...and now a look at the 49ers' offense
JW
...and now a look at the 49ers' offense
Today, we take a closer look at the 49ers' offense. This unit is
likely to have new starters at both wideout spots and some stiff
competition on the offensive line. The 49ers' offense ranked 26th
overall last season, with the league's sixth-ranked run attack and the
No. 29 passing game.
* * *
BACKFIELD: Like most spots on the offense, there is no competition for
these starting jobs. The intrigue will come with the jostling for the
reserve roles.
Quarterback: This is Alex Smith's job for as long as he's around.
Trent Dilfer is the backup, but there could be competition between
Shaun Hill and undrafted rookie Luke Getsy (Akron) for the No. 3 spot.
Halfback: Frank Gore's status as the offense's biggest weapon is not
in question. The 49ers want to get more carries for the backup this
season to prevent Gore from absorbing the punishment that comes along
with a 300-carry season. Michael Robinson has the mindset to be a good
back, but can he fully make the transition from being a college
quarterback. Maurice Hicks will try to hold off rookie Thomas Clayton
for a roster spot. Personnel chief Scot McCloughan says Clayton has
the ability to be an every-down back.
Fullback: Moran Norris had a very good season as a bruising
lead-blocker for Gore. The only question is the depth at this spot.
Robinson can probably take over at fullback for a finite period of
time. Zak Keasey, a converted Ivy League linebacker, has spent two
seasons on the practice squad learning this position. Look for the
49ers to sign another fullback before training camp.
* * *
RECEIVERS: The 49ers cut ties with unreliable Antonio Bryant, and then
they got aggressive in trying to upgrade this position. They signed
Ashley Lelie, drafted Jason Hill and acquired Darrell Jackson in a
trade with the division-rival Seahawks.
Flanker: Arnaz Battle was the team's most consistent receiver last
season, but he will be hard-pressed to hold onto his job with
Jackson's arrival. Those players will compete for the starting job.
Brandon Williams also figures into the mix, but his best hope is
probably to win the job as the slot receiver in three-wideout
packages.
Split end: The main competition will pit Lelie vs. Hill. Lelie
sustained a right quad strain on one of the first routes he ran during
the minicamp a month ago. He should be ready to go in the OTAs.
Meanwhile, Hill did more watching than practicing in that minicamp.
Taylor Jacobs is a former second-round pick who is spending his first
offseason with the 49ers. Maxwell is doing well in NFL Europe, and
this is his final chance to stick. Bryan Gilmore was the 49ers' third
receiver last season. He started three games, did not miss any action
due to injuries and caught just eight passes.
Tight end: Vernon Davis had an up-and-down rookie season, as he missed
eight starts due to a broken leg. There's no doubt he'll start, and he
is likely to take on a much larger role in the passing game. Delanie
Walker is an intriguing talent who was limited as a rookie after
sustaining a dislocated shoulder in the exhibition season. Billy
Bajema is a blocking specialist.
Wild-cards: WR C.J. Brewer seemingly made a highlight-reel catch a
week while on the practice squad last year. Undrafted WR Dominique
Zeigler (Baylor) and TE Zac Herold (Nebraska-Omaha) face long odds to
stick.
* * *
OFFENSIVE LINE: This is the position group with the most intrigue.
Justin Smiley and Kwame Harris both have contracts that are set to
expire after the season. For the right price, one or both can be had
in a trade. They won't come cheaply. Smiley and Harris have started
every game the past two seasons and they don't miss practices due to
injuries, either.
Left tackle: Jonas Jennings has been a good player when he's been
healthy. But that's been the problem. He's had trouble staying on the
field. He'll be back as the starter. If help is needed, the team could
look to Adam Snyder or rookie Joe Staley to take over in this spot.
Left guard: Larry Allen is still a forceful straight-ahead
run-blocker, but the end of his Hall-of-Fame career is drawing closer.
This is likely to be his final season.
Center: Eric Heitmann is on schedule to make a full recovery from a
broken leg. If he's ready to go, the 49ers don't have many concerns
about his ability to handle the job.
Right guard: OK, this is where it gets interesting. Smiley watched
some comparable guards get huge paydays in the offseason. Meanwhile,
Smiley is scheduled to earn a (relatively) paltry $510,000 in base
salary in this, the final year of his contract. The 49ers could deal
him and still feel good about their line situation. Tony Wragge passed
up David Baas on the depth chart last year to start at guard and
center when injuries knocked out starters. But this offseason, the
word is that there is no question Baas is the next in line for this
spot. In fact, Baas could even challenge Smiley for a starting spot.
Baas and Wragge can play both guard positions, as well as center.
Snyder could also fit into a starting role as a guard (taking over for
Allen?) down the line.
Right tackle: Harris started every game last season. Though the team
had plans to shuffle Snyder into the starting lineup, injuries kept
Snyder from competing in training camp. Then, Snyder was needed
elsewhere because of injuries. The team has to decide where Snyder is
needed the most - tackle or guard. With first-round pick Joe Staley in
the equation, the team could opt to move Snyder inside full-time,
especially if they figure the chances are good of them dealing Smiley.
Wild cards: Tackles Harvey Dahl and Patrick Estes, and guard Nick
Steitz were on the 53-man roster last season but combined to suit up
for only five games. Tackle Tavares Washington spent the year on the
practice squad and is in NFL Europa this spring. Damane Duckett is
trying to find a home on the offensive line after making it into the
NFL as a defensive lineman. Guard-center Sean Estrada (Penn) was an
undrafted free agent who earned a contract with a good showing in a
tryout during the first minicamp.
* * *
SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Joe Nedney has been pretty darn good since
coming to the 49ers. The depth on his kickoffs might be diminishing,
but his accuracy on field goals has been very good -- even though he's
kicking in one of the league's most difficult stadiums. Undrafted
first-year kicker MacKenzie Hoambrecker (Northern Iowa) is here to
make sure Nedney doesn't wear out his leg before the season. The
return game should be in better shape. Brandon Williams and Arnaz
Battle are sure-handed with punts. Maurice Hicks, Williams and maybe a
youngster, such as Thomas Clayton or Jason Hill, can bring something
to kickoff returns.
* * *
The most interesting competition for a starting job should be at right
tackle, where Harris, Snyder and Staley are all legitimate contenders
for the spot. Also, keep an eye on right guard. Smiley could be dealt.
But even if he's not, Baas could put himself in position to make a
serious bid for the job. Supremely-confident Jason Hill might give
Lelie a run for his money at split end, while Battle is not going to
just hand the flanker job to Darrell Jackson. Also, expect fierce
competition from Robinson, Hicks and Clayton for the honor of serving
as Gore's backup.
* * *
Check back here Monday for updates from the first day of the club's
organized team activities.
* * *
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