Why not? The Jets didn’t give Maybin a lot of money and, who knows, maybe Rex Ryan will get something out of the 2009 11^th overall pick. He probably won’t and Maybin isn’t switching to a scheme that fits him better or anything like Vernon Gholston is in Chicago. Maybin is tried and failed in both a 3-4 and a 4-3, with no sacks in 2 seasons. However, it can’t hurt to find out.

Grade: A

 

I absolutely love this move. 4 years, 26 million dollars, for a guy who has 37 sacks in his last 3 seasons in a 4-3, which the Jaguars run. Forget his 3.5 sacks last year. Those were in a 3-4 which is a completely different scheme. Forget his ACL tear because he is reportedly ready to go for camp in July. Kampman is a cheap addition to a miserable pass rush. Julius Peppers cost 65 million dollars more over just 2 more years and Peppers is not that much better than Kampman when Kampman is right. A very smart, financially cautious move for a financially cautious franchise:

Grade: A

 

Tight end/Fullback 

Florida

6-2 243

40 time: 4.58

Draft board overall prospect rank: #77

Draft board tight end rank: #4

Overall rating: 73*

2/25/10: There aren’t a ton of tight ends under 6-3. There are some, Dustin Keller at 6-2, but after Hernandez measured in at 6-2 with short 32 ¼ inch arms, his value becomes more limited. He’s a great athlete and can run and catch well, but he can’t do much else. He’s not much of a blocker and he hasn’t run a lot of pro style routes.

            1/11/10: Aaron Hernandez’s draft stock depends on how he does at the combine, and no, I don’t mean 40 time, I mean height. Hernandez is listed as 6-3 which is already on the short side for a tight end, but if he measures up at shorter than that, which wouldn’t be the first time that has happened, teams might get scared off seeing him as a 6-2 or even 6-1 “tight end.” If he measures up that short, he may be viewed as a fullback longterm and that will send him falling to the 4^th or 5^th round. However, if he measures at 6-3, he could go in the 2^nd round as the 2^nd tight end off the board, before Dennis Pitta (I guess this was what they meant when they said football was a game of inches). Besides his height, Hernandez is an outstanding athlete. He has excellent bulk at 250 pounds, which is actually thicker and stronger than it seems because of his height, and he should run a 40 in the mid 4.5s. He is a former #1 tight end recruit. He caught 34 balls for 381 yards and 5 scores last year as a mere true sophomore, filling in during 11 starts for Cornelius Ingram. In 2009, with Ingram on the Eagles, Hernandez took the starting tight end job and ran with it, catching a team leading 68 passes, and 850 yards, most of any Division I tight end. He won the John Mackey award for the top tight end in the nation and had his 2^nd best game in the Sugar Bowl, with 111 yards. If he measures up as a tight end longterm, his is going to be a tremendous matchup problem with his combination of bulk and speed, at only age 20. He’s not a great blocker, but he has the frame to become one. If he measures up at less than 6-3, there is a small possibility that a team tries to convert him to a wide receiver, but that would not make the best use of his bulk, and he’s not a great route runner. He’s also not terribly fast for his height and being fast and tall are the two real attributes you need athletically as a wide receiver, rather than bulk and speed, which the full back and tight end positions would require. As a fullback alone, I think he would be the first fullback taken purely on potential, but with his potential to play other positions, he would be by far the top fullback prospect. In the open field he’s extremely tough to bring down and runs with great intent. His hands, either as a tight end, or out of the backfield as a fullback, are very soft and refined for his age. I have my doubts about his ability to play the tight end position in the NFL and establish himself as a big tight end target, mostly because, from what I’ve seen of him, I doubt he’s quite 6-3 and Florida does have a history of listing their athletes as bigger than they are. However, if he proves me wrong, he deserves to be the 2^nd tight end off of the board because his athleticism and potential completely blows out of that of Dennis Pitta, my current #2 tight end. He’s faster, bulkier, and already more productive than Pitta, who is 24. All that he needs to do is measure up.

