49ers: Window of Opportunity is Nigh

The window of opportunity is open wide right now, and when the San Francisco 49ers and their fans look through it they see nothing but sunny skies and a bright future.

Thats what the world looks like to an NFL team in June, especially one thats coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

In the recently concluded Niners mini-camp, optimism reigned. New wide receiver Randy Moss and cornerback addition Perrish Cox got rave reviews. Alex Boone looked strong as a replacement for Adam Snyder at right guard. Tight end Vernon Davis who came up so big in the playoffs picked up right where he left off. And head coach Jim Harbaugh was the perpetual prince of positivity even about first-round pick A.J. Jenkins, the wide receiver from Illinois who showed up out of shape and often appeared lost and ineffective on the field.

Hes right on track, Harbaugh told reporters last week. A.J. Jenkins is going to be just fine.

Yet while there is justifiable reason for optimism, there are reasons for caution as well, and defensive end Justin Smith has served an important notice. His message: the future is now.

The entire defense has returned, key players are healthy, the offense should be better after a year under Harbaughs system and with the addition of some playmakers, such as Moss, Mario Manningham, rookie running back LaMichael James and veteran running back Brandon Jacobs.

But Smith says the time for the 49ers to win it all is now, during this window of opportunity. In the NFL, such a window can close quickly because of age and injury.

With some of the guys we have, and with free agency and things like that, were not going to be able to keep this team forever together, Smith told the Sacramento Bees Matt Barrows. Even age-wise, you know? The whole team wont be the same.

Im kind of stressing, Lets go about this in a way that were kind of focused. Were not rebuilding. Lets do it this year and see what happens next year.

Smith, 32, the dominating physical presence up front for the Niners, knows that the bulk of his career is over. If he wants to win a ring, it will have to be quick.

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49ers: Window of Opportunity is Nigh