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2009 Team Report: San Francisco 49ers

Quarterbacks

Starter: Shaun Hill
Backup(s): Alex Smith, Damon Huard, Nate Davis [R]

Starting QB: After excellent performances to close out the 2007 and 2008 season, Shaun Hill should be the starter come opening day. He has a career win-loss record of 7-3 and received his chance to start once Mike Singletary took over the head coaching role in late October of 2008. His record as a fantasy option is just as impressive, with stats good enough to rate as a Top 6 fantasy QB for the final half of 2008. That was under the Mike Martz offense however. With Jimmy Raye running the show in 2009, we should expect a more balanced offense with the run game as the prime beneficiary. Hill does still present himself as a reasonable option if he falls far enough in fantasy drafts and with the 49ers grabbing Michael Crabtree in the first round, Hill could be a pleasant surprise.

Backup QB: It is unlikely the 49ers will carry four QBs on the roster. As all of the probable backups have significant negatives, it could be anyone of the three guys that misses out. Alex Smith is a former No. 1 draft pick, who renegotiated his contract to remain with the 49ers after two-injury depleted seasons that followed the gut-wrenching disappointment of his first two years as a pro. However, Smith is in the best position to take over should Hill fail or get injured. Damon Huard is a journeyman who after failing in Kansas City gets an opportunity to provide veteran leadership to his inexperienced rivals. If he were to play, it would be wise not to expect too much. Nate Davis was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 draft and offers significant upside if he adapts to the demands of the NFL.

Running Backs

Starter: Frank Gore
Backup(s): Glen Coffee [R], Michael Robinson, Thomas Clayton
Fullback(s): Moran Norris, Zak Keasey

Starting RB: Frank Gore will be looking to rebound from consecutive seasons of decreasing production. With new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye promising to play tough physical football, this should play right into the hands of Frank Gore owners. As one of the more natural runners in the NFL, the talent of Frank Gore has never been in question and he'll be one of the few backs who should play on all downs. The 49ers will seek to protect Gore from burning out and drafted Glen Coffee in the third round to ease his workload. Those who are thinking about taking Gore with a first round pick this year might be concerned about his lack of touchdowns. That may change with the 49ers seeking a more balanced approach in 2009.

Backup RBs: Frank Gore owners may look in this direction, especially those who lost him to injury during the fantasy playoffs in 2008. At the head of the queue should be rookie Glen Coffee. The rookie from Alabama probably hasn't developed enough physically to handle a full workload, but should be competent in relief of Gore. He is a solid runner who has been well coached and should get the nod ahead of the established veterans in Michael Robinson and Thomas Clayton. Robinson averaged about one carry a game last year with the now departed DeShaun Foster as the preferred choice. He was slightly better as a receiver. Clayton enters his third year as a 49er, most of which has been spent battling to stay on the roster.

Fullback: Moran Norris comes back to the 49ers after spending the 2008 season as a Detroit Lion. Norris offers little to fantasy owners with 11 career rushing attempts and an average of around three receptions a year during his eight years in the NFL. Zak Keasey has offered even less to the fantasy world with three receptions and two rushing attempts in three years. In the most recent incarnations of the 49er offense the fullback has rarely seen the ball. This could change under the Jimmy Raye offense, but it would be wise to take a wait and see approach first.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Isaac Bruce, Michael Crabtree [R]
Backups: Josh Morgan, Brandon Jones, Jason Hill, Arnaz Battle

Starting WRs: The top of the WR depth chart is uncertain following the drafting of Michael Crabtree with the 10th overall pick. If Crabtree signs quickly then the path for him becoming a starter will almost certainly be made easier. Crabtree was the consensus No. 1 WR in the draft by a large margin. Crabtree is NFL ready, a dynamic playmaker and hard worker. Other teams that rated him as a diva may eventually regret that decision. Opposite Crabtree is likely to be Isaac Bruce, at least in the early part of the season. Despite turning 37 this year, Bruce demonstrated in 2008 that he still had the legs and desire to perform well. Bruce almost retired in the off season but decided to stick with the 49ers in early April. It would be a surprise however to see Bruce perform even to last year's standards. The absence of Mike Martz will hurt Bruce the most. The 49ers will attempt to pass the ball far less and have a deep group of promising young receivers to call on.

