[DJ Penguin]

The 2008 Disappointment But The 2009 Preview

In 2008, like 2006 the 49ers were expected to finally do something and make a name for themselves, well, Mike Martz and J.T. O'Sullivan did nothing to help that. Alex Smith went down with shoulder surgery, and O'Sullivan lost his job after going 1-7 to start the season. With that being said, it came down to, actually out with the new and in with the old. Old being old school Mike Singletary taking over and becoming the 49ers new Head Coach. Singletary led the 49ers to a 5-3 finish and giving the job to Shaun Hill who improved to 7-3 all-time as a starter.

In what seemed to be an average off-season, with the signing of WR Brandon Jones, T Marvel Smith and CB Dre Bly to replace the injured Walt Harris, the 49ers were content with just re-signing their own players like Allen Rossum as a KR and LB Takeo Spikes. The 49ers now have had their 7th offensive coordinator in many years, which hasn't been easy for their offense especially for Alex Smith, although no one is making excuses for him.

The 49ers landed their dream scenario in the 2009 NFL Draft, falling to them at the 10th overall pick was none other then Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree.

Crabtree wasn't the only thing the 49ers grabbed, when in the 3rd round they drafted a solid back up to relieve Gore in Glenn Coffee. They also nabbed some decent future talent in the Ball State project QB Nate Davis, who has tremendous upside and may one day be a starter. They also drafted hopeful future starting LB next to Patrick Willis in Scott McKillop from Pittsburgh. Aswell as S Curtis Taylor, DL Ricky Jean-Francois, and TE Bear Pascoe.

With training camp ending soon Michael Crabtree still has yet to sign. Mike Singletary isn't worried about him, and says "When he comes then we will worry about Michael." Crabtree is said to be looking for the range of Darrius Hayward-Bey money even though Bey was the 7th overall pick. Leave it to the Raiders to mess everything up. Crabtree was thought to holdout the entire season, but that most likely won't come down to it.