Photo: John Storey / Special to the Chronicle Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close

Image 2 of 45 Jim Harbaugh welcomes Alex Smith back to the sideline after his second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Jim Harbaugh welcomes Alex Smith back to the sideline after his second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

Image 3 of 45 Seahawks running back Justin Forsett gets upended at Candlestick Park Sept. 10. Seahawks running back Justin Forsett gets upended at Candlestick Park Sept. 10. Photo: Dylan Entelis / The Chronicle

Image 4 of 45 Ted Ginn Jr. waves to the crowd after his 102-yard kickoff return against Seattle. He also ran a punt back for a score that day. Ted Ginn Jr. waves to the crowd after his 102-yard kickoff return against Seattle. He also ran a punt back for a score that day. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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Image 6 of 45 Frank Gore makes a cut as only he can. Frank Gore makes a cut as only he can. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

Image 7 of 45 Defensive tackle Ray McDonald celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter of the 49ers game against the Dallas Cowboys at Candlestick Park. Defensive tackle Ray McDonald celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter of the 49ers game against the Dallas Cowboys at Candlestick Park. Photo: Dylan Entelis / The Chronicle

Image 8 of 45 Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin fumbles the football on his team’s final possession of the game as he is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith. Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin fumbles the football on his team’s final possession of the game as he is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith. Photo: Matt Smith / Associated Press

Image 9 of 45 Frank Gore is surrounded by celebrating big men as he scores a touchdown against the Eagles during the second half on Oct. 2. The 49ers defeated the Eagles 24-23. Frank Gore is surrounded by celebrating big men as he scores a touchdown against the Eagles during the second half on Oct. 2. The 49ers defeated the Eagles 24-23. Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images

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Image 11 of 45 Chris Culliver celebrates after breaking up a pass during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 9. Chris Culliver celebrates after breaking up a pass during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 9. Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Image 12 of 45 The handshake that rocked the nation: Jim Harbaugh jaws with Jim Schwartz after the 49ers' big win over the Lions. The handshake that rocked the nation: Jim Harbaugh jaws with Jim Schwartz after the 49ers' big win over the Lions. Photo: Leon Halip / Getty

Image 13 of 45 Braylon Edwards didn't last the season with the 49ers, but he did stick around long enough to make this spectacular catch. Braylon Edwards didn't last the season with the 49ers, but he did stick around long enough to make this spectacular catch. Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

Image 14 of 45 Harbaugh liked this picture so much that he had it hanging in his office. Ahmad Brooks, without a helmet, goes in for the sack of Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, forcing a fumble. Harbaugh liked this picture so much that he had it hanging in his office. Ahmad Brooks, without a helmet, goes in for the sack of Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, forcing a fumble. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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Image 16 of 45 The 49ers defense takes down the Cardinals Patrick Peterson in the third quarter of their Nov. 20 tilt at Candlestick. The 49ers defense takes down the Cardinals Patrick Peterson in the third quarter of their Nov. 20 tilt at Candlestick. Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

Image 17 of 45 Patrick Peterson breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree in the first half. A flag was thrown on the play for pass interference. Patrick Peterson breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree in the first half. A flag was thrown on the play for pass interference. Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

Image 18 of 45 Alex Smith finds the light — and his receiver — as he throws a completion in the second half against the Giants. The 49ers defeated New York, 27-20, on Nov. 13. Alex Smith finds the light — and his receiver — as he throws a completion in the second half against the Giants. The 49ers defeated New York, 27-20, on Nov. 13. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

Image 19 of 45 Our favorite shot of the year. The light is perfect as Vernon Davis hauls in a catch against the Cardinals. Our favorite shot of the year. The light is perfect as Vernon Davis hauls in a catch against the Cardinals. Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

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Image 21 of 45 Alex Smith tries to escape the grasp of Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata, stretching his jersey to its limits. Alex Smith tries to escape the grasp of Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata, stretching his jersey to its limits. Photo: Nick Wass / AP

Image 22 of 45 Offensive tackle Joe Staley dumps gatorade on head coach Jim Harbaugh to celebrate clinching the division. Harbaugh's ubiquitous black shirt kept him dry. Offensive tackle Joe Staley dumps gatorade on head coach Jim Harbaugh to celebrate clinching the division. Harbaugh's ubiquitous black shirt kept him dry. Photo: Paul Sakuma / AP

Image 23 of 45 Anthony Dixon and his wild hair celebrate after the 49ers clinch the division. Anthony Dixon and his wild hair celebrate after the 49ers clinch the division. Photo: Special to the Chronicle Laurie / The Chronicle

Image 24 of 45 Off the field, the 49ers battled for a new stadium. Al Guido, vice president for new stadium sales and service with the 49ers, shows a rendering at the team's New Stadium Preview Center in Santa Clara. Off the field, the 49ers battled for a new stadium. Al Guido, vice president for new stadium sales and service with the 49ers, shows a rendering at the team's New Stadium Preview Center in Santa Clara. Photo: Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle

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Image 26 of 45 Defensive tackle, Isaac Sopoaga celebrates as the 49ers defeat the St. Louis Rams, 26-0. Defensive tackle, Isaac Sopoaga celebrates as the 49ers defeat the St. Louis Rams, 26-0. Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

Image 27 of 45 It's been a beautiful partnership so far. Harbaugh congratulates his quarterback on a job well done. It's been a beautiful partnership so far. Harbaugh congratulates his quarterback on a job well done. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press

Image 28 of 45 Candlestick Park is shrouded in darkness during a power outage before the start of the 49ers Monday Night Football game against the Steelers. Candlestick Park is shrouded in darkness during a power outage before the start of the 49ers Monday Night Football game against the Steelers. Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

Image 29 of 45 Officials gather as the lights go out for a second time at Candlestick Park. Officials gather as the lights go out for a second time at Candlestick Park. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

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Image 31 of 45 Tight end Vernon Davis turns around just in time for a 1-yard touchdown catch. The photographer also had great timing. Tight end Vernon Davis turns around just in time for a 1-yard touchdown catch. The photographer also had great timing. Photo: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press

Image 32 of 45 It's like he poses for them. Frank Gore with another spectacular shot. It's like he poses for them. Frank Gore with another spectacular shot. Photo: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press

Image 33 of 45 Michael Crabtree shows that playing loose means playing well. He's all smiles against the Steelers. Michael Crabtree shows that playing loose means playing well. He's all smiles against the Steelers. Photo: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press

Image 34 of 45 Linebacker NaVorro Bowman rallies the crowd with a towel. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman rallies the crowd with a towel. Photo: John Storey / Special to the Chronicle

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Image 36 of 45 Wide receiver Kyle Williams can't quite reach a pass off his fingertips in the third quarter against the Steelers. Wide receiver Kyle Williams can't quite reach a pass off his fingertips in the third quarter against the Steelers. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

Image 37 of 45 Vernon Davis gets up close and personal with the photographer as he is tackled by Cortez Allen. Vernon Davis gets up close and personal with the photographer as he is tackled by Cortez Allen. Photo: John Storey / Special to the Chronicle

Image 38 of 45 Alex Boone of the 49ers and Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers exchange words during their game at Candlestick Park on Dec. 19. Alex Boone of the 49ers and Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers exchange words during their game at Candlestick Park on Dec. 19. Photo: Karl Walter / Getty

Image 39 of 45 Ted Ginn Jr. says hello to the nation on Monday Night Football. Ted Ginn Jr. says hello to the nation on Monday Night Football. Photo: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press

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Image 41 of 45 Pure determination: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is stopped short of the goal line in the second quarter by Carlos Rogers and Parys Haralson. Pure determination: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is stopped short of the goal line in the second quarter by Carlos Rogers and Parys Haralson. Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty

Image 42 of 45 Nick Miller can only look on as kicker David Akers celebrates a field goal in the first half against the Rams on New Year's Day. Nick Miller can only look on as kicker David Akers celebrates a field goal in the first half against the Rams on New Year's Day. Photo: Whitney Curtis / Getty Images

Image 43 of 45 Tight end Vernon Davis looks like a track star as he carries the ball during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams. Tight end Vernon Davis looks like a track star as he carries the ball during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams. Photo: L.G. Patterson / Associated Press

Image 44 of 45 Cornerback Tarell Brown intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams' Kellen Clemens, putting in his audition for the Moscow ballet while he's at it. Cornerback Tarell Brown intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams' Kellen Clemens, putting in his audition for the Moscow ballet while he's at it. Photo: Seth Perlman / Associated Press