49ers’ wheel routes turn them in circles

By Dan Davis  |   Thursday, June 05, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

San Francisco 49ers
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The wide receiver position for the San Francisco 49ers during the tenure of Mike Nolan can be classified as no less than carouselesque.

Here is a 21-man list of receivers who have donned the crimson and gold since Nolan took over in 2005:

Otis Amey
Arnaz Battle
Brandon Lloyd
Rasheed Marshall
Marcus Maxwell
Jason McAddley
Johnnie Morton
Antonio Bryant
Bryan Gilmore
Taylor Jacobs
Brandon Williams
Jason Hill
Darrell Jackson
Ashley Lelie
Michael Lewis
Bryant Johnson
Jerard Rabb
Dominique Zeigler
Cam Colvin
Robert Jordan
Josh Morgan

(The bolded players are the only remaining receivers on the roster.)

Only one of the above receivers on the list has been with Nolan throughout the entire ride, and that's Battle. So the question then arises: Why so much turnover?

Quite simply, it’s lack of production. Big names like Darrell Jackson, Antonio Bryant and Johnnie Morton were supposed to bolster the team's receiving corps, but they all failed miserably.

The 49ers need to hope offseason additions Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson break the mold; if they do, San Francisco's offense in 2008 ought to be much better. Additionally, the belief among 49ers optimists is that new offensive coordinator Mike Martz will be able to light a fire under the franchise's lifeless receiving corps. First, though, Nolan and Martz have to find a QB capable of faring well; until that happens, the wideouts might be in the background.
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About Dan Davis

I'm a 23 year professional camel trainer, well exercised in the disciplines of pass rushing and mass texting. I'm an avid fan NAIA Men's Lacrosse, and I regularly paratroop on the weekend. Any questions feel free to ask.
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