2007 San Francisco 49ers season

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2007 San Francisco 49ers season
OwnerDenise DeBartolo York and John York
PresidentJohn York
General managerMike Nolan
Head coachMike Nolan
Offensive coordinatorJim Hostler
Defensive coordinatorGreg Manusky
Home fieldMonster Park
Results
Record5–11
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersILB Patrick Willis
P Andy Lee
AP All-ProsPatrick Willis (1st team)
Andy Lee (1st team)
Uniform

The 2007 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 62nd season, and 58th in the National Football League (NFL). They ended their season with a disappointing record of 5–11 in 2007, failing to improve upon their 7–9 record from 2006. The 49ers offense struggled all season long—starting quarterback Alex Smith injured his shoulder early in the season, and newly promoted offensive coordinator Jim Hostler was the subject of much scrutiny and criticism regarding his play calling. Hostler was fired following the season.

2007 is also noted for being defensive lineman Bryant Young's final season; the future Hall of Fame enshrinee was the last remaining member of San Francisco's Super Bowl XXIX championship team.

Staff

2007 San Francisco 49ers staff

Front office {{{front_office}}}

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Offseason

Free agency

The 49ers addressed their problems in the secondary with the signing of veteran cornerback

Michael Lewis from Philadelphia on the same day. Other key defensive pickups included linebackers Colby Bockwoldt and Tully Banta-Cain and nosetackle Aubrayo Franklin. The team also addressed its wide-receiver needs by signing former Denver Bronco and Atlanta Falcon, Ashley Lelie and Seattle Seahawk, Darrell Jackson
. San Francisco also used the free agency period to extend Gore's contract to 4 years worth $28 million, $14 million of which is guaranteed.

Draft

In the 2007 NFL draft, they addressed their need for an inside linebacker by picking Patrick Willis in the first round and also gave up their 2008 first round pick to the New England Patriots and selected 28 overall Offensive Tackle Joe Staley. In the 2nd round the 49ers traded their pick for the Colts' number one pick in the 2008 NFL draft. On the second day of the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers traded a 4th round pick for Seattle Seahawks leading receiver, Darrell Jackson.

Main article: 2007 NFL draft
2007 San Francisco 49ers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 11 Patrick Willis * †  LB Ole Miss
1 28 Joe Staley * 
OT
 Central Michigan from New England
3 76 Jason Hill  WR Washington State
3 97 Ray McDonald  DE Florida
4 104 Jay Moore  DE Nebraska from Washington
4 126 Dashon Goldson *  S Washington from New Orleans via Indianapolis
4 135 Joe Cohen  DE Florida
5 147 Tarell Brown  CB Texas
6 186 Thomas Clayton  RB Kansas State
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

2007 San Francisco 49ers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 10 inactive, 8 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Denver Broncos L 13–17 0–1 Monster Park Recap
2 August 18 Oakland Raiders W 26–21 1–1 Monster Park Recap
3 August 25 at Chicago Bears L 28–31 1–2 Soldier Field Recap
4 August 30 at San Diego Chargers L 13–16 1–3
Qualcomm Stadium
 Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 10 Arizona Cardinals W 20–17 1–0 Monster Park Recap
2 September 16 at St. Louis Rams W 17–16 2–0 Edward Jones Dome Recap
3 September 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–37 2–1
Heinz Field
 Recap
4 September 30 Seattle Seahawks L 3–23 2–2 Monster Park Recap
5 October 7 Baltimore Ravens L 7–9 2–3 Monster Park Recap
6 Bye
7 October 21 at New York Giants L 15–33 2–4 Giants Stadium Recap
8 October 28 New Orleans Saints L 10–31 2–5 Monster Park Recap
9 November 4 at Atlanta Falcons L 16–20 2–6 Georgia Dome Recap
10 November 12 at Seattle Seahawks L 0–24 2–7
Qwest Field
 Recap
11 November 18 St. Louis Rams L 9–13 2–8 Monster Park Recap
12 November 25 at Arizona Cardinals W 37–31 (OT) 3–8 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
13 December 2 at Carolina Panthers L 14–31 3–9 Bank of America Stadium Recap
14 December 9 Minnesota Vikings L 7–27 3–10 Monster Park Recap
15 December 15 Cincinnati Bengals W 20–13 4–10 Monster Park Recap
16 December 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 21–19 5–10 Monster Park Recap
17 December 30 at Cleveland Browns L 7–20 5–11
Cleveland Browns Stadium
 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 10 0717
49ers 7 3 3720

at

San Francisco, California

Dressed up in their throwback uniforms, the 49ers began their 2007 campaign against their NFC West rival, the Arizona Cardinals in the second game of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the first quarter, the Niners drew first blood as RB Frank Gore got a 6-yard TD run for the score of the period. However, in the second quarter, the Cardinals took the lead with kicker with Neil Rackers getting a 35-yard field goal and RB Edgerrin James getting a 7-yard TD run. San Francisco ended the half with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 33-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the 49ers retook the lead with Nedney kicking a 30-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Arizona jumped ahead with QB Matt Leinart completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin. With time running out late in the game, QB Alex Smith led the Niners on a last-minute drive that included a 20-yard run by Alex Smith and ended with WR Arnaz Battle getting a 1-yard TD run. The Cardinals had just enough time to try a late-game comeback, but San Francisco clinched the game with CB Shawntae Spencer getting an interception for the win. Matt Leinart's first and last passes in the game were both interceptions.

