49ers’ offensive line still to be determined

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Thursday, February 26, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Questions still remain along the San Francisco offensive line, particularly at the right tackle position. The 49ers allowed an NFL-high 55 sacks last year and must drastically improve that number regardless of who’s under center in 2009.

While Joe Staley has provided stability at left tackle, San Francisco’s bookend on the opposite side has to be addressed. Adam Snyder is currently slotted in at right tackle, but he’s mainly considered a top backup. While Snyder is versatile enough to play nearly every position in the trenches, he’s not a dominating force.

Thankfully for the 49ers, they have several options to fill the void. The draft is loaded with talented tackles and the team could even utilize free agency, which starts Friday, if necessary.

Arguably the biggest news coming from the recent combine was the fiasco involving Alabama’s Andre Smith. -- who has the talent to be taken with the No. 1 overall selection, but both his desire and work ethic have come under heavy scrutiny. He didn’t work out in Indianapolis and will rely on his pro day results to impress prospective NFL teams.

At pick No. 10, San Francisco could be in store for a difficult decision if Smith is sill on the board. There is no questioning Smith’s ability, but his attitude and dedication would make him a significant roll of the dice.

The 49ers’ front office would feel more comfortable selecting Baylor’s Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe of Virginia. However, both players will likely be unavailable at that point in the draft. San Francisco would be forced to trade up in order to secure their services, a feat that may come at too steep of a price.

Outside of RT, the 49ers have numerous young and talented offensive linemen. The trio of Staley, David Baas and Chilo Rachel should be a solid foundation for years to come. In addition, Eric Heitmann is a capable performer at center.

In the NFL, uncertainty is generally a double-edged sword. Some instances turn out good and some others don’t. If Smith is available at the 10th pick, he might be worth the gamble. Regardless of what happens, an upgrade at right tackle is a must.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
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