<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (USA Today)</div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Revamped 49ers may emerge atop NFC West</span>By Chris Colston, USA TODAYExhausted NFL coaches and personnel directors are free to snap shut their briefcases. The draft is over, the impact free agents are signed, sealed and delivered and coaching staffs are set. Finally, fans have something concrete on which to base their hopes for 2007.The Indianapolis Colts seem to have overcome enough of their losses to give themselves a chance to successfully defend their Super Bowl title. The New England Patriots, one of the most active teams this offseason, added marquee names in wide receiver Randy Moss and linebacker Adalius Thomas to an already first-rate lineup. The San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints look strong again, albeit with question marks.But what team could emerge from the shadows? Who will be the surprise of 2007?How about the San Francisco 49ers?The 49ers finished 7-9 last year, a nice improvement from their 4-12 ledger in Mike Nolan's inaugural 2005 season. A number of offseason signings plugged gaping holes, and their draft class received good marks: B+ from Sports Weekly and A grades from CBS Sportsline.com and The Washington Post. "It's a whole new 49er era out there now," NFL Network analyst and former NFL general manager Bobby Beathard said after the draft.The 49ers are turning heads because Nolan and vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan have developed a symbiotic relationship toward player acquisition. Nobody is putting them in the Bill Belichick-Scott Pioli class just yet. But the San Francisco duo has such a good vibe observers are referring to them as "McNolan.""I really like that Nolan-McCloughan tandem, because they're joined at the hip philosophically," NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock says. "They're approaching everything the right way, building through the draft with good people."Look around. The teams that are consistently successful are the ones with respect for the other side of the house. Teams that don't have that kind of marriage won't be long-term winners in this league." The 49ers have won five Super Bowl titles during their illustrious history and own an impressive 26-18 postseason record. But they haven't earned a playoff slot since 2002.Despite the improved 2006 record, they ranked No. 26 in offense and defense. "McNolan" felt good about the progress they'd made but knew there was much work to be done -- and the draft alone wouldn't solve all of their problems."Our plan, from the get-go, was to build our team through the draft and supplement it with free agency," McCloughan says. "We want to train and teach our players how to be 49ers. When you bring in a free agent, he's probably had success doing it a certain way -- but it might not be our way."In the offseason, the 49ers compiled a list of potential free agents, looking at factors such as age, medical history, character and work ethic -- and then went after them.On offense, they strengthened one of the team's biggest weaknesses by signing wide receiver Ashley Lelie. On defense, free agent imports are expected to address needs at cornerback (Nate Clements) and safety (Michael Lewis). Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain should also be major contributors on the revamped unit. Although they paid top dollar for Clements, 27 -- $80 million over eight years -- they think they brought in a player who fits their mold and has at least three or four prime years ahead. The signings allowed McCloughan and Nolan to enter the draft more open-minded."We knew we had to address the defense. But what we did in free agency took pressure off us. We could focus on taking the best player on our board," McCloughan says.The 49ers entered the draft with 10 picks -- one each in the first, second, fifth and sixth rounds; two third-round picks; and four fourth-round picks.After months of study, analysis and phone calls, McCloughan had a pretty good idea of how the first round would go. He knew, when the team picked at No. 11, there was a good chance Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis would be there. Nolan's staff coached Willis in the Senior Bowl and loved his 4.37-second speed in the 40-yard dash, his nose for the ball and his character. And with San Francisco switching to a predominately 3-4 defensive alignment this year, it wanted another high-quality linebacker.Wide receiver remained a need, too, and most experts regarded Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson as the best player in the draft. Two days before the draft, Mayock said, "If I know the 49ers a little bit, they'll be strategizing to move up."According to a chart most NFL general managers consult to compare relative draft-pick value, the second overall pick is worth 2,600 points -- more than the combined value of the 49ers' 10 selections.McCloughan says they never considered a deal with the Detroit Lions, who had the No. 2 overall pick and ultimately selected Johnson. "We'd have to give away our entire draft," he says, "and we're not good enough yet to be able to do that."Willis brings an instinctive game and a sideline-to-sideline presence to the defense. Some experts think he can step in and be an immediate starter for almost any team.Except maybe San Francisco. "In the NFL today, coaches are generally expected to make a playoff push in their third year," NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst Rob Rang says. "So in that respect, I can see why they took Willis over (Nebraska defensive lineman Adam) Carriker. He's the