2008 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers PREVIEW

2008 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers PREVIEW
2007 Record: 5-11 (3rd NFC West)
Predicted 2008 Record: 6-10 (4th NFC West)

Key Acquisitions: WR Isaac Bruce, RB DeShaun Foster, WR Bryant Johnson, QB JT O'Sullivan, KR Allen Rossum, DE Justin Smith, LB Dontarrious Thomas
Key Losses: G Larry Allen (retired), QB Trent Dilfer (retired), DE Marques Douglas, WR Byran Gilmore, OT Kwame Harris, RB Maurice Hicks, WR Darrell Jackson, G Justin Smiley, LB Derek Smith, DT Bryant Young (retired)

Why were the 49ers as bad as they were a year again? Well, there is many reasons for that. One of which, though, is not talent. The Niners had tons of talent last year, their problems were injuries and no chemistry whatsoever among the team. The Niners lost alot of talent in the offseason this year but they also gained some. Future Hall of Famer, Larry Allen, retired but they drafted Chilo Rachal (USC) in this years draft. QB Trent Dilfer also retired, but they signed a kid with alot of potential, JT O'Sullivan. They lost backup RB Maurice Hicks but signed Panthers starter DeShaun Foster. WRs Darrell Jackson & Bryan Gilmore left in free agency, but Issac Bruce & Bryant Johnson were signed. DE Marques Douglas left and the Niners signed DE Justin Smith (who is much better) and drafted Kentwan Balmer (North Carolina) in the 1st Round of this years Draft. Underachieving OT Kwame Harris left and was not replaced by anyone as did future Pro Bowl G Justin Smiley. Future Hall of Fame DT Bryant Young retired without a replacement being signed while the Niners hope that Dontarious Thomas can help fill the void left by the departed former Pro Bowler Derek Smith. The Niners also signed gamebreaking return man Allen Rossum. The Niners have once again done a fine job of additions in the offseason, but like i said that are also missing alot. Head Coach Mike Nolan must find chemistry with all this talent to hope to improve this season. With all the talent, young talent, that is being stock piled in San Fran a Championship team could be in the making, but not for awhile at least. Those Championship hopes rest primarily on the shoulders (injured or not) of Alex Smith. He needs to take charge, and take charge now.

OFFENSE
Alex Smith has been erratic and injured in his short time in the NFL so far. There are many excuses you can make for the young QB, his offensive line has been shaky, hes been injured, and hes had 4 offensive Coordinators in his 4 years in the NFL. All of those are true but the excuses can only go so far, even his head coach questioned his toughness last year. Its time for Smith to step up and with the help of new Offensive Coordinator, Mike Martz. Smith will be pushed in Training Camp by Shaun Hill (who impressed last season in limited action) and newcomer JT O'Sullivan (who has prior experience in Martz's offense), but expect Smith to come out the starter. Smith just simply has too much talent and is one of the smarter QBs in the league. Smith and the Niners biggest problem is the Offensive Line. The pass blocking from a year ago was just awful. The Niners allowed 55 sacks (the most in the NFL) and were dead last yards gained, first downs, passing offense, third down efficiency, and averaged a league low 13.7 PPG, and all of that was WITH Larry Allen and Justin Smiley. LT Joe Staley is the best player on the line but still has alot to prove. Beside him will be LG Adam Snyder who is average at best and at C Eric Heitmann isnt much better. At this time rookie Chilo Rachal will man the RG spot while Jonas Jennings will hold down the RT spot. The Niners see Rachal as a future Larry Allen-like player and hope that one day will move over to RT. Jennings will only start as long as it takes David Baas to recover from a torn pectoral muscle. WRs Bryant Johnson & Issace Bruce are newcomers to the Niners but both are expected to start this coming season. Johnson has great speed and is a wonderful route runner, but was overshadowed in Arizona by Larry Fitzgerald & Anquon Boldin. He will have every chance to breakout in San Francisco though. Isaac Bruce is a future Hall of Famer and says that he can still play at a high level in the NFL, and will look to do so this season. Underrated Arnaz Battle will be the 3rd option while underachiever Ashley Lelie is hungry and will push to get that 3rd spot. Jason Hill will most likely get playing time as well. TE Vernon Davis is probably the most athletic player of the team and his role this season is planned to be even greater. Davis will line up at slot alot this season as well move out in motion. The Niners want to keep him inside some though because of his blocking ability (which is still ever improving). Workhorse RB Frank Gore is a powerful between the tackles runner, with great speed, but a Mike Martz running game in the past hasn't used a player like Gore. Martz says he wants to use Gore like he used Marshall Faulk, but Gore isn't the type of player that Faulk was. With that said neither are big backups DeShaun Foster or Michael Robinson. All 3 of these backs are athletic but are at their best running behind big FB Moran Norris. If Martz wants to succeed in the run game he will pound Gore for awhile, take him out, put Foster in and pound some with him and then let Gore pound some more. When Gore & Foster get tired, put Robinson in there and let him pound and hope he breaks one. Their depth at back is probably the deepest position on the team.
Grade: C

