San Francisco
49ers

49ers Team Report

Updated: February 07, 2012 10:29 EST

There has been some casual discussion between the 49ers and the representatives for quarterback Alex Smith about a potential contract extension for the quarterback, but talks haven't really progressed yet to the substantive stage.

For all the talk about how the Niners might be one of the teams interested in Peyton Manning if (when?) he is released by Indianapolis, the preference seems to be re-signing Smith to a long-term contract. He signed only a one-year deal for 2011.

One of the big questions besides the obvious one, money, is the term of the contract. There are rumblings San Francisco officials prefer a three-year contract, while Smith's camp would like something longer, more like five years. The length of the contract definitely will be a major negotiating point.

Another question that may be impacting Smith's negotiations is how does coach Jim Harbaugh perceives quarterback Colin Kaepernick's role in the 49ers's future?

Kaepernick threw only five passes this season as a rookie, but Harbaugh may have made a statement in the 2011 draft when he traded three picks to the Denver Broncos to move up from the 45th spot to the 36th so he could select the prolific college quarterback.

As the triggerman in Nevada-Reno's hybrid, pistol offense, the 6-4, 230-pound Kaepernick's career totals included completing 740 of 1,271 passes for 10,098 yards with 82 touchdowns and only 24 interceptions.

Despite a dramatic turn-around with a 13-3 record, the 49ers offense still ranked only 27th in the league with a 187.3 passing yards per game and, more important, 30th in the league scoring touchdowns in the red zone (40.7 per cent). Smith was ninth in the league with an efficient 90.1 passer rating, but was 19th with 3,144 yards as he completed 273 of 445 passes for 3,144 yards, 17 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.

Concerns over the 49ers ability to keep the ball moving on offense were highlighted in the 20-17 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game in which the 49ers converted only 1 of 13 third down attempts.

--Len Pasquarelli, The Sports Xchange

INDIANAPOLIS - Calling it "a big step forward," San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York announced here on Thursday that NFL owners have put aside $200 million in funding for the future 49ers stadium in Santa Clara.

York tweeted the comment after NFL owners voted to approve the stadium's funding at an Indianapolis meeting.

"With the NFL's muscle now behind the new stadium, we are moving forward," said York said. "I expect an official ground-breaking ceremony very soon. Get your hard hats ready; we are embarking on the path to the next generation of 49ers football."

The allocation, created from a fund through the collective bargaining agreement, is the second largest for a stadium behind the $300 million the league contributed for the Giants/Jets stadium. Dallas and Indianapolis received $150 million for their stadium projects.

The estimated $1.02 billion stadium project has been a source of controversy for Santa Clara residents, as some are pleased about the economic activity it will bring to the area. Others have expressed concern about how the stadium will be funded.

"Today's vote is an important milestone for the 49ers and their fans," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "It is a solid endorsement that adds to the strong support of the South Bay community. This step will allow the 49ers to move forward toward making the dream of a new stadium a reality."

The city council voted 5-2 last week against a referendum to put the project back on the ballot. It passed with 58 percent of the vote in city elections in June 2010, but an opposition group claims city officials were deceptive about the finances regarding the project.

City Attorney Ren Nosky filed a preemptive complaint in Santa Clara County Super Court against the Santa Clara Plays Fair opposition group, arguing that the measure cannot be challenged a second time, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

"Despite losing at the polls, (opponents) are now improperly trying to kill the project in a piecemeal fashion by calling for a referendum vote on the approval of specific contracts needed to carry Measure J into effect," the suit says, per the paper.

--NFL Rookie of the Year candidate Aldon Smith was arrested in Miami and charged with DUI on Saturday.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive end was arrested at 9:32 a.m. by Miami Beach Police, the police said in a news release.

He had a bond of $1,000 set.

Smith led San Francisco with 14 sacks last season. The mark was a half-sack short of tying Jevon Kearse's rookie record, set with the Tennessee Titans in 1999.

Smith had two sacks in the postseason for the 49ers, one each against the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants.

The 49ers issued a statement Saturday, saying "The 49ers are aware of the recent matter involving Aldon Smith. We take these issues very seriously, but will reserve further comment at this time, as this is an ongoing legal matter. The 49ers will continue to gather the facts and monitor the developments closely."

--Coach Jim Harbaugh in his last news conference of the year, refused to get touchy-feely with the media. He was asked what he did after the game and Harbaugh said, "Is this California that everybody just wants to know how you feel? Care about what you thought? What you did? How you felt? How your pinkie feels? Is that just a California thing?" In a prior news conference, Harbaugh was questioned intensely about his pinkie which is disfigured after he injured it in college.

--Cornerback Carlos Rogers once again made a strong push for re-signing with the team. Rogers intercepted six passes during the season but struggled against receiver Victor Cruz, who caught seven passes for 124 yards in the first half. Cruz caught only two passes for 18 yards in the second half.

"Like I told them, I like this from the owner to the general manager to everybody that's in this organization," Rogers said. "I like everything about this organization -- all the players, the trainers. This ain't about me coming out and saying, 'Now I'm free, let's get the check.' I'm thinking about this team, and this is where I want to be."

PLAYER NOTES

--QB Alex Smith, whose contract expires March 13, also said he wants to stay with the 49ers.

