Over the summer, nocal81 put together a couple posts looking at the statistical performance of Jim Harbaugh's teams at the University of San Diego and at Stanford University. A look at the numbers can give us an idea of some of the tendencies, but they don't always tell the whole story.

In order to get a better handle on Jim Harbaugh's recent offensive work, I took a look at three games from last season. Josh from Mocking the Draft has put together a video library from the 2010 season, which includes Stanford's games versus USC in October, versus Cal in November, and versus Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Josh created one video for Stanford offense versus opponent defense and a second video for Stanford defense versus opponent offense. The linked videos above are to the Stanford offense. They also are cut down to the bare minimum, removing commercials, most special teams plays and any idle time between plays. You can watch all three in less than 40 minutes.

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Last night some of you all may have seen Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton play in the BCS National Championship game. The game itself wasn't all too exciting until late in to the 4th quarter. In the beginning of the game, much of the focus was on the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Steadily throughout, the focus shifted to freshman running back Michael Dyer who ran for 143 yards and was literally less than a yard short from scoring the game-winning touchdown run in the final seconds.

In retrospect, Newton had a pretty decent game hitting most of his targets. There were a few very bad passes though, and his accuracy may be in question as it wound up below the 60% mark for the game. There was a pass in particular that really stood out to me as he missed a wide open target in the endzone when he short hopped it as the 2nd quarter closed out. Maybe it was a case of over-thinking it, or maybe not. Whatever the case, it definitely sent off red flags for some I am sure. He had 265 yards through the air, but much of that came on yards after the catch by the guys on the other end of those passes. He did manage to get the ball in the endzone for six on two occasions through the air. He also threw an interception and got lucky earlier in the game when Oregon's freshman cornerback, Cliff Harris would have had his first of two picks in the game but was ruled out by the officials.

There is no question that Newton is an incredible athlete. But there's much to fulfill if he is going to be an elite quarterback at the next level. We have seen Heisman Trophy winners at the next level and typically, for whatever reason, a majority of them never make it in to that "elite" category.

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Some of the more interesting battles going on for roster spots are on the offensive and defensive lines. As a fan this is nice because I can always see what everyone on the line is doing; definitely not something that's possible when trying to judge linebackers, safeties, CBs, WRs, etc. Since line play is one of my passions this is a great opportunity to do some review of the players. Over the last two days I went and re-watched the game against Minnesota, focusing on each player so I could do a player-by-player review. Some names that stood out are already being talked about, but there are a couple that I think will surprise people.

Join me after the jump for my review...

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With no draft picks in rounds 4 or 5 of the 2010 NFL Draft, it was a long wait for 49ers fans during the final day of selections. When pick 4 in round 6 finally came around, San Francisco handed in its card with Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Anthony Dixon's name on it. After the long wait, and a more pressing need at CB, this certainly wasn't the flashiest pick of the draft. Many 49ers fans wanted a different style at RB, someone who offers a change of pace. At 6'1, 235 pounds, Dixon could be just that - a tough inside runner that can simply run defenders over. After all, Frank Gore isn't exactly a bulldozer (5'9, 217) and having a large back to wear down defenses could prove just as beneficial as a speedster on the edges.

Not only is Dixon a bruiser, but he typically fits in the 49ers game plan. If Mike Singletary wants a team that can hit people in the mouth, Dixon fits that mold. Furthermore, Dixon ran out of the shotgun formation a large amount of the time during the 2009 season. This could prove beneficial for Dixon making the 49ers roster, being familiar with a formation the 49ers relied heavily upon in the latter half of 2009. If Dixon can provide the same physical style he displayed in college, he could seriously threaten Glen Coffee as the team's number 2 running back. At the very least, Dixon could be a goal line specialist, having never fumbled the ball in his collegiate career while setting the career TD record for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

After the jump, Jeremy Flint helps paint a better picture of what to expect from Dixon...  

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Fooch's Note: We've had quite the upswing in Jimmy Clausen posts over the last week. I thought this post written up by Andrew was a good way to sort of put a bow on things. So, going forward, any new Clausen-related FanPosts will be moved into either this post, or one of the existing Clausen FanPosts. I'll let you know where I've moved it.

If you've done any mock draft watching over the past few weeks, you'll notice the Jimmy Clausen to the 49ers bandwagon is picking up quite a bit of steam. If you'll recall, the same thing happened last year with Mark Sanchez, current quarterback of the New York Jets. A few weeks prior to the draft, momentum began to build on the Sanchez to San Francisco hype machine. Is this year's Jimmy Clausen saga any different? In other words, does Jimmy Clausen really stand a chance at falling out of the top 10? Let's first take a look at the variable factors that will prevent Clausen from becoming a 49er.

