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San Francisco Fantasy Preview: 49ers Offense Surprises In 2010

August 20th, 2010

The 49ers had a respectable season under Mike Singletary’s first full year as head coach. While the record wasn’t spectacular at 8-8, few predicted that San Francisco would reach the .500 mark in 2009.

Expectations are higher this year as the 49ers enter the season as the favorite to win the NFC West. In order for that to happen, quarterback Alex Smith is going to have to continue the strong play that he had in 2009; and the pass defense, their weak link, will need to improve.

The 49ers entered last season with the goal of running the ball heavily and utilizing play action in the passing game. However, after Smith replaced an ineffective Shaun Hill, the team switched to more a spread-based offensive attack with less reliance on the running game. In 2010, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye hopes to find the proper balance that will maximize the strengths of Smith and running back Frank Gore.

After Smith took over at quarterback, Gore became less of a featured player on offense, with 16 or fewer carries in seven of the team’s final ten games. He remains one of the league’s few remaining workhorse backs, however, excelling as a runner, receiver, and pass blocker.

Tight end Vernon Davis finally fulfilled his promise, having a Pro Bowl season in 2009 with 965 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite a holdout that lasted five weeks into the season, wide receiver Michael Crabtree performed well in his rookie season and figures to be a Pro Bowl performer either this season or next.

QB Alex Smith

Smith rebounded from missing all of 2008 and played well last season once he moved into the starting lineup. With Smith starting, the 49ers moved away from the heavily ground-based offense they used early in the season in favor of a spread attack that was better suited to Smith’s ability.

Smith was up to the task, putting up 2,350 passing yards with 18 touchdowns over 11 games after replacing Hill—production that, on a points-per-game basis, equals that of a solid fantasy backup. The 49ers spent a pair of first-round draft picks on offensive linemen Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, and the team features one of the most talented groups of young skill position players in the league in Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree.

The 49ers offense should surprise in 2010, given the young talent on the roster. The ingredients are there for Smith to have a solid fantasy season as well. Draft him as a backup for your squad, but as one with the potential to sneak into starter status.

RB Frank Gore

Once again, Gore shapes up as a top ten running back in all fantasy formats for 2010 because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Since his breakout campaign of 2006, when he accumulated 1,695 rushing yards, 485 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns Gore has been solid.

Gore's talent is undeniable, but he hasn’t approached his 2006 production because of either injuries (2008 and 2009), inconsistent use (2009), or a lack of talent around him (2007). While this may be the year he finally regains his 2006 fantasy form, the better bet based on his history is that Gore will tantalize his owners again, giving them solid but unspectacular production.

With Alex Smith under center, the 49ers will employ the spread offense more in 2010 than last year, which figures to reduce Gore’s touches. While Gore has upside given the upgrades to the offensive line and the talent surrounding him, he doesn’t rate with the consensus top four backs for fantasy purposes. Put it this way: He’s closer to Steven Jackson than he is to the big four.

RB Brian Westbrook

Westbrook is an intriguing player for fantasy purposes, given his history of production and ability to produce in a limited capacity as a receiving threat out of the backfield.

The 30-year-old Westbrook is coming off a season in which he suffered two concussions, causing him to miss eight games. He finished the season with 274 rushing yards and 181 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns – easily his lowest production since his rookie season.

Although Westbrook has hit the dreaded 30-year-old mark for running backs (he will be 31 on opening day), he was productive when in the lineup in 2009, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. However, given his age and injury issues, he is clearly viewed as a backup capable of assuming a change of pace, receiving role and filling in as a starter.

Expect Westbrook to put up reasonable production provided he can stay healthy.

WR Michael Crabtree

Crabtree is coming off of a very solid rookie season and he figures to approach the 1000-yard mark in 2010. With Crabtree, the sky is the limit given his production during a rookie season in which he missed all of training camp and the first five games of the year before stepping right into the starting lineup in week six.

Despite the lack of preparation, he still managed to catch 48 passes for 625 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With a full training camp to gain rapport with quarterback Alex Smith, Crabtree is a breakout candidate in 2010.

