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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Andrew from Pennsylvania writes: Hi Sando, i'm a first time writer so i'm hoping i get to read my own post!! Anyway i'm a huge 49ers fan and i like the way coach Singletary has taken over the team and put his own stamp on the team but i'm not sure what the organization is thinking.

What insight do you have on the chances of Singletary coming back? I have also heard a lot of 49ers fan saying that our biggest weakness is the d-line and that we should draft a good pass rusher in the 1st round but i have to say i disagree. I'm wondering where is Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers 1st round DE pick from last year? I dont hear anything about him, is he improving? is he ready to make an impact next year? or is he a bust?

I think we should look for an impact safety. i'm not sold on Mark Roman and Walt Harris is on his last legs. What are your thoughts?

Mike Sando: Mike Singletary has team owner Jed York in his corner and that's a hugely important ally. York was clear in saying he wanted a coach to fire up the players. That seemed to be the top stated priority from York's perspective at the time of the coaching change. Singletary fits that profile, so if the team makes strides under him the rest of the season, you have to figure Singletary has a chance.

The broader question from my view is whether Singletary can build and/or maintain the type of staff the 49ers want from a philosophical standpoint. Mike Nolan hired Mike Martz despite concerns that Martz's system might not ideally suit the personnel. If Martz isn't part of the future, who runs the offense? That's a hugely important issue that could factor into who the team names as head coach.

If the 49ers change coaches, they might be wise to consider a head coach who calls the offensive plays. That way you're insulated from the setbacks the 49ers suffered under Nolan when Mike McCarthy and Norv Turner left unexpectedly at the expense of continuity and quarterback Alex Smith.

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Mike from Albany, N.Y., writes: To be upfront I'm a Jet fan. Jets at 10? Denver at 7? Cowboys at 6?. Come in out of the rain. Denver gets to 7 after they beat the Jets? Did you watch that game?

You're telling me the Jets didn't beat themselves that day. Jones rushed for 136 yards with 2 tds. If denver had a defensive line on par with their offensive line I can see the 7. But they don't. Cowboys at 6?

My guess you'll be eating that ranking when they get their butts kicked on Sunday. I know you have the Steelers to win but its going to be a whoopin not worthy of the 6th position. You'll see the Jets this weekend at SF since you cover the West. You'll have them at 4 where they belong. And Tenn? Not that impresive. Easy shedule. Won't win a game in the playoffs.

Mike Sando: Nope, I didn't watch the Jets-Broncos game. That's one of the challenges of covering a division. I do not study the other 28 teams as closely. I watch every play of every game involving every team in the NFC West division, and then I make judgments based on results from other games. It's tough ranking the teams one through 32 without making a questionable selection or two. No doubt, the Broncos will probably fall by year's end.

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Kevin from New Jersey writes: Mike, I recently read one of Matt Barrows' articles that you had linked to your blog. He talked about Norv Turner being canned in San Diego after this season and him returning to San Francisco as the offensive coordinator. If he were to be fired, I'd like to think he'd stay away from head coaching for a while if at all anyone was looking at him as a candidate. What's your opinion on that? Alex Smith clearly grew under him and Frank Gore broke through under his tenure. What do you think about it?

Mike Sando: If the 49ers were to make a staff change at that level, they would be fortunate to get an offensive coordinator of Turner's caliber. That move would make sense for the reasons you stipulated.

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Jason from Greeley, Colo., writes: Sando, with all this talk about the Cards game, I have a question. Should the Cardinals drafted Adrian Peterson instead of Levi Brown? The line was such a problem before Russ Grimm showed up and at the time I felt either would be a good choice. Now, if they had AP, would the line be so bad that even he couldn't run the ball right now? I don't think so. I think if I had the choice between an star OL and a star RB, I would have to take the RB based on things I have seen this season. I think that AP could still be productive in the Cards offense right now, even without Brown. P.S. I am glad the Cards do not have AP. There is no way they would have the cap space to keep him and Fitz and Q for more than maybe 2 seasons.

Mike Sando: Yes, I would consider a dominant, elite, once-every-five-years running back over a good offensive lineman. But you still need to build from the lines. The Rams have shown as much.

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Drew from Buffalo writes: Hey Mike, I read your blog on Darnell Dockett and it made me wonder what is going on with Alan Branch and Gabe Watson? Alan Branch was quite the force in college but Whiz hasn't played him in weeks. Is there an injury I missed? Thanks for all you do for the NFC West and for helping my day go by faster.

Mike Sando: Thanks, Drew. Branch hasn't done enough to earn playing time. He's a disappointment as a second-round choice. Watson has played some since returning from the knee injury but I haven't noticed him making a significant impact.

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Mike from Richmond writes: What are the odds that T.J. Who's Your Mama lands in San Francisco if Cincy dumps him this offseason? I mean, they need receivers and he lives in California already. Seems win/ win to me.

Mike Sando: I don't know any specifics about T.J. Houshmandzadeh but that type of move would make sense. The 49ers like Josh Morgan. Jason Hill has shown progress. But I don't think the 49ers can assume those players will become front-line players for the long term. So, yes, consider a free-agent receiver. At the same time, the 49ers need be smart with their free-agent dollars. I'd rather build the lines than bring aboard a veteran receiver. They also need to identify a quarterback.

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Bronson from Helena, Mont., writes: I have heard noise about Mike Martz and the SDSU job. It would be nice for our team to keep an O coordinator for more than one year. Have you heard anything?

Mike Sando: It's not a given Martz will return even if San Diego State doesn't hire him. Yes, continuity is important. But the 49ers need to make sure the fit is right -- for everyone. We don't even know if Martz wants to return given all that has changed since he accepted the job.

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Adam from Sacramento writes: Unfortunately, I couldn't make the chat [Thursday] because my boss made me do this thing they call "work" over here. Not too familiar with it, but I know that I dont like it much. My question is in regards to what happens to this blog after the end of the season, which is coming soon to us 49er fans. Will the blogs go away? Or will you switch your focus to off-season topics like the draft, free agent signings, etc? I only ask, because this blog is dope and helps me get through the day. thanks Sandman!

Mike Sando: Work? We've got to do something to get you out of that. The blog isn't going anywhere during the offseason. We'll keep it going every day.