San Francisco 49ers ’09 Quick Hits
Why the Niners aren’t the breakout team many expect.
San Francisco 49ers
Predicted: 3rd
2008: 7-9 (2nd NFC West)
Head Coach: Mike Singletary (2nd year)
Roster Quick View (*new veteran, **rookie)
Offense (coordinator: Jimmy Raye)
QB: Shaun Hill
He’s 7-3 as a starter, though the film reveals an inconsistent decision-maker with marginal tools.
QB: Alex Smith
Shoulder injuries have ruined his last two seasons. Of course, all evidence suggests those seasons probably would have been ruined anyway. Took a pay cut to stay here.
RB: Frank Gore
True workhorse who is the only player in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards three consecutive years.
RB: Glenn Coffee**
Third-round rookie is expected to spell Gore as the power-back in Jimmy Raye’s old-fashioned run offense.
FB: Moran Norris
Classic lead-blocker who has a great rapport with Gore.
WR: Isaac Bruce
Pristine route runner and dependable, soft-handed veteran. Delayed retirement for one more year because he wants another ring.
WR: Josh Morgan
Has impressed coaches in practice and in limited game action. Not a star, but seems to do a lot of the little things right.
WR: Michael Crabtree**
Niners couldn’t believe he fell to them at No. 10. Recovery from foot stress fracture surgery wiped out his offseason, though.
TE: Vernon Davis
Mike Martz moronically used him primarily as a blocker in 2008. Extremely gifted, but must show more valor going after tough receptions.
TE: Delanie Walker
Who in the world started the rumors last year about him being a breakout star?
LT: Joe Staley
Recent first-round pick just got a contract extension. However, this doesn’t mean he’ll ever be a top echelon––or even second echelon––LT. Needs more strength.
LG: David Baas
Fringe starter who has adequate mobility and can at least sustain blocks fairly well.
C: Eric Heitmann
Smart player, but poor strength and feet make him a major liability inside.
RG: Chilo Rachal
Has the tools to be a powerful downhill force, but first, his head must stop spinning.
RT: Marvel Smith*
Former Steeler out to prove that back problems have not derailed his career. He’s only 31; if healthy, he’ll be a good run-blocker.
6 OL: Adam Snyder
He’s 6’6” but actually plays better inside. Simply not dynamic enough to be a quality starter.
Defense (coordinator: Greg Manusky)
LDE: Isaac Sopoaga
Will occasionally make a dominant play, but too often, horrendous leverage renders him obsolete.
NT: Aubrayo Franklin
Very good run-defender who, at 317 pounds, is tough to move. Must come off the field in passing situations.
RDE: Justin Smith
Not quite worth all that money they paid him two years ago, but his aptitude in all facets of the game, plus his non-stop motor, make him a critical piece to this defense.
3 DE: Demetric Evans*
Believes he should be a starter in this league. (Go ahead and chuckle––it is a little funny.)
2 DL: Kentwan Balmer
First-round rookie a year ago who produced absolutely nothing. Obviously, too talented to dismiss this early.
LOLB: Manny Lawson
Versatile, athletic all-around player who will finally get a chance to rush the passer. Increased his weight to 250, which should make him more effective getting off blocks.
LILB: Patrick Willis
Superstar third-year pro has tremendous speed and open-field tackling abilities. Instincts continue to mature.
RILB: Takeo Spikes
Valuable veteran leader who can still make the plays this club needs him to make.
ROLB: Parys Haralson
Led the team with eight sacks last season. Niners got a great deal in locking up the 25-year-old for four years at just $15 million.
5 LB: Jeff Ulbrich
The well-used veteran is a great practice presence and security blanket inside.
CB: Nate Clements
Gets challenged too much to be considered elite. Has first-class tools but his performance, while solid, doesn’t always live up.
CB: Dre’ Bly*
Ate a large slice of humble pie by signing a one-year deal for an unguaranteed $850,000. Joined San Francisco because he wants a chance to start.
