San Francisco 49ers Predictions


June 25, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The end is near for head coach Mike Noland and QB Alex Smith if they aren’t able to get over the hump and start winning more ball games this season.  Nolan enters his fourth season as 49ers’ head coach with a 16-32 record.  Smith has not lived up to his label as the No. 1 overall pick in 2005.  Smith has tried to draw inspiration from what Eli Manning did with the Giants a year ago.  One thing is for certain, the 49ers aren’t settling with what they did in free agency in the offseason.  Take a look at our 2008 San Francisco 49ers predictions below.

Offense:

Smith comes back this season after a lot year where he separated his throwing shoulder in the fourth game of the 2007 season.  He returned to play in noticeable pain toward the end of the season.  Smith expects to be completely healthy for the start of the season.  He’ll still have to beat out Shaun Hill, who played well late in the season and earned the right to compete for the starting job.  New offensive coordinator Mike Martz will help these quarterbacks and make this offense better than it has been for years now.

Frank Gore was not nearly as productive as he was in 2006.  But he still managed to rank sixth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage.  The problem was the 8 and 9-man fronts he saw nearly every game due to the lack of a passing attack in San Francisco.  Gore remains one of the league’s most talented runners and Martz plans to use him just as he used Marshall Faulk in St. Louis.  The 49ers signed DeShaun Foster from Carolina to give Gore some rest.  Michael Robinson will be used on third downs as he excels in blitz pick-up duties.

Arnaz Battle has been the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver the last two seasons.  This is a position San Francisco has never got back on track since the departure of Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.  Now Battle is competing to maintain his role as a starter.  The 49ers signed Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson from NFC West opponents in hopes of sparking the passing game.  Bruce was a great addition because he’s the only one familiar with Martz’s system and can help these younger receivers make a smooth transition.  Second-year man Josh Hill and veteran Ashley Lelie will compete for jobs, along with rookie Josh Morgan.  The 49ers have one of the most talented tight ends in the league in Vernon Davis.  Now he just has to turn his talent into production.  Martz should help make that happen.

Joe Staley was a great draft pick in 2007 and he makes his move to left tackle this season after playing every snap at right tackle his rookie year.  This will give QB Smith great protection on his blind side.  Jonas Jennings shifts over to right tackle after making 21 starts for the 49ers in the last three years.  Adam Snyder moves to left guard after starting 11 games at left tackle last year.  The 49ers are still awaiting word on whether Larry Allen plans to continue his career.  Davis Baas will miss a big portion of training camp due to a torn pectoral muscle and could give way to rookie Chilo Rachal at right guard.  Veteran Aric Heitmann has miss just two games in the past four seasons and he along with rookie center Cody Wallace might figure into the equation.

Defense:

The defensive line in San Francisco underwent a complete makeover in the offseason.  Bryant Young retired and Marques Douglas left as a free agent.  The 49ers made their big splash in free agency with the signing of Cincinnati defensive end Justin Smith.  He’s scheduled to start at right end, but the 49ers will try to maximize his talents by using his skills in a variety of ways.  The team invested a first-round pick in Kentwan Balmer, who’s versatile enough to play either nose tackle or left end.  The 49ers re-signed Isaac Sopoaga and plan to move him to left end in their 3-4 alignment.  Aubrayo Franklin started 13 games at nose tackle in ’07 and adds depth.  Ronald Fields can play any spot on the defensive line while Ray McDonald will get his chance to pass rush in nickel situations.

Inside linebacker Patrick Willis could not have done more as a rookie, leading the NFL with 174 tackles.  Now it’s time for the other linebackers to raise their games.  Outside backer Manny Lawson returns after missing the final 14 games due to injury.  The 49ers are looking for a consistent pass rush from another outside linebacker.  Tully Banta-Cain and Parys Haralson combined for only six sacks last season in that role.  The club targeted linebacker Dontarrious Thomas as a fee agent and drafted Larry Grant to compete for an inside spot along side Willis.

Cornerback Nate Clements was the talk of the league last season after signing an 8-year deal worth $80 million.  At least after one season, the 49ers feel they got their money’s worth.  He had four interceptions while defending 18 passes and was very aggressive in run support, forcing three fumbles.  Walt Harris starts on the other side, but he’s 34 years old so the 49ers drafted rookie Reggie Smith in the third round.  Donald Stickland and Tarell Brown add to the team’s depth at corner.  Strong safety Michael Lewis was strong against the run after finishing second on the team in tackles.  Free safety Mark Roman is effective in coverage but failed to record an interception last season.  This secondary will have to make a lot more plays in 2008.

Info Plays 2008 San Francisco 49ers Predictions:

The San Francisco 49ers did plenty in the offseason to try and compete in the NFC West division.  The Seahawks and Rams are slipping, but the Cardinals are emerging as a serious contender.  This division is up for grabs as much as it has ever been this season.  San Francisco has proven they can beat the Seahawks, but they will have to be more consistent in winning the games they are supposed to win and avoiding letdowns.  Their defense should be as stout as it has been in Nolan’s tenure while their offense can’t get any worse.  Mike Martz is the type of offensive coordinator that can spark some scoring, but you will also see more costly turnovers in his style of play.  The 49ers finish 3rd in the NFC West division in 2008.

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