The biggest part of free agency is over and the teams are getting ready to fill their remaining roster needs through the draft. It's time to evaluate the free agency moves of every NFC West team, starting with the defending division champions, the San Francisco 49ers:

The 49ers ranked 26^th in total offense last season. While they gained 127.4 yards per game on the ground (8^th) the passing offense ranked near the bottom with 183.5 yards per game. The defense ranked 4^th in the league, allowing 77.2 rushing yards per game (1^st) and 230.9 yards per game passing (16^th). The Niners allowed 44 sacks, which were the 7^th most in the league, and recorded 42 sacks, which also tied them for 7^th in the league.  San Francisco's special teams ranked 1^st in punting average as well as average yards per kickoff return and 5^th in average yards per punt return. Opposing special teams ranked 18^th in punting average, 20^th in average yards per kickoff return and 22^nd in average yards per punt return against the 49ers.

From these numbers it becomes clear that San Francisco's primary need is a wide receiver and their secondary need is a defensive back. A pass protector, preferably a right tackle may be needed as well.

The 49ers franchised FS Dashon Goldson, re-signed QB Alex Smith, WR Ted Ginn Jr., DT Will Tukuafu, LOLB Ahmad Brooks, LB Tavares Gooden, CB Carlos Rogers, S C.J. Spillman, and acquired QB Josh Johnson, RB Brandon Jacobs, FB Rock Cartwright, WR Mario Manningham, WR Randy Moss and CB Perrish Cox.

With the re-signing of Ahmad Brooks, Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson San Francisco made sure that all 11 defensive starters would return in 2012. Head coach Jim Harbaugh showed that Alex Smith is capable of leading a successful offense. This signing is important, considering that the Niners were without a proven passer for about a week. Brandon Jacobs adds depth to the offensive backfield. On paper Mario Manningham and Randy Moss have to be considered an upgrade at the receiver position. Will Tukuafu is an investment in the future, as he is a young and talented interior lineman. Perrish Cox adds depth to the secondary and can be used as a returner. Ted Ginn Jr., Tavares Gooden, C.J. Spillman and Rock Cartwright should guarantee that San Francisco's special team remains one of the best units in the NFL.

Josh Johnson is the only signing I do not understand. I know that the 49ers wanted him all along and see him as Alex Smith's primary backup but isn't QB Colin Kaepernick the designated heir to the throne? The Niners also have QB Scott Tolzien, whom I consider to be the most talented among the backup quarterbacks.

The 49ers lost WR Josh Morgan (WAS), RG Adam Snyder (ARI), LB Blake Costanzo (CHI), CB Shawntae Spencer (OAK) and S Reggie Smith (CAR).

At first I wasn't too happy about Josh Morgan's departure but Mario Manningham is the better player in my opinion and Manningham and Randy Moss come cheaper than what Morgan is going to earn in Washington. The jury is still out on the loss of Blake Costanzo. Rock Cartwright, his replacement, is more versatile and has been an efficient tackler on Oakland's special teams unit. Shawntae Spencer's release had to be expected due to the emergence of CB Tarrell Brown and Chris Culliver as well as the acquisition of Perrish Cox. I was surprised when the Niners allowed Reggie Smith to leave. He is young and his playing time increased as a defensive back in the dime formation. I am assuming the Niners have big plans for C.J. Spillman, which would explain Smith's move to Carolina.

I totally disagree with the reluctance of re-signing Adam Snyder. I once featured him as one of the main reasons why the 49ers transformed from a pretender into a contender last season and still believe that he gave the offensive line stability. What's worse, the Niners didn't land a replacement in free agency, which worries me, as I prefer a battle-proven lineman to a rookie to replace a starter on the offensive line.

San Francisco's remaining free agents are FB Moran Norris, TE Justin Peelle, G Chilo Rachal, LB Larry Grant, CB Tramaine Brock and S Madieu Williams.

I expect the Niners to eventually re-sign Larry Grant and Tramaine Brock. Madieu Williams could return unless the Niners add considerable depth through the draft. Adam Snyder's departure means it's possible the Niners bring back Chilo Rachal, though he has yet to prove that he deserves to be a starter.   

My verdict is that the 49ers fixed their problem at the wide receiver position, added depth to the defensive and offensive backfield and stabilized their special teams unit. On the other hand, San Francisco's offensive line has been weakened and they did not address their need for pass protection. If the Niners want to be a better team in 2012 they will be forced to look into trade scenarios.

I agree with 17 of their 19 free agency moves, which is a percentage of 89%.

