Trent Baalke reiterated this morning at the NFL Combine that the 49ers want to keep their guys in place, as in re-sign their free agents.
Baalke said there’s no priority list for who he wants to re-sign, which is baloney, probably.
Let’s try to guess that priority list.
Which of the 49ers free agents are most important to resign? And in what order?
Keep in mind, no free agent is so important that Baalke will overspend for him – that’s not his style. Baalke most likely has a price point in mind for each free agent, and if demands exceed, he’ll move on to the next option.
Assuming the 49ers free agents all want to re-sign for fair contracts, here’s how I’d rank them in order of importance if I were Baalke.
1. Carlos Rogers. Rogers is the most difficult 49er to replace because he covers slot receivers as well as any cornerback does in the NFL. The way the 49ers defensive scheme is set up, the outside cornerbacks have a much easier job than the slot guy does. The outside cornerbacks get safety help, so they play underneath coverage. That means they can let the wide receiver run past a little bit and beat them because a safety is in position to make a big hit or interception if the quarterback throws it “over the top” of the underneath coverage. Also, they get to play with inside leverage, meaning they line up slightly inside of the receiver, as in between the receiver and the quarterback. This cuts off the middle of the field and baits the wideout into running down the sideline towards the safeties.
This scheme is set up to make the cornerback’s job easier. He gets help from a safety and a sideline, and he’s in position to intercept passes because he’s playing underneath. Tarell Brown, who had never excelled in the NFL, excelled in this scheme this past season. But Rogers frequently covered slot receivers (like Victor Cruz) man-to-man with no safety help. He didn’t get sideline help, either, because the slot receiver lines up in the middle of the field. So, Rogers job was extremely difficult, much more difficult than Brown’s.
Rogers is a master of slot coverage because he anticipates breaks, not merely react to them. In the second half of the NFC championship game, to finally neutralize Cruz he outsmarted him. Instead of playing him straight, Rogers lined up with leverage, guessing that Cruz would cut away from the leverage, as he had done in the first half with great success. Rogers guessed right. He’d line up inside of Cruz, then jump outside when Cruz chopped his feet (and vice versa, lining up outside and jumping inside). This worked. He perfectly anticipated Cruz’s routes in the second half, and shut him down. Chris Culliver isn’t ready to do that. Neither is Tramaine Brock or Tarell Brown.
Rogers’ ability to cover the best slot receivers one-on-one is one of the many things that makes the Niners’ D great. If they lose Rogers, they’d have to start doubling the best slot receivers and counting on Culliver to lock down No. 1 wide receivers without safety help, like Darrelle Revis does, and Deion Sanders used to do. That’s too much to ask from Culliver, which is why Rogers tops this list.
2. Alex Smith. He probably should be No. 1 just by virtue of being a quarterback. But, if he wants to be paid like a Pro-Bowler, or a top-ten QB, I bet Baalke tells him he’s welcome to seek that money from other teams. As much as Harbaugh likes Smith, he’s a very confident coach, and I’d guess he believes he can win with Colin Kaepernick or Scott Tolzien or even himself as the QB. Smith will come back to the Niners on the Niners’ terms, or he won’t come back at all. He has less negotiating leverage than Rogers, so that’s why he’s No. 2 on this list.
3. Dashon Goldson. He’s third on this list only because there are no good replacement options. There are many free safeties that could thrive on the Niners D with that great pass rush, but none that could outperform Dashon Goldson in 2012. I’d be surprised if Baalke offered him much more than what he offered and Goldson turned down last offseason – 5 years, $25 million. If Goldson rejects that again, he’ll probably get the franchise tag, as he should.
4. Ahmad Brooks. He’s a better 3-4 outside linebacker than Goldson is a free safety, but the Niners can more easily replace Brooks. They view Aldon Smith as a three-down player in 2012, and they still have Parys Haralson under contract for one more season. He can play the strong OLB spot, Brooks’ spot, on first and second down, set the edge and cover, and Baalke can draft a third down pass rusher who can develop into a three-down OLB and take Haralson’s job in 2013. In 2012, Haralson and the rookie pass rusher should be able to nearly replicate Brooks’ production.
5. Adam Snyder. He’s a mediocre guard, but the Niners have no replacement for him on the roster. Their O-line performed much worse last season when Snyder wasn’t playing, and because of that he has a good deal of negotiating leverage for a mediocre guard. Will he use it? If he does, he’s probably a goner. Baalke let David Baas walk last offseason because he wanted more than Baalke thought he was worth. If Snyder walks, Baalke will probably replace him with another mediocre free agent guard.
The next player I would put on this list is Ted Ginn Jr., but if I were Baalke I’d only resign him as a return man. I would replace him as a receiver. Baalke has to determine how much he’d pay for a return specialist, and that figure may not satisfy Ginn.
What’s your list?
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Good assessment on these players, and good evaluation of the Niners responses to these players.
Makes sense
Interesting explanation for your top vote for Rogers. I’d prefer to keep them all in a perfect world, although if we signed a top OG (not likely) then I might not feel as much need to keep Snyder. I do like his versatility as a back-up, but all teams need to stay young.
I could quibble about the order, but I’ll just lay out my take:
1/Alex
2/Brooks
3/Goldson
4/Rogers
5/Snyder
I like your list Grant, but I think there is one FA you’re forgetting about that is a must have – What about Chilo, man, what about Chilo??!!!!