NFL Comparison: Benjamin Watson

*= For a breakdown of what this means, click here

 

 

By Kevin Harrison 

Well the Jets are 5-1 heading into the bye week.  Things are looking good right now but we know, being long suffering Jets fans, that good can turn sour very quickly.   So, what needs to happen for the Jets to win the Super Bowl this year or next?   I can’t really tell you what needs to happen except to win your games.  But, I CAN tell you what CAN’T happen for the Jets to win the Super Bowl either this year, or next year.  The following are 80 DON’TS for the Jets and their fans:

1.       Don’t take pictures of your tally-whacker and sending them to female team employees.

2.       Don’t hold out of training camp for crazy money and then injuring your hamstring.  Cough, cough Darrelle Revis.

3.       Don’t stay out to 5:00 am with teammates and then getting a DWI.  Cough, cough Braylon.

4.       Don’t write a book called “Throw Me The Damn Ball.”

5.       Don’t having the owner utter the words, “Just Win Now.”  That didn’t seem to work out too well winning 4 games in 2 years after that famous line.

6.       Don’t have the coach say, “You Play To Win The Game.”

7.       Don’t get suspended for substance abuse causing you to miss 4 games.

8.       Don’t eat hotdogs on the sideline no matter how hungry you are ala Mark Sanchez.

9.       Don’t give the finger to fans of the opposing team.  Give them a finger from each hand.

10.   Don’t have the game clock managed by a guy named Dick Curl.

11.   Don’t write a post-game speech before the media even asks questions.

12.   Don’t blow out your achillies ala Vinny and the Jets.

13.   Don’t delete episodes of “Hard Knocks” from your DVR; rewatch them during the bye week.

14.   Don’t continue hocking PSLs to the fans during the season.

15.   Don’t lose anymore home games.  Christen the new stadium with two home playoff games.

16.   Don’t hate Fireman Ed.  J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets !

17.   Don’t let Cromartie worry about child support for his zillion kids.

18.   Don’t think L.T. just stands for Lawrence Taylor anymore in New York.  It’s now Ladaniian Tomlinson.

19.   Don’t worry about Tom Brady hating the Jets.  Hate the Patriots right back.

20.   Don’t worry about putting just one receiver on Revis Island.  Put the other wideout on Cromartie Island.

21.   Don’t worry about being the “Sanchise.”  Just worry about getting better each week.

22.   Don’t care that Belechick quit as HC of the NYJ.  Just go out and order a Belechicken dinner.

23.   Don’t pay attention to Joe Namath’s Tweets.  If you play well, the Tweets will be nicer.

24.   Don’t be the iconic figure of the franchise and get hammered on the sideline and try to kiss a NFL Reporter ala Suzy Kobler.

25.   Don’t have Rex Ryan kiss Tom Brady’s rings.

26.   Don’t worry that David Harris doesn’t have a contract extension.  He’s playing for a big one this year.

27.   Don’t worry that we didn’t sign Faneca.  We secured D’Brick and Mangold for a long, long, long time.

28.   Don’t worry how many times Rex drops an F-bomb.  Who F**King cares.

29.   Don’t worry who will be next to make the Ring of Honor.  Just win the Super Bowl and there will be a ton of you up there.

30.   Don’t worry that one of the most hated Dolphins is a Jet (Jason Taylor).  He’s playing great like another hated Dolphin converted to green ala Bryan Cox.

31.   Don’t worry about Peyton Manning for the playoffs.  That’s why we brought in Cromartie and Pool, as well as drafting Wilson, to go along with Revis.

32.   Don’t care about not making it back to the Super Bowl in 40+ years.  When we get there, it will be that much sweeter.

33.   Don’t think about the old Giants Stadium.  Just stare happily at the new parking lot that Jimmy Hoffa is buried under.

34.   Don’t keep on bringing up that we should have kept Thomas Jones.  Ladanian is playing great.  Thomas who?

35.   Don’t just focus on Ground n’ Pound.  Just move the ball.  Get first downs.  And score!

36.   Don’t need to color code Sanchez’ play calling anymore!

37.   Don’t know if Jets Big Daddy (Section 122 of the old stadium) is alive anymore but hope he’s seeing this young season.

38.   Don’t pose for any more GQ spreads.  Cough, couch Mr. Sanchez.

39.   Don’t remember the last few Jets tight ends that couldn’t catch: Jolley, Becht, Brady.  We finally have one that does – Keller.

40.   Don’t just think how great the Sack Exchange years were.  This current defense is just as good, if not better. 

41.   Don’t continue to think about past Jets heartbreak (we’ve all been there.)  This is NOT those “Same Ole Jets.”

42.   Don’t hate Eric Mangini.  He made a stupid trade for his team which allowed us to draft our much needed franchise QB.

