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Lynch: Who will make the 49ers’ 2012 roster?
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John Walsh
May 24, 2012, 12:10:49 PM5/24/12
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Who will make the 49ers’ 2012 roster?
Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:00 am by Kevin Lynch in 49ers
We’re months away from the start of the season, but the battle for
starting spots is already heating up for the 49ers. We’ve outlined who
we think will start, back-up or not make the cut below. As always,
leave your thoughts in the comments.
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Alex Smith
Back-ups: Colin Kaepernick, Josh Johnson
Currently, there are four quarterbacks on the roster, including Scott
Tolzien. While Tolzien is smart, capable and dedicated, he might not
have the physical tools to hang with the other three. Kaepernick is
likely to stay as the main backup in his second year in the system. He
also has the tall stature and a ridiculously strong arm. While Smith’s
renovation of his mechanics has gotten plenty of attention, Kaepernick
is undergoing his own makeover which includes speeding up his long
delivery. Johnson has a strong arm as well and he’s Kaepernick’s equal
as a running quarterback. But he’s also only 6-0 and 190 and looks
like he’s more like 180. Nevertheless, this battle for the backup
roles should be one of the most intense of camp.
Prediction: Smith, Kaepernick and Johnson stay
RUNNING BACKS
Starters: Frank Gore, Bruce Miller
Back-ups: Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Anthony
Dixon, Rock Cartwright, Jewel Hampton
Coach Jim Harbaugh said the team could keep as many as six or even
seven running backs. Gore will retain his role as the starter and main
option, but the next running back up will be a pitched battle between
Hunter, James, Jacobs and Dixon. It’s unlikely the team will keep both
Jacobs and Dixon, but one is likely to stay because this team still
needs a big back. Dixon provides special teams capabilities which
Jacobs does not possess. Cartwright could make the team as an
exclusive special teams player. Other than rookie free agent Cameron
Bell, Bruce Miller is the only true fullback on the roster. But that
may not matter because the team has specialty fullbacks like Isaac
Sopoaga and Will Tukuafu.
Prediction: Gore, Hunter, James, Jacobs, Miller and Cartwright
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters: Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree
Backups: Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr. Kyle Williams,
Brett Swain, Nathan Palmer, Chris Owusu, Joe Hastings and Brian Tyms
A wide receiver-starved team last year is now stocked. The team could
go with four because they have so many running backs, but with the
enigmatic Moss on the team, six is more likely. If Moss survives
training camp without incident, he’s on the team. Even though Crabtree
vanished in the playoffs, he finished the season with 72 receptions.
Manningham is a solid pro and will challenge for a starter’s job.
Nobody cuts their first-round pick, but who knows how much Jenkins
will contribute. Ginn Jr. proved to be invaluable as a return man last
year and Williams is tough, quick slot receiver. Swain and the
promising rookie free agent Nathan Palmer can only hope to put up
enough preseason film to get another job elsewhere. They could also
win a job on the practice squad.
Prediction: Moss, Crabtree, Manningham, Ginn Jr, and Jenkins
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone and
Anthony Davis
Backups: Daniel Kilgore, Mike Person, Joe Looney, Jason Slowly, Kenny
Wiggins, Derek Hall, Al Netter, David Gonzales and Garrett Chisolm
Four of the five starters are entrenched with the 49ers hoping the 6-8
Boone can convert from tackle to guard. Kilgore is a lock and is
adding center to his guard responsibilities. With Boone going inside,
the 49ers are short on tackles, which means Mike Person is likely to
make it. Looney could also be groomed as a center. The 49ers will
probably only keep eight, but there are plenty of promising players
here who could land on the practice squad including seventh-round pick
Jason Slowey and rookie free agent Garrett Chisolm.
Prediction: The starting five plus Kilgore, Person and Looney
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Vernon Davis
Backups: Delanie Walker, Nate Byham, Garrett Celek and Konrad Reuland
Davis and Walker are among the best tight-end tandems in the league.
Their blocking is underrated, particularly Walker, who has greatly
improved in that area. Because of that, the team doesn’t really need a
blocking tight end, and when they do, they just put in an extra
linemen. For that reason, Reuland, who catches everything, could beat
out Byham as the third tight end. Reuland can also rap in German,
which is always a plus.