:-)
p.s. You know you’re going to get a ton of crap for having Alex as #2, right?
You know you’re going to get a ton of crap for having Alex as #2, right?
That’s why Grant put him there. The “Haters” will declare that it is too high, and the “Smithers” will declare that it is too low. Arguments and insults will fly back and forth, page hits will go up, and the overlords at the PD will sit back and smile.
Or….maybe Grant really does think Carlos Rogers should be the top priority given how hard it is to find a quality CB of his caliber.
Who cares if AS is #1 or not on Grant’s made up list.
Fact is, most top 5 lists are already so exclusive in what you have to be to get on it, that there is no big difference between 1 and 5.
And AS is coming back, so it does not matter where Grant has him anyway.
@49erGirl:
He may very well feel that way. But this is still a relatively new job for Grant. The more hits the blog gets, the better for him. And nothing gets hits on this blog like Alex Smith references.
Look, bbthekitty has already started with the baiting.
@49er Girl
re: no mention of Chilo
Perhaps this falls under what our Mom’s used to tell us:
“If you haven’t got anything nice to say, then don”t say anything at all.”
: >)
The 49ers were ready to make an offer to Chilo but he false started and signed the contract before it was ready.
Then he whiffed and signed his left knee instead of the contract and finally he held the contract while Baalke bull-rushed him out the door.
MSC…brilliant!
@mclemons
and then he tried again but tripped and clipped the Ravens player and denied us a 75 yard td…..
Where is CJ Spillman Grant?
His play was a big reason the Niners won the field position battles all game, every game.
It’s great AL can kick it a mile, but it means little if the returner gats a big return.
And I think the Niner ST was their best unit.
Colin Jones makes re-signing Spillman less urgent. They’re both good special teams gunners. Still, I expect Spillman back.
I don’t know anything about Colin Jones on this ST unit. I won’t complain if he is as good as Spillman.
But, I think the guy who will give the Niners the most bang for their FA buck is Spillman. And, I fully expect him to return as well without any fuss.
I think the top 4 are mandatory. i think they might be able to replace snyder and save money. Maybe Kilgore is ready
Love the explanation on the importance of Rodgers. Many forget how this 9ers team was consistently torched in past seasons by top receivers and lead the league in offensive 3rd down conversions. As you (Grant) stated, he allows you to roll a safety to help others while he’s one on one. This teams greatest asset is its defense. You should build on your strength and not deplete.
Will Rogers demand to much? I think so. I believe that he will probably be gone. Smith knows the system and will progress with the advancement of the O.L. and the acquisition of a good wide receiver or two. To up his stats he has to have receivers that can create at least a little bit of space. A big body or two in the Offensive line as well as a couple of good bodies on the defensive line. If Rogers is gone a replacement will be needed for him and if Goldsen’s demands are high you will need a replacement for him also. It has all become a statistical balance between talent and cost. Harbaugh can’t give the individual players more talent, but he can design around their individual talents to create a winning football team. That is what happened this year. Also need depth at certain positions.
Grant is Daniel Kilgore not a viable option to replace Snyder at RG?
Kilgore seems more like Goodwin’s eventual successor at center, not the starting right guard next season. He’s too small, in my opinion.
Oh PLEASE let ALice demand Pro Bowl money. PLEASE!!
The guy has been a curse on the 49ers for SEVEN years and the sooner he’s wearing a different uniform (preferably in the UFL) the better.
Cut the crap loser ! lol
Force me to, junior.
You make a good argument for your priority list Grant. I’m guessing however that they don’t view Rogers as a guy they can overpay due to his age. If he is willing to do a 3 year deal, I think they’ll sign him but if he holds firm to 5 I’m not sure they won’t let him test FA and see what else is out there.
Brooks is a really tough call for me. He was essential to the defense this year because he played virtually every snap, but he was much less effective the second half of the season than he was the first which leads me to believe he wore down. That tells me he isn’t as effective as an everydown player over the course of a season which means there is no way I pay him 8 mill. I’d like him to be resigned due to the dearth of options behind him at the moment, but they can’t pay great money to a good player. I agree they probably have a numer in mind they’ll go to and if he balks at it, they’ll let him walk and figure out another option.
I agree on Rogers he is a much sign. Our young corners can learn alot from him.
Smith will be the easiest one to re-sign, no way he comes out asking for crazy top 10 money and I don’t see any other teams going into a bidding war over him. The one thing he’s proven he works well with this coaching staff, next year will be his chance to shine.
Alex has made enough money to last him a lifetime, he wants to be a 49er and he knows this is the best possible situation for him. His agent Tom Condon is another story altogether, regarded as a tough negotiator, it could turn sour, there’s no guarantees in free agency, Alex could very well become a Seahawk? Redskin? Bronco? Dolphin? Jaguar? All teams that could use a very functional, veteran QB with unlimited potential.
Are you saying Alex can’t control his agent?
I don’t agree Prime. AS majored in economics and is likely better and smarter than his agent. Who is learning things from AS.
And AS’s speech accepting JH’s HC award tells me everything I need to know about how much he values a HC like JH.
