Gone is model citizen and Pro Bowler Ray Brown, who despite his stellar contributions to the team since his arrival in 1996 was deemed expendable.

Enter Ron Stone, nearly ten years Brown's junior and fellow Pro Bowler. Stone has impressive credentials and came for the right price. However, some experts whisper that his last couple Pro Bowl appearances have been based on reputation and he's beginning to slip. We'll see how this develops.

Derrick Deese pencilled in as the starter at left tackle. Lightly pencilled in. With eraser in hand. While Deese has been one of the most consistent, underrated offensive linemen in the NFL over his career, he is getting up in years and the team is beginning to feel it can no longer stand to just barely get by at such a key position. Should Deese retain his starting job for one more year, he'll probably turn in another solid-yet-unspectacular year and spend the next offseason twisting in the breeze while his future is decided. The 49ers continue to keep a wayward eye on Blake Brockermeyer, a young pup with first round pedigree.

Scott Gragg did exactly as he was asked last year -- that is, provide a steadying hand on the edge and maul defenders over in the running game. He's a seasoned veteran in his prime, and will probably be a right tackle fixture for a couple more years.

Dave Fiore is the classic 49ers lineman: undersized, athletic, highly versatile. He'll be lining up at his fifth different offensive line position this year, left guard. He shifts here to replace the aformentioned Brown. Fiore is one of the strongest players on the team and a vastly underrated lineman. It seems no matter where he lines up he does a good job and this year figures to be no different. Look for him to carry his weight and do everything he can to help protect Jeff Garcia's blindside.

Jeremy Newberry is the pride of the group. A newly minted Pro Bowler and former second round pick, he is this generation's Harris Barton. While he had a brush with the law this offseason, my suspicion is that it was much overblown and will pass quickly. Newberry is the leader and signal-caller of the line, and while the team might prefer to see him at guard or possibly tackle for the long term, he's a fixture at center and one of the NFL's top linemen.

Matt Willig is a great versatile backup, able to play four positions on the line if need be. Chad Ward and Dave Costa have been molded by the Niners' coaching staff and will probably see field time this year. Rookie Eric Heitmann was one of the top five rated guard in this year's draft but slipped because of injuries. If he's kicked the bug, he'll be a valuable contributor for years to come.