2007 Rankings
Rushing: 27th (92.3)
Passing: 32nd (145.0)
Total Offense: 32nd (237.3)
Run Defense: 22nd (118.5)
Pass Defense: 22nd (227.7)
Total Defense: 25th (346.2)
What was the 49ers’ best move during the offseason?
Over the past couple years, the San Francisco 49ers have focused on rebuilding a talent-challenged defense by spending valuable draft picks and bringing in high-priced free agents to fill the holes. This year they landed former Bengal Justin Smith, who will probably play a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role, where the team is hoping he, along with outside linebacker Manny Lawson, can add a spark to the pass rush from the outside edge.
What needs to go right for the 49ers to succeed this season?
With the 49ers languishing near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense, so many things have to go their way just to be competitive. The biggest question is, who will play quarterback? Former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith is inching closer and closer to bust status and could be edged out by journeyman J.T. O’Sullivan, who has the advantage of having learned new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s system while in Detroit last year. Neither Smith, O’Sullivan, or Shaun Hill should instill much confidence in the fan base, though.
A lot will depend on how quickly the 49ers catch on to the new system being put in place by Martz, and how competent the quarterback play is. But they also need some young guys to step at other positions as well, especially at wide receiver.
The defense struggled as well in 2007, but there is much more room for optimism on that side of the ball. The team has spent big in free agency over the past two years in bringing in cornerback Nate Clements and defensive end Justin Smith. They’ve also burned three first-round draft picks in three years on defensive players and it seems the unit should be poised to turn the corner toward respectability soon.
Where will the 49ers finish the 2008 NFL season?
Head coach Mike Nolan finds himself on the hot seat heading into the 2008 season, and rightfully so after posting a very modest 16-32 record over three seasons. Without a marked improvement this year, he’ll probably be seeking employment during the next offseason. And there’s not much room to go anywhere but up after ranking near the bottom of the league on both sides of the ball.
I think we will see a significant upturn on defense this year as some of the young guys drafted over the last three years begin to pay dividends, especially middle linebacker Patrick Willis, who appears to be a star in the making. But even with Martz giving the offense a makeover, he just doesn’t have the talent to turn this thing around in one season. So look for some moderate improvement as the defense helps keep the team in games, but I wouldn’t look for the 49ers to challenge for the post-season just yet.
Prediction: 6-10 and last in the NFC West
