Staley’s impact goes beyond 49ers’ O-line

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Tuesday, June 09, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
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While Joe Staley will patrol the left tackle position for years to come, his impact is expected to reach each other aspects of the San Francisco 49ers. Staley’s presence will certainly make life easier for the 49ers on both sides of the ball and improve the players assembled around him.

Although San Francisco deploys seasoned veterans such as right tackle Marvel Smith and center Eric Heitmann, the team is still relatively young along the offensive line. At guard, Chilo Rachal will look to improve in his sophomore campaign and David Bass enters his fifth season as a professional. Meanwhile, Staley provides stability between the young and the old in the trenches.

In addition to anchoring the offensive line, Staley brings hope to the 49ers’ entire offensive unit. Running back Frank Gore is poised to bounce back after compiling only 1,036 yards rushing in 2008, his lowest output since his rookie season. Additionally, whoever winds up starting under center (Shaun Hill or Alex Smith) will have reassurance knowing Staley is protecting his blind side.

Even San Francisco’s wide receiving corps stands to benefit from Staley’s new contract extension. Assuming Staley performs as the 49ers envision, the team’s young group of wideouts could flourish in the Bay Area.

Although they may not begin the season as starters, Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and a handful of other young receivers are clearly the future in San Francisco. The more time the offensive line can provide in pass protection, the more success the 49ers’ passing game is likely to enjoy down the field.

San Francisco’s defense can also be included in this conversation, providing the team’s offense improves from a dismal 2008 campaign. If San Francisco’s offensive attack can maintain possession for longer periods of time, it will translate into fewer plays for the defense and a fresher unit as the season progresses.

The 49ers’ confidence in signing Staley to a six-year contract extension recently speaks volumes about their self-assurance toward the former first-round pick. When general manager Scott McCloughan made the deal, he certainly took all aspects of Staley’s impact into consideration, making it an easy decision for the San Francisco front office.
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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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