{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
Drew Brees was fantastic all year, but if there was a fault in the Sea Lions’ offense–and remember, this is a team that won their division–it was the lack of a truly great season to support him Frank Gore finished with under 1000 yards rushing, and Anquan Boldin barely eclipsed that mark receiving. Still, Boldin, Terrell Owens, and Jimmy Graham combined for over 200 catches and 2500 yards, so they did not lack for threats, just for a single standout weapon. Defensively, injuries kept the cast of characters–other than Ken Norton, Jr.–in constant rotation, but the quality never dropped. Year II should see San Francisco remaining in playoff contention.
Key Additions: DL Roger Brown {3} from AMS; DL Brian Robison {4} from CTO.
Key Departures: RB Pierre Thomas {4}, WR Michael Crabtree {3}, DB Tramaine Brock {3}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Drew Brees: 4927 yards, 44 TDs.
Rushing: Frank Gore: 967 yards, 10 TDs.
Receiving: Anquan Boldin: 76 receptions, 1083 yards; Boldin, Terrell Owens & Jimmy Graham, 9 TDs.
Blocking: Joe Staley: 28 big holes.
Pressuring: Justin Smith: 7 sacks; Bryant Young: 15 hurries.
Tackling: Ken Norton, Jr.: 107 tackles; J. Smith & Patrick Willis: 11 stuffs.
Defending: Ronnie Lott: 7 interceptions; Keenan Lewis: 10 deflections.
AV: D. Brees {17}, J. Staley {14}, K. Norton, Jr. {12}, R. Lott {12}, J. Graham {12}, B. Young {11}, J. Smith {11}, A. Boldin {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: none.
All-Pro’s: Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Ronnie Lott, Ken Norton, Jr., Justin Smith, Joe Staley.
Offensive Player of the Week: Joe Staley.
Defensive Player of the Week: Justin Smith.
#QB
Drew Brees is back to lead the way. Brees was a borderline MVP candidate in Year I, and a similar level of production will be expected in Year II. Once again, his health is key, as neither Steve Spurrier nor Bobby Hebert have any experience behind him.
#RB / WR / TE
Ricky Watters didn’t show much in a late season cameo, but his preseason was enough to unseat Frank Gore {7} from the starting RB position. Expect the role to be fairly fluid, unless one of them–or Joe Arenas {3} or Delvin Wiliams {1}–shows enough to put a lock on the position.
Anquan Boldin and Terrell Owens {5} are back, with the 3rd option out wide a contest between Jerry Rice, Marques Colston {3}, and Stevie Johnson {3}. Both Colston and Johnson were good in Year I, but Rice has been fantastic in preseason. Jimmy Graham returns at TE, supported by Monty Stickles.
#OL
The Sea Lions have a very strong starting group. Joe Staley and Willie Roaf {7} lead the way, but midseason additions Ray Wietecha {7} and Mike Iupati {4} join Randy Cross {5} to form an excellent starting 5. Alex Boone {2} adds some depth and experience as well.
#DL
Bryant Young in the middle flanked by Justin Smith and Charles Haley {4} form an impressive front 3, but both Young and Haley missed significant time in Year I: that’s where offseason pickups Roger Brown {3} and Brian Robison {4} are expected to provide some depth along with Cameron Jordan {2}.
#LB
This has the potential to be a great group, with Rickey Jackson {6} and Julian Peterson {2} on the outside and a wealth of talent, led by Ken Norton, Jr., Patrick Willis {5}, and Sam Mills {3} at ILB. Again, health may be an issue, and the depth at OLB especially is a little suspect.
#DB
With Ronnie Lott moving to S, San Francisco’s DB packages are a little awkward. Antoine Bethea {7} will start at the other S spot, dropping both Eric Reid {5} and Jairus Byrd {3} to the bench. Keenan Lewis {2} retains his CB position, and–perhaps surprisingly–De’Vante Harris beat out Perrish Cox {6} for the other CB spot.
#ST
P Thomas Morstead {2} and PK Shayne Graham {1} both return. Arenas and DB Chris Davis will split the KO return duties, with Arenas depended on to handle the punts.