49ers prepare for opener vs. Arizona

49ers Host Cardinals to Open 2008 Season

Now, the real work begins for the San Francisco 49ers.  With the preseason concluded after a 20-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers, the roster set and a quarterback controversy quieted, the 49ers can focus solely on their regular season opener on September 7 against the Arizona Cardinals.  And for Mike Nolan, a head coach on the hottest of hot seats, the clock ticks.  He has 16 games to prove himself or face the firing squad. 

Preseason Finale:

With a loss on August 29 to San Diego, the 49ers' preseason record dropped to 2-2.  Alex Smith played the majority of the game at quarterback and offered an uninspiring effort.  Smith went 12-of-17 for 146 yards, but threw two interceptions.  He directed a 90-yard touchdown drive in the second half, finding tight end Bill Bajema for the score.  Unfortunately for Smith, passing inaccuracies plagued his performance as he continued to throw wide, high, low and behind his receivers.  Smith's preseason statistics, 28-of-55 for 342 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, fail to inspire much confidence in his abilities. Smith's poor showing against the Chargers further cemented J.T. O'Sullivan as the 49ers' starting quarterback.  

Curiously, Nolan didn't play O'Sullivan, showing an illogical amount of confidence in the journeyman quarterback.  Instead of having O'Sullivan play a series or two to keep him sharp for the regular season opener, Nolan had his quarterback sit, a privilege bestowed upon the game's elite like Brady or Manning.  If the 49ers' offense is stagnate from the start against Arizona, Nolan can only blame himself.

Roster Moves:

The 49ers finalized their roster for the 2008 season with a few surprising moves.  San Francisco cut often-injured receiver Ashley Lelie, who'd signed a two-year contact with the team prior to the 2007 season.  Lelie saw his first action of the preseason against San Diego due to a calf muscle injured early in training camp.  Long billed as a deep threat because of his speed, Lelie has disappointed during his stops in Denver, Atlanta and now San Francisco.  Fittingly, Lelie traveled across the Bay Bridge to sign with the Raiders to play for speed obsessed owner Al Davis.

San Francisco also cut receiver Dominique Zeigler, who showed promise at times.  The team's receivers will be Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Bryant Johnson, Jason Hill and rookie Josh Morgan. 

Zak Keasey beat out veteran Moran Norris at fullback.  The 49ers feel the athletic Keasey is a better fit in Mike Martz's offensive system as opposed to the physical Norris. Norris lead blocked for running back Frank Gore when he rushed for a franchise-record 1,695 yards in 2006.  While Keasey is a valuable special-teams contributor, Norris is tough to stop in short yardage situations.  

Surprisingly, San Francisco cut reserve running back Thomas Clayton and kept the versatile Michael Robinson instead.  Clayton led the NFL in rushing during the preseason last year and had a solid preseason game against Chicago. 

The 49ers went with 12 defensive backs, an area Nolan might believe to be a weak spot. 

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Home Opener:

In a strange bit of scheduling, the 49ers will open against the Cardinals for the third straight season.  San Francisco has won its last two games against  Arizona. The 49ers pulled out a 20-17 victory to open last season with a touchdown in the final second of the game. On Nov. 25, the 49ers swept the season-series against the Cardinals with a 37-31 victory in overtime.  The 49ers and Cardinals share similar fates, both deciding on veteran quarterbacks instead of their younger counterparts.  Arizona will start Kurt Warner and sit Matt Leinart. 

The Martz Factor: 

Martz directed the "Greatest Show on Turf" as offensive coordinator of the Rams and while the 49ers' offensive talent is sparse, he'll be looked upon to add much needed creativity and scoring punch to the team's attack. O'Sullivan and Gore should benefit the most from the 49ers' new system.  An excited Gore has already spoken highly of Martz and the new offense.  His versatility as a runner and pass catcher will be taken advantage of even more this season.  As for O'Sullivan, his experience with Martz clearly helped him gain the starting nod at quarterback.  His role will be of a game-manager as opposed to a game-changer.  Martz is known for his magical touch with quarterbacks.  O'Sullivan is another pupil hoping to be guided to greater heights.  

By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent