SAN FRANCISCO FORTY NINERS
Introducing the new, improved San Francisco 49ers

A resurgent Alex Smith takes the helm of the 49ers offense. Photo: Michael Zagaris.

Holy Harbaugh! Can you believe it? Eight weeks into the 2011 season the 49ers were just an overtime Dallas field goal from being undefeated and had all but wrapped up the NFC West Division championship. One national sports analyst proclaimed San Francisco the second-best team, after Green Bay, in the NFL.

If a coach can make the difference, Jim Harbaugh has done the trick. His upgrade of Alex Smith 2.0 has turned the disappointing No. 1 pick of 2005 into the poised, confident field leader who led the team to come-from-behind road victories over Philadelphia and the previously unbeaten Detroit Lions. Smith's quarterback rating was ninth in the NFL.

On a week-to-week basis the 49ers have steadily improved in all areas — offense, defense and special teams. Veterans, a strong draft class and free agents have combined for a much-improved team. Meanwhile, the coaching staff is adding new plays each week to take advantage of the team's developing experience and confidence.

The offensive line, an underachieving puzzle during preseason games and the first few games of the regular season, has come alive, protecting Smith and creating running lanes for Frank Gore and rookie speedster Kendall Hunter. After a slow start, Gore is back to his normal 100 yards per game and is now considered the best running back in team history. Kendall, out of Oklahoma State, was the team's fourth round pick this year and adds a different, slashing element to the team's run game.

Right tackle Anthony Davis, who along with left guard Mike Iupati came to the Niners as a rookie first-round pick in 2010, had his breakout game against Detroit, angrily protecting Smith from all-world defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and helping to lead Gore to his fourth consecutive 100 yards-plus running game. Fifth-year left tackle Joe Staley is having an outstanding year. Former all-pro center Jonathan Goodwin, who along with his Super Bowl ring signed in the off-season to replace David Baas, is working well with his new teammates, while the versatile Adam Snyder has taken over at right guard from the often ineffective Chilo Rachal. Young and fast, and averaging over 320 pounds, the offensive line will only get better as its members learn to work together.

The 49ers receivers have been limited by injury but have shown the potential to be a potent corps. The team signed free agent Braylon Edwards, a strong, talented wideout with a first-round, all-pro pedigree, from the Jets. Sidelined by injuries, Edwards should be healthy enough to make a second-half combination, bringing the Niners the game-breaking talent they have missed since the Terrell Owens days. Meanwhile, Michael Crabtree is starting to look like the receiver the Niners expected when they chose him with their first pick in the 2009 draft. Edwards and Crabtree, if they can stay healthy, will drive opposing defensive backfields crazy, especially when teamed with powerful and explosive tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. Davis may be one of the best tight ends ever to play the game, with great hands, size and speed that makes it impossible for opposing linebackers to catch him and defensive backs to tackle him. The season-ending injury to Joshua Morgan has left the team fairly thin at wide receiver, with only the speedy Ted Ginn Jr. available as an experienced replacement for Edwards and Crabtree.

The defense has been more than a pleasant surprise. Several veterans, including nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, linebackers Takeo Spikes and Manny Lawson, and corner Nate Clements, left the team in the off-season, and safety Dashon Goldwin tested the free-agent market. But the end result has been just fine. San Francisco is second in fewest rushing yards allowed per game, while its pass defense is improving each week.

Isaac Sopoaga has moved to nose tackle from defensive end and, backed up by Ricky Jean Francois, is ably replacing the disgruntled Franklin. Justin Smith plays end at an all-star level, while Ray McDonald on the other end is having a great year. The only concern with the defensive line is a shortage of tested backups at the end position. The Niners cannot match some top teams that are able to rotate seven or eight players on the D-line. An injury to a starter would be a real problem.

The Niners' linebackers are the league's best unit. In his fifth year, Patrick Willis continues to lead the team in tackles and is often compared to the best ever at his position. Now he is joined on the inside by a much-improved NaVorro Bowman, Willis' body double, who in his second year tackles, covers receivers and makes plays all over the field just as Willis does. Rookie Aldon Smith has cracked the starting rotation at outside linebacker, alternating with Ahmad Brooks and Parys Haralson. Smith is quickly justifying his choice as the Niners' first-round pick, ready to give the team its best pass-rusher since Charles Haley. After six games, Smith has already been chosen twice as the NFL's defensive rookie of the week.

The defensive backfield is far stronger than last year's version. Carlos Rogers, a free-agent signee from Washington, is playing far better than Clements ever did for the Niners and already has three interceptions, belying his reputation for having hands of brick. Veteran Shawntae Spencer surprised many by winning the other starting CB position during the pre-season, but his injuries have forced fifth-year player Tarell Brown into a starting role, and he has played well. So has rookie Chris Culliver, who had an interception against Tampa Bay.

At safety, the Niners signed potential new starters in Donte Whitner from Buffalo and Madieu Williams from Minnesota in anticipation of Goldson's departure. Fortunately, Dashon found that the grass was not greener, came back to San Francisco, and is having his best season, starting alongside Whitner. As the defensive backfield has gained experience, it is closing the gates that allowed huge yardage to the Niners' early-season opponents.

Meanwhile, the special teams have improved as well. Ginn has proven to be a touchdown threat every time he fields a kickoff or punt. Andy Lee remains one the league's best punters, while David Akers has come from Philadelphia to continue his all-pro career as a replacement for the injured Joe Nedney, a longtime Niners stalwart.

Yes, 2011 has started off as the most exciting and positive season for the Niners in at least a decade. The team will be in the playoffs, and that's just the beginning.