However, keep expectations in check since tight end Vernon Davis gobbles up both targets and touchdowns, which limits Crabtree’s fantasy upside.

WR Josh Morgan

Morgan looks the part but seems to lack big play ability. After a great training camp during his rookie season in 2008, Morgan seemed to be a solid prospect for keeper leagues; but he has done little since to suggest that he’s ready to approach fantasy starter status.

Maybe the light goes on in 2010, but with Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis hogging targets, and running back Frank Gore an excellent check-down option, Morgan will not likely get enough looks in 2010 to be relevant for fantasy purposes.

Basically, there’s no chance of him surpassing Crabtree or Davis, so why bother? He’s not worth drafting in all but the deepest leagues.

WR Ted Ginn Jr.

Ah, Ted Ginn.

He runs fast—but too often right out of bounds. He gets open—but too often drops the ball. He makes people miss—but too often makes moves before he has the ball.

Potential is nothing without productivity. After three years, the Dolphins gave up on Ginn; and, after three years, you should too.

While there is the possibility that Ginn will develop into a solid backup wide receiver in San Francisco, he’s equally as likely to be surpassed on the depth chart by Jason Hill or rookie 6th-round pick Kyle Williams. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

TE Vernon Davis

Davis had a huge, unforeseen breakout campaign in 2009 that included 13 touchdowns and helped make him the top fantasy tight end. While Davis has always had exceptional speed, too often he was running the wrong route, missing blocking assignments, and blaming anybody but himself for his mistakes.

However, he put it all together last year, showing a maturity and dedication that didn’t exist previously. While it is difficult to imagine that he can repeat his 2009 campaign, it’s just as difficult to view him as a one-year wonder.

The question is, Do you believe? Here’s the answer: You should. Expect a repeat of his 2009 breakout campaign, but without the 13 touchdowns he had last year.

Dave Stringer is a staff writer at FFToday.com, home of the popular Cheatsheet Compiler & Draft Buddy custom cheatsheet and draft tracking software.

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Posted in Brian Westbrook, Fantasy, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, NFL, Preview/Prediction, San Francisco 49ers, Vernon Davis, alex smith, fantasy football

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San Francisco 49ers: Why Frank Gore Must Watch His Back

August 20th, 2010

In a league that has become known for egotistical diva's that try and squeeze the life out of not only their agents, but every dollar they earn, Frank Gore has fast become one of the more respectable "old school" type players left in the NFL.

For as long as I can remember, Frank Gore has been a terrific running back.  His uncanny ability to throw his weight around, yet still burst through holes in a similar Adrian Peterson type fashion is always a joy to watch, and for a 217-pound running back to be so dominant, it certainly sets the bar high for anyone stepping in as a future San Francisco runner.

But as long as we are talking about Frank Gore's dominance over the years, we may as well talk about his new teammate Brian Westbrook, who was recently signed by San Francisco earlier this week.

When the news first broke that Brian Westbrook was now a 49er, I was a little surprised at first. To begin with, San Francisco already had a rather stocky running back, and secondly, why would such a young offense run by Mike Singletary choose to take on an older runner, who went down with a near season ending injury last year?

Well, that was of course my first opinion. However, when I went on to ponder a little, I instantly came to the same conclusion I reached when the Buffalo Bills drafted C.J Spiller earlier in April. 

Yes, San Francisco has pulled the old motivational push trick. They've decided to draft a runner that will poke Frank Gore in the right direction, and keep him on the straight and narrow.  More importantly, they have also stabilized their offense in case Frank Gore goes down with an injury this season, and leaves the 49ers in a similar position that faced the Atlanta Falcons in 2009.

What stands out to me, and most likely all of you, is why does Frank Gore need a push in the first place?

Last season we saw Frank Gore continue to post great numbers, and once again he reached the 10 touchdown mark on his way to a 1,120 yard season.

The only logical explanation for all of this, is that the 49ers coaching staff want to keep Frank Gore moving at a steady pace.  Gore hasn't been the type of rusher that has slipped off the pace at all, but perhaps now that the 49ers have the best offense they have seen in years, the thinking may be "it's better to be safe than sorry."

