets an extension.
October 10th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
sad part is, it might take a 11-5 record to make the playoffs in NFC. 10-6 might not be enough with NFC teams beating up on AFC weaklings…
October 10th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
Bucs? Playoffs? 5-11 will get them in?
October 10th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
I guess that SF is better than we thought when we lost to them….
The teams we have played thus far are 16-8 and we are 2-3.
The disappointment is that we lost twice at home.
Two of our 3 losses come to teams that are 8-1 and the third loss was because of a missed chip shot.
Maybe we aren’t doing so badly after all.
October 10th, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Give credit to Lynch. Built two tough and energetic units up front on both sides of the ball. They’ve been able to get after the QB with four and drop seven men back in coverage, while Shanahan is scheming Around his talent on offense.
October 10th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Lynch is an example of a very competent GM with a plan. Bucs, in turn, decide to reward a very incompetent GM without a plan to a 5 yr extension. And we wonder why all the losing.
October 10th, 2019 at 1:01 pm
We’re going to be ok. The Earl of Watford is here to save the day. Can’t wait until the next podcast.😂
October 10th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Thank you TBBF … “Maybe we aren’t doing so badly after all.” Yea verily.
49ers didn’t beat us in that first game; we beat ourselves. Two Pick-6s by SF was the difference in the game. Heck, we were leading 7-6 at halftime, and we were only down by 6 pts (23-17) with roughly 2 mins to go when Jameis threw his 2nd Pick-6.
Won the next game against Carolina 20-14 because of our tough defense. Could’ve also beaten the Giants in the next game if not for a missed FG. Whooped up on the Rams handily as our offensive juggernaut finally got untracked, but got whooped by the Saints badly. By my thinking, this team could’ve easily been 4-1 at this point in the season. But alas, we’re not. Still too inconsistent to be a winning team.
Nonetheless, IF we can beat the Panthers in London, we’ll be back to playing .500 ball. I’ll gladly take that after the recent roller coaster ride we’ve been on.
October 10th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Bucs chances of a win against a good Panthers squad in London are between slim and none; and Slim just left town.
Wait ’til next year with new QB and defense.
October 10th, 2019 at 1:27 pm
@DR I agree about almost 4-1, which I think is what made this so frustrating so far. Bucs beating Bucs- where have we seen that before?
But on the flip side, we could easily be 1-4 had CMC been given another inch or 2 from the refs on that final play. These games really do come down to just a handful of plays.
As for Lynch… I remember the majority of posters on here ridiculing him and the SF organization for hiring him. I imagine there’s a lot of crow being eaten on those opinions now. The thing about the 49ers is they have toughness at every level. I definitely see improvements on the Bucs in that regard, but not enough yet.
I will say I was dead wrong about the younger Bosa. I really thought he was gonna be a bust. Looking pretty damn good so far.
I feel like I’ve been beating a dead horse for years, but we still need so much help in the trenches. We have zero depth on either side. When will we get a GM that believes in building the trenches first?
October 10th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
UN says: When will we get a GM that believes in building the trenches first?
Answer: When the Glazers hire a competent Team President to hire competent football people.
October 10th, 2019 at 1:52 pm
It still blows my mind there are MANY foolish fans in this area that actually believe Jason Licht is a good GM.
We’re in season 6 of Jason Licht’s reign of terror.
October 10th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
It all starts with a competent, trustworthy, accurate, adequate, consistent QB that will hopefully be drafted in this next draft… Without one you have what the Bucs have now, inconsistency and a losing team!
October 10th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
I havent even been able to listen to Iras podcast Im so pissed about losing in NOLA.
October 10th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
6 of the 49ers last 8 games are vs Seahawks twice, Rams, Packers, Saints and Ravens- and they play the Rams this week.
So far they’ve beaten the Bengals, Steelers, Browns and a Jameis wrapped gift.
We will see if they are for real
October 10th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
5 games in and youre talking postseason. Playoffs?!?!?. Bruce is just tryin to win a game. One at a time Ira. Colts had a .001% playoff shot last yr at 0-5. Beat Carolina then get some sleep
October 10th, 2019 at 4:25 pm
The Bucs should’ve jumped at a chance to sign John Lynch instead of keeping Jason “There is no light at the end of the tunnel” Licht! Firrrrreeeeee Licht!
October 10th, 2019 at 4:27 pm
Tye. You are an idiot. Jameis Winston is one the best QBs in the league and has a highly respectable over 100 QBR even with the clunker in game 1. You are a member of the Jameis Bashers and need help for your hate.
October 10th, 2019 at 5:10 pm
@JameisAlmighty!
You are obviously trolling because even the biggest Jameis sackhuggers know he isnt one of the best qbs in the league.
October 10th, 2019 at 5:26 pm
@JameisAlmighty
You obviously have NO IDEA WHAT TRUE HATE LOOKS LIKE!
how about educating yourself by studying some history about how people of color were treated in the south before the 70s… you just might see what hate looks like a learn to identify it correctly..
As far as any team that wants to win, if you can upgrade your qb, ten you upgrade your qb… Winston would be easily replaceable because of inconsistent and erratic plus the huge money he will be high-jacking the teams future for average production.. many teams are getting high quality production from these young qbs who have benefited from being trained better from youth..
So yes, unless Winston suddenly becomes irreplaceable, it soon will be time to replace him!
October 10th, 2019 at 6:45 pm
In order for this team to have a shot or even an 8-8 record, they gotta go into the bye at at least 3-3. Fall back at 2-4 and you suckin wind the rest of the way playing catch up. This is an important game. We shall see how important it is by the way these Bucs play in England.
October 11th, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Settle down on the 49ers. Its October 11th and they’ve yet to beat a winning team. Easy, Ira.
October 11th, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Love what he is doing. Good defense an a strong running game kinda like the 90s Bucs. Hey Jason take notes of what he is doing. ALSO THIS GOES TO SHOW T M A X I P A D IS DEAD WRONG AGAIN haha I love it.