Five 49ers Observations and Week 8 Power Poll

You'll forgive me if I don't give you some fancy preamble and we just jump right to it. Here are five 49ers thoughts that have been rattling in my brain for a couple weeks, in no order of importance.

1. Okay, I get it with Mike Iupati now. I admit I was a bit rough on the big lug during the off-season, during the preseason and even the first couple weeks of the regular season (he was poor during the Dallas game). However, the light seems to have turned on for him in a major way and he's been an absolute bulldozer of late. When they run left, they run right behind him. When they run right, it's with him pulling. Iupati is freakishly athletic for his size and can really move well in tight spaces. He's missing far fewer blocks than last year and not getting confused as much in the pass game on twists and stunts. He's not lunging at people anymore and playing with his feet under him. Coaches are fond of saying that players improve the most between year one and two and while NaVorro Bowman has been the best example of it, Iupati and Anthony Davis aren't far behind. Kudos to Trent Baalke.

2. Harbaugh is killing Frank Gore. 31 carries against dilapidated Cleveland? Gore's averaging 20 carries per game and has had at least 17 touches in every contest. That's too many and he won't be able to sustain it for a full season. You've got a good backup in Kendall Hunter, who brings his own ingredients to the table. Only giving him three touches to Gore's 31 is inexcusable.

3. While we're on that theme, Harbaugh is riding all of his starters too much. Seriously, outside of the sixth and seventh offensive linemen and the tight ends, what backups on this team ever see the field outside of special teams? Kyle Williams and Anthony Dixon never play and Ted Ginn is there purely for show as a third receiver. The young defensive linemen never play, nor do the linebackers. There are eight guys on defense -- Ray McDonald, Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks, Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown and Dashon Goldson -- who basically play every snap. It's asking too much of them. Would it kill Harbaugh to give a guy like Larry Grant an odd series here or there to give Bowman or Willis a blow? Can't Aldon Smith relieve Brooks every once in a while instead of always coming in for Parys Haralson? The 49ers have good depth in some spots and they're not using it and as a consequence these guys will be worn down to a nub by December.

4. As well as they've played, I don't think the 49ers are using their best 11 on defense. And no, I'm not talking about Aldon Smith being a nickel rusher stuck behind Haralson. No, I mean Brown. How good has he been, honestly? When teams complete any pass of consequence to a wideout, more often than not it's been his man. He let a dink-and-dunk passer with a noodle arm get the better of him in the fourth quarter last Sunday. He doesn't have a single pick in seven games. Isn't it about time that Shawntae Spencer is let out of the dog house? He's been persona non grata on this team for the crime of being injured and it's a shame he's still buried behind Brown even though he's healthy. Spencer is bigger, more physical, and has more experience. He deserves a shot.

5. I don't understand why Moran Norris is still on the roster. Rookie Bruce Miller has shown he's the better receiver, the better special teams player, and, of late, the better blocker too. You've no doubt noticed how Gore and the running game has taken off with Miller starting. He's faster and more athletic than Norris and able to get to his targets both at the line of scrimmage and the second level, easier. Isaac Sopoaga has found a niche as a short-yardage fullback. What exactly is Norris needed for? The 49ers dressed their 46 best players last week (not counting Joshua Morgan or Nate Byham, who are on IR) and presumably will continue to do so. At whose expense would Norris be activated? No one I can think of. Most teams don't have the luxury of having two fullbacks on the 53-man roster. You'd think Norris' roster spot could be used on a more useful player, such as a veteran receiver or a backup outside linebacker. Is Norris around simply to sate his friend Gore?

Debate these topics amongst yourselves, or seek me out on Twitter. If the comments section on this here blog isn't working for you, you can always drop me a line at michael.erler1@gmail.com.

Week 8 Power Poll

1. Green Bay (7-0): What I found out during the Packers bye week is that apparently Greg Jennings was the MVP of my fantasy team. Green Bay may still be undefeated, but sadly the Roster Marginalia no longer are. Also, I should've played Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brent Celek last week over Drew Brees and Vernon Davis. Packers go on the road to San Diego to take on a grouchy Chargers team on short rest, though I don't think it's gonna be too hostile of an environment for them. Not only will the stands be filled with 40 percent bandwagon Packers fans, but there's more eye candy at Chargers games than anywhere.

2. Pittsburgh (6-2): So much for the Super Bowl loser jinx. Steelers are red hot, Ben Roethlisberger is playing out of his mind and the defense seems to be improving by the week, regardless of who's healthy. Amazingly, they're doing it without much of a running game, dependable offensive tackles or elite corners. Nothing makes sense about this team. Hard to see them not winning the AFC North if they can take care of the Ravens on Monday night, and they owe 'em one after Baltimore spanked 'em 35-7 on opening day, including a late two-point conversion for no reason.

