Golden Nuggets: What a difference a year makes

San Francisco 49ers links for Saturday September 28, 2019

By Jeff Medina@JeffMedina49 Sep 28, 2019, 2:00am PDT

Pittsburgh Steelers v San Francisco 49ers

Believe it or not, it was just over one year ago today that 49ers fans were delivered the news of Jimmy Garoppolo’s ACL injury, essentially ending the once promising season after just three short weeks. This, of course, was followed by then 49ers LB Rueben Foster reminding us that backup QB C.J. Beathard was no “roody poo”, and that we shouldn’t give up hope on the season just yet.

As it turned out, Beathard was in fact a roody poo, and quickly led the 49ers to six straight losses. And just a few weeks after that Rueben “roody poo” Foster was released for his continuing off field issues.

It was a long, and arduos season for those faithful 49ers fans who stuck around to watch it unfold week after week.

But that, as they say, was a long time ago.

A year later, the 49ers are entering their week 4 bye with a perfect 3-0 record, a top 5 defense, and a head coach who is performing at the top of his game.

Gone is Reuben Foster, replaced by Kwon Alexander, a high quality player on - and off the field.

Gone is last year’s Ahkello Witherspoon who was consistently torched in 2018, replaced by a more skilled, and more physical version.

Gone are Malcolm Smith and Pierre Garcon. Replaced with the younger and more athletic rookies Dre Greenlaw and Deebo Samuel.

Gone are Cassius Marsh and Dekoda Watson. Replaced with elite pass rushers Dee Ford and future DROY Nick Bosa.

Gone are the lack of turnovers. Gone are the untimely penalties. And gone are the calls for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch’s jobs.

And all in the span of 12 short months.

So here we sit Niners fans, 3-0 heading into a week 4 bye. And while we have no idea what the future holds, for the next 14 days we can prop up our feet up, enjoy a cold drink, or chew on a nice cigar, and enjoy the view.

And now onto those links:

49ers rookie Nick Bosa has unfinished business despite stellar start (Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports)

5 early targets for the 49ers in 2020 NFL free agency (Peter Panacy, NinerNoise)

3 players who benefit most from 49ers Week 4 bye (Peter Panacy, NinerNoise)

Deebo Samuel emerging as go-to target for Jimmy Garoppolo (Kyle Madson, NinersWire)

2020 NFL mock draft: 49ers needs still unclear (Kyle Madson, NinersWire)

Arik Armstead will make a lot of money, whether it’s with the 49ers or elsewhere, says John Lynch (David Bonilla, 49ers WebZone)

49ers GM John Lynch responds to Ryan Clark’s criticism of Jimmy Garoppolo (David Bonilla, 49ers WebZone)

Terrell Owens says career was incomplete since it didn’t end with 49ers (Brian Witt, NBC Sports)

49ers’ Dante Pettis: Another preseason injury revealed (Rotowire Staff, CBS Sports)

49ers great Jerry Rice prefers Jimmy Garoppolo over Derek Carr (Mitchell Blahut, Clutchpoints.com)

Around the NFL...