type of guy who can come in and make an immediate impact."The 49ers used a 2006 first-round pick (No. 22) on speedy outside linebacker Manny Lawson, and veterans Derek Smith, Brandon Moore and Jeff Ulbrich are solid players. And the 49ers are going to play the 4-3 alignment at times. When everybody is healthy, a good linebacker is going to be on the bench.Nolan said Willis (6-1, 242 pounds) would play immediately on third downs. As for an immediate starting spot, "He will compete with those guys on the regular downs."Willis' prediction is less conservative. When asked if he expected to start right away, he answered, "There is no doubt in my mind."Ultimately, the 49ers opted for Willis because he was the best player available on their board and the need for fast linebackers in the 3-4 defense was too great. "He will be instrumental in that transformation," Nolan says.Plus, the franchise knew exactly what it was getting. "The reason we coached (the Senior Bowl) is that we want to know a lot more about the individual," Nolan says. "What kind of person is he? Is he a character person? Is he the kind of person that's going to make our football team stronger? As a player, it's one thing to be a selfish individual and a good player. But if you also make the guys around you better, that's a whole different thing. That's what he's been able to do in four years of college, and he'll do the same here for us."Of the two inside linebacker spots, San Francisco projects Willis to the weak side, playing next to Lawson and in front of Lewis. "He's going to be surrounded by some good players," Nolan says. "He's got an ability to cover a lot of ground like Manny does. We just didn't draft an athlete that's fast. We drafted a football player that's fast."All of this leaves assistant head coach Mike Singletary a happy man."I think the biggest thing is we're going to continue to form our identity," he says. "Right now the 3-4, the 4-3, the combination of the two -- depending on the personnel that we end up with, which one we decide to play more of. If a linebacker can play in a 3-4, he can play in a 4-3, and we'll be able to use his talent depending on what we have the front line doing. He certainly makes our defense faster; he certainly adds speed. It gives us some versatility."With their second-round pick -- No. 42 overall -- the 49ers had targeted four players. But as the first round neared its conclusion, their short list had dwindled to one: Central Michigan tackle Joe Staley, whom the coaching staff had also seen up close and personal at the Senior Bowl.They knew he wouldn't be on the board much longer so they swung a deal with New England, trading one of their four fourth-rounders and their 2008 first-rounder for the No. 28 pick.For a team that treasures its draft picks, the trade could have been seen as a panic move. But San Francisco, like many teams, believes in the importance of good tackles -- along with quarterbacks and cornerbacks -- so it felt Staley was worth the price.So does Staley. "I will fulfill that," he says. "Don't worry about it."McCloughan doubted all along that Staley would be available at the 42nd pick, but several clubs rebuffed his efforts to trade up before the draft. He was willing to give up the 2008 No. 1 selection because "next year we would be trying to get the same quality of player."Nolan says offensive line will always remain a priority for him. "That will never change as long as I'm here," he says. "Obviously, if you have a very good line, your running game is good. If you have a good line, then your quarterback is protected. If your quarterback is protected, he has an opportunity to find receivers, whether those be the top guys in the league or not -- at least he can find them. If you have great receivers but you don't have a line, it doesn't matter, because he can't find them."San Francisco recouped its 2008 first-rounder when it dealt its second-round choice to Indianapolis for the Colts' first- and fourth-rounders in next year's draft. "If you look at the math," Nolan says, "we got Staley for a second-round pick."And, he says, "Next year's draft is a full, complete deal. We just have to perform better than Indy on the record and then we get a better pick."The two first choices still didn't fill the glaring need at wide receiver. The 49ers released Antonio Bryant, who led the team in receiving yards last season, in the offseason. And though Lelie is an excellent deep threat, he has never asserted himself as a No. 1 receiver.The 49ers think they have a big-time tight end in Vernon Davis, an athletic freak whose speed makes him a legitimate No. 1 target for third-year quarterback Alex Smith. But they needed another player to keep defenses honest, and a trade with the Seattle Seahawks brought them what they sought.San Francisco sent a fourth-round choice to the Seahawks for Darrell Jackson, who has three 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 47 career touchdown catches.Knee problems plagued Jackson last season, and he'll no longer benefit from playing in coach Mike Holmgren's West Coast-style offense. While it might be unfair to expect Jackson to match his Seahawks numbers, he gives the 49ers a reliable route runner and his departure from Seattle weakens the team they are chasing in the NFC West."For a late-fourth-round pick -- and taking him away from the divisional leader -- is huge," Rang says. "I think San Francisco got superb value. I mean, what is the chance of getting a starting receiver in the late fourth round? There aren't many Marques Colstons out there (the New Orleans Saints found Colston, who became a key starter, in the seventh round of the 2005 