San Francisco Sea Lions (8-2)
San Francisco has been the best and most consistent team in their division all season.
The defense is top half against both the run and the pass and while the running game has been a little weak offensively, the passing attack–4th in the league–has carried the offense.
San Francisco has the best turnover ratio in the league at +9.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. Nudge Ingram down. Flip Ellington & Arenas on KOs. Move Iupati up.
Draft Needs. LB, DB, DL.
Week Four Draftee Update: Ray Wietecha. Now the starting C.
#QB
If it weren’t for Philip Rivers, Drew Brees would be acclaimed as the best QB in the WFL so far: nearly 69% completion, 28 TDs to 6 interceptions, and a QB rating just under 112 will do that. He’s only been under a QB rating of 100 in two games, and one of those was a 99.4: simply spectacular.
He’s taken every snap from center for the Sea Lions so far this year.
#RB
Frank Gore has been excellent, scoring 10 times while gaining 853 yards on the ground and another 177 on 14 catches. Pierre Thomas (138 yards rushing) has emerged as a reasonable backup and a threat catching passes out of the backfield (20 for 201 yards and 2 TDs).
Mark Ingram has been a bit of a disappointment in limited action, and Joe Arenas probably deserves a better look.
The one concern here is overusage: Gore has struggled to finish games at times, and the Sea Lions probably need to work in more touches for other backs.
#WR & TE
Brees has spread the love, with 7 receivers having 18 or more catches on the season. Terrell Owens leads the group with 43 catches for 524 yards and 6 TDs, but Jimmy Graham has 41 for 489 and 5 and Anquan Boldin has 39 for 514 and 4.
There have been a fair number of injuries: Owens missed one week; Boldin missed 4 and may miss another; and Michael Crabtree only caught 1 pass over the first 6 games of the year due to injuries. Stevie Johnson has done a great job stepping up with 38 catches for 460 and another 4 TDs, as has Marques Colston (23 for 282 and 3).
Even some kid named Jerry Rice has pitched in with 10 catches.
#OL
Joe Staley, Randy Cross, and Willie Roaf have done well, although Staley has been a little inconsistent, and week four draftee Ray Wietecha has established himself as the starter at C.
Cross is out for the season. In his absence at G, Jahri Evans has been mediocre, and Alex Boone has struggled, opening the door for Mike Iupati to see more time.
#DL
Bryant Young has been consistently disruptive: 5 sacks, 11 hurries, and 2 forced fumbles, while Justin Smith and Charles Haley have combined for 7 sacks and 11 hurries. Smith has added 7 stuffs. Young took over the starting DT spot when Leo Nomellini struggled with injuries, and looks unlikely to relinquish it.
Already out for one, Haley will miss another month, and it is unclear if Cameron Jordan is adequate as his replacement.
#LB
Ken Norton, Jr. has been playing at a very high level, leading the team with 76 tackles and forcing 2 fumbles. Rickey Jackson has added a team high 6 sacks from LB to go along with 5 hurries.
Patrick Willis and Sam Mills have been solid in the middle.
#DB
Ronnie Lott has been among the best in the league, leading the WFL with 5 interceptions (the team is tied for the league lead with 14) to go along with 47 tackles. Keenan Lewis has 58 tackles and 2 forced fumbles, but has struggled in coverage.
Perrish Cox has 3 picks and Jairus Byrd 2, and each of them have 4 deflections, trailing Kenny Vaccaro (7) and Eric Reid (6) in that category. Byrd is out for the rest of the season.
#P & K
Shayne Graham has been among the best in the league: a perfect 39 for 39 on XPs and 17 for 20 on FGs, although his long is only 48 yards.
Thomas Morstead has been fantastic, pinning opponents inside their 20s on almost half his punts and maintaining a net well over 40 yards.
#Returns
Arenas and Bruce Ellington have split duties on KOs, with both being good, but Ellington being better (he is injured for another 2 months, however). Arenas has handled all but one of the PRs and is averaging over 9 yards per–solid.