The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

The 49ers seemed headed for yet another disappointing and fruitless season when the team took drastic measures by replacing head coach Mike Nolan with Mike Singletary at the mid-way point of the season.

The fiery leader willed his men to play harder for him through motivation, inspiration, and intimidation.

But he also shook things up on defense. Singletary went away from Nolan’s hybrid 3-4 scheme, which called for constant adjustments and substitutions to a simple 3-4 base, which involved less down-to-down replacements in the spirit of making players think less and react quickly.

The new plan worked like a charm, as the new-look Niners went 5-4 to finish the season.

During the off-season, the 49ers have made a commitment to restructure the offense from a wide-open, pass–heavy attack under former offensive coordinator Mike Martz to a conservative, power-running system directed by long-time NFL assistant coach Jimmy Raye.

Whether this team can dramatically improve its pass rush and get much better production out of its secondary needed to play three-yards-and-a-cloud of dust football is a great mystery.

Regardless of his team’s limitations, the old Bear is dead set on cultivating a strong ground game and ferocious defense similar to the teams he played on in the Windy City.

“In Chicago we developed a nasty offensive line that was physical at the point of attack,” Singletary said. “And we had a defense that was pretty nasty. It is going to take a little time to develop that [in San Francisco]. But running the ball, to me, is extremely important. When you need to run, you have to look at that offensive line and say, ‘OK, guys, here it is, let’s go.’ ”

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: Life after Alex Smith as a starting quarterback began in earnest last season, as the Niners initially went with J.T. O’Sullivan at the helm, and then finally settled on Shaun Hill. While Hill won’t dazzle the masses with a cannon arm and laser throws downfield, he knows how to orchestrate an offense by making use of his quick release and completing accurate throws. What’s especially encouraging about Hill is his indomitable attitude, allowing him to maintain his confidence even after rough starts during games. Although the coaching staff hasn’t officially announced who’ll be top gun come September, Smith has little-to-no chance of supplanting Hill. The former number-one pick, who agreed to a sizeable pay cut, has proven to be fragile and indecisive over the years. Smith will probably have to beat out journeyman Damon Huard to secure a roster spot. The ex-Chief is a non-descript caretaker that can’t be trusted on deep patterns. Rookie Nate Davis is probably looking at a redshirt season due to mechanical flaws he needs to solve before he can hope to contribute.

Running Backs: The game plan here is to ride Frank Gore as far as he’ll take them. The sturdy and explosive back certainly has the resume to fulfill the task. Despite his penchant for getting dinged up, Gore has only missed only three games over his past three seasons, while averaging 323 touches. That amount should probably increase barring any physical setbacks. The 26-year-old plow horse rushed for 1,036 yards, but ran in only six touchdowns. The Niners will need more from him in the scoring department this year if they hope to be postseason bound. Gore is also a natural pass catcher and dependable blocker. An off-season shakeup at the position saw San Francisco release DeShaun Foster and draft Glen Coffee out of the University of Alabama. Foster had very little burst left and had to go, while Michael Robinson is also a short-yardage runner, but is versatile enough to perform on special teams, catch passes, and also serve as a threat to occasionally throw a pass or two. Raye is hoping to utilize Mr. Coffee’s vision and cut-back skills to add a shot of adrenaline in a change-of-pace role. The first-year man could see anywhere between five-to-10 carries a week. Speedy Thomas Clayton and free-agent rookie Kory Sheets will do battle for a roster spot. The former Boilermaker’s quickness to the hole and extraordinary receiving prowess should give him the upper hand over Clayton. After being beaten by Zac Keasey last year, fullback Moran Norris returns and hopes to win the starting job this time around. Blessed with tremendous upper-body strength, the 49ers need Norris to be a more physical lead blocker than he’s been in the past.

