Breaking News: Vernon Davis signs five-year extension

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers signed Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis to a five-year, $37 million extension with $23 million guaranteed.

Frankly, I thought that the 49ers would extend Vernon Davis following the season because talks of an extension in the offseason had stalled so much.

It is a great move to have Vernon Davis in maroon and gold for another five years. After a much maligned first few years, he rebounded with an astounding Pro Bowl season, leading all tight ends with 13 TD’s.

Now, the 49ers will have offensive cornerstones, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree through 2015, and Joe Staley through 2018. Defensively, the 49ers also have Patrick Willis signed through 2018.

Having five cornerstones of your franchise signed for the next five years, that is a great way to keep this team going in the right direction for many years to come. That coupled with good drafts in 2009, 2010 and beyond will restore the 49ers to their prior glory throughout the 80’s and 90’s.

Predicting the Future

At this time of the year, many predictions are made and few correctly. I can’t guarantee that my predictions will be correct (if I could I’d be a rich man) but I can predict that they will be subject to change.

Note: These predictions are subject to change (Told ya!)

Season Record: 11-5

Week 1 @ SEA: W

Week 2 v. NO: L

Week 3 @ KC: W

Week 4 @ ATL: L

Week 5 v. PHI: L

Week 6 v. OAK: W

Week 7 @ CAR: W

Week 8 v. DEN (In London): W

Week 10 v. STL: W

Week 11 v. TB: W

Week 12 @ ARI: W

Week 13 @ GB: L

Week 14 v. SEA: W

Week 15 @ SD: L

Week 16 @ STL:W

Week v. ARI: W

I’d like to note that not one but two ESPN experts (Matthew Berry AND Mike Greenberg) picked the 49ers to make it to the Super Bowl.

They do have that potential. If their offense clicks like it should, there is no reason they can’t win at San Diego or Atlanta or against the Eagles and turn out 14-2 rather than 11-5.

I also think that Alex Smith will NOT make the Pro Bowl but be a very, very competent quarterback in 2010. I say he throws 30 touchdowns, with 14 picks for about 3,500-3,700 yards.

Michael Crabtree will catch 10 touchdown passes, for over 1,000 yards and Vernon Davis will catch 10-15 TD’s for over a thousand yards himself.

Frank Gore is easy to predict. He will run for a 1,000 yards and combined for more than 10 TD’s (running and catching).

One thing is for sure, the 49ers will have a winning record and will win the division. Their team talent is so superior to the rest of the NFC West that it would truly be a shame if they didn’t win the division. And after going 7-9 and 8-8 in the last two years, it will be a grave, GRAVE (I can’t emphasize that anymore) disappointment if they don’t go at least 9-7.

Things are finally turning around for the 49ers and heading in the right direction, up. For a 49er fan, there is much to look forward to this season, if nothing more than a little playoff football. We haven’t seen that since 2003.

QB Swap

The 49ers released third-string QB Nate Davis today and in a corresponding move, signed former Baltimore Raven QB Troy Smith.

It has been well documented the issues Nate Davis has had with his preparation. Just two weeks ago that Mike Singletary had harsh words for Davis, attacking his work ethic. Despite the criticism, it’s not unforeseen that Davis might be re-signed to the practice squad.

Today, the 49ers added Troy Smith, formerly the Ravens’ third-string QB. Smith has thrown 89 regular-season passes but moreso,  possesses more inate leadership abilities than Nate Davis.

The swap is a win-win for the 49ers, especially if Davis hits the practice squad. They signed a more experienced backup who started two games, going 1-1, as a rookie in 2007.  As a starter, Smith completed 32 of 60 passes for 370 yards and two TD’s for an 83.3 QB rating. Smith has a career rating of 79.7.

Smith’s numbers don’t jump out at you but he’s thrown 89 more passes in the regular season than Davis (0), has started two more games than Davis(0) , and has a better career rating than Davis (0.0).

Smith also provides insurance behind David Carr who still isn’t 100% comfortable with the 49ers offseason. It could be a shaky transition from Alex Smith at this moment, if it was necessary.