3. New York Giants (5-2): I'm not gonna punish them for needing 3.5 quarters to get the better of the Dolphins. Miami is a tough team to get up for. The Giants have injury issues at running back and receiver, and their schedule is just about to get ridiculous, starting with this week's Super Bowl rematch at New England. However, if Eli Manning continues his strong play and that defensive line keeps pressuring opposing QBs, I don't think the Giants will have the free-fall that most people are expecting.

4. San Francisco (6-1): Huzzah! A season-high place for your Niners on the power poll, and fully deserved thanks to that ferocious front four. A bit of warning though, nothing they do on Sunday at Washington is likely to inspire me to move them any higher, as that is one dilapidated team they're on Sunday. If your local gridironers can get through the Jints to get to 8-1, we'll talk. Also, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to see Mr. Smith mix in another 200-yard passing day, just to remember what it looks like.

5. Detroit (6-2): Now that they've finished scraping the Tebow off their shoes, the Lions get a well-deserved bye before their return engagement with the Bears -- this time in Chicago -- next week. Matthew Stafford had his best game in weeks and now he'll have some time to get his ankle healthy.I must say I wasn't a fan of them making fun of Terrible Tim's praying and all the trash they blabbed to Mike Silver after the game. What's the point? Beating the guy isn't enough, you gotta humiliate him too? It's like I always say: Teams take on the personality of their coach. The Lions may be fun to watch, but they seem to be a bunch of jerks.

6. Baltimore (5-2): Yes, I'm aware that they nearly lost to Jacksonville and Arizona in back-to-back weeks. Here's my excuse: I like their defense (which wasn't really responsible for too many of those 27 points allowed against the Cards), I like Ray Rice, I like their wide outs, and they haven't lost to the any of the other playoff hopefuls I have below them. I'm aware Joe Flacco hasn't set the world on fire, believe me. The situation is being monitored. He gets another shot in his personal house of horrors at Heinz Field on Monday night.

7. New England (5-2): Oofa. A five place fall for losing to the team right below them in the rankings on the road. Too harsh? Probably. However, what exactly do the Pats have going for them besides Tom Brady and his two tight ends? They have no running game, no speed at receiver and a skeleton crew on defense. If Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks play I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Giants win over there. This is a flawed team, my friends.

8. New York Jets (4-3): Similar to the Ravens in almost every conceivable way, except for that whole "having a running game" thing, though Shonn Greene did have a nice day against the Chargers before the bye week. Real interesting match-up they've got coming up at Buffalo Sunday morning. I'm sure the Bills will just be thrilled if Aaron Maybin puts Fitzpatrick on the turf a couple times.

9. Houston (5-3): It's hard to gauge how good their defense is without Mario Williams when all they've done of late is beat up on the popgun offenses of their AFC South rivals, but the Texans are avoiding the trap game pratfalls that have plagued them in years past. In many ways they're similar to the Niners. They very well could finish 12-4 with their soft schedule and be underdogs in their first playoff game. Arian Foster and his mates will get the Brownies to chew on this Sunday.

10. Cincinnati (5-2): Sure the Seahawks aren't very good. Still, winning convincingly at Seattle is no mean feat, especially for a rookie quarterback. The Bengals seem to get a big return on defense or special teams every week and I was impressed how they took care of business even without Cedric Benson, who was suspended. Sneakybig game coming up Sunday afternoon at Tennessee, who are a quiet 4-3 themselves.

11. Buffalo (5-2): They came into their game against the Redskins with a league-low four sacks in six games and then slammed poor John Beck nine ten times into whatever playing surface they've got over there in Toronto. All available evidence points to this being an indictment of Washington, but heaven help us if the Bills actually found themselves a pass rush. We'll know more Sunday against the Jets.

12. Philadelphia (3-4): A six-spot jump for beating a 3-3 team at home? I'll be honest, if you guaranteed me that Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy will stay healthy the whole year, I'd have the Eagles in the top five. And before you condemn me, Steve Mariucci said on NFL Network that he'd have them No. 2 behind the Packers. You don't think he's full of beans, do you? What's that, you do? I see. Well at the risk of jinxing them, the Iggles certainly look like they've gotten some of their issues resolved over the bye week. Another prime time home game against an unlikeable quarterback awaits, this time a Monday nighter against Jay Cutler and the Bears.

13. New Orleans (4-3): Down they drop, from 4 to 13. No mercy for an outfit who've declared to the world that they intend to be world-beaters at home and absolute rubbish on the road. What happened to this offensive line? It seems as if Brees is even a little off kilter the whole operation goes poof. The defense is not built to hang around either. You have to give them either a 14 point lead or things get ugly. Now they get to defend their turf against the Bucs.

14. Chicago (4-3): Do I feel rotten for dropping them four spots for the crime of having a bye week? No, not really. I honestly feel the 13 teams in front would all beat them on a neutral field. However, it would be just like the football gods to punish me with an upset in Philly at the hands of this loathsome bunch.