1. That team in Buffalo - The Bills are way behind in the AFC East, way, way behind. The Jets made moves to "stack" the roster, the Dolphins dumped money into a few free agents and New England has three second round draft selections. At some point or another, desperation has to set in. Buffalo is without paddle right now, and while the team has several needs to address, Jimmy Clausen might be the best place to start. After all, you can't really build a team around a franchise player, if you don't have a franchise player. The Bills have their RT figured out, and with the 9th selection in round 2, could figure out their LT situation after landing a franchise QB the team has lacked since Drew Bledsoe (in the twilight of his career no less).

2. The Big Show - Mike Holmgren, the master of the universe in Cleveland's football operations, has already gone on record saying he wished he liked Clausen more. While the relatively straight shooting Holmgren has been just that so far, there's a chance this could be a smoke screen. The signs point to what Holmgren's says being true: The Browns signed Jake Delhomme and acquired Seneca Wallace, and parted ways with Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, Medicine Woman. Delhomme could the one year stop gap, and Wallace a wild-cat package QB to pair with the dangerous Josh Cribbs. Either way, the popular opinion is that Delhomme isn't much of a starter anymore, and Wallace never was.

3. Kansas City - Now, I'm not saying that the Chiefs are taking Clausen, I'm saying they have the most tradable pick in the top 5 (at number 5). The cost to acquire the fifth overall selection is much less than the 3rd overall selection, and the financial obligations aren't as crippling either. Sure, the fourth pick isn't much different, but the Redskins just got a franchise QB of their own, and most certainly have to address the LT position. Kansas City, on the other hand, is rumored to be shy from selecting Eric Berry at the five spot and might not be sold on any of the remaining prospect being worth top 5 cash. Also, Mark Sanchez was drafted at this spot in 2009, when the Jets swooped in to snipe the USC signal caller.

4. The Roethlisberger Effect - I'll save the ordeal and just keep this brief, simply noting it as a possibility. As seen here on NN, The Steelers are seeking trade suitors in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. If they find a partner, Clausen and the Steelers would be a match.


After the jump, roll with me to see why Jimmy Clausen is a top 10 QB...

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Quick Note: I wrote this article prior to this past weekend's heart breaking loss to the Titans.  The fact that we are 3-5 doesn't mean we should give up on the season, and focus on the offseason, I just wanted to get some names out there that we can track through out the remainder of the season.

Things can't get much worse (at RT) in Ninerland with Tony Pashos being out for the season.  While Pashos didn't get a lot of time to get comfortable in the offense, it leaves the 49ers with plenty of problems heading forward at the RT position.  We get to see just how good Adam Snyder can be in an everyday role from here on out, without someone breathing down his neck for playing time.  You can thank Joe Staley's injury for that, as Barry Sims is our starting LT.  I'd be much happier discussing the notion of Sims and Snyder rotating at RT than having both guys as our starting OTs.  The team may get a chance to see what Alex Boone has, but I think long term wise, Boone is depth at OL and not a future starter. 

With two drafts picks in the 2010 first round, the 49ers will likely have a chance to land one of the better OTs in the class.  On top of that, there are three potential free agents at RT that could interest the 49ers.  It depends on how much of a splash the 49ers want to make, and how well the players will perform through out the remainder of the season.  I'm going to take a look at those 3 free agent possibilities, and also run down the Top 6 OT prospects.  Also, if you haven't checked out Drew K's fanpost, do so, because he's got the entire draft class ranked.  While it may be too early for some to start thinking about next year's draft, it's never too early to track the talent of future 49ers.

I'll be following the three potential Free Agent RTs, as well as the top 6 OT prospects, but I encourage you to do the same.  I'm also curious to know if Niners Nation would rather see the team draft the "Right Tackle Of The Future" or sign him via free agency.  Again, we've got two first rounders, and I'd love to see an edge rusher come out of that round, but I'll never be unhappy when the team finally decides to spend a draft pick to bolster our LOLine.  Spending money on a RT is risky, and there's only one guy I'd really love to see the team sign - in other words, if they don't get him, I'd rather they go address it in the draft. 

After the jump Atlanta's Tyson Clabo, Tampa Bay's Jeremy Trueblood and Philadelphia's Winston Justice, followed by a rundown of some of the offensive tackle draft prospects... 

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As the newest member to the Niner's Nation family, I will be providing a look at all things 49ers, but with a scouting twist. Future articles will include breaking down the offense, defense and special teams of the 2008 49ers and looks at the draft history in San Francisco. There's also a good chance Joe Montana and Steve Young are scouted and graded.

All feedback is welcome in the comments, or by finding me at New Era Scouting and Mocking the Draft .

A little background on myself: I've been scouting college football since 1999, long before I really knew what I was getting in to. Since then I have worked as a scout for NFL teams, have been credentialed to the NFL Draft, Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine and numerous schools across the Nation. However, without any further ado, here is our look at the San Francisco 49ers 2008 draft class.

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