Gettin' Trendy: Sleepers, surprises and flops come out in camp

The trendy pick: The 49ers will make a glorious return under Mike Singletary

Matt Schaub is due for a healthy, productive season for the Texans. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Why this pick makes sense:
The Niners finally seem to have gotten it right. After multiple attempts at finding the next Bill Walsh with coaches who were in over their heads, incapable of getting the job done or flat-out inept, the tough Hall of Famer has stepped in and raised expectations.

He's the anti-Walsh. Walsh used brainpower to convince you to fall in line with his philosophy. Singletary just beats your brains in. OK, maybe not. But he is using attitude, toughness and old-school ways to round his tawdry team into shape. The Niners are doing tackling drills this summer, for gosh sakes.

And why not? The Niners were a soft franchise. They needed the swift kick in the pants that Singletary has brought, and has continued to bring, during camp.

They're clearly improved in key areas, too. Obviously, a Mike Singletary team is going to play good defense. They were good last year and should be better, especially against the run. Middle linebacker Patrick Willis may be the best in the game at his position.

The running game also could be key in terms of ball control and Glen Coffee should be a great complement to Frank Gore. Confidence is high throughout camp as well, with a 5-2 run at the end of 2008, earning Singletary the job and raising expectations.

Run the ball and defend the run. Be tough. Be accountable. Work on fundamentals. Yup, Mike Singletary is in charge. That's a great start.

Why it may not fly:
Coach Singletary's act is going to play only so long. It's sad, but true in this age of Twitter, when it only takes one player to call Mad Mike a loon for the perception to become reality all across the Internet.

And when a head coach's favorite drill is called the "nutcracker" -- you don't want to know -- that's pushing the envelope.

Singletary is pushing this team like it never has been pushed before. That can be a good thing, but it can also backfire, especially when the roster is so thin and the quarterback is, frankly, bad.

The 49ers briefly flirted with the idea of signing Michael Vick, which pretty much shows you the confidence they have in Alex Smith or Shaun Hill. Perhaps Vick was on Singletary's radar because San Francisco's offensive line allowed an NFL-worst 55 sacks in 2008. Vick's speed would come in handy while running for his life.

The Niners also have yet to sign first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree and have questions all over, including rushing the passer and at cornerback, which is not a good combination. Opposing teams are going to spread the field against the Niners.

So, will it happen?
No way. Singletary deserved this chance he's gotten, but too many things are stacked against him. He'll get this club playing good football and toughen it up, but by midseason, expect a big crash. And Singletary could go down in the rubble.

The trendy pick: The Texans are headed to the playoffs

Why this pick makes sense:
Late last season, someone noticed the Texans were getting better. Now, everyone is hopping on board. After years of pain and agony (much of it self-inflicted) the Texans finally are earning attention as a rising organization that will break through in 2009.

The Texans have one of the best offenses in the game. Period. Gary Kubiak's and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's play calling were superb down the stretch last season when quarterback Matt Schaub led the team to a 5-1 finish. There may not be another team out there with a better receiver-tight-end-running back combination than Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton.

The offensive line returns intact for the first time in the organization's history. There is superstar talent Mario Williams, looking like a man possessed thus far in camp, anchoring a much-improved defense. Smart decision-makers finally are in charge, with the Texans' draft selections since Kubiak took over in 2006 nothing short of superb.

The perennial division-contending Colts and Titans have suffered significant personnel loses and fallen back to the pack, so to speak. There is Pro Bowl-type talent at defensive end (Williams), linebacker (DeMeco Ryans), right tackle (Eric Winston), running back (Slaton), wide receiver (Johnson) and tight end (Daniels). The foundation is set. The Texans also have the most favorable schedule in their existence.

Why it may not fly:
The first thing a playoff-bound team must do is contend in its own division. And despite a few departures and shortcomings, the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts don't seem to be going anywhere just yet. No NFL division champion had more than the Titans' 13 wins in 2008. No second-place team in an NFL division had more than Indy's 12.

Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning. Jeff Fisher's winning formula won't exactly blow up in his face just because Albert Haynesworth bolted for Washington. And the Texans have had an abysmal record within the AFC South.

The Texans have yet to get a full season out of Matt Schaub, too. Some of his injuries have been flukes, but ultimately he's missed a lot of time. Are you banking on Dan Orlovsky to carry the playoff load? Yeah, right.

Also: The Texans may have finished 5-1 last year, but they also started 0-4. They are a notoriously bad to begin the year.

And there is a reason there are so many new faces on the defensive side, including first-year defensive coordinator Frank Bush. The Texans stunk defensively. They ranked 22nd in the NFL in total defense and 26th in scoring defense.

So, will it happen?
Yes, print those playoff tickets, Texans fans. Matt Schaub is due a full, healthy season. And when he's on the field, nobody stops this offense.