Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The 49ers will hold their first mandatory minicamp over three days starting on Tuesday at team headquarters in Santa Clara.  This will be Jim Harbaugh’s first mandatory minicamp with 49er players as everyone was locked out by the NFL this time last year.

Currently, the 49ers have a 90-man offseason roster and all but two players are expected to attend the three-day minicamp.  The most obvious person who will be missing from minicamp is safety Dashon Goldson who is holding out for the right long-term contract.  The 49ers have until July 16 to sign the franchise player to an extension; otherwise, Goldson will be locked in for a one-year deal at around $6.2 million.

The other player who will not be in attendance at minicamp is rookie running back LaMichael James.  The reason for James’ absence not only from the upcoming minicamp, but from all of the voluntary workouts held during the offseason, is because he is still not eligible to workout with the team.  NFL rules mandate that a rookie cannot join a team in offseason workouts until his school has held its graduation or the player has graduated.  Since the University of Oregon, where James attended, is on the quarter’s system their graduation will be held June 18.  Many are expecting James to make an immediate impact this season for the 49ers, however, the running back will have a lot of catching up to do and will have learning curve because of the NFL rule.  Yet another reason to hate a college using the quarters system.

Even though first-round pick A.J. Jenkins has not signed a contract with the 49ers, he will still be at the mandatory minicamp because he signed a waiver injury which allows him to participate.  Gotta love the dedication Jenkins is showing by being at the voluntary and mandatory minicamps even though he has not signed a contract.  Jenkins remains the last 49ers draft pick unsigned.

In the first installment, let us discuss our fearless leader on the field, quarterback Alex Smith. This past season, Alex seemed to grow by leaps and bounds, performing at or above his previous totals in every single category we rate quarterbacks on. Aside from the tangible numbers, Alex also clearly grew by leaps and bounds in the categories that matter most: heart, guts, determination, drive, leadership, and confidence. The question must be begged however, is this a sign of things to come? Or a fluke? Is this the real Alex Smith? Or will he relapse in to one of his former alter egos that we saw in the previous five seasons?

Of course we all hope that the Alex Smith we saw in 2011 is the real one. That he has grown and matured in to a high middle level to low top tier quarterback and can really lead this team to the promise land. Hopefully, his previous seasons were (as most speculate) marred by changing offensive coordinators every year, by an unstable coaching staff, lack of production by wide receivers, an ever changing and young offensive line, and countless other setbacks. With the arrival of Jim Harbaugh last season and his pedigree with mentoring quarterbacks and his knowledge and passion for the game, Alex Smith most definitely made the most of his situation and learned, and grew in his position both as a quarterback and as the leader of the 49ers. The questions remains, which Alex Smith will we see this year?

With the additions so far in the offseason of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, and the 49ers plan to get more help for Alex in the draft, be it from the offensive guard spot, another wide receiver or another tight end, the head office of the 49ers organization clearly believes in Alex Smith and wants to give him the best chance they can for him to succeed.

But there was that whole “Courtship of Peyton Manning” thing that throws a kind of dark cloud of things. What was that all about? I mean, I get it, it’s Peyton Manning but that doesn’t change the fact that it shows a slight lack of faith in Alex Smith whether they want to admit it or not. Sure after Peyton spurned their advances, the Niners organization immediately signed Alex Smith to a new contract and stood shoulder to shoulder with him saying things like, “He is our quarterback” and other idioms and cliche statements that one says when they are caught courting someone else, but maybe I’m reading to much in to it.

What makes this plot so intriguing is that Alex Smith can do something that no other #1 overall pick has done in the history of the NFL. Until this past season, Alex was labeled a bust, five seasons and five disappointments. In his first five seasons, Alex Smith was abysmal, routinely benched, and religiously booed by fans week in and week out. He was on his way out of the league and no one would have thought of him again. He was about to become another Ryan Leaf, another Akili Smith, another Jamarcus Russell, you get the idea. Then came the regime change, a new era in 49er football and with that, a second chance for Alex Smith. Now, if Alex can prove that last year is the real deal Alex, he will complete a turn around the likes of which no one has ever seen, going from a hated, punch line to an elite quarterback.

Alex completed the 2011 season with career highs in passing yards, TD/INT ratio, completion percentage, and quarterback rating. He accomplished this with the help of no receiver. That’s right, Alex threw for over 3,000 yards with Braylon Edwards, and Michael Crabtree, both of whom were non-existent. That leaves Vernon Davis and Frank Gore, without doubt two of the best players on the team yes, but two players does not an “offensive arsenal” make. So which Alex Smith will we see? With the additions already made, and the inevitable additions to come in the next few months, it is imperative that we see the Alex Smith we saw in 2011 or a better version of that man, and I believe we will. Alex Smith is too talented, and too smart to not excel in the situation he has been placed in. This team will contend for a Super Bowl this year and Alex Smith will be the captain of the ship on the way to New Orleans next February.

Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

When the San Francisco 49ers announced they would sign Brandon Jacobs, the 49ers Faithful were elated with the bringing in the former Giants running back.  But one question that may have come up is how will this work with starting running back Frank Gore and the emerging Kendall Hunter also in the backfield?  Jacobs was the workhorse RB for the Giants from 2007, when he had his first 1,000 yard rushing season, until 2010 when he lost out on the starting role to Ahmad Bradshaw. Even though Jacobs was not the main back in 2010 and 2011, he still contributed to the rushing attack.

After officially signing his contract with the 49ers on Friday, Jacobs put to rest any fears from the 49ers Faithful about his role with the team.  Jacobs said he knows Gore is the number one running back and he will do “whatever is best for the team” even if that includes a backup role.

With his 6-foot-4, 264-pound frame, Jacobs will give the 49ers the much needed short-yardage/goal line running back the team has lacked in recent years.  Anthony Dixon was supposed to fill this role the last two seasons but has failed to be the reliable RB the team needed in those situations.

It is reassuring to hear Jacobs is comfortable with any role head coach Jim Harbaugh wants him to take this season.  Last season Jacobs worked well in tandem with Bradshaw as they helped the Giants to a Super Bowl title.  The trio of Gore, Hunter and Jacobs will give the 49ers a well-rounded running game that will give defenses problems to stop.  Jacobs’ playoff experience and two Super Bowl rings will also help the 49ers in crucial games next season.