June. The summer is beginning and school is out. For us football fans it’s also the first step towards the new season. Organized team activities (OTA’s) always give teams a chance to see what the new guys and rookies look like in uniform. Competition for playing time begins and the scope of the team’s future starts again. In other words hope in renewed and once again the 49ers could very well be on the verge of a playoff season. With a few recent signing and OTA’s finished, let’s break down the team by position and see where things stand heading into July’s training camp.

Quarterbacks. QB’s Alex Smith and Shawn Hill have started there competition for the starting gig. Smith, who is now healthy following last seasons disaster, has certainly gained the early lead by absorbing OC Mike Martz offence quickly and, displaying good sharp throwing on the field. The team would love for Smith to win the battle so he will be given every opportunity to do so. Hill’s passes were plagued by bad timing during OTA’s. In Martz’s offence the quarterback needs to read the "hot routes" and hit wide outs in stride, making timing everything. There is still a lot of learning and practicing yet to come so both quarterbacks will have to continue to develop to win the job. J.T. O’Sullivan is looking like an afterthought in the race already. He may get some reps with the starting unit but there won’t be enough to showcase his skills.

Running Backs. RB Frank Gore is the man on this team. Gore has recently spoken in length with former Ram great Marshall Faulk and perhaps has gained some new perspective on what to expect from a Martz offence. Gore’s success will predicate the 49ers success as a team. That’s a lot of pressure for any player, making the arrival of DeShaun Foster very important. Foster has always been a strong receiver and blocker out of the backfield and will fit in very nicely into Martz’s offence. Foster’s ability to help shoulder the load and add experience to the running back spot will really help Gore during the coming year. Martz has openly praised the skill set of Foster and has also vowed to find room for third year running back Michael Robinson. The runners look better than ever in San Francisco this season.

Wide Outs. Last years best wide out in San Francisco was without a doubt Arnaz Battle. But before OTA’s even began, the team anointed new comers Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson the starters. Battle decided to sit out the early parts of OTA’s as a way of protesting the team’s early decision. Apparently cooler heads have prevailed because Battle finished out OTA’s and will most likely be the frontrunner for the teams slot receiver, a position that has always been very busy in all of Martz’s offences. Bruce has certainly brought a calming presence to the teams wide out core allowing younger players to focus on getting better rather than carrying the "load". Rookie WR Josh Morgan displayed a lot of talent that turned heads during the June practice sessions. But when Morgan struggled with the offence playbook, Bruce was there to encourage the rookie. Just a classic example of why leadership is needed at every position. Where Ashley Lelie and Jason Hill fit into the offence at this point has yet to be determined.

Tight Ends. Martz has never featured tight ends in any of his stops in the NFL but, he now has a very talented one in Vernon Davis. How Davis is used during training camp should provide plenty of intrigue both to the team and the fans. Martz has also openly praised third year tight end Delanie Walker. Walker is an underrated player who really started to come on as a pro during the final weeks of last year’s season. With multiple running backs, a couple of good tight ends and, an unsettled group of wide outs, it should be interesting to see who emerges as the go to players for the 49ers this coming season. Stay tuned.

Offensive Line. Only Eric Heitmann the team’s center returns to his position from last year. Every other position is getting a serious overhaul. Last years number one pick Joe Staley is making the move to left tackle, and so far is doing his job well. Right tackle is in flux. Jonas Jennings the teams overpaid, injury prone, former left tackle is the most likely candidate to take the job. And while on paper Staley and Jennings seem good the real problem is the lack of depth. Thus the team has made a ton of moves to shore up the position and guard against a possible injury. OT Joe Toledo has been signed but has never played in a game, OT Alan Reuber has been signed but has only played in four games, and OT Damane Duckett is in the process of making the move from defense to offence and has never played a game at offensive tackle. The 49ers even moved rookie Guard Chilo Rachel to tackle to help with depth. Nothing has panned out. But on Monday the team helped themselves by acquiring Barry Simms the former Rader. Simms is not spectacular but is a steady veteran who has plenty of experience as a starter. This move should not only finally answer any depth issues at tackle but also get Rachel back to guard where he belongs. The Guard position looks deep and strong for the 49ers. Alan Snyder and David Bass will be the starters and Tony Wragge and rookies Chilo Rachel and Cody Wallace should be above average backups for this season.

Defensive Front Seven. The 49ers have been threatening to make this defense a regular 3-4 defense for years now, but time and time again the team is forced to use the 4-3 because of injuries or lack of correct personal. The arrival of DE Justin Smith could finally make the 3-4 a reality. Smith has been lining up at defensive end and outside linebacker during OTA’s with the thought of getting him in position to make big plays and sacks. Smiths versatility will help keep the defense from flip flopping formations during the season. Getting Manny Lawson back onto the field will help as much as any addition the 49ers made this off season. Lawson is that "X" factor type player that can cover the run, drop back into pass coverage and, rush the quarterback all at a high level. Lawson and Smith together form the best pair of defenders the 49ers have seen in a front four in many years. Resigned Isaac Sopoaga and rookie Kentwan Balmer should help create some excitement along the front three and really ease the loss of long time 49er Bryant Young. The inside line backing job next to Patrick Willis is being contested between Jeff Ulbrich and Dontarrious Thomas. The team would like to see Thomas win because Ulbrich is best used as a special teamer and part time fill in on defense. Takeo Spikes has still not signed anywhere and the 49ers still have a standing offer for his services, an offer that makes one think the 49ers are not satisfied with the current depth chart at middle linebacker. There will be some good players cut from the front seven this season. Joe Cohen, Aubrayo Franklin, Ray McDonald and, Melvin Oliver all have a lot to prove heading into training camp.

Secondary. There could be some changes ahead for the secondary. The 49ers have done a nice job of rebuilding the secondary into a team strength over the last three seasons. Nate Clements is a franchise player at corner but opposite him could see a change. Walt Harris has had two very nice seasons for the 49ers but is getting older for a corner and the 49ers will certainly let younger players try and unseat him for the starting role. Rookie Reggie Smith and second year player Tarell Brown will both be given every opportunity to become starters. Strong safety is in good hands with veteran Michael Lewis, but the free safety spot could see a change. Marc Roman has done an adequate job for the 49ers the last two seasons but very few big plays have come from the spot. Roman started the OTA’s with an injury and that has opened the door for second year pro DeShaun Goldson to get playing time. Goldson has looked fantastic with that playing time and for the most part was the standout of OTA’s. HC Mike Nolan is always reluctant to start younger players over veterans but, with Goldson he may have no choice.

News and Notes

-OT Joe Toledo was signed to a undisclosed contract.

-OT Alan Reuber was signed to an undisclosed contract.

-DT LaJuan Ramsey was clamed off waivers from the Eagles.

-OT Quasim Mitchell was waived during OTA’s.

-OT Barry Simms just signed a two year contract, the money was undisclosed.

-Rookie 6th round pick WR Josh Morgan as signed a four year contract, the money was undisclosed.

Training camp is right around the corner and while there is much to be optimistic about, the 49ers will be more reserved as a team this season than they were last year. Much like last season the whole year depends directly on whether or not the 49ers can get any type of solid production from the quarterback spot. The team has been wise to create a competition that young Alex Smith can’t lose at. He should win and that should boost his confidence and give him a chance to somewhat reboot his career. The coaching staff has everything to lose this season so expect a lot of "desperate" excitement as the team tries to rally and make the 49ers a respectable franchise again. Renewed hope is always the best cure for an eleven loss season. Too bad we couldn’t just clone Montana…..