49ers fans, I have a confession.
This fall, I have two very important men in my life, two men who can make or break my weekend; one man is my Saturday date and one man is my Sunday date; and both men are named Jim. Yes, you’ve guessed them, Jim Harbaugh and Jim Tomsula. As you may or may not know, I am a Michigan alum who has been in love with the 49ers since the age of 11. So though late December was a conflicted time for me (see my Instagrams photos here and here), early September finds me equally supportive of my two Jims in two of my favorite cities.
Early September also has me a little anxiety ridden about what awaits Niner Jim. Let’s be honest, Harbaugh will be a stellar date, at least for the first four yeas of our college football relationship, and he will do well in Michigan. The Wolverines will improve and within the next couple of years, they will be back to the Big Ten powerhouse us Maize and Blue fans are used to. Will he be there forever? Doubtful. Will he last more than his standard four years? Probably. Will Michigan win under Jim Harbaugh? You know it.
Meanwhile, my 49ers romance with Coach Tomsula may have a rough road ahead. I have been optimistic about the 49ers and the 2015 season, feeling that the team will be better than most people think. If you listened to last week’s podcast, you know both @socalisteph and I foresee the Niners finishing 8-8 or better. And I still believe that’s possible. But, with all the defensive retirements and free agent losses, it turns out that the biggest problem for San Francisco is their offensive line, an offensive line that was mediocre on its best day last season and is leaving a lot to be desired this preseason. In fact, the absence that just might have the biggest effect on this team is that of offensive lineman Anthony Davis and his need to take some space for the next year.
The San Francisco offensive line has been pretty abysmal this preseason and it has had me wanting to swipe left, though unfortunately, this close to the season, breaking up with an entire line is hard to do. In fairness to the left side of the line, it has looked a helluva lot better than the right with left guard Alex Boone and left tackle Joe Staley holding down the fort. Tomsula announced Tuesday morning that Jordan Devey, who was acquired from New England for TE Asante Cleveland two weeks ago, will be starting at right guard. Well good, I think, maybe? It’s random since Devey joined the 49ers so recently and started all of four games in New England, but it’s bound to be an improvement because I don’t think it could get much worse on that line. He will be joined on the starting offensive line by Center Marcus Martin, the aforementioned Boone and Staley, and right tackle Erik Pears. Heaven help Tomsula, the Faithful, and mostly, QB Colin Kaepernick. Clearly Kaepernick has a less than impressive preseason, but his starting offensive line has been such a disaster that I am holding off on judgment for now.
So today, Ann Arbor Jim and his infamous khakis kick off in Utah in a few hours. Niner Jim and the 49ers finish their preseason schedule at Levi’s Stadium tonight and start the season with Monday Football there in 11 days. How will the latter go? I can’t yet be sure, but I can be sure that it will depend largely on #7 and his offensive line, because NaVorro Bowman and his much-maligned defense are going to be just fine. As far as my heart and my two Jims, time will tell if this is it, or if we are never, ever, ever, getting back together. Go Niners!
