The 49ers have finished training camp and followed up with a 3-1 preseason, and now prepare for the grueling 16-game regular season schedule. Let\'s take a look at the defending champs and see how they fall out.
Mike Nolan decided to hang up the clipboard following the 49ers 3rd straight Super Bowl victory. Stepping into his place is a familiar face - former 49er assistant coach Jon Gruden. Gruden was an assistant coach under Bill Walsh many years ago, and just got fired from the Buccaneers head coaching job he held for many years. Gruden is excited about the talent he is inheriting and looking forward to continuing the 49ers long string of success.
Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Darrell Jackson all return to lead the returning #1 offense in the NFL. Smith won his second straight MVP award after throwing for over 4500 yards and 50 TDs last year and looks forward to the familiar faces surrounding him. Gore rushed for over 1900 yards and 23 TDs and was also the team\'s 2nd-leading receiver with 48 catches. Davis led the NFL with 21 TD catches last year and also had over 1200 yards receiving. Jackson only caught 29 passes last year but still managed to turn 10 of them into touchdowns.
Jackson is looking forward to mentoring the young WRs around him, including Mario Manningham (over 700 yards receiving and 5 TDs as a rookie last year), Jason Hill (over 340 yards) and new rookie Ramon Johnson out of Michigan. Expect Sammie Stroughter to step in as the #4 WR and share time with Johnson. Fred Davis helps out Vernon Davis with the TE duties as Fred caught a lot of attention last year by hauling in over 20 catches and over 400 yards receiving. FB Jacob Hester returns after earning his 2nd straight Pro Bowl appearance. Hester caught 47 balls last year and scored 10 TDs (7 receiving, 3 rushing) and should be one of Smith\'s main targets again.
The 49ers did not re-sign veteran Larry Allen on the offensive line, but the other 4 Pro Bowlers return. Tackle Jonas Jennings is now joined by David Baas on the left side of the line. Baas should step in and have no problems replacing Allen.
Defensively, the 49ers took OLB David Horn out of Auburn with their 1st round pick this spring and also took several defensive players in the draft to help bolster an already strong defensive unit and solidify the future. DE Jared Cunningham (Ohio State), FS Jayson Gaither (Boston College) and CB Tyler Graham (Georgia) were the other draftees that should see extensive time on the field.
DE Derrick Harvey (NFL-record 36 sacks last year) and MLB Patrick Willis lead the defense into the season. Harvey dominated from the DE spot in only his 2nd season, even while sharing time with veteran Bryant Young, who retired following last season. Willis earned Pro Bowl honors 2 years ago but missed several games due to injury last season. Healthy and ready, Willis should look forward to returning to Hawaii this season.
CBs Nate Clements and Shawntae Spencer return to lead the most honored secondary in NFL history. 5 defensive backs (Spencer, CB Donald Strickland, CB Aqib Talib, FS Dashon Goldson and SS Michael Lewis) earned trips to the Pro Bowl last season, and Clements earned Super Bowl MVP honors last February. Unfortunately, the secondary will be without Goldson for at least the first few games of the season. Goldson suffered a broken hand in the 49ers\' 3rd preseason game and will be out about 4-5 more weeks. Until that time, backup safety Maurice McAfee will step into the starting FS role temporarily.
Rounding out the remainder of the defense includes veteran DE Marques Douglas, DTs Isaac Sopoaga (10 sacks and Pro Bowler last year) and Ronald Fields, and OLBs Tully Banta Cain and Manny Lawson. MLB Derek Smith also returns to play his 13th season in the 49ers 3-4 defense. Expect rookie David Horn and Anthony Felder to also help out at the OLB and DE positions during the season.
On special teams, the 49ers let go of prolific kicker Joe Nedney and looked to build some younger/cheaper foundation for the kickers and punters. Art Carmody and rookie Marcus Randall were signed as free agents and should have no problem stepping in. Jamaal Charles had another great year returning kicks and returns to do so again.
Overall, the 49ers did not lose much and gained some exciting youth that shows the 49ers are not just looking for short-term success - they are looking to keep this amazing run of 3 straight Super Bowl victories alive.