Still, Brian Westbrook?  The injured Philadelphia Eagles star that seemed to be a sure pick for retirement, or worse, a career left in the free agency list.

I know it does seem quite out of the blue, but the old timer may still have some talent in him.

For those that don't appreciate Brian Westbrook, you do have to applaud him for his efforts.  He's come back from quite a bad looking injury, and although he is no Wes Welker, he has shown signs that he still wants to be in this league.

As for Frank Gore though, well this may not all be good news.  Given that his stats have been consistent, stable and well balanced over the years, if the 49ers choose to take on a New Orleans Saints two headed running style of old, there may be a race for whose best unfolding before our very eyes.

When it's all said and done it is important to remember that Brian Westbrook was a darn good running back for the Eagles.  And heck, if Brett Favre can perform at his ripe old age, surely Brian Westbrook can too, right?

It would be hopeful to think so.

The most important thing to realize in this situation, is that by no means should the running back position take focus away from Alex Smith. Now that Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati are part of the team, protection will be the key, and it's a definite certainty that both of these running backs can also provide that for Smith this season.

Aside from that, it is also vital that an all out war doesn't erupt between the two.  The 49ers have walked the fine line between winning and losing, and right now they haven't proven anything in the NFL. A small off field issue such as this could disturb the balance, and place the 49ers in a tough position.

Like I said, when the news first broke, it was questionable, but now it all makes sense.  Frank Gore is such a trustworthy running back that it has become almost unimaginable to think of San Francisco with out him.

At the same time though don't count out Brian Westbrook.  He may look like a joke to some fans, but he has the ability to become underrated, and then perform exceptionally well.

The biggest positive to come out of this situation is that Frank Gore has embraced having Brian Westbrook on board.  Some running backs would question this signing, but like the nice guy he is, Frank Gore has taken it lightly.

"I know that we needed another back and he was the best one out there, and we feel that he can help our team," said Gore. "I watched him a whole lot, especially when he was in Philly because he was a guy I had to compete against for yards and receiving yards. He watched me in practice, and I asked him to help me with the things he sees that I can carry over on the field."

For the most part this is a very solid relationship.  The two haven't given each other cute nicknames like Batman and Robin, but there is still time left.

Realistically Brian Westbrook is still behind Anthony Dixon in the roster.  I, like many, question this move, as Anthony Dixon is only a rookie.  However, perhaps the 49ers want to ease Westbrook into the team.

Fortunately for the 49ers they have acquired a running back that has immense knowledge and experience.  This not only does wonders for a team that is looking bound for the playoffs, it is also nice to realize that Frank Gore could actually learn a thing or two, even though it would seem he already knows everything there is.

This duo is by far not the most exciting in the league, but that isn't to say it shouldn't be fun to watch.  Many people loved Brian Westbrook back in his hay day, and there is no reason to stop sharing the admiration.

Hopefully we get to see him play, and if not, at least he has found a team.

As for Frank Gore, he does have some competition, but at least it is friendly.  Going forward this duo should work nicely, and if it doesn't, well Frank Gore should always be the favored starter so there is no need to worry.

 

Ryan Cook is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also an NFL columnist for Real Sports Net and a Green Bay Packers writer for Fan Huddle and PackerChatters. Ryan is also a contributing writer for Detroit Lions Talk, Gack Sports and Generation Y Sports.  Don't forget to follow him on Twitter.



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Posted in Football, NFL, Opinion, San Francisco 49ers, nfc west

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Brian Westbrook Should Have Retired Before Joining San Francisco 49ers

August 20th, 2010

Two concussions in four weeks.

Need I say more?

For all the recent focus on head injuries in the NFL, Brian Westbrook should be at the forefront of this discussion.  Front and center.

On Monday the San Francisco 49ers signed Westbrook to a one-year deal after their former backup running back Glen Coffee suddenly announced his retirement. 

Niners' head coach Mike Singletary made it explicitly clear to Westbrook that Frank Gore would remain the No. 1 back in San Fran, but Westbrook would have opportunities to make it on the field and contribute.

