Joe Nedney

Last year Nedney attempted 12 fewer field goals than in 2008, resulting in a 37-point drop in points. The 49ers offense was below average in most relevant categories, but the biggest challenge for Nedney is overcoming an offense that was 31st in plays per game at 58.7. The 49ers have some young talent in Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis to go along with Frank Gore, but they hardly project as an explosive team. The 49ers drafted linemen with their first two picks, signaling a commitment to ball control, so it’s reasonable to expect some improvement in sustaining drives. Nedney has shown he can be an effective kicker given the opportunity, but the 49ers have failed to give him more than 34 PATs in any of Nedney’s five seasons in San Francisco.

Nedney’s production rebounded last year from the disaster that was the San Francisco offense in 2007, as he scored 48 more points, finishing with a career-high 121. The 49ers scored 12 more touchdowns and offered Nedney 14 more field-goal attempts, which he converted at a rate of 87.9 percent. But Mike Martz is out this year, and new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s run-dominated game plan doesn’t figure to be as explosive as last year’s attack. The 49ers added rookie running back Glen Coffee and fullback Moran Norris to help Frank Gore and drafted playmaker Michael Crabtree, but quarterback is still unsettled with Shaun Hill the expected starter. Nedney continues to be strong from long range, converting 29-of-34 (85.2 percent) field goals from 40-49 yards the last four years and kicking two 50-yarders last season.

In a year that saw some terrible offenses in the NFL, the 49ers were the absolute worst. Nedney scored just 73 points while missing only two kicks. His 19 field goal attempts were the fewest of any kicker who played in at least 14 games. The 49ers were last in total offense and scoring offense. The team brought in Mike Martz as the new offensive coordinator to right the ship. But Alex Smith took a major step back last season before getting injured, and Frank Gore had little or no blocking most of the year.

The 49ers offense showed some improvement last season, and Nedney scored 116 points, up from 99 in 2005. If Alex Smith can bounce back from his second-half fade, and Frank Gore can stay healthy, San Francisco should be able to overcome the loss of offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who left to coach the Chargers. In any event, Nedney still is a viable option, especially considering he’s been one of the better long-distance kickers the last two seasons, hitting 20-of-24 from 40-plus yards.

May have been the 49ers' best weapon last season, connecting on 26-of-28 field goal attempts. Doesn't have a big leg, but is consistent, and should be one of the better, second-tier fantasy kickers.

Nedney enters as the most likely candidate to emerge as the Niners’ kicker based on his experience, but he has suffered through injuries that have limited him to just one game in the last two seasons. With just two seasons over 80 percent, Nedney is a career 74.7-percent kicker. Any kicker who wins the job will have trouble exceeding 100 points because of the 49ers’ uninspiring offense.

Nedney, who tore the ACL in his non-kicking knee in Week 1 last season and missed the rest of the year, looked good in spring minicamps and is slated to resume his job as the Titans’ kicker. A fairly accurate kicker in recent years and with a strong leg, Nedney is in a good situation to produce as the Titans’ offense improved to fifth in scoring a year ago. As long as QB Steve McNair stays healthy, the offense should generate ample opportunity for Nedney in 2004.

After inconsistency dogged him early in his career, Nedney has established himself as a reliable kicker. A career 74.6-percent field goal kicker, Nedney nailed field goals at an 81.4 percent clip the past three seasons. He hit 80.6 percent (25 of 31) of his field goal attempts in 2002 and scored more 100 points for the second time in three seasons. The Titans will put him in a position to score, and he should hit for 100-plus again.