This is a make or break year for quarterback Alex Smith, he will be the starter going into the season and has a number of weapons around him including wide receiver Michael Crabtree, running back Frank Gore, and tight end Vernon Davis all who have been very productive players for the 49ers in their short careers so far. The 49ers added two offensive linemen in the first round of the NFL draft this past April to really help improve their overall offense and expect both offensive tackle Anthony Davis, and guard Mike Iupati to start. The 49ers traded for wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and hope that he can help on offense and be a deep threat that he was coming out of Ohio State, but they are also looking for his help in the return game which could turn out to be very valuable.
On defense the team is lead my linebacker Patrick Willis who is an outstanding overall linebacker who can run sideline to sideline making plays. He is the unquestioned leader of the defense and even the team, and the 49ers need another big season out of him. The 49ers are expecting the outside linebackers Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson will provide even more of a pass rush this upcoming season then what they did last year. Cornerback Nate Clements only played in 7 games last season and the 49ers need for him to play more then that this season and be that shut down type cornerback that they know he can be. The 49ers drafted safety Taylor Mays out of USC in the second round and hope that he can be that Ronnie Lott type of physical enforcer over the middle.
The 49ers won three out of their final four games last season and are hoping to be able to ride that momentum in the 2010 season where they are expecting to win the NFC West and get back to the playoffs which they have missed for a number of years.
On defense the team is lead my linebacker Patrick Willis who is an outstanding overall linebacker who can run sideline to sideline making plays. He is the unquestioned leader of the defense and even the team, and the 49ers need another big season out of him. The 49ers are expecting the outside linebackers Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson will provide even more of a pass rush this upcoming season then what they did last year. Cornerback Nate Clements only played in 7 games last season and the 49ers need for him to play more then that this season and be that shut down type cornerback that they know he can be. The 49ers drafted safety Taylor Mays out of USC in the second round and hope that he can be that Ronnie Lott type of physical enforcer over the middle.
The 49ers won three out of their final four games last season and are hoping to be able to ride that momentum in the 2010 season where they are expecting to win the NFC West and get back to the playoffs which they have missed for a number of years.