15. Tampa Bay (4-3): For their sake I hope LeGarrette Blount is healthy now and good to go because one could easily argue that his backup, Earnest Graham, was the team MVP through the first seven games. Too much is on Josh Freeman's shoulders and he needs some relief. Things could get worse before they improve at New Orleans. The Saints will be in a rotten mood and eager to avenge a loss to these same Bucs a couple weeks back.

16. Atlanta (4-3): And here's our last team on the positive side of the ledger. Did you miss the Falcons on their bye week? Me neither. They're gonna get Julio Jones back this week, though in his absence Atlanta discovered they're better off being a run-first team with Michael Turner anyhow. Regardless of what they call, the Colts figure to give them little trouble.

17. Kansas City (4-3): Somehow, someway, they've won four in a row, despite losing Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry. The Chiefs are way below the radar, but have some dangerous receiving threats in Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston, and now Jonathan Baldwin. Streak should hit five with Dolphins up next.

18. San Diego (4-3): Pretty hard to pin Monday night's loss on Norval. We keep waiting for Philip Rivers to snap out of his funk, but he continues to be a turnover machine week after week. Me? I blame Takeo Spikes, who dooms every team he's on to an early vacation. Maybe playing the Pack this week will be good for them. After blowing games everyone expected them to win, why not play somebody where no one expects anything of you?

19. Dallas (3-4): We think of Cowboys-Eagles as a big rivalry, but I swear it seems like once every two or three seasons Dallas goes over there and flat out mails in a game where they just don't give a damn. Once the Eagles scored on their first possession it felt like the Cowboys knew they had no shot. Tony Romo hardly ever threw to Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, choosing to repeatedly target Laurent Robinson instead. I guess they were just steeling themselves for their stretch of patsies, starting with this Sunday against Seattle.

20. Tennessee (4-3): The last two times they played somebody good, they got flattened. Their running back situation is deplorable. Their best receiver is someone named Damian Williams. And yet I can't rank them any lower. They have to beat the Bengals at home if we're to take them seriously.

21. Oakland (4-3): On one hand I don't see a bright future for them at all with Carson Palmer under center. That was a disastrous trade, in my opinion. On the other hand, you'd think they'd beat Tebow at home.

22. Minnesota (2-6): It blows my mind that their record is as bad as it is. They're in the wrong division for sure. Put them in the NFC West or AFC South and they'd do some damage. Also, give them a decent coach. There's signs of life with this team because, surprisingly, Christian Ponder isn't terrible. Another game with the Packers, this time in Green Bay, awaits them after the bye.

23. Carolina (2-6): Great running backs, good receivers, good tight ends, awesome QB... How do they keep losing games? One of these weeks I should probably watch them play and get to the bottom of this. But not this week, because they're off.

24. Cleveland (3-4): They're beat up to hell, but that secondary keeps them in games. Also, Colt McCoy wasn't as bad as I thought he'd be when I saw him up close. Somebody needs to get that boy some receivers. We'll see if they have any more success stopping Arian Foster than they did Frank Gore.

**THE DREGS**

25. Jacksonville (2-6): They still have a defense and Maurice Jones-Drew, whom am I traded for in fantasy, so bully for them. Enjoy that bye week, fella. Time to work after that.

26. Seattle (2-5): They out-gained the Bengals by a bunch but still lost at home, which is pretty sad. Their quarterback situation is even sadder. I'm not expecting much from them at Dallas.

27. Washington (3-4): Just beat up to hell, and they gave Mike Shanahan the first shutout of his coaching career. That guy lied to us today about something related to Carlos Rogers, so screw him. I hope the Niners beat the hell out of them, and I'm not even a fan.

28. St. Louis (1-6): That's kinda sorta how I pictured their defensive line playing the whole year. Where's it been? Kind of ironic how A.J. Feeley might have saved Sam Bradford from Andrew Luck hysteria.

29. Arizona (1-6): I think maybe Kevin Kolb isn't looking too good you guys. Getting sacked six times in 27 drop backs doesn't help either. Now he gets to face that Rams D-line.

30. Miami (0-7): Best 0-7 team ever? Best 0-7 team ever. I'm sure the owner will treat the team to some fine KC barbecue on Saturday afternoon. And then again at night. And then have some catered in the locker room before the game. Eat up, fellas.

31. Indianapolis (0-8): It's like I was telling Grant Cohn the other day, "Man, once teams get some film on Curtis Painter, it's gonna be hard for him to keep up his slightly-below-average play." Cohn just laughed like he understood what the hell I was talking about and went back to talking about rap with Sam Lam.

32. Denver (2-5): Tebowmania! Hey, I admit Tebow didn't look good against the Lions, but YOU try playing quarterback with a Skip Bayless fastened tightly around your winky.