I guess I'm in the midst of pondering the rest of the season. The Niner's own CAR 1st round draft pick. They're currently 2-3 and looking awful; beating WAS and TB. The rest of their schedule looks like this: BUF, AZ, NO, ATL, MIA, NYJ, TB, NE, MIN, NYG, NO. With the current play of these teams the only realistic wins are against BUF and TB (probably close games at that). And maybe competitive games against AZ, MIA and NYJ. NO, ATL, NE, MIN and NYG should all manhandle if not beat CAR. That leaves an optimistic outlook (for CAR) of 7-9, and 4-12 at the low (but better) end. Maybe BUF or TB steal a game; maybe CAR steals one. But I think we're looking at 4-7 wins, which according to last years draft is picks 4-10. At the same token there are 9 teams with a worse record than CAR, and most are playing worse than CAR. 

EDIT: Fooch asked for more thoughts, so... NO is the best team in the NFC and playing like it. CAR really doesn't have much of a chance, chalk up 2 losses. CAR played ATL at ATL, and lost by 8. This could be a close game, but I can't see CAR really threatening ATL with the way ATL is playing. AZ is picking up their game and this game will be in AZ. AZ will defend their home turf. MIA is playing good ball, but have had a rough schedule. CAR has the 29th ranked def against the run. I expect Ronnie Brown to have a good game. NYJ is a good team but Sanchez is showing his rookie-ness. If Sanchez manages the game well, this game should go into NYJ's pocket. NE...Tom Brady...nuf said. MIN is playing well against good teams and closing out games, alibi with some luck. Despite last week NYG is a really solid team and will put a beat down on CAR. BUF, well they arn't playing well either, I expect a competitive game. That leaves TB, that game came down to the wire (in TB). If CAR can't beat a bottom feeder team (see also WAS) without nervous endings, then well they're showing some true colors. 

The combined win-loss of their remaining schedule (NO included twice) is 39-22 (.639). Only 3 teams have a losing record (BUF,MIA, and TB). NYJ is .500. 

During the pre-season I was thinking that a 9-7 record this year was an optimistic stretch. I was just looking at the rest of the schedule this season (and comparing it to Arizona's). Given the recent play of the teams on the schedule and the Niner's good (but inconsistent) play, the only game I'm expecting to lose is against Indy. Every other game appears to be competitive (on paper). Their other remaining road games against HOU, GB, SEA, PHI, and STL, all seem within reach. HOU and GB are middle of the road teams. SEA just got trounced at home by AZ, which SF beat both. PHI is inconsistent but probably the toughest game of the group. And then there's STL, nuf said. The Niner's remaining home games are TEN, CHI, JAC, AZ, and DET. TEN is flopping this season (a previous lock at as a loss). CHI is another middle of the road team and SF won't have to deal with Windy City weather. JAC can play tough, but they went to OT with STL. If they can figure out how to salvage their season, it'll be a close 'Fhysical' game. It probably will be with Jimmy Ray anyhow. SF beat AZ at AZ, but AZ is catching stride now. This game will probably decide the division winner (I don't expect SF to finish more than one win over AZ, maybe the same record and need the tie-breaker). DET is playing tough (sometimes) but can't finish the game, they usually fall flat in the second half. 

So with one 'guaranteed' loss, is it too much to expect an 11-5 or 10-6 record? Looking at AZ's schedule they play the same teams except NYG and CAR (prob a loss and win), they still also have to play MIN (good close game, maybe some more of Farve's 'magic' will actually help the Niner's this time). It's reasonable to assume AZ finishing between 11-5 and 9-7. This division race could come down to week 17.

I know there is a lot of argument going on about Crabtree; people defending him or attacking him. Whatever! I just want to rant about Parker. Being an agent is a cutthroat business and picking up new clients is based on how well you negotiate for past/current clients. Whit that said I believe Parker is looking out for #1 and trying to save face. This has going beyond what he promised Crabtree when he signed him and beyond what they believe Crabtree is worth and where he should have been drafted. Parker's reputation and his career is probably the biggest loser out of this contract impasse. Crabtree's career has yet to begin, alibi the first year is pretty much shot, he can prove him self and recover his image. Parker on the other hand, this is his game time. And he's in fourth and long. Word is out that he wants/wanted top 5 money, now he wants DHB money (Pick 7). He's losing and if he can't get Crabtree any more money than Crabtree would have before camp... Then he's wasted what is now 22 practices and crippled Crabtree's rokkie season. If he wants any high profile rookies next season he's going to have to save face and salvage something.

He's already ruined enough of your season Crabtree. The 49ers aren't going to budge because they have more to lose than to gain by giving in. And you're not going Top 10 next year if you wait, which means less money then. Fire Parker!

I threw in a poll for the sake of it. I know I didn't present equal arguments, oh well.