San Francisco 49ers
2010 record: 6-10
Last playoff appearance: 2002, 10-6, won NFC West, W39-38 NYG, L31-6 TB
General Manager: Trent Baalke (2011 officially named GM)
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (2011)
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Roman
Defensive Coordinator: Vic Fangio
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 19.1 PTS (24th) 313.3 YDS (24th) 209.8 PASS (18th) 103.6 RUSH (19th)
DEF: 21.6 PTS (16th) 327.8 YDS (13th) 231.1 PASS (24th) 96.7 RUSH (6th)
Jeremy’s Outlook: I’m on to you Coach Harbaugh. You think that you can trick us into thinking that you’re confident enough in Alex Smith to start him yet another year? There’s something wrong here. I know exactly what it is, too…you’re going to throw this season in order to try and get the first overall pick in the 2012 draft so you can draft your boy Andrew Luck.
Nice little imagination I have, right? Hey, it could happen! Anyways, the Niners have weapons on offense, but the quarterback holds them back. Alex Smith is who Alex Smith is. It’s unfortunate that he’s gone through so many coordinators, offenses, and head coaches, but that’s just the way it’s happened. Frank Gore, with his contract extension, and Vernon Davis lead the offensive attack in San Francisco. At wide receiver, it’s a “Who’s Who” of first round wide receiver underachievers in Ted Ginn, Michael Crabtree, and Braylon Edwards. Although, Crabtree still has time to prove he’s worth the selection in the 2009 draft.
The defense needed to improve the pass rush and they spent their first pick on Mizzou outside linebacker AlDon Smith. New additions to the secondary, which needed improvement as well, were safety Donte Whitner (Bills) and Carlos Rogers (Redskins). Patrick Willis still patrols the middle of the defense and is very feared. One of the best in the league.
Prediction: Expectations are low in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as the 49ers’ coach. Sticking with Alex Smith at quarterback obviously is going to put a ceiling on where they can go this year. In the NFC West, anything can happen since the teams aren’t as talented as other divisions are, but I don’t see the Niners being able to top the Rams in the division. I see the 49ers going 4-12, last in the NFC West.
Projected Starters:
QB: Alex Smith
RB: Frank Gore
WR: Josh Morgan
WR: Ted Ginn/Michael Crabtree
WR: Braylon Edwards
TE: Vernon Davis
OT: Joe Staley
OG: Mike Iupati
C: Jonathan Goodwin
OG: Chilo Rachal
OT: Anthony Davis
DE: Ray McDonald
DT: Isaac Sopoaga
DE: Justin Smith
OLB: Ahmad Brooks
MLB: Navorro Bowman
MLB: Patrick Willis
OLB: Parys Haralson
CB: Carlos Rogers
CB: Shawntae Spencer
FS: Dashon Goldson
SS: Donte Whitner
K: David Akers
P: Andy Lee
Fantasy Performers:
1. Frank Gore RB
2. Vernon Davis TE
3. Braylon Edwards WR
4. Josh Morgan WR
5. Michael Crabtree WR
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 11 vs. Seahawks 4:15 PM Tickets
2 Sep 18 vs. Cowboys 4:05 PM Tickets
3 Sep 25 at Bengals 1:00 PM Tickets
4 Oct 02 at Eagles 1:00 PM Tickets
5 Oct 09 vs. Buccaneers 4:05 PM Tickets
6 Oct 16 at Lions 1:00 PM Tickets
7 Bye
8 Oct 30 vs. Browns 4:15 PM Tickets
9 Nov 06 at Redskins 1:00 PM Tickets
10 Nov 13 vs. Giants 4:15 PM Tickets
11 Nov 20 vs. Cardinals 4:05 PM Tickets
12 Nov 24 at Ravens 8:20 PM Tickets
13 Dec 04 vs. Rams 4:15 PM Tickets
14 Dec 11 at Cardinals 4:05 PM Tickets
15 Dec 19 vs. Steelers 8:30 PM Tickets
16 Dec 24 at Seahawks 4:15 PM Tickets
17 Jan 01 at Rams 1:00 PM Tickets
Re-signed:
Alex Smith QB – 1 yr, 5 million
Ray McDonald DE – 5 yrs, 20 million, 7 guaranteed
William James CB – 1 yr, 755,000
Dashon Goldson FS – 1 yr, 1.2 million
Free agent acquisitions:
Braylon Edwards WR (Jets) – 1 yr, 1 million
Jonathan Goodwin C (Saints) – 3 yrs, 10.9 million, 4 million guaranteed
Carlos Rogers CB (Redskins) – 1 yr, 2.125 million
Madieu Williams S (Vikings)
Donte Whitner S (Bills) – 3 yrs, 11.75 million, 4 million guaranteed
David Akers K (Eagles) – 3 yrs
Free agent losses:
