Comments (0) Best 49er - 2006

Joe Nedney

When a team wins the Super Bowl, it's difficult to pick the squad's best player — the roster bulges with talent. When a team finishes 4-12, the task is a whole lot easier, even more so when the place-kicker has a season like Joe Nedney's. The Niners' most potent (some might say sole) offensive weapon missed only two of 28 field-goal attempts last year, single-handedly — or single-footedly, as it were — preventing Mike Nolan's boys from further debasing themselves. Time and again Nedney's golden left toe bailed out an offense that appeared allergic to first downs, let alone touchdowns. In no fewer than seven games, including a 15-10 win over Tampa Bay, the San Jose State grad accounted for every 49ers point. Quarterback Alex Smith may or may not represent the team's future. In the meantime, it's reassuring to know Nedney will be around to split the uprights.