draft)."Jackson joins Lelie, veteran Arnaz Battle and third-round draft pick Jason Hill in the 49ers' overhauled receiving corps. Hill had two 1,000-yard campaigns and scored 32 touchdowns at Washington State."I don't plan on playing like a third-round pick," Hill says. "I plan on playing like a top-10 pick."Those receivers join a young core of talent in Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005, Davis and running back Frank Gore, who set a franchise record with 1,695 rushing yards last season. Gore is already talking about gaining 2,000 yards this time around.Even after the free agent moves, the early draft picks and the acquisition of Jackson, the 49ers had one more glaring need: defensive line.They used their second third-round pick on Florida defensive lineman Ray McDonald, who can play inside and out in the 3-4 front. "I know people who thought McDonald should be a mid-second-round pick," Rang says. "To get him in the third is great value."Rang also liked the fourth-round selection of Nebraska's Jay Moore, who could get looks at defensive end and outside linebacker. "Both McDonald and Moore could pay immediate dividends," Rang says.Two days after wrapping up the draft, McCloughan said he still feels good about the weekend's work. "If you had told me on Friday that we'd get these players," he says, "I'd have taken it in a heartbeat and be very excited."We didn't necessarily take the flashy guys. But the one thing we feel good about is we believe all these guys have a chance to be NFL players."Others in the media already agree. The San Francisco Chronicle said of the home team's draft: "The 49ers gave the Raiders a look at how a draft should be run. They get an 'A' for foresight, effort and creativity. -- Couple all this with a hell of a free agent haul, and it's a good day to be a 49ers fan."Although the 49ers' personnel appear to be significantly upgraded, there are question marks. Nolan goes into the season with two rookie coordinators, Jim Hostler (offense) and Greg Manusky (defense). Norv Turner, who mentored Smith and had a profound impact on the offense in 2006, left to become head coach with the Chargers; Manusky replaces the fired Billy Davis.Hostler, whose only previous coordinator experience came at Division II Indiana (Pa.), has served as the 49ers quarterbacks coach for the last two years, which should, theoretically, make his transition smoother. Manusky spent the last five seasons as the Chargers linebackers coach. In that job, he worked with the likes of Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman and Junior Seau while learning under Wade Phillips, a master of the 3-4 defense."I think San Francisco is headed in the right direction," ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth says. "I think they could finish anywhere from 8-8 (to) 10-6. I think they'll enter the last two weeks of the season with a real shot at the division title."McCloughan won't make any predictions for next season, but he does think the 49ers' plan is on track."When I took the job, I thought communication in the whole building was very important," he says. "We have that now -- from the trainers to the equipment guys to the public relations staff. We won't agree on everything, of course. But when we disagree, we say, 'Let's talk it through. Tell me why you don't like this guy.'"Sure, we still have good days and bad days. But we're all in this together." <div align="center">NINERS PANNING AN INFLUX OF TALENT</div> The 49ers have made several personnel upgrades to a team that finished 7-9 in 2006. Some key additions: Player | Pos. | How acquired | What he brings | Tully Banta-Cain | LB | Free agency | Had 5 sacks in his role with the Patriots in 2006. His presence should help Manny Lawson, one of last season's first-rounders, emerge as a pass rusher. Nate Clements | CB | Free agency | Team forked over an $80 million contract to land, arguably, the crown jewel of the free agent class. His skills will be invaluable against the passing attacks of the Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks. Jason Hill | WR | 3rd-round draft pick | A clutch playmaker at Washington State, he should compete for playing time right away and be a staple in multiple-receiver sets. Darrell Jackson | WR | Trade | If he can remain healthy, he will quietly perform at a Pro Bowl level. His addition gives Alex Smith a reliable target while his departure from Seattle weakens the NFC West champs. Ashley Lelie | WR | Free agency | Lelie may never be a No. 1 receiver, but his deep speed will stretch any defense and take pressure off Frank Gore, Jackson and Vernon Davis. Michael Lewis | S | Free agency | A former Pro Bowler with the Eagles, he landed on the bench last season after struggling against the pass but now gets a chance to redeem himself. Ray McDonald | DE | 3rd-round draft pick | His knee might not be ready to go when camp opens, but San Francisco may have gotten a steal on a perfect player for its defensive line. Jay Moore | DE | 4th-round draft pick | A bit of a project, but with a little work his versatility should make him another valuable defensive component. Joe Staley | OT | 1st-round draft pick | The Niners moved up to enlist a man who could start at right tackle right away and may ultimately protect Alex Smith's blind side. Patrick Willis | LB | 1st-round draft pick | The highest-rated linebacker entering the draft should bring an immediate upgrade to the core of the 49ers' 3-4 defense. Link</div>I knew everyone would be on our nuts after the Draft, since we always have a great one. But a great Draft after our Free Agency spree just gave all these "experts" a hard-on for us. I love it.