Wide Receivers: The offense features a collection of predominantly young and very talented wide outs led by the aging, but still productive Isaac Bruce. “The Reverend” remains quite the route runner at 36 years of age, and can still bring it as a downfield blocker. The 16th-year pro put up 835 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year away from St. Louis. Bruce may have to take a backseat, however, to high-profile rookie Michael Crabtree, who by all accounts, is expected to start. The broad-shouldered youngster is extremely quick off the snap and uses his balance and strength to turn short completions into highlight-reel plays. This year’s 10th overall pick will pair up with second-year target Josh Morgan. The 6’0” Morgan will look to build on his 20 receptions and three scores as a big-play weapon across the middle and along the sidelines. Morgan is just as adept at running deep routes as he is as catching the ball in traffic. Jason Hill is a slot receiver who has come a long way as a route runner. He should see quite a bit of action in a Jabar Gaffney-type of role. The oft-injured Brandon Jones is a similar receiver with incredible strength to manhandle defensive backs. Dominique Zeigler has a flair for the acrobatic catch in practice, but has yet to prove himself as anything more than a spare part. Arnaz Battle may be the odd-man out here due to his slow recovery from a foot sprain. Current Detroit Lion Bryant Johnson only lasted one year in the City by the Bay due to his inconsistency and maddening habit of playing smaller than his listed size (6’3” 211 pounds).

Tight Ends: The vastly overrated Vernon Davis returns as the lead tight end. The muscle-bound 25-year-old has yet to master the art of running crisp patterns, which explains why he often disappears from games. The underrated part of his game is his blocking, but that’s not the reason he was a sixth-overall pick three years ago. Davis would be well advised to shed some bulk and work at developing better hands if he hopes to significantly improve last year’s 31-reception output. Delanie Walker is actually a better route runner and all-around receiver than Davis, but doesn’t get the playing time he deserves. Sixth-round pick Bear Pascoe will use his 6’5” 260-pound frame to serve as an extra blocker, and occasionally use his size to shield defenders on short-to-intermediate routes.

Offensive Line: In an effort to lock up their core players, the 49ers have secured the services of left tackle Joe Staley by signing him to a six-year extension. The durable lineman has started every game over the past two seasons. In addition to having the quick feet to keep up with speed rushers, Staley is an aggressive player that seeks out contact rather than just reacting to his opponent. The biggest question mark on the line resides at right tackle, where San Francisco is banking on Marvel Smith to provide the team with some smash-mouth run blocking. Smith formerly played on the left side for the Steelers, and can be a sustaining, if not dominant, contributor in the running game, but back issues remain a concern. The team is set at guard with David Baas and Chilo Rachal as the starters. The massive 330-pound Baas specializes in opening running lanes, while Rachal is a technically-sound component with a wide base. Center Eric Heitmann is the unquestioned leader of this group, who not only acts as an on-field coach, but provides superior production with his outstanding mobility, hand skills, and quickness off the snap. Interior lineman Tony Wragge is the top reserve with starting experience under his belt. Backup center Cody Wallace is an alert competitor who plays with good leverage. The versatile Adam Snyder will compete with veteran Barry Stokes for backup duties at guard. Rookie Alex Boone will be offered a tryout, as the team will determine if he’s athletic enough to play in the NFL.

DEPTH CHARTS

		FS					SS
	CB	MARK ROMAN					MICHAEL LEWIS	CB
	NATE CLEMENTS	DASHON GOLDSON		SLB	MLB	WLB	CURTIS TAYLOR	WALT HARRIS
				JEFF ULBRICH	PATRICK WILLIS	PARYS HARALSON		SHAWNTEE SPENCER
				TAKEO SPIKES	AHMAD BROOKS	RODERICK GREEN		MARCUS HUDSON
	K					SCOTT MCKILLOP		TERRAIL LAMBERT
	JOE NEDNEY		LDE	LNT	RNT	RDE		CARLOS THOMAS
	P		RAY MCDONALD	ISSAC SOPOAGA	JUSTIN SMITH	MANNY LAWSON		JAHI WORD-DANIELS
	ANDY LEE		KENTWAN BALMER	RONALD FIELDS	AUBRAYO FRANKLIN	TULLY BANTA-CAIN
	COACH		DIYRAL BIGGS	RICKY JEAN-FRANCOIS	KHALIF SHEETS	PANNEL EGBOH
	MIKE NOLAN
	WR	LT	LG	C	RG	RT	TE	WR
	MICHAEL CRABTREE	JOE STALEY	ADAM SNYDER	ERIC HEITMANN	TONY WRAGGE	JONAS JENNINGS	VERNON DAVIS	ISSAC BRUCE
	JASON HILL	BARRY SIMS	DAVID BAAS	CODY WALLACE	CHILO RACHAL	BARRY SIMS	DELANIE WALKER	ARNAZ BATTLE
	JOSH MORGAN	ALEX BOONE	KYLE HOWARD				BILLY BAJEMA	BRANDON JONES
	DOBSON COLLINS	FB	MATTHEWS HUNERS	QB		RB	BEAR PASCOE
		ZAK KEASEY		SHAUN HILL		FRANK GORE
		MORAN NORRIS		ALEX SMITH		DESHAUN FOSTER
				NATE DAVIS		MICHAEL ROBINSON
				KIRBY FREEMAN		JAMEL WHITE
						GLEN COFFEE	KORY SHEETS

