Despite more disappointment, as a fan I feel there are a lot of positives to take from what was, after all, the 49ers first non-losing season since 2002, of course there were also the fair share of negatives in a campaign that in terms of ups and downs, was the football equivalent of a trampoline. I will now take you through what players I think had a positive impact on the season, which ones had a negative impact, and what I feel needs to be done in order for the 49ers to win in 2010. This is a three part series, so we will start with the positives.
Positives:QB Alex Smith - Ever since Jeff Garcia left San Francisco, the 49ers have struggled mightily to find a true starting Quarterback. Taking over for the disappointing Shaun Hill, 2005 1st Overall pick Alex Smith went some way to making himself the guy for the 49ers. Smith posted the best numbers of his career in just 10 starts this year throwing for 2,350 yards, 18 Touchdowns and 12 Interceptions, with a more than respectable QB rating of 81.5. Smith flourished and looked comfortable in Jimmy Raye's spread offense, and now he has the added luxury of finally getting to work with the same offensive
co-ordinator in 2010.
RB Frank Gore - Despite injury, an inferior offensive line and the 49ers converting to the spread offense, Gore posted his 4th consecutive 1,000 yard season, whilst moving ahead of 49er great Joe Perry into 4th place on the 49ers' all time rushing list. Gore is the model of consistency and deserves a shot at the playoffs in 2010.
WR Michael Crabtree - A long holdout, tampering investigations, Deion Sanders and MC Hammer, after all this people wondered whether Michael Crabtree would be worth all the trouble the 49ers went to to get him signed. Turns out he was, Crabtree in the same amount of games as QB Smith, had 48 receptions for 625 yards and 2 Touchdowns, who knows what he could have done had he played a full season. Crabtree appears primed for one of those sophomore explosions that could take the 49ers to the next level.
TE Vernon Davis - The biggest change by far for the 49ers, was Vernon Davis, the former Maryland star, Drafted 6th by the 49ers in 2006, had disappointed in all of his previous 3 seasons. However, it appears that if there is one player rookie Head Coach Mike Singletary has had an impact on, it is Vernon Davis. Many wondered what the future held for Davis after he was ejected from the game by Singletary during a Home game against Seattle in 2008, Singletary's first game as Interim Head Coach. It would seem that we have all underestimated Singletary's motivational skills.
Indeed Singletary's handling of Davis in the build up to the 2009 season was nothing short of excellent. Singletary's masterstroke however, was the decision to make Davis a Team Captain, what a responsibility to give to a young, enigmatic player like Davis. With this move, Singletary effectively told Davis to go out there and lead by example, and that is exactly what he did. The rest is history really, but it would be a crime not to re-tell it one last time, Davis blossomed into the player we all knew he could be, torturing defenses on his way to 78 receptions for 965 yards and 13 Touchdowns, tying the season record set by Chargers Tight End Antonio Gates. Davis was rightly voted to the Pro Bowl and will surely now become the first 49ers player on every teams' scouting report.
NT Aubrayo Franklin - The 49ers defense was impressive in 2009, and one of the main reasons for that was the play of Nose Tackle Aubrayo Franklin. Franklin, largely due to injury, was an unkown quantity leading up to the 09 season. This is no longer the case, as Franklin became a mainstay in the 49ers impressive Defensive line, developing into a guy who can stuff the run and fill 2 gaps to open up holes for the blitz when pass rushing, the prototype 3-4 Nose Tackle, he even grabbed a pick in the Thursday Night Jay Cutler turnover sale against the Bears.
Its no surprise that Franklin is likely going to be franchise tagged by the 49ers if they can't re-sign him to a deal in the off-season. The whole 49ers Defense is extremely hopeful that Franklin does get a new deal, as Patrick Willis commented "I'm praying to god they resign him."
LB Patrick Willis - Speaking of Willis, I have an announcement to make. There can be no debate about it, Patrick Willis is the best Linebacker in the NFL. Willis spent yet another season as the NFL's leading tackler (152 with 114 solo if you're counting) add 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions with 1 returned for a Touchdown to that and you Mr. Willis, have yourself another Pro bowl and All-Pro year.
CB Shawntae Spencer - Another player with an injury riddled career making an impressive comeback was Cornerback Shawntae Spencer. Granted statistically it wasn't an outstanding year (53 tackles, 2 interceptions) but watching Spencer throughout the season was an enjoyable passtime. Although not blessed with great speed, Spencer possesses one of the best techniques in the business. All throughout the 2009 season Spencer used this to his advantage, and established himself as the number 1 cover corner on the 49ers roster.
FS Dashon Goldson - A late round draft pick in 2007, 2009 was Goldson's first year as a starter and boy did he impress. Goldson posted impressive given his relative inexperience as an NFL starter, racking up 94 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions. The performance of Goldson, has solidified a position the 49ers had struggled with in the past. He still has issues with his coverage skills, but these will improve with time. I've read comments that he struggles with his pursuit angles, I disagree, I think he's quite solid in this area of his game. Go back and look at the tape of the game against the Minnesota Vikings, in pursuit of Adrian Peterson, Goldson took a perfect angle of pursuit and caught Mr. All Day.
Honourable Mentions:
DE Justin Smith
CB Tarell Brown
LB Ahmad Brooks
LB Manny Lawson
P Andy Lee
That's it for now. Tomorrow, oh no its the negatives!
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