Backup WRs: Josh Morgan, Jason Hill and Arnaz Battle have all started at some stage in recent years for the 49ers. Morgan and Hill are still young enough to regain a starting role, but Battle could struggle to win a roster spot. Morgan both impressed and frustrated the coaching staff with his inconsistency, but he flashed some big-play ability and if he improves he could be one to watch out for this year. Hill finds himself in a difficult position. He clearly has potential to become a starting receiver and caught 30 balls once Mike Singletary took over as coach. Others however look to have the edge right now and he'll need a bit of luck to appear on fantasy radars this year. A player who'll definitely be involved somewhere is the former Titan Brandon Jones, who signed a five-year contract as a free agent. It's hard to imagine him in a starting role, but he could find his niche as a No. 3.

Tight Ends

Starters: Vernon Davis
Backups: Delanie Walker, Bear Pascoe [R]

The performance of Vernon Davis as a receiver was a massive disappointment for the 49ers in 2008. He had three games with zerocatches and only one reception in seven others. This could be the result of Mike Martz using the position ineffectively, or it could be Davis' numerous demonstrations of immaturity. The most significant incident resulted in Davis being sent to the locker room by coach Singletary during a game for causing a totally unnecessary 15-yard penalty. Davis has always excelled as a blocker, but this year he will need to demonstrate the receiving ability that saw the 49ers spend a high first-round pick on him in 2006. He has looked the part on occasions and if he puts it all together will be a steal for fantasy owners with patience. Backup Delanie Walker has promise to be a capable fantasy tight end but was another victim of Mike Martz's scheme. He shouldn't appear on fantasy radars barring Vernon Davis being absent for one reason or another. Bear Pascoe was drafted in the sixth round by the 49ers and will primarily be used as a blocker, although he is a capable receiver if needed.

Place Kicker

Joe Nedney : Joe Nedney posted his second-highest point total ever last year, as he hit 29 of 33 (87.9 percent) in field goals and was perfect on 34 PATs for 121 points. That added up to a 14th place finish in kicker scoring for San Francisco Despite having an accurate year (89.5 percent on field goals), Nedney scored only 73 points in 2007, and the 49ers ranked 32nd in kicker scoring. It was a big drop off from 2006 when he was 29 of 35 (82.9 percent) on field goals with 29 PATs. In 2005, Nedney was voted co-MVP by the 49ers, after he scored the bulk of their points. He still has the range to hit long field goals, with at least one 50+ yarder every year he's played since 1998. Nedney played in all 16 games each of the last three years. That is noteworthy considering his track record, including several year ending injuries.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Allen Rossum, Micheal Spurlock, Delanie Walker, Michael Robinson, Arnaz Battle, Kory Sheets

After five successful years as the return specialist for Atlanta and a one year layover in Pittsburgh, DB Allen Rossum enters his second year with the 49ers. Last year he proved he still has it (47 kickoff returns, 26.8 avg., 1 TD). WR Micheal Spurlock will get a shot at the return specialist role, although the job is Rossum's to lose. Spurlock entered the trivia books in 2007 with Tampa Bay (16 returns, 27.8 avg.), when he scored their first ever kickoff return TD. TE Delanie Walker averaged 25.6 yards and scored once for Central Missouri State in 2005. He emerged as the primary backup for the 49ers last year (13 returns 19.8 avg.). RB Michael Robinson was a backup the last three years (6 returns, 22.5 avg. in 2008). He averaged 21.0 yards on three returns for the 49ers last year. WR Arnaz Battle was a backup KR in 2004. Undrafted rookie RB Kory Sheets periodically returned kickoffs during his career at Purdue.

