The 49ers announced today that they’ve signed 35-year-old outside linebacker Clark Haggans to a one-year contract. He will take Parys Haralson’s roster spot, because Haralson was placed on the Injured Reserve list this afternoon.
Haralson seemed to injure his left arm against the Denver Broncos in the third preseason game, but his specific injury is unknown.
Haggans will have a hearing with the NFL on Wednesday for a 2011 DUI conviction and he could receive a three-game suspension, but he should be able to play against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.
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I agree that the guy shouldn’t have drove home drunk, but from what I’ve read, a three-game suspension would be an unfit punishment.
Midwest, the bad part about his situation is his blood alcohol level was 1.5 and this is his 2nd DUI.
Cox and Haggans can be roommates, that would be interesting.
A blood alcohol level of 1.5 would mean he’s dead. Perhaps it was 0.15.
Good point 23. I just believe the crime doesn’t fit the punishment if he is issued a three-game suspension considering the circumstances.
1.5%? I’ve had drinks that were weaker than that.
Planet, my bad. I meant .15, thanks.
Bob
Alcohol content in the beverage is VERY different from alcohol blood content.
Mid West
I agree (and not just because he is a 9er) He should not get 3 games. If Ben Roethlisberger got 4 games for 2 sexual assaults then 3 games even for a second DUI is a bit harsh, especcialy when u consider the mitigating circumstances.
Not defending DUI’s but there are diferent degrees
Any idea if he can get a “time served” ruling in his favor, Grant? haha!!
Merriman???
Merriman made out of glass.
It’s better than being made out of dumb!
Bobby Boucher???
Guap,
Bobby Boucher would be an excellent pickup : ).
I didn’t even know Haralson was hurt smh
Thats too bad. I take it he would be elgible to return in 6 week if he is all well and good?
You take it wrong. He’s out for the season. Had the 49ers waited one more day to put him on IR, he would have been eligible to return but apparently he must have rubbed Harbaugh the wrong way. He’s toast this season.
Aldon Smith was set to start, but was not expected to play a huge % of the snaps like Justin Smith does. Parys was still key to the right OLB spot. He was an average pass rusher, but great at setting the edge and dropping into coverage. A complete OLB.
Looks like Aldon will start, while Haggans and Dobbs split as backups. I know little about Haggans, but what about Dobbs? He can set the edge and pass rush. Have my doubts zone coverage. That limits Dobbs to passing situations. But then that takes out Aldon at what he does best. (This is going to mess up Fangs sandbox.)
When Aldon was in pass situations, the 49ers shifted to a virtual 4-3. With Dobbs in the 49ers shift true 4 man line. This will take alot of creativity from Fang to make it work. What this means for Dobbs (and others) if the 49ers don’t find another OLB?
- Dobbs will play less (if any) Tight End this season
- Dobbs will play less interior D-Line
- Ricky Jean, Tukuafu and Williams will see more action
- Aldon will have a huge stamina challenge. Bizarrely, he may even be rested on some passing downs… or Haggans could even start on first down (yikes).
- MLBs and Safeties will have to keep an eye on TEs and RBs in the right flat, which could coverage gaps in other areas.
Despite all that, go into Green Bay and whoop on em!
I am not sure if Aldon Smith has the durabilty to play every down.
How do you know he can’t play every down? He did it in college and Im pretty sure his conditioning is twice as good now. The guy is young, has a great motor and all he does is make plays.
There is a reason he was named a starter and I’m pretty sure all players are expected to play at a high level every down. There are no part time players when the year before he dominated. He has trained and will be ready.
Durability is not an issue, but Haralson provided the luxury of having an experienced backup to come in if Smith struggled in pass coverage or missed his assignments.
Haaralson never covered backs or tight ends, in fact he was a liability there and the Niners would go nickel on passing downs. He was primarily used on running downs with P Willy and Bowman and or another corner in pass coverage.
The only thing Smith had to do last year was rush the passer. He did that extremely well, mostly from a three point stance. He basically played DE. There is a transition from DE to OLB. He will have to cover guys and play the run consistently, something he wasn’t asked to do last year very often. That’s why a player like Haralson was a valuable backup, because he had experience with that same transition and was a very capable player in their defense. They don’t have that anymore, and one of this teams strengths is their depth.
