San Francisco 49ers: Can This Team Become the NFC's Best in 2012?

Trust me, let me save you the trouble. Don't go rushing for your calendars, it's not 2002.

The title of this article, however, does ask a question that is suddenly full of validity. Prior to last season, Steve Mariucci's final season as head coach was the last time San Francisco sniffed any parts of the playoffs (or a double-digit win season). Asking if the 49ers would be the NFC's best any time after that would only result in several blank stares—followed by hysteria in the form of frantic laughter. 

But not today. 

Enter Harbaugh, a killer defense, the new Alex Smith, a playoff victory, "The Catch III," and you suddenly have what every avid sports debater needs:

Ammunition.

But before you jump into battle, make sure you have your bullet proof vest, because the rebuttals and pessimists are looming. It won't be easy to convince non-believers, but these five points will prove that the San Francisco 49ers can and will be the NFC's Best in 2012.

Walsh 2.0...I Mean, Jim Harbaugh

Ok, a bit of an over-the-top slide title, but let's be honest, what Harbaugh did last year was simply miraculous.

No one gave San Francisco a chance, no one. Sure, the 49er Faithful were delighted with the Harbaugh hire, but the same could be said of Mike Nolan—and Mike Singletary—and even Dennis Erickson.

So why have such an auspicious outlook on Harbaugh?  

I didn't, initially. I had been burned so many times before. Optimism poured into my heart year after year, only to have it slowly and painfully drained out with each interception, each fumble, each missed assignment, each loss.

But Walsh 2.0, I mean, Harbaugh, gave us 49er faithful something we hadn't had in a long time—results. And lots of them. I watched every snap, and with each "hike" I braced myself for something bad to happen. But to my delight, I kept waiting. 

In 2011, Harbaugh became the third 49ers coach to win the AP Coach of the Year Award (Dick Nolan 1970, Bill Walsh 1981). We watched him turn embattled QB Alex Smith from a scapegoat into a near Pro Bowler. He crafted scheme after scheme, and outsmarted savvy coaching veterans week after week. The resurrection of San Francisco began the moment Harbaugh signed his contract. He did all this as a first year coach faced with the constrictions of a lockout.  

Listing Jim Harbaugh as a key point to the 49ers' "NFC-best" argument is a no-brainer—it's simply my job to acknowledge it and move on.

The Return of All 11 Defensive Starters

The San Francisco 49ers' defenders established themselves as one of the most dominant units in the league. Vic Fangio did a spectacular job in his first year, propelling an already promising unit into elite status. Trent Baalke could have opted to replace Carlos Rogers with a younger corner or let Ahmad Brooks walk, but often times the best move is no move.

Resigning Rogers, Brooks, and franchising Dashon Goldson can be logged into the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" category. 

The 49ers led the league in turnover differential (+28), were second in points allowed (14.3), and first in rush defense (77.3 yds/game), so there isn't much to complain about defensively. 

They didn't allow a rushing touchdown until they ran into beast mode in the second to last game of the season. 

San Francisco was, however, in the middle of the league in stopping opponents on third down. It still is easy to see that the best move is keeping this terrorizing unit just how they are. 

The Pre-Draft Additions

While the defense was the 49ers' strength, the offense was, to say the least, a liability—particularly on third down. For as great as San Francisco was last year, they just couldn't score touchdowns. 

Need evidence? Look no further than the 49ers' Pro Bowl kicker, David Akers. 

Just last year, Akers set the NFL record for most points in a season (166), most games with four-plus field goals (6), and most field goals in a single season (44). 

I am a huge Akers fan, and his story is amazing, but this is indisputable evidence towards the 49ers' lack of offensive abilities.  

This is why most of San Francisco's additions were on the offensive side of the ball. They added Josh Johnson to light a fire under Smith and Kaepernick. Brandon Jacobs was added to hopefully cure their redzone woes, and Mario Manningham and Randy Moss were brought in to bolster a below average receiving corps.

The only glaring need that seems to remain is right guard, as starter Adam Snyder bolted for Arizona.

Even if these additions don't yield top-notch results, they almost assuredly will help improve San Francisco's offensive struggles. This is how good teams get better, they address their issues so that when draft time comes around, they can stock for depth and bring in competition via the grossly over-used "best player available" saying. 

Continuity

Jeff Fisher was promoted to interim coach with six games remaining in the 1994 NFL season. I was 9 years old. He was relieved of his duties just last year (I'm 27 now). You do the math. For a coach to be constant that long is unheard of. 

When I think Jeff Fisher, I think stability (Well, now I think division rival who I'd love to see fail miserably, but that's a different article). 

Alright, I know what you're thinking. Allow me to make the connection...

The point is, continuity is one of the most underrated factors in all of sports--particularly in football, the ultimate team sport.

The 49ers have had a different offensive coordinator in EVERY year since 2005. Sometimes two in a season. Imagine if your job changed dramatically every single year. New rules, new bosses, new procedures, new objectives, new playbook (well, you get the picture). 

They've also had several head coaching and defensive coordinators during this time span (not to mention the positional coaching changes). This alone is a recipe for disaster.

That won't happen this year. 

This time, the 49ers will have the opportunity to build instead of rebuild, something that will be undervalued but will pay tremendous dividends for a team that has lacked such stability.  

Competition? What Competition?

When you really think about it, who will compete with this team next year? 

The Saints? 

The same team that has a suspended head coach, no GM, a QB prepping to holdout, several defensive starters who are surely to be suspended, and a loss to the 49ers at full strength? 

The Packers? 

The same team that struggled against physical defenses that were inferior to that of the 49ers'? And couldn't even reach the opportunity to play San Fran?  

Will someone in their division stop San Francisco? 

(Pauses, gives you time to finish laughing.)

The "Dream Team?"

Sorry, already beat them.

What about the defending World Champions? 

Here's my response to that: They won't fumble punts again.....

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