Peek Under the Hood

[Note: I had written a much longer post. Then Blogger decided to stick a broom up my ass by deleting all the text and saving over the last draft. I hate the Internet.]

Let's take a quick look position by position at YOUR 2007 49ers as we rapidly approach Monday night. Feel free to rip these quotes to sound smarter around the water cooler/conference room/Minneapolis bathroom stall or wherever you congregate with like-minded faithful.

QB- Smith needs to make the leap this year. Enough excuses. There are finally skill position players with actual skill around him now. You can't rest on your Wunderlic score forever.

RB- Gore is the offense and the gutless "I don't want the job" performances by Robinson and Hicks in the preseason make getting a real backup the #2 priority for next year.

WR- Which means the #1 priority is getting a true stud wideout, because this group isn't going to cut it. Jackson and Battle are posession guys and Smith hasn't had any playing time with the field-stretchers (Lelie and Hill). This group is serviceable but only because we've been working with crap the past 3 years.

TE- Enough bullshit out of VD this offseason. Time for him to prove he was worth the pick. As he goes, so goes the team's record. Norv Turner built our offense the same way he built the Chargers' (LT:FG::Gates:Davis). Gates has opened things up for his boy; time for The Disease to do the same for his.

OL- Deepest group on the team. Arizona wishes they had our second string, which is better than their front five.

DL- Question mark since we haven't seen them play. BY is BY but Franklin is the keystone to the 3-4. Sopoaga's improvement in the preseason should also make him another body to use at nose tackle. The other guys (Douglas, et al) are fine but probably would have had to fight to make most teams' rosters.

LB- Ton of talent but the group is inexperienced. Keeping Smith in to train Willis (R), Lawson (2), and Banta-Cain (5 but first year of starting) is a good idea for the first half of the season as they gel. I expect to see Moore to eventually take over Smith's reps over time. He's too good to keep on the bench.

CB- Clements signing caught the East coast media's attention and probably the reason we're a darling pick of theirs. Having him, Harris at even 80% of last year, and Spencer should give us the bodies to hang with most. Some of the rookies (esp. Tarell Brown) sound like they could be good nickel package guys.

S- The Lewises (Michael and Keith) should provide plenty of explosive hits for next year's highlight package. Coverage is going to fall to Roman and the rookie Dashon Goldson (once he's healthy).

ST- Nedney's a year older. Assuming his range is a less than the year before, it will likely keep us from trying any 50+ yard field goals. Keeping Andy Lee was one of the most important (and unmentioned) moves in the offseason. Kicking at Candlestick/3Com/Monster is a complete pain in the ass and he does it very well.

Coach- Nolan gets to wear his suits at home. I think it's bat-shit insane but whatever keeps him happy. He's the man.

Game-by-game prediction coming tomorrow.