Please, we all know Alex will be back at a reasonable amount. He’s not going anywhere for more money after being on a horrible team w/bad HCs for his first 6 years and finally getting Harbaugh as his HC last year. He’s the least of the problems in re-signing the FAs. Hope the others listened to JHs “the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side” comment and reduce their dollar demands to a reasonable amount for both parties to stay with a very good TEAM on the rise that looks to be very good for several years to come, especially if Baalke’s for real. Looks to me like Rogers and/or Brooks will be the biggest potential problems and am tired of hearing that Haralson can take Brooks place while they try to find a replacement. He’s the Mark Roman of OLBs, a decent backup at best.
@niner61
“Hope the others listened to JHs “the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side” comment and reduce their dollar demands to a reasonable amount…”
In fact Niner61, the grass is often dead on the other side.
Tom Condon is really tough – so tough that the Patriots no longer speak to him or consider signing his clients. But at the end of the day Condon works for Alex Smith, not the other way around.
It’s interesting to note that Condon also represents Peyton Manning and the two of them absolutely robbed the Colts this year. $26 million dollars to do nothing except receive free medical care.
i think smith would fire his agent rather than sign with another team
Why is no one mentioning Joshua Morgan – I think he is an important part of the offense.
Actually I almost mentioned him but couldn’t come up with anything really compelling to add about him. I think he would’ve been out #1 receiver if he would’ve stayed healthy this year.
Let Alex Smith go. Resigning him would be a huge mistake! They will never win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith as QB. Get Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne! If Manning’s choices are the Redskins, Dolphins, Cardinals and Niners, where is he going to play? You think he wants to finish 6-10 or have a shot at the Super Bowl? And if the Colts don’t want Reggie Wayne, sign him, too.
Manning is going to retire before training camp starts.
It’s probably 50/50 whether Manning plays again. (Unless you have some inside info.) If he’s healthy enough to play, the Niners would be crazy not to go after him.
@Fredringo
There’s no way to predict when or if Manning’s arm will recover from nerve damage. Maybe 50/50 comes from the fact that he still has one good arm so maybe he’s got a chance to become a lefty.
Nah no inside info, more of a crystal ball prediction. What I’ve heard is that the nerve in his neck is severely limiting his arm strength. To me it just seems like no brainer, if he was 100% healthy the Colts would’ve re-signed him. But they have essentially cleaned house and that tells me they are picking up and rebuilding around a conveniently available Andrew Luck.
@Fredringo,
Stopped drinking that coolaid ! You can be a GM in fantasy football…In real football, you have no idea, what is going on..lol
Who would be coach, Manning or Harbaugh? I don’t thik it fits coach’s philosophy.
Considering Manning replaced Harbaugh on the Colts I can’t see Jim wanting wanting Peyton to replace him as coach on the 49ers.
Sportswriters would love the story though.
NO, they would be crazy if they DID go after him. PM has never known anything but being in full control of the offense with all kinds off offseason training with his WR and TE, he won’t get any of that here. I don’t have enough time now to explain all of the reasons why the Niners shouldn’t pickup a broken down 36 year old who hasn’t played in over a year with no feeling in his right hand.
Where do they find idiots like yourself ! Did you watch the the NFC championship, the 49ers were just 1 mistake away in being in the Superbowl. If the niners went on to the Superbowl they would’ve dominated the Patriots…
The only mistake is your ideas stinks…lol
It should be pretty obvious that the Niners won in spite of their QB. They won because of defense and special teams. All they asked Alex to do was to not screw up, and for the most part he did that. This isn’t a guy you can win a championship with. The Niners will have a harder schedule next season. They’re going to need a passing game and to be able to score some points. A healthy Manning would be a great fit for this team. If Manning’s not healthy, they need to look elsewhere. Alex is a backup QB at best. This team deserves better.
Alex smith sucks!!!!!
That’s a wonderful contribution. Without it this topic would have gone adrift in no time.
Another delussional idiot ! what a loser…lol
Very good CB’s are hard to find. It would be a mistake to let Rogers leave. Trent will not over pay him,but he does have significant value.
Alex is going to probaly get Kolb type money. He is coming back. He does not want to go to another team.
Spillman is a restricted FA, so they’ll tag him and he’ll be back. Rogers wants to be here and will likely give up a discount. 4 years 30 mil is my guess. Alex will be back. Both have already made their money, unlike Goldson. He’ll play under the tag. I think Ginn and Morgan are must signs and they’ll come cheap. Bye bye Chilo. Snyder resigns for 3 years 10 mil.
Championship!
You can’t spell Championship without C-H-I-L-O. Huh, 49erGirl ;)
If you try to put C-H-I-L-O in the CHAMPIONSHIP,
all you have left is a ‘L’
HaHa!
Guap & Bray – not sure if you guys planned that, but your responses were gems of comedic brilliance!!! LMAO!!
Hopefully Snyder can be resigned. He isn’t a world beater but he can play respectably at every position on the line and he seems to have the blue-collar attitude that fits in with the team.
