San Fransisco 49ers
Key Additions: OT Anthony Davis, OG Mike Iupati, QB David Carr, WR Ted Ginn, Jr., S Taylor Mays,
Key Subtractions: DB Dre Bly, WR Isaac Bruce
The 49ers enter this season looking to improve on their 8-8 season last year under coach Mike Singletary. QB Alex Smith took over the starting job last year in Week 7 after Sean Hill was benched. Smith led the 49ers to a 5-6 record as a starter. Clearly the problem with the team lies with the lack of productivity from the offense, and it certainly isn't coming from the running game either. Gore ran for 1,120 yards averaging 4.9 yards per carry and caught 52 balls for 406 more yards. The problems with the 49ers offense lies with the quarterback. Alex Smith appears to be the starter heading into training camp, but he will be on a short leash if he can't produce with former starter and number one overall pick David Carr now behind him. He has Michael Crabtree and now Ted Ginn Jr. at the wide receiver position, Vernon Davis at TE, and a more than capable back to catch passes. Smith will have to improve and spread the ball around better for the 49ers to be successful.
The 49ers defense has done very well under Singletary. They had the sixth best rushing defense in the NFL last year thanks to a strong linebacking corps led by Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis. They signed Nate Clements prior to the 2007 season, but he only started 6 games last year due to injury. The secondary will have to stay healthier this year in order for them to improve. They drafted S Taylor Mays to compete for a spot against Dashon Goldson.
Schedule:
1 Sun, Sep 12 @ Seattle
2 Mon, Sep 20 New Orleans
3 Sun, Sep 26 @ Kansas City
4 Sun, Oct 3 @ Atlanta
5 Sun, Oct 10 Philadelphia
6 Sun, Oct 17 Oakland
7 Sun, Oct 24 @ Carolina
8 Sun, Oct 31 Denver
9 BYE
10 Sun, Nov 14 St. Louis
11 Sun, Nov 21 Tampa Bay
12 Mon, Nov 29 @ Arizona
13 Sun, Dec 5 @ Green Bay
14 Sun, Dec 12 Seattle
15 Thu, Dec 16 @ San Diego
16 Sun, Dec 26 @ St. Louis
17 Sun, Jan 2 Arizona
The 49ers play in the weak AFC West and have the 28th toughest schedule in the league and opponents were 117-139 last season. They catch the AFC West and NFC South this season. The schedule does not appear to be that bad to the 49ers, but they do have 4 of their last 6 games on the road. They face the Super Bowl champs at home Week 2, they will be put to the test early to see what they are made of.
Denver Broncos
Key Additions: QB Tim Tebow, NT Jamal Williams, DE Jarvis Green, WR Demaryius Thomas, QB Brady Quinn
Key Loses: WR Brandon Marhsall, TE Tony Scheffler, RB Peyton Hillis,
Josh McDaniels enters his second season as head coach of the Broncos after starting 6-0 last season only to collapse and go 2-8 the remainder of the year. The demise of the Broncos last year is partly due to their inability to stop the run and the inconstancy of QB Kyle Orton. Orton threw only 1 INT in the first 6 games, but threw 11 in the following 10 games. Orton no longer has a safety blanket after the Broncos drafted Tim Tebow and signed Brady Quinn this year. If Orton plays the way he did this year like the final 10 games last season, he will get the hook. Regardless of who is under center for the Broncos, who they will be throwing too will no longer include two Pro Bowlers in Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler. That means Eddie Royal, Jabar Gaffney, and this year draft pick Demaryius Thomas will have to pick up the slack. It will be difficult to replace Marhall and Schefflers numbers. The backfield consists of second year pro Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for 947 yards averaging 3.8 yards per carry, and Correll Buckhalter who rushed for 642 yards but averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Moreno needs to see his per carry numbers improve to the level of Buckhalter's.
The Broncos were dreadful against the run last season. They surrendered 2,059 yards and opponents averaged 4.5 yards per carry. The Broncos brought some help in DE Jarvis Green to help out the line. But no matter who you bring in, with numbers like that it gives offenses way too many options and leaves the defense off balance and on their heels entirely too much, putting their play makers in situations they do not like. Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins are ball hogs, but both are getting old. The front seven must do a better job and get pressure in order for their play makers to make plays.
Schedule:
1 Sun, Sep 12 at Jacksonville
2 Sun, Sep 19 Seattle
3 Sun, Sep 26 Indianapolis
4 Sun, Oct 3 at Tennessee
5 Sun, Oct 10 at Baltimore
6 Sun, Oct 17 NY Jets
7 Sun, Oct 24 Oakland
8 Sun, Oct 31 at San Francisco
10 Sun, Nov 14 Kansas City
11 Mon, Nov 22 at San Diego
12 Sun, Nov 28 St. Louis
13 Sun, Dec 5 at Kansas City
14 Sun, Dec 12 at Arizona
15 Sun, Dec 19 at Oakland
16 Sun, Dec 26 Houston
17 Sun, Jan 2 San Diego
The Broncos have the 24th hardest schedule and opponents were 124-132 last season. They catch the AFC South and NFC West this year. The NFC West is one of the weaker divisions in the NFL, however the AFC South is loaded with talent and three teams who should be in the playoff hunt. Their schedule does get lighter as the season goes on, so look for them to contend in the division next year.
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