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2007 Team Report: San Francisco 49ers
Quarterbacks
Starter: Alex SmithBackup(s): Trent Dilfer, Shaun Hill Starting QB: Alex Smith rebounded impressively in 2006 from one of the worst rookie QB performances in NFL history the previous year. He showed mobility, accuracy and a better grasp of what is required at the NFL level. This was achieved despite being hampered with a below-average receiving corps. The addition of Darrell Jackson should help, as will the continued development of Vernon Davis and the brilliant running of Frank Gore. The loss of former offensive coordinator Norv Turner may be crucial, but the elevation of Alex Smith's QB coach for the last 2 years, Jim Hostler to offensive coordinator is a good sign. Smith at times showed the grit, durability and touch required of a No.1 overall pick. Whether this turns into fantasy points remains to be seen, but his 3rd year will be his most crucial yet. Backup QB: Trent Dilfer was acquired last year from Cleveland. Dilfer is a Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens and was a tremendous influence on Alex Smith and accelerated his development in 2006. Dilfer did not see any action last year. As a passer Dilfer isn't the most accurate or mobile of quarterbacks, but he is capable of keeping the errors to a minimum and taking what the defense gives him. Dilfer will be there primarily to mentor Smith, but will take over should Smith go down with injury. Shaun Hill spent 4 years with the Vikings, before joining San Francisco last year. The only stats he has of any kind in regular season action involve taking a knee in the 2005 week 17 game against Chicago.
Running Backs
Starter: Frank GoreBackup(s): Michael Robinson, Maurice Hicks
Fullback(s): Moran Norris, Zak Keasey Starting RB: When the 49ers drafted Frank Gore in the third round of the 2005 Draft they had their fingers crossed he would eventually become the starter. Well it looks like they struck gold as he became one of the best backs in the league in 2006 amassing almost 2,200 total yards and nine TDs. With 61 receptions to boot, he became an all-around back. If he were to score more often, he would become an elite back. The departure of offensive Coordinator Norv Turner is a concern, but with a strengthened receiving corps and another year of experience for this young team, Gore stands on the cusp of great things greatness. Gore broke his hand early in training camp, but it's not considered something that should have any lingering impact and he's expected back for Week One. Backup RBs: The depth behind Frank Gore is a concern. Michael Robinson will be the primary backup, but he is a converted quarterback and is still learning the position. Robinson is tall with good feet and can make a quick cut. The 49ers believe that he can be a starting back and are comfortable with him backing up Gore. Unfortunately, his performances last season showed little to justify that faith. Maurice Hicks is a special teams ace and kickoff returner but has been successful running the ball in short bursts in previous seasons. Fullback: Moran Norris was signed early in the season but offers little in the way of fantasy stats. He has a total of three carries and 17 receptions in six years, although he did record two TDs in only five receptions last year. His primary function is to block for Frank Gore.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Darrell Jackson, Arnaz BattleBackups: Taylor Jacobs, Jason Hill (R), Brandon Williams, Ashley Lelie Starting WRs: The 49ers completed a draft-day trade to land Darrell Jackson from division-rival Seattle. This gives the 49ers their first true No. 1 wide receiver since Terrell Owens in 2003. Despite being a seven-year veteran, Jackson is still only 28 years old. Durability is a big concern with Jackson, as he missed significant portions of the last two years. The good news is Jackson appears recovered from a toe injury that kept him out of three games late last year. Starting opposite Jackson will be incumbent Arnaz Battle. Battle's reliable hands, crisp route running and familiarity with the playbook made him the obvious choice to start alongside DJax. Backup WRs: Ashley Lelie, fresh from a disappointing season in Atlanta, had a tenuous hold on a roster spot as he battled injury and lapses in concentration throughout the preseason; but his starting experience and deep speed when healthy ultimately won him a spot on the 53-man roster. Taylor Jacobs, the former Washington Redskins 2nd rounder, has been named the 3rd receiver and will see some action in 3-WR sets. Rookie Jason Hill is the intriguing option, particularly as the season progresses. He has big-play ability and all the skills required to be an elite NFL player. The 2007 season will likely be a learning year for the third-round pick, but prior to the 2006 collegiate season, he looked like a first-round pick.
Tight Ends
Starters: Vernon DavisBackups: Delanie Walker, Billy Bajema Vernon Davis has a skill set that most wide receivers would be jealous of: a sub-4.4 40 time, strength, great hands and a huge leap. In his debut season, he started with a touchdown on his first reception, but broke his leg shortly after and missed the next six games. In the final four games of 2006, he showed where he is likely headed this season with 13 catches for 196 yards and two TDs. Backing him up will be fellow second-year man Delanie Walker. If Davis were to go down for an extended time, expect a major drop-off in production as Walker is still learning how to play the position. Billy Bajema is primarily a blocker.
