Key Issues For 49ers Faithful

The 49ers open training camp Friday in Santa Clara with more questions than ever looming over the franchise.

Coach Mike Nolan and quarterback Alex Smith are among the individuals who face apparent make-or-break years after they fared poorly – and feuded publicly – during a disappointing 5-11 season in 2007.

Here is a look at 10 key issues that face the 49ers this season:

1. Quarterback competition: Smith and Shaun Hill will split practice snaps during training camp, as each will start one of the first two exhibition games.

The 49ers hope to have a starting quarterback named for the Aug. 21 exhibition game at Chicago. Consider it a disappointment if Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 draft, is not able to earn the job over Hill, who has just two starts in his six-year career.

Journeyman J.T. O’Sullivan will also “stay alive” in the competition, Nolan says.

2. Nolan on hot seat: It is rare that a coach with a three-year record of 16-32 gets a chance at a fourth season. Nolan, in the fourth season of a five-year contract, has to produce. At the end of this season, 49ers ownership will either give him an extension or fire him. There is no middle ground.

Nolan has been criticized for trying to turn the 49ers into “Baltimore West” with a low-risk offensive approach designed to place the focus on the team’s defense. That conservative approach appears to be cast aside with his selection of this year’s offensive coordinator.

3. Mad Mike on board: In hopes of saving his job, Nolan hired flamboyant Mike Martz to run the offense after firing overmatched Jim Hostler after one season. Martz was the mind behind the ultra-successful “Greatest Show on Turf” with the St. Louis Rams.

While nobody is expecting miracles, the 49ers need Martz to coax some production out of an offense that ranked last in virtually every significant category last season. Martz’s complex passing scheme should be a jolting departure from the brand of offense the 49ers have used since Nolan arrived in 2005.

4. The other Smith: The 49ers’ defense, while much better than it was a couple of years ago, is still in desperate need of a pass rush.

The club’s big-money acquisition was defensive end Justin Smith, who had just two sacks last season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 49ers do not want Smith exclusively to play defensive end in their 3-4 scheme. They want to place him in a position to make plays. So, Smith might see a lot of action as an outside linebacker — the featured pass-rush position.

5. Vernon’s showcase: You’ve been reading for two years about tight end Vernon Davis’ unique blend of speed and power. Finally, we might see more than just the occasional flash of his potential.

Coming off a 52-catch season, Davis figures to benefit from Martz’s willingness to highlight Davis’ extraordinary skills. Sure, he’ll have his occasional dropped pass, but Davis should flourish with a new offensive coordinator.

6. Willis in second year: It’s difficult to imagine middle linebacker Patrick Willis much better than he was as a rookie. The Pro Bowl selection led the league in tackles while compensating for some of Derek Smith’s shortcomings. Smith, a fellow inside linebacker, was released after the season and signed with the San Diego Chargers. (The 49ers’ search continues for Smith’s replacement.) About the only area of Willis’ game that could improve would be game-changing plays. Willis will be focused on creating more turnovers and, perhaps, more sacks.

7. Gore, the centerpiece: Since 2006, Frank Gore ranks behind only LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook with 3,718 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving). Martz promises to pattern his use of Gore after what he did with Marshall Faulk during their time together with the Rams.

Gore’s carries might decrease, but he should be even more of a factor in the passing game. Gore, by the way, has led the 49ers in receptions the past two seasons.

8. Compensating for B.Y.: Defensive lineman Bryant Young retired after the season and, unlike Brett Favre, has voiced no second thoughts about his decision.

Young, one of the most respected players in 49ers history, was a lead-by-example performer whose quiet presence in the locker room will be missed. That is part of the reason the 49ers signed Justin Smith, who has not missed a game since a protracted contract stalemate as a rookie in 2001 kept him out of the season opener.

9. Continuity on O-line: The 49ers surrendered a franchise-worst 55 sacks last season, and only center Eric Heitmann returns as a starter in the same position as a year ago.

The big moves take place at the tackle positions. Second-year player Joe Staley takes over at left tackle for oft-injured Jonas Jennings, who has missed all or parts of 32 games in his three seasons with the 49ers. Jennings moves to the right side, where he’ll compete against former Raiders lineman Barry Sims for the starting job.

10. Competition in NFC West: Seattle has dominated the division, winning the past four titles and making five consecutive trips to the playoffs. Arizona showed signs under coach Ken Whisenhunt of becoming a contender, and St. Louis bungled its way to a 3-13 record. If things fall into place, the 49ers should be competitive in this division.

The Seahawks figure to be the favorite, though it is unknown how the club will respond in Mike Holmgren’s final season. Another former 49ers assistant, Jim Mora, is scheduled to become Seahawks head coach in 2009.

Depending on what happens this season with the 49ers, brace yourselves for the speculation that Holmgren, a San Francisco native, could be returning to his home city.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at 49ers.pressdemocrat.com

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com