AP Photo, Phil Coale

Analyzing the San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers begin and end with Frank Gore. The third-year tailback is coming off a truly remarkable season, in which Gore ran for 1,695 yards and a 5.4 yards-per-carry average and caught 61 passes for an additional 485 yards.

In case you're not doing the math, that's 2,180 total yards from scrimmage for Gore. This 24-year-old may be the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson.

Most experts felt it would be quarterback Alex Smith, not Gore, who would bring the 49ers back to greatness, and Smith started living up to his billing in 2006. Other than Gore, Smith had little help, in leading San Francisco to a 7-9 record a year ago.

If the 49ers are to take the next step, they'll need Smith and Gore to have similar seasons to last year, and they'll have to get support from some new team members.

Former Seattle receiver Darrell Jackson gives the 49ers the primary target they've lacked for many years. Jackson averages roughly 60 catches, 900 yards and 8 touchdowns in his seven NFL seasons. Jackson, along with second-year tight end Vernon Davis, and Gore out of the backfield, gives Smith a full arsenal with which to display his talents.

So, the 49ers offense seems to be set, especially with an upgrade at offensive line with the drafting of offensive tackle Joe Staley. Defense is the biggest problem.

In 2006, the 49ers surrendered an NFL-worst 412 total points -- nearly 26 per game. Changing this in one off-season will be difficult, but with the improved offense, San Francisco doesn't need to go from worst to first; it just needs to get to the middle of the pack.

First round draft pick (11th overall) Willis Patrick, a versatile, attacking inside linebacker, should offer immediate help. An excellent tackler and pursuer, Patrick will shore up a gigantic hole in the 49ers defense.

San Francisco is hoping third-round selection, Ray McDonald, a defensive tackle from National Champion Florida, will also play immediately.

Veteran defensive back Michael Lewis was signed away from Philadelphia to shore up the secondary.

The 49ers have had a very solid off-season, filling many needs with outstanding veterans and exciting rookie prospects. San Francisco had arguably one of the top five drafts, adding three or four potential starters.

In what should be an exciting season for 49ers fans, San Francisco has a great opportunity to leap into the upper echelon of NFC teams. There's no reason to hope for anything less than a playoff appearance in 2007.

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