I know for one that Trent Baalke is not going to go out on a ledge as it seems some fans are doing. It's tough, especially considering how hard it is to get to this game. Look at New England for example. As good as they are, even they don't go every year. The only thing I will say is that we are pretty good on both sides of the ball and our biggest threat in the NFC is in our own division.
I don't think we should create new needs based off of this one game. For example, Chris Culliver all of a sudden is not a terrible corner. I think sticking his foot in his mouth really cost him because he picked a fine time to have the worse game of his career. He's still ok and I don't ever expect him to have a game like this again.
On offense, our offensive line is pretty much set. We only need to pick up a swing tackle and another player for depth. I'd prefer to get the tackle in free agency, if a decent one is available. Basically a Leonard Davis type contract. We can draft one of two extra lineman to replace Goodwin who will be gone either this offseason or the next.
I'm so glad CK and Vernon Davis are beginning to click. It's also nice that Delanie Walker is catching the ball a bit better. However, that doesn't change the fact that I still would like to draft a TE with one of our picks in the first three rounds. DW brings a lot to the table obviously and is deserving of a longterm contract. If we can get him for a decent deal (probably not likely), we could have a group of TEs that are uncoverable in Davis, Ertz/Eifert, and Walker. And at least one of our guys would have reliable hands
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Outside of health concerns, I like Mario Manningham. The guy is clutch and if he could stay healthy, he could be a number 2. With that said, I expect a draft pick in the first four rounds, Manningham, and AJ Jenkins to have a nice competition for that starter spot opposite of Crabtree. And if Baalke's ability to pick out good players hasn't suddenly departed, the longshot may win the competition (Jenkins). Kaepernick needs another deep threat to take advantage of that arm he has. I think a full offseason as the starter will do Jenkins a lot of good with CK. Hopefully either Manningham and/or Kyle Williams will be healthy enough to participate this offseason.
Our running backs are fine and I think the rumors of Gore declining are greatly exaggerated. I expect him to play out his contract. With that said, I wouldn't be upset if they tried to draft a back in his mold that can potentially replace him. The name Marcus Lattimore has been thrown around in the draft forum as a 4th or 5th round pick if he is available. I wouldn't mind Stephan Taylor if we could get him in the 4th. However any healthy back would probably have to play special teams because carries would be few and far between in 2013.
Other than that, our offense is set. It may seem crazy use 3 of our first five picks on offense, but at the present time, I think we are very close to being an elite offense. If our current guys play at their current level and the rookie TE and receiver can come in and simply do average, we are in the top 5.
On defense, we knew D-line and the secondary was a weakness before. The other 2 of those first five picks are going to the defensive line. The other 7-9 picks that we have can be used for trades, secondary guys, and an ILB to replace Grant who is probably gone.
Good season overall and one solace we have, is that with such a long season, we won't have to wait long for the combine, free agency, and the draft. This will be the most interesting a pivotal offseason yet. One that could set us up for the next 5 + years.
