2011 San Francisco 49ers Predictions
Written by Jack Jones
Many experts have been calling the San Francisco 49ers the most talented team in the NFC West for years now. This is a team that simply hasn’t lived up to expectations. While you could argue that they were the best team in the West with a 4-2 division record last season, the 49ers went just 6-10 overall. They faltered down the stretch when they legitimately had a shot to win the division.
Enter Jim Harbaugh. Their hew head coach looks to inject life into the franchise, while maximizing the talent that numerous head coaches before him could not do in San Francisco. The offense features two excellent tight ends, and one of the best running backs in the game. The defense is led by MLB Patrick Willis, who is arguably the best at his position in the NFL. Let’s try and figure out how Harbaugh will fare in his first season with my predictions on the 49ers below.
Offense
Harbaugh brings in a reputation as an offensive mastermind and was clearly the hottest head coaching candidate on the market. He’ll look to get the most out of an offense that ranked 24th in both points (19.1) and total offense (313.3) a year ago. It all starts at quarterback, where Alex Smith has signed a one-year deal to try and make amends from what has been a disappointing career in San Francisco to this point.
Smith will be working with a new coordinator for the seventh time in as many seasons. Greg Roman takes over, and he will look to utilize Smith’s strengths similar to when Norv Turner was here in 2006. For Smith to have any chance at success, he’s going to need more from his receivers.
Aside from Michael Crabtree, all of their best receivers will be in contract years, so the incentive is certainly there. Braylon Edwards, Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn and Crabtree all need to take their games to the next level. The tight end tandem of Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker is perhaps the best in the game, so expect the offense to run though them quite a bit.
Talented RB Frank Gore is entering the final year of his contract. Despite being banged up for much of his career, general manager Trent Baalke has pledged the team’s long term commitment to Gore, and plans to make him a 49er for life. San Francisco drafted Kendell Hunter in the fourth round to challenge Anthony Dixon for backup duties. They clearly need one of these two to produce and give Gore a breather, which will keep him more fresh season.
The 49ers feature one of the best young offensive lines in the league. This is a massive O-line, but one that is very light on its feet. The left side is very solid with LT Joe Staley and LG Mike Iupati, provided Staley can finally stay healthy this season. The right side was more inconsistent with RG Chilo Rachal and RT Anthony Davis. San Francisco signed veteran C Jonathan Goodwin from the New Orleans Saints to replace David Baas, who was productive last year but left in free agency.
Defense
San Francisco boasts a stop unit that finished 13th in total defense (327.8 yards) and 16th in scoring defense (21.6) last season. This is a unit that played well within the division, but not so hot outside of it. Looking to improve its pass rush, the 49ers drafted OLB Aldon Smith in the first round. He should help get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which will help San Francisco’s porous secondary.
The defensive line is led by RE Justin Smith, who made the Pro Bowl for a second straight season. While he doesn’t have the “wow factor”, Smith will keep coming for 60 minutes and only gets better as the game goes on. The loss of NT Abrayo Franklin is a big one, but the 49ers plan to move Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle this year. Ricky Jean Francois is another player to look for at NT as he enters his fourth season.
Under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, MLB Patrick Willis will be a lot more involved as a blitzer. He has led the team in tackles for four straight seasons. San Francisco was unable to re-sign Takeo Spikes, who teamed with Willis to form one of the best ILB tandems in the game. Spikes has signed with the San Diego Chargers. The 49ers only received a combined 6.5 sacks from their starting OLB duo of Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson last season, which is a big reason why they drafted Aldon Smith No. 7 overall. Second-year man NaVorro Bowman replaces Spikes inside, while Haralson and Ahmad Brooks battle it out for playing time outside.
The 49ers finished 24th in the league against the pass last season and need improvements in their secondary. They cut CB Nate Clements since he was unable to live up to the big contract they signed him for back in 2007. They picked up CB Carlos Rodgers from the Washington Redskins, and he should be a nice addition. He’ll be opposite of CB Shawntae Spencer, who had three interceptions a year ago. FS Dashon Goldson returns to his starting role, and the 49ers signed underrated SS Donte Whitner from the Buffalo Bills to shore up that position. He led Buffalo with a whopping 140 tackles last year, and his aggressive in-the-box style is well-suited to Fangio’s defense.
NFC West Prediction: Second Place, 7-9 Overall – San Francisco still appears to be the most talented team in the NFC West. They did lose some key pieces in Spikes and Clements on defense, but I like a few of their moves this offseason. They finally have a true No. 1 receiver in Braylon Edwards, and Smith, Whittner and Rogers should all help improve what was a terrible pass defense last year. While I would not be surprised to see the 49ers win the NFC West, I have them pegged second behind the St. Louis Rams, who appear to have the more complete team.
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