These are players no one expects to be great. They look great in preseason, and then disappear. They are preseason mirages. No substance. No future. Just something that isn't really there when you hope it is. They set you up by giving you hope. And then they let you down. It's painful. You tell yourself you won't fall for it again, but then you do.
Remember when Kory Sheets was our future? The undrafted rookie free agent impressed in the 2009 preseason. He was never heard from again.
Remember when Glen Coffee was the heir-apparent to Frank Gore? He led the NFL in rushing in the 2009 preseason. He played in 14 games. Then he retired.
Remember when Nate Davis was the rocket-armed quarterback who was going to be the next 49ers great? Not sure where he went either.
Remember when Jarryd Hayne retired from the Professional Rugby League in Australia to join the 49ers? Everyone went nuts over the Hayne Train. Then he muffed a punt in the season opener, and never touched the ball again. Now he's serving a three-year prison sentence for raping a woman.
So if Austin Watkins, Jr. looks like the second coming of Jerry Rice, temper your excitement. If Josh Rosen looks like another Dan Marino, don't fall for it. If Arden Key suddenly gives you flashbacks of Charles Haley, remember that I've warned you.
My point is, have fun tonight and for the rest of the preseason. Enjoy the games. Enjoy seeing your new players. But don't fall for the mirages. They will only break your heart.
Written By:
Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
YouTube.com/@49ersCamelot
Find the 49ers Camelot show wherever you listen to your podcasts!
All articles by Marc Adams
Marc Adams
Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
YouTube.com/@49ersCamelot
Find the 49ers Camelot show wherever you listen to your podcasts!
All articles by Marc Adams
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Schefter on 49ers TE George Kittle's Week 1 return: 'I don't think it's a given'
All signs continue to point toward San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle achieving his goal of returning for Week 1 of the 2026 season, when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Kittle is just six months removed from suffering a torn Achilles during San... -
49ers preseason: NFL Network and ESPN to air all three games
The NFL Network and ESPN have announced their preseason broadcast schedules, and all three San Francisco 49ers preseason games will be available to a national audience. Fans in the Bay Area can watch the games locally on KPIX. Those outside the 49ers' home television market... -
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan nearly lost an eye in car accident, says Chris Simms
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has taken a more hands-off approach to the start of training camp as he recovers from injuries sustained in a recent car accident. While none of the injuries were life-threatening, Shanahan suffered a broken nose, three broken ribs,... -
49ers' Trent Williams embraces final NFL chapter, savoring every training camp moment
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams made it clear that his current contract, which runs through the 2027 season, will likely be the final deal of his illustrious NFL career. Speaking to reporters after the 49ers' first training camp practice on Sunday, Williams was...