It will be interesting to see who Baalke targets to get resigned before March 13th. That’s when we’ll see his priority list. We also need to be patient – if Baalke holds to previous form he won’t sign many free agents after March 13 until close to training camp. He’ll wait for the market to settle down and then scoop up bargains.
snyder is very versatile but he is not worth starting guard money. he gets shoved back into the runing backs consistently
I agree coach. Snyder will have to take backup OL money (basically the vet minimum) to stay with the 49ers. I’d like to see him stay but if he gets a Wragge offer from a team like the Rams then more power to him and vaya con dios.
top priorities are roger, goldson an ginn. alex will be back almost no matter what, in case you havent noticed yet hes the kinda guy that will sacrifice the money to stay with his team if hes succesfull an going from 6-10 to 13-3….ya enough said. another thing people dont notice is ginn is a huge part of our ST an the main reason our average kick return was over 20 yards. letting him go would be a big blow to our special teams an drop us in rankings an performance hugely. doesnt matter if he only returns, thats where we need him an he can always be a receiver he can stretch the field with any team no one can catch him with that hude stride. an if we want to keep the #1 defense in the league we need to keep as many if not all of those starters together. maybe add another rusher from the edge. roger an goldson are obvious keeps
@DS the most likely scenario is Alex resigns, but in today’s economics and pro sports,anything could happen. Sometimes negotiations between agents and management could get heated and things go sideways.
What’s not to say that come the start of free agency a team like the Seahawks, Redskins, Dolphins throw out a proposed offer to AS. Look Alex could be the right fit for a team that plays fundamentally sound football, runs the ball and plays good defense. He does not have to be the savior, teams like I mentioned who are rebuilding could use a functional QB like Alex.
If you think the Niners could get LF then the notion of Alex leaving SF is as likely possible, just saying.
AS after losing his whole career is now getting the chance to come back to a winning team for the first time ever.
LF has been in AZ which has spent that last few years losing, and he would be coming to a team that is winning and in the most need in the one thing LF can provide the Niners.
I don’t see the two as the same.
And, AS is not a normal regular guy. A normal regular guy would have split after his first contract was up. But, AS did not. He signed the 2nd contract saying he wanted to stay and shoe the Niners that they didn’t throw their draft pick or money away. Then he signs again a 3rd time in the hope that JH will be a good HC who gives him a chance. Because AS is smart, he was right. And the Niners organiztion is better for it all around.
I don’t see AS bolting to the Dolphins (who sucked), the Redskins (who sucked) and the Seahawks (who started to come around at the end, but still not as good as the Niners team). AS has lost his whole NFL career after experiencing nothing but wining prior to his NFL career. That has to have some impact on you. He isn’t going to be attracted to a team who is not in as good a position to win, and win now as the Niners are. And, there are no teams looking for a QB who are in a position like the Niners. And there is no QB who can come in here and do what AS did.
The two are meant for one another.
P.S. I also wonder if AS would think about the owners of the Dolphins and Redskins as a warning sign. Both of those owners don’t think before they act. Last year, the Dolphins owner had to come back to their HC after failing to get JH. Not exactly a stand-up type of guy. Those two franchises largely suck because the organizaiton is always in a state of flux and change. That is the last thing AS (or I for that matter) wants.
smith needs harbaugh. harbaugh doesnt need smith. AS absolutley needs another yr under JH. if smith leaves he is crazy
That’s manure! Alex doesn’t need anyone…Try remembering just last season and how it began. All of a sudden Alex is a sure thing and Carlos can take it or walk….you forget how long since our last back to back playoff appearances……I would’nt be taking ANY of our FA’s for Granted…(not a pun)
Exactly old coach, Smith does need Harbaugh much more, plus Smith could not start for any team that is a Super Bowl contender except the Niners.
Why would Smith leave? So he could play in 8 different offensive systems in 8 years setting the new speed record for how to ruin your NFL career? He had no control over the first 6 changes, he does now. The Niners will pay him around $10M per year (Kolb money), probably half base salary, half incentive based; like starting, playoffs, etc and partially guaranteed thru 3-4 years, with a couple of team options with roster bonuses to fill out to a 5-6 year deal. His agent is known as being a tough guy to deal with, but Alex wants to stay with the Niners and he wants to take them to the Super Bowl to prove everyone has been wrong about him. Unlike a lot of players it is clear his career matters to him beyond the money. He wants to excel in the NFL and this is the best situation for him to do that. Harbaugh is his coach and he is staying with him.
“Unlike a lot of players it is clear his career matters to him beyond the money.”
Totally agree and I’m betting you’re right on the incentives. That’s probably where his agent will earn his money.
In essence, it’s his only opportunity to possibly be successful. And that’s not even a lock. He can’t play like he did last year for any other team because any other team that would need a QB does not have the defense and special teams we had.nobody babysits Alex Smith better than JH. NOBODY!!!!!!!!!
i’m still not sold on smith but i am sold on harbaugh and to say that harbaughs babysitting smith is selling him way short. jim harbaugh doesnt baby sit anyone. he is a coach
He delivers messages from the OC to Smith. He delivers pep talks and shoulder slaps to Smithbefore games. He props Smith up in press conferences with bay are media. JH works hard to help Alex Smith nurture and maintain that fragile confidence that Smith posesses. Sounds like babysitting to me.
again, one brain short of an intelligent post. lol
Jordo, did you hear the JH presser today at the combine? How about TB’s presser at the combine? It seems both have stated AS is the long term starter and they are committed to AS. Hmm.
in a sad note, peyton manning was decapitated in a jayne mansfield type accident…upon learning of the unfortunate accident, several on this board pressed harder on their demand that the niners sign peyton manning
Hopefully at a discount. A no brainer.
You know what they say….If the coach and GM listen to the fans, it wont be long before they’re sitting with them!
