Top 10 San Francisco 49ers to Watch in 2010

The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2010 season with high expectations and a variety of interesting story lines. For the first time in nearly a decade, they are the virtual consensus favorites to win their division and return to the playoffs.

In order to make that happen, many things need to fall into place. The defense needs to build on the strong play they have shown in recent seasons. The offense needs to show the improvement that fans and analysts suspect will follow from the continuity of Jimmy Raye returning as offensive coordinator.

In short, the team needs to live up to the hype.

While all 53 men on the eventual roster will be important, especially given the team-oriented approach of head coach Mike Singletary, some players warrant closer scrutiny than others.

Here are ten 49ers I will be keeping a watchful eye on in 2010, and my reasoning behind watching each so closely:

Quarterback Alex Smith #11

It should come as no surprise that the fortunes of the team in 2010 will be tightly tied to the performance (if not outright production) at the quarterback position. Alex Smith will have much to say about that.

After somewhat of a breakout year in 2009, appearing in 11 games with ten starts and throwing 18 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, Alex Smith enters the final year of his current contract as the designated starter before training camp ever begins (a first in his career). On top of that, he will enjoy continuity in the offensive system from one year to the next year for the first time in his NFL career.

As I have pointed out before, the pieces seem in place for Smith to finally prove why he was taken No. 1 overall, if he ever is to do so. He does not need to put up MVP numbers for the team to be successful—merely manage the game and make the smart plays. Given his play last season, the improvements to his surrounding cast, and the strides he has shown in early drills, I expect him to succeed.

But even if he fails, I feel much more comfortable with David Carr behind him than Shaun Hill.

Offensive Tackle Anthony Davis #76

The 49ers made a very emphatic and sizable investment in their offensive line in the 2010 Draft, spending three picks overall (two mid-first rounders) on tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati.

The offensive line was a weak point for the 49ers for the last few seasons. Depth was particularly poor, highlighted by their struggles in 2009 following the Week Three injury to Joe Staley. These towering additions will no doubt serve to rectify this issue, but the question is how soon and how much can they contribute.

Conventional wisdom holds that Mike Iupati will start sooner and play a bigger role than Anthony Davis this coming season. With Joe Staley returning healthy to the line and promising play at times last year from Adam Snyder and Barry Sims, it appears the 49ers would be better served giving Davis more time to mature and learn the blocking schemes.

Still, Davis stands to be a very large (figuratively and literally) piece of the 49ers' future, and the speed of his integration into the offensive line on game days will be a key indicator of the progress the offense is making. Barring having their hand forced by injury, I think the sooner Davis begins contributing on Sundays, the better the team will be moving forward.

If Davis rides out his rookie season without making significant contributions on the offensive line (or without even seeing significant playing time) I think that will be a major disappointment. The last thing the 49ers want is the second coming of Kwame Harris.

Running Back Anthony Dixon #33

Anthony Dixon is not a unique choice among team experts for a player to watch in 2010. Many predict he will soon supplant sophomore back Glen Coffee as the clear No. 2 behind Frank Gore. However, I see him in a slightly different light.

While Dixon's running style has been described as everything from bruising to razzle-dazzle, many assume he will ultimately become a third-down back for the 49ers. However, I think he has the potential to be a truly profound force in the 49er offense.

Dixon has the chance to be the most physically punishing of all backs on the roster, Moran Norris included. While his style may not be so different from Coffee and Gore to be a true change of pace, as pointed out in a previous article, I think he is different enough to keep opposing defenses guessing.

Dixon looks to be powerful, strong, and quick to the hole. If he can learn the offense and Jimmy Raye can develop a plan to use Gore, Coffee, and Dixon effectively, I will be excited to see the results.

Wearing #33 in the San Francisco back field is a big responsibility, but he has the potential to do the number proud.

Tight End Vernon Davis #85

To say Vernon Davis had a break-out year in 2009 would be a gross understatement. His 13 touchdowns tied an NFL record for tight ends and he posted career highs in yards and receptions on his way to a Pro Bowl start.

Davis has also shown great strides in leadership and maturity since being banished from the sidelines in 2008. Since publicly requesting a new contract after the 49ers re-signed All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, Davis has been the picture of professionalism, attending every practice and team activity in the offseason.

While it appears that Davis will at least enter training camp without a new deal, regardless of when (or dare I say if) Davis signs a new contract, his performance will be instrumental to the potential success of the 49ers in 2010. His role in the 2010 offense is not perfectly clear, but I for one am interested to see what transpires.

The 49ers stand not to need to rely on Davis to the same capacity as they did last year. Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, and Anthony Dixon should play larger roles given better offensive line protection, but Davis will still be a key component.

Davis’s leadership, blocking, and potential as a decoy will make him a valuable member of the team even if his pass-catching production dips in 2010. Whether catching touchdowns himself, or plowing the road for teammates, Davis will be a major factor for the 49ers offense.

Wide Receiver Josh Morgan #84

Josh Morgan posted career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2009 (52, 527, and 3 respectively), but that could have been just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

He is a virtual lock to line up opposite Michael Crabtree at the No. 2 wide receiver slot, but just how good can he be? With Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis drawing significant defensive attention from opponents, Josh Morgan could be the benefactor of their impressive 2009 production.

Just like Peerless Price in his days with the Buffalo Bills (when he would lurk in the shadows of Eric Moulds and Jay Riemersma, quietly putting up numbers which eventually led to a trade to Atlanta where he would struggle as a No. 1), Josh Morgan may not have the skills needed to be an effective No. 1 receiver in the league. But when insulated by the headlining heroics of Crabtree and Davis, he could have a great year enjoying the luxury of consistently facing No. 3 or No. 4 defensive backs.

