NFL Preview: San Francisco 49ers

Offense:



QB:

Alex Smith is back and Jim Harbaugh has a palm-face right now. The 49ers had no choice but to bring the former 1st overall pick back because behind him is rookie QB Colin Kaepernick. Colin is instantly one of my favorite college players so I hope he gets some burn this year. However, he's coming into a NFL offense from a very unique Nevada offense, so he will most likely need 1-2 years as a back up.



RB:

The have Frank Gore, but he's very injury prone. After him is Anthony Dixon and Kendall Hunter who are both strong runners. I like this backfield and if utilized to each of their strengths this could be a great 3 headed monster.



WR/TE:

Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and Braylon Edwards looks really good on paper. I haven't seen much progression from Crabtree, but he has Alex Smith throwing to him, so I don't know how much he can shoulder the blame. Braylon had a terrific year last year for the Jets and he could be a great compliment to Davis and Crabtree. Vernon Davis is the best TE in the league.... yup.



Defense:



DL:

Justin Smith and Aubrayro Franklin is a great RDE and DT, but they have a glaring hole in the left side of the line. They have 2/3s of a good defensive line.



LB:

I love their line backers. Patrick Willis is the stud, Takeo Spikes is a great compliment, NaVorro Bowman, Manny Lawson, Ahmad Brooks, Parys Haralson and Aldon Smith are all going to be very good. They can definitely make up for the lack of a LE.



CB/S:

Nate Clements is gone and Taylor Mays is on the block. This is the biggest weakness for the 49ers. Shawntae Spencer is incredibly inconsistent. The 49ers are going to have a lot of yards in the air on them.



Overall:

Luckily for the 49ers they are in the shittiest division in football and can be in the post season with a shitty record. I feel good about this offense, Edwards, Crabtree, Davis and the RBs should carry them through this division.



Playoffs at 9-7

Around The NFL

Braylon Edwards signs with the 49ers for 1 year.

Like the move and will be a great compliment to Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis. I still can't believe he didn't get a multi year deal. He's a pretty good wide receiver, it has to be his attitude.

The Jets have released Jericho Cotchery

He asked to be released. A little confused why, figuring I don't see Plexiglass making it the whole season and they are going to lose Dustin Keller too. He could be a steal for whoever signs him.

Brett Favre's name came up in Miami

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The 49ers are shopping Safety Taylor Mays

I don't know why.

Day 1 Winners and Losers

Winners:
New Orleans Saints:
Filthy draft. First the pick up DE from Cal Cameron Jordan and then they got a gift from the Patriots and selected the best RB in the draft in Mark Ingram from Alabama. They fill two holes in their roster. They strengthen their D Line and then will have a lot to work with at rb with Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram.

Carolina Panthers:
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
I was hesitant to like this pick, but I completely flip flopped on this. I think this kid is the real deal and will win this team some ball games. He's big, athletic and has a cannon. He's not your typical athletic QB who looks to run before pass, he passes pretty well. The Panthers have a lot of holes, but their future looks brighter with Newton behind center.

Baltimore Ravens:
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The only reason he fell was due to off field issues, but this kid is 1A to Patrick Peterson. He's big at 6'2 and just as athletic as Peterson. The Ravens needed some defensive backfield help and got a big time player in Smith. I was really hoping he would fall to the Steelers.

Losers:
New England Patriots:
They had 2 picks to fill pretty glaring needs. I like Nate Solder the OL out of Colorado. He is huge and could be really good. Plus with Logan Mankins drama coming up and Matt Light retiring (maybe) but he's a project. Anthony Costonzo out of BC and Danny Watkins from Baylor have higher ceilings than Solder. I understand the position they pick, just not the player. I think they will really regret trading that second pick for New Orleans 2nd pick and next years 1st. They had 2 players they could have drafted that would have filled huge holes in Mark Ingram or Muhammed Wilkerson the DE from Temple. This was a big swing and miss for the Patriots and they will be haunted about this for years.

Minnesota Vikings:
With the 12th pick they select Christian Ponder. Yea.... really? I know the Vikings needed a QB but this is a reach of epic proportions. If I were to reach on a QB I would have taken Andy Dalton, Ryan Mallet and even Colin Kaepernick over Ponder. I don't get it, they could have drafted Robert Quinn the DE from UNC or Mike Pouncey the G from Florida.

San Fransisco 49ers:
I think Aldon Smith was a little high. Cam Jordan, Nick Fairley or even JJ Watt would have better selections.

With 7,8,9, 10 Picks In the NFL Draft

The 49ers take Aldon Smith DE Mizzou
The Titans take Jake Locker QB Washington
The Cowboys take Tyron Smith OT USC
The Jacksonville Jaguars Select Blaine Gabbert QB Mizzou

Aldon Smith will be a good quality pick.

But the Titans are badass select Jake Locker, people will say it is a reach but fuck that they get their guy and a winner type of guy. I think he will be real good, and I hope they throw him into the fire.

The Cowboys select an unsexy OT, he will probably good.

I'm not a good Blaine Gabbert guy, but this is a good selection, the charaide of David Garrard can only last so much. Gabbert has good size, is a good athlete but plays in a spread offense in college.