At some point this week (I'm guessing), the 49ers will post what they consider their "official" depth chart for 2009.  For now the site says the official depth chart hasn't been released.

The good news is that we do have an unofficial depth chart that seems likely to be pretty close to official.  In that game release I received from the team, it includes a page with the unofficial depth chart.  A couple weeks ago it would have meant a lot less in terms of week 1 starters.  At this point though, even with a couple signs potentially in the offing (a TE and RB/FB), we probably have a pretty good take on it.  I'd imagine most of us could write this on our own, but it's still worth posting what the team is saying.

The one thing I still find particularly interesting is that they only list one player at nose tackle (Aubrayo Franklin) with no backups.  I'm curious to see how the team rotates players in to keep Franklin fresh.  Will we see a line of Smith - Sopoaga/Balmer - Sopoaga/Balmer on occasion?  On nickel it will be just as interesting.  Maybe go Smith, Sopoaga, Balmer, McDonald?  Just one of many things we'll find out on Sunday.

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As I was putting together some posts for tomorrow, I realized I didn't have an internal link with the San Francisco 49ers 53-man roster for 2009.  We've got plenty of info about the roster cuts and practice squad, but nothing listing just the 53-man roster.  So, after the jump I've listed the entire 53-man roster as of midnight Tuesday morning.  If any changes occur in the coming days, I'll adjust it and added UPDATED to the title.

Also, I've closed the comments for this post.  I figure it's meant more as a resource that will either appear in Google searches, or if you do a search here at Niners Nation.

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It is indeed that time of the week.  Eight days ago we rolled out the second 53-man roster projection and plenty has happened since then to mix things up a little bit more.  The biggest news affecting our roster projection is probably the return of Ray McDonald from the PUP list.  As with before, new additions are underlined.  After the jump I go into some of the details of my changes.

Offense
QB (3): Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Nate Davis
RB (4): Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, Michael Robinson, Kory Sheets
FB (1): Moran Norris
WR (6): Isaac Bruce, Brandon Jones, Josh Morgan, Jason Hill, Arnaz Battle, Dominique Zeigler
TE (3): Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Bear Pascoe
LT (2): Joe Staley, Barry Sims
LG (1): David Baas
C (2): Eric Heitmann, Cody Wallace
RG (2): Chilo Rachal, Tony Wragge
RT (2): Adam Snyder, Marvel Smith

Defense
DE (5): Justin Smith, Kentwan Balmer, Demetric Evans, Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald
DT (1): Aubrayo Franklin
OLB (4): Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks, Marques Harris
ILB (4): Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, Jeff Ulbrich, Scott McKillop
CB (5): Nate Clements, Dre Bly, Tarell Brown, Shawntae Spencer, Marcus Hudson
FS (2): Dashon Goldson, Mark Roman
SS (2): Michael Lewis, Reggie Smith

Special Teams
K: Joe Nedney
P: Andy Lee
LS: Brian Jennings
KR/PR: Allen Rossum

Last 5 on: Ahmad Brooks, Kory Sheets, Dominique Zeigler, Barry Sims, Nate Davis

First 5 off: Jay Moore, Alex Boone, Curtis Taylor, Ricky Jean-Francois, Micheal Spurlock

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via www.49ers.com

If you are a casual reader of this site, you know I have some kind of unhealthy obsession with our new rookie TE: Bear Pascoe. I believe he is the kind of wrinkle that can transform this team into a legitimate threat in the Red Zone; we have so many short yardage weapons. He has a great work ethic, has shown flashes of greatnessin mini-camps and OTAs, and has the body a TE should have in the NFL today. He was brought in to block (I think) but has the talent to be a good receiving option, especially in short yardage situations. However, I can't forget/overlook the most recent beast the San-Franchise has drafted at the TE position - the one and only Vernon Davis.

via allthatsfab.com

VD has been our man at the TE position, mostly because of fantastic plays in college and because he is an athletic FREAK - Strength, Size, and to quote his player page here at SB Nation,

Runs like the wind and appears to be sculpted out of marble.

During games we see flashes of this greatness (and these flashes have been showing up more and more often as the seasons go by); but we also get the VD from time to time that misses catches, seems afraid to get hit, grows alligator arms, etc. Right now, I see VD as a Tyrannosaurus Rex; incredible strength, massive body, tiny tiny arms, distracted by bright lights.

 
via bbs.chinadaily.com.cn

The situation that has come to mind, at least in my mind, is the possibility of a full-on TE competition. We have our QB competition in the works (see the Golden Nuggets below), but I see this one as just as exciting. Bear has the talent, the drive, the body and the fan following (however important/unimportant that is) to make a quick, positive impact on the team. However, he is a rookie, and the percentage of rookie players that make an immediate positiveimpact on the team is minuscule, at best.

VD has the skill and strength to make himself an elite TE in this league (see: VD chasing down defenders after a Shaun Hill interception - don't make me remember the specific game; I can't), but his history of time-to-time unclutchness (is that a word?) has held him back from the upper level of TE talent. We can most likely expect one or both of these TE's to excel this season because of Jimmy Raye-of-sunshine's history of developing TE talent (see: Tony Gonzalez - possibly the best TE to ever play the game), but if it was going to be one, which one?

So the question I pose to you Nation: This season, who will have a bigger positive impact on the team; Bear Pascoe or Vernon Davis?

When I was first thinking of a post for this morning I was considering rolling out my first 49ers 53-man roster projection of the offseason.  However, I came up with a better idea that would provide me many more future posts.  We know there are certain locks for the roster, we're pretty sure of the guys with virtually no chance, and then there are the bubble folks.  I go with "virtually no chance" rather than just "no chance" because obviously anything can happen along the way.

So, I thought we'd take a look position by position at the locks, bubble watch and no chance guys.  This will be for the 53-man roster, but I'll probably make some mentions of the practice squad as well.  I won't go into a ton of details on each player, but rather give my thoughts more on the bubble guys, with some kind of poll to go along with it.  Also, I realize the roster can change, but we're just taking it as it stands on this particular day.

We start with the defensive line.  In the 3-4, the defensive line is primarily in place to occupy bodies and open holes for the linebackers to make plays.  The 49ers have some solid options along the line, and will be hoping for some more consistency from anybody not named Justin Smith.

Locks
Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Kentwan Balmer, Aubrayo Franklin, Demetric Evans

Virtually No Chance
Khalif Mitchell, Pannel Egboh

Bubble
Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean-Francois

I'd imagine the one that will draw the most contention is Ray McDonald.  I'm pretty sure he'll make the 53-man, but his reconstructive knee surgery moves him temporarily to the bubble watch.  One thing that does have me curious is the potential roster battle between McDonald and Ricky Jean-Francois.  Last season, I believe the 49ers carried 6 defensive linemen most of the season.  By my count here, we have 5 locks.  If RJF has a solid camp, do they cut McDonald loose?  I like McDonald's pass rushing skills, but does RJF have more overall upside potentially?

Looking at the "virtually no chance guys," I'm intrigued by both rookies.  Egboh is a a little light for DE work, but too big for OLB work.  So, he'll either have to bulk up or drop a few.  As for Mitchell, I'm really intrigued by a defensive lineman who's 6-5, 318 lbs.  That's a monster of a man.  I'd say one of these two ends up on the practice squad, but I'll hold off predictions until we know what position Egboh will be playing.

How do you see the defensive line spots playing out?