He pads are on and so is the competition for key spots all over the 49er roster. Who will lead this team, who will block, who will cover. All these questions must be answered in about eight short weeks as the season now looms over the entire league. OC Mike Martz has done much to stamp his offensive ideals and enthusiasm into the 49ers, the big question left is will the team respond. Many jobs hang in the balance this season so the pressure to win will be heightened. Last preseason the team looked terrible in all four exhibition games, so this season look for the 49ers to make a point of winning games even if at the cost of showcasing younger talent. Here is a strong idea of what to expect from each position as training camp opens.

Quarterbacks. QB Alex Smith and QB Shawn Hill will most likely split time with the first team through the first two weeks of training camp. It has been speculated that Smith has taken hold of Martz system better so far. Expect Smith to shine enough to steal most of the first team reps heading into the first exhibition game. Hill will get at least one chance in an preseason game to start but it is my opinion that it probably will be a moot point by the time that game arrives. The team needs to know where they stand with Smith knowing that his contract next season will soar into the eight digit area.

Running Backs. RB Frank Gore has no competition for his starting job other than health. The real question for fantasy owners is who his handcuff will be between RB DeShaun Foster and RB Michael Robinson and, how much playing time Martz plans on giving both backup runners. Robinson is the fresher runner but is still a converted quarterback from college and, has now seen his third offensive coordinator in as many years with the 49ers. Foster could be considered the veteran now with enough experience in the league to understand his role better than Robinson might. Another interesting development for the 49ers has been second year RB Thomas Clayton. Clayton displayed some tough inside running along with quickness during mini-camp and OTA’s that could, with a strong camp, put him in position to steal scoring opportunities form Gore during the season. The battle for playing time behind Gore should be interesting and, as of this writing there have been no indication as to which player is leading that battle. The team needs Gore to be health so expect so big numbers form Gore but not the gaudy ones that dominate a fantasy league.

Wide Receivers. This unit has had two major problems over the past three seasons. First there is no true go to guy for the quarterbacks and the team to lean on and second, there has been very little stability as the unit has been a virtual revolving door of talent. This season will probably bring much of the same. WR Isaac Bruce is a great player but may not be able to give the team much more that a year of service. Opposite Bruce will be WR Bryant Johnson who is only signed for one season. The 49ers seem wary to anoint the next go to guy and instead will look and see where the cream is in the current crop of players. WR Arnaz Battle and WR Ashley Lelie seem to be in good favor with Martz and have probably already locked down the third and forth receiver spots for the team. Where WR Jason Hill and rookie WR Josh Morgan fit in is also a question for training camp. Both Hill and Morgan have a lot of learning yet to do, and the team could very well decide to keep six wide outs on the active roster but, if push came to shove for a final roster spot Morgan has practice squad eligibility. Martz and the 49ers have to hope the receivers are up to speed on the new offensive system soon. One factor really helping Martz is having Bruce on the field. Martz has been quoted saying "I like to point to a guy like Isaac and say to the other receivers, ‘See, this is what you do". That statement sums up the value that Bruce holds to this team right now.

Tight Ends. Not much to say with this unit. TE Vernon Davis is the guy and that’s it. How Martz decides to use him is the question. "Vernon is a very versatile player and such an unusual athlete for that position" Martz said. "It’s new for me, because I’ve never had anybody like him." This statement puts a lot of question into what Davis could or should do this coming season. This is a very important training camp question because Davis is probably the best option to be the "Go To" guy the 49ers currently have on the roster. TE Delanie Walker has improved each year in the league and is a very solid back up to Davis. TE Billy Bajema is a blocking specialist that will make the 53 man roster.

Offensive Line. The puzzle of how the line will look has already been laid out by the team. From left to right it will be LT Joe Staley, a stud and possible pro bowler. LG Adam Snyder, a very versatile player best suited for inside duty. C Eric Heitmann, a steady player who is the only player returning to his position from a year ago but, is also in a contract year. RG David Bass, an ok interior linemen coming off a shoulder tear that could keep him out of camp all together. RT Jonas Jennings, a steady veteran who has seen more than his share of the injury bug. The biggest questions marks seem to be the right side of the line where injuries are holding back Jennings and Bass. Rookie RG Chilo Rachel and hold over G Tony Wragge will get lots of opportunities to make a case to be in the starting unit. The team wisely added insurance against Jennings by singing ten year vet OT Barry Sims. Sims is average but is better than the lackluster group of tackles the team has behind him. OT Damane Duckett has a season of learning to do and the rest of the current tackles will get cut. Rookie C Cody Wallace looked impressive during OTA’s and will most likely be learning this season to take over for Heitmann next year. Overall the offensive line is in a huge two or three year transition and now must learn a more complicated blocking scheme under Martz. Needless to say, how well the coaches get this unit ready will determine how well the offense as a whole runs this season.