With that said, if you suffer two concussions in four weeks, and your profession is predicated upon being mauled by guys who weigh upwards of 300 pounds, isn't it time to hang those cleats up for good?

One of the better sports articles you'll read this year comes from Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point and Outliers, who wrote nearly 8,000 words about head injuries in the NFL for The New Yorker last October.

Gladwell wrote:

Much of the attention in the football world, in the past few years, has been on concussions—on diagnosing, managing, and preventing them—and on figuring out how many concussions a player can have before he should call it quits. But a football player’s real issue isn’t simply with repetitive concussive trauma. It is, as the concussion specialist Robert Cantu argues, with repetitive subconcussive trauma. It’s not just the handful of big hits that matter. It’s lots of little hits, too.

The NFL, to its credit, has been taking concussions and head injuries more seriously than ever before.  As teams returned for training camp this summer, they were greeted in their locker rooms with new concussion posters that emphasized the importance of reporting head trauma to their coaches.

When news broke in late June that the recently deceased wide receiver Chris Henry suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—"a form of degenerative brain damage caused by multiple hits to the head"—the implications for the NFL became even clearer.

If the 27-year-old Henry, who played one of the least contact-heavy positions in the league, already was suffering from degenerative brain damage, what must be going on in the brains of defensive linemen?  As ESPN's Tim Keown asked, what shape must Ray Lewis' brain be in?

Now, if subconcussive trauma can exacerbate already existing brain damage, wouldn't you think a guy who suffered two concussions in four weeks might be in a higher risk group?

I'm not necessarily saying that Westbrook's guaranteed to get KO'ed two or three more times this season.  In fact, there's a very real possibility that Westbrook makes it through the full season without suffering another concussion.

That's the most dangerous possibility of all.

The concussions brought Westbrook face-to-face with his football mortality…or, at least they should have.  But clearly it wasn't enough to detract him from returning to the game.

What happens if he makes it through this next season without suffering another concussion?  He won't have any sense of the long-term damage he's doing internally.

Just one glance at his comments about joining the Niners speaks volumes about Westbrook's mindset:

"I am fully healthy. In my mind, last year was a tough season for me," he said. "I spent the whole offseason rehabbing, I didn't have time to prepare for the season so I kind of went into the season blind without any preparation at all. So it was a tough year. I was playing catch up the entire season and obviously wasn't able to do that. This year, I've been able to spend my whole offseason preparing for a football season. Now that my body is completely healthy, I'm ready to go out there and perform."

Westbrook's body may be healthy, but two concussions in four weeks suggests that there's already some long-term damage done in his brain.  Will four months of practices and 16 more NFL games help?

Again, I'm not doubting Westbrook's ability to get his body through another full NFL season.  I'm questioning the wisdom in putting his brain in that high-risk situation.  Does he really want to risk becoming a shell of himself to play for a team that'll scrape to be .500 the whole year?

"My No. 1 concern throughout the process was going to a winning team, a football team that was coached by a man I respect and a team that had a winning tradition and players that would be able to achieve that," Westbrook said on Monday night. "I think I found all of those things here in San Francisco. It was a long process but in the end I think it turned out well for me."

No offense to you, Brian, but your No. 1 concern right now should not be football.

It should be your mental health.

And football isn't going to help your brain's longevity.

Here's the only question that Westbrook needs to ask himself: Is it worth risking his long-term future—his ability to grow old, watch his kids grow up, and most importantly, to remember it all—to prove that he's not washed up as a football player?

My money's on "no."  If only his was too.

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Posted in Brian Westbrook, NFL, Opinion, San Francisco 49ers, nfc west

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Will Nate the Great Lead a 49er Repeat of 1981?

August 19th, 2010

Last August, I wrote an article entitled, "Nate Davis, the Next Great 49er Quarterback." 

In the forums, I was roasted.  

"The kid can't read," "the kid can't spell," "the kid is dyslexic," etc. There are insulting remarks about him all over the 49ers' forum. Besides the fact that seemingly nobody can spell or string together more than a couple of logical sentences, it is a source of constant negativity. I like positive.

