San Francisco 49ers

ENEMY LINES

WHAT A RIVAL COACH SAYS

"WHAT WILL THE 49ers do on offense to win this division? They'll run the ball with Frank Gore. They'll get the ball to Vernon Davis. And they'll get the ball to Michael Crabtree. Gore is the best weapon on the team. If there are 65 offensive plays in a game, Gore should get at least 30. As long as he stays healthy, he's going to put up numbers.

The backup running back is uncertain right now. I don't know if they're going to use the bigger kid they drafted, Anthony Dixon, or Glen Coffee. Gore is only 5' 9", and the coaches want to keep him healthy. I think the idea behind drafting Dixon and Coffee in the last two years was that when it's third-and-one or a goal line situation, it's not always Gore.

Alex Smith will understand the offense much better now that he's in his second season with coordinator Jimmy Raye. As a result the offense will be better.

Davis finally had a big year last season for two reasons: He remained healthy, and he understood what was going on.... I think Crabtree will have a breakout season. He should get the ball, if not as much as Davis, close to it. There will be a lot of plays designed for Crabtree.

The unknown quantity on this team is Ted Ginn. Where are the Niners going to use him? In Miami the Dolphins played him at receiver because they had to. But in San Francisco it's again going to be wait and see as to how well Ginn does at that position; his bread was buttered as a returner, not as receiver. I think the Niners will call some reverses and screens for him, because you don't get a guy like that and not use him."

ONE TO GET, ONE TO FORGET

SLEEPER

Alex SMITH