Buffalo Bills Battles: San Francisco 49ers
As the 2012 NFL Draft is now behind us, its time to take an in depth look at the Buffalo Bills 2012 opponents. In this series I will examine each of our 13 opponents off season moves as well as take a look at what their team looks like heading into the 2012 season.
Week 5: At San Francisco 49ers
Off Season Free Agent Signings and Losses
WR Randy Moss
WR Mario Manningham
RB Brandon Jacobs
RB Rock Cartwright
QB Josh Johnson
CB Perrish Cox
Re-signed:
QB Alex Smith
WR Ted Ginn
WR Brett Swain
ILB Larry Grant
CB Carlos Rogers
ILB Tavares Gooden
DE/OLB Ahmad Brooks
S C.J. Spillman
Lost:
Bears sign G Chilo Rachal
Bears sign ILB Blake Costanzo
Redskins sign S Madieu Williams
Redskins sign WR Josh Morgan
Panthers sign S Reggie Smith
Raiders sign CB Shawntae Spencer
Cardinals sign G/OT Adam Snyder
Remaining UFA’s:
FB Moran Norris
TE Justin Peelle
Franchise Tag: S Dashon Goldson
2012 Draft Selections
30. A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois
61. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
117. Joe Looney, G, Wake Forest
165. Darius Fleming, DE/OLB, Notre Dame
180. Trenton Robinson, S, Michigan State
199. Jason Slowey, C, Western Oregon
237. Cam Johnson, DE/OLB, Virginia
Summery
Week 5 of the NFL season brings us to what I like to call the “Berman Bowl”. How many years in a row did
Chris Berman from ESPN predict a Buffalo vs. San Francisco Super Bowl matchup? Too many! All kidding aside this week five battle will be a true test to our Buffalo Bills. This game will be played across country one week removed from what was probably not only a war, but an emotional battle with our division rival New England Patriots.
The 49ers were a couple of special team’s plays from representing the NFC in last years Super Bowl. This team has one of, if not the best defenses in the National Football League. San Francisco has spent this off season adding depth to their defense as well as adding key components to their offense. Brandon Jacobs will be a force for them in short yardage and goal line situations. Frank Gore will relinquish some carries this year to Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, and the aforementioned Jacobs; but Frank Gore is still a threat to break a long run any time he touches the ball. Sharing the load more this year will help to keep Gore fresh, and on the field through out the year.
San Francisco brought in a talented Mario Manningham who is an upgrade over the departed Josh Morgan. They also took a flyer on the formally retired Randy Moss. Time will tell which Randy Moss the 49ers will get.
There was/and still is talk regarding their pursuit of Peyton Mannning before the re-signing of Alex Smith. My take on this is; unless you already have an elite Quarter Back on your roster and one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all time is a free agent, of course you go after him. As we know, Manning went to Denver and Alex Smith starts year two in this system. Smith had a very good year with limited targets at receiver. If Crabtree make strides to become the receiver he was drafted to be, and Moss put his best foot forward every time he is on the field; with the addition of Manningham this could be a very deadly and balanced offensive attack.
Now as an added storyline to this tough test, Buffalo will be playing against Donte Whitner for the first time since he left the Bills via free agency last year. I am quite sure that he will be looking to make a statement against his former mates.