Place Kicker
Joe Nedney : In 2005, Nedney was voted co-MVP by the 49ers, after he scored the bulk of their points. Last year he actually scored more points, but so did the rest of the team. He ended 2006 with 29 of 35 (82.9%) FGs and 29 PATs. That added up to an eighth place finish in kicker scoring for San Francisco. They had ranked in the bottom third of the league the two previous years. Last year was the first time since 2002, that Nedney played a full 16 game season. After ten years in the league, his age is starting to show with a decline in kickoff distance.CAMPKick and Punt Returners
Kick Returners: Maurice Hicks; Brandon Williams RB Maurice Hicks led the team in kickoff returns the last two years (57 returns, 25.1 avg. last year), and is expected to do so again this year. WR Brandon Williams averaged 28.0 yards on kickoff returns during his senior year at Wisconsin, and 23.8 yards on 16 returns for the 49ers last year. Punt Returners: Brandon Williams; Arnaz Battle; Nate Clements Brandon Williams took two punts all the way for TDs during his senior year at Wisconsin in 2005, while averaging 14.6 yards (11th). His numbers were more modest as a rookie for the 49ers last year (22 returns, 6.7 avg.). Arnaz Battle was the team's primary PR in 2004 (31 returns, 8.6 avg., 1 TD), and a backup last year (6 returns, 15.0 avg.). Free agent acquisition CB Nate Clements was the Bills' leading punt returner in 2004, but was demoted to backup in 2005 (8 returns, 6.5 avg.), and had no returns last year. He has been practicing on punt returns with the 49ers, but is not expected to be used in that role during the regular season.Offensive Line
Projected Starters: LT Jonas Jennings, LG Larry Allen, C Eric Heitmann, RG Justin Smiley, RT Joe Staley [R]Key Backups: Adam Snyder, David Baas, Kwame Harris, Tony Wragge, Patrick Estes The 49ers weren't overly happy with Kwame Harris and didn't offer him a contract extension this offseason. They have since replaced him with promising rookie Joe Staley; who clearly outplayed the veteran in the preseason. Justin Smiley may also succumb to the 49ers youth movement, but did enough in camp to retain his starting job for Week One. Eric Heitmann has developed into the leader of the group. Left guard Larry Allen did make the Pro Bowl is his first season in San Francisco, but he's 36 years old this season and beginning to show his age. Jonas Jennings missed a few games but was dominant when on the field. The talent is there for this unit to do very well in 2007.
Team Defense
The 49ers were unable to run the 3-4 scheme preferred by head coach Mike Nolan last year due to a lack of bulk at nose tackle and capable OLB depth. Their 4-3 defense was among the league's worst in 2006, finishing last in scoring defense and in the bottom half of the league in both sacks and takeaways. The Niners aggressively pursued defensive improvement this offseason, adding big NT Aubrayo Franklin, OLB Tully Banta-Cain, CB Nate Clements and SS Michael Lewis in free agency and promising rookies in DE Ray McDonald and ILB Patrick Willis in the draft. The additions will allow Nolan to fully transition to the 3-4 front this season and hopefully highlight the talents of their last two first round picks, Willis and Manny Lawson. With Lawson providing a solid pass rush and Willis, Clements and Lewis adding to the big play potential of this unit, the Niners could be one of this season's most improved units.Defensive Line
Starters: DE Bryant Young, DE Marques Douglas, NT Aubrayo FranklinBackups: DE Ray McDonald [R], DT Isaac Sopoaga, DT Ronald Fields Starting DL: Young is a SF institution (he has played all 13 seasons with the 49ers, a rarity in the free agency era). The four time Pro Bowler is one of the top sack artists in franchise history. He returned from a gruesome, Theismann-like compound fracture of his leg in characteristic style by winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He has succeeded at every level (Notre Dame All-American and NFL Rookie of the Year). His athleticism and freakish lower body power were on display early as he placed third in his state (IL) in both wrestling and the discus throw. The 35 year old must have discovered the fountain of youth, and his rediscovered sack artistry (8.5 in '05 and 5 in '06 most sacks since '00) has been a pleasant surprise. Not the biggest or fastest dude, he presses his advantage with an electric, lightning quick first step, bridge troll-like leverage, technical mastery and a relentless motor. Douglas is a former UFA who was brought over from BAL by Nolan. His size (listed 6'2" 286) makes him an excellent fit as a 3-4 DE. The run game is his forte (2nd among DEs in tackles '03, top 5 '04, near top 10 in '05-'06), though he added 3 sacks and 2 FFs last season. Franklin is bigger than a double wide trailer and about as easy to get around. He is the first pure NT in Nolan's SF tenure, and should make the players around him better. Backup DL: McDonald may have gone higher than the third round if not for a red-flagged knee condition that the 49ers medical staff vetted and signed off on. He had experience inside and outside on the Florida DL, making him eminently qualified to play DE in the 3-4, which is like a hybrid DE/DT position... generally smaller than a DT and bigger than a typical DE vis-a-vis 4-3 counterparts (and playing outside like a DE but with a DT-like job description comprised primarily of run support and tying up blockers detail). Sopoaga is a classic, two-gap block eater with fairly good COD (change of direction) ability and movement skills for a massive man mountain. When he plays with leverage he can be about as easy to budge as a tree stump. Fields provides more size and depth.
