49ers Show Offensive Efficiency and Explosiveness
It is evident that the 2012 San Francisco 49ers will have plenty of offensive weapons after a strong performance that culminated with a decisive defeat of the Minnesota Vikings in their first preseason game. The 49ers dominated time of possession and rushed for 260 yards en route to a 17-6 victory that showcased their signature defense and a plethora of competent running backs.
Alex Smith continued to build on an impressive 2011 season as he lead the 49ers on a 12 play 84 yard drive that chewed up 7:21 of the game clock highlighted by a 4 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brett Swain. Newcomer Brandon Jacobs who played for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants last season excelled in his role as a short yard specialist while incumbent backup Kendall Hunter consistently gained positive yardage running to the outside.
Second year quarterback Colin Kaepernick contributed to the rushing total when he outran the entire Viking defense during an exciting 78-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw in the 2nd quarter. Second round draft pick and former Oregon Duck LaMichael James averaged 5 yards a carry in his first taste of NFL action while special teams ace Rock Cartwright and Anthony Dixon received a lion share of the carries to lead the 49ers' potent ground attack.
With our first glimpse of 49er football this season, it is clear the 49ers have addressed numerous concerns from last season that cost them a trip to the Super Bowl. Red zone efficiency and quality play from the wide receivers must be maintained if San Francisco is to meet expectations after a strong 2011 campaign. First round draft pick A.J. Jenkins showed good speed and separation while making two impressive receptions but also dropped two easy passes.
Although many of the veterans saw limited action or did not play at all, it is clear San Francisco has depth at all positions and are beginning to resemble 49er squads from the team's glory years. The 2012 San Francisco 49ers have talent across the board from defense to offense and will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
A 6th Lombardi Trophy may be in the cards for the 2012 San Francisco 49ers.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
-
jkla
oh, ok!!!!! HOMER
Aug 11, 2012 at 8:59 PM
More San Francisco 49ers News
Assessing the 49ers roster and needs after one week of free agency
The first wave of free agency has come and gone, and the 49ers have had to say goodbye to a number of familiar faces while welcoming a few new ones. There's been a good amount of shuffling over the past week, but one thing remains clear -- the 49ers still have one of the best rosters in the NFL.
There's still more players to be added in the weeks ahead, both in the draft and in free agency. The 49ers still need depth and competition in a few areas, and maybe a new starter in a key spot on special teams. But with the way things look now, the 49ers could be looking at a fairly complete roster with very few weaknesses once they're done with their offseason moves.
Here's a look at where things stand by position as of March 17, along with some thoughts on where the
6 biggest 49ers draft mistakes of the Shanahan and Lynch era
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Mar 21
The San Francisco 49ers have been known as a team that has built throughout the draft in the Kyle Shanahan era, which has led to seasoned success throughout the head coach's tenure, with the organization reaching the NFC Championship Game three times over the past four seasons.
However, among the several draft hits that have propelled their roster to one of the league's best, there have been several mistakes that set the organization back at the time.
With the NFL Draft approaching next month, and the 49ers having another integral draft for their future success, let's revisit the five biggest draft mistakes of the Shanahan-Lynch era thus far.
Honorable Mention: Trey Lance
It feels absolutely unfair to place Trey Lance on this list at
Podcast: 49ers free agency 2023: Best and worst signings so far
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Mar 24
Rohan Chakravarthi and Jack Hammer discuss the 49ers free agent moves, grading the signings like Javon Hargrave thus far.
The audio for the show is embedded above, while the video is available below.
You can listen to "The Rohan Chakravarthi Show" from our
Podcast: 49ers with Grant Cohn: Are the 49ers the favorites in the NFC with Trey Lance?
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Mar 24
Rohan Chakravarthi and Grant Cohn discuss whether the 49ers are favorites in the NFC after free agency.
The audio for the show is embedded above, while the video is available below.
?feature=share
You can listen to "The Rohan Chakravarthi Show" from our