Retto
formerly toretto
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- Oct 12, 2013
Before the opening kickoff each week, not to mention during the weeks leading up to the aforementioned, the San Fransisco 49ers were constantly in the news, thanks in large part to their ex-QB...
On the field, they were an eyesore.
While Colin Kaepernick ignited a wave of demonstrative action around the league by not standing for the national anthem, the hot seats were set ablaze in the Niners' front office, the defense was burned far more often than not, and the offense was truly offensive at times.
This year, the Niners look to rebuild under the general management of John Lynch, who hired former Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan as his first head coach. San Fran has Carlos Hyde toting the rock for them, and Brian Hoyer figures to be the opening day quarterback. Veteran wideout Pierre Garçon had a career year in 2013 in Kyle Shanahan's system, and will look to do so once more. They'll be down a lot, so he may have a chance...tackle Joe Staley is almost unquestionably the 49ers best player.
The Niners made waves this week by releasing longtime LB Ahmad Brooks, who has since been claimed by the Packers (more on that dynamic later). But with rookies like LB Reuben Foster and #2 overall pick, DE Solomon Thomas, the future is at least visible. Former all-pro MLB Navorro Bowman is still the heart and soul of the defense, as he and S Eric Reid are the last true remnants of the Harbaugh era.
If Steve Young and Jerry Rice walk through that door, San Fran could be cooking with oil.
Key Additions: QB Brian Hoyer, RB Tim Hightower, WR Marquise Goodwin, OLB Malcolm Smith (season-ending injury), C Jeremy Zuttah, DE/LB Dekoda Watson. Rookies Solomon Thomas (DE) and Reuben Foster (LB).
Key Departures: QB Colin Kaepernick, WR Torrey Smith, CB Tramaine Brock, S Antoine Bethea, LB Ahmad Brooks, TE Vance McDonald.
OWNER
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Manny (4th season)
Favorite Team - Dolphins
If Manny's M17 arc were to take human form, it would've used a bullet train of interceptions as a primary means of transportation. After two seasons as the owner of his native Dolphins, for which he was ranked the second-best player by his NTL peers entering last season, he opted to go to Jacksonville, where the future on offense was as bright as any team's. However, in what wound up being the premier division of the M17, Manny rough time adjusting led him to call the cellar of the AFC South home for much of the year. He even admitted, on several occasions, that he was "trash" last year.
He also called it a "fluke year", and vows to bounce back this year. Perhaps the highlight of the M18 Team Draft was Manny's swiping of the Niners from California native and lifetime Niners fan, JT -- who has a new home in the NFC. I can tell you where The Gauntlet will be live from when they meet...something tells me it's a bit personal.
Be as it may, it's a new day, and people are clamoring for the old Manny. Will we ever get that guy back? Time will tell...
Career Accolades
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Founder and Commissioner of NTL
Voted #2 by peers in NTL Top Players poll during 2016 offseason.
SEASON SCHEDULE
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In Manny's first game as an NFC team, he welcomes fellow bounce-back candidate and old System brethren Retto, before facing off against old AFCCG (M16, Y2) nemesis Phil in Seattle's home opener. A moderately difficult first half slate also includes games against another old AFCCG opponent (M16, Y1) in Jesus (Week 4) and former division rival JR (Week 7).
The back half doesn't let up much at all, as Jesus, Ty and Phil each make visits to Levi's Stadium in successive weeks. If that's not enough, three-time Super Bowl champion Chris will be in town for a Christmas Eve duel -- one week after Cesar comes to town for a Week 15 visit. Week 17 against Speedy may wind up providing not much more than a modicum of solace heading into the offseason.
Umm...whoa. If there's anyone that needs a return to past form, it's Manny. But is his personnel ready to help navigate such change? How much is last year stuck in his head? How long will it take for him to adjust this year -- if it happens at all?
It's a tale of two men, and given the schedule, personnel as of now, and some bad habits that have become nomenclature, until/unless I see the guy that used to run roughshod through the majority of the league with my own two eyes, I have no choice but to believe that we'll have to refer to our memories, rather than Manny's Youtube handle, if we wanna see the one-time great at or near his best during year 1 in Cali.
Prediction: 7-9
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