The Green Bay Packers just released eight-time Pro Bowler Charles Woodson. Should the 49ers sign him?
Woodson will be 37 years old next season. He missed nine games last season with a broken collarbone, but he had made the Pro Bowl four-straight seasons prior to 2012.
He says he wants to play for a contender. Could the 49ers use him? Woodson plays strong safety and covers the tight end in the base defense, and he plays slot cornerback in the sub packages. The 49ers struggle to cover tight ends and slot receivers. Woodson is better at covering tight ends than Donte Whitner, and Woodson is better at covering slot receivers than Carlos Rogers.
Woodson probably will sign a cheap one-year contract because he’s old and coming off an injury. I think he would make the 49ers’ defense better next season. Should Trent Baalke sign him?
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this is a joke, right?
37 yrs old, coming off injury. makes Carlos Rogers seem like a 22 year old Eric Wright.
Whitner gave up 12 TD catches this season. Woodson has given up eight in the last three seasons.
Rogers allowed a 70.9 catch percentage in 2012. Woodson allowed a 61.9 catch percentage.
2012 Passer rating against, according to PFF: Woodson 86.9, Rogers 94.1, Whitner 130.6.
Without even showing those numbers Grant, I’d take Woodson over Whitner every day of the week and twice on Sunday’s. Sure he’s not the player he was 5 years ago, but he would for sure be better in coverage than Whitner, and he tackles almost as well. Not that Fangio uses it, but CW is a great blitzer too. He won’t be any more expensive than Whitner either.
IMO, I’d sign him to a incentive laden 1 year contract and still draft DB’s like nothing happened.
Put this one in the Vince Young, Seneca Wallace whacky file….
I have no problem with Woodson coming in.
He is long in the tooth, but if he still can perform at a good level I say yes.
Woodson could become the 2013 version of R.Moss by providing leadership, stability and hopefully the occassional big play.
Let’s look at how many times these defensive backs were targeted and by whom before we just throw out some numbers of how many TD passes they surrendered. Also, you have to look at the opponents and who the receivers were. Woodson also is a dominant blitzer in sub defensive packages, so he may not have been in coverage as frequently as some of these other players to whom you are referring.
Mike- The 2 other stats he threw out there have direct correlation to what you are talking about, the TD passes not so much, but the difference is so large it has value. They throw more at Whitner, because Woodson is a HOF and Whitner is arguably the worst cover safety in the league, and all OC are well aware of that fact.
Jack
Gotta put this one in the “Jack the Hack” folder, putting Woodson in the same category as Wallace and/or Young.
Don’t be Knee-Jerk Jack. Be Jack the Mack. You have the cred.
You have a file just for me? I’m honored.
A couple years ago Woodson was still able to play at a high level. Now he is an aging vet trying to hang on.
If we thought this D struggled down the stretch stopping the run, just imagine how bad it would have been with a liability like Woodson at Safety. The 49ers D would end up looking like the Packers D we saw twice this year.
6 points.
Replace a 27 year old Pro Bowl calibre safety for a 37 year old has been? SMH
Thank you for sharing those stats. While your at it, why not consider George Wilson…he is 5 years younger than Woodson and the 2nd best safety rated by PFF.
Chalk this up to another thing Cohn doesn’t know; when anyone with two eyes and limited football knowledge can see that the niners are old and slow in the back end of there defense and need to get younger and more athletic… Do you really want to kick the tires on an old and injured Charles Woodson (why not Rod Woodson they probably can play the same lol)…. Way to attempt to use stats to try and prove a point Baby Cohn or should I say Skip Bayless
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000139687/Better-right-now-Woodson-or-Reed
Charley Casserly thinks he’s got a good 2 years left.
I like Casserly. He knows his stuff!
The trouble is that Rogers isn’t that good anymore, he doesn’t cover very good and needs to go, and Woodson would be good for one year
while they train up a CB that they might draft.
If Randy Moss is exhibit A for being a shell of HS former self as you like to say, Woodson is exhibit B.
Woodson could make sense for the Niners but as often is the case it will come down to money.
At first I thought this would be a good idea — assuming we could get a good deal (less than $4 million, only 1 year guaranteed.)
But with the amount of draft picks we have, we could draft 3 safeties for less than CW would cost for one year — probably much less. And those players could potentially play with us for years, getting better as they go, while CW would be rapidly declining year over year.
If we want to drop money on free agents, it should be at WR. Otherwise, draft for the future.
Safety isn’t a position you want to entrust to rookies. At least not one with out some heady veteran help. Which Goldson isn’t….he’s not a field general that gets everybody lined up…that’s more Whitner’s role. Goldson still gets confused in coverage or messes up trying to make a play. He’s a good play making force but he’s not the steadying influence and force for a rookie at the other Safety position.
Grant is right, Whitner is a liability in over the top coverage especially when a route combo between the tight end and receiver stress his zone.
