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NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) rushes for a gain during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) rushes for a gain during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi /

Overview

The offseason hit some teams hard, but none felt its wrath more than the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were coming off a disappointing 8-8 season after making the NFC Championship game three consecutive years, and it caused some heads to roll. Most notably, the organization and former head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to part ways, leading to Jim Tomsula earning the promotion.

Tomsula has never been a head coach before, and he has a task ahead of him. San Francisco lost Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati, Frank Gore, Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Chris Culliver and Justin Smith to either retirement or free agency, leaving it decimated. The 49ers still have some good players, but the roster went from terrific to middling at best.

Major Battle

There will be plenty of battles going in San Francisco, but let’s focus in at running back. Many believed Carlos Hyde would be taking over the lion’s share of the carries when Frank Gore left for the Indianapolis Colts, but then general manager drafted Mike Davis and signed Reggie Bush. It will be compelling to see who earns the top spot on the depth chart.

Expectations

There aren’t many expectations on this group. Kaepernick has regressed each of the past two years and the roster is an absolute shell of what it was a year ago. With a first-time head coach running the show in the league’s hardest division, the 49ers would likely be happy to repeat last year’s 8-8 record. This has all the makings of a very long season.

Next: St. Louis Rams

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