Mike Singletary earned a second season after his 49ers rallied to win five of their last seven games to finish 7-9 in his interim stead. The new top man in charge is 28-year old Jed York, the son of Denise DeBartolo York, who essentially fired husband John and hired her son. Jed York fired Mike Nolan last fall, and Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan supposedly have a much better relationship. This will be the SEVENTH new offensive coordinator in seven years in Frisco, as longtime assistant Jimmy Raye will try his luck, under Singletary's orders, to change the Mike Martz-esque finesse offense into a physical one, and fast. Is there a quarterback capable of handling the change? Shaun Hill has temporarily been penciled in as the starter under center. Alex Smith will likely get one last chance to challenge for the job and prove he's not a complete and total bust as the No. 1 draft choice four years ago. Ball State rookie Nate Davis could be the best qualified for the job before it's all said and done.

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On defense, Singletary is going to a simplified 3-4 that will try to control the run and switch to nickel package on passing downs. The front seven should be stingy, as there are three stud LBs that will make life tough on NFC West foes. The corners and safeties could be improved as well. One has to wonder if the late run by Frisco to five wins in its last seven was just a facade (they did not beat a playoff team of the bunch) or whether they are actually on the rise under Singletary. Michael Crabtree, the top draft choice, continues to hold out, which won't help the offense that is still in need of a playmaker.

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