San Francisco 49ers

Two days ago the San Francisco 49ers lost special teams standout LB Blake Costanzo to the Chicago Bears but his replacement is already on board. FB Rock Cartwright moves across the Bay from the Oakland Raiders to sign a one-year deal with the Niners. The 32-year old can be used as short-yardage running back as well as kick returner and on the special teams coverage unit. In two seasons with the Raiders Cartwright had 27 special teams tackles and returned nine kick-offs for 118 yards. He also rushed for 67 yards on 13 carries and caught five passes for 34 yards.

A while ago the 49ers allowed CB Shawntae Spencer to seek a trade. The trade never materialized so San Francisco released the 30-year old. The recent acquisition of CB Perrish Cox and the re-signing of CB Carlos Rogers made it unnecessary to keep Spencer on the roster. A second-round pick in 2004 Spencer had an injury-filled season in 2011 and appeared in only nine games. He recorded five tackles and one pass defensed.

Arizona Cardinals

On Monday the Arizona Cardinals released LT Levi Brown to avoid a salary cap hit of $17m. Three days later the Cardinals resigned the 27-year old to a five-year contract, though the terms of the deal were not disclosed. Brown may have underachieved during his five years with the organization but his age and durability could be reasons why the Cardinals brought him back. The left tackle hasn't missed a game since the 2008 season.

San Francisco 49ers

Of all the teams in the NFC West the San Francisco 49ers had the busiest start to the new league-year, as free agency officially kicked off yesterday. The Niners secured the services of three players and lost two to other NFC teams.

The 49ers signed CB Perrish Cox to a two-year contract and give him another opportunity to play in the NFL. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2010 and had 57 solo tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles and 14 passes defensed in his rookie season. Cox played 15 games and started nine of them. The 25-year old did not play last season after the Denver Broncos released him at the end of training camp. Cox played for current 49ers defensive backs coach Ed Donatelli when both were with the Broncos. Perrish Cox may not end up as a starter but he can be used as a return guy on special teams.

Shortly afterwards the 49ers re-signed CB Carlos Rogers to a four-year deal worth $29.3m. The 30-year old was a top priority to be re-signed in the offseason but it still comes as a bit of a surprise, considering San Francisco's aggressive push for CB Brandon Carr (KC) and Eric Wright (TB). Rogers had 41 solo tackles, a team-leading six interceptions and 18 passes defensed last season. This signing means that all of San Francisco's defensive starters return for another season.

LB Tavares Gooden was re-signed to a one-year contract. Gooden had the third most tackles on San Francisco's special team last season.

WR Josh Morgan left the 49ers for the Washington Redskins. The contract is worth $12m over the first two years, with $7.5m guaranteed. The contract runs for five years but can be voided after two. Morgan caught 15 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in five games last season before a broken leg ended his season prematurely.

The 49ers also lost special teams standout LB Blake Costanzo to the Chicago Bears. The linebackers signed a two-year contract for $2m.

Arizona Cardinals

It didn't come as a surprise but the Arizona Cardinals released LT Levi Brown moments before the start of the new league year. The move was motivated by salary cap reasons. The first-round pick of 2007 was due a staggering $17m in 2012. Brown hasn't missed a game for the Cardinals since 2008.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks re-signed DE Red Bryant to a five-year deal worth $35m, with $14.5m guaranteed. The 27-year old had 20 solo tackles and one sack last season. He also caught two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. His specialty is blocking kicks though. Last season he blocked three field goals and one PAT.

The Seahawks also re-signed LB Heath Farwell, who led the NFL in special teams tackles last season.

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams signed CB Cortland Finnegan to a five-year contract worth $50m, with $26.5m in guaranteed money. The 28-year old played five seasons under head coach Jeff Fisher in Tennessee. Last season Finnegan had 58 solo tackles, one interception, 11 passes defensed and one sack.

The Rams also released CB Ron Bartell, who missed most of last season after he sustained a neck injury in the season opener. Bartell was a second-round pick in 2005 and spent his entire NFL career with the St. Louis Rams.

Pro Football Weekly listed the 100 top free agents in the NFL. Here is where they ranked the free agents of the four NFC West teams:

San Francisco 49ers

29. CB Carlos Rogers. The cornerback had a career-best six interceptions last season and brings leadership to the secondary. The 49ers are trying hard to re-sign the veteran.

32. FS Dashon Goldson. The hard-hitting safety had six interceptions last season. He is San Francisco's top candidate for the franchise tag.

34. QB Alex Smith. The passer thrived under head coach Jim Harbaugh and had the best season of his career. The Niners are working on a contract extension.

60. OLB Ahmad Brooks. OLB Aldon Smith is slated as a starter next season, which means the 49ers will only re-sign Brooks if the price is right. Ahmad Brooks had a career-best 34 solo tackles and 7 sacks last season.

