The glaring problem with the 2007 San Francisco 49ers is that there are two 49er teams: the American football team that Head Coach Nolan II will put on the field of play this year, and the ownership team led by the hapless Dr. York.

While Nolan's West Coast Ravens are being hyped as having come to fruition out from the dark days post-Mooch, Dr. York's ineptitude is threatening the sustainability of the Niners franchise to its very foundation. The botched stadium machinations are an immediate reminder to all 49er Faithful that the York regime is a sad amateur hour production standing in direct contrast to Nolan's crisp cultural turnaround of the on-the-field squad. York's latest muddles are described in today's Chron's Matier & Ross.

But no more of that, for we're here to tell you of things that will be in this 2007 NFL regular season for the Niners:

Strength: Offensive line.
Surprising? 'Tis true. With four starters returning, plus Kwame "Crapbag" Harris finally jettisoned, the 49er offensive line that sprang Frank Gore to become the NFC's leading rusher in 2006 is mightily poised for this year. The anchor of this crew is Sonoma State's finest, the Hall Of Fame-bound Larry Allen. 1st round pick Joe Staley upgrades the pass blocking at the right tackle position. No more Kwame follies? No more egregious misplays on pass-blocking or needless false start penalties? Wish I could say that we'll miss you, Kwame. More like we wish that we could get some trade value for you...

Photo of Joe Staley via sf49ers.com

Weak Point: Pass rush.
Same as last year, the concern is gettin' the QB. Grr. All the shiny new additions to everything behind the defensive line won't count for jack-squat without a putting a lick on a drop-back passer. Clements, M.Lewis, Willis, Banta-Cain -- great, that's nice. But without pressure on the QB, John Kitna can look like Tom Brady.

Key: Offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.
After losing Norv to the San Diego SuperChargers, the untested Hostler will be calling the plays for the nascent SF offense. Can the positive progression achieved under Norv's tutelage continue?

Outlook: Playoffs. Nine wins, seven losses, playoffs. You read right. All the 49ers need is a season-split with the foundering Seahawks, three-out-of-four from the restarted Cardinals and the still-forming Rams, and that's the NFC West title. And playoffs. The 49ers in the postseason... o, it is within grasp. It is only for these rising 49ers to reach out and take it.