San Francisco 49ers: Arguably The Best 2-7 Football Team You'll Ever Find

For as bad as the 49ers have been under the York's ownership, they have got to have the most talent of a 2-7 team that I have ever seen. 

Yes, we all know about the poor coaching decisions, Dennis Erickson was lousy, Nolan was given too much power and finally got the boot this season.  The promoting of Jeff Hostler to OC in 2007 was a terrible move, and hiring Mike Martz this off-season was a questionable hire as well.

The free-agent signings have been average at best.  Nate Clements was extremely over-paid, 80 million over eight years is way too much money for a corner.  Michael Lewis was also a weak signing, he had lost his job at SS in Philadelphia which was an obvious sign off a decline in ability. 

The signing off Aubrayo Franklin was all on Mike Nolan.  Franklin had played under Nolan with the Ravens and even though he was a backup nose-tackle, Nolan made him out to be a Pro-Bowl caliber defensive tackle.

But despite all that, this team has drafted play-makers on both sides of the ball.  Frank Gore is without a doubt one of the premier running-backs in the NFL, Joe Staley started all 16 games last season as a rookie on the offensive line, and Patrick Willis was the defensive rookie of the year last season. 

The 49ers who have had a much maligned offensive line this year, have actually drafted well at that position.

In 2005 everyone was hyped up over Alex Smith being the first selection in the draft, but having the first pick also gave them the 33rd overall selection.  The 49ers selected C/G David Baas out of Michigan. 

Baas is just now starting to get playing time this season but is one of those mean, in-your-face, character guys that head coach Mike Singletary is looking for.  The 49ers' second round selection this year was guard Chilo Rachal.  Rachal, out of USC, never allowed a single sack while playing for the Trojans. 

Last week against the Cardinals he got into the game for the first time this season.  He only appeared to play one series, but he was the lead blocker on a toss to Gore, and his block sprung Gore free for a seven to eight yard gain.

Last week, the first game that the 49ers started Shaun Hill and went with an in-your-face, physical approach, they took the division leading Cardinals all the way to the game's final play.  

This team isn't very far off from where they need to be to make the playoffs.  Granted any chance for playoffs this year was wiped out last week, looking toward next year, they only need a few tweaks.

Draft/Sign a young corner-back to compliment Nate Clements, as Walt Harris has clearly lost a step.  Draft/Sign a premiere defensive end.  Assuming the Niners receive a high selection in the upcoming draft, they should choose the big-name defensive end.

If none is available, draft offensive line.  Preferably another tackle, a solid young right-tackle to either start or sit behind Jonas Jennings until Jennings gets hurt.  An offensive line that boasts the likes of Staley-Baas-Heitman-Rachal, and a solid rookie, or free-agent would be one solid offensive group.

As for the quarterback position, most of you know where I stand on that one, let Shaun Hill carry this team.  If there is a young quarterback in the draft/free agency or via trade that is out there, then look into it, but for the love of god don't waste the first round selection on another quarterback.  The Patriots' Matt Cassel might be a possibility next year, but for now, let Shaun Hill run this team.

The reasons you can let a career third-stringer like Hill quarterback this team are 

A) Frank Gore

B) Frank Gore

C) Frank Gore

See this is why the hiring of Mike Martz was (in my opinion) such a terrible move.  Martz runs a pass-happy offense and clearly the 49ers' don't have the personnel to run that type of offense.  They need to give Frank Gore the ball at least 20 times a game.  Each game Gore has had at least 20 carries, the 49ers have either won, or had a chance to win in the fourth quarter.

If Mike Martz can get down with the fact that this is going to be a running football team that pounds the rock over 30 times a game, maybe he could remain as offensive coordinator next season.  If he can't, he better get the heck out of San Francisco.

This team should not be 2-7, they have too much talent to have such a terrible record.

They had a nine-point second half lead against Philadelphia. They were a JTO TD away from going into half-time tied against the defending Super-Bowl Champion Giants, only instead JTO threw an interception into a double-coverage. They only lost to the Patriots by nine, and at one point were only down by six in the fourth quarter.

This team is so close.  If they continue this style of play under Singletary, and the 49ers ownership group decides to do the right thing and hire him as long-term coach, I see a bright future for the 49ers.