David Carr QB – Signed by Giants
Eric Heitmann OL
David Baas OL – Signed by Giants
Aubrayo Franklin NT – signed with Saints
Takeo Spikes MLB – signed by Chargers
Travis LaBoy DE/OLB – signed by Chargers
Manny Lawson OLB – signed with Bengals
Nate Clements CB – Signed by Bengals
Joe Nedney K
Picks in 2011 Draft: (overall draft grade: C+): Trent Baalke was officially named general manager for this year’s offseason, but I’m not sure he got off on the right foot. Right now, I’m not liking the way the 49ers’ 2011 draft class is looking, but there is plenty of clear sky for the picks to soar into (nice metaphor, no?). Smith could potentially become a big pass rushing threat off the edge and if Alex Smith doesn’t work out, Kaepernick may be able to step up eventually to become the starter. I liked the Kendall Hunter and Ronald Johnson picks, showing the Niners’ best value picks in their class. Unfortunately, the value of almost all of their picks didn’t add up to more than a C+ grade in my eyes. Of course, true draft grades aren’t (or shouldn’t be) taken seriously until we actually see the players perform on the field at least two or three years in the future.
(! Indicates draft pick who was interviewed, had a private workout, etc. prior to the draft according to my compiled list):
Rd 1, Pick 7 (7) AlDon Smith DE, Missouri – This pick is made on the expectation of huge upside. The Niners lacked pass rush from OLBs last season, so this will help. His value isn’t this high though. If Smith busts, this pick will be highly regretted by Niners’ management and fans alike because Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert were still available.
Grade: B- Rated: 20
Rd 2, Pick 4 (36) Colin Kaepernick QB, Nevada! – He’s coming from the pistol offense, so I’m not sure he’ll be ready to play much, if at all, in 2011. Alex Smith must be getting another chance…or Andrew Luck to the 49ers in ’12.
Grade: C+ Rated: 67
Rd 3, Pick 16 (80) Chris Culliver DB, South Carolina – Culliver got injured and had his stock drop at the end of the season, but the 49ers saw him pre-injury and know he has good ability, plus return skills. He was just taken with too many other good corners left on the board, unless they plan on moving him to safety, which is where he played in 2009.
Grade: C Rated: 165
Rd 4, Pick 18 (115) Kendall Hunter RB, Oklahoma State! – I like Hunter more than most. I think he’s got the vision, instincts, effort, and burst to be more than just a change of pace back.
Grade: A Rated: 64
Rd 5, Pick 32 (163) Daniel Kilgore OL, Appalachian State – One of my favorite names in this year’s draft. Will play guard in the pros because of his short arms and lack of athleticism, but is a player with a nasty blocking attitude. Offensive line coach said he’ll be used at center mostly, a position he hasn’t played at since high school.
Grade: C Rated: 214
Rd 6, Pick 17 (182) Ronald Johnson WR, USC – Injuries or something medically must have scared teams off with Johnson here. He’s got good hands and kick return skills.
Grade: A Rated: 119
Rd 6, Pick 25 (190) Colin Jones DB, TCU – Strong special teams player, spent time at pro day with 49ers’ secondary coach Ed Donatell.
Grade: C Rated: NR
Rd 7, Pick 8 (211) Bruce Miller DL, UCF – very productive at UCF, with 34 career sacks.
Grade: C Rated: 304
Rd 7, Pick 36 (239) Michael Person OL, Montana – Person will be solid depth behind an already strong offensive line for the 49ers.
Grade: B Rated: 257
Rd 7, Pick 47 (250) Curtis Holcomb DB, Florida A&M – more help for a Niners secondary.
Grade: C Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Alex Smith 204-342 2370 YDS 59.6% 6.9 YPA 14 TD 10 INT 82.1 RTG
Frank Gore 203 ATT 853 YDS 4.2 AVG 64 LNG 3 TD
Vernon Davis 56 REC 914 YDS 16.3 YPC 66 LNG 7 TD
Joe Nedney 11-13 84.6% 51 LNG
Patrick Willis 128 TCK
Justin Smith 8.5 SCK
Nate Clements, Takeo Spikes, Shawntae Spencer 3 INT
Out of Season Storylines (Because there is no offseason)
49ers Hire Former Stanford Head Coach Jim Harbaugh