With the win, not only did the 49ers begin their year at 1–0, but Mike Nolan finally got his first win against Arizona as a head coach.

Scoring summary

Q1 – SF – 11:24 – Frank Gore 6-yard TD run (Joe Nedney kick) (SF 7–0)

Q2 – ARI – 12:55 – Neil Rackers 35-yard FG (SF 7–3)

Q2 – ARI – 9:15 – Edgerrin James 7-yard TD run (Rackers kick) (ARI 10–7)

Q2 – SF – 3:40 – Joe Nedney 33-yard FG (10–10)

Q3 – SF – 11:20 – Joe Nedney 30-yard FG (SF 13–10)

Q4 – ARI – 6:46 – 5-yard TD pass from Matt Leinart to Anquan Boldin (Rackers kick) (ARI 17–13)

Q4 – SF – 0:26 – Arnaz Battle 1-yard TD run (Nedney kick) (SF 20–17)

Week 2: at St. Louis Rams

Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 7 7317
Rams 7 6 0316

at

St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: Sunday, September 16, 2007
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
    EDT/10 AM PDT
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) (Sunny) (Game was played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 65,295
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton & Brian Baldinger

    • Coming off their divisional home win over the Cardinals, the 49ers flew to the

    Edward Jones Dome for a Week 2 divisional duel against their NFC West rival, the St. Louis Rams
    .

    Frank Gore breaks tackles and sprints for a touchdown on a 4th down and short play, during week 2

    In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Rams QB Marc Bulger completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, San Francisco tied the game with RB Frank Gore getting a 1-yard TD run. St. Louis took the halftime lead on a Jeff Wilkins 29-yard field goal.

    In the third quarter, the 49ers took the lead with Gore breaking through a gang of tacklers for a 43-yard TD run, along with the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Rams retook the lead with Wiklins getting a 53-yard field goal. Because a St. Louis goof-up on special teams, the Niners took the lead with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 40-yard field goal. Near the end the game, the Rams had one last chance to win the game, but Wilkins' 56-yard field goal attempt fell about a yard short of the crossbar.

    With the win, the 49ers improved to 2–0 for the first time since 1998.

    Scoring summary

    Q1 – STL – 6:04 – 12-yard TD pass from Marc Bulger to Torry Holt (Wilkins kick) (STL 7–0)

    Q2 – SF – 14:57 – Frank Gore 1-yard TD run (Nedney kick) (7–7)

    Q2 – STL – 9:04 – Jeff Wilkins 27-yard FG (STL 10–7)

    Q2 – STL – 1:51 – Jeff Wilkins 29-yard FG (STL 13–7)

    Q3 – SF – 2:43 – Frank Gore 43-yard TD run (Nedney kick) (SF 14–13)

    Q4 – STL – 10:04 – Jeff Wilkins 53-yard FG (STL 16–14)

    Q4 – SF – 3:23 – Joe Nedney 40-yard FG (SF 17–16)

    Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

    Game summary

    Coming off a fierce divisional road win over the Rams, the 49ers flew to

    Heinz Field for an interconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 32-yard field goal. The Steelers immediately responded with CB–RS Allen Rossum returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. San Francisco wrapped up the period with Nedney kicking a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Pittsburgh increased its lead with QB Ben Roethlisberger completing a 9-yard TD pass to TE Jerame Tuman
    for the only score of the period.

    In the third quarter, the Steelers increased its lead with kicker Jeff Reed nailing a 36-yard field goal. The Niners replied with Nedney kicking a 49-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh took control with Reed getting a 49-yard and a 35-yard field goal, while CB Bryant McFadden returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. San Francisco got a touchdown as QB Alex Smith completed a 21-yard pass to WR Taylor Jacobs. Afterwards, the Steelers ended the game with RB Najeh Davenport getting a 39-yard TD run.

    With the loss, the 49ers fell to 2–1.

    Scoring summary

    Q1 – SF – 9:24 – Joe Nedney 32-yard FG (SF 3–0)

    Q1 – PIT – 9:12 – Allen Rossum 98-yard kickoff return (PIT 7–3)

    Q1 – SF – 3:01 – Joe Nedney 22-yard FG (PIT 7–6)

    Q2 – PIT – 0:37 – Jerame Tuman 9-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Jeff Reed kick) (PIT 14–6)

    Q3 – PIT – 9:41 – Jeff Reed 36-yard FG (PIT 17–6)

    Q3 – SF – 4:46 – Joe Nedney 49-yard FG (PIT 17–9)

    Q4 – PIT – 14:55 – Jeff Reed 49-yard FG (PIT 20–9)

    Q4 – PIT – 4:59 – Jeff Reed 35-yard FG (PIT 23–9)

    Q4 – PIT – 4:01 – Bryant McFadden 50-yard interception return (Reed kick) (PIT 30–9)

    Q4 – SF – 2:22 – Taylor Jacobs 21-yard pass from Alex Smith (Nedney kick) (PIT 30–16)

    Q4 – PIT – 1:51 – Najeh Davenport 39-yard run (Nedney kick) (PIT 37–16)

    Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks

    Period 1 2 34Total
    Seahawks 0 13 7323
    49ers 0 0 303

    at

    San Francisco, California