Under Pressure

It's been several years since the 49ers have had any expectations going into the season. The end of the Donahue Regime was marred by ridiculous draft choices (1st round picks included one-name busts Rumph, Kwame, and Rashaun) and personnel moves that threw us even deeper into cap hell (Ahmed Plummer and Kevan Barlow anyone?). As a result, the team put together two of the worst statistical seasons EVER in 2004 and 2005.

But as the New Era rolls on, the Niners are getting a lot of love. Maybe too much love. Hot on the heels of its power rankings, ESPN.com released its expert picks yesterday. Of the 16 "experts", 6 have the Niners going to the playoffs (either as the division winner or a wild-card), 2 have Nolan winning Coach of the Year, and 3 see Patrick Willis coming in as the Defensive RoY. This kind of "trendy, off-the-wall-pick" love from the national press is the same sort the Cardinals have gotten the past couple seasons...only to get completely punked, exposed, and embarassed on national TV.


While some of the ESPN folks like our chances, the folks over at SI are a little less bullish on the team's prospects. The bottom line is everyone knows this team is better than last year, but no one knows how much better. Even the players themselves won't know until they play a full, meaningful game. The pressure of expectations, both from outside and within the franchise, is building. It's time to handle them, step up, and meet the challenge.

(If you can't get enough Freddie Mercury or need a laugh, whatever the reason, check out this clip. Say what you will about the guy, but people loved him.)