NFL Team Preview: San Francisco 49ers

Last Season: 

Regular Season Record: 13-3

Conference Standings: 1st

Playoffs: Yes (Lost in the NFC Championship) 

Total Offense: 310.9 Yards Per Game (26th)

Points Per Game: 23.8 (11th)

Total Defense: 308.2 Yards allowed per game (4th)

Points Allowed Per Game: 14.3 Points Allowed per game (2nd)

Review 

The San Francisco 49ers surprised everyone last year by becoming an elite team and getting all the way to the NFC Championship game. Even more surprising than the 49ers all around team success I think was the play of Alex Smith. Alex had the best season of his career and finally played like a QB that was picked in the 1st round for the 1st time in his life. The 49ers only allowed 14 points per game their defense was tough, relentless, physical, and overwhelming all year. Offensively Alex Smith wasn't playing at a pro bowl level but he managed games beautifully, made big throws when they needed him to, and didn't turn the ball over. The 49ers caught a bad break in the NFC championship with some muffed punts that ultimately cost them a game they would have won. I honestly believe without those muffed punts the 49ers go on to win the NFC and would have been playing in the super bowl. 

This Season 

Key Players Lost: RG. Adam Synder 

Key Acquisitions: WR. Randy Moss, WR (Free Agency). Mario Manningham (Free Agency) 

Key Draft picks: WR. A.J. Jenkins (30th Overall), LaMichael James (61st Overall) 

Offseason: 

If you ask me it was a GREAT offseason for the 49ers. First and foremost they kept ALL of their main defensive players and will be bringing back the exact same defense from last year. On offense they only lost 1 starter RG Adam Synder who will be missed but they should be able to manage without him. The 2nd reason why it was a great offseason is that this team addressed their one and only weakness the wide receiver position. They brought in THREE new WRs in Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and they drafted A.J. Jenkins in the 1st round. 

2012 Outlook

I expect the 49ers to be a dominant elite football team again this season. Last year was no fluke and I think they'll not only be able to duplicate their success I think they could be even better. Their bringing back all starters on defense and have gotten significantly better on offense. When you factor in the new fire power at WR and the addition of their 2nd round pick Lamichael James I expect the 49ers to actually be a somewhat explosive offense and not just a slow pace ground and pound ball control offense. The 49ers were at the bottom of the league offensevily last year and if they can just get to the middle of the pack offensively the 49ers could be the best team in the league next season. 

2012 Schedule 

Projected Starters

Offense:

QB. Alex Smith

RB. Frank Gore

FB. Bruce Miller

WR. Michael Crabtree

WR. Randy Moss

TE. Vernon Davis

LT. Joe Staley

LG. Mike Iupati 

C. Jonathan Goodwin

RG. Alex Boone

RT. Anthony Davis 

Defense (3-4)

DE. Ray McDonald

NT. Isaac Sopoaga

DE. Justin Smith

OLB. Ahmad Brooks

MLB. Patrick Willis 

MLB. NaVorro Bowman

OLB. Aldon Smith

CB. Carlos Rodgers

CB. Tarrel Brown

SS. Donte Whitner

FS. Dashon Goldson

Special Teams: 

K. David Akers

P. Andy Lee