43.   Don’t think about the Jets having blown 10 or more point leads the last two AFC Championship Game appearances.  Third time will be a charm.

44.   Don’t even bring up the fact that we were 1 pick short of drafting Brett Favre and settled on Browning Nagle.  That was then.

45.   Don’t ever hand out Shrek ears again to fans entering the stadium.  I know that was a while ago but that was dumb.

46.   Don’t mess with The Terminator (John Connor).

47.   Don’t laugh when you hear the name “Woody Johnson.”  Yes…I’m VERY immature.

48.   Don’t mock the Jets Flight Crew!  They are so talented in what they do.

49.   Don’t date Bridgette Neilsen.

50.   Don’t rough the QB deep in their own end on 3^rd and 10.

51.   Don’t bring guns in the trunk of your car to the stadium ala Damien Robinson

52.   Don’t smoke pot during the season and if you do, don’t get caught…cough, cough Shawn Ellis.

53.   Don’t be using Twitter on the sidelines.

54.   Don’t wear those ugly Blue & Yellow Titans uniforms anymore.  We are GANG GREEN.  NOT BIG BLUE !

55.   Don’t EVER watch the movie “Heidi.”

56.   Don’t “Guarantee” anything.  That only works once.

57.   Don’t forget Dennis Byrd, a true inspiration forever.  Rise & Walk !

58.   Don’t play passive but be weary of potential concussions ending your career early ala Wayne Chrebet and Al Toon.

59.   Don’t fall for a fake spike play.  Grrrrr to Mr. Marino.

60.   Don’t worry about picking the groceries.  Our grocery cart is currently stocked.

61.   Don’t think about the Mud Bowl or the Tuna Bowl; focus on the Super Bowl.

62.   Don’t  pass the ball and stop the clock when the other team is out of timeouts before the two-minute warning unless it’s a second or two before half-time again.

63.   Don’t say J.E.T.S. stands for Just End The Season.  It now stands for J.E.T.S. – Just Expect The Superbowl !

64.   Don’t sexually harass female international reporters again.

65.   Don’t, if you play the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the playoffs, attempt a FG too far out where the percentages are not in your favor.

66.   Don’t be like Eric Barton and make a bonehead play at a crucial moment in a huge game!

67.   Don’t bring in a soccer player to try and play football ala Tony Meola.

68.   Don’t worry if you fail to make it in the endzone on 4^th and 1 with a QB sneak on the last play of the game; celebrate anyway to maybe get the TD call.  (See Phantom TD)

69.   Don’t worry if you make a poor shovel pass resulting in a turnover.  It will never amount to the infamous Bubby Brister play.

70.   Don’t let it bother you that the Jets don’t currently have a cereal in their name.  Chrebet Crunch was never that yummy anyway but much better than Flutie Flakes.

71.   Don’t believe the hype of a Sophmore QB jinx.

72.   Don’t laugh at Rex Ryan’s svelte figure since his lap-band surgery.

73.   Don’t let Paul McGuire, wherever he may be, say “the Jets won’t win another game this year.”  Don’t want that to happen again.

74.   Don’t proclaim 51-45 and the Monday Night Miracle as the best Jets home games.  Go out and HOST the AFC Championship and WIN which would then be the “Best Game.”

75.   Don’t fumble away sure wins like Blair Thomas did.

76.   Don’t have remote control airplanes as the half-time show. (Remember the “Flying Lawnmower Game”)

77.   Don’t believe that Flash Gordon was really a quarterback of the New York Jets despite what he says.

78.   Don’t relax too much during a bye week unless trying to heal an injury.

79.   Don’t think about “What Ifs”, think about “What can be” !  Example: What if we drafted Marino or was able to draft Favre? What if Parcells coached another year?

80.   Don’t let a game’s outcome be dependent on a “gift.”  We already got our “gift” this year in Denver.

http://khbirdmantalkingjets.blogspot.com/

Go back to Jets Fan Spot 

 

 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
30-40 Career practice squader 
20-30 No NFL future 
0-20 No football future 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
30-40 Career practice squader 
20-30 No NFL future 
0-20 No football future 

 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Priority free agent

By Michael J Morris 

As the pre-season comes to a close – even though I think it should be over with already – the San Francisco 49ers look to take care of a few things before week one kicks off.