Also, Woodson, at his age, is not going to contribute on special teams. He has missed many games, too, and younger players can contribute in so many more ways. Would Fangio have to come up with a myriad of sub blitzes to use Woodson better than what he would be in coverage. Still cannot see him covering the Rams slot receivers with the kind of efficiency you ideally want from a slot cover corner. Niners basically lost those two games (that tie still is aloss to me) on the defensive side of the ball because two Rams slot wideouts caught 21 balls in 2 games.
yeah, i don’t see Woodson matching up with the slot receivers either. I do think he’d be a better matchup than Whitner against Tight Ends.
Great points. Thanks, Mike.
We lost the second game because Delanie Walker dropped a pass near the end zone that was put in his hands.
And Akers missed the winning kicks in both games….
And Kaepernick pitched the ball over Ginn’s head for a TD…
The trouble is most anyone drafted will have to wait a yr to start, and they need someone for this next season if they want another try at the SB.
If he will sign an incentive laden contract with no guarentees, what the hell why not. If he wants real money no way. he might be willing to play on a SB favorite
i’m for bring him in for a minimal 1-2 year contract. you’re not going to get away with zero guaranteed money. but if it’s something like $1M guaranteed over two years and a base $850K (which I think is around veteran minimum), then I’d be okay with it.
As a veteran Woodson’s contract would be guaranteed if he’s on the roster after week one. The vet minimum would be very close to a million.
A million guaranteed and another million in incentives wouldn’t be out of line for a one-year rental while the presumed rookies learn the ropes.
I will skip on Woodson, if he played the entire season that is one thing with those stats, but he missed over 1/2 the season last year and he is really old.
NO!
not a bad idea. it’s the sort of deal you do if you think your window of opportunity is closing.
I’d say the Niner Offense is on the rise and still developing under Kaepernick and we’ll see where it goes with the addition of more WR weapons.
But the question is how long can the Niner’s Defense which used to be elite and started to crack and then hemorrhage by the end of the year rebound to good to elite status and for how long. Can the Niners keep Goldson around? How much longer can Carlos Rodgers keep being effective (if not as the slot corner)? Has Whitner completely broken down as a deep cover man? Can Justin Smith keep playing at 150% as he enters his mid 30′s. Will Sopoaga come back? Do they want him back or did his fall of the cliff signal his complete decline? Who plays Nose? Can Aldon Smith play an every down OLB…can he learn how to read blocks and shutdown the run or does he need to platoon again with a run stuffing OLB like Harelson again?
So again I ask, how long can the Niner’s defense keep it together and will they get back to elite status? Will the addition of a grizzled veteran help band-aid the team for another another shot at the Super Bowl?
For the physical, punishing style of defense the niners play, I’d give Woodson 2 games before he’s injured.
hard hitting safeties are overrated IMO. they’re dinosaurs from an earlier era when 3 yards and cloud of dust and when offenses mostly passed out of a 21 package.
there’s no requirement that the Safety comes in and hits ball carriers hard. that’s just style. the only requirement is to make tackles and defend passes. i’d take reliable deep zone coverage over a hard hitting safety with limitations in coverage.
@Allforfunplay If Ronnie Lott was in say his 2nd year today would you skip signing him because he was a dinosaur
In his 2nd year Ronnie Lott was still a CB.
I hate it when people try to throw out the exception…”but, but…what about Ronnie Lott”…I knew that was coming.
RONNIE LOT WAS ORIGINALLY A CORNER. YES HE HIT HARD BUT HE WASN’T A LIABILITY IN COVERAGE. IN FACT HE WENT FROM CORNER, TO FREE SAFETY (BACK WHEN THERE WAS MORE OF A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO) TO STRONG SAFETY. I THINK IT WAS IN ON OF HIS LAST YEARS WITH THE RAIDERS HE HAD 10 INTERCEPTIONS AND WENT TO THE PRO BOWL.
My point is hard hitting will never go out of style. If a players only ability is hitting its not enough but if he can play and hit there will be a place for him. Before the era of face masks there were players who were great hitters it just wasnt head to head and it was mostly shoulder tackles.
I guess it was overrated when Goldson (or was it Whitner?) hit Hernandez hard, and subsequently, Hernandez developed alligator arms leading to an INT?
that’s my whole point. hard hitting is a nice trait to have for a safety as long as that safety can cover.
strong safeties used to be valued for their ability to tackle and drop ball carriers (remember Steve Atwatter knocking back Christian Okoye on Monday Night Football?). In today’s NFL safeties need to play mostly like classic deep Free safeties.
A hard hitting safety is like a QB that has a big arm. That QB isn’t of much use unless he’s accurate. You can have a QB with a weak arm as long as he’s a good decision maker and accurate. A strong armed QB is a luxury as is a hard hitting safety.