I agree Grant, Rogers did a great job over the slot. But I disagree about how value. He’s older than Spencer, yet he was drafted a year after. He’s been a starter since his rookie year. That’s alot of snaps on a soon to be 31 year old CB. And playing such a physically demanding position as CB, how long can we expect Rogers to keep up the pace? Cully flashed some potential. He played over the slot some and he actually didnt look lost like most rookies. He could defintely see a more significant role next year, depending on how much he progresses over the off-season. Cully could also start on the outside and you can go younger and cheaper in free agency to fill the slot CB role. I like Jason Allen from the Texans. He performed well in a similar role for their defense. He’s big, fast, and has experience as a FS as well so he has good off ball skills as well. You can sign him to a nice 3-4 year deal and he’ll cost a fraction of what Rogers does. There are a couple of free agent CBs I think could fill Rogers role. Aaron Ross and Eric Wright I believe could handle those duties as well.
the slot CB needs to have swivel hips as a main attribute more so than just being fast
usually teams like to back load contracts. in smiths case i think they should front load it in case he doesnt continue to improve. that way ck isnt our starter while we’re still paying smith big money
actually think rogers contract should be front loaded
I don’t think the words babysit is a mature or accurate account of what JH means to Smith. He’s the QB guru, he’s done it with every QB he’s coached. I think any former player that played the position he coaches, over coaches and teaches every single detail. Singletary certainly did it with Patrick Willis, always talking to him on the sidelines, so 23j your attempt to discredit Smith is just another lousy attempt to hate.
MY bad Crabtree,
Where you been? I hope that foot is not bothering you. Where were you during that NFC championship. You know DS wants you traded for a bag of rocks. Don’t worry, you’re safe for now. Go Michael Prime time Crabtree!!
Immaturity is posting under a player on the teams name. In case you didn’t know. I know, you were posting in 4th person!! Bwahahahaha!
Unless your on the inside of AS head and can measure his confidence level that statement fragile confidence is completely ignorant. That’s a interpretation many haters like to bank on, false and inaccuate comments that are based on the individuals opinion alone, it’s impossible to debate so why even bring it up? I mean your on here to debate football right not players attitudes or dispositions?
Totally off topic here – the NFL Films commercial for the New Jersey Giants 2011 season just came on. I nearly shot my television.
How long will it be until I get over that game?
6 months (+/-) to Opening Day
You may need Long Term Care
msc, I don’t know, the best assessment of the situation that consoled me was said by Brian Billick ( it may have been someone else but I think it was him), he said that the 49ers were the team of destiny but this year destiny went into the crapper.
That’s exactly what happened!
If i were Jed, I would fire TB and replace him with 23Jordan as a GM.
Thank you!
@DS as much as I have faith in the Niners I don’t think it’s fair to say we’re a winning franchise just yet. We could easily go 8-8 next year and the Dolphins and Redskins with the right additions could get into the playoffs.
My point is no teams really suck in the NFL, with the draft, free agency and good coaching, it’s very capable to turn it around in one year, Niners were proof of that. Alex could leave, will he, probably not but the idea that it’s a done deal is wrong, negotiations are still to come.
@Prime
Well if we are not a winning franchise, we are a franchise where players who have lost their whole careers want to stay here at the mid way point of their 1st season here because we are not a losing franchise. The last 2 Super Bowl winners did not have stellar regular seasons, so I won’t judge this team much until they get in the playoffs. AS/MC/X player. All are judged on that stage now.
And from here on out, I just want to see the team win in the playoffs. Don’t pull a GB, going 15-1 and getting your you know whats handed to them in game 1.
Starts reading article.
Sees that Grant has the possibility of Alex asking the 49ers for a ton of money as a realistic possibility.
Stops reading article.
Some of the other FA that need mention are:
Blake Costanzo
Larry Grant
Josh Morgan
Joe Staley
Reggie Smith
C.J. Spillman
The 49ers already let Reggie Smith know he won’t be back. Costanzo, Morgan and Spillman will likely return. Grant wil get starter money somewhere.
Isn’t Staley under contract until 2014?
Larry Grant is a restricted free agent, he could make some good change elsewhere and not competing with Patrick Willis,
You continue to underestimate Dashon Goldson… he’s way better than you think. This more than anything else shows how much you dont know Grant. Good conversation starter though…
Goldson was one of the worst coverage DBs in the league in 2011. That’s not underestimating, that’s fact. If anything, Grant is overrating Goldson.
Agreed, MSC – Goldson hits hard and had a good year with the INT’s, but he gets burned a bit too regularly for my taste.
Plus, I worry he was playing at a higher level knowing he was in a contract year and might dial it down a notch once he has a long term agreement in place. Almost seemed like he had something to prove this past year…..but not so much prior to that.
Agreed. I’m not overly impressed with Goldson at FS. He would be much better suited to be a SS. With DW, the 49ers have two very good SS, and not even one merely good FS.
i am interested in really upgrading the OL…..heck make it rival the cowboy’s line of yore……what would it take to bring in one of the two OG in FA….who were they? nicks of nyg and was it somebody from NO who had played with goodwin…..can’t have too many top of line trench men….
this would help a couple of areas…. the inside run game and up the middle pass protection….need to keep that pocket from collapsing…..i noticed a number of times anthony davis hooking up with the guard in double teaming letting the DE come free or ends up letting the stunt thru i think getting a probowl type guard would help his game tremendously and in the process may very well free up VD a bit more often
i don’t think the extra cost would be overly much and it would the ROI would be more consistent over a period of time….this could be one of those situations where baalke could probably sell AS on taking a lesser contract to make sure he gets the protection he needs…..to me this is equivalent in importance as keeping rogers (ok, i succumbed) and getting a FA WR like a steve johnson or hof’s meachem or whomever….
sure the niner OL may end up being the most expensive in pro football….but it all starts there, let’s make sure this is taken care of….
i know this thread was about keeping their own FA…..but i had to get it off my chest since snyder was being discussed
Nickrow, Joe Staley is not a free agent, BTW, great input and insight to the draft prospects the last couple days.
