Five Players Needed To Make the 'Niners Offense Work

Smith signed a two-year deal to play right tackle for the 49ers. He brings to San Francisco his massive 6-5, 321-pound frame, experience with being in a run-oriented scheme, and injury problems.

Smith has missed a total of 15 games the past two seasons. He was limited to five games last season with the Super Bowl champion Steelers.

The two-time Super Bowl winner played on Steeler offenses known for running the ball. With the 49ers planning to use the ground game more, Smith brings in 10 years of experience with run blocking.

Smith, however, needs to stay healthy to help the ground attack work.

Coffee was one of the reasons why Alabama turned its tide and made a run at the SEC title.

The 6'0", 209-pound running back brings versatility to the 49er offense with his running and catching ability.

Unfortunately, Coffee won't start. It's kind of hard to win the starting running back position with Frank Gore on the roster.

Yet in the era of the two-running back scheme, Coffee should get a chance to take the load off of Gore. He can get up to 10-15 carries a game.

When Gore is not on the field, this Coffee will be needed to keep the 49ers offense awake.

Gore is obviously the key that starts the ignition for the offense.

With the Niners looking to pound the rock, Coach Singletary is hoping his running back reverts to his 2006 form.

That season saw Gore lead the NFC in rushing with 1,695 yards and his first pro bowl appearance.

Gore's numbers have tailed off the past two seasons. He rushed for 1,102 yards in 2007, then was mostly ignored by Mike Martz en route to 1,036 yards.

However, new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has already bought into Singletary's running philosophy. With this in mind, you should expect Gore to be utilized a lot more this time around.

Gore will need to make this offensive engine roar if he wants to recapture his 2006 form.

Since Terrell Owens' departure in 2003, the 49ers have not had any star power at wide receiver.

Also missing since T.O.'s debacle in 2003, a receiver catching more than 61 passes in a single season.

49er fans are probably hoping that Michael Crabtree doesn't end up like T.O, even though the Texas Tech star can be very cocky.

But if Niner fans want to see excitement and explosion on offense, they need Crabtree to put up T.O. like numbers for the 49ers.

Even though the 49er offense isn't anything like the Red Raider offense, Crabtree should still see the ball coming his way.

We'll see if he provides star power in the NFL and not become a T.O. like problem in the Bay Area.

The 49ers might give you the notion that they can trust Shaun Hill. Or do they?

For starters, he's 7-3 in the past two seasons. He was the quarterback behind San Francisco's late season surge in 2008. He also had a touchdown to interception ratio of 13-8 in the eight games he played.

However, Hill does have his skeptics.

For one, he lacks a big arm. That will be a concern if he tries going deep to Michael Crabtree, Isaac Bruce or any 49er receiver.

Another reason, he still faces competition.

Alex Smith is still around and he even took less money to remain a 49er. They also drafted Nate Davis to intensify the quarterback position.

And finally, the 49ers were looking into adding another quarterback.

The team flirted with Kurt Warner and even was rumored to be interested in Michael Vick.

Hill is penciled in to be the starting quarterback for now. However, if he flops, the 49ers will have some indecision's about who plays behind center.

They will either trust him with the offense or his small arm strength will prove he's not trustworthy.