Its Over But its not

Two weeks ago both pro football teams were eliminated out of the playoffs.

For the 49ers who have a team that should be in the playoffs it was a season of too many playoff bound opponents too early in the season. They had get their by beating early in the season the teams that eventually made the playoffs.The 49ers played and lost to almost all of the contenders in the playoff season early on. In each game there was a chance to win and in many games there the score was close to the end. The personnel for a winning 49er team was there. There were no major gaps on defense and the offense was a cracker jack. With a first round pick quarterback and another first round pick and Heisman trophy winner as a back up there didn't seem to be a reason that they should be second tier in teams. They were.

The reason for a poor early season was poor line management for the offense. The defensive lines in the NFL have become so big, tall, and fast that the only way that a quarterback can operate is with lanes that are provided by stunts and movement by the offensive line. These gaps provided by the offense are what allow the team to move down the field in 6 to 12 yard chunks. Next year these lanes will be there as this year's rookie line has a real chance of learning their jobs and what to do.

The Oakland Raiders looked very good early on this year. They were the team that should have made it into the playoffs. Their needs are in the defense. When a team could break through to the secondary, there was no raider their to meet them. Too much emphasis was placed on blitz defense. It seemed that every team was running a blitz defense every other play. This quickly speeds of the offense and timing pattern as very critical to success. Slants and two move running routs completely took out the Oakland Raiders this year.

Both teams could be contenders next year. It will be fun to see what the draft will bring and whether the bay area teams can patch their weaknesses.

: ) Pat