2007 Recap

The San Francisco 49ers finished the 2007 season third I the NFC West with a disappointing 5-11 record. The season was characterized by an ineffective offense that averaged less than 14 points a game and a weak defense that surrendered nearly 23.

The 49ers have stuck with Alex Smith despite a lack luster 2007 performance that saw him benched after Week 10. The bright spot in the season was the continued success RB Frank Gore, who rushed for 1,102 yards with 4.2 yards a carry despite being the focus of the opposing defense every game. The 49ers are hoping the signing of Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson as wide receivers will help the spread the defense which only had to be concerned with talented TE Vernon Davis last season.

The 49ers have also been busy rebuilding the defense, signing DE Justin Smith, DT Isaac Sopoago, and LB Dontarrious Thomas. The 49ers will try to build the offensive line and fill any positions left by free agency in the 2008 draft.

Team History

While the S.F. 49ers have struggled in the past few seasons, the team emerged as an elite team in the 1980s with the hiring of Bill Walsh and the development of the West Coast offense. The offense was run to perfection by Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young for nearly two decades, resulting in five Super Bowls and 13 division titles in the NFC West.

Those teams also had talented receivers, like Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice, TE Dwight Clark, WR John Taylor, and a young Terrell Owens. The 49ers were also famous for a tough defense that featured CB Deion Sanders, LB Ken Norton, Jr., DT Bryant Young, and LB Gary Plummer in the 1990s.