NFL 2006: San Francisco 49ers

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the San Francisco 49ers.)

Last season was a rough learning experience for San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan. The first year coach inherited a team with limited talent and depth and the results were obvious, a 4-12 season and a last-place finish in the NFC West division.

This year, Nolan, another year older and wiser, has put more of his fingerprints on the 49er franchise and thanks to a solid draft and some quality free agents, the future is looking just a little more brighter on the city by the bay.

Offense: The 2005 Niners managed to score only 239 points for a dismal 15 points per game average. Nolan hopes his draft picks pick up the offense and contribute early and the free agents rise to the occasion or else this unit could falter again this season.

Alex Smith, the overall number one pick in 2005, struggled mightily in his rookie campaign. Smith started in nine games and threw for 875 yards with only one touchdown and 11 interceptions. Veteran Trent Dilfer (2,321 yards, 11 scores), brought in from Cleveland, will be pressed into action if Smith continues to have problems. Shaun Hill is the number three QB.

Frank Gore (608 yards, three touchdowns) took over the starting tailback job from Kevan Barlow (581 yards, three TDs) in the middle of the season and it looks like they'll be battling for the job training camp as well. Maurice Hicks (308 yards, three touchdowns) is the third-down back. Chris Hetherington will try to hold off Terry Jackson and free agent Moran Norris for the starting fullback job.

The Niners were hit hard when starting receivers Brandon Lloyd and Johnnie Morton left in the offseason. Nolan went out and got Antonio Bryant (69-1,009-4) from the Browns and along with Arnaz Battle (32-363-3), make up the new starting wideouts in San Francisco. Rookies Brandon Williams and Michael Robinson, a quarterback at Penn State, will be pressed into action right away. Free agent Bryan Gilmore is in the mix as well.

The 49ers had two number one picks this year and used the first on Maryland tight end Vernon Davis. Built like a bodybuilder with speed like a track star, Davis will be in the starting lineup from day one and could be a future force in this league. Eric Johnson, injured for most of last season, will be the backup. Terry Jones and Billy Bajema will compete for a roster spot.

Jeremy Newberry returns at center after missing the final six games last season. He'll be joined on the offensive line by Eric Heitmann and free agent Larry Allen at guard with Kwame Harris and Jonas Jennings, who missed all of 2005, at tackle. guards Justin Smiley and David Baas and tackle Adam Snyder will provide depth. Smiley and Snyder were starters last season.

Defense: This unit was just as bad as the offense in 2005. The defense surrendered 428 points and had trouble stopping anybody. Nolan hopes that the draft and free agency has brought in the elements needed to upgrade a lackluster group.

Andre Carter and Travis Hall are gone, but Bryant Young (36 tackles, eight sacks)returns at defensive end to captain the line. Marques Douglas (58 tackles) and free agent Jerry Deloatch will battle for Carter's vacant spot on the right side. Rookies Parys Haralson and Melvin Oliver will see action as well. Anthony Adams (40 tackles, 2.5 sacks) returns at nose tackle with Isaac Sopoaga in reserve.

Derek Smith (116 tackles) and Jeff Ulbrich, injured for most of 2005, return to man the inside linebacker positions, while Brandon Moore (71 tackles, five sacks) has one of the outside spots taken. Free agent T.J. Slaughter and rookie Manny Lawson, the 49ers second first-round pick, will battle for Julian Peterson's vacated slot.

Corners Shawntae Spencer (83 tackles, four picks) and Derrick Johnson (41 tackles) return, but face stiff competition from free agents Walt Harris (57 tackles) and Sammy Davis. Mike Adams (74 tackles, four interceptions) and Tony Parrish (47 tackles, two interceptions) are back at safety, but newly acquired Mark Roman (70 tackles, two picks) and Mike Rumph, who missed all of 2005, are ready to challenge. Rookies Marcus Hudson and Vickiel Vaughn are looking for a roster spot.

Special Teams: Joe Nedney (97 points, 26-28 field goals, 19-19 extra points) returns unchallenged at kicker, while punter Andy Lee (41.6) faces competition from free agent Tom Rouen (41.6). Rasheed Marshall (5.1) returns punts and Hicks (20.3) handles kickoffs.

Outlook: Coach Nolan and the Niner front office have done a decent job the last two drafts and in time the youngsters will contribute in a big way to this club. Unfortunately for San Francisco fans, that's in the future, here in the now this team has major problems. Antonio Bryant is a number two receiver asked to be a one and the rest of the unit is a major work in progress. The 49ers don't have a legitimate, big-time rusher and the quarterback situation is unsettled. The offensive line has holes and the defense will really miss Carter's pass rushing skills and Peterson's play at linebacker. In short, there's too many holes, not enough depth and the young players will be pushed into key roles too soon. The 49ers are building for the future, but there's going to be lean times before they get there.

Prediction: Too many question marks and not enough depth will plague San Francisco all season long. The 49ers will play hard because that's what Nolan expects. Once some of the youngsters get their feet wet and learn the system, some wins should fall their way. Just not many this season. San Francisco will finish 3-13 or 4-12.

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