DT Aubrayo Franklin was an instrumental part of the 49ers defense last year and ended up being an integral part of the 49ers frontline.  The 6-foot-1 317-pound Franklin plugged up the line last year recording 36 tackles, two sacks and found himself an interception.  Un-like the departed Kentwan Balmer, Franklin’s hard work is what has brought him to this league and it is what will keep him on the 49ers.

“It’s the work ethic. It’s the intelligence. It’s the physical work combined with the mental work,” said D-line Coach Jim Tomsula. “The guy’s a worker. I mean, he works, he’s in here, he’s on film, he’s on scouting reports. He’s on everything. He just works.”

Franklin has been a valuable piece to the growing 49ers defense, but there is one area of 49ers training camp that has yet to be decided, and that’s who will be returning kicks come the start of the season.  The 49ers return game has struggled in recent years with players like Allen Rossum and Arnaz Battle filling in for one another for special teams. 

Going into training camp my thought was that the acquisition of Ted Ginn Jr. was meant to fill that void, but by the looks and sounds of it, the 49ers are hesitant to give him the gig.  The question isn’t whether he would be able to handle it, the 49ers would just rather he be the third wide-out for the offense.

In last week’s game against the Vikings Bobby Guillory handled the five punts and both kickoff returns during the Sunday night game.  Ginn, Dominique Zeigler, nor 6^th-round pick Kyle Williams touched the ball on special teams.  If the 49ers refuse to let Ginn handle the return game in pre-season he won’t be ready during the regular season and for a team looking to improve an area that has suffered, they’ll need to figure it out within the next two weeks. 

I would look for Williams and or Zeigler to return kicks this weekend in Oakland, as Guillory failed to impress a week ago.

According to Phil Barber of the Press Democrat, Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook, and Michael Crabtree are all expected to play. Alex Smith and his starting offensive line are believed to play the entire first half.  Singletary was uncertain as to who would be coming in for Smith.  Nate Davis has looked good in camp so my guess is that he’ll be the first replacement for Smith on Saturday.

Summary of injuries: CB Shawntae Spencer (hamstrings), C David Baas (stinger) and T Alex Boone (dehydration) returned to practice but Vernon Davis (knee), ILB Matt Wilhelm (headaches), T Barry Sims (oblique), TE Tony Curtis (quad) and OLB Brandon Long (knee) will remain on the sidelines.

http://michaeljmorris.wordpress.com/

 

 

By Michael Morris 

The San Francisco 49ers’ draft wasn’t sexy but they were able focus on an area that warranted attention.  Quarterback protection has been a struggle for the 49ers recently and with additions of Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, the 49ers will be able to get a better idea of what Alex Smith can or can’t do.  (The following words may not be suitable for viewers under eighteen.)

“With the first pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Alex Smith.” 

It seems as though every year is the year where 49ers fans and football minds alike give the former Utah quarterback a chance to prove himself worthy of that number one pick.  A draft in which 28 Pro Bowler’s were drafted or signed after going undrafted behind him.  Smith has shown sparks of potential but sparks are not what will keep you in this league.  With another year under offensive-coordinator Jimmy Raye, it has come time for Smith to prove himself and if he fails to impress this season; his journey with the 49ers may be over before he knows it.  After the departure of J.T O’Sullivan and Shaun Hill, the quarterback depth took a hit, so the 49ers went out and signed well-traveled quarterback, David Carr.

“I think the biggest thing is just the similarities in them both being the first pick, both having a tough time really getting their career started,” said Coach Singletary. “From that standpoint I think there (are) a lot of common issues that they can talk about. In terms of the other, I just think that David Carr is a quiet, confident guy that’s continuing to grow in our system, and I’m sure that Alex can talk to him about some of the bumps along the way that are still in front of him.”

One of those Pro Bowler’s selected behind Smith in 2005 was Frank Gore. 

Gore, who was taken with the first pick in the third round and hasn’t slowed down since taking over for Kevan Barlow in the latter part of the 2005 season. Although he has battled with injuries, Gore has averaged over 4.2 yards per carry, recorded 32 touchdowns, and rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons. 

Smith and Gore have been the only constant with the 49ers since 2005 and if Smith doesn’t improve, Gore and the 49ers may move on without him.

Last year the 49ers selected Michael Crabtree with their first-round pick.  Although agreeing on a deal wasn’t as easy as they would have hoped. Crabtree was able to catch 48 balls in just 11 games.  A year under his belt and a full helping of games should lead to a stronger year out of the 49ers offense. 

