The 49ers averaged just 145 yards per game passing. The player once considered their quarterback of the future struggled through injuries and ineffective play and was going to be competing for his starting job.

Coach Mike Nolan hired Mike Martz to troubleshoot the offense, firing unproven Jim Hostler after one season. And Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, would have to earn his job as the starter.

Now, as the 49ers head into the regular season, a journeyman named J.T. O'Sullivan has emerged as the starting quarterback.

"It really isn't so much about Alex, but J.T.'s performance has been so unusual," Martz said. "I think Alex is fine. He hasn't done anything to discredit him as a starter or to say that he can't play. J.T. stepped in and did some remarkable things.

"The more we gave him, the better he did."

So the 49ers open the regular season with high hopes for this season. There is a belief within the locker room that Martz will put the offense in situations to excel - something that many feel did not happen last season under Hostler.

"We have a new leader - a new leader on the ship," 49ers running back Frank Gore said. "When he stands up in the room and you hear him talk, you know that he knows what he's talking about. Everything is going to change this year."

Said receiver Arnaz Battle, "There are a lot of plays out there. Everyone in the locker room feels that. Even the defensive guys are excited about what we're doing on the offensive side."

Martz is the 49ers' sixth offensive coordinator in six seasons. Every years has brought along another challenge for the team to learn the offense. Martz's system might be the most complex system of all, but the team showed signs in the exhibition season of coming together quickly.

"I don't want to put any limits on what we can accomplish this season," Martz said.

The 49ers should be able to function offensively this season. Running back Frank Gore will be the focal point of the offense, Martz said. Gore felt as if he were restricted last season because the passing game did not take advantage of the times when defenses would jam eight men into the box to stop the run. Gore said it felt some times as if it took the 49ers the entire first half just to move the ball past midfield.

Gore figures to be a huge part of the offense in the run and pass games.

"Any time you can take somebody like Frank and put him out on the perimeter or get him one-on-one with someone, that is what you want," Martz said. "You want to put Frank in an environment where he can get the ball away from the pack because his open-field running is pretty special.

COACHING: Mike Nolan, 4th year (16-32).

REMEMBERING: 2007 record: 5-11 (3rd in NFC West).

PREDICTING: 2008 regular season record 7-9 (tied for 2nd NFC West).