Thanks Prime
and speaking of larry grant super sub……could he really take over for brookes…is playing OLB in college a few years removed really mean he could change his focus from inside to outside…
Exactly DS, I would hate the Niners to be the KC Chiefs of 2010. It’s so hard to win at the NFL and to win consistently year in and year out is tough. I have a lot of respect for teams like the Ravens, Steelers, and Pats who seem to be in the playoffs every year for the most parts.
The bar has been set high now for the Niners, they need to win the division and go deep again in the playoffs.
Players will want to come here because we have a decent owner, great coach, and an up am comin young team, all arrows up.
Didn’t Spillman get a new contract a couple weeks ago?
Here’s my list of top five and reasoning behind the ranking:
AS has already stated he will come back and JH has stated that AS is his long term answer at QB. At this point it is only a matter of dollars and each team has a budget for each respective player and their position. AS will get reasonable QB dollars that is fair to both parties.
DGoldson is a key signing based on the fact they don’t have anyone on the roster to replace him and his takeaways last year will be hard to replace. Put the franchise tag on him and draft a safety.
CRogers played very well and some will say he overachieved based on his previous play prior to 2011. CB’s are a valued commodity but it will depend on where they value CR and his play last year. They do have someone (Culliver) on the roster to replace him so it depends if and the 9ers and CR can negotiate an agreeable payout – a showstopper could be the number of years since CR is 31.
ASnyder knows the offense and the schemes so replacing him is not so easy. There is currently no one on the roster that can replace him. TB can try the FA market for a replacement but chemistry and time playing together is very key to an OL. I see the 9ers resigning him and trying to upgrade through the draft or eventually with DKilgore.
ABrooks plays the 9er defensive scheme very well. If the offers for AB initiate a bidding war, I see the 9ers looking elsewhere. I still see a combo of LG and/or PH until they work in a drafted rookie. I’d like to see the 9ers draft VCurry in the 1st round.
So my list is as follows:
1. ASnyder – there’s no replacement and he won’t break the bank
2. CRogers – played well in 2011 but Culliver is waiting in the wings
3. ABrooks – may break the bank but PH or LG can sub w/rookie
N/A – DG will be franchised so he will get safety tag money of $6.2M
N/A – AS will be signed prior to FA
Good list, I would have Ginn above Snyder on that list, but thats just figuring the difference in 9ers field position with vs without him, was like night and day. While he wont be starting at WR, his ability to force a defense to cover him deep is priceless to allow Roman to make other plays work. IMO Snyder and Rachal are toast, Snyder while capable backup doesnt offer the tools Iupati and Staley can with their power.
Rogers is a dollar and cents signing, if the cost is prohibitive he’ll go elsewhere. Brooks is another matter, I don’t think any team will go over the moon to sign him. He’s a guy that numbers don’t tell the story. His style of play and demeanor plays exactly to what the spirit of the defense is all about. Each game he makes a play in the backfield. When he gets to the ball-carrier or qb he pancakes them.
I think Tarell Brown played great and was more than a product of the system. It was the first year he was injury free and given the opportunity to play full time.
Well said
I think Chilo’s supporters could be called-Chilo’s rellenos? Sounds catchy.
Another reason to love Coach Harbaugh besides his middle name being Victorious is the sometimes witty and profound statements that is in his DNA. Such as: “I have no empirical data to share with you at this time”. Classic…
Lin-ex Warrior and Stoudamire-the guy the Warriors wouldnt pay for…beating the mighty Heat. Or,I should say ,leading.
Look close-and thats one wealthy Miami crowd..much bling. Hot chicks per seat ratio seems high too. Money and hot chicks?..who would have thunk..
Neal then AS and the Niners are a match made in heaven, both are gonna do their best to make sure the other is successful.
@Prime,
I am a 49er fan unlike the Smithers who have a compulsive disorder with the love of AS. If Smith does great next season, I am for it but if they have to kick him to the curb, I am for that too. This is not a Joe and Steve thing because AS is no Joe or Steve and he is no Jeff Garcia either and right now the QB position needs more competion, if Joe got competion certainly AS needs competion for that position too, and hopefully that will be a good thing and make him a better QB or maybe it won’t and he will digress. We will have to see but since AS stole the bank the last 6 yrs, I don’t think money will be a issue.
Neal, how much do you think “AS stole the bank for the last 6 years? Do you even know?
AS contract in 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2116234
I would consider that robbing the bank so it should not be a issue to resign him.
From MMaiocco:
“Alex Smith took a dramatic pay cut after his fourth season to remain with the 49ers. In seven seasons with the 49ers, he has made $39 million, and that includes the $6.5 million he made last season with a $4 million base salary and $2.5 million in incentives. So in his first six seasons, he averaged less than $5.5 million annually”.
He averaged $5.5M which is very reasonable!
