Team on the Rise

Next week will be the real test.

The San Francisco 49ers. No one has more pride in being a 49er than former receiver Jerry Rice. When I asked him recently what he thought of the job Mike Singletary is doing coaching his beloved former team, Rice's eyes lit up. It sure looks like Singletary’s decision to have his players practice in full pads for the entire duration of the two-a-days in training camp is paying off. As a hall of fame linebacker, Singletary must loving coaching a phenom like Patrick Willis. I can't wait to see what the 49ers do against a good Seahawks team this week.

The Seahawks crushed the Rams last week, so whoever wins has got to be considered the NFC West favorite. Shaun Hill somehow is 7-3 as an NFL starter. Don't ask me how. But it's the defense that is impressive. This isn't the 49ers of old who systematically dismantled opponents, but I'll take a scrappy, play-hard and above themselves type of team with a gutty QB who makes the other team hurt.