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

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.

LB Tavares Gooden (27) and LB Larry Grant (26)

The situation is very similar for both players. They mainly play on special teams and don’t see much playing time apart from this as Patrick Willis’ and NaVorro Bowman’s backups. If they stay they will primarily be used on special teams. Reggie Givens, former 49ers linebacker and special teams captain suggests to re-sign one player, if not both. Larry Grant came up big last week, when he had to stand in for an injured Patrick Willis and recorded a team-leading 6 tackles and 1 sack, and should be in the driver’s seat.    

WR Josh Morgan (26)

The young wideout was just coming into his own, when he sustained a season-ending leg injury in week 5. After week 12 he was still 5^th among San Francisco’s receivers with 15 caught passes, one more than Braylon Edwards, 3^rd in receiving yards with 220, 48 yards more than Braylon Edwards, and 1 touchdown. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said that re-signing Morgan in the offseason is a priority. Considering that he only makes $555,000 in 2011 the 49ers will have to be more generous though.

FB Moran Norris (33)

It is obvious that Norris’ days in San Francisco are numbered. He was a healthy scratch once he returned from a fibula injury and lost the starting job to rookie Bruce Miller. Norris has become expendable and will be gone in the offseason.

TE Justin Peele (32)

Justin Peele is the number-three tight end and plays roughly three to five snaps a game. There is no way to move past Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker on the depth chart. The Niners could look into drafting a blocking tight end, who they could slowly transition into their tight end heavy system.

G Chilo Rachal (25)

Fact is that the offensive line got better after Adam Snyder replaced Rachal as the starting right guard. Fact is that the running game got better after the change. Fact is that QB Alex Smith is safer when Rachal is on the sidelines. Offensive linemen usually need more time to develop than players at other positions and he has yet to show that he belongs in the NFL. It is very possible that the 49ers and Chilo Rachal are going to part ways in the offseason.

CB Carlos Rogers (30)

It is hard to imagine that the 49ers knew what they would actually get when they signed the former Redskin to a one-year contract before the season. He leads the team with a career-high 5 interceptions and can hold his own against the league’s top receivers. The only free agent worth considering is Atlanta’s Brent Grimes but the Falcons will try to re-sign their cornerback. Rogers earned a contract extension and the 49ers should give it to him.

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-7 to clinch their first winning record since 2002.

San Francisco’s defense didn’t need to spend much time on the field in the first quarter but the offense couldn’t maximize their opportunities. RILB Patrick Willis intercepted QB John Skelton on Arizona’s second drive of the game but David Akers missed a field goal from 49 yards moments later. The usually dependable kicker also had a field goal blocked on San Francisco’s previous drive.

David Akers was third time lucky when he got another opportunity for a field goal. He seemed to eventually have found his footing on the rain soaked playing surface and hit a 22-yard field goal for the first points of the game.

The San Francisco 49ers got the ball back after one play when LE Ray McDonald forced a fumble and SS Donte Whitner recovered the ball. The Niners failed to get a first down but David Akers put three more points on the scoreboard when he made a field goal from 43 yards.

San Francisco started the second quarter like they did the first. The offense drove down the field only to have another field goal attempt blocked. Five plays later the Niners got the ball back and fared a little bit better.

The 49ers started their drive at their own 14-yard line. 13 plays and 6:01 minutes later David Akers was asked to attempt a field goal once again and he delivered from 29 yards for a 9-0 score at half time.

The half time score didn’t reflect San Francisco’s dominance in this game. The Niners had 48 plays compared to Arizona’s 21 and outgained their opponent by 244 yards to 47. San Francisco’s offense was on the field for 21:27 minutes.

In the second half the 49ers decided that this dominance has to translate into a bigger lead. QB Alex Smith connected with WR Kyle Williams on an 8-yard touchdown pass on San Francisco’s first possession, yet another time consuming drive of 7:48 minutes.

Two plays later Donte Whitner intercepted John Skelton and TE Vernon Davis’ 18-yard touchdown gave the 49ers a commanding 23-0 lead.

The Arizona Cardinals weren’t done turning the ball over yet. FS Dashon Goldson intercepted John Skelton for the quarterback’s third interception and a place on the bench for the rest of the game. Then CB Patrick Peterson couldn’t hold on to the ball when LB Tavares Gooden tackled him on a punt return and LILB NaVorro Bowman recovered the ball at Arizona’s 27-yard line.

San Francisco’s offense moved to Arizona’s 6-yard line and looked poised to put the game out of reach but Alex Smith was intercepted by LB Daryl Washington.

The Cardinals could not capitalize on the turnover but they still managed to avoid a shutout. QB Richard Bartel, who replaced John Skelton in the fourth quarter, found WR Larry Fitzgerald for a 23-yard touchdown with 8:44 minutes left. This was the last scoring drive of the game and the 49ers won 23-7. On this drive Dashon Goldson got ejected for punching WR Early Doucet.      

Game Tidbits

Alex Smith completed 20 of 38 passes for 267 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. His QB rating was 81.8.

WR Michael Crabtree caught 7 passes for 120 yards.

TE Vernon Davis scored his 34^th career touchdown and passed Brent Jones as the tight end with the most touchdown receptions in franchise history.

The 49ers converted both of their 4^th down attempts.

The Niners didn’t allow a sack.

San Francisco had the ball for 44:27 minutes.

It took the Cardinals over 41 minutes to cross midfield for the first time.

On a date that is significant in US history, Ted Ginn Jr. made history as a football player. He became the first 49er to return a kick and a punt for a touchdown in the same game, and the first NFL player to achieve this on opening weekend. “I didn’t amaze myself but I didn’t think they were going to come right back and kick it to me. I wanted to make them pay,” was Ginn’s response.

The scoreless first quarter could be described as “3 and out” on both sides. Even Seattle’s first drive would have ended after just four plays had LB Tavares Gooden not run into punter Jon Ryan, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty and a new first down.

San Francisco’s defense got to Seattle’s quarterback on several occasions early on. Defensive ends Ray McDonald and Justin Smith sacked Tarvaris Jackson on a third down to force a punt on each occasion.  

Ironically it was Ted Ginn Jr. who set up San Francisco’s first scoring drive. Late in the first quarter he returned a punt for 31 yards to Seattle’s 27-yard line. Six plays later, and 50 seconds into the second quarter, the 49ers put the first points on the scoreboard, when David Akers hit a 27-yard field goal.

Seattle’s offense remained ineffective in the second quarter but the 49ers were on a roll now. San Francisco turned every possession into points. When linebacker Parys Haralson sacked Tarvaris Jackson rookie defensive end Will Tukuafu recovered the loose ball and returned it for 12 yards to Seattle’s 9-yard line. Four plays later the 49ers had to settle for a 24-yard field goal from David Akers to extend the lead to 6-0.

San Francisco’s third possession of the quarter took 6:38 off the clock and ended with David Akers hitting his third field goal of the night, this time from 31 yards. But the Niners weren’t done yet. With 1:44 left in the first half, the 49ers received the ball for another drive at Seattle’s 49-yard line. Quarterback Alex Smith’s two minute offense led the team to the Seahawks 9-yard line, where the defense committed two penalties on 3^rd and 5 to give the Niners another first down on the 1-yard line. Alex Smith took matters in his own hand and rushed for the touchdown to give the 49ers a 16-0 half time lead.

Alex Smith, who is used to boos from the home crowd was cheered on by the fans in this game. He played like the leader the organization envisioned him to be when they drafted him number one overall in 2005. Smith completed 15 of his 20 pass attempts for 124 yards and a passer rating of 90.4.

Each of San Francisco’s third quarter drives ended after four plays but the Seahawks managed to cut the lead to 9, when an 8-yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Golden Tate was good for a touchdown.

The Seahawks began the fourth quarter with a 39-yard field goal from Steven Hauschka for a 16-10 score. Another time-consuming drive that lasted 8:55 made it a two-possession game again when David Akers scored from 18 yards, his fourth field goal of the night. The Seahawks responded immediately with a 55-yard touchdown from Doug Baldwin. And this is when the Ted Ginn Jr. show started.

On the ensuing kick-off Ted Ginn Jr. carried the ball out of his own end zone and into Seattle’s for a 102-yard kick-off return touchdown to give the Niners a 26-17 lead. When the Seahawks had to punt on their next possession Ginn Jr. got the ball again and ran for a 55-yard punt return touchdown for the final score of 33-17.

The players gave head coach Jim Harbaugh the best possible present for his head coaching debut in the NFL, a win and the top rank in the NFC West. “It feels good. A great thrill of winning,” Harbaugh said. “I’m very proud of our players.”

I wonder if Seattle’s head coach Pete Carroll asked Ted Ginn Jr. what his deal is. I mean, Ginn Jr. did run up the score a little, did he not?

After having made the necessary roster cuts, the San Francisco 49ers are working on signing players to their practice squad. Here is a list of players who were signed. You will notice that all of them were initially released by the team on Saturday. There is one more spot to fill:

RB Xavier Omon, WR Joe Hastings, TE Konrad Reuland, C Chase Beeler, T Derek Hall, LB Monte Simmons, CB Cory Nelms

Here is a reminder in terms of practice squad eligibility from SBNation.com’s Brian McIntyre:

"Eligibility for the practice squad is limited to players who do not have an accrued season in the NFL, or were on an active list (53-man roster) for fewer than nine games during their only accrued seasons. Players that have served two seasons on a practice squad are eligible for a third season only if the team has at least 53 players on its active/inactive list for the duration of that player's employment.

A player will be considered to have served on a practice squad in a season if he were a member of a practice squad for three regular or postseason games during his first two practice squad seasons, or for one regular season or postseason game during a third practice squad season.

The minimum weekly salary for practice squad players in 2011 (and 2012) is $5,700, an increase of $500 over the 2008-2010 rate. There is no limit to how much a team can pay a practice squad player. Several teams have enticed players with offers of increased pay, usually a few thousand dollars extra, to join or remain on their practice squad."

The 49ers claimed rookie quarterback Scott Tolzien off waivers and cut LB Keaton Kristick. Tolzien finished the preseason with 25-of-40 for 302 yards for the San Diego Chargers. He also threw 1 touchdown and 1 interception for a passer rating of 83.5. San Francisco got a good look at Tolzien during Thursday’s preseason game, when the quarterback completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 226 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception, but was also sacked 5 times.

San Francisco also signed LB Tavares Gooden, which means the 49ers have to cut another player to make room for him. From 2008-2010 Gooden accumulated 70 tackles in 26 games for the Baltimore Ravens.