89. WR Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn is a speedy receiver and excellent returner. The 49ers could attempt to re-sign him or look for a replacement in the upcoming draft.

Arizona Cardinals

14. DE Calais Campbell. Campbell had a career-best 58 solo tackles and 8 sacks in 2011. He missed only one game in his four-year career in the NFL. GM Rod Graves told fans that they should not have to worry about the team losing Campbell.

57. CB Richard Marshall. Re-signing the versatile defensive back is one of Arizona's top priorities but they should not expect to be without competition.

92. K Jay Feely. The 36-year old made less than 80% of his field goal attempts for the first time in seven years.

100. WR Early Doucet. Despite the best season of his career the Cardinals are willing to let the young receiver go. He could be a good fit for any team looking to add depth to their receiver corps.

Seattle Seahawks

17. RB Marshawn Lynch. The running back had a career-best 1,204 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. GM John Schneider said that the team would give him the franchise tag if both parties couldn't work out a deal.

50. DE Red Bryant. The run-stopper intends to re-sign with the Seahawks but could draw some interest if he hits the open market.

59. MLB David Hawthorne. The linebacker led the team in tackles in each of the last three seasons but the Seahawks have concerns regarding his speed and durability.

62. TE John Carlson. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated that he would like to re-sign the tight end but it shouldn't be surprising if Carlson played somewhere else next season, considering the Seahawks have Zach Miller on their roster.

98. FB Michael Robinson. Marshawn Lynch's lead blocker is also a prominent figure on special teams.

St. Louis Rams

35. WR Brandon Lloyd. The Rams want to re-sign the receiver but not at all costs. Apparently the franchise tag is not an option.

It is common knowledge that the San Francisco 49ers were one of the best franchises, if not the best in the NFL in the 80s. They went to five NFC Championship games, advanced to four Super Bowls and came home with the Vince Lombardi Trophy on each occasion.

Had it not been for the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers the Niners would have been no less impressive in the 90s. The team reached the NFC Championship game five times, like in the 80s, but managed to reach and win the Super Bowl only once in 1995.

The new millennium turned success into drought. Since the 2003 season the Niners failed to have a winning record, let alone qualify for the postseason. This all changed with the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh.

The expectations were high but I believe that even the most optimistic fans just hoped the team would improve on the 6-10 record of the previous season, compete for a playoff spot in 2012/2013 and have an eye on the Super Bowl in 2013/2014. But things happened much sooner and so changed the fan behavior.

Last Sunday the 49ers were on the verge of making their sixth trip to the Super Bowl, when a fumble from WR Kyle Williams reversed the fortunes and led to New York’s game-winning field goal in overtime. The team did not blame Williams for this miscue. In fact, they showed their support and stressed that they win as a team and lose as a team.

Some fans were not quite as supportive. Williams received death threats, suggesting he should jump from the Golden Gate Bridge or run into a bullet. Those are no fans, those are idiots who vent their anger in the most inappropriate way. Many fans have never witnessed the glorious times of the Niners. Instead they are used to futility and one should think they’d appreciate the amazing season the Niners had under their rookie head coach.

Let’s put one thing into perspective, shall we? Kyle Williams started the season as the number-five wide receiver on the depth chart. Injuries to WR Josh Morgan, WR Ted Ginn Jr. and WR Braylon Edwards, who was later released, increased Williams’ playing time and responsibility. He may not be a number-two receiver yet but he didn’t play like a number-five either.

Kyle Williams is a second-year pro, who had 20 catches in 13 games for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns. Remember his touchdown that gave the Niners a 14-0 lead against the Dallas Cowboys in week 2? Or his touchdown that put away the game against the Arizona Cardinals in week 11? What about his 56-yard touchdown against the St. Louis Rams that sealed the win in week 13?

During the regular season Williams returned two punts for 41 yards. He also had 70 yards on 8 punt returns against the Giants. Kyle Williams did what Jim Harbaugh expected him to do. Williams saw an opportunity to give the offense a better field position and he took it. Unfortunately Williams was tackled 49ers-style and lost the ball.

Do you want to blame LE Ray McDonald because he made “only” 2.5 sacks? Or LCB Carlos Rogers because he had no interception? How about TE Vernon Davis because he could not convert all his catches into touchdowns? Or David Akers who had just one field goal?

Every 49er played hard and wanted to win this ballgame. This includes Kyle Williams. He was just as much a part of San Francisco’s turnaround as every other player who wore the red and gold uniform in 2011/2012. Williams learned a valuable lesson on Sunday and will grow as a player.

