The defense struggled to stop people, mainly because they got no help from the offense. Turnovers and a lack of yardage put the 49ers' defense against their backs in 2007. This defense rarely played with a big lead. While this defense will never be confused with the 2000 Ravens, they need a better offense to realize their full potential.
On offense, Frank Gore took a step back in 2007, due in part to injuries. He had 1,102 yards and five touchdowns. They were hoping for the 1,695 and eight touchdowns he gave them in 2006. With the passing game the 49ers have in place, they will need him to get back to his 2006 numbers if they want to win more than five games in 2008. DeShaun Foster was a very good signing that should give them good depth at the running back position.
Mike Martz has been brought in to fix the offense. Isaac Bruce was a good signing, as he is familiar with the system and can help mentor the younger guys. Vernon Davis has all the tools to be an All-Pro tight end. It will be interesting to see how Martz utilizes his talent, given his history of not using tight ends in his pass-heavy offensive scheme.
Weaknesses: This was not the worst offense I ever saw. The 2006 Oakland Raiders and their 168 points scored take that honor. 49er fans will remind me their 2005 product may have been worse than 2007. But this offense was so bad on so many levels.
The offense scored more than 20 points on just two occasions (21 against Tampa Bay and 37 against Arizona). When you consider Tampa played their backups most of that game, you can understand why this team struggled to win games in 2007. Their offensive production was horrific.
In my opinion, QB Alex Smith is a major bust. Part of that is because he plays in a new offensive-system every year. Part of the reason is that he plays so bad that he helps the offensive coordinator get fired every year. To label a guy a bust at 24-years old may seem premature to some people.
However, he is entering his fourth year. There gets to be a point where a guy is no longer a young player, but rather just a bad player. He has a career 63.5 QB rating in 30 career starts. He had two touchdown throws in seven starts in 2007.
The game appears to be played at a speed that is too fast for him, at a time when it should have already slowed down. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers go with Shaun Hill, or if they give Alex Smith the entire season to show if he has what it takes to play in this league.
The 49ers don’t have much in the way of targets. Bruce is an upgrade, but his best days are clearly behind him. Bryant Johnson has been a third receiver the majority of his career. It remains to be seen if he can carry an offense. Battle and Lelie are not players that have proven they can contribute on offense.
This is a very thin receiving corps, which does not allow Martz to run the offense he would like to run.
Prediction: There just aren’t a lot of good things to say about this team right now. It amazes me that a team that was so successful in the '80s and '90s has fallen on such hard times. Even Joe Montana and Steve Young seem like ages ago. Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens do not. The 49ers went 22-10 in 2001 and 2002. They made the playoffs both season. Since then, 7-9 is the best they have done.
Mike Nolan is a good defensive coordinator that just hasn’t been able to get an offense in place. Part of that is Alex Smith. That was the quarterback the 49ers drafted in his rookie campaign. hether it is Nolan’s fault that Smith hasn’t developed, or Smith’s fault that Nolan’s offenses can’t score is an interesting debate. It is most likely a little of both.
The 49ers have finished last in the NFL in yards gained two out of his three years, so it couldn’t be much worse than it is right now. This team has very little offensive firepower.
I think Gore and the defense give them a chance to win a few games. I like the fact that they play the AFC East and the Rams twice. That gives them a chance to be competitive in some of their games. The bottom line, though, is that you need offense to win in the NFL, and the 49ers just don’t have enough of it to compete week in and week out.
Their defense is solid, but not like the 2005 Bears, where it can carry a nonexistent offense. I look for more of the same in 2008. I think the 49ers finish 4-12, end the Mike Nolan era, and look forward to their next rebuilding project.
San Francisco 49ers’ Record: 4-12—NFC West fourth Place; No Playoffs
Derek Lofland is the NFL director for Fantasy Football Maniaxs.com
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