Prediction: Davis, Walker and Reuland
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Ray McDonald, Isaac Sopoaga, Justin Smith
Backups: Ricky Jean Francois, DeMarcus Dobbs, Will Tukuafu, Ian
Williams, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Matthew Masifilo, Patrick Butrym
The 49ers might have the best front seven in the game and it starts
with this group. Ricky Jean Francois would be a starter on most
defenses and he can play anywhere along the line. The rest of the
group is wide open with last year’s backups DeMarcus Dobbs and Ian
Williams getting a challenge from a host of rookie free agents.
Prediction: McDonald, Sopoaga, Smith, Jean Francois, Dobbs and
Williams
LINEBACKERS
Starters: Ahmad Brooks, NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith
Backups: Parys Haralson, Larry Grant, Tavares Gooden, Cam Johnson,
Kourtnei Brown, Eric Bakhtiari and Michael Wilhoite
This starting group could find itself in the Pro Bowl. Aldon Smith had
14 sacks and contended for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, Willis
is a stupendous tackler, and Bowman is not far behind. Brooks is in
the best shape of his life and could get double-digit sacks next year.
Haralson and Grant are solid backups and special teams denizen Gooden
will be hard to unseat. Johnson could be the surprise of their draft.
Prediction: The starters plus Haralson, Grant, Johnson and Gooden
SECONDARY
Starters: Carlos Rogers, Donte Whitner, Dashon Goldson, Tarell Brown
Backups: Chris Culliver, C.J. Spillman, Tramaine Brock, Perrish Cox,
Colin Jones, Curtis Holcomb, Trenton Robinson, Michael Thomas, Deante
Purvis, Cory Nelms, Mark LeGree and Anthony Mosely
Possibly the upset of the 49ers’ offseason was the fact Pro Bowl
cornerback Carlos Rogers re-signed. But he might not be the best
cornerback on the team, with the quick-rising Brown developing nicely.
Goldson and Whitner are a dynamic tandem at safety and C.J. Spillman
is also a player. Culliver showed well last year as a rookie and could
make a big step this season. The team is also high on Brock and
Holcomb, who is a seventh-rounder from last year, and could challenge
for a spot. If Perrish Cox has his head together, he could be a talent
as a cover man and a returner. The battle for the fourth safety spot
and the fifth cornerback position will be a free for all.
Prediction: Rogers, Whitner, Goldson, Brown, Spillman, Robinson,
Culliver, Cox and Brock
SPECIAL TEAMS
Starters: K David Akers, P Andy Lee, LS Brian Jennings
Yes, there are free agents challenging, but no one will unseat this
Pro Bowl trio.
Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:00 am by Kevin Lynch in 49ers
We’re months away from the start of the season, but the battle for
starting spots is already heating up for the 49ers. We’ve outlined who
we think will start, back-up or not make the cut below. As always,
leave your thoughts in the comments.
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Alex Smith
Back-ups: Colin Kaepernick, Josh Johnson
Currently, there are four quarterbacks on the roster, including Scott
Tolzien. While Tolzien is smart, capable and dedicated, he might not
have the physical tools to hang with the other three. Kaepernick is
likely to stay as the main backup in his second year in the system. He
also has the tall stature and a ridiculously strong arm. While Smith’s
renovation of his mechanics has gotten plenty of attention, Kaepernick
is undergoing his own makeover which includes speeding up his long
delivery. Johnson has a strong arm as well and he’s Kaepernick’s equal
as a running quarterback. But he’s also only 6-0 and 190 and looks
like he’s more like 180. Nevertheless, this battle for the backup
roles should be one of the most intense of camp.
Prediction: Smith, Kaepernick and Johnson stay
RUNNING BACKS
Starters: Frank Gore, Bruce Miller
Back-ups: Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Anthony
Dixon, Rock Cartwright, Jewel Hampton
Coach Jim Harbaugh said the team could keep as many as six or even
seven running backs. Gore will retain his role as the starter and main
option, but the next running back up will be a pitched battle between
Hunter, James, Jacobs and Dixon. It’s unlikely the team will keep both
Jacobs and Dixon, but one is likely to stay because this team still
needs a big back. Dixon provides special teams capabilities which
Jacobs does not possess. Cartwright could make the team as an
exclusive special teams player. Other than rookie free agent Cameron
Bell, Bruce Miller is the only true fullback on the roster. But that
may not matter because the team has specialty fullbacks like Isaac
Sopoaga and Will Tukuafu.
Prediction: Gore, Hunter, James, Jacobs, Miller and Cartwright
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters: Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree
Backups: Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr. Kyle Williams,
Brett Swain, Nathan Palmer, Chris Owusu, Joe Hastings and Brian Tyms
A wide receiver-starved team last year is now stocked. The team could
go with four because they have so many running backs, but with the
enigmatic Moss on the team, six is more likely. If Moss survives
training camp without incident, he’s on the team. Even though Crabtree
vanished in the playoffs, he finished the season with 72 receptions.
