San Francisco 49ers 2005 Preview

By John Onan  |   Friday, July 29, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Let the Alex Smith and Mike Nolan era begin, as the San Francisco 49ers open training camp. Nobody is expecting much this season, as far as on the field success is concerned, but the competition on the depth chart should be something to keep an eye on.

Offense: Overall number one draft pick Alex Smith will be looking to impress the coaching staff enough to capture the starting QB spot away from oft-injured incumbent Tim Rattay. The San Francisco 49ers started Rattay nine times last season, but had to go under the knife on three separate occasions. When he was healthy, he put up decent numbers, completing 60 % of his passes and throwing as many TDs as interceptions. Backup Ken Dorsey is also waiting in the wings, but he won't get any playing time unless both Smith and Rattay are injured. Dorsey started the other seven games last season, but he is also injury prone. If Alex Smith shows anything in the pre-season, he will be the man. He will take his lumps early and often in 2005 because he is playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. The team hopes Center Jeremy Newberry will be fully recovered from his latest knee operation, and LT Jonas Jennings, who was signed in the off-season from Buffalo, should help shore up that line.

At running back, disappointing Kevan Barlow will look to regain his 1,000 rushing form, but may be splitting time with 3rd round pick, former Miami Hurricanes standout Frank Gore. The receiving corps is one of the glaring weaknesses, and got even weaker when Cedrick Wilson left town to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Third-year man Brandon LLoyd (43 catches in 2004) is likely to emerge as the #1 man at that position. The other spot on the outside is open for competition with Arnez Battle currently in the lead. The lone bright spot for the 49ers is TE Eric Johnson, who led the team with 82 receptions a year ago.

On defense, the San Francisco 49ers had the misfortune of being injury-plagued in 2004. Julian Peterson returns from a torn achilles tendon to lead a defense that should at least be somewhat better if healthy. The return of cornerback Ahmed Plummer from a neck injury should also help boost a mediocre secondary. Julian Peterson missed 11 games and Ahmed Plummer missed 10 games last season, so if they can stay healthy the defense should be much better. In addition, former first round pick Mike Rumph will move from corner to safety, where he is better suited.

The San Francisco 49ers will be switching back to a 3-4 defense after experimenting with it last season. The linebacking corps of Julian Peterson, Derrick Smith, Jeff Ulbrich, and Jamie Winborn represent the strength of the defensive unit, so this is the right move for the Niners. The defensive front needs much improvement, but the team did add former Baltimore Ravens DE Marquis Douglas, who should help establish at least some sort of pass rush. On the flipside, they traded their best defensive lineman last year, John Engelberger, for highly touted but unproven CB Willie Middlebrooks who came over from the Broncos. Middlebrooks will get a shot to start opposite Ahmed Plummer at corner.

On special teams, veteran Joe Nedney takes over for Todd Peterson as the kicker, while 2nd-year man Andy Lee returns to handle the punting duties. WR Battle and DB Jimmy Williams will once again handle kick returns; both were sub-par in 2004.

Overview: The San Francisco 49ers have a long way to go to get back to their glory days, but with the hiring of Nolan and the drafting of Alex Smith, the team is moving in the right direction. If the key guys on defense can stay healthy and produce like they did before injuries, this team could become respectable this season.

The offensive line remains a concern, but if they can at least keep Smith upright and create some holes for Barlow and Gore, it may open up the passing game.

5-11 isn't out of the question, but this looks more like 3-13 team to me.
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