The 2012 season is nigh upon us. Camp proceeds well and all reports are upbeat; filled with revelations. This year's team is better than last. Cohesiveness, reaction, and camaraderie are improved. Players "know" the systems in place. Thinking has evolved into action and reaction. Last year's near miss at the Super Bowl is a lingering sore that motivates. Knowing, that sans two fumbles, they would play for it all, is a memory that stings and prompts resolve - Never Again.
This year's schedule contains the league's elite. It will proof the team - early. Victories in the first few games, against quality opponents, will bring whispers - in dark places - where the fears and uncertainties lurk. I saw a photo from camp. It was taken from the quarterback's perspective - that vision is a nightmare. It affected me. The fear that vision inspires will haunt Qbs around the league as the realization last year's 49er team was no fluke. That perspective alone will bring errors. Errors affect wins; and losses. Advantage 49ers.
Alex Smith... the NFL's whipping boy. He led a no-name team to vie for a national championship. His school's division prevented their consideration. Smith's play was exceptional. His coach continues to praise Smith - and understands his work habits, strengths and weaknesses. Smith was precluded from developing properly. His first five years were not unlike a child living in a dysfunctional family - no continuity. His coaches were inexperienced and looking to move. Alex and the other players faced change, uncertainty, and mixed messages. The focus remained upon Alex - but, in reality, the 49ers collectively were a very bad team. The talent laden Niners had no direction or motivation - why should they? The organization was in a tail spin. Everyone knew it. Enter Jim Harbaugh. One never knows how a player will adapt to the coaching ranks. Some are unable to make the transition. Harbaugh came from a football family. His father coached at the college rank. Jim and his brother John grew up watching their father negotiate that profession. It appears both sons learned well.
The impact of Jim's leadership took hold immediately. By the time the 2011 season began, the 49ers were ready to compete. A game 2 loss to the Cowboys made it clear what was needed and what was missing. Harbaugh identified the issues and closed those doors quickly. The Niners didn't lose another game until late November. They might have lost fewer games had the WR corps been deeper. Or, if Harbaugh was willing to let Alex expand the playbook. It may be that the WR were incapable of adapting to Harbaugh's playbook. Ultimately, it was that lack of WR depth that doomed the Niners championship ambitions - and - Kyle William's fumbles. I wonder how well the 49ers would have played against NE in the Super Bowl. I like to think their defense was superior to the Giants and the Niners would achieve the same outcome as the Giants. Losing the Championship game was bitter. How will that influence this years' team remains uncertain.
Adding to the WR corps in the offseason was needed and done with a perspective of winning. Providing Smith a large, capable veteran WR in Randy Moss will provide benefits. Ditto Mario Maningham. A rookie wideout selected in round one shows how obvious the WR deficit was to the coach. He also bolstered the RB field. LaMichale James is a back who may be the second incarnation of Barry Sanders - time will tell. But it's curious who will make the roster at runningback and how many the team will field. The defense returns intact which is why they must take this year seriously - it's seldom a team can return an entire starting group - one that was ranked #1 in the most important areas.
This year the San Francisco Forty Niners are stacked top to bottom. It is up to them to make the most of this blessing and use their talents to claim a sixth Lombardi.
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