San Francisco 49ers 2011 Season Preview
by Will Soistman
Key Additions: Wide Receiver Braylon Edwards, Center Jonathan Goodwin, Cornerback Carlos Rogers, Safeties Madieu Williams and Donte Whitner
Key Losses: Offensive Linemen David Baas and Eric Heitmann, Defensive Tackle Aubrayo Franklin, Linebackers Travis Leboy, Takeo Spikes, and Manny Lawson, Cornerback Nate Clements.
This may be the first year in quite some time where the 49ers are no longer the "Surprise team" that will shock people and make it to the playoffs. They have been in a constant downward spiral with no signs of improvement since Norv Turner left for the San Diego Chargers back in 2007.
After finishing 6-10 in 2010 the Mike Singletary experiment was over and the Jim Harbaugh era is about to begin. With Harbaugh comes another new QB in... wait. Alex Smith is STILL the quarterback? Somehow, Smith is still the favorite to start for the 49ers and you got to hand it to the kid, he just won't go away. However, Harbaugh and co. did select Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick in the 2nd round of this year's draft so perhaps Smith is finally on a short leash.
Lookings at the 49ers offseason it is hard to tell if any good came out of it. With nearly twice as many departures as additions, the 49ers new regime is looking to try and start fresh albeit with the same QB. The defense is looking to be retooled as 3 of the 4 starting linebackers from 2010 were not retained and pass rusher Aldon Smith was drafted in the 1st round to lineup opposite Justin Smith at Defensive end. The loss of Aubrayo Franklin is really going to hurt this team as well as those aforementioned Linebackers so the pass rush is going to be near to nonexistent. Losing Nate Clements looks bad on paper, but he really wasn't the difference maker people believe him to be. He was an expensive nickel back that just didn't pan out after the 49ers acquired him through free agency years ago. Carlos Rogers replaces him in the secondary which is pretty much a wash, but for a cheaper player that is a win for the team.
Offensively, Frank Gore is coming off a serious injury, Crabtree again can't stay healthy, and Braylon Edwards was added to the offense to try and get that good 1-2 punch at receiver. Vernon Davis is still a great Tight End but with Smith still throwing the ball, there is really no telling what good can come out of this offense.
I don't have any hopes for the 49ers in 2011. There are no bright spots, aside from Pro Bowler Patrick Willis, on this team and no reasonable thought as to who will help push the team to the next level. This is going to be a tough year. But they do play the Seahawks and Cardinals a total of 4 times, so they have a chance at some wins.
Prediction: 49ers 5-11 4th in NFC West
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