On the other side of the ball the 49ers have shown substantial improvement going from lower tier embarrassment to one of the superior defenses in the league.  Last season they allowed only 17.6 points per game, the fourth best in the league.  That turnaround is thanks to Coach Mike Singletary and the about-face he has willed upon his team. 

Defensive anchor, Patrick Willis may have found the Dave Duerson to his Mike Singletary.  The 49ers were able to draft Taylor Mays with their No. 49 selection, a pick nobody with the 49ers expected him to be at.

“I think when you look at the film and you see the guy, he’s back 20 yards, it’s pretty amazing,” Coach Singletary said. “When he came in and we had him for the interview there were just some things that he was just not asked to do. Sometimes, I think as coaches, you assume that they can’t do it. But I’m excited about him. Anytime you find a guy that has the intangibles that he does, just the ability to move and being able to have the range that he has…He wants to be a great football player, and he wants to be a 49er. That’s really huge and I’m very excited about that.”

Singletary and the 49ers were forced to handle some issues recently, with the early retirement of Glen Coffee and the distraction that was Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers look to leave that stuff behind them and focus on the season.  Balmer, who was drafted with a late first-round pick two years ago, was traded within the division to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round pick.  Brian Westbrook has dealt with injuries the last few years but will find himself filling in for the newly retired Coffee.

With a solid defense and the weapons in place, the 49ers should be able to find themselves a playoff spot for the first time in eight years.  If Smith is unable turn those sparks into flames, he may find himself smoking on the sidelines.  Or maybe he’ll be sippin’ on some ‘purple drank’ with JaMarcus.

http://michaeljmorris.wordpress.com/

 

9/3/11: Alex Smith has looked absolutely awful this preseason. Maybe he hasn’t been that bad, but his offensive line isn’t doing him any favors either. They played horrifically and that was one part of this team that they were counting on to be at least decent. They have the playmakers offensively, Frank Gore, Braylon Edwards, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree, but if they line and quarterback can’t play well, their offense won’t function well. Defensively, they’re a barren waste field for the most part. This is my pick for the worst team in the league. 

In the prime of the Mike Singletary era (by prime, I mean when people actually thought this team had a shot at making the playoffs), this team was known for its defense. However, the offense has somehow become the team’s best unit and no, it’s not because the offense got that much better. Alex Smith is still their quarterback so that should be all you need to know about that.

Their defense was absolutely ravaged by free agency. They lost 4 starters on defense. Aubrayo Franklin is gone. Takeo Spikes is gone. Nate Clements is gone. Manny Lawson is gone. Lawson will be the easiest to replace. The 49ers spent the 7^th overall pick on Aldon Smith and besides, Lawson was never that great. He never fit the 49ers 3-4 defense because he couldn’t rush the passer to save his life. Smith will be learning a new position and will be hurt by the lockout, but he could lead this team in sacks this season.

In order to replace Aubrayo Franklin, the 49ers are moving Isaac Sopoaga from defensive end to nose tackle, while the mediocre Ray McDonald, who somehow got a 5 year deal this offseason, will start at defensive end. They also plan to use Ricky Jean-Francois, a very inexperienced player, at both positions. They’ll really miss Franklin’s run stuffing, a huge part of the reason why they were 2^nd in the league against the run last year.

Another run stuffer they’ll miss is Takeo Spikes at middle linebacker. Spikes is an older player, but he was still an above average run stuffer last year. The 49ers will try to replace him with Navorro Bowman, a 2010 3^rd round pick, who played alright in limited action as a rookie.

Possibly their biggest loss defensively, however, is Nate Clements. Clements wasn’t worth what they were paying him, but he was their best defensive back. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Carlos Rogers, a marginal and injury prone player. They don’t have a lot of depth. Phillip Adams, a 7^th round pick in 2010, will play in the nickel, while rookie 3^rd round pick Chris Culliver figures to be the 4^th cornerback.

Shawntae Spencer, a marginal player, will move to the left side to be their #1 cornerback, which should be a very bad thought for 49er fans. Spencer allowed a 70.1% completion rate and 4 touchdowns to 3 interceptions last season as the #2 cornerback. He’ll be even worse as the #1 guy. They could be the worst team against the pass next year with their lack of talented pass rushers and defensive backs.