IMO they just don't have enough pieces this year to over take the Rams and Seahawks. If they do, itll be a surprise, because the Rams D would have to completely not show up and the Sehawks would need another injury plagued season for it to happen.That's not to say the 49ers aren't moving in the right direction, cause they are, but they just aren't there yet.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ May 12 2007, 01:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>IMO they just don't have enough pieces this year to over take the Rams and Seahawks. If they do, itll be a surprise, because the Rams D would have to completely not show up and the Sehawks would need another injury plagued season for it to happen.That's not to say the 49ers aren't moving in the right direction, cause they are, but they just aren't there yet.</div>Like the Seahawks, we shoulda swept the Rams last season. They won on a last minute long TD drive in their victory against us. The Niners whooped the Seahawks, who had Matt and Shaun healthy at Home on national television. No doubt in my mind that the Niners are ready to take the West, with so many new starters on D it could take them several games to gel but I still expect them to be AMAZIN compared to what we had the last couple years. Its a great time to be a Niner fan after our down years, but thats behind us now
They're going to be the sexy pick this year because of all their additions, alot of people are going to select them. They just added Nate Clements, Darrell Jackson, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley among others this offseason and now look like they have a very solid team on paper. In my eyes, they have 3 Question Marks going into next season. 1) Will Alex Smith turn into a Good Quarterback?2) Do they have enough on the Defensive Line?3) Do they have good enough Safties?If 2 of the 3 answers are Yes, then they'll win the Division.
Agree with all three of the last posts. Vilma, you are right that they are in the right direction, but they might not be there yet. But then David was right about how we shoulda swept both the Rams and Seahawks last year, as the Rams won on a last minute TD drive at home. We have taken 3 of the last 4 from the Rams, as well as the Seahawks. But then I agree with ADOV's post about the 3 questions. Question #1, I answered yes. Question #2, I'm unsure about, but question #3, like I've said, our safeties, especially Keith Lewis, are very underrated and will take people by surprise. The biggest question mark on the team is obviously the DL, and I think with Bryant Young leading the way, and a couple of new guys, and our great LB core, it will be good enough.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ May 12 2007, 08:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They're going to be the sexy pick this year because of all their additions, alot of people are going to select them. They just added Nate Clements, Darrell Jackson, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley among others this offseason and now look like they have a very solid team on paper. In my eyes, they have 3 Question Marks going into next season. 1) Will Alex Smith turn into a Good Quarterback?2) Do they have enough on the Defensive Line?3) Do they have good enough Safties?If 2 of the 3 answers are Yes, then they'll win the Division.</div>Venom's a pwner Those are really the main questions about the team. This is Alex's (or the team's for that matter) first offseason where he doesnt have to learn a new offense. Which I think he will greatly benefit from. He's an extremely intelligent tape junkie with great tools, I cant see how he will fail to be a good QB in this league; he's got too much goin for him.Since they run the 3-4, I think they have enough big guys to hold that fort (BY, Douglas, Franklin, Fields, Sopoaga, McDonald, Oliver, and Cohen). All these guys contribute somethin good to the D-line, I think it'll be solid enough for our D to be successful.Great question right here. Personally I dont see how last year Philly let Lewis cover #1 and #2 WRs? He's not that type of S that would be good doin that, he can cover TEs but dont see us lettin him cover much more than that. Nolan brought him in to be a disruptor to the offense, he's gonna be up on the line sometimes, act as an extra LB sometimes, and sometimes maybe double-cover. Now Roman, he did solid for us last year. He's more of the coverage type S while Lewis is the wreckin machine S. Roman will be the guy who will sometimes cover the slot if he has to and play deep. With all the talent around him this year, I think he has to be atleast decent. Next year I think there will probably be someone fightin with him for that FS spot, maybe even this year if Keith impresses as always and Roman looks bad in camp.But yeah, Niners havent had an offseason this great in probably a decade