NB: Tarell Brown
Third-year player has proven worthy of regular snaps. Should hold off a now-healthy Shawntae Spencer.
SS: Michael Lewis
Very stout enforcer in the box. Second on the team in tackles the past two seasons.
FS: Dashon Goldson
Captured Mark Roman’s job because he at least shows hints of playmaking potential. Still, this says more about Roman.
6 DB: Reggie Smith
Did not warrant significant action as a third-round rookie last season.
Special Teams
K: Joe Nedney
Has been successful on 87.8 of his field goal attempts his four seasons here.
P: Andy Lee
His punt averages the past two seasons––47.3 and 47.8––have been the best this franchise has seen in 60 years.
RS: Allen Rossum
Is still dangerous at 33. Averaged 26.8 yards per kick return and 14.9 yards per punt return last season.
Offseason Quick Glance
Draft
RD PK (OVR) NAME POS SCHOOL
1 10 (10) Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
3 10 (74) Glen Coffee RB Alabama
5 10 (146) Scott McKillop ILB Pittsburgh
5 35 (171) Nate Davis QB Ball St
6 11 (184) Bear Pascoe TE Fresno St
7 10 (219) Curtis Taylor S LSU
7 35 (244) Ricky Jean-Francois DT LSU
KEY PLAYERS ACQUIRED
DE Demetric Evans: UFA Redskins; $3.8M/2 yrs, guarantees.
LB Marques Harris: UFA Chargers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
QB Damon Huard: FA Chiefs; 1 yr, terms unknown.
WR Brandon Jones: UFA Titans; $16.6M/5 yrs, $5.4M guaranteed.
FB Moran Norris: UFA Lions; $5M/3 yrs, $1.5M SB.
OT Marvel Smith: UFA Steelers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
KEY PLAYERS LOST
TE Billy Bajema: UFA Rams; terms unknown.
LB Tully Banta-Cain (released).
OT Damane Duckett: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.
DT Ronald Fields: UFA Broncos; $5M/2 yrs, SB unknown.
RB DeShaun Foster (FA)
OT Jonas Jennings (released).
WR Bryant Johnson: UFA Lions; $9M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
S Keith Lewis (released).
TE Sean Ryan: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown.
QB J.T. O’Sullivan: UFA Bengals; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
CB Donald Strickland: UFA Jets; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
Analysis
It wasn’t in the Niners’ game plan to draft WR Michael Crabtree at No. 10. But if you found a 100 dollar bill on the sidewalk, wouldn’t you stop and pick it up? Of course, Crabtree is going to need someone to throw him the ball. And with San Francisco’s failure to lure Kurt Warner––they had the veteran in for an official visit, but that was it––they’re once again plagued with a quarterback competition between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.
The Niners signed WR Brandon Jones before they knew they’d get Crabtree and that Isaac Bruce would return. That explains why they’ll be paying the slot receiver starter-type money. They were wise to give OT Marvel Smith only a low-risk, two-year deal. After all, they learned a hard lesson with Jonas Jennings (now released) about high-priced, injury-riddled veteran tackles.
In a clear sign that improvements are taking place, not one of San Francisco’s veteran losses will be missed. This suggests that the 49er rookie class––which is bottom-heavy––will have more opportunities to develop. After Crabtree, the only other rookie to see substantial action will likely be third-round RB Glen Coffee. Coffee can be the powerful complement to Frank Gore that DeShaun Foster never was.
Another rookie contributor could actually be sixth-round TE Bear Pascoe, a 255-pounder who should be a better blocker than departed veterans Billy Bajema or Sean Ryan.
It’s somewhat concerning that San Francisco did not address their offensive line at any point in the draft. Four of their five starting positions come with question marks, and depth is non-existent.
Have you even looked at the 49ers? This is like a 6th grade essay from someone on the East Coast. You have no clue as to their offense or defense. The offensive line? Your analysis is laughable.