Quick Preview: San Francisco 49ers

Since the last time we saw them:
2008 Record: 7-9
Key Additions: OT Marvel Smith, CB Dre Bly, WR Brandon Jones, FB Moran Norris, QB Damon Huard, DE Demetric Evans, LB Marques Harris, OC Jimmy Raye
Key Losses: WR Bryant Johnson, OLB Tully Banta-Cain, TE Billy Bajema, RB DeShaun Foster, DT Ronald Fields, CB Donald Strickland, OT Jonas Jennings, DE Roderick Green, S Keith Lewis, QB J.T. O'Sullivan
Top Draft Picks: WR Michael Crabtree, RB Glen Coffee

What we now know:
Best Player: ILB Patrick Willis
Most Underrated: QB Shaun Hill

Looking Forward:
Breakout Candidates: QB Shaun Hill, WR Josh Morgan, TE Vernon Davis, RG Chilo Rachal, OLB Manny Lawson, OLB Parys Haralson
Looking to bounce back: QB Alex Smith, OT Marvel Smith, FB Moran Norris
Time to step up: LG David Baas, S Dashon Goldson, CB Tarell Brown

Strengths:

• RB Frank Gore, a tough inside runner who will get more carries in new offense and gets FB Norris back
• C Eric Heitmann and LT Joe Staley are very nice players, while RG Rachal came on strong last season
• QB Hill's 7-3 career record and 101.3 4th quarter passer rating
• Talented, but immature TE Davis's fit in new TE-friendly offense
  
• ILB Willis, arguably the NFL's best interior LB pairs with solid veteran Takeo Spikes
• Strong, versatile, consistent and never injured DE Justin Smith
  
• OLBs Haralson had strong '08 season while OLB Lawson is now fully healthy after '07 ACL tear
• CB Nate Clements
  
• SS Michael Lewis's excellent play versus the run
• Special teams very strong with Pro Bowl P Andy Lee, solid K Joe Nedney and ageless KR Allen Rossum
• Depth relatively strong across the board
  
• Niners were 5-2 down the stretch last season and 5-4 under interim HC Mike Singletary
• Intense HC Singletary now has total control over players and schemes
• Defense improved by 10 points per game after full switch to 3-4 midway through '08

Concerns:

• QB position, where incumbent Hill is gritty, but lacks pro arm or tools is battling disappointing former #1 overall pick Alex Smith
• Lack of game changers at WR due to Crabtree holdout
• O-Line allowed NFL high 55 sacks last season
• Questions at RT and LG (OG Baas has been disappointing and OT Smith is still hurt)
• NT Aubreyo Franklin
• Pass rush, should OLB Lawson fail to break out
• Potentially career-ending injury to CB Walt Harris leaves #2 CB spot in hands of banged of CB Brown and veteran CB Bly, who had dreadful season in Denver
• Unproven S Goldson
  

Expectations: Playoffs