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.

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.

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.

K Shane Andrus

WR Bobby Guillory

WR Kevin Jurovich

T Matt Kopa

G Brian De La Puenta

QB Jarett Brown

LB Keaton Kristick

LB Mike Balogun

DL Will Tukuafu

DL Derek Walker

S Chris Maragos

LB Matt Wilhelm

I’m not surprised by 99% of these cuts, except for Matt Wilhelm. Wilhelm’s release opens up a spot as Pat Willis’ backup. It would be asking too much to expect the rookie Navorro Bowman to be the backup to both Takeo Spikes and Willis.

So here’s how the 49ers’ roster shakes out:

QB: Alex Smith,David Carr, Troy Smith Nate Davis

RB: Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook, Anthony Dixon

FB: Moran Norris

TE: Vernon Davis,Delanie Walker, Nate Byham

WR: Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn Jr., Kyle Williams, Dominique Ziegler

T: Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Barry Sims, Alex Boone

G: Mike Iupati, Chilo Rachal, Adam Snyder, David Baas, Tony Wragge

C: Heitmann

NT: Aubrayo Franklin, Ricky Jean Francois

DE: Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Issac Sopoaga, Demetric Evans

OLB: Manny Lawson, Amhad Brooks, Parys Haralson, Travis LaBoy, Diyral Briggs

ILB: Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, NaVorro Bowman

CB: Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown, Will James, Tramaine Brock, Phillip Adams

S: Michael Lewis, Dashon Goldson, Taylor Mays, Reggie Smith, Curtis Taylor

LS: Brian Jennings

K: Joe Nedney

P: Andy Lee

I was previously mistaken. Will James was not cut, he is still on the team and figures to be the fourth cornerback for the 49ers. I thought that they

RB Michael Robinson

FB Brit Miller

FB Jehuu Caulcrick

WR Jason Hill

WR Kevin Jurovich

C Cody Wallace

DL Khaliff Mitchell

TE Tony Curtis

TE J.J. Finley

OLB Bruce Davis

CB Karl Paymah

Names like Caulcrick, Miller, Jurovich, Wallace and even Hill don’t surprise me. Those guys were a step behind the pack the entire preseason. However, I am surprised to hear Robinson, Curtis and Paymah were cut.

Robinson has been with the team ever since he was drafted in 2006, but he’s had to rely entirely on his special teams prowess. With a new special teams coordinator in town, the 49ers may have been looking for Robinson to be more versatile than just a one-dimensional special teams ace. I don’t blame the 49ers for the move, he was stagnant as a running back.

Paymah’s release confounds me even more. I thought he was having a good preseason and looked to be in line to be the team’s nickel corner, especially after Will James’ release last week.. Those duties will now go to Tarell Brown, who looked shoddy at times playing as the #2 when Shawntae Spencer was the #1 to fill in for Clements. The fourth cornerback on the field will then be rookie Philip Adams. That shows a lot of faith in the rookie to get it done when needed, or maybe it means they’ve got their sights on a free agent corner. We’ll see.

Now onto who is practice-squad eligible:

FB Brit Miller

FB Jehuu Caulcrick

WR Kevin Jurovich

C Cody Wallace

DL Khaliff Mitchell

TE J.J. Finley

OLB Bruce Davis

Those six could likely land on the practice-squad with two more open spots for the second round of cuts in the effort to trim their roster to 53.

Here is a preview of the second-round of cuts:

T Matt Kopa

G Brian De La Puenta

QB Jarett Brown

LB Mike Balogun

LB Keaton Kristick

S Chris Maragos

S Curtis Taylor

All of which are practice-squad eligible, giving the 49ers’ 13 candidates for 8 spots with the practice team.

Who, of the rookies, remains?

RB Anthony Dixon

WR Kyle Williams

TE Nate Byham

CB Tramaine Brock

CB Phillip Adams

G Mike Iupati & T Anthony Davis (That’s Obvious!)

This is may be one of the first seasons in many years that the entire draft class has made the 53-man roster.

Congrats Rooks!! You’re still employed!

Saturday prior to the game, nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin signed his franchise tender, joining the team. Franklin hopes to play in the preseason finale against the Chargers in San Diego.

In the ever-important third preseason game, the 49ers did OK. Alex Smith’s line was good, 9 for 13 for 113 yards and a TD, and Gore looked great on his two carries, but the defense allowed the Raiders to score first on an eight play, 81 yard drive capped by a 1-yard TD by Michael Bush.

The 49ers responded with a field goal and 83-yard punt return by 7th round draft pick, Phillip Adams in the second quarter. Adams played a majority of the game and did a great job at corner. The punt return TD only further cemented his spot on the 53-man roster.

The 49ers then scored their first offensive touchdown on a 10 play, 60 yard drive, capped by an Alex Smith TD to Josh Morgan.

After that drive, the 49ers starters allowed a 74-yard TD pass to Louis Murphy, making it 17-14 in favor of the Niners at the half.

Personally, the offense did just fine without Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree in the lineup. Dominique Ziegler stepped up big time after Crabtree was a late scratch, leading the team with five catches for 47 yards. VD out of the lineup helped Delanie Walker and Nate Byham help their stock, each contributing in their own way. Walker had a 38 yard catch which set up a score and Byham caught the two-point conversion to give the 49ers a 28-24 late in the 4th quarter.

Brian Westbrook, like Gore, got two carries, rushing for 17 yards. On his only positive carry, he bursted through the hole and the second level of the defense for a 17-yard gain. He looked really quick, like the Westbrook of old.

Defensively, I’m not enthralled by the fact that they allowed that 74-yard TD to Louis Murphy or that the Raiders drove right down the field on them. I guess if we are worrying about our defense, that’s a good thing. The 49ers wouldn’t let the same thing happen week six at Candlestick Park.

