06-09-2013, 12:19 AM
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#7
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Banned
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Re: Return to Prominence - A San Francisco 49ers CCM - Madden NFL 13
2012 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SEASON PREVIEW - OFFENSE
With the pre-season and final cuts completed, let's take a look at the 49ers offense, position by position in this 2012 season preview.
QB
While Colin Kaepernick was impressive at times last season, Alex Smith remains the starter for the 2012 regular season. Smith doesnt have the arm strength or athletic playmaking ability that Kaepernick has but Smith is a solid and smart accurate passer who rarely turns the ball over since Jim Harbaugh became his head coach a season ago. He looks to improve on his 2011 season in which he threw 17 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. Needless to say, Kaepernick will be the backup as Harbaugh continues to prepare him for the future while undrafted second year player Scott Tolzien returns as the third stringer.
RATING: ***
RB
Frank Gore returns as the full time starter and while he seems to wear down towards the end of the season, he has easily been the most consistent offensive weapon for the 49ers since being drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Change of pace back Kendall Hunter returns after having a solid rookie season while 2012 second round draft pick LaMichael James starts the season as the third stringer and primary kick returner. Barring injuries, this group will be the focal point of the 49ers offense in 2012.
RATING: ****1/2
FB
After making the transition from pass rushing DE in college and beating out veteran Moran Norris a season ago, Bruce Miller returns as the team's starting fullback. Miller is Gore's lead blocker and should be for years to come. Anthony Dixon returns as the backup fullback, backup power back to Gore and special teamer.
RATING: ***
WR
Michael Crabtree enters his fourth season with the 49ers as they continue to wait for him to break out. Harbaugh thinks that 2012 will be the year he does just that. The starter opposite Crabtree is Mario Manningham who is best known for his spectacular catch on the sideline in the Giants Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. 49ers signed Manningham to a two year deal in the off-season as a free agent after losing Josh Morgan to the Washington Redskins and hope he can become a good complimentary receiver opposite Crabtree. Veteran and future Hall of Famer Randy Moss was signed to a one year deal and while he's not what he used to be, the team hopes that he can at the very least be a solid third receiver. Last year's playoff goat Kyle Williams returns as the team's fourth receiver and secondary kick and punt returner. Williams is a solid receiver but can he put the two fumbles and playoff loss to the Giants last season behind him and rebound with a good season? 2012 first round draft pick, A.J. Jenkins will be brought along very slowly as he's not expected to do much if anything considering there's four receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. Jenkins is for the future, not the present. Speedster Ted Ginn returns as the sixth receiver and primary punt returner. Barring injuries, Ginn isnt expected to see much, if any playing time as a receiver.
RATING: ***
TE
49ers have arguably the best tight end in the league with Vernon Davis. His playoff performance against the Saints last season was excellent and he's an extremely dangerous weapon out of the slot position. And unlike other play-making tight ends in the league, Davis is an excellent blocker. Davis remains the 49ers top receiving threat and is the favorite target of starting quarterback Alex Smith. Backup Delanie Walker returns and hopes to have a solid season as he enters a contract year. Walker is solid all around but drops passes which is a negative for most teams in a passing league but because he's on a running first team, the drops shouldnt be that much of a concern. He's at his best in two tight end sets. Undrafted rookie Garrett Celek made the team as the blocking and third string tight end. He could see playing time if injuries occur. Celek is the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles starting TE Brent Celek.
RATING: ****
LT
49ers franchise left tackle, Joe Staley returns as the starter in his sixth season. Staley is a top five left tackle. He is the main player on the offensive line and is the blindside protector for starting quarterback Alex Smith. There's no backup depth whatsoever so an injury here would be a major concern.
RATING: ****
LG
Third year player and the second of two 2010 first round draft picks, Mike Iupati starts at left guard to form arguably the best left side of the offensive line in the NFL. Iupati is a top seven left guard and he'll only get better as he progresses and develops. Rookie Joe Looney will provide backup depth but isnt expected to see much, if any playing time unless Iupati gets injured.
RATING: ****
C
Veteran Jonathan Goodwin starts at center for the second straight season. Goodwin signed as a free agent to replace David Baas who signed with the Giants after the 2011 lockout. Goodwin is the line caller and provides leadership but isnt a top tier center. Second year player, Daniel Kilgore returns as the backup.
RATING: ***
RG
Third year player Alex Boone starts at right guard replacing Adam Snyder who signed with the Arizona Cardinals during the off-season as a free agent. Boone has gone from practice squad player in 2010 to making the active roster in 2011 as the backup and swing tackle to starting right guard in 2012. While many think that Boone's 6'8 and 300 pound size is a liability, Harbaugh believes that Boone can be just as good as former Cowboys and 49ers offensive guard Kevin Gogan who was 6'7 and 318 pounds. Boone excels is run blocking but is pass blocking is questionable. If Boone succeeds at right guard, it will be a huge positive for the offensive line and the running game. Veteran Leonard Davis was signed to a one year deal to provide backup depth and leadership.
RATING: ***1/2
RT
Another third year player and the first of two 2010 first round draft picks, right tackle Anthony Davis improved last season compared to when he was a rookie. Davis is an excellent run blocker and solid in pass protection even though he still needs to develop and improve in that regard. Like LT, there's no backup depth whatsoever so an injury here would be a major concern.
RATING: ***
OVERALL OFFENSIVE RATING: ***1/2
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