Alex Smith stepped into the fire in the middle of the 2009 season, and almost rescued the San Francisco 49ers from a loss to the Houston Texans. He threw three second-half touchdowns (all to Vernon Davis), and proceeded to throw 15 more scores down the stretch, while keeping the 49ers in the wild card playoff hunt until the final weeks.

Smith is back in the saddle as the starting quarterback for 2010, and returns with TE Vernon Davis and second-year receiver, Michael Crabtree. Everyone could see the awesome chemistry between Davis and Smith, and even the growing chemistry between Smith and Crabtree. But it can’t end there; not if the 49ers are to fight for the division, and not if Smith can soar to new fantasy heights.

If things are going to go the right way in San Francisco in 2010, Ted Ginn Jr. (acquired via trade from Miami) needs to step up into his new role in the slot, and he needs to excel.

Ginn has reportedly struggled a bit in camp, apparently being good for “about a drop a day” and failing to fully grasp the 49ers offense.

While only time will truly tell if Ginn can ever make something of himself in the NFL, working out of the slot with bigger weapons around him might be exactly what he needs.

We’re not ready to crown him as a sleeper or even a slot dynamo receiver just yet, but with his speed, explosiveness, and raw play-making ability, we definitely see the potential for Ginn to make things happen with his new team.

Another interesting note for Ginn is the lack of a major impact by current number two receiver, Josh Morgan. While Morgan has played to his role so far in the offseason, there’s a shot that Ginn could rise up the depth chart if Morgan doesn’t blow coaches away, and if Ginn can progress into a better, more consistent passing threat.

However, for now, it looks like Ginn’s best (and safest) bet to make an impact and improve in his NFL (and fantasy) career is to excel in the slot and make plays in the return game.

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