@IMG or when Whitner knocked out the saints RB in the 2011 playoffs and forced a fumble on our own 5 yard line
@Allforfun i think you need 1 of each 1 hard hitting center fielder and 1 safety that can cover TE”S
@ oldcoach
the classic set up is the deep safety to be the coverage guy and the hard hitting guy to play closer to the line of scrimmage. in Cover 3 he has short zone responsibility or in Man he gets the Tight End.
The Niners predominately play 2 deep and let their front seven provide the pass rush and stop the run. It gives them the advantage of not having to diagnose as much because their 2nd Safety is kept deep to help Rodgers over the top. Sometimes when the Niners can sniff out what the opposing offense is up to they sneak the Strong Safety up…but only is specific situations.
But with the passing game going crazy in the NFL, deep zone coverage is far more important than coming in as an enforcer. It’d be nice to have both; Polomalu was like that in his prime. But I’d sacrifice and enforcers’ role for reliable deep zone coverage.
He’s one of the most physical CB to ever play the game, have you watched him before. Besides last year, he’s been a rock. The style of defense the Niners play will have no bearing on injuries, he’s not the ‘target’.
Whitner doesn’t hit much in the passing game because he’s always turned the wrong way, or the guy is too far away already. Woodson might get beat physically on occasion, but he won’t make the mental mistakes Whitner made almost every game.
you’re right about Whitner being spun around in the wrong direction in coverage. A lot of zone coverage is instincts but also recognizing plays and what the offense is trying to do and anticipating where the ball is going while you’re honoring your zone responsibilities. Too often Whitner looked overmatched when there was more than one receiver in his area and watched as the ball zipped by or over him to one of those receivers.
That was the past. He is 37 and injured for part of last season. I don’t see him getting physically better next season.
I still think he will not last the season.
Rod Woodson was still a great FS in his late 30s due to his smarts, and so is Charles Woodson when healthy. If he doesn’t cost a lot, then I say yes, bring him in. But I can’t see him being willing to play for a small contract. He’ll likely have plenty of suitors.
maybe he will for a chance to win another ring
Again. When there is no pass rush its difficult for any secondary to lock down receivers. It’s no question when smith got injured out secondary got torched.
it’s one thing to lock down receivers and shut them down. that’s too much to expect from a secondary without much pass rush. but it’s another thing to expect the safeties to keep things in front of them and not get beaten over the top and deep. giving up a 35 yard pass sucks but giving it up while the receiver runs by you and scores a touchdown another 30 yards later because you’re lost or overmatched in deep zone coverage is unforgivable.
If we want to get excited about signing someone’s else’s retreads, the Colts are going to cut Dwight Freeney loose.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/15/report-colts-wont-re-sign-dwight-freeney-austin-collie/
Bring him in solely as a situational pass rusher – nickel and dime formations only so that he plays DE exclusively (like they did with Aldon Smith in 2011).
Let him rotate with Smith and Brooks on those downs so that everyone stays fresh during the season.
Win.
Profit.
i think if you’re going to dedicate a roster spot to a pass rush specialist, I think that player should be able to play special teams. pass rushing, while a learned craft in terms of technique is pretty easy assignment wise for a rookie. not so for the safety position. so I think if there is a pass rush specialist on the team to go with Brooks and Aldon Smith, I’m guessing it’s a rookie.
I’d be surprised if Freeney doesn’t sign for a team that plays exclusively 4-3. He was mis-cast as an OLB in the Colts 3-4 this past season.
1. I’m not actually suggesting that they go after Freeney. I prefer to build through the draft, and the defense needs to give more playing time to younger players. Still, if we are going to consider retreads, there’s pretty much an identity between what he does well and what the 49ers need more of.
2. See the part where I said “Bring him in solely as a situational pass rusher – nickel and dime formations only so that he plays DE exclusively”? That would keep him from playing OLB in the 3-4.
Yeah, my point is that I think Freeney will want to play for a team that plays exclusively 4-3, not that the 49ers couldn’t use him.
eh, i’ll say again, i think that’s a waste of a roster spot solely for a limited pass rush specialist. a position that can be taken by a rookie who can also play special teams that may be able to develop beyond the pass rush specialist role. Safety on the other hand is an every defensive down position.
But isn’t situational pass rushing situational pass rushing? Whether the base defense is 3-4 or 4-3, when it’s 3rd and long and the offense runs out three WRs, the defense is going to be in nickel formation: 4-2-5.
That said, Freeney may not view himself as merely a situational pass rusher. If he expects to play on 1st down, then he definitely will be looking at 4-3 defenses.
Yeah sorry claude, I should have said I expect he will want to be starter wherever he goes, thus a 4-3 team.
@ allforfunnplay:
Yeah, but it doesn’t it address the team’s true pitching problem – inconsistent/insufficient pass rush?
Look, I’m not going to get on a soap box for Dwight Freeney. Someone else is going to offer him more than I think the 49ers should pay for him. But, if we are going to start talking about signing aging/aged players to solve our problems, he makes more sense to me than