*less than $5.5M*
It is still alot of money for a mediocre QB, he is damn lucky that Jimbo had arrived because he might of been playing arena football somewhere throwing to Terrel Owens, or carry a clipboard under Uncle Norv in San Diego. In any event I don’t see money being a issue and I don’t see him making 10 million a year that would be almost 1/3 of what the cap is and AS knows he needs to get better before he can demand big bucks.
“We will have to see but since AS stole the bank the last 6 yrs”
I believe they call it hazardous duty pay in the military, that is for him having to play under a Singletary and Nolan offense. LOL
Neal, what is your point you keep regurgitating the same crap and you don’t even know what you are talking about!
@Hofer, This entire place is redundant insane nut house, get over it.
Niner 61,
hahah They need to stay away from Mike’s, even Mike Mc Carthy wanted AS over AR.
In case we lose Brooks, I wondered what were some of the top available LB’s and DE’s. There aren’t too many top notch free agent OLB, but there are some solid DE pass rushers available. Here’s a list (with last year’s stats):
Cliff Avril, DE, Detriot – 11 sacks, 36 tackles
Robert Mathi, DE, Indianaplis – 9.5 sacks, 43 tackles
John Abraham, DE, Atlanta – 9.5 sacks, 35 tackles
Jeremy Mincey, DE, Jacksonville – 8 sacks, 57 tackles
One OLB that could be had is Anthony Spencer, OLB, Dallas – 6 sacks, 66 tackles. Spencer is similar to Ahmad Brooks in sack total and size, but a better tackler.
http://nfltraderumors.co/2012-nfl-free-agents/
To me losing Mr. Brooks would be a hard pill to swallow. The dude is good.
All signs point to Detroit slapping the francise tag on Avril and the other guys are too old.
If Brooks leaves I see them going with Haralson, and drafting a replacement OLB/Rush End type so that he can focus on rushing the passer and developing the OLB skills. This is the same formula that worked for them with Aldon Smith.
If we can get Anthony Spencer at a reasonable cost, it may be worth it. Otherwise, the draft may be the best option at OLB.
If Brooks signs somewhere else, I wouldn’t be too quick to close the door on signing Abraham solely to rush the QB on passing downs. The 49ers could platoon him with Haralson like they did with Aldon Smith last year.
Unless his game falls off a cliff (a realistic possibility given that he will be 34 when the season starts), Abraham would improve the pass rush from the side opposite Smith and Smith. Plus, limiting him to passing downs should also limit wear and tear which, theoretically, would extend his effectiveness.
Just a thought.
A good thought. It would also allow the Niners to possibly pass on an OLB in the first round if a better player falls to them, like Trent Richardson or Kendall Wright or David DeCastro.
claude, I like the thought also. My concern with that is Abraham’s age, and what you are expecting from Haralson.
Having Abraham coming off the edge in passing downs sounds like a great idea, especially with the Smith boys on the other side.
The question that they need to answer is, does that make more sense then drafting a guy they can develop who will be ready to take over for Haralson when his contract is up in 2 years. Or do they do both, sign Abraham for 1-2 years, and draft someone who has a lot of upside that is more of a project.
@Grant: Thanks. And I am for just about any move that maximizes the chances the team will draft the best player available at 30. I am not a fan of need-based drafting in the first round. It leads to too many reaches. If a future Pro Bowl regular is available, take him, unless you are already full of Pro Bowl regulars at that position.
@Jack: I would expect nothing more from Haralson than what he provided in 2011. And yes, I would also like to see them draft a high upside developmental prospect as well, either this year or next.
Besides his age, my other concern with Abraham is the potential competition for his services. It could drive the price too high. Still, for the first time in a long time, the 49ers should be an attractive FA landing spot, particularly for guys looking more for a ring than for top dollar. The team should be on the short list of Super Bowl contenders, the coaching staff is top notch, and the locker room seems to be unified and cancer-free.
I’d want to play for them.
The top OLB prospects in the draft are:
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Andre Branch, Clemson
Zach Brown, North Carolina
Vinny Curry, Marshall
But, I’m not sure the Niners will pick OLB in the 1st round unless somebody falls to them.
In the mid rounds, Shea McClellin, 6-3, 255, Boise St might be a good choice. He’s a versatile high motor guy with great production in college.
Then again, Abraham’s own overinflated sense of self-worth could price him out of consideration.
Abraham on 790 the Zone yesterday implied that he is seeking to be paid on par with the top defensive ends in the league, who make around $12 million per year.,
That’s from http://falcfans.com/falcons-to-meet-with-abrahams-agent-over-weekend-5486
John may be in for a rude awakening this off season.
“My concern with that is Abraham’s age, and what you are expecting from Haralson.”
Add in JSmith’s age and the fact he clogged up the middle and often took on two blocks plus screening one to allow AldSmith to get to the QB. They will need to look to replace him at some point as well. I like the Abraham idea but two guys that they will need to replace very soon – DE and OLB? That’s why I think they look defense in the 1st and 2nd round. Get the pass rush guy now through the draft that can potentially play every down in a year or two. They will want to keep this defense elite for the long term and that can’t happen if they let the players get older without replacements in the wings.
All tough decisions with needs at WR, CB, RB, and possibly OLB/pass rusher depending on the status of AB.