Aldon is twice the athlete of Parys. He will be asked to do more but like Fangio said earlier in the year, he will be asked to know more of the defense but primarily be a rush end and contain against the run. Pretty much the same role he had last year.
I don’t see them changing their entire defensive scheme around their two OLB’s who last year did a fine job in containing the run and getting after the passer. Parys might not have even played very much this year.
You just like to argue, so I’ll just repeat what I originally said: “Durability is not an issue, but Haralson provided the luxury of having an experienced backup to come in if Smith struggled in pass coverage or missed his assignments.”
Like I said Big P, Haaralson injury won’t really affect the Niners cause he would not have played much anyways. They just need someone now that can come in, hold the edge and rush the passer. Dobbs, Johnson, and the new guy can all do those things. They never did ask Parys to cover TE or RB very often. That’s not how the defense was set up to do from the OLB position in Fangios scheme.
He was their only backup at both OLB positions. They were lucky to get through last season as healthy as they did. It is a significant loss.
Haaralson would have played special teams and maybe 10 snaps on defense. They feel good about limited depth at OLB’s cause they play a hybrid nickel and use their depth on the dline. They kept 6 for a reason.
The loss of Haralson is absolutely huge for the 9ers. There’s a major risk in only keeping 3 OLB’s and even Harbaugh acknowledged that fact in a recent press conference. So at a big money position, they lost a quality NFL player and had to pick up a guy off the street. That is a major issue for this team. If the 9ers suffer an injury at OLB, the entire complexion of the defense will change. Remember the days of Manny Lawson. The 9ers had a very good defense that just couldn’t take the next step. If the 9ers suffer an injury at OLB the 9ers defense will go from great to good. With Haralson, they would still be very good. Without him, they run the risk of starting an old guy no one wanted at the beginning of the season. This is a major cause of concern.
Houston,
While I absolutely agree with you on how important a backup PH was [perhaps the single most important back up on the defense, if not the entire team], I see another possible way forward for the defense if another OLB is injured: they might use their nickel package as their base defense, with a few tweaks on first down and second or third down and short situations.
Certainly not ideal, but also not the end of the world, either. This is too talented a defense, with very smart coaching.
Why is Dobbs not playing TE as much? Aldon is still the backup. Dobbs wasn’t geting lots of plays with PH or now.
Aldon is still the starter.
Don’t quite understand the secrecy behind Haralson’s injury. Modern technology can immediately detect the type of injury and the seriousness. It took 4 days for the Niners to confirm that the apparent arm injury will place him on the season-ending injured-reserve list. Was this a ploy to keep the Packers guessing? It is highly improbable that Green Bay was going to spend much time game-planning for a backup outside linebacker. The signing of Haggans was questionable because of his age(35) and the possibility of league suspension. Here’s hoping that Aldon Smith and Brooks will be injury-free until Haggans and/or Dobbs(?) join the rotation. OMG! Just before our biggest game of the year. Aloha from Honolulu Paul.
Navarrow Bowman on some OLB running snaps with Larry Grant at ILB.
NaVorro
He can play out side If needed, plus grant is capable of filling the middle.
Haggans, the former steeler?
I’d look at pitts or balt’s practice squad for a lb.
Not a fan of this acquisition. Haggans is one of the older LB’s in the game, and hasn’t done much the past couple years. I think there were better options out there, but hopefully it works out well.
CHaggans not an every down LB in the twilight of his career but playing on 3rd down focusing on pass rush responsibilities, he can be productive. He’s a good singing for one year.
We have a guy that can play on 3rd down and focus on rushing the passer: Aldon Smith.
We need a guy who can set the edge against the run if Aldon falters. Haggans is not that guy.
The team is paying this guy for what will presumably be 13 games of work at just over 2 million. Seems a little desperate.
Chris,
Desperate times call for desperate measures. He is a vet with a lot of experience. He’s played on a successful, winning defense. (steelers) Arizona’s defense wasn’t too shabby either toward the end of last season. I think he can bring some stability to the position. I think he’s coach able and hes a backup. We don’t need him to save the team. We need him to stabilize that position. He will be just fine and it’s not our money. Go Niners!
