By James Huber and Jackson Dean
After a solid 7-9 season last year, the San Francisco 49ers have high hopes to capture the NFC West title or a wild card spot. Last year, Frank Gore emerged as one of the NFL’s top rushers with over 1,600 yards. Alex Smith showed considerable improvement from his rookie season with help from tight end Vernon Davis, who looks to have a breakout season this year. The 49ers drafted linebacker Patrick Willis out of Ole Miss as their first round pick and also drafted center Joe Staley. With their crop of young talent, the 49ers are a dark horse for the playoffs this year and have a bright future ahead of them.
In his 3rd year, Alex Smith hopes to prove that he deserved the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft. With $30 million in cap space the 49ers looked to improve their team. They traded for Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson and Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie. They join Arnaz Battle who had career high 59 receptions last year. The young and talented Frank Gore looks forward to an even better season. He hopes to fumble less and spend more time off the injured reserve. Vernon Davis out of the University of Maryland had a strong rookie season last year despite being injured for most of the season. He’s gotten over his nervousness from last year and is expected to be a monster. The 49ers also signed top cornerback Nate Clements from the Buffalo Bills to an $80 million contract to improve their horrid secondary. Patrick Willis is expected to do well this year and secured the starting job as a linebacker. Under the leadership of coach Mike Nolan the San Francisco 49ers have a good chance of squeezing into the playoffs.
