Three Questions 1. Can the 49ers secondary replace Donte Whitner, Carlos Rogers and Tarel Brown? Let’s piecemeal the answer. Tramaine Brock already had replaced Brown, ultimately taking Brown’s job in 2013 Weeks 12-14 because of injury and keeping it in Weeks 15-16 because of his play. Whitner, on the other hand, became irreplaceable, perhaps becoming the best strong safety in the game last season. Ex-Colt Antoine Bethea acquisition is important, but there is drop-off. Finally, Rogers can be replaced in the secondary by Chris Culliver, C.J. Spillman or rookie Jimmie Ward. 2. Will we see 2012 Kaepernick or 2013 Kaepernick? Kaepernick 2012 exploded on the scene, taking injured Alex Smth’s job and leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl. With high expectations and Smith gone to Kansas City, Kaepernick 2013 was less spectacular but just as efficient, taking San Fran to the NFC Championship game. Which Kap will we see in 2014? A better version of both hopefully. The 26-year-old quarterback is more selective, but just as flashy. He has more big plays up his sleeve, but still keeps turnovers to the bare minimum. His O-line is 2012 quality. His 2013 receivers are unparalleled. Kap 2014 could be best Kap yet. 3. Game on the line: Who does Kaepernick throw the ball to? If the play is in close quarters, Kaepernick’s ball goes to 33-year-old Anquan Boldin every time. Boldin could catch a touchdown pass in a telephone booth, even in an era when telephone booths do not exist. Michael Crabtree, despite what Richard Sherman says, can beat you deep from the outside because he can run routes, catch and run after the catch better than most. Vernon Davis, the tight end, has similar big-play ability. And then there’s 27-year-old newbie, Stevie Johnson, a young, do-it-all receiver who flies under the radar here, as opposed to being Buffalo’s go-to guy. Cyborg, everyone knows—peers and foes alike—he belongs. The 49ers’ defense is built around these stars. The secondary is new and somewhat untested as a unit. The defensive line is good—led by defensive ends Justin Smith and Ray McDonald—but it is lacking in depth. Things can go wrong at the line or downfield, but most likely, we the fans will not pick up on it because the linebackers know how to blow up the problem first. By getting to the perpetrator before the perp perpetrates. This LB corps is built around a pass-rush quartet that knows how to get the ball under any formation (30 takeaways ranked seventh in NFL in 2013). Defensive Player to Watch The target is always on Patrick Willis, but the focus will be even sharper in 2014, with NaVorro Bowman not returning from his ACL injury through the month of September, at least. Willis, one of the game’s best defensive players with seven straight Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro honors in those same seven seasons, will see even his role change this season. First, Willis will take over Bowman’s “mike” position until he returns from injury. With Willis taking on more tight ends and running plays, expect his mentality to change more towards run-defense, even as he keeps that perfect pass-rush balance at his helm, as Bowman did so well. Linebackers Michael Wilhoite, who replaced an injured Willis in two games last year, and rookie Chris Borland will battle for Willis’ old “jack” position at training camp to start the season. TEAM ROSTER 49ERS DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB Colin Kaepernick Blaine Gabbert RB Frank Gore Kendall Hunter FB Bruce Miller Will Tukuafu WR Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin Stevie Johnson, Jonathan Baldwin TE Vernon Davis Vance McDonald T Joe Staley, Anthony Davis Jonathan Martin, Fou Fonati G Mike Iupati, Alex Boone Joe Looney, Adam Snyder C Daniel Kilgore Marcus Martin DEFENSE DE Ray McDonald, Justin Smith Tony Jerod-Eddie, DeMarcus Dobbs NT Glenn Dorsey Ian Williams OLB Ahmad Brooks, Aldon Smith Dan Skuta, Corey Lemonier ILB Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman* Chris Borland, Michael Wilhoite CB Chris Culliver, Tramaine Brock Jimmie Ward, Chris Cook S Antoine Bethea, Eric Reed C.J. Spillman, Craig Dahl SPECIAL TEAMS K Phil Dawson P Andy Lee KR LaMichael James PR LaMichael James * denotes injured at start of regular season
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