Linebackers
Starters: OLB Manny Lawson, OLB Tully Banta-Cain, ILB Patrick Willis [R], ILB Derek SmithBackups: LB Brandon Moore, ILB Jeff Ulbrich, OLB Parys Haralson, OLB Hannibal Navies Starting LBs: Lawson is an '06 first rounder (1.22) whose 2.5 sacks fell well below expectations, though he was charged with the difficult conversion from 4-3 DE (bookend to #1 overall pick Mario Williams) to 3-4 OLB. A freakish athlete that has long jumped 25', triple jumped 50' and clocked a scorching 4.4 at the Combine (at 6'5" 240!), he could be primed for a breakout season with a much better supporting cast. Banta-Cain may be overshadowed by the stellar 49ers "off-season", but the ex-Patriot is expected to be a solid complementary player and prevent offenses from keying on Lawson too much. Willis was the top rated LB and one of best defensive players in the class of '07 (1.11). He is another physical phenom with the speed and hops of a CB improbably welded onto a LBs frame... an instinctive sideline-to-sideline tackle machine with the heart of a warrior and talent to be a serial Pro Bowler. The coaching staff fell in love with him at the Senior Bowl, and he embodies the qualities Nolan wants to instill in his charges. Willis is the future face of the defense. Smith is a warrior who was an unsung hero for many years, laboring in relative anomynity with the Redskins and 49ers, yet has racked up aggregate tackle numbers that compare favorably with some of the top LBs of the past decade. Before missing about the last quarter of the season with an eye injury (requiring surgery), he had 90+ combo tackles his first nine years in the league. That is in the same territory as Donnie Edwards, Zach Thomas and Derrick Brooks, who have all been in the 100+ combo tackle club for 10-11 seasons in a row. He reclaimed his starting job during the preseason, forcing Brandon Moore to the bench. Backup LBs: Brandon Moore is a former UFA who is a thumper, lends experience on the inside and should be an able sidekick to the rookie Willis eventually. He will also flash some athleticism and had an impressive (for a LB) 11.5 combined sacks in '05-'06. Ulbrich is a smart, savvy vet that is a better football player than athlete, and a better fit as a backup than starter. Haralson has some pass rush skills, evidenced by the ex-Vols 46.5 TFL, third on the Tennessee career list (behind only the late Reggie White and Leonard Little).
Defensive Backs
Starters: SS Michael Lewis, FS Mark Roman, CB Nate Clements, CB Walt HarrisBackups: S Keith Lewis, SS Dashon Goldson [R], FS Marcus Hudson, CB Shawntae Spencer, CB Donald Strickland, CB Tarell Brown [R] Starting DBs: Michael Lewis looked like an ascendant player and one of the better young SSs in the game until the Eagles abruptly demoted him last season due to chronic coverage deficiencies. When protected within the scheme, he can be a devastating, authoritative hitter and in-the-box force in run support. This should prove a handy trait in a division replete with stud RBs like Shaun Alexander, Steven Jackson and Edgerrin James (throw a rock and hit a Pro Bowler). Roman is a journeyman but his skill set probably aligns with Lewis better than any other safety on the roster. Clements had superb timing as the preeminent free agent from the class of '07, signing one of the most lucrative contracts for a defensive player in NFL history. He will be worth every penny if he can help contain the divisional abundance of Pro Bowl WR talent. It would be hard to genetically engineer a more lethal combo of elite coverage chops, the ball skills of a playmaker and physical tackling ability. Harris didn't get the memo that he was a journeyman, and the 12th year former Bear/Redskin/Colt enjoyed a statistical outburst, with a career high 8 INTs, 4 FFs and 20 PD (the 8 INTs were as many as his previous six seasons COMBINED). He appears to have beaten out promising youngster Shawntae Spencer for a starting spot. Backup DBs: The 49ers backup DB depth chart is as lengthy, elusive and hard to keep track of as the dramatic personae of a Raymond Chandler noir. Keith Lewis was an unexpected playmaker and terror in run support after being inserted into the starting lineup. He was on fire in the second half of the season, and doubling his last 8 game production would have yielded a box score of 100 solo tackles (no safety in the league had 90 solos, and all but four had less than 80), 2 sacks, 4 INTs and 2 FFs. Inflated, LB-like tackle numbers from the secondary could also be an indictment of the front seven tackling (or lack thereof). He is a more natural SS, so the signing of Michael Lewis relegated him to a depth role, but his striking '06 campaign proved he is a more than capable reserve. Goldson will probably have the fate of many day two rookies - Special Teams. Williams is a mighty-mite brought over from BAL by Nolan for his pound-for-pound toughness and feistiness in run support. Spencer has some serious skills, honed while at Pittsburgh going against WR prodigy Larry Fitzgerald in practice. Last modified: 2007-09-03 07:42:01
