32 Teams in 32 Days, Team #22: The San Francisco 49ers

I believe that a 5-11 record is misleading. The 49ers are a much worse team then that. Perhaps it’s the fact that they play in a horrible NFC West division. Perhaps it’s the lack of playmakers. Whatever the reason, the 49ers are not a good team and they haven’t been for quite some time. This is not the team of Montana and Rice. This is not the team that won 4 superbowls. The team that this organization fields is a disgrace to the great 49er teams of old and I am trying to say that in the nicest way possible.

The defense has been noted as being hard hitting, but in a game where making plays is what’s important, just being hard hitting isn’t enough. Nate Clements has a lot of talent at the cornerback position, but other then that, the defense has no playmakers. There is almost nothing redeemable about the defense that hits the field and I don’t see that changing this year in any way, shape, or form. Perhaps Kentwan Balmer and Reggie Smith can bring something to this defense, but that my friends is just wishful thinking.

When we come to the receiving crew we are again disappointed in what the 49ers bring to the field. Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie, Issac Bruce, & Arnaz Battle make up the receiver core for this team and they are all either too old or to untalented to make anything really happen. Arnaz Battle is perhaps the only wide receiver on the team that has any potential for a big play. That is only because he can also play the quarterback position. The only bright spot that comes from any receiver on the team is tight end Vernon Davis. He’s got a lot of talent and he’s the only legit playmaker on the receiving crew. If Vernon Davis can work with a skillful quarterback he will shine bright on this team. Vernon Davis may be the best tight end that no one talks about. Its time for the 49ers to give the people a reason to talk about Vernon Davis.

Now we get to running backs. The only position on this team that has depth and skill attached to it. Frank Gore is one of the best running backs in the league and he has single handedly carried this team. However last year, Gore had to deal with injuries that kept him from playing in all 16 games. It was then that we saw the weakness at the running back position. Without Gore, the 49ers didn’t have an identity. This year, the 49ers are addressing the problem with the addition of a true NFL starter as a backup. DeShaun Foster, formerly of the Carolina Panthers is now a San Francisco 49er and will be backing up the amazing Frank Gore. It will not surprise me if Foster and Gore eventually end up in a time share. Both backs are extremely talented and will bring a lot to at least the ground attack of this team.

The quarterback position is undergoing a controversy. You see everyone who saw the 49ers last few games, knows that Shaun Hill should be the QB for this team. However, Alex Smith, the #1 draft pick in 2005, still holds the QB1 spot despite talent and without any indication that he actually knows what he’s doing. The 49ers are a franchise that had the legendary Joe Montana and the equally impressive Steve Young, but now it must deal with a young prima dona in Alex Smith. My hopes is that Hill will win the position battle, but if he doesn’t, the 49ers are in for a world of hurting.

The team isn’t good. There are only a few playmakers and no real indication that this team can stick it together long enough to win games. The defense may be able to hit hard, but it can’t make plays. The running backs are good, but there is no talent on the offensive line. Shaun Hill is a good quarterback, but QB1 still belongs to Alex Smith and he is far from a good QB. This team will have problems and I see them having trouble even getting back to 5 wins. Like I said earlier, a 5-11 season is misleading. This team is much worse then that and I think we will see how much worse this season. Sorry 9er fans, it won’t be this year, it won’t be next year, but who knows? Maybe someday, you will get your championship winning franchise back.