--DE Justin Smith won the Len Eshmont Award, the team's most prestigious honor. It's given to the player who exemplifies inspiration and courage and is voted on by the players.

--WR Ted Ginn Jr.'s knee probably won't require surgery according to coach Jim Harbaugh. Ginn missed the title game with a knee injury.

--CB Tarell Brown lobbied to return to the game after he collided with safety Dashon Goldson and needed assistance leaving the field. Brown injured his head and thigh and doctors prevented him from playing.

--CB Shawntae Spencer has one year left on his contract but asked to be released so he can play elsewhere. Spencer, a long-time starter at right cornerback, was inactive for the title game.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Alex Smith. Backups -- Colin Kaepernick, Scott Tolzien.

Smith is unsigned, but coming off his best season and with his sparkling play in the divisional playoff win, the 49ers have stated that they want him back. Discussions will likely focus on a three-year deal around 8 to 14 million a season. With Smith in on nearly every play, neither Kaepernick nor Tolzein got much playing time. This is not an area the team is likely to address in the draft or through free agency.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- FB Bruce Miller and RB Frank Gore. Backups -- Moran Norris, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon.

Gore went over 1,000 yards once again after getting a three-year extension in training camp. But Gore was limited from mid-November on -- he didn't play as much and he didn't possess the same speed. Gore insisted he was healthy all year, but he pulled out of the pro bowl indicating he did struggle with injury in the second half of the season. The need for a backup is clear and it's unclear whether Hunter and Davis can consistently provide it.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Michael Crabtree, Ted Ginn Jr. Backups -- Kyle Williams, Brett Swain, Joe Hastings. Injured reserve -- Joshua Morgan, Dontavia Bagan.

Easily the thinnest area of the team. Ginn excelled as a return man but is limited as a starter. Williams has vast potential as a slot receiver, while Swain was an in-season pickup and Hastings is a rookie free agent who made the roster late in the season after the release of Braylon Edwards. This area could use some attention in free agency and on draft day. Joshua Morgan is recovering from a broken ankle and is un-signed.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Vernon Davis. Backups -- Delanie Walker, Justin Peelle. Injured reserve -- Nate Byham.

Vernon Davis became a big-time player in the playoffs and took to the new offense better than he ever has before. He should only get better. Walker had an inexplicable mid-season lull and then broke his jaw in the penultimate game. Nevertheless, he remains a threat as a blocker and a receiver. Peelle provided veteran moxie and may compete with Byham next year for the third spot. With Jim Harbaugh's love of tight ends, adding a fourth tight end would not be out of the question.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Joe Staley LG Mike Iupati, C Jonathan Goodwin, RG Adam Snyder, RT Anthony Davis. Backups -- G Daniel Kilgore, T Mike Person, T Alex Boone, and G Chilo Rachal.

The only player over 30 in this group is Goodwin. The rest of the players have promise, except for Rachal, who has disappointed as a former second-round pick. It's unlikely, but the 49ers could get away with not drafting an offensive lineman in the spring. This group, particularly players like Iupati and Davis only figure to get better. Snyder is unsigned but his play this year and versatility makes him a valuable player.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- DLE Ray McDonald, NT Isaac Sopoaga, DRE Justin Smith. Backups -- DE Demarcus Dobbs, DE Ricky Jean Francois, NT Ian Williams.

The starting three are part of a powerful front seven. Smith went to the Pro Bowl for the third straight season and was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Both Sopoaga and McDonald were excellent against the run and while McDonald was hampered with a hamstring injury late in the year, he provided pass rush. Jean Francois could get some more playing time going forward and he can also play nose tackle. Dobbs and Williams were rookie free agents who will have to fight for their jobs next season.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SOLB Ahmad Brooks, SILB NaVorro Bowman, WILB Patrick Willis, WOLB Parys Harralson. Backups -- Larry Grant, Aldon Smith, Tavares Gooden.

It's only a matter of time before Smith works his way into the starting lineup. Bowman and Willis are the best tandem in football; Haralson is one of the best at setting the edge in the run game and his pass-rush skills are underrated. Grant played exceptionally well for Willis after he missed nearly four games with a hamstring pull. Gooden is mainly a special teams player. Brooks also had a terrific season but is an unrestricted free agent.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Carlos Rogers, RCB Tarell Brown SS Donte Whitner, FS Dashon Goldson. Backups -- CB Chris Culliver, CB Shawntae Spencer, CB Tramaine Brock, S Reggie Smith, S Madieu Williams, S Colin Jones. Injured reserve -- CB Curtis Holcomb.

Goldson and Rogers were elected to the Pro Bowl and both are also unsigned. Goldson causes turnovers but also allows big plays and for that reason isn't as high a priority as Rogers. Whitner was the master of the secondary, his intelligence and natural leadership skills help prevent the coverage breakdowns the team experienced last year. Spencer will likely leave and there's a crowded field of young safeties who will have to compete for jobs next season. another cornerback could be sought in the draft or free agency.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K David Akers, P Andy Lee, KOR/PR Ted Ginn Jr., LS Brian Jennings.

Taken as a group, this foursome was the best in the league. Akers and Lee set NFL single season records for field goals and punt return average, and Jennings is a frightfully consistent snapper. Ginn is unsigned and the team has a solid backup returner in Kyle Williams. The battery of Akers, Lee and Jennings is in the Pro Bowl.