Punt Returners: Allen Rossum; Nate Clements; Arnaz Battle; Micheal Spurlock, Dominique Zeigler, Michael Robinson, Dre' Bly

After an impressive 12.4 yard average on punt returns in 2004, Allen Rossum's numbers declined the next three years. Last year saw resurgence as he averaged 14.9 yards on 15 returns. CB Nate Clements was the Bills' leading punt returner in 2004, but was demoted to backup in 2005. He served as a backup for the 49ers the last two years (6 returns, 7.7 avg. in 2008). Arnaz Battle was the team's primary PR in 2004 (31 returns, 8.6 avg., 1 TD), and a backup in recent years (6 returns, 4.8 avg. last year). Micheal Spulock's experience is primarily on kickoffs, although he did have four punt returns (7.5 avg.) with Tampa Bay. When the other punt returners were all injured last year, WR Dominique Zeigler got the call, despite the fact he had never before returned punts. He had two returns for no gain and three fair catches. Returning punts was among the many things Michael Robinson did in college at Penn State. CB Dre' Bly returned a couple punts during his time with Detroit, St. Louis, and Denver. San Francisco has ranked 12th, 11th, and 10th in fantasy returns the last three years.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Joe Staley, LG David Baas, C Eric Heitmann, RG Chilo Rachal, RT Marvel Smith
Key Backups: G Joe Toledo, G/C Tony Wragge, G/T Adam Snyder, T Barry Simms

The 49ers offensive line has been on the verge of being very strong over the past few seasons but never really put it all together. Last season, a number of injuries caused havoc along the line, and the club never really got rolling as a result. There are a handful of players in a battle for the two guard positions and all have had action over the past couple of seasons. David Baas, Chilo Rachal, Adam Snyder, and Tony Wragge will fight it out for the starting positions this year and there isn't really a frontrunner at this time. Newcomer Marvel Smith should beat out Barry Sims for a starting position, but Smith must rediscover his form that he lost with Pittsburgh. Formerly an All Pro, he has struggled through injuries recently.

Team Defense

San Francisco finished outside the Top 20 in most leagues last season. Some may see reason to be optimistic based on the 49ers' 12th-best yardage allowed figure and the high likelihood of a major improvement from the six fumble recoveries they managed last year. However, the 49ers stood pat during the offseason, adding no impact defenders in free agency or the draft. Instead, the team will look for inspiration from motivational defensive-minded head coach Mike Singletary. The potential for an improved pass rush exists if Justin Smith and Manny Lawson can be more consistent on passing downs and Patrick Willis and Nate Clements give the 49ers a pair of playmakers in the back seven. Realistically, this team isn't a sleeper in the making and is unlikely to become a surprising match up play during the bye week portion of the NFL schedule. Owners can safely ignore them as a fantasy option on draft day.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Justin Smith; DE Ray McDonald; DT Aubrayo Franklin
Backups: DE Demetric Evans; DE Kentwan Balmer; DT Isaac Sopoaga; DE Ricky Jean-Francois

Starting DL: Justin Smith is the centerpiece of their defensive line and was voted the team's MVP. Last year, Smith's first with the team, he had 49/25 tackles and seven sacks and he has remained a model of consistency throughout his NFL career. He'll be expected to once again set the table for his teammates as they look to him for leadership. DE Ray McDonald had surgery on his knee at the conclusion of last season and his current status is unknown. Unfortunately, the surgery was on the same knee that caused some to question him when he was drafted in 2007. If not completely healthy, he could play only a supporting role. DT Aubrayo Franklin had his most productive season as a pro in 2008 and showed he's more than just a big body.

Backup DL: Kentwan Balmer, a second year player and former first round draft choice from North Carolina, needs to improve. He only played in six games last year and he'll likely fit into a rotation. One positive sign Balmer is ready to take a step forward is that he has dropped his body fat by 4%. The team liked what they saw in Ricky Jean-Francois from LSU when they went to take a look at teammate Tyson Jackson and drafted him in the seventh round of the draft. There has been some character and durability questions surrounding Jean-Francois, but he's very talented and he could be a huge find for them if he pans out. For 2009, he'll supply depth at the end position. Demetric Evans was signed over from the Redskins and is a solid contributor. DT Isaac Sopoaga enters his fifth season with the 49ers and in the NFL. While playing at left end in 2008, look for Sopoaga to play mainly at nose tackle this season with a decent shot at the starting role.