DEFENSE
Free Agent DE Justin Smith will man the right side of the Niners 3-4 defense and is a great pass rusher. In this defense, though, he will be moved around at times, sometimes in the middle. His presence should be felt immediately. On the other side Isaac Sopoaga, who had his best season last year, is incredibly strong and should have yet another great season. NT Aubrayo Franklin is listed as the starter at Nose Tackle right now, but I fully expect rookie Kentwan Balmer (North Carolina) to take over that spot by the season opener. The 308 lb. Balmer has everything you look for in a NT: strength, size, and athleticism. He will be a block eater. RILB Patrick Willis is one of the best young LBs in the NFL, along with Demeco Ryans, Lofa Tatupu, & DeMarcus Ware, and he will once again lead the Niners defense. Athletic Parys Harrolson is expected to play ROLB where his pass rushing abilities will be utilized. Manny Lawson will man the LOLB spot and like Harrolson is very athletic and is a great pass rusher but can also stop the run. On the inside veteran Jeff Ulbrich will battle Brandon Moore for the LILB spot. Moore is expected to win out, he is young, atheltic, and very strong. Ulbrich will be a fine backup though, coming off the bench. The Niners LB core has the potential to be a very good group of young players. At CB Nate Clements is a bigtime playmaker and rarely needs help in coverage while Walt Harris is a shutdown corner. Shawntae Spencer is also a playmaker and a future star at the CB spot. With those 3 players at Corner, the Niners have a fine 3-man rotation at corner. Rookie Reggie Smith (Oklahoma) was a CB in college but is being moved to FS in the NFL. Because of starter Mark Roman's lack of coverage ability it is very possible that if Smith catches on quickly to his new job he may take Roman's starting job, because Smith is not only a great cover man but is a hard hitter as well. SS Michael Lewis is an elite Safety and his power make him one of the better run stopping Safeties in the NFL.
Grade: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS
Pro Bowl Punter Andy Lee is back and should continue to be a top Punter in the NFL this season. K Joe Nedney is a dependable kicker. Allen Rossum gives the Niners a great boost as a return specialist, he will handle both Punts and Kickoffs. Michael Robinson will join him on Kickoff Returns, as he is a great return man himself. If Rossum gets injured Arnaz Battle will replace him.
Grade: A

2007 LEADERS
PASSING
Trent Dilfer: 113-219, 1,166 yards, 7 TD, 12 INT
Alex Smith: 94-193, 914 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT; 13 carries, 89 yards
Shaun Hill: 54-79, 501 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT; 12 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD
RUSHING
Frank Gore: 260 carries, 1,102 yards, 5 TD; 53 catches, 436 yards, 1 TD
Michael Robinson: 26 carries, 121 yards; 11 catches, 73 yards; 2 KOR, 51 yards
RECEIVING
Arnaz Battle: 50 catches, 600 yards, 5 TD
Vernon Davis: 52 catches, 509 yards, 4 TD
Darrell Jackson: 46 catches, 497 yards, 3 TD
DEFENSE
Patrick Willis, LB: 174 tackles (135 solo), 4.0 sacks, 5 PBU
Nate Clements, CB: 92 tackles (77 solo), 1.0 sack, 4 INT (74 yards), 14 PBU
Michael Lewis, S: 105 tackles (75 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 INT (18 yards), 5 PBU
Derek Smith, LB: 78 tackles (52 solo), 1 INT (4 yards), 4 PBU
SPECIAL TEAMS
Joe Nedney: 17-19 FGs, 22-22 XPs
Andy Lee: 47.3 YPP
Maurice Hicks: 63 KOR, 1,502 yards
Michael Lewis: 5 KOR, 86 yards; 44 PR, 336 yards