Do Venom's questions...1) Yes. Davis and Jackson, if they stay healthy, will be the targets that Alex Smith has needed. Plus they still have Gore out of the backfield for swing passes. This year should be the year that he's comfortable that he can throw the ball and actually have it caught.2) Don't think so. Yeah, having big bodies is a part of it but none of those players are good enough pass rushers so the corners will be hung out to dry too much.3) Depends. Michael Lewis has the ability to be good but last year, he was just horrendous. Roman and Lewis are solid safeties but nothing spectacular that would command respect from QBs.The 49ers do have the linebackers though. Cain, Willis, and Lawson. Also, the WCB might be an issue.Put 2 and 3 together, the 49ers probably won't win the NFC East this year but 2-3 years from now or maybe even next, a definite possibility.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ May 12 2007, 03:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Do Venom's questions...1) Yes. Davis and Jackson, if they stay healthy, will be the targets that Alex Smith has needed. Plus they still have Gore out of the backfield for swing passes. This year should be the year that he's comfortable that he can throw the ball and actually have it caught.2) Don't think so. Yeah, having big bodies is a part of it but none of those players are good enough pass rushers so the corners will be hung out to dry too much.3) Depends. Michael Lewis has the ability to be good but last year, he was just horrendous. Roman and Lewis are solid safeties but nothing spectacular that would command respect from QBs.Put 2 and 3 together, the 49ers probably won't win the NFC East this year but 2-3 years from now or maybe even next, a definite possibility.</div>#2 It was my assumption that the pass-rushers in the 3-4 are usually two LBs. Manny Lawson, Tully Banta-Cain, Jay Moore, Roderick Green, and Parys Haralson are all pass-rush specialists.#3 I didnt see Lewis last year really at all but from what I've heard he was just inconsistent, not horrible the whole season. And he'll make them respect him when he lays them on their back.
I didn't watch a lot of 49ers games last year but Banta-Cain nor Lawson have shown that they are pass rushing specialists, at least stat wise. To me, they are simply solid linebackers right now.And jeez, you guys have too many former Raven backups. hahaha. Green, Franklin, and Douglas.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ May 12 2007, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I didn't watch a lot of 49ers games last year but Banta-Cain nor Lawson have shown that they are pass rushing specialists, at least stat wise. To me, they are simply solid linebackers right now.And jeez, you guys have too many former Raven backups. hahaha. Green, Franklin, and Douglas.</div>Lawson is a converted DE from college where he was at around the top of sacks his senior year, last year he was primarily used as a cover LB cuz his great speed. This year he will get many more chances to rush the QB, especially since new DC Greg Manusky is much more agressive than Billy Davis' ass was. And Banta-Cain...<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>2006: Finished fourth on the team with a career-high 5.5 sacks ... Led the team or tied for the team lead in sacks three times in 2006 (at NYJ, at MIN, vs. HOU)</div>And he wasnt even a starter for them til Seau went down.Lol yup, Nolan loves him his old players.
Lawson is a pass-rushing specialist. He gets in there so quick, its really quite something to watch. I got season tickets to 49ers, so I mean, obviously I see everyone play, Lewis is real good. I mean, yeah, he may not be as fast as Roman so it may be harder for him to cover WR's on a few routes, but man, they guy can flat out hit, and we need someone like that where the WR's jsut dont wanna go near him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (iknobaer @ May 13 2007, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lawson is a pass-rushing specialist. He gets in there so quick, its really quite something to watch. I got season tickets to 49ers, so I mean, obviously I see everyone play, Lewis is real good. I mean, yeah, he may not be as fast as Roman so it may be harder for him to cover WR's on a few routes, but man, they guy can flat out hit, and we need someone like that where the WR's jsut dont wanna go near him.</div>Michael Lewis.
oh, i was talking about keith lewis, i dont really know all that much about michael lewis though, since he was on philly
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (iknobaer @ May 13 2007, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>oh, i was talking about keith lewis, i dont really know all that much about michael lewis though, since he was on philly</div>Yeah I know. I said Michael Lewis cuz he is the type of S who will give receivers a reason to think twice about goin over the middle. If Keith can get better in coverage by next year, holy shit we would have to start him at FS. Would be the hardest hittin secondary in the NFL. Keith Lewis, Michael Lewis, Nate Clements, and Shawntae Spencer can all lay the wood, hard.
Their biggest thing last year, was the secondary and WR.They went out and spent some major cash to straighten out the Secondary, and stole Jackson from a division rival.That to me was their key move.