Special Teams. PK Joe Nedney is a great kicker and P Andy Lee is amongst the leagues best. KR Allan Rossum has become a nice pick up so far for the 49ers. He has a loose presence in the locker room and has looked fast and effective returning kicks and punts during mini camp and OTA’s. The 49ers have not had a true returner in three years so Rossum is a breath of fresh air to the team even if he is old by football standards. RB Michael Robinson and WR Jason Hill will probably get looks at the return spot behind Rossum during camp. LS Brian Jennings is a fantastic Long snapper rounding out a very strong special teams unit for the 49ers.

Defensive Line. It has been said the 49ers would like to run a 3-4 defense but DC Greg Manusky will start the best eleven guys he has come opening day. With that in mind it is prudent to consider that the 49ers have developed a fairly decent from line with three to five possible starting candidates. DE Justin Smith will be on the field every snap and will be moved around plenty during camp to see where he is most comfortable at. That could mean Smith playing off the line in a linebacker type role. The basic idea is to scheme the line to get Smith into the opponents backfield and make some big plays for the team. DE Isaac Sopoaga and rookie DL Kentwan Balmer will both see plenty of playing time as well. Sopoaga figures to take over the end spot vacated by the retired Bryant Young. Balmer will get lots of chances to play both inside competing with holdover DT Aubrayo Franklin and, working the ends as the schemes change along the front. Hold over DT Ron Fields has done much to secure a roster spot as a mean physical player that can take on multiple tacklers. Fields has more heart than talent but that’s just how HC Mike Nolan likes his players. Second year DE Ray McDonald is promising but has much more to learn if he is to secure a regular role up front. DT Walter Curry, DT Joe Cohen and, Atiyyah Ellison could make the team but all three need to make serious impressions during camp to do so. Either way, the starters seem secure with Smith being a viable option for fantasy teams with defensive players.

Line Backers. ILB Patrick Willis is a superstar. The ILB position next to Willis has yet to be determined. The "Ted" position in a 3-4 defense is meant to take on blockers and keep Willis free to make the big plays. LB Brandon Moore is back into the mix for that spot along with newcomer LB Dontarrious Thomas and veteran LB Jeff Ulbrich. The players that lose the inside line backing battle will become above average backups and special teamers. The dark horse is rookie ILB Larry Grant who looked sharp during mini camp and OTA’s. OLB Manny Lawson will get back onto the field and hopefully he can pick up where he left off before last seasons injury. Lawson is arguably the teams best pass rusher and Manusky will certainly find ways to take advantage of his skills. Look for Justin Smith and Lawson to lineup near each other in attempts to get more sacks for the team this year. Last years ROLB Parys Haralson will return to a backup role behind Lawson. Who will man the outside spot opposite Lawson is a concern. Last year OLB Tully Banta Cain seemed out matched and is probably better suited for situation pass rush duty. Banta Cain has a burst of speed and quickness but seemed to wear down over the season, creating just a handful of big plays from a very important defensive spot. This season second year OLB Jay Moore and veteran OLB Roderick Green figure to be involved in a rotation with Banta Cain that could at least keep offensive units guessing. Haralson has looked better than last year now has a year’s experience starting in the NFL, with any luck he could end up starting opposite Lawson. Either way there figures to be some serious competition for the pecking order at line backer during camp.

Secondary. SS Michael Lewis and CB Nate Clements are starters baring nothing but injuries. The questions this season are if CB Walt Harris and FS Marc Roman can hold on to there jobs. FS Dashon Goldson looked spectacular during mini camp and OTA’s and should already be a starter. Goldson, a ball hawk and hard hitter, looks like not only an upgrade for the unit but, possibly a superstar type player. The safety position is rounded out by veteran SS Keith Lewis. The 49ers have developed a fairly good group of reserve corners. CB Shawntae Spencer and CB Donald Strickland will compete CB Marcus Curry, CB Tarell Brown and, rookie CB Reggie Smith. It seems the team would like to see Smith win this battle and begin phasing Harris out all together. Brown is a very good player that needs some seasoning. Browns first year in the league was up and down but has as much a shot at starting as any one. Strickland and Spencer are good players but realistically better suited in nickel and dime packages. Hudson could be moved back to safety to add provided depth at that position. Training camp should prove to be very interesting for the secondary this season.

News and Notes.

-Second round pick DT Chili Rachel was signed to an undisclosed contract.

-Third round pick CB Reggie Smith was signed to an undisclosed contract.

-Fourth round pick C Cody Wallace was signed to an undisclosed contract.

-the 49ers waived DE Melvin Oliver. Oliver was released early to allow him an opportunity to sign on with another club.

-Seventh round pick LB Larry Grant was signed to an undisclosed contract.

-QB Kyle Write was signed off wavier form the Vikings. QB Drew Olson was waived to make room.

Training camp is always a time when new players begin to show there promise for the future. A savvy fantasy owner will watch intently as battles for playing time are fought over the next month. A good fantasy team can be forged by grabbing players with out much fanfare. The 49ers figure to have at least three to four new offensive players and up to seven new players in the defense this season so watch carefully. The 49ers have low expectations around the league but very high internal expectations. So in a way the pressure is both very much on and off the coaching staff as they prepare the 49ers for there first winning season in as long as any of us can remember.