@NickRow:
I’m intrigued by Bruce Irvin as a developmental OLB/pass rusher. Limited experience, but tons of potential. His 2010 production was phenomenal. Can’t explain the fall off in 2011, but I thought I read somewhere that WVU was going to ask him to play more with his hand in the dirt (as a 3-4 DE?), which would not seem to play to his strengths.
Depending upon what happens at the combine and over the next 8 weeks, he may be available at the end of round 3.
I agree Neal, money is not the issue with Alex and I’m not sure competition is either only because he excelled in the offense. The next step will be to implement a deep passo attack and expand the redzone efficiency. This will happen with a full offseason and a new WR core to help Alex’s development. You gotta give him the benefit o the doubt only because he has the right coach and the continuity he hasntbhad since being a pro.
Now Alex has to do his part, he needs to work extensively on his game and become a QB who has the ability to be consistent and win in pressure moments week in and week out without relying on the defense or playcalling.
Amen brother.
@Prime Time,
What the hell are you drinking, you are so logical this evening.
Crab Prime Tree,
He excelled in this offense? Bottom 2 in passing and 3rd down conversions. 3000 yards passing. You call that excelling? Come on crabtree!!
Those hoping the 49ers will dive hard into the free-agent market for receivers might be disappointed. None of the unrestricted free agents the team signed from other teams last offseason earned more than $4.25 million per season. I asked GM Trent Baalke when the right time would be for the 49ers or any team to invest heavily in a free agent from the outside. Baalke: “There’s reasons why we don’t do it and I’m not going to get into those reasons of why we operate the way we do. It’s just our own philosophy. But if you are asking me when is the right time, I don’t know that there is a right time. It is really an individual question for the 32 people making the decisions across the NFL for their own team. … The model that we use isn’t much different than certain other people in the National Football League that have been successful. Does it guarantee us that we are going to have success? Each year is a new year. But we’re going to be very consistent with how we operate.” Guess that rules out The Jacksons, Wallace, etc.
@Razor
So, you’re Sando, eh? You did use the first person………..huh?
I am by no means an Alex smith fan but I guarantee he is a 49er next year. Our head coach and Alex are madly in love right now for whatever reason. Maybe because Alex reminds harbaugh of himself when he was younger who knows. Here are two little known facts 1 Alex accepted haraugh’s coach of the year award for him and 2 Alex was harvaugh’s caddy for him in a celebrity golfing event. Alex will be back nough said
Lin -dead legs. The all star break will help.
Stan, You are fantastic. The way that you continually come on and post totally random information that has nothing to do with the topic is outstanding. BTW, where did the market finish today?
Maybe Jeremy Lin is the answer for the 49ers; he can get open in the corner! Stan might be all over it.
great color on Rogers, Grant, and it fits my view that a good CB is incredibly valuable (ie, the edge players – qb, cb, lt, and pass rusher in particular). normally the QB has to go first, but Alex seems like he wants to be here, so hopefully resigning him isnt a tumultuous process.
one thing: Aldon Smith is an incredibly powerful and fluid athlete, and i’m sure he can play 3 downs if he has to, but methinks Baalke is posturing a bit: Aldon is a great talent, but he’s still raw, young, and fairly inexperienced. yes he’d be fine, but keeping the talented Brooks has got to be the goal.
Alex will not be asking for a boatload of cash and neither will his agent. In fact if any starting QB would take a pay-cut to bring other key players back, it’s none other than Alex Smith, and by pay cut I mean taking 7-8 million vs 10+
Good explanation about the coverage. I would like to see an in depth analysis of what happened in the New Orleans game and why this defensive scheme did not work. It seemed that if receivers were covered downfield that Brees always had a checkoff back or player in the flat for five plus yards.
The secondary needs to improve, so where? Love the hits, but I think Goldson is the weak link.
Grant, your analysis of Rogers suggests that he is a gifted ‘cover’ cornerback. If he is as good as you claim why was he considered a second tier free agent last year? You are also suggesting that the defensive scheme was successful primarily because of his skill set. I think it was the other way around. He will be gone and adequately replaced for less money than he will demand. His success last year had more to do with Fangio than the considerable talents he brought over from the Redskins.
Rogers was cheep because he wasn’t considered a play maker. He caught eight interceptions total in his six year career with the Redskins, and then he picked six this season, many from the slot, with no safety help. When he covered the slot he was the only DB playing true one-on-one, man-to-man coverage. The rest of Fangio’s scheme benefited because of Rogers’ ability to cover the slot by himself. The Patriots had to double team Victor Cruz, so they were vulnerable to Nicks and Manningham.
Anyone who can cover like you are saying Rogers can is a playmaker and would demand and get big money. Again, I think this is a case of Fangio making Rogers look good as oppsoed to Rogers making Fangio look good. I am not buying what you are selling, though it sure does sound good.
this is a terrible list! rogers 1?? come on, now. Isaac S. is our strength in the middle on Defense. Goldson is probably the top priority for the simple fact that Whitner is our only Safety on our roster right now but i got him at two because, this was his best season and he has to prove he will get far better. and, unlike brooks has a little bit of numbers to back him up plus… unlike brooks, he’s not super over rating himself. 3, should be synder since, everybody one the line and probably the whole roster wants him back. 4 would be Ted Ginn Jr., not for his WR play but for his play as a return specialist. he’s one of the best. one of the best is never easily replaced… 5 maybe Smith sayin’ we can’t get a better QB in the market… which with Manning, Brees and, even Orten out there… is a joke to say he’ll be our best option