San Francisco Sea Lions (3-7)
How the mighty have fallen … although, things might be turning around by the Bay, as, after a disastrous 0-4 start, San Francisco has played basically .500 ball. Still, 3-7 is not what Sea Lions’ fans envisioned after the success of last season.
Overall, it’s an anemic offense that has caused the slide, as the Sea Lions sport the worst rushing attack in the league and only a middling passing game. Both defenses are OK, with the rush defense actually being close to top-tier (1 of 5 teams giving up less than 100 yards per game on the ground).
#Bottom Line
Draft Needs. DB/CB, OL/G.
Week Four Draftee Update: Bobby Bryant. Has performed well in the secondary.
#QB
Drew Brees is the unquestioned starter, but he’s been a far cry from his Year I level of performance. Still, 2300 yards, and 10 TDs against 6 picks is solid. The issue is only 1 game over 100 QBR and only 3 others above 80 lead to a lot of mediocrity in the passing game.
#RB
The early season starter, Rickey Watters, was horrible; since taking over again, Frank Gore has been quite good, rushing for almost 600 yards in 6 games as the starting RB. Joe Arenas has been solid as a backup RB, and Heath Miller useful as a blocking back.
#WR & TE
From roster also-ran to #1 receiver, Jerry Rice has announced himself on the WFL stage with 55 catches for 666 yards and 5 TDs (and only a single dropped pass). Marques Colston just produces whenever called on, chipping in with 54 catches for over 500 yards.
Colston’s contributions have been important, as both Anquan Boldin and Terrell Owens have missed significant time with injuries, managing to combine for only 33 catches for just under 500 yards. Jake Reed has played very well since being picked up early in the season.
Jimmy Graham is great at TE, adding 29 catches.
#OL
Ray Wietecha has been dominant at C, and Chris Hinton excellent at T. Add in a good performance from Woody Peoples at G, and this is a strong OL: only Bryce Harris has been poor, and Willie Roaf‘s return from injury is a welcome sight.
#DL
Charles Haley leads the way with 7 sacks and 11 hurries, but the duo of Justin Smith and Bryant Young have been excellent as well, combining for over 100 tackles, 6 sacks, 15 stuffs, and 16 hurries.
Cameron Jordan and Roger Brown have been solid in reserve as well.
#LB
Ken Norton, Jr. anchors this group with 76 tackles, but Rickey Jackson has been great from the outside, with 6 sacks and an interception. Julian Peterson has been strong, but things get dicey from there, especially with Patrick Willis injured and Sam Mills underperforming.
#DB
Eric Reid and Ronnie Lott have been good at S, but overall the secondary has disappointed, managing only 4 interceptions as a group (2 by Lott) and consistently failing to shut down the opposition passing game.
Bryant has been the best coverage back since joining the team, and Dre Kirkpatrick has shown some promise as well, but De’Vante Harris, Perrish Cox and Chris Davis have been abused all season. Keenan Lewis is due back from a long term injury, which should help.
#P & K
Shayne Graham was injured, and then lost his job to Ray Wersching, who has made 11 of 16 FGs and all 15 of his XPs.
Thomas Morstead is probably the best P in the league this season.
#Returns
Arenas is averaging over 24 yards on kickoffs and over 9 on punt returns–perfectly acceptable.
#Awards
Defensive Player of the Week: Young
Special Teams Player of the Week: Arenas
Teams of the Week: Arenas (2), Gore (1), Graham (1), Haley (2), Hinton (1), Morstead (5), Norton, Jr (1), Peoples (1), Smith (1), Young (3).