2010 RECORD: 6-10-0
(3rd in NFC West)
HEAD COACH: Jim Harbaugh
Offense: The biggest question facing the 49ers entering the 2011 season is whether they trust quarterback Alex Smith to lead the offense.
Smith passed for 2,370 yards with 14 touchdowns and ten interceptions last season, but the team drafted Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) and recently brought in veteran Duante Culpepper for a look at quarterback.
What gives?
If Smith is the quarterback, then he should be given the job without a doubt and the team has not shown they have the confidence in him entering the 2011 season. Smith will start with Kaepernick backing him up.
Frank Gore, who just signed a lucrative contract extension, should be ready to go after being banged up last year. In spite of missing games, Gore still led the team with 853 rushing yards (4.2 ypc average) and scored three touchdowns. Anthony Dixon backs him up. The fullback is Nate Byham.
The wide receivers should provide Smith (or Kaepernick) with more than adequate targets this season.
Michael Crabtree (55, 741, six TD) and Josh Morgan (44, 698, two TD) will likely be the starters along with Braylon Edwards, who comes over from the Jets after making 53 catches for 904 yards and scoring seven touchdowns in 2010.
Tight End Vernon Davis led the team last year with 56 receptions for 914 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Delanie Walker is a solid number-two man at tight end as he caught 29 passes for 331 yards.
Also in the mix as receivers are Ted Ginn, Jr. and Kyle Williams.
The offensive line is a work in progress as the opening game looms next weekend. The O-line allowed 44 quarterback sacks in 2010 and that has to improve this season.
The center position has Adam Snyder and Chase Beeler available. The guards are Chilo Rachal and Mike Iupati and the tackles Joe Staley and Anthony Davis.
The 49ers ranked in the middle of the pack running the ball last year, averaging 103 yards per game. The passing game averaged 210 yards passing. The 49ers scored 305 points last year, which ranked 24th in the league.
Defense: Isaac Sopoaga and Justin Smith (8.5 QB sacks in 2010) appear to be ready at defensive end with either Ray McDonald or Will Tukuafu at nose tackle. Sopoaga is also listed at tackle as well. Aldon Smith, the teams' top draft pick in 2011, is listed at defensive end or linebacker, depending on where he will be needed.
The linebacking unit is led by inside backer Patrick Willis (six sacks), who lines up with Monte Simmons, Parys Haralson and Ahmad Brooks. Also included are Keaton Kristick, Alex Joseph, rookie Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman.
The secondary, which was the achilles heel of the defense last season, now has Carlos Rogers at cornerback and Donte Whitner at safety to help shore up a pass defense that allowed 231 yards per game last year.
Along with Rogers at corner is Shawntae Spencer (three interceptions) and playing the other safety spot is Reggie Smith. Dashon Goldson, Phillip Adams, Tarell Brown, Curtis Taylor and Madieu Williams provide depth.
The run defense was solid in 2010, finishing sixth in the NFL (allowed 97 yards per game) but the pass defense lagged behind, and the total defense finished 13th, giving up an average of 328 yards per game. San Francisco's D gave up 346 points last year.
OUTLOOK: In the weak NFC West, many people feel the division is the 49ers to lose.
However, they finished third a year ago with the 6-10 record. That has to get better if new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh wants to see the team make the playoffs.
If Alex Smith can finally live up to the expectations that made him a number-one pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, then the rest of the offense will take care of itself. If not, it could be a transition season for the team as rookie QB Kaepernick would take over at some point.
The defense should be solid against the run again and the pass defense should see improvement with the personnel changes made in the secondary.
This team should challenge either St. Louis or Arizona for the division title.
An 8-8 season seems most likely, which would be enough to qualify for the post-season.
Stay tuned!
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Seattle
Week 2- vs. Dallas
Week 3- at Cincinnati
Week 4- at Philadelphia
Week 5- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 6- at Detroit
Week 7- BYE WEEK
Week 8- vs. Cleveland
Week 9- at Washington
Week 10- vs. NY Giants
Week 11- vs. Arizona
Week 12- at Baltimore
Week 13- vs. St. Louis
Week 14- at Arizona
Week 15- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 16- at Seattle
Week 17- at St. Louis
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