San Francisco 49ers outline what they want on defense

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- New San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil took time Wednesday to paint a picture of what new coach Chip Kelly would like to see from his players this season.

"We talk to them about three attributes that we are looking for as a staff that will allow them to be successful in this system," O'Neil explained.

"The first one was being relentless. We want to coach guys how to play football, not how hard to play.

"The next one was accountable. Everybody has a job; get your job done. The guys that consistently do that will be the guys that will play for us.

"And the last one was productive. There's a lot of guys that are scared to make plays. We want to find guys that trust their technique and are confident enough to go make plays in this league, because that's what it's all about."

--Kelly has insisted there will be open competition for starting spots this season, and already battle lines have been drawn at several positions.

In fact, it appears only eight starting spots are locked up: Carlos Hyde at running back, Torrey Smith at one wide receiver, Joe Staley at left tackle, Daniel Kilgore at center, Ian Williams at nose tackle, NaVorro Bowman at one of the inside linebacker positions, and Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid at the safety positions.

--Looking for a long shot to emerge as a starter for the 49ers this season? It's clearly a possibility at three positions where the competition is particularly wide-open:

Wide receiver: Quinton Patton, who has proven to be an adequate No. 4 receiver in his career, has been lining up as the starter opposite of Torrey Smith. The 49ers would love to see 2015 fourth-round pick DeAndre Smelter win the spot coming off a "redshirt" season a year ago due to a ACL injury incurred in college. But don't count out Canadian Football League veteran Eric Rogers or 2015 disappointment Jerome Simpson.

Tight end: The 49ers felt so good about their depth at the position last season that they traded three of their tight ends, including starter Vernon Davis. But now they are so concerned about what is left that former fullback Bruce Miller has been moved to the position and is as likely as anybody to start the opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

Inside linebacker: Remember the good old days of Bowman and Patrick Willis? Heck, the 49ers would kill to have even Chris Borland now. The remaining scraps to play alongside Bowman include Michael Wilhoite, a guy the new regime seems anxious to replace, and Gerald Hodges, who might not be good enough to do it.