Justin Smith News

Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah recently joined NFL.com to provide a variety of news and analysis.

Yesterday, we tackled the Big 12's best offensive players in the NFL, but today, it's time for the other side of the ball.

It's easy to see why some of the blog items posted here wind up with thousands of comments.

In the shortened 2011 league year, Jim Harbaugh and his new staff turned a 6-10 team into a Super Bowl contender.

As we approach the coming season I thought it best to take some time to discuss a few players on the 49ers roster that will need to make an impact this season in order for the team to be successful.

Just ask local reporters, who have watched Moss run go routes past them as he's walked off the field following recent San Francisco 49ers practices.

For all intents and purposes, the San Francisco 49ers are set. Now that the first offseason team activities are about complete, of the top 24 positions , the Niners have signed 23 to long-term deals.

General manager Trent Baalke and the 49ers' chief contract negotiator, Paraag Marathe, were observed having a conversation at the end of Tuesday's practice, usually a sign that a deal is in the works.

Yesterday afternoon, Pro Football Focus released their rundown of the top ten single-game performances by 3-4 defensive ends in 2011.

As we proceed with the offseason team activities , it's safe to say that the San Francisco 49ers are going to capture a lot of attention as a serious Super Bowl contender.

"I'd be eating whoppers and stuff on my way in so I would weight around 305," he said Thursday.

Nothing's going on at Niners headquarters this week, we've broken down the offense, now let's talk about the defense.

It may be the transition to the NFL level or it's the hard work that Jim Harbaugh puts his players through, but the 49ers first-round pick A.J. Jenkins didn't show a fit form on Friday at minicamp.

Quarterback Alex Smith has made "dramatic improvements" to his throwing motion, according to 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.

First-round pick A.J. Jenkins may have gotten winded midway through his first practice with the 49ers.

Football fans are smart individuals, but there is more to the game than the average fans sees on every down.

Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers fumbles the ball after being sacked by Aldon Smith #99 and Justin Smith #94 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California.

Back in 2008 and 2009, we conducted a group of polls to select an all-time team for the San Francisco 49ers .

Fooch's Note : We'll be breaking down all 18 regular and postseason games of the 49ers 2011 season over the course of the next couple months.

Even to the most astute draft die-hards of Niner Nation, this was not a name expected to be heard.