This was the article I wrote a year ago:

I love Mike Singletary. He is the perfect man for the job of returning the San Francisco 49ers to their former greatness. I especially feel close to the man, quite possibly because we share the same birthdate—October 9. That makes Mike a Libra, a man dedicated to fairness, able to see both sides of the question, and a man to whom "balance" is a key word in any equation.

Mike is now faced with a dilemma. Shaun Hill is a serviceable quarterback, an excellent game manager, a fairly accurate passer with a soft arm, and a leader. Alex Smith came to the 49ers with great physical ability but no natural instincts for the position. Alex continues to take way too long to set up and deliver the ball. He makes very slow decisions which results in a very slow delivery. His passing is scattershot at best and while he has a strong arm, he is and continues to be very inaccurate. The game has never slowed down for Alex. He will NEVER be a reliable quarterback for the 49ers.

Enter Nate Davis. In two games he has demonstrated that he has a rocket arm and makes plays that the other two guys simply cannot; he is mobile and can make throws on the run the others cannot, and he makes excellent decisions. I don't care that he has only faced backups—his ability is right there for all to see.

Most important of all is his poise. In four years, Alex Smith has continually shown that deer-in-the-headlights quality that frustrates 49er fans. Many blame his failure to excel at QB on the 49ers. They say he has been ruined by them due to having too many offensive coordinators, a poor supporting cast, etc. I say that is baloney (bologna to my Italian readers). In reading the forums and comments of many of the newer and younger 49er fans who don't even have a clue as to our winning tradition, beg and plead not to rush Davis into the fray. I read comments saying he's our QB for 2010, 2011, and even 2012.

Come on 49er fans, where is your mojo? Just because Alex Smith fell flat on his face doesn't mean that every rookie QB is incapable of starting in their first season. I think back to the greatest 49er team of all, the 1984 squad that went 18-1, the only loss being on a terrible pass interference call on Eric Wright that gave a game to the Steelers. That squad faced a young 2nd year QB, playing his first full season as a starter—Dan Marino. The year before in his rookie season he had started only 9 games, yet threw for 20 TDs and 2210 yards. In his first full season in 1984, he threw for 5,084 yards and 48 TDs. I remember another rookie QB, Ben Roethlisberger, who had a very successful rookie season.

There is one inescapable fact. If a player is great, he can overcome just about all obstacles. Nate Davis is dyslexic, but hasn't let that stop him. In my opinion, nothing will stop this kid from greatness. Mike Singletary made one very telling observation—that Nate was "too composed," "too calm." That quality is the hallmark of great quarterbacks.

I am now in my 64th season as a 49er fan, having seen every quarterback in Niner history from the great Frankie Albert up to the present and consider myself to be a pretty good judge of quarterbacking talent. Nate Davis possesses the most talent and ability to be seen in a 49er quarterback since Steve Young. It makes no sense to hold him back. We discovered a gem, let's polish it and put it on display.

Attention Mike Singletary—are you listening???

Wow! Deja vu all over again. In 1981, Joe Montana was an untried second year QB playing under a coach in his third season who had built a powerful and relentless defensive squad. In 1981, the offense was not loaded with backfield talent with Lenvil Elliott, Ricky Patton, Johnny Davis, Walt Easley, and Amos Lawrence. The offensive backfield of the current 49ers is MUCH BETTER—with Gore, Dixon, Westbrook, and Robinson as an oh-so-valuable jack-of-all-trades. I still wonder why they haven't played him at safety. He and Mays will terminate the receivers.

At any rate, NATE DAVIS is ready and waiting, and today, FINALLY, Jimmy Raye must have seen what I saw last year—greatness just waiting to come out. Today, he announced that Davis deserved more "representative" reps. In other words, he'll play versus first and second team defenses. If he excels, there is NO WAY Raye or Sing will be able to delay the inevitable any longer. This team will be elite with Davis at QB and average with Smith. Time to cut our losses and get behind this kid with the rocket arm and a heart of steel.

With the solid defense we have and a punishing running game behind a huge offensive line that averages about 325 pounds, all Davis would have to do is manage the game. He demonstrated his natural instincts last week (something Alex has never done) with his rollouts and pump fakes. He is a natural athlete. Why stick with mediocrity?

