SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
49ers Playoff Hopes a Good Bet in 2007

It's fun to be a 49ers fan again as our team begins its first real playoff run in several years. With continued improvement by quarterback Alex Smith and effective play by the yet untested defensive line, the Niners have more than a decent chance to win the NFC West and continue further into the playoffs — barring major injuries, of course!

Our annual unit by unit analysis demonstrates significant improvement in every facet of the team's offensive and defensive play. The conclusion here is that last year's 7 win, 9 loss record can easily improve to a 10 or 11 win season.

Offensive success begins on the line, and this year's version is deeper and stronger than the unit that last year helped Smith double his rookie quarterback rating and made Frank Gore one of the NFL's premier runners. The starters — left tackle Jonas Jennings, left guard Larry Allen, center Eric Heitman, right guard Justin Smiley, and right guard Kwame Harris — are all back and should improve upon last year's successes, especially if Jonas can remain injury free. Allen remains the NFL's strongest player, and Heitmann is ready for a Pro Bowl selection. The good news is that rookie first rounder Joe Staley looks like the reincarnation of All Pro tackle Harris Barton and will challenge Harris to start this year. Third year guard David Baas will compete with Smiley, and Adam Snyder can step in anywhere. Patrick Estes and Tony Wragge round out a unit that has become a Niners strength.

Behind a line that can run block and protect him, third year quarterback Smith has no excuses and doesn't need any. Last year he improved his rookie quarterback rating from 40 to 80. With another leap of less than half that amount he will become one of the league's elite, and his poise and accuracy in the pre-season make that seem like a fair bet, especially with a much-improved receivers corps. Veteran Trent Dilfer continues as Smith's mentor and has demonstrated the skills and desire to back him up, when and if needed.

Former Seahawk Darrell Jackson will join the steady Arnaz Battle as the starting wide-outs, and for the first time since Jerry Rice's retirement, there is a surplus of talent competing for the remaining spots. Free agent Ashley Lelie brought a reputation as a malcontent and a history as a play maker with the ability to go deep and make the catch. Brandon Williams is indispensable as the team's best punt and kick returner. Rookie Jason Hill, veteran Bryan Gilmore, and training camp favorite Taylor Jacobs all deserve to play and will — with the 49ers or elsewhere.

Running back Frank Gore, assuming he recovers from his broken hand, will again be among the league's elite. Coach Mike Nolan will have a hard time choosing among the versatile Maurice Hicks, who also returns kicks, former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson, and rookie Thomas Clayton, as Gore's primary back up. With their special teams abilities, look for all three to stick around. The 252-pound Moran Norris is established as the blocking fullback and can also catch an occasional pass. Veteran kicker Joe Nedney is reliable on field goals, and punter Andy Lee had a career best season last year.

They need more time to jell, but this is a multi-talented offense that can score as well as keep the defense off the field. But it is the 49ers defense that should really make a difference this season.

The defensive backfield will no longer be the Achilles heel it has been for years. The 49ers landed one of the two best players available in free agency in former Buffalo Bills cornerback Nate Clements, a Pro Bowl player who can cover anyone. The other starter will be last year's interception leader, 12-year veteran Walt Harris. Former starter Shawntae Spencer will begin the season as the nickel back but will be pushed by the impressive rookie, Texas Longhorn Tarell Brown. Another key free agent, former Eagle Michael Lewis, will start at safety with Mark Roman. Hard hitting Keith Lewis and aggressive rookie Dashon Goldson — who begins the season with an injury — will back them up. Darnell Bing, a second year pick up who played at USC, Marcus Hudson, and Donald Strickland will compete for the remaining positions in the defensive backfield.

The 49ers linebackers have the talent to become one of the league's best units. First round draft pick Patrick Willis is being touted as a future All-Star by someone who knows — assistant coach Mike Singletary. Willis has pushed last year's standout, Brandon Moore, into the second string and will play in the middle with perennial leading 49ers tackler, Derek Smith. Second year player Manny Lawson is developing outstanding coverage skills — think Julian Peterson — and will start at the outside with another key free agent, Tully Banta-Cain, formerly of New England and Cal. The strong group of reserves, besides Moore, includes long-time starter Jeff Ulbrich, pass rusher Parys Haralson (injured for much of last year's rookie season), rookie Jay Moore, and veteran Hannibal Navies.

The biggest question for the Niners is the defensive line, where injuries to free agent nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and 14-year veteran end Bryant Young have kept them out of pre-season competition. Franklin's four years with the Ravens' top defense and bulk at 334 pounds promise quality play. End Marques Douglas will join Young and Franklin on the starting three-man line. The second string is not as strong. Isaac Sopoaga still struggles sometimes at nose tackle, while end Ronald Fields and rookies Ray McDonald, Darius Sanders, Joe McDonald, and Zack Anderson round out the team's most problematic unit. If the coaches are able to coax a cadre of capable players from this group, the defense has more than a chance at overall excellence.

The Niners may not be quite ready to compete with the Colts, Bears, and Chargers, but should be very competitive against the rest of the league. Playoffs — it's about time!