MSC, some wanted to keep TSpikes when NB was ready. Sometimes as fans we worry too much. AldSmith will set the edge just fine for the run and any mistakes he makes he has the speed and quickness to overcome those mistakes. Not to worry.
im not sure if anyones said it but I’d be down to bring back Andre Carter
If healthy, he would be a perfect fit. +1
yeah, if healthy is the key.. But its not like were asking him to start.. As a backup he’d be good
Andre Carter is an intriguing idea – he lives in California. Not sure if his quad has healed yet though.
yeah, Cal guy and he gets a chance to end his career where he started and this time for a really good team
Andre has always played his best as a hand on the ground DE in a 4-3. He’s 6-4 255 which is pretty beefy for a 3-4 OLB. He struggled when Nolan converted to the 3-4 and was sent packing shortly there after.
He played very well last year in N.E. before his injury. He is a big dude, but Aldon Smith is 6’4″ and 260 lbs.
Not sure which numbers are being exaggerated but Aldon looks skinny compared to Dre.
Andre Carter is not a good fit in a 3-4.
The Pats run a 3-4. Andre did pretty well with them last year.
More importantly – the Pats run a hybrid mix of 3-4 and 4-3 similar to Fangio’s D. I think Fangio could use Carter appropriately. If (big if) Carter is healthy.
He is not a good fit. He is more of a tackle. At this stage in his career to move from in the dirt to standing up? No way. They need a pure pass rusher. Someone like Travis Laboy. All he could do was get sacks. Terrible run stopper but pass rush specialist. That’s the type of player they need.
“The Patriots returned to the 4-3 in the 2011 NFL Season.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense
He’s a very high quality character guy and hopefully he can find a 4-3 team that needs him, I’d love to see him extend his career a few more years. But he is a true 4-3 defensive end and has always played best at that position.
Umm… Carter got 10 sacks last year as a DE/OLB hybrid. The same role that Aldon played. He didn’t play anything close to tackle.
Let me phrase this in a way your generation understands: Learn2Football
He is used to standing up already, he did it last year. Andre Carter had ten sacks in 14 games last year as an OLB in N.E.’s 3-4/4-3 hybrid. Travis LaBoy had one sack in 14 games last year, talk about a bad fit.
The thing is they can sign somebody after week 1 and not be on the hook for a guaranteed salary. That is a more likely scenario after the Hagans signing.
Here’s another one of his 2011 sacks, made from a 3 point stance in the DE position.
balls, forgot the link: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d82418623/Patriots-defense-sack-9-yd-loss
Oops, here’s another one :http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d82417e5c/Patriots-defense-sack-7-yd-loss
So even though the Patriots were using a hybrid defense Andre Carter was used as a DE with his hand on the ground. He’s not a good fit for our defense.
He looks just fine here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej5R977axxo
Yarp, although technically not a sack. He off the line there.
He’s a DE and an old one recovering from an injury. If he had value then I would think the team he recorded 10 sacks for would want him back.
They did want him back but he didn’t recover from his quad injury in time. He is younger then Clark Haggans and a much better player.
Im not sure why Baalke doesnt bring back reggie Smith to replace Darcell McBath. Smith is way better and more experianced. And Francis didnt seem to be doin to bad at OLB wgen i watched him play. We need depth at OLB.
We dont really need a lot of depth at OLB because we play a hybrid nickel anyways. Cowboy moves to DE with Aldon or Brooks on the other side, with MacDonald inside. Then they bring in another corner or safety to either play in coverage while sending Bowman or Willis inside to blitz. Worked well last year against the passing teams.
Reggie Smith isn’t very good. He was just cut by a team that is weak at safety.
Agree, Clemons. TB/JH brought in guys all over the place to compete for spots, but they didn’t invite back a few guys like Reggie, Chilo, Snyder (at anything but a bargain price). If they thought Reggie could help, he’d have been here.
Signings after week #1 could happen, as stated.
Speculating, worrying, and commenting is what we do here, but do any of us really think we’re better talent evaluators and scouts than the front office? Reacting to roster problems (like injuries) is part of the known job description for TB and all GMs.
Larry Grant will also get a lot more work.
We’ll be fine. Godfather Fangio will have this defense ready. All the 49ers have to do is come away with a win and no injuries. Roman needs to control the ball with a couple of 80yd drives limiting the Packers’ opportunities, and spelling the defense. Ram it down their throats.
The Niners run pretty well in Madden 13. I hope we run that well on sunday. I’m sure they know better than us, lol in Harbaalke we trust!