Defensive Tackle Justin Smith #94

Justin Smith surprised many during the 2008 offseason when—as the consensus top pass-rushing free agent available—he signed a deal with the 49ers before even visiting with any other teams. Smith moved into the starting role immediately, and put up respectable numbers (with 128 total tackles and 13 sacks over two seasons), but the 49ers may soon need him to do better.

With nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin planning to play out 2010 under a one-year franchise tag tenure deal, his future with the 49ers beyond 2010 is far from a sure thing. While the team will certainly hope to retain the franchise pass-rusher beyond 2010, it never hurts to have a contingency plan.

Should Franklin decide to test greener pastures in 2011, Justin Smith and Isaac Sopoaga will have to increase their productivity to offset the loss. It is doubtful at best the 49ers could find another true nose tackle as effective in the 3-4 scheme as Franklin.

I look for Smith's performance in the pass rush to be a potential long-term indicator of the 49ers’ future in this facet.

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks #55

By similar logic to Justin Smith, Ahmad Brooks's production will be something to keep an eye on this season. In a 3-4 defense, linebackers are perhaps more critical than even defensive linemen in terms of pressuring the quarterback. The linemen occupy the blockers, freeing the way for linebackers to sweep in and record tackles, hurries, and sacks.

In a 3-4 defense, it is virtually guaranteed a linebacker (or less often, a defensive back) will be rushing the passer on almost every play to supplement the three defensive linemen. In recent seasons, Brooks has shown promise in this area, proving much more productive than outside linebacking teammates Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson. However, he needs to build on this promise in 2010, especially with Franklin's future in question.

Cornerback Nate Clements #22

Since arriving via a sizable free agency contract from Buffalo, Nate Clements has made a few spectacular plays, but all in all has been far from the consistent lock-down corner that drew even the frugal Yorks to sign him prior to the 2007 season.

While many in the 49er Faithful fanbase have grown sour on Clements, calling for the team to bid farewell to him and his large contract, he will be a part of the team in 2010, like it or not. Beyond that, he remains one of the best options the team has at corner back.

After largely failing to address what at times last year was a susceptible defensive secondary, the 49ers' defensive hopes will rest largely with the performance of Nate Clements in 2001. They failed to bring in a start-ready back via free agency or the draft (Taylor Mays is a great prospect, but will contribute limitedly in the near term), and so must hope Clements can return to the form he once showed as a developing back in Buffalo. Since signing with the 49ers, his productivity has curtailed every season, granted he missed nine games due to injury last year.

If Clements can regain his swagger at corner, the 49ers could become a dominant defensive unit. If he cannot, they will remain vulnerable to the deep threat. Furthermore, with Michael Lewis’s long-term health in question, and the acquisition of veteran depth at corner this offseason, I cannot rule out the possibility of Clements transitioning to safety if the need arises, despite heavy speculation to the contrary.

Corner Back Shawntae Spencer #36

Clements's wing man, No. 2 corner back Shawntae Spencer will also play a large role in the ultimate success or susceptibility of the 49ers secondary. While he will more often be paired against the second or third best receiver on the team (as opposed to Clements on the best), he will nonetheless need to be on top of his game to help keep opposing offenses on the sideline as much as possible.

Prior to an injury that cost him most of the 2008 season, Spencer was once a rising star in the 49er secondary and the clear No. 1 corner back on the team. He has the size, speed, and strength to defend the best receivers in the league and spent his college days at University of Pittsburgh practicing daily against Larry Fitzgerald.

Spencer showed some promise returning from his injury last year, posting 53 total tackles with ten passes defensed and two interceptions, but will need to be consistent and dependable this year if the 49ers defense is to be effective against the pass.

Wide Receiver/Kick Returner Ted Ginn Jr. #19

The 49ers started the draft nearly a week early this year, trading their fifth round pick to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver and return specialist Ted Ginn Jr.

The former Ohio State stand-out has struggled in the pro ranks catching passes but has found some success returning kicks. In a game against the New York Jets last year, he became the first player in NFL history with two touchdown kick returns for 100 yards or more each in a game.

Excepting marginal production from Allen Rossum, the 49ers kick return game has lacked consistent credibility since the days of Amos Lawrence, John Taylor, and Deion Sanders. Ginn finally gives them a bona fide threat on special teams, one opposing teams must plan against.

If LeRoy Vann can prove his worth and break onto the roster, it will be very interesting watching the tandem work together in the return game. Coach Sing has also gone on record as saying he expects Ginn to contribute from the wide receiver position. He will need to work on his route running and pass catching, but if he can learn those aspects, his speed should make him a major threat from the slot.

As Coach Sing said of Ginn shortly after the trade, "We're excited to have him . . . He can fly."

Parting Thoughts

The 49ers will ultimately win or lose as a team. Coach Sing will certainly see to that. But some players will be more interesting to keep an eye on than others.

That list is not limited to those featured here, either. I am excited to see how quickly Taylor Mays develops into a complete safety, but do not expect him to make major defensive contributions until at best late in the season. I am anxious to see how Kyle Williams can perform from the slot, how well Nate Byham can plow the road, and how Navorro Bowman fits into the linebacker core, but those may take more time to develop.

This could be a big season for the 49ers, but they need to turn wishful thinking into reality. Every player will have a say in doing that, but some will speak louder than others.

Keep the Faith!