Travis LaBoy had another good game at outside linebacker for the Niners, this time against starters. He sacked Bruce Gradkowski, blowing past starting left tackle Mario Henderson. LaBoy may have earned himself a spot on the 53-man roster with these impressive games this week and last.

Two 49ers were injured in the 49ers game Saturday; Westbrook and left tackle Joe Staley. Staley sprained the knee that kept him out half of the season this year but he seemed to be fine. He is day-to-day. Westbrook left with leg cramps and is also day-to-day.

In today’s news, the 49ers released three players; CB Patrick Stoudamire,WR Bakari Grant and OLB Brandon Long, to trim their roster to 75, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

Singletary spoke that although Davis worked hard in the offseason, he still needed to work even harder to catch up with the mental side of playing QB in the NFL. Singletary regarded him as “inconsistent" and questioned his work ethic.

At first I was a bit appalled when I heard Singletary’s comments but after seeing Nate Davis’s understanding response post-game, I like the statements by Singletary. Singletary said what he did not to hurt Davis but to help push him to success.

Singletary has a unique ability to get the best out of every one of his players and he’s just doing that with Nate Davis. We’ll see how Davis responds in the next few weeks and into the regular season.

In the second half, Nate Davis shined the brightest. He showed off his cannon arm when he threw a 60-yard bomb to Ted Ginn, Jr. He also was impressive picking apart the Vikings backups as well as dodging pressure in the pocket.

Defensively, Phillip Adams impressed me making at least three very nice pass breakups to further assert himself as one of the six starting corners for the 49ers.

Now, some answers to my six pre-game questions regarding this game.

1. Alex Smith was quite impressive in the first half, completing 9 of 13 passes for 88 yards. I’d like to note that three of those 13 passes were thrown out of bounds. His lone incompletion was to Ted Ginn, Jr on a pass over the middle.

Nate Davis fared very, very well. He finished 7-for-14, for 114 yards, which isn’t amazing but his good footwork, accurate throws and cannon arm were on display for the nation to see. The 49ers certainly have a very capable third-string QB. His success and ability to master the offense is imperative to the long-term success of the 49ers.

2. Brian Westbrook did not play so this question was quite easy to answer. I’d be interested to see if he plays next week.

3. Nate Byham certainly comes out on top in the third-string TE race. Byham had three catches for 28 yards and started the game at TE for the 49ers. He did well until he got rocked and got the wind knocked out of him.

4. Although Diyral Briggs may have finished with more tackles than Travis LaBoy, LaBoy got some great pressure on Tavaris Jackson with the Vikings starting line in, even registering a sack. Briggs did most of his work in the second half against the Vikings’ backup.

5. I’d say that the offense played very smart tonight. They committed no turnovers and both Nate Davis and Alex Smith threw the ball away in lieu of getting sacked. The 49ers were only sacked once, by Brian Robison.

6. Bobby Guillory got the return duties exclusively and he did pretty well, despite muffing a punt and then picking up his own fumble. The situation is that Ted Ginn is proven as a returner so Guillory is really showing Singletary what he can contribute to this team. After tonight’s OK performance, I don’t see him as a lock to make the team.

Overall, the 49ers played much better than last week, despite the scoring being a lot closer than last week. Also more importantly, Alex Smith played A LOT better this week and Nate Davis showed us all he has sky-high potential. I am anxious to see what developments appear after next week’s preseason, 9 p.m. Saturday against the Oakland Raiders.

On the opening drive, Alex Smith drove the 49ers 70 yards in 12 plays, finishing with a 4-year TD rush by Anthony “The Line” Dixon. Alex Smith did a great job of avoiding the pressure and hitting his receivers down field. In fact, it wasn’t until the third and fourth series that he began to be affected by the pressure.

At the half, Smith is 9 for 13 for 88 yards passing and three of those passes were out of bounds. His only incompletion was a route over the middle to Ted Ginn, Jr., who dropped the pass, eventually leading to a three and out for the 49ers.

A few players have stood out to me in the first half. Dominique Ziegler and Delanie Walker each made some key catches to move the chains. I was really impressed with Ziegler’s heads-up dive to get the first down in the second quarter.

Defensively, I am more impressed with the second-team defense than the first-team. The first-team dominated the first series but then let Adrian Peterson cut them up for 43 of Minnesota’s 94 total yards.

I’m impressed with the pressure the second-team defensive line got on Tavaris Jackson in the second quarter. NaVorro Bowman really look impressive out there, flying around, getting involved in every play. Travis LaBoy also had multiple pressures on Jackson, registering a sack in the process.

Let’s see who will stand out in the second half.

2. How much will Brian Westbrook play? Will he contribute?

3. Which TE will emerge ahead in the third-string tight end race after the game? Nate Byham? Tony Curtis? Joe Jon Finley?

4. Of Diyral Briggs, Travis LaBoy or Bruce Davis, who will emerge at the top of the third-string OLB competition?

5. How will the offense reduce their sacks allowed and decrease turnovers from last week? Will there be fewer fumbles? Fewer interceptions?

6. Who will fare the best as punt returners since Ginn is proven and Kyle Williams is out for a couple weeks? Dominique Ziegler? Bobby Guillory? It could determine who wins the last WR spot.

With so many spots on the offensive and defensive side of the ball set, most of the position battles are for third-string or for the last spot in that position. That shows the depth the 49ers have of proven players.

In fact, most of the 49ers stars won’t even play; Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Patrick Willis will sit out tonight with nagging injuries.

UPDATE: Willis and Gore have suited up for warm-ups but Crabtree and Vernon Davis have not. It remains to be see if Willis or Gore will play though.