Anyone who thinks Alex improved last year, I implore you to watch the first half of the Rams game, our last game of the season and Alex's chance to blow the worst team in the league out. 52 yards! That's 52 yards of total offense for the entire first half in what I can honestly say was one of the worst performances EVER by a 49er QB.

We have had mediocrity for a decade. 49er fans deserve better—the players deserve better. Give Nate a chance to prove how good he really is. We're all behind him.

Again, are you listening, Mike?

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Posted in NFL, San Francisco 49ers, nfc west

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San Francisco 49ers: Lessons of the Heart From an Action-Packed Week

August 18th, 2010

 

It became instantly obvious that 49ers head coach Mike Singletary's training camp was no joking matter. There were far more pressing issues for players besides hazing haircuts and carrying pads.

No. Rookies and veterans would find themselves fighting for their health and roster positions within hours of the camp's beginning. As soon as the pads came on, the hitting began. Full contact could wait no longer.

The top two rookies quickly impressed coaches to a point where they would be plugged right into the starting lineup. Starting center Eric Heitmann proceeded to break a leg, which placed wandering guard Davis Bass (who had recently suffered a concussion) smack in the middle of the line.

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks was soon out with a lacerated kidney as well.

Contact continued, the injuries mounted, and several young players were cut. Among them: fan-favorite under-sized kick returner LeRoy Vann.

Linebacker Scott McKillop demolished his knee, landing him on the Injured Reserve list for the rest of the season; Martail Burnett sprained his knee and was waived soon after.

Then came Glen Coffee's heart condition, and I mean his heart wasn't in the game. Coffee shocked The Faithful by announcing his retirement from the NFL after one year. The move was especially puzzling considering the running back had spent most of the off-season in the area, avoided distractions and packed on roughly 20 pounds of muscle.

 

 

Nevertheless, Coffee hit the road, all the best of luck to the young man, whichever direction life takes him.

San Francisco then proceeded to show why they didn't try to persuade Coffee to reconsider by having their second and third strings flatten those of the Indianapolis Colts. Sure they have more Manning, but we've got more hitters.

It was an impressive showing by the 49ers backups, in which rookie Anthony Dixon rushed for 100 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown,  caught another three passes for 22 yards as well. Moreover, he looked real good doing it. The big back did not shy away from contact, did not look like a dear in headlights, and did let a tiny bit of second-string success balloon his ego.

And of course there was the Kentwan Balmer saga. The first-round pick a couple years back produced jack squat over his brief stay in San Francisco, yet seemed to believe he was entitled to more playing time somehow.

Balmer also attracted some unwanted attention from NFL and NCAA authorities when he flew a couple UNC players out to watch the 49ers practice.  Sure, sometimes these rules are ticky-tack and really nit-picky, but they are the rules. Several years ago San Francisco was penalized in the draft for tampering, and this cannot happen again.

So, Balmer can now cry for playing time to Pete Carrol up in Seattle—he was shipped off for a sixth round, but most would have settled for a sack of footballs and a season's worth of Scott's Turf Builder.

 

The roster was at least bolstered by the addition of defensive tackle Will Tukuafu in preparation for Balmer's departure.

The most significant current event for SF, however, has been the acquisition of Brian Westbrook in Coffee's wake.

In Westbrook, the 49ers find an outside runner with hands of gold and (at times) moves that could juke a spider out of its web. I once described a short touchdown by him to my brother as "Poetry at the goal line" because of how he twisted and contorted his entire frame to place the ball in the endzone.

Westbrook brings a veteran presence with him that should also benefit Dixon, and possibly inspire Frank Gore as well.

So what exactly happened over the last week or so? Not much, but a lot. In some ways, call it addition by subtraction. Every week, it seems like the percentage of players whose hearts are definitely in it goes up, and the likelihood of Singletary going with 10 men—because one's heart isn't in it—has bottomed out.

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Posted in Brian Westbrook, Glen Coffee, Kentwan Balmer, NFL, Opinion, San Francisco 49ers, nfc west

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