San Francisco 49ers are Back in All-Blacks
Yesterday, the San Francisco 49ers released their long awaited depth chart. We will see it put into place on Monday when they take on the Minnesota Vikings. With Teddy Bridgewater‘s impending breakout and Adrian Peterson‘s return, the Vikings will be a good test to see if the Niners are legit this season.
San Francisco’s horrible offseason would make anybody doubt the team’s chances for 2015 success, but a victory on Monday could convince us that Jim Tomsula has things under control.
However, the 49ers are already off to a polarizing start to the 2015 regular season. The team announced a few days ago that they will wear the all-black uniforms during Monday Night Football. It’s odd that some people are upset about simple jerseys of black and red. Anything that isn’t the disaster of the new Cleveland Browns’ uniforms looks great to me. The Niners will make a fun, bold move by wearing the all-blacks during prime time television on ESPN. If anything, it’s a good way to get people talking about the team in some way. Their new alternates looks great, and there’s no point in complaining about them.
Hopefully the San Francisco 49ers play as intense as their uniforms will look in the regular season debut.
Aside from the aesthetics, the depth chart released by the 49ers looks good. After an offseason of player departures, it’s great to see that Aaron Lynch will be a starting linebacker. He is an under-the-radar defender, but his furious style of play will earn him positive attention soon enough.
In regards to the offense, the lineup is shaping up to be a powerhouse of speed and big plays. It’s crazy that the new Torrey Smith/Colin Kaepernick duo hasn’t received more offseason buzz than it has. Kaepernick has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, and Smith proved himself as a deep threat during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. Plus, the Niners still have their Hines Ward-type receiver, Anquan Boldin. With new player and coach pieces, the passing game of the 49ers is bound to breakout this season.
It’s also great to see NaVorro Bowman back in a starting spot. I know that he played some good reps in the preseason, but it’s awesome to know that his regular season return is finally a reality. If all else fails, Bowman will be there to pick up the slack and make some big hits while he’s at it.
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Another point that’s worth taking a deeper look towards is the Jarryd Hayne situation. Hayne impressively made the regular season roster, and he could be the 49ers’ secret weapon. He’s slotted as the third running back behind Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush, but it’s not clear who the team will feature as a punt returner.
The depth chart reads “Reggie Bush or Jarryd Hayne”, so it’s a safe guess that Tomsula plans on using both of them as punt returners throughout the contest. Regardless, the lack of clarity will make it difficult for the Vikings to game plan for their punting unit.
As long as Hayne runs over more defenders, Bowman makes big stops, and the offense is productive, the 49ers have a great shot to beat Minnesota. The San Francisco 49ers are back in all-blacks, and hopefully all of their plans fall into place.