NFC West Preview | 49ers seeking a turnaround

San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan's choice of inexperienced J.T. O'Sullivan to start at quarterback over Alex Smith shows how important this season is for the 49ers.

Get out of the gate slowly and Nolan could become the first NFL coach fired.

Even if O'Sullivan succeeds, Nolan might not get the credit. But Nolan, entering his fourth year as coach, has to take chances to put together his first winning record at the helm (the team hasn't had a winning mark since 2002).

O'Sullivan, 29, who has never started a game in his six NFL seasons with eight different franchises, came to the 49ers as a free agent from Detroit, along with former Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

If this works, Martz could end up taking the bows as he was entitled to when, as offensive coordinator, he helped turn the St. Louis Rams from super losers to Super Bowl champions in the 2001 season. Kurt Warner, not long removed from a grocery store job and the Arena League, was the obscure quarterback then.

The 49ers are the latest challenge for Martz. He said he likes O'Sullivan's businesslike approach and his willingness to let his teammates know if they screw up.

Nolan made Smith the first player taken in the 2005 draft after Smith finished his college career at Utah with only one loss in 22 starts. Smith never got close to those results as a pro, despite taking every snap in 2006. The term "bust" began appearing in front of his name.

"Vagabond," describes O'Sullivan. In addition to the NFL stops, he also played two seasons for Frankfurt in NFL Europa. He wasn't completely unknown coming out of UC Davis. New Orleans drafted him in the sixth round, 186th overall, in 2002, and used him as an inactive third quarterback.

Optimism abounded for the 49ers going into last season. But instead of vying for the top spot in NFC West, the 49ers crashed to 5-11, losing eight in a row (two to the Seahawks) at one point.

Smith ended up bickering with Nolan over the severity of a shoulder injury after a sack by Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard on the first series of the third game.

Smith never was the same after that, undergoing surgery three months later to repair ligament damage.

No matter the quarterback, it would behoove the team to get the ball to running back Frank Gore.

When it comes to all-purpose backs, Gore is about as good as it gets. He led the 49ers in yards gained rushing and in pass receptions each of the past two seasons.

O'Sullivan has developed a strong on-field relationship with tight end Vernon Davis, a former first-round draft pick who is looking for a breakout in his third season. Rookie wide receiver Josh Morgan, a sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech, was effective in the exhibition season.

The defense is anchored by linebacker Patrick Willis, an All-Pro in his rookie season last year while setting an NFL record with 226 tackles.

Scott Hanson