San Francisco 49ers: Biggest Preseason Battles to Watch

Position battles: every NFL team has them and certainly welcomes them with open arms

Sure, position battles only pose as another problem for the coaching staff to work out; however, they are a problem that any coach wants to have.

These battles bring out the best in players, as it is only natural for an individual to perform at his or her highest level when in direct competition with someone trying to take his or her job.

So thankfully for Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff, the team has plenty of positions that are up for grabs for whoever is most hungry to win a starting spot on the depth chart.

Here are the five most intriguing position battles for the San Francisco 49ers in 2011.

2nd String Running Back: Anthony Dixon & Kendall Hunter

While Anthony Dixon currently sits behind Frank Gore as the 49ers backup running back, many feel a change is imminent .

Dixon is a physical runner who led the SEC in rushing in 2009 and showed some signs of promise in his rookie year in 2010. 

However, Dixon failed to impress anyone in the first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. He looked hesitant every time he touched the ball and only rushed for 16 yards on seven attempts. 

On the other hand, Kendall Hunter looked a little more comfortable on the field and portrayed the look of someone who belongs on the field.

Although 29-yards rushing on seven attempts isn't flashy, Hunter showed that he is capable of being a legitimate complement to Frank Gore out of the backfield.

Hunter was also drafted in 2011 making him Harbaugh's own guy. This will only benefit him as the competition moves forward.

3rd String Cornerback: Chris Culliver & Terrell Brown

If there was anyone who truly opened the eyes of the 49ers coaching staff in the first preseason game, it was definitely Chris Culliver.

He has impressed many in training camp and carried that success onto the field against the Saints by practically shutting down his opposing receiver all game.

Culliver, a former college safety, also has everything you want in a cornerback: size, speed and physicality.

Terrell Brown is also a very capable corner who is thought to be the front-runner for the third-string cornerback position.

With the emerging play from Culliver, expect this to be an entertaining position battle that goes down to the last minute.

1st String OLB: Aldon Smith & Parys Haralson/Ahmad Brooks

For those of you who thought that Aldon Smith was a reach with the seventh pick in the 2011 NFL draft, you may be right.

However, Smith temporary silenced the critics by playing an impressive game against the Saints by recording five tackles and a sack to go along with.

Although reports accuse Smith of having trouble trying to absorb the new playbook, he has made up for it with his high motor and knack for rushing the passer.

The depth chart currently lists him as the backup ROLB to Parys Haralson, but things certainly can change by the time the season starts, and I expect them to.

1st String RG: Chilo Rachal & Tony Wragge

After being picked 39th overall in the 2008 NFL draft, Chilo Rachal has done little to impress with his time on the 49ers.

Rachal has bad feet, non fluid hips, and fails to use his lower body when trying to block opposing defenders.

This is not the makeup of a starting offensive guard for a team who will like to run the ball.

Tony Wragge is an interesting candidate to take over for Rachal's spot on the offensive line. In his few opportunities to prove himself as a capable starter, Wragge ran with it and has opened quite a few eyes in the process. 

If Rachal doesn't learn—and learn quickly—how to become a consistent run and pass blocker, expect Wragge to jump right in and be the teams starting right guard.

1st String Quarterback: Alex Smith & Colin Kaepernick

Yes, it is the matchup that everyone is keeping an eye on: the infamous and widely scrutinized Alex Smith versus the potential savior in Colin Kaepernick.

The lack of a quarterback seems to be a reoccurring theme for the 49ers and it looks like this seven-year trend will continue for yet another season. The preseason game against the Saints more than backed up that assumption.

Even though Alex Smith was thrown around like a rag doll by the New Orleans Saints pass rush, he played heinously by completing two passes in the first quarter.

Colin Kaepernick didn't play too well either and reemphasized the fact that he is truly not ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

To make this battle a little more intriguing, the 49ers are bringing in Daunte Culpepper for a workout to become the potential third-string quarterback.

Even though Culpepper would be trying out for the third-string job, this quarterback competition is wide open and I wouldn't be surprised to see Culpepper bombing some passes down field to Vernon Davis in the near future.