Spring and summer have been wonderful for the 49ers. The stadium proposition passed in Santa Clara with more than 60 per cent of the vote. Their draft selections of Anthony Davis and Mike Iaupati promise to shore up the offensive line, and the team was selected to participate in the annual NFL regular-season game in London.
Its coach, Mike Singletary, has had time to put his own imprint on the team, young owner Jed York has put a much better public face on the team than did his father John, and the constant stumbling by the Raiders enhances the 49ers local reputation.
Next month begins the games begin, which can be the hard part. This year, though, looks to be the first since 2002 when the team should be a solid bet to make the NFL Playoffs.
Alex Smith showed signs late last season that he is ready to lead the team. If he falters, former Houston Texans starter David Carr provides insurance. They also have legitimate All Pro candidates in running back Frank Gore, linebacker Patrick Willis, and receiver Michael Crabtree. The best news might be that 2010 looks like a down year for the team’s division opponents.
Arizona should be negatively affected by the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner and the questions regarding replacement Matt Leinart’s fitness as an NFL quarterback. The Rams are coming off a season where they won just one game, and Seattle is adjusting to a new coach as Pete Carroll escaped from USC just before the NCAA put the Trojans on probation and will try to reverse the losing NFL record he built with the Jets and Patriots in the 1990s.
The schedule also works in their favor. Two of their toughest opponents figure to be defending Super Bowl champions New Orleans and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both those games are at home. They also have a rare showdown with the Raiders, also scheduled for Candlestick Park. The 49ers’ toughest road game is just 500 miles away in San Diego, and they only face the distraction of a Monday Night Football game just once, in Arizona on Nov. 29.
Coach Singletary is upbeat regarding the team’s performance in early drills. “I thought our offense got better, I thought Alex (Smith) did a great job of having a command of the offense and executing the offense fairly well. I thought the receivers did a good job. The O-line continues to progress,” he said. As for the defense, “On the defensive side of the ball, our D-line is working. Our linebackers, it was great to see Willis back in the mix. It’s a work in progress, but I think we’ll get better.”
If Singletary is right and things do get better, then last year’s 8-8 record could become 10-6 in 2010, which should be enough to win the NFC West and earn a berth in the playoffs.