RB:
Coffee vs. Dixon: Both of these players will most likely make the roster, but this will be a battle nonetheless. Coffee was underwhelming as the back-up to Gore last year and Singeltary has made it clear that he wants Frank to take more breaks this year. If Dixon can prove to be more effective then Coffee will have to fight for carries.
Robinson vs. Caulcrick: I am an unapologetic Michael Robinson fan. He is a phenomenal Special Teams players and he brings leadership and integrity to the locker room and to the field. We as fans often lose sight of the importance of players like Robinson. That being said, Robinson has proven to be incapable of carrying the ball effectively which limits his use. Caulcrick comes to the team with a reputation as an effective runner and an adequate blocker. He'll have his chance to fight Norris for the Fullback position, but he isn't the wrecking ball that this offense is looking for, so he probably won't beat him outright. Instead, the team may choose to keep him as a back-up, especially if Coffee and Dixon prove to be incapable of being the short yardage backs for the team.
FB:
Moran Norris vs. Brit Miller: When Norris was at his best, he opened holes for Gore like a bowling ball knocks down pins. However, Norris' blocking has declined in Detroit and again with his second tour of duty with the niners. This may be a symptom of poor OL play or it may just be a decline in ability. With an improved front five, Norris will have no excuses this year. Norris, who is still making the transition from college LB, was electric in preseason play last year and come into camp with Zak Keasey-like popularity from the fan base. Miller proved to be a good receiver out of the backfield, but he must show more as a lead blocker to unseat Norris.
Norris vs. Caulcrick: As mentioned above, Caulcrick's value is as a ballcarrier. With a good showing of lead-blocking abilities, he could send Norris home early as well.
* The niners will probably keep 5 backs on the 53. With Gore, Coffee, and most likely Dixon as good bets to be there, that means 2 more spots.
Wr:
Hill vs. Williams: This battle is for the slot position. Hill saw, to put it in diplomatic terms, limited action in the slot last year. This may have been more because of the teams preference for two TE sets, but it may have also been a slight to Hill's skills. I have a feeling the team will use the slot more this year, especially if the OL gives the team the opportunity to run some play action. The team was tended to telegraph their running plays last year, so there may be more emphasis on running out of three WR sets. Therefore, blocking my be the determining factor in this position battle. Williams also has value as a returner and the team would like to have insurance for Ted Ginn, however Sullivan is notoriously demanding of his WRs, so Hill's experience in the system weighs heavily in his favor. If Williams can't beat Hill out of his spot, he will fight Brandon Jones.
Jones vs. Williams: Brandon Jones saw the field about as much as Cody Wallace last year, so it is hard to find fault with his production but it does put the pressure on him this year. Jones' only field time last year was as a punt returner, a position he failed to secure and that is a skill Williams possesses. Jones' biggest problem is that he has a large contract. Many teams are using this year to dump salary for next year, so with the team facing contract extensions for Willis, Davis, Goldson, Franklin and others, Jones may be a casualty.
Darkhorse candidates:
Dominique Ziegler- He has been with the team for three years. He is an above average target in the passing game but an underachiever as a blocker.
Scott Long- Major upside, but his injury history and lack of experienced hurts his chances.
* The team usually keeps 5 WRs. Crabtree, Morgan and Ginn as sure things. The team probably won't cut Hill and Jones, just because of experience, so that essentailly leaves on spot up for grabs.
OL:
Snyder vs. Boone: Anthony Davis will start at RT. Singeltary will declare a "competition" at the atart of training camp, but Davis is a sure thing to man the right side for week one. That pushes Snyder to the bench and with Sims entrenched as the back-up OT, Snyder will have to battle Boone for the other OT bench spot. This is a classic battle of experience vs. upside. Boone has put the work in to earn a spot on the 53, but he has to prove that he has the foot speed to keep up with NFL defensive ends. Also, since Iupati will push Baas to the bench, Snyder will have to prove that he can be an effective OG to keep his spot.