Alex Smith traded himself for Wilson in my Madden 13…
Lol, yeah ok….. He couldn’t possibly be better.
This isn’t good.
I really liked PH. He was overpaid, but is a solid player who doesn’t give up big plays. And in a D that is full of players who make big plays, that is good enough.
I don’t know about AS’s cover skills. And I don’t think they will be as good as PH’s. At least to start the season. Hopefully by the playoffs, he’ll be close to what PH offered in that respect.
Not sure what we are getting in Hagans….., but if it’s just setting the edge then Bakhairti should have been suitable. Obviously they believe Hagans has something left in the tank. Hopefully he’ll be recharged with the opportunity to win now!
DS,
I completely agree with you. He was a solid player and a very good backup.
We will be fine At OLB for the present -I’m sure Baalke is at the mixing board and heads up! As Razor mentions” sustained drives” on the O side and further- solid secondary play from our D will be key components-turnover ratio in our favor? Yes please! Football is here gents and it feels great!
5 days till 49er football faithful. Wooooooooooo!
It’s usually 3 mini-seasons within a season with a 16 game schedule. I’m looking forward to the ride. 5 More days. Good times.
Go 9ers!!!!!!!!
“Alex Smith I’d like to introduce you to Jerel Worthy and Nick Perry! CRUNCH!”
A quote taken from a Packer blog. http://blog.packers.com/2012/09/03/packers-turn-page-to-49ers/#comments
These cheesehead nitwits are annoying.
Aaron Rodgers, say hello to two guys named Smith. BOOM!
Interesting
A few posts pointing out the Packers easy schedule from last year. This year AR led Packers face a much harder challenge. Seems we aren’t the only team with a tough road to the playoffs. We are most definitely a tougher team though.
:- )
‘This year AR led Packers face a much harder challenge.”
JCalyton thinks GB wins the SB because “their schedule is the easiest in the NFC”.
Niners/Bears twice (healthy. Not like last year when the Bears were playing scrubs due to injury)/Saints. Not quite like playing TB/Oak/KC now is it. And of particular note, they got clobbered the last time they played a good team.
Playing bad teams help pad your stats. Playing good teams sharpens you.
Harbaugh said it’s a possibility Dobbs (6-foot-3, 285 pounds) could also see time at outside linebacker.
Well as long as he has a ramp to run down to get that 290lb frame going I guess he can generate some pass rush. ;)
Hey, if Mario Williams can do it, then so can Dobbs.
There is a difference between 285 at 6’3″ and 292 at 6’6″ you put Dobbs and Williams together and it would almost be Laurel and Hardy.
All I’m saying is that it is possible.
Haralson tore a muscle in his arm and had surgery on it last week.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/09/haralson-tore-a-muscle-in-his-arm.html
Jack,
But where did you hear it first?
Straight from the EX Man! Bravo good sir!
I’m just sayin’.
Thanks.
Boy, would I love to be in the dark secret labyrinth with Harbaugh and Fangio while they devise the game plan.
Sorry if this already was posted, but Matt Barrows has a good article on Fangio:
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/01/4779182/different-approach-gets-bang-up.html
The more I read about Fangio, the more confidence I have that the 49ers defense is in good hands.
Of the last 14 times we played GB, we’ve lost 13 of those games! This is stunning! They’ve beat us 8 straight times.
This BS has to end Sunday.
VD was the go to guy in the playoffs, he was unstoppable.
Alex needs to ride VD until someone stops him. I don’t care if VD is doubled, no linebacker can cover this guy.
When/if VD is slowed down, then we can spread the ball around.
Crab, is that home and away?
Yes (including playoffs).
Just think if T.O. didn’t make that catch, it would be 14 straight losses to GB.
Thanks, Crab. I knew it was bad but that’s really bad. Streaks gotta end sometime, though.
I think the secondary will be the wildcard. If they don’t blow their assignments, it should be a great game for the Niners.
Crab
I get what/why you say that. But we got RM/MM/AJ/James/Jacobs and retained KW/MC/TG/KH/FG for the purpose of making other teams pay for 2 VD. If you double him, you’ll expose yourself to the other guy. AS will find him, he’ll catch it. Make the first guy miss, and make a nice gain. Even if the pass is short. We are faster.
We do that, not turn the ball over, and play D/ST like I know we can, I don’t care who the opponent is. They will lose.
