QB A

Garcia has done that great to deserve the A rating. I was hedging on A minus because he hasn't thrown to his no. 2 WR, but I'll address that one in the WR section. Garcia has limited mistakes, scrambled, played on a sprained MCL that should've kept him out but he gutted it out, and he has a great connection with T Owens. Garcia has aired the ball out when he has to and he has GUTS out there with a capital G when he performs. He has class out there.

RB Bplus

HEarst's strong running and Barlow's performance yesterday locked up the plus as you couldn't ask them to do anymore. Terry Jackson has surprised me this year, no coughing the ball! Beasley has blocked effectively, but hasn't been used that much in catching situations or running. 49ers could be moving towards running the RB more then the FB, which is working out effectively. Barlow is a load to bring down whether he runs or catches the ball, HEarst is proving critics wrong as he is performing hard. Paul Smith gets a mention for he's been great on Special Teams, so has JOnas Lewis until he got hurt so it's unique to find special places for players that are hard to use and to perform effectively!

WR B minus

Only T Owens and E Johnson keep that grade from a C because of Owen's clutch playing and E Johnson performing better and faster then expected. Team has yet to have a no. 2 WR, JJ is hot and cold, but mostly cold. Streets has not been used since the Falcon OT win in game 1. Garcia has to look other options before just focussing on Owens. He is doing that with E Johnson, but not to Owens or STreets. We should insert Cedric Wilson to see what he can do for we drafted him as a WR. Owens has been great on his blocks for the running schemes, but JJ Has missed a lot of key blocks, one that could've helped Hearst scored. THere's a new game going on called 'Where's JJ?'

TE A

You couldn't ask anymore of E Johnson. HE's been a 7th round sleeper that is great on ESPN highlights. He's caught balls, and drops have been minimal. He's improved his blocking. Swift has played decently, but E Johnson is our future starter to me. I feel Clark's legs are messed up too bad for him to make an effective comeback and he's already had 2 leg surgeries. I feel he should be put on injured reserve for rest of season.

OL B minus

At times, it could be more effective to the running game, but they have been superb in protecting Garcia. Running game should be more opened. Newberry gets an A for effort on his sprained ankle while Lynch the backup has to heal. Fiore did not do a decent job in fumbling a few snaps at Center, but he did help in protecting Garcia.

The Defense grades!

2 years ago, everybody would've gotten an F. Last year, I would've been firm and said D minus. THis year...that's why I give the grades.

Front 4

Sacks, C, QB pressures B plus, run stuffing C plus

Carter has struggled for he's light, but he has been effective in helping with QB pressure and run stoppage. THere is a debate to put Carter in on passing downs, but I say keep him in there for one never knows when the opposition passes. BY and Stubbie have not gotten many sacks as one would expect, but they are stopping the run. The run gets a C plus because Rickey Williams and Marshall Faulk have ran over them. Engelberger has not done a decent job in pressuring or run stoppage, maybe he should be switched to LB. Schlect and McGrew have actually done a superb job when they come in.

LB B minus

Now that's not a bad grade for they have played great, but they haven't stopped Williams and Faulk which is their job if the front 4 can't stop them. They also got to pressure the QB more, but they play with more caliber then say when Norton and Tubbs were playing. THis group is young. Peterson has improved and would've been a difference against Faulk. D Smith is still a bit rusty from that knee injury, maybe Carolina will be his breakout game. Winborn has earned the job to start in nickel situations, which is great! Ulbrich came back strong from his shoulder surgery to earn the tandem 'Ulbrich and D Smith run stoppage.' Quincy Stewart is probably starting in special team situations for I haven't seen him come in. Barring any bad injuries, this crew is solid!

Secondary C

But that is an improvement though, it's not like the D or F they got in past years. Plummer has come along big, but can't let big WRs have big yardage. HOrn has to be stopped and Willie Jackson ran circles. This was not a good day for them. Keith got injured again, but Bronson/Heard have done great. Webster is aggressive. Parker's season got cut so McCullough has to step in. Nickel situations will have the Secondary tested. Schulters is true grit A plus caliber to play with shoulder injuries, you injure him, but he won't go out of the game! He'll pop right back in there quickly as he can!

Special Teams

K C plus

P B minus

P/K teams B

Cortez has yet to hook a K, he's been blocked. His kickoffs have not been accurate so maybe cutting back on some practices could help down the line to bump up his C plus. Baker is starting to punt effective, had some beauties in yesterday's contest. Coverage teams on P/K have been great, until they have to play against Hakim and they fall apart. Sutherland, you can't ask anymore out of the game on his KR and PR. Times on PR, he has been denied to run big, but KR, he is a dangerous threat to run one all the way. I predict he will run one all the way real soon.

Coaching, got to give Mooch his due, B

It's not easy to grade Mooch effectively when I have a lot of suggestions of how to make the team more effective and better. Of course, I've had to learn coaching won't listen to you. Mooch thus far in the 49er scoring has done many things right, firm discipline, nobody's cutting team meetings. He finally won his tough game, the Saints game. Mooch has also demonstrated class to take kneel downs rather then score another TD. Mora Jr has to be commended, the D going into today's game was 9th ranked until today so he has to have his work cut out. Knapp is a breath of fresh air the way he runs the offense and Owens is very high on him. Knapp has done better then Morhinweg. While at times questions are raised on Mooch and Mora, they are starting to come around and get this team rebuilt. MOoch does want to win and there is optimistic hope the 49ers can win and go to the playoffs. Games to watch out for: Indianpolis, St. Louis, and rematch versus New Orleans on the road, Miami and ! PHiladelphia at home. This will be tough for the 49ers only got 3 home and 5 road so winning the division could be a key. Mariucci will be tested and we'll see what he can come up with.

Overall: B