Linebackers

Starters: ILB Patrick Willis; ILB Takeo Spikes; OLB Manny Lawson; OLB Parys Haralson
Backups: LB Jeff Ulbrich; LB Roderick Green; LB Scott McKillop; LB Ahmad Brooks; LB Marques Harris

Starting LBs: Patrick Willis burst onto the scene in 2007 and has already proven to be one of the league's best linebackers. He also happens to be fantasy gold and has ranked at the head of the class in both years. Last year's 109/32 tackles remarkably was a step backward in production from his rookie campaign, but was still better than almost any other linebacker. Parys Haralson continues to improve and last season he developed into the team's best pass rusher with 8.5 sacks. His role is increasingly important as the team lacks quality depth on the outside. Long time NFL veteran Takeo Spikes had his most productive season since 2004 and was re-signed for two more years. The former first round draft pick has been another important piece in their defensive resurgence. LB Manny Lawson was very highly regarded coming out of college. The 49ers drafted him in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft and only injuries have kept him from providing more impact than he already has. His ability to rush the passer could be an important cog in determining their overall success in 2009.

Backup LBs: Jeff Ulbrich has been with the team for a long time, although his role has decreased. He remains a valuable part of the team and while he may not approach 90 total tackles like he had in 2004, expect him to stick around and see the field quite a lot. The 49ers used their fifth round draft pick on LB Scott McKillop. McKillop, who played his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh, is a hard nosed, hard working player who may not possess ideal speed or strength, but has a nose for the ball. They would love for McKillop to eventually replace Takeo Spikes. The team signed unrestricted free agent Marques Harris, and he'll supply some depth at outside linebacker. Harris, a four year NFL veteran, played for the Chargers last year, started three games and recorded 2.5 sacks. Roderick Green has had some legal problems and has a court date in late April for being caught speeding with marijuana and a gun. Ahmad Brooks was picked up last season but did not play a snap. He is currently lining up at outside linebvacker behing Haralson.

Defensive Backs

Starters: S Michael Lewis; CB Nate Clements; S Dashon Goldson; CB Dre Bly
Backups: CB Shawntae Spencer; S Mark Roman; S Curtis Taylor; CB Tarell Brown; CB Marcus Hudson

Starting DBs: Safety Michael Lewis had another excellent season for the 49ers last year and his addition to the team can not be overlooked. He is a sure tackler and is more than capable in every facet of the game. He leads their secondary and can make plays both in the backfield and downfield. Like Lewis, CB Nate Clements is a solid all-around performer. His production took a little bit of a dip last year, but he remains an excellent tackler and pass defender. S Dashon Goldson, who is expected to be one of the few new starters to their defense, is inexperienced and has a history of injuries. But the team has seen enough positive things from Goldshon during practices in his first two seasons that they will insert him into the starting lineup at free safety, replacing the embattled Mark Roman. The season ending injury to Walt Harris opened up a spot for the team to sign Dre Bly. The seasoned veteran comes over after spending a couple of years at Denver and should be more than a suitable replacement for the aging Harris. Getting waived by Denver was a humbling experience for Bly and he's looking at this year as incentive to show he can still play this game.

Backup DBs: After a pair of injury marred seasons, it's questionable whether or not CB Shawntae Spencer can hold onto the number three job at corner, but he'll stay play a vital role in nickel or dime packages. Spencer has had some success with the team, as evidenced in 2005 when he had 74/9 tackles and four interceptions. CB Tarell Brown has come along gradually with the team but expect his role to be increased in the coming year. Reggie Smith, a third round draft choice last year from Oklahoma, played corner in his rookie year but has switched to safety and could backup Dashon Goldson. Mark Roman started last season at free safety, but made too many mistakes to hold onto the job. The 32 year old NFL veteran provides insurance in case Goldson does not perform. S Curtis Taylor a nice sized safety who will likely play mostly on special teams. CM Marcus Hudson has seemed to play less and less over the last few seasons, which is not exactly indicative of a breakout year in 2009.

Last modified: 2009-06-10 09:44:37