<
>

Are Torrey Smith, Reggie Bush elixir to 49ers' sluggish offense?

The 49ers are banking on former Raven Torrey Smith to bolster their deep passing game. Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports

Looking for another storyline, one with an offensive twist, for the San Francisco 49ers as they open training camp with Saturday’s 7 p.m. practice at Levi’s Stadium?

Take a look at the revamped Niners offense. A unit that once prided itself on being fueled by its power-running attack looked disjointed at times in 2014 and stuck in the mud (when not going in reverse) during an 8-8 season. Of course, the constantly-in-flux offensive line had a lot to do with things.

But the Niners offense last year seemed to lose its identity, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sacked a league-leading 52 times while, observers noted, not being put in the best position to succeed.

The proverbial square-peg-and-round-hole syndrome, if you will.

And yet, Kaepernick regressed statistically -- his total QBR fell from 68.6 in 2013 to 55.9 last year -- even if, as many claim, he did not have the proper weapons at his disposal and he became the first QB in two decades with at least 100 fourth-quarter pass attempts to not throw a fourth-quarter TD pass.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Niners had a mere 17 offensive plays last season of at least 30 yards, which was tied for fifth worst in the league.

But with last year’s offensive coordinator Greg Roman now toiling in Buffalo and Kaepernick’s former QB coach, Geep Chryst, promoted to coordinator, will there be much of a difference in philosophy?

“[Coach Jim Tomsula] loves, and I love and Geep Chryst loves to push the ball down the field,” new QB coach Steve Logan said.

So the Niners went out and got a few new speedy weapons for Kaepernick in receiver Torrey Smith and running back Reggie Bush.

“They’ve been huge so far and bring a lot of speed to the field … a lot of deep vertical threat,” Kaepernick said during a June minicamp while also referencing new receiver Jerome Simpson. “That’s something I’m looking forward to this coming season … having that opportunity to take shots.”

But will Smith and Bush make that much of a difference?

Smith’s career average of 16.9 yards per catch is a Baltimore Ravens franchise record, and he has 51 catches on targets of at least 20 yards from 2011 though last year, including the postseason. He also has 44 receptions of at least 25 yards in his four-year career.

He likes to take the top off defenses.

Bush, meanwhile, is entering his 10th NFL season and joining his fourth team, but when he’s healthy, he is still dangerous in space.

Two years ago, Bush rushed for 1,006 yards and four touchdowns while catching 54 passes for 506 yards and three TDs for the Detroit Lions.

“We added the weapons to go down the field,” Kaepernick said. “That’s something we’ve got more reps at … more comfortable with. Hopefully, that carries over.”