The 49ers current contingency plans for a Jeremy Newberry injury involve shifting Dave Fiore from guard to center, and promoting one of their back up guards. Certainly the plan is far from fool proof. While Fiore can play the center position, it’s not ‘his position’. It also means that he would have to adjust on the fly to a new move. Essentially leaving the offensive line with one player in the wrong position and one new player, where as having a backup center, would just bring one new player to the line.

The 49ers should make it a priority this off-season to sign a backup center, someone they can depend on at the position in the event that Jeremy Newberry does get hurt. Protecting Jeff Garcia and snapping the ball properly are a crucial part of any team. Ben Lynch was a solid back up and replacing him will not be easy.