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5 Realistic Goals for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) celebrates after making a tackle for a loss against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) celebrates after making a tackle for a loss against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Establish an Identity

The 2015 49ers identity under former head coach Jim Tomsula was…

Yeah, it’s impossible to answer that. At least favorably.

Fans had zero clue what San Francisco’s identity was last season. It’s doubtful many of the players knew either. This stood in contrast to the power-defense and hard-nose rushing prowess established during the Jim Harbaugh era.

A lot of reestablishing anything resembling consistent identity will fall on the shoulders of head coach Chip Kelly.

October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Kelly is known for his offensive ingenuity. And his scheme may come at the expense of the defense. But, at least, an offensive juggernaut has an identity, right? Or, perhaps, the defense will be good enough to mask some of the playmaking shortcomings San Francisco has currently.

To accomplish anything here, 49ers players will need to buy into what Kelly is trying to do. It’s more critical in a scheme like Kelly operates.

But, if anything, some of San Francisco’s established veteran leadership is buying into it.

“I’m relishing it. It’s our job to go on the field and get that opposing offense off the field as quick as possible,” linebacker NaVorro Bowman said, via the team’s website. “That’s how I look at it. I don’t look it as getting tired or exhausted. I’ve never, in a thousand years, ever heard someone not want to be on the field. It’s part of our philosophy. It’s Chip’s way. And I’m all in.”

Kelly can’t afford to go through the player misgivings which plagued his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Fortunately, given the Niners youth, he might not have to worry so much about this. At least not now.

And that’s a good recipe for helping establish some sort of identity for the team in 2016 and beyond.

Next: Keep Games in Reach