MVN - Most Valuable Network

John Murphy breaks down the 49ers’ needs this off-season

John Murphy has given a “To Do” List for the 49ers and this upcoming season.

Virtually unknown third-string quarterback Shaun Hill could go head-to-head with former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith next summer for the starting job. Frank Gore must get healthy and return to form, while the franchise must avoid acquiring another injury-prone skill position player like receiver Darrell Jackson. The additions of defensive backs Nate Clements and Michael Lewis were solid signings and they hit a home run with future Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis, but the passing game is in bad

As much as I would like to believe that these are the issues the Niners are needing, I actually feel that the quarterback situation isn’t as big as it may seem.

For Shaun Hill, if he was to remain with the team and challenge for the starting role, it would be clear if he would win the job. As you see, it really depends on Alex Smith. I can tell that Hill has better mechanics, so he probably won’t be that huge of a surprise if he succeeds. If Smith is healthy, then he will pose to be a challenge for Hill. However, we still think that offensive coordinator Mike Martz will have to brew up something first.

I think as in terms of everything else, the team just needs to be healthy. Murphy was right in pointing out that due to the signing of the free agents in teh secondary, the 49ers prevented teams from passing as much as they would like. That led to the emergence of Patrick Willis, protecting the middle.

Healthy may be the biggest concern, in general, for the team. Looking at the team right now, they actually have enough to compete for the West. Darrell Jackson was not a hundred percent. Vernon Davis missed some weeks. Frank Gore missed some time as well. Alex Smith was just hurt, along with Trent Dilfer.

I think the team was just not prepared to handle any kind of set backs. Could it be just that the secondary wasn’t ready to take on such a huge task? Or maybe the team was just not ready to handle the pressure of performing due to all the expectations?

So as the team prepares for the draft, there are a few things that I think the team should note.

I don’t think that the team needs to draft a new wide receiver. I think they should go for an established wide out from free agency or through trades. Because the team needs one receiver that has been the best. Rumors are of Isaac Bruce or maybe Chad Johnson. A new player, with a great past, coming to the Bay may help the team grow.

One obvious thing the team needs to focus on is the offensive line. If the team can just give the backfield more protection, then they can give Frank Gore, and whomever the quarterback is, a lot more chances to attack.

One thing the team doesn’t need is a new rookie quarterback. The ones they have now are sufficient to lead the team. Either stick it out with the current players are get an established player from outside the team. But drafting a new quarterback, like Dennis Dixon or Colt Brennan won’t be the best answer, at least for the present. Maybe in a later round, but getting a quarterback in the first two rounds might not be the best thing to do.

So right now, I just think the team is ready to compete. The right personnel is in place. Just a few things here and there, and the team can take down the Hawks atop the division.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 12:17 am and is filed under 49ers, Off-Season Analysis, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.