Jorge Diaz, former offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and member of the team that lost the NFC Championship to the St. Louis Rams in 1999 put it best:

“In 1999 I was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which went 11-5 and would make it to the NFC Championship game. We eventually lost to the Rams that year 11-6 and had our chances to win that game. As the football world focuses on a play or mistake made by one player by the 49ers it’s not the reason why they lost. One play doesn’t make or break a game as we were being told. As a player you never know when you will get your chance again and that's what makes this week so hard for many guys who almost made a childhood dream a reality. The things I cherish most about my experience are my teammates and the journey we took and how we had changed the perception of the franchise. One day the team will look back and celebrate this achievement and pride not pain is what they will feel when they remember this season.”

As a fan you should support your team no matter what. Appreciate the success the team has and never take it for granted. Do not look for a scapegoat because of one mistake but if you insist on being an idiot do us all a favor: Quit being a so-called 49ers fan and look for something better to do with your life. The 49ers don’t need you and nobody else does either.

All season long the 49ers demonstrated that winning the turnover battle wins ballgames. The Niners committed two turnovers that proved costly as the New York Giants advanced to the Super Bowl after a 20-17 win in overtime.

It was a rainy and windy afternoon in San Francisco and both teams showed that they wanted to take a different approach on the muddy surface to beat the elements. The 49ers mostly ran on their first drive, whereas the Giants were predominantly passing.

The 49ers struck fast on their second drive. After an incomplete pass QB Alex Smith found TE Vernon Davis for a 73-yard touchdown and the first points of the game.

The New York Giants moved 35 yards downfield on their next possession but couldn’t overcome a yard on San Francisco’s 34-yard line and turned the ball over on downs. 

The G-Men were more successful on their next possession. WR Victor Cruz’ reception for 36 yards got the Giants to San Francisco’s 29-yard line. Play by play the offense kept moving closer to the end zone until QB Eli Manning found TE Bear Pascoe for a 6-yard touchdown to tie the score.

With 1:36 minutes left in the first half Eli Manning got one more opportunity to move the chains. Manning connected with Victor Cruz on 4 passes for 56 yards to lead the offense to San Francisco’s 13-yard line with 5 seconds to spare. Lawrence Tynes made the 31-yard field goal attempt to give the Giants a 10-7 half-time lead.

The 49ers regained the lead in the third quarter. WR Kyle Williams returned a punt for 24 yards to San Francisco’s 46-yard line. A 24-yard pass to RB Frank Gore set up Vernon Davis’ second touchdown of the game, a 28-yard pass from Alex Smith. The Niners were back on top 14-10.

New York’s first possession of the fourth quarter ended after just three plays, or so it seemed. Steve Weatherford punted for 56 yards to San Francisco’s 29-yard line and Kyle Williams inexplicably decided to stay in the vicinity of the hopping ball. The ball touched his knee and WR Devin Thomas recovered the ball for the Giants. Six plays later Eli Manning found WR Mario Manningham for a 17-yard touchdown.

Kyle Williams, seemingly unaffected by the mistake, returned the ensuing kick-off 40 yards to San Francisco’s 45-yard line. The Niners reached the red zone after a 17-yard run from Alex Smith and an 18-yard run from RB Kendall Hunter but eventually had to settle for a 25-yard field goal from David Akers to tie the score at 17, with 5:43 minutes left to play.

The next four drives were threes-and-out, the final two minutes of the game saw three changes of possession and the game was headed for overtime.

The New York Giants were threatening to move into Niners territory on their second possession but RE Justin Smith sacked Eli Manning on 3^rd and 3, which forced the Giants to punt. Steve Weatherford kicked the ball to San Francisco’s 19-yard line, where Kyle Williams was set to return the punt. Five yards later Williams fumbled another punt return and it was Devin Thomas again who recovered the loose ball.

The Giants were at the 13-yard line four running plays later and had to attempt a 31-yard field goal. Lawrence Tynes made it and sent the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLVI, where they will face the New England Patriots.

Game Tidbits

Alex Smith completed 12 of 26 passes for 196 yards, 2 touchdowns and a passer rating of 97.6.

Vernon Davis caught 3 passes for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Frank Gore (6), Vernon Davis (3), TE Delanie Walker (2), WR Michael Crabtree (1) were San Francisco’s only players to catch a pass.

LCB Carlos Rogers recorded 11 tackles.

LE Ray McDonald had 2.5 sacks for a loss of 19.5 yards.

San Francisco allowed Eli Manning to pass for 316 yards.

The 49ers surrendered 142 yards on 10 catches to Victor Cruz.

The Niners converted only 1 third down for a conversion percentage of 7.7%. On the other hand, the Giants converted 7 of 21 third downs.

San Francisco ran for 150 yards and held the Giants to 85 yards on the ground.

The 49ers outsacked the Giants 6-3.

The Niners lost the turnover battle 2-0.