AP Pro32 comments about 49ers

NEW YORK (AP) Comments on the San Francisco 49ers by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 4): Defense matters, and 49ers proved it.

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 4): Great D and better this year in passing game.

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 4): Defense will be hard-hitting and solid again, while offense should have more pop.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 4): Nasty and physical on both sides of ball.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 4): This team is legit and has real shot this year. Dominant defense with 11 starters returning and complex Harbaugh-led offense that benefits from full offseason; more confident Alex Smith and some explosion (Randy Moss) to help Vernon Davis on offense.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 4): Defense dominates and Alex Smith finally gets to run same offense two years in row.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 5): Overachievers in 2011? In your face, says Jim Harbaugh. OK, coach. We're buying.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 5): If Alex Smith can play like he did a year ago, 49ers will be among best in NFL.

Chris Berman (ESPN, 5): After all, 49ers could have easily been in Super Bowl.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 5): NFL's next Baltimore Ravens on defense. Patrick Willis is next Ray Lewis.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 7): All 11 starters return from one of NFL's stingiest defenses. Question now is whether quarterback Alex Smith and rest of offense can provide enough complementary firepower.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 9): Jim Harbaugh worked miracles as rookie coach, but 49ers won't be sneaking up on anyone this season.

Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Updated July 31, 2012