DS – Common sense, (you can’t throw to VD every time) but he’s in his prime and he’s dominant.
VD is our Jerry Rice at this time, I’m just saying it’s vital that VD should be the focus on most critical plays (just like JR was).
This will help create opportunities for our other playmakers.
VD is a beast, Alex must “feed the beast.”
Crab
VD is unstoppable (if he doesn’t drop it). And he should be the focal point. He was in the playoffs. It nearly got us in the big one.
The Giants though never drive down the field and score a TD in the 2nd half. That TO was key. Without it, we win. We could have played a 6 hr game. EM wasn’t going to get a TD without a blunder on our part.
And nobody can feed anybody if VD is held in to block. That happened way too much last year. It’s not like we ever held JR in to block. I know different position. But we can’t choose to not involve our new JR over and over again in the passing game. AD needs to hld his own. If not, VD/RM aren’t going to open up anything underneath for MC (I imagine he runs the underneath routes) to have lots of free territory to run. It works if AD does. Won’t if he can’t.
hof
At this point, they haven’t lost. So it isn’t impossible.
:- )
md
Boring. Next
The 9ers won’t win all of their games this season. I’ve got them going 12-4 and this may be one of their losses. Not the end of the world, but yes, I’d rather have a win. Go 9ers!!
How do 49er fans not know how this team has owned our a$$es for the past 16 years?????? F*** this team. I absolutely “in ds’s words” hate hate hate this team. It stops this year. Smack the pack!!!
Smack the Pack!!! You should patent that MD.
Had a shirt that I made back in 98 that had that saying on it. Wished I still had it. Oh snap! I’m going to have another made this week. Wheeew! Any suggestions for the lions home opener next week? Anyone.
@ninermd:
If you are feeling mean, see if your shirt maker can photoshop Jim Schwartz’s face onto a photo of the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz. This one looks promising.
Beneath the photo, you can print
“I’m afraid there’s no denyin’ / I’m just a dandy-lion”
And on the back, you can add
“Put ‘em up, put ‘em up! Which one of you first? I’ll fight you with one paw tied behind my back. I’ll fight you standing on one foot. I’ll fight you with my eyes closed.”
or some portion thereof
Claude,
You should write greating cards.
@ exgolfer:
Thanks. Although the general idea is mine, I can take no credit for the wording. Those are lines from the movie.
Lol that’s a damn good idea. I’ll cut it to put em up put em up! Lol if I get one made I’ll even put your initials at the bottom. If I don’t I’ll get the picture and take it to Walgreens and blow it up. For the tailgate party. Lol
@ninermd:
Either way, it would be great if you could share a photo with the rest of us here on the blog.
Will do!
Claude,
Don’t be so modest.
While it may be true that the line is from the movie, did anyone else think to put it on a t-shirt, with Jim Schwartz’s face on the Cowardly Lion, no less? I don’t think so.
Love it Claude!
A look at how the team lucked out last season injury-wise.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2012/09/04/after-haralson-can-49ers-avoid-injured-reserve-use-like-last-season/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+49ersHotRead+%2849ers+Hot+Read%29
If the Niners beat GB, I’m celibrating with Memphis BBQ burgers with my two new friends. ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WD3QrhqyY0
You wish!!! lol Great commercial.
61 – Glad you enjoyed that. Not football related but a “must see” for all you goodfellas.
Lol when I first saw this commercial I thought two things. Carl’s is still a mans burger joint.
Second I thought they look good, but I’d bet they couldn’t even make a pop tart.
However they could be the buns on a ninermd babe sandwich. Wheeew.
Um, Crab, if that’s available, why the hell are you waiting for a 49ers victory over GB? Any time’s the right time to eat some burgers. Especially those burgers.
C15…Still remember their commercial several years ago with the blond eating while riding the mechanical bull . Thought that one was great but this commercials gonna be hard to beat without getting x-rated. LOL
Quite a commericial….what does carl sell anyway….whewww
Rocket,
What’s funny is Karl Kartcher was an arch Republican, almost to the point of being reactionary.
Carl,not Karl
md/exgolfer/rocket/niner61 – So which Memphis bbq burger did you guys prefer, one on left or right? :-)
Left for me.
Crab,
Now you’re splitting hairs.
Crab wants to make a Crab sandwich with those girls, light on the Crab! Lol.