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: The Niners attack-style defense will feature a bit of a mixed-bag upfront with defensive end Justin Smith being the only proven component of a gifted, but unestablished, bunch. Acquired as a big-ticket free agent last year, the ninth-year lineman was a standout performer who translated his intense style of play into 73 tackles, seven sacks, and 57 pressures. Second-year line mate Kentwan Balmer is slated to occupy the other end position. While coaches rave about Balmer’s upbeat attitude and unmatched work ethic, he hasn’t shown any signs of blossoming into a playmaker. The jury is still very much out on the man from Tobacco Road. Balmer may get some competition from newly-acquired Demetric Evans, who was a consistent run-stuffing force for the Redskins. Ray McDonald is also in the rotation, but was benched last year because of his ineffectiveness in applying pressure. The mountainous Isaac Sopoaga will be entrusted with holding down blockers at nose tackle. The 330-pound colossus is an incredibly quick widebody who won’t be easy for offensive linemen to toss aside. Aubrayo Franklin will also see some time at the nose. Unlike Sopoaga, however, Franklin is more of a penetrating one-gap defender who just explodes off the snap. Rookie Ricky Jean-Francois is a boom-or-bust type, who can really flourish if the team is patient with him. Despite his questionable work ethic, the 290-pound LSU product is a strong athlete that stands his ground and has the hand skills to shed blockers.

Linebackers: Patrick Willis took his game to another level last season by becoming a much-improved pass defender, as evidenced by his 10 pass breakups to go along with one interception. The rising star also continued his progress against the run by showing impeccable awareness and instincts in diagnosing plays. Fellow inside linebacker Takeo Spikes experienced a comeback season after many had written him off. The crafty veteran beat out Jeff Ulbrich for a starting spot and reverted to being the explosive tackler he was in years past. Spikes still has the ability to create turnovers, and totaled three interceptions, six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles in 2008. The aforementioned Ulbrich is a two-down inside defender who’ll join rookie Scott McKillop in backing up Willis and Spikes. McKillop was a highly-productive tackler as a collegiate, who provides backfield awareness and moves well in space. Singletary will work with the youngster on becoming a more physical presence. The situation on the outside looks very promising with Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson supplying the heat off the edges. In addition to being superb in pass coverage, Haralson led the team with eight sacks. You get the feeling that the 25-year-old difference maker would excel at just about anything that’s asked of him, considering his ability to stop the run. The perennially-injured Lawson was slow to rebound from an ACL injury last season, but defensive coordinator Greg Manusky and company are expecting a big year out of the former first-round pick. The plan is to take the handcuffs off the pass rusher by making him an every-down player who’ll constantly be sent after the quarterback. Jay Moore has also had his own issues when it comes to battling injuries. The former Cornhusker may be better suited for a 4-3 scheme. Marques Harris and Mark Washington are special teams guys.