Wragge vs. Wallace: At first glance, this might not seem like an interesting battle, but the Heitmann just became the oldest member of the starting OL, so having a replacement ready at center is crucial. Wallace's improvement has been slow, but the team has hung onto him this long, so they must see his upside during practice. Wragge is a solid backup at all three interior spots, but he's not the future. Wallace could be, but he'll have to prove that he can play the guard positions as well. As a side note, Baas was a college center, so the team might get him some reps here in case they want to dump Wragge and Wallace.
* The team normally keeps nine players at this position. The starting five will be Staley, Iupati, Heitmann, Rachal, and Davis. Baas and Sims are pretty safe as back-ups, leaving one interior spot and one OT spot.
DL:
Back-up NT: Jean-Francois vs. Sopoaga vs. Balmer: Franklin's contract situation and the importance of this position makes this an interesting battle to watch. With Franklin out for the first OTAs, the team used RJF here, but that is because Balmer is still recovering from a shoulder injury and Sopoaga was starting as LDE. Sopoaga was the seldom used back-up here last year, but he has struggled with the position in the past. Jean-Francois saw limited time on the field last year, but impressed the coaching staff with his progress throughout the season. The real X-factor will be Balmer. If he fully recovers in time, the team will want to test him here in case they can't keep Franklin after next season. Balmer has the size and lower body for the position, but the team doesn't mind having an undersized NT, so RJF has an opportunity to entrench himself (pun intended). All three players will more than likely make the team, but who gets time at this position will be interesting.
ILB:
Matt Wilhelm vs. Scott McKillop: Mike Singeltary has been particularly of McKillop this offseason, but that might just be motivation. When he was drafted last year, McKillop was expected to learn the TED from Spikes, but he was soon relagated to ST duty. Wilhelm was plucked off the streets because of his familiarity with Manusky's defense, but he doesn't project as more than a stopgap player. The team will most likely go with McKillop because Wilhelm will probably be available later in the season if there is an injury. This is, of course, all dependent on Bowman's ability to learn the 3-4 defense.
OLB:
Brooks vs. Lawson: The team has been reluctant to work out a long term with Lawson for two reasons. One is that the labor issue is hanging over everyone's heads. Two is the emergence of Ahmad Brooks. Brooks will have the opportunity to beat Lawson out as the starter, and if that happens it will most likely spell the end of Manny Lawson in San Fran. Lawson has come under fire for his inability to consistently rush the passer, Brooks' strength, but Lawson is very stout against the run and is an above average pass defender. Brooks will have to show an improvement in his all around game to beat him out. Either way, they will both see the field often.
CB:
Clements vs. Brown: Tarell Brown had a golden opportunity to win the starting job last year, but he fell short. That doesn't mean that Brown was horrible, but he was too inconsistent. If Brown used that experience to improve this year, Clements should be looking over his shoulder. Much has been made of Clements' contract this year, but he still comes in as the incumbent starter. If the frustrations he had last year made him work hard to redefine his game this season, the team will gladly pay him every cent. If not, the team will be quick to make the switch.
PR:
Ginn vs. Vann vs. Williams: Ginn is the entrenched KR, but he was much less effective as the PR in Miami. The team brought in two guys that returned punts in college. Williams will be fighting to make the team as a WR, and a good showing as a PR will cement his roster spot. If he fails, that might open the door for Vann. LeRoy Vann was one of the most exciting players to watch last year and I am dying to see him in a niner uniform, but he has plenty to prove. Vann is simply too small to play his college position (CB). Some have floated the idea of converting him to a WR/RB. He certainly could be effective in running a few reverses or screens, but that is more of a novelty than a starting role. Keeping Vann on the squad will surely leave a position player out, but if Ginn is too shaky as a PR, it might just be worth it.
So, I do tend to ramble on in my posts, but if you enjoyed reading this, I appreciate it. Feel free to comment on who you think will win each position battle, or let me know if you think I missed one. Thanks for reading.
