When the 2008 season ended, there were a few positions Mike Singletary wanted to upgrade: "Definitely think we need to add another quarterback," he said at the time. "I think we need to add an offensive lineman, guard or tackle. On the defensive side of the ball, we definitely need a pass rusher. You never have enough of those. So a couple of those guys would be great. Possibly a safety. Our guys have done a good job but going forward we may want to get a safety that has some range or what have you. So generally, to start with that's a good place to start right now."
Have the 49ers succeeded in those upgrades? The 49ers go into today's game against the Cowboys looking awfully similar to the team that lost to Dallas on Nov. 23.
Quarterback: The 49ers courted - awkwardly - Kurt Warner, but he remained in Arizona. In the end, veteran Damon Huard and rookie Nate Davis were added to the mix. Neither promises to have a very big role this season, but Davis is showing nice long-term potential.
Offensive line: The 49ers added Marvel Smith with the hope that his back issues were solved and that he would return to his Pro Bowl form. Smith is planning to retire early next week. That means the only addition to a line that has allowed 55 sacks the last two seasons is undrafted free agent Alex Boone, who has looked better than an undrafted rookie so far in training camp but who is not yet ready for a starting role. Boone could make the 53-man roster, but barring injuries he's not likely to suit up on game days.
Pass rusher: The biggest move the 49ers made this offseason - giving Ahmad Brooks a bigger role. The team also added Marques Harris, who is currently backing up Manny Lawson, in free agency. The team is relying heavily on Lawson, a player who never has shown much of a pass rush, and second-year player Kentwan Balmer, whose rookie season was, to put it nicely, quiet.
Safety: Again, the 49ers mostly shuffled around their lineup. Dashon Goldson is the new starter at free safety, but the old mainstay at the position, Mark Roman, would step in if either Goldson, who has a history of injuries, or Michael Lewis, goes down. Reggie Smith was moved to safety from cornerback and shows promise. Seventh-round pick Curtis Taylor is on the bubble to make the 53-man roster.
It hasn't been the greatest week for the 49ers. Their top two quarterbacks were out at various times with injuries, and the player they hoped would bulk up their offensive line decided to retire. Their first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree is sticking to his stubborn guns that he is worth more than No. 10 money. Crabtree could miss the entire preseason and will be useless to the team early on. Of course, the bad vibrations would be eliminated right away with a solid first half this evening. Yes, the 49ers are 2-0 so far in the preseason but both wins came against dubious defenses and were by virtue of the opponents opting for a last-second two-point conversion. The talented Cowboys will be a tougher test. ... The 49ers are not interested in free-agent tackle Levi Jones.
-- Matt Barrows
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