Secondary: The defensive backfield is hands-down the biggest concern on a team with playoff aspirations. San Francisco’s corners and safeties didn’t make enough plays and was especially inefficient in third-down passing situations with only 12 pickoffs in 2008. Cornerback Nate Clements just simply has played up to the $80-million contract he signed two years ago. The 6’0” cover man fails to consistently shut down the other team’s best receivers, and can get burned on long pass plays. His partner Walt Harris recently suffered a devastating ACL tear during OTAs, which may be a career-ending injury due to the fact that the 34-year-old was already showing signs of slowing down. Stepping in for Harris is Dre Bly who’ll go toe-to-toe with Tarell Brown for a starting spot. The 32-year-old Bly remains an agile defender with decent ball skills, but tends to take far too many chances, leaving him prone to being left in the dust by opposing wide outs. Brown is more adept at playing the run and has the anticipatory skills to create turnovers. Shawntae Spencer is a physical cover corner who can’t stay on the field. Free safety Mark Roman has fallen far short of what San Francisco expected of him by failing to record a single interception or forced fumble over the past two seasons. To remedy the lack of turnovers, the 49ers are hoping that Dashon Goldson can step in and generate the passion, big hits, and turnovers that have recently been in short supply. Goldson’s range make him a good candidate to stick around for a while. Strong safety Michael Lewis must also pick up his game. The former Eagle systematically gave up way too much ground to the opposition in the passing game. Reggie Smith has a chance to earn some more playing time, but was a non-factor in his first NFL season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams coach Al Everest has turned his unit into a play-making machine that manufactured points off blocked field goals last season. His stingy unit also did an excellent job of preventing adversaries from producing any touchdowns via kick returns. Veteran Joe Nedney is an underrated kicker with an accurate and booming leg. Nedney scored a career-high 121 points, while converting on 88-percent of his field-goal tries. Andy Lee also had a career year by averaging 47.8 yards on his punts, which also happens to be an all-time team record. Reliable 34-year-old Allen Rossum is the main man in the return game, while long snapper Brian Jennings has earned a five-year extension thanks to his flawless execution.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS OFF-SEASON TRACKER

Acquired
QB Damon Huard
FB Moran Norris
WR Brandon Jones
OT Marvel Smith
DE Demetric Evans
LB Marques Harris
CB Dre' Bly
Drafted
QB Nate Davis, Ball State
RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
DT Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
FS Curtis Taylor, LSU
Undrafted Free Agents
QB Kirby Freeman, Baylor
RB Kory Sheets, Purdue
WR Dobson Collins, Gardner-Webb
OT Alex Boone, Ohio State
OG Kyle Howard, Wyoming
OL Matthew Huners,, South Florida
DE Khalif Mitchell, East Carolina
DE Pannel Egboh, Stanford
LB Diyral Biggs, Bowling Green
CB Terrail Lambert, Notre Dame
CB Carlos Thomas, South Carolina
CB Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech
Re-signed
FB Zak Keasey
LB Takeo Spikes
KR Allen Rossum
Departures
QB J.T. O'Sullivan: UFA Bengals; 2 yrs, terms unknown
OT Jonas Jennings (released)
OT Damane Duckett: UFA Patriots; terms unknown
WR Bryant Johnson: UFA Lions; $9M/3 yrs, SB unknown
TE Billy Bajema: UFA Rams; terms unknown
TE Sean Ryan: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown
DT Ronald Fields: UFA Broncos; $5M/2 yrs, SB unknown
LB Tully Banta-Cain (released)
CB Donald Strickland: UFA Jets; 3 yrs, terms unknown
S Keith Lewis (released)
Unsigned
QB Jamie Martin
RB DeShaun Foster
DE Roderick Green

PROJECTION

San Francisco has the talent to be a competitive squad throughout. But the team needs a lot to go its way to reach postseason play with its highly conservative approach. The defense gives up way too many big plays for Mike Singletary to win doing things his way. In addition, a treacherous five-game stretch beginning in late October versus Houston on the road and ending in Green Bay will probably be too big of a roadblock for this year’s 49ers to overcome. Look for Singletary to keep this group motivated until the very end. The 49ers’ projected record is 7-9.

Photo Credit: Texas Tech Athletics, College Press Box (Pittsburgh)