NFC West San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers Looks To Improve After Last Year's Surprising 7-9 Record
The San Francisco 49ers look to make it back to the playoffs for the first time in 2002. After flashing potential last season in a few big wins. Can the drought be over?
Scouting The NFC West
Predicted order of Finish: Seahawks (11-5), Rams (9-7), 49ers (8-8), Cardinals (6-10)
San Francisco 49ers
Mike Nolan enters his 4th season with the 49ers with high expectations, as his team finished 2006 in surprising fashion, coming close to making the playoffs. The big question is whether or not the offense (mainly QB Alex Smith) will continue to improve now that their coordinator from last season, Norv Turner, has left to coach the San Diego Chargers.
On offense, the 49ers have a lot of pieces in place to build upon their strong showing from last season. A strong running game, led by Frank Gore and a passing game piloted by the fast developing Alex Smith will constantly put pressure on opposing defenses. What San Francisco lacked last year was a big play receiver to take some of the pressure off of second year tight end Vernon Davis, the Niners are hoping that Darrell Jackson can be that go to receiver after coming over to San Francisco in an off season trade from division rival Seattle.
The 49ers addressed major needs on defense, both by way of the draft with Patrick Willis, a big time linebacker from Mississippi, and through free agency by signing former Buffalo Bills’ cornerback Nate Clements to a record setting contract. This infusion of speed gives the defense more flexibility in which they can be more aggressive in attacking the opposing offenses. In this division where each team has the offensive capability to put up points in bunches, the ability to attack is a big plus.
This edition of the San Francisco 49ers may turn out to be one of those teams that have improved, but whose record may not reflect those improvements. As the NFC West plays itself out, it will be fun to watch the 49ers to see if they can overcome the wars both within their division and amongst the other teams in the NFC that are vying for the wild card positions.
Coach Mike Nolan wears suits on the sidelines, as he attempts to restore the class that the late Bill Walsh bought to San Francisco. This season the 49ers home field at Candlestick at Monster Park has been renamed Bill Walsh Field. Coach Walsh is responsible for the "West Coast Offense", an offensive system built around short timing patterns, this system provided the blueprint for championship teams in San Francisco.
Here is a look at San Francisco’s schedule:
- Arizona
- @St. Louis
- @Pittsburgh
- Seattle
- Baltimore
- Bye
- @ New York Giants
- New Orleans
- @ Atlanta
- @ Seattle
- St. Louis
- @ Arizona
- @ Carolina
- Minnesota
- Cincinnati
- Tampa Bay
- @ Cleveland
