San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will be looking to the TE a lot more in 2008 with Vernon Davis possibly having the kind of season many think he can.  Davis played in 14 games for the 49ers last season and he caught 52 passes for 509 yards (9.8 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Look for Davis to catch 75-80 passes this season if he can just stay healthy.  Davis has now played in 24 games in his NFL career and he has caught 72 passes for 774 yards (10.8 avg) with 7 TD grabs.

23-year old Delanie Walker also had a decent season for the Niners in 2007.  He played in all 16 games for the 49ers last season and he caught 21 passes for 174 yards (8.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Walker should also catch more balls than he did in 2007 in the new wide open offense of the Niners.  Walker has now played in 23 games in his NFL career and he has caught 23 passes for 204 yards (8.9 avg) with 1 TD grab.

25-year old Billy Bajema is a good run blocker but he doesn’t help much in the passing game as he didn’t catch a pass in 14 games for the 49ers last season.  He has played in 45 games in his NFL career and he has caught 5 passes for 54 yards (10.8 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A-

The 49ers have brought in three new WRs that they hope fit into new offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz’ offense.  35-year old Isaac Bruce played for Martz in St. Louis and that’s no doubt why he’s here now.  Bruce is getting up there in years but he can still play the game.  He played in 14 games for the Rams last season and he caught 55 passes for 733 yards (13.3 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Look for Bruce to improve on those numbers as long as one of the Niners’ QBs step up.  Bruce has now played in 197 games in his NFL career and he has caught 942 passes for 14,109 yards (15.0 avg) with 84 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 23 times for 150 yards (6.5 ypc) in his career.

27-year old Bryant Johnson has always been a solid #3 WR behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona.  But, he wants to make his own mark as a starter and the Niners will give him that chance.  Johnson played in all 16 games for the Cardinals last season and he caught 46 passes for 528 yards (11.5 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Look for Johnson to possibly double those numbers in the new Niners’ offense.  Johnson has now played in 77 games in his NFL career and he has caught 210 passes for 2,675 yards (12.7 avg) with 9 TD grabs.

28-year old Arnaz Battle was one of the best receivers on the 49ers last season and he should also benefit from the offensive change in philosophy.  Battle played in all 16 games for the 49ers last season and he caught 50 passes for 600 yards (12.0 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  He also carried the football 4 times for 4 yards (1.0 ypc) with 1 TD run last season.  Look for Battle to have a really solid 2008 season for the 49ers and he could have a breakout year.  Battle has now played in 64 games in his NFL career and he has caught 149 passes for 1,792 yards (12.0 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  He also has carried the ball 21 times for 59 yards (2.8 ypc) with 1 TD run.

The 49ers really like 2nd year WR Jason Hill despite the fact that he didn’t do much as a rookie last season.  Hill played in 5 games for the Niners last season and he caught 1 whole pass for a whopping 6 yards.  Look for him to catch quite a few passes for the Niners this season as he has been impressive in training camp.

23-year old rookie Josh Morgan has also been outstanding in training camp and he could work his way right up this depth chart.  He played in 14 games (11 starts) at Virginia Tech last season and he caught 46 passes for 552 yards (12.0 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Morgan finished up his career at Virginia Tech playing in 51 games (24 starts) in which he caught 122 passes for 1,817 yards (14.9 avg) with 16 TD grabs.

28-year old Ashley Lelie is running out of chances to re-establish himself as a legit WR in the NFL.  He played in 15 games for the Niners last season and he caught 10 passes for 115 yards (11.5 avg) without a TD grab.  Lelie could move up the depth chart or off of the team altogether and it’s entirely up to him.  Lelie has now played in 94 games in his NFL career and he has caught 206 passes for 3,552 yards (17.2 avg) with 13 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C

The 49ers have signed linebacker Takeo Spikes with the idea of starting him inside with Patrick Willis.  Spikes played in 14 games with the Eagles last season and he made 85 tackles, had 1 sack and he defensed 4 passes.  The thought of having Spikes and Willis between the tackles will likely give offensive co-ordinators and running backs headaches both before and during games.  Spikes has now played in 140 games in his NFL career and he has made 969 tackles, had 22.5 sacks, 12 interceptions (3 returned for TDs) and he has defensed 48 passes.  The Niners just made their defense better and it was already good.

The San Francisco 49ers have released linebacker Brandon Moore.  Moore played in all 16 games (1 start) for the Niners last season and he made 22 tackles, had 2.5 sacks and he defensed 1 pass.  Moore finished his career in San Francisco having played in 88 games (26 starts) and he made 242 tackles, had 15 sacks, defensed 8 passes and intercepted one.  The Niners won’t miss Moore too much in 2008.

The Battle of the Bay did not go too good for the 49ers last night.  It appears that it might take some time for the Niners to adjust to offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz’ style of offense.  J.T. O’Sullivan started the game last night and he did not play well.  He completed 5 of 8 passes for 71 yards with a interception and a lost fumble.  Alex Smith appeared lost on the field as he completed 5 of 9 passes for 51 yards.  Shaun Hill completed 10 of 20 passes for 83 yards with a interception.  He also scrambled once for 13 yards.  Thomas Clayton led the 49ers in rushing with 27 yards on 5 carries (5.4 ypc) last night.  DeShaun Foster had a rough Niners’ debut as he carried the football 6 times for 13 yards (2.2 ypc).  Rookie WR Josh Morgan led the 49ers in receiving with 68 yards on 4 receptions (17.0 avg) in his NFL debut.  Dominique Zeigler also caught 4 passes for 45 yards (11.3 avg) but he lost a fumble.  The Niners finished up rushing for 70 yards on 19 carries (3.7 ypc).  They also completed 20 of 37 passes for 199 yards last night.  The Niners only had possession of the football for 25:28 last night and that won’t get the job done.  The QB job still appears wide open after last night as no one stepped up.

The 49ers got pushed around on defense as the Raiders ran all over them last night.  Linebacker Dontarrious Thomas led the 49ers last night with 8 tackles.  DE Jay Moore also had a solid game with 4 tackles and a sack.  The Raiders finished up rushing for 248 yards on 41 carries (6.0 ypc) last night and that’s flat out unacceptable.  The Raiders also completed 13 of 20 passes for 98 yards last night.