Manningham is a solid pro and will challenge for a starter’s job.
Nobody cuts their first-round pick, but who knows how much Jenkins
will contribute. Ginn Jr. proved to be invaluable as a return man last
year and Williams is tough, quick slot receiver. Swain and the
promising rookie free agent Nathan Palmer can only hope to put up
enough preseason film to get another job elsewhere. They could also
win a job on the practice squad.
Prediction: Moss, Crabtree, Manningham, Ginn Jr, and Jenkins
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone and
Anthony Davis
Backups: Daniel Kilgore, Mike Person, Joe Looney, Jason Slowly, Kenny
Wiggins, Derek Hall, Al Netter, David Gonzales and Garrett Chisolm
Four of the five starters are entrenched with the 49ers hoping the 6-8
Boone can convert from tackle to guard. Kilgore is a lock and is
adding center to his guard responsibilities. With Boone going inside,
the 49ers are short on tackles, which means Mike Person is likely to
make it. Looney could also be groomed as a center. The 49ers will
probably only keep eight, but there are plenty of promising players
here who could land on the practice squad including seventh-round pick
Jason Slowey and rookie free agent Garrett Chisolm.
Prediction: The starting five plus Kilgore, Person and Looney
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Vernon Davis
Backups: Delanie Walker, Nate Byham, Garrett Celek and Konrad Reuland
Davis and Walker are among the best tight-end tandems in the league.
Their blocking is underrated, particularly Walker, who has greatly
improved in that area. Because of that, the team doesn’t really need a
blocking tight end, and when they do, they just put in an extra
linemen. For that reason, Reuland, who catches everything, could beat
out Byham as the third tight end. Reuland can also rap in German,
which is always a plus.
Prediction: Davis, Walker and Reuland
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Ray McDonald, Isaac Sopoaga, Justin Smith
Backups: Ricky Jean Francois, DeMarcus Dobbs, Will Tukuafu, Ian
Williams, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Matthew Masifilo, Patrick Butrym
The 49ers might have the best front seven in the game and it starts
with this group. Ricky Jean Francois would be a starter on most
defenses and he can play anywhere along the line. The rest of the
group is wide open with last year’s backups DeMarcus Dobbs and Ian
Williams getting a challenge from a host of rookie free agents.
Prediction: McDonald, Sopoaga, Smith, Jean Francois, Dobbs and
Williams
LINEBACKERS
Starters: Ahmad Brooks, NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith
Backups: Parys Haralson, Larry Grant, Tavares Gooden, Cam Johnson,
Kourtnei Brown, Eric Bakhtiari and Michael Wilhoite
This starting group could find itself in the Pro Bowl. Aldon Smith had
14 sacks and contended for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, Willis
is a stupendous tackler, and Bowman is not far behind. Brooks is in
the best shape of his life and could get double-digit sacks next year.
Haralson and Grant are solid backups and special teams denizen Gooden
will be hard to unseat. Johnson could be the surprise of their draft.
Prediction: The starters plus Haralson, Grant, Johnson and Gooden
SECONDARY
Starters: Carlos Rogers, Donte Whitner, Dashon Goldson, Tarell Brown
Backups: Chris Culliver, C.J. Spillman, Tramaine Brock, Perrish Cox,
Colin Jones, Curtis Holcomb, Trenton Robinson, Michael Thomas, Deante
Purvis, Cory Nelms, Mark LeGree and Anthony Mosely
Possibly the upset of the 49ers’ offseason was the fact Pro Bowl
cornerback Carlos Rogers re-signed. But he might not be the best
cornerback on the team, with the quick-rising Brown developing nicely.
Goldson and Whitner are a dynamic tandem at safety and C.J. Spillman
is also a player. Culliver showed well last year as a rookie and could
make a big step this season. The team is also high on Brock and
Holcomb, who is a seventh-rounder from last year, and could challenge
for a spot. If Perrish Cox has his head together, he could be a talent
as a cover man and a returner. The battle for the fourth safety spot
and the fifth cornerback position will be a free for all.
Prediction: Rogers, Whitner, Goldson, Brown, Spillman, Robinson,
Culliver, Cox and Brock
SPECIAL TEAMS
Starters: K David Akers, P Andy Lee, LS Brian Jennings
Yes, there are free agents challenging, but no one will unseat this
Pro Bowl trio.
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