In fact, you could make a case that Patrick Willis and Justin Smith are their only two proven, talented defensive players. Aldon Smith and Navorro Bowman have upside, but those are the only two proven, talented defensive players. Smith, a massively underrated player, starts at the 3^rd defensive line spot next to McDonald and Sopoaga. Smith led the team with 8.5 sacks and 39 quarterback pressures last season and is also a beast against the run.

Willis, meanwhile, is properly rated, but that doesn’t many he’s not an amazing player and arguably the best linebacker in the league. He should once again play like one of, if not the top middle linebacker in the league. Joining Willis at linebacker will be Navorro Bowman, their 2^nd middle linebacker, Aldon Smith, their top rush linebacker, and either Parys Haralson or Ahmad Brooks.

Brooks has never managed more than 6 sacks in a season, while Haralson has only once managed more than 5 in a season. The two combined for 9 sacks last season. Though he wasn’t a starter, Travis LaBoy’s absence will also be felt. LaBoy was only a nickel rusher, but he had 5 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures in only 353 snaps in 2010.

At the safety positions, Donte Whitner, a free agent acquisition is expected to start at strong safety over Taylor Mays, who was recently listed on Craiglist. Whitner was one of the worst coverage safeties in the league last year, but sort of made up for that with strong play against the run. At free safety, a three way battle for the ages (sarcasm) is taking place.

Madieu Williams, another one of the worst coverage safeties in the league last year, is currently winning that battle over the incumbent Dashon Goldson. Young Reggie Smith is likely not going to win it and focus on special teams instead. Goldson isn’t as bad as Williams in coverage, but he’s not great either. He’s a fairly mediocre safety. That’s why no one had any interest in him when the 49ers let him test the open market this offseason.

 

By default, their offense should be their best unit this year. They have an offensive minded offensive Head Coach for the first time in what seems like forever. Jim Harbaugh is an offensive genius, but he’s not a miracle worker so I don’t know how much he can get out of Alex Smith. If Smith struggles, we could see 2^nd round pick rookie Colin Kaepernick, though the 49ers would prefer to wait until 2012 for him to become the starter. Smith has decent talent around him, however.

Frank Gore is a talented lead back who also contributes in the passing game as a receiver. When he inevitably gets hurt, rookie 4^th round pick Kendall Hunter and 2010 5^th round pick Anthony Dixon will split carries. Braylon Edwards will be the #1 receiver. He will be extremely motivated this season and he plays really well when motivated. He didn’t get the long term deal he wanted on the open market. Instead, he got a one year deal with 2.5 million dollars in incentives for making the Pro Bowl. He’ll work his ass off for that 2.5 million and for a long term contract in a more traditional offseason next year.

Talented tight end Vernon Davis gives Alex Smith two talented downfield targets, but Michael Crabtree could struggle this year. Crabtree, once considered a steal at 10 in 2009, is missing his 3^rd straight preseason with an injury. He didn’t work out in the team in the offseason either because he didn’t know who the quarterback was. He’s clearly the 3^rd option on this team, which means he’s not going to catch a lot of balls. Alex Smith isn’t good enough for 3 receivers to get their numbers. That could piss off Crabtree, who has acted like a diva to this point in his career.

The offensive line has its share of problems. One of the 49ers’ rare free agent signings, Jonathan Goodwin replaces David Baas at center. Goodwin was decent last year, but at 33 could easily decline this season, especially with a new team coming out of a lockout. Left tackle Joe Staley is a mediocre talent who belongs on the right side.

Right tackle Anthony Davis, the 11^th overall pick in 2010, was absolutely terrible as a rookie, allowing 11 sacks, 37 quarterback pressures, and committing 10 penalties. He was supposed to be better in his 2^nd year, but he continued to struggle in the 49ers first preseason game. Guards Chilo Rachal and Mike Iupati are the bright spots on this line. Iupati had a strong rookie year and figures to be better this season.

I don’t see a lot of talent on this roster. They have a good offensive minded Head Coach and several talented weapons on offense, but they don’t have the quarterback or the offensive line to be that great of an offense. Meanwhile, their defense was ravaged by free agency and could be one of the league’s worst stop units in 2011, especially against the pass. Their schedule isn’t that hard so they will win some games. Also, somehow this isn’t even the worst team in their division.

Quarterback: D

Running backs: B+

Receiving corps: C+

Offensive line: C-

Run defense: B-

Pass rush: C

Pass coverage: D

Coaching: B

Projection: 3-13 4th in NFC West