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The Good
Andy Lee was flat amazing.  I’ve never seen so many games where the announcers, as a routine, were amazed at the booming kicks Lee made.  I’ve seen the occasional great punt, but Andy Lee flat destroyed the ball every single time he kicked it, averaging 47.5 yards per kick, and a net average of 41.  But you always knew the guys who were accurate, and who the guys were with strong legs, but Andy Lee does both.  His short punts were amazingly accurate, landing 42 inside the 20, and 16 inside the ten.

It was Lee’s ability, matched with a very well-coached coverage team, that enabled the 49ers to gain 40 yards with every possession change.  Going into 2008, the 49ers have a unit that is certifiably of a championship level.  Guys like Keith Lewis and Jeff Ulbrich, who in the past had gotten starting playing time on the defense, became special teams warriors and didn’t worry about playing time. 

Credit has to be given to Special Teams Coordinator Al Everest, because coaching is a far more critical element in Special Teams than any other unit.  On other units, where talent and ability can make up for many errors, the very slightest miscue on Special Teams can result in a touchdown for the other team.  Everest has been able to get great performance out of the coverage teams, and keep former starters motivated on a relatively forgotten and inglorious aspect of the game.
The Bad
The Special Teams was almost a microcosm of the entire team.  The defensive aspect was strong, while the offensive aspect was lacking.  Maurice Hicks performed admirably, usually gaining a good chunk on kick returns.  Of his 63 returns, 43 of them went for more than 20 yards, so he did his job.  Unfortunately, only 4 went for more than 40, and he did not show an ability to make people miss and become a threat to score.  More importantly is the field position battle.

Michael Lewis, the Beer Man, was signed to give a boost to the punt return game, but only fielded five kicks all season, and one went for more than 20 yards.  He came to play under coach Al Everest, for whom he played in New Orleans, and fans are hoping to see him make more exciting plays next season.

Going Forward
Fans expect the Defense to be better next season with players healthy after injury, and young players having gained experience, and perhaps an acquisition or two.  Fans have a nearly blind hope that the offense will be better, though I say we should expect it to.  Mike Martz has never failed to make an immediate improvement.  Fans are confident that the Special Teams will continue to play at a high level next season.

Any substantial improvement by the offense will make a world of difference for this team, and the strength of the Special Teams is a quiet, but important factor.  If the improvements occur, and the 49ers can continue to win the field position battle, they will be in great position to make a run at postseason play.

Next time, going forward with the Offense.