HEAD COACH: Jim Harbaugh
Key Additions: WR Randy Moss; WR Mario Manningham; RB Brandon Jacobs; CB Perrish Cox; QB Josh Johnson
Key Losses: WR Josh Morgan; OL Adam Snyder; LB Blake Costanzo
Offense: The 49ers held fast and didn't pursue quarterback Peyton Manning in the off-season as much as Denver and will have Alex Smith returning for the 2012 season.
Smith threw for 3,144 yards with 17 touchdown passes and just five interceptions last season while finishing in the top ten (90.7 passer rating) in the NFL. Colin Kaepernick and free agent Josh Johnson will be the backups.
The strength of the offense is the running game with Frank Gore (1,211 yards and eight TD) leading the way. In addition to Gore, the 49ers have Kendall Hunter (473 yards, two TD) and newcomers Brandon Jacobs, who ran for 571 yards and scored seven touchdowns with the New York Giants last year and rookie speedster LaMichael James (Oregon), who led the nation is collegiate rushing yardage per game last season.
The wide receiver corps saw a shake up as veteran free agents Mario Manningham and Randy Moss (yes, that Randy Moss) were signed during the off-season.
Along with Michael Crabtree (72 receptions, 874 yards and four TD) and tight end Vernon Davis (67, 792, six TD), Manningham (39, 523, four TD) will provide another weapon for Smith to throw to. And if top draft choice A.J. Jenkins (Illinois) is as good as billed and Moss shows even a slight form of his best days with Minnesota and New England, it will make the 49ers' offense even more potent.
Up front is center Jonathan Goodwin, guards Mike Iupati and Daniel Kilgore. The tackles are Anthony Davis and Joe Staley. In reserve are linemen Mike Person, Jason Slowey, Alex Boone and Chase Beeler.
The 49ers averaged 24 points per game and ranked 26th in offense overall (311 yards per game) and eighth in running the ball, averaging 128 yards per game. The passing game had 183 yards per game in 2011.
Defense: This was the strength of the team last year, leading the league against the run, allowing just 77 yards a game.
Overall, San Francisco was fourth in the NFL in total defense (308 yards per game allowed) while giving up 231 passing yards (16th in NFL) a game. In addition, the 49ers finished second in points allowed, giving up 229 points last season.
The front line in the team's 3-4 defense has Isaac Sopoaga at nose tackle with Ray McDonald (5 1/2 QB sacks) and Justin Smith (7 1/2 sacks) at the ends. Demarcus Dobbs, Ricky Jean Francois and Will Tukuafu will help out up front.
The linebackers include Aldon Smith, who registered 14 sacks in his rookie season in 2011. Along with Smith on the outside is Ahmad Brooks. The inside linebackers are veteran Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Rookie Demarius Fleming (Notre Dame) will be on hand along with Larry Grant, Tavares Gooden and Parys Haralson.
The secondary, which did get burned by big yardage plays with their take chances style of play (second in NFL with 23 interceptions last year) features cornerbacks Carlos Rogers (six picks) and Tarell Brown, who snared four passes last season. The safeties are Dashon Goldson (six interceptions) and Donte Whitner, who made two picks.
Colin Jones, C.J. Spillman, Chris Culliver, Tramaine Brock, Perrish Cox and rookie Trent Robinson will provide depth.
OUTLOOK: After coming very close to making it to the Super Bowl last season, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has a hungry team entering the 2012 season.
The defense was a top notch unit a year ago, creating turnovers (plus 28 to lead the NFL) and stuffing opposing running games regularly. If they get that kind of play again this year, watch out.
The offense should be bolstered in both the running and passing game with all the new pieces added. If Smith enjoys another mistake free season, it could add up to a Super Bowl title run for the team.
Playing in the NFC against Green Bay and the New York Giants, the 49ers have a chance to get the "home field" advantage throughout the playoffs again this year if they can beat the contenders head to head.
Look for the 49ers (playing a tougher schedule in 2012) to once again win the NFC West division, although repeating last year's record will be tough to duplicate. A 12-4 finish would be a solid regular season and then, depending on Smith's play and not turning the ball over in crucial moments of the post-season, this team could very well hoist the Super Bowl trophy this time around.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Green Bay
Week 2- vs. Detroit
Week 3- at Minnesota
Week 4- at NY Jets
Week 5- vs. Buffalo
Week 6- vs. NY Giants
Week 7- vs. Seattle
Week 8- at Arizona
Week 9- BYE
Week 10- vs. St. Louis
Week 11- vs. Chicago
Week 12- at New Orleans
Week 13- at St. Louis
Week 14- vs. Miami
Week 15- at New England
Week 16- at Seattle
Week 17- vs. Arizona
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