With the San Francisco 49ers' 2016 season officially in the books and very few bright spots to look back on, one thing Niners fans can be excited about is defensive lineman DeForest Buckner who was named to the 2016 All-Rookie team by the Pro Football Writers of America. Despite San Francisco's struggle-filled season in which they finished with a franchise-worst record of 2-14 and failed to send a single player to the Pro Bowl, Buckner tallied 6 sacks and 73 tackles in his rookie campaign. After being taken by the 49ers in the first round of last year's draft (7th overall), the Oregon alum played alongside last year's first round pick and Oregon Ducks teammate Arik Armstead and even out-shined him on the field. Though Buckner was left still seeking his first sack through the first four weeks and sat out in Week 5 with a foot injury, he returned to the field in Week 6 vs Buffalo where he would record the first two sacks of his career. The game would serve as Buckner's coming out party as he also recorded 9 tackles and his first of two fumble recoveries on the year.
Buckner would continue to grow better as the season wore on as he recorded three sacks in the final four games of the season, further proving the 49ers made a good choice in the draft by selecting him. A freakish athlete weighing in at 300 lbs. and standing at 6-feet, 7-inches tall, the kid is a force to be reckoned with and is one of the building blocks that the 49ers will look to build on going forward as they look to right the ship on defense, something that has ailed them in each of the last two seasons. The same goes for the offense which ranked among the worst in the league in 2016 -- 27th in points per game, 31st in yards per game and dead last in passing yards per game. But help should be coming in 2017 if the rumors are true that Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is the next man in line for the Niners' vacant head coaching position after the firing of Chip Kelly. Seeking their fourth head coach in as many years, Shanahan has been San Francisco's top candidate alongside Patriots OC Josh McDaniels since the job became available. But with both Shanahan and McDaniels still on the sidelines helping their respective teams in hopes of winning this weekend and making a trip to the Super Bowl, the 49ers who are the only team without a head coach at this point, are left playing the waiting game until either team is eliminated. And with recent reports of McDaniels pulling his name from consideration for the job in San Francisco due to an unwillingness to relocate across the country, the job appears to be Shanahan's for the taking. And after helping the Falcons rank 2nd overall in yards per game over the past two seasons, why wouldn't it be?
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With all of the unexpected success coming from the Denver Broncos, one question I've been pondering, is how? & Then I seen the light. The Broncos ugly throwback uniforms! It may be a cheesy story or a possible good luck charm, but there's no denying the team's success while wearing them. At first glance, I thought I was watching the Chargers take on the UPS truck drivers, or maybe even the San Diego Padres baseball team. I'm not one to jump on any bandwagon's, but I'd have to give coach Josh McDaniels all the credit thus far along with his signature fist pump that's been getting just as much publicity as his team winning. Something else to take into consideration and think about, is the trade coach McDaniels made upon his arrival as new head coach. Many asked what the Broncos were thinking when trading quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago for Kyle Orton and a few draft picks in exchange. But as weird as it sounds, it now seems like the trade is benefiting the Broncos already. When not much was expected of you (Orton), you've got to tip your hat. Not to mention the success both he and McDaniels have had in helping wide receiver Brandon Marshall stay put.During the offseason & preseason, Marshall had quite a few incidents in practices as he demanded a trade and wanted out of Denver. Now it seems as if Marshall couldn't be any happier.
