49ers | San Francisco counting on ex-Hawk Jackson

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — "Insulted?" wide receiver Darrell Jackson said, pondering the question. "Not at all. It doesn't matter what a team gets for me. That's their business. I'm just happy to be here."

Jackson's "here" these days is with the Seahawks' division rival San Francisco 49ers after a stunning draft-weekend trade. The price was a fourth-round draft choice, No. 124 overall. That's for someone ranked No. 3 on the Seahawks' career receiving yards list (6,445) and No. 4 in receptions (441). Jackson, who won't turn 29 until Dec. 6, became available because he and the Seahawks' front office weren't getting along.

Dapper 49ers coach Mike Nolan reacted like someone who found an Armani suit in his size for $10 at Nordstrom Rack.

"I was surprised we got him," Nolan said. "I'm pleased because we took a good player away from a division opponent. ... I think he'll be a play-maker for us."

The emerging 49ers, searching to regain status as one of the NFL's storied franchises, swept the series against the Seahawks last season.

Just two years removed from a 4-12 record in Nolan's debut season, the 49ers have enjoyed solid drafts and have improved across the board. They were 7-9 last season.

Matching up talented receivers was a priority for a passing offense that ranked 29th in the league in 2006. Despite missing the last three games with turf toe, Jackson had three more touchdown catches (10) than the entire 49ers receiver corps.

The 49ers cut ties with receiver Antonio Bryant, but added free agent Ashley Lelie and third-round draft choice Jason Hill out of Washington State to go along with Jackson and sure-handed holdover Arnaz Battle.

Adding to the mix is tight end Vernon Davis, the sixth player taken in the 2006 draft.

All this talent is meant to make life easier for quarterback Alex Smith and Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore.

The Seahawks remember Gore all too well. He set a franchise record with 212 yards rushing Nov. 19 against Seattle and also caught four passes. If things work out, gone are the days of opponents stacking the box to stop the run.

"We definitely want to get Frank open so he can get us some big runs and carry our offense," Jackson said. "Frank's the guy."

There are concerns about pass protection for Smith. He threw only one TD pass as a rookie two years ago with 11 interceptions. Smith took every snap last year, was picked off 16 times, but threw for 16 TDs. He should be able to get the ball in the air quicker this time around.

"Now it's just read the defense and throw the ball," Smith said. "I don't have to worry about my matchups. It's nice to have that."

Smith hasn't played for every offensive coordinator in the league, but he's on pace. After Norv Turner bolted to San Diego for the coaching job, Jim Hostler became Smith's third offensive coordinator in as many years.

Hostler was the quarterbacks coach in Smith's first two seasons and plans to base his offense on what Turner did.

Nolan, a former defensive coordinator, tried to shore up the defense, as well. Shut-down corner Nate Clements was signed as a free agent and six of the nine draftees were defenders. One of them, Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis, the 11th player drafted overall, is a starter.

The 49ers haven't advanced to the postseason the past four years, with two of the failures under former Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson. Now they're the pick of at least two publications to win the division.

"There is optimism and some excitement," Nolan said. "I would like to think it's for good reason."