5 questions facing the 49ers in training camp

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The San Francisco 49ers have a tough road ahead of them.

Located squarely in the league's toughest division, the 49ers are a different-looking team this season due to the absence of former head coach Jim Harbaugh and several veteran staples both on offense and defense.

There are unknowns throughout the roster, and how the pieces mesh together under a first-time head coach will determine just how successful the 49ers can be in 2015.

Here are five questions facing the 49ers heading into training camp.

Will Jim Tomsula be a disaster?

The Jim Harbaugh era was successful yet rocky, but there's no guarantees the Tomsula era won't be rockier.

The Frank Grimes of NFL coaches has overcome homelessness and some other depressing family history to win this job. All it took was several people to say "no thanks" for him to get it. Let's hope Jed York doesn't replace Tomsula, - or Tommy, as he likes to be called - with a heroic dog he sees featured on television.

The hiring of Tomsula was being touted as a nod to the strength of the defense and his popularity among all 49ers players, but four key pieces (Patrick Willis, Anthony Davis, Chris Borland, and Justin Smith) decided to retire shortly after he was hired. Hmm ...

Training camp will be a good indicator of the level of insanity we can expect.

What will this defense look like?

No unit has experienced as much upheaval this offseason as the 49ers' defense. In addition to the loss of several starters, and the drama surrounding that, key backups like Chris Borland, Perrish Cox, and Dan Skuta are no longer with the team.

This is uncharted territory for the Niners, but there is still more talent on this roster than most around the league. Arik Armstead is a project, but there's enough depth around him that he doesn't need to shoulder the load up front right away.

The secondary is still mostly intact, with Jimmie Ward shining as a nickel corner last season, and the Bethea-Reed tandem at safety is above average. We'll see if any of the rookies step up and push the remaining talent on this roster.

Can Kaepernick develop chemistry with Smith?

The addition of Torrey Smith gives Colin Kaepernick two veteran receivers to throw to, but little else. There's quite literally no one outside of Smith and Anquan Boldin, lending credence to the theory that Kaepernick will return to his roots in 2015, running the ball more often than he did last season.

The connection between Kaepernick and Smith will need to develop quickly if the offense is going to take advantage of the deep pass - something they've been desperately missing for a long time.

What does the new running game look like?

Carlos Hyde will try to match the production of Frank Gore, who spent 10 years in San Francisco, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in eight of those seasons. But he'll have lots of help filling those shoes.

Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter will provide the backfield with depth, while talented rookie Mike Davis could be used if he continues to turn heads like he did at minicamp.

The transition to more zone-blocking looks will also have to get worked out during camp, as that is seen as the best way to maximize the talent of the 49ers' running backs - Hyde especially.

Aldon Smith?

Once a pass-rusher that rivaled the league's best, Aldon Smith has had a troubling fall from grace. After nabbing only two sacks last season, Smith is expecting to turn things around this year, if he can avoid the off-field issues that cost him nine games in 2014.

Training camp will be a good barometer of where Smith is both mentally and physically. With so many veterans moving on, the Missouri product, at age 25, will be something of an elder statesman for the 49ers. He's been described as "hungry," and restructured his deal to take less money and long-term security as a short-term motivator.

All that could factor into a resurgence for Smith, but a strong training camp is more important than ever in his fifth season.