Show Me My Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

For week 3 I got in contact with Fansided’s Niner Noise editor Eric Melendez. I asked Eric a few questions about the 49ers, here’s what he had to say.

Is Alex Smith the answer for QB? Or is he just the guy for “right now”?

"Most Niner fans have jumped off the Smith bandwagon because it has been made clear he is not capable of being a franchise quarterback. When Jim Harbaugh brought Smith back to the 49ers it was a surprise. Smith failed under former head coaches Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary, so it is hard to understand why Harbaugh thinks he will succeed under him. Harbaugh is known for developing quarterbacks and the reason I think he wanted Smith back was to turn him around. Harbaugh now realizes Smith’s abilities are limited and it is only a matter of time before rookie QB Colin Kaepernick is the starter."

What are the 49ers biggest areas of concern?

"The biggest concern is the offensive line. It does not matter who you have at quarterback if your offensive line cannot block. The O-line struggled in the preseason, performed well in week one with zero sacks but in week two they allowed six sacks. The line has good veterans in LT Joe Staley and C Jonathan Goodwin to go along with second-year players RT Anthony Davis and LG Mike Iupati. Without the offensive line playing well consistently the offense, which is already weak, will not be able to sustain scoring drives."

How have injuries affected the 49ers roster for the 2011 NFL season?

"The 49ers caught the injury bug at wide receiver. Michael Crabtree did not play in the preseason, played briefly in week one and missed week two with a hurt left ankle. Braylon Edwards had surgery this week on his left knee and he will be out for an unknown amount of time. Edwards injured his left knee in last week’s loss to the Cowboys after making a 21-yard catch. Edwards came out of the game after the play and did not return. The 49ers offense already has trouble scoring and with Edwards out and Crabtree probable and not 100% even if he plays, it will be tough scoring toucdowns against the Bengals."

What draft picks/ free agent signings will have the biggest impact on the 49ers?

"Free agent CB Carlos Rogers has had a big impact on the 49ers in the first two games of the season. Rogers has seven tackles, three passes deflected and broke Tony Romo’s rib. He also provides the 49ers defense with a shutdown corner who can take on any team’s number one receiver. The 49ers secondary has needed an upgrade at cornerback for years and Rogers helps fill that void."

What are the overall expectations for the 49ers 2011 season?

"Jim Harbuagh has given Niner fans excitement and hope that the team can be turned back into a contender. But realistically the 49ers are only slightly better than last season’s team but having a head coach who knows what he is doing will help. The 49ers have a strong defense but the offense is weak and will be the cause of multiple losses this season. The 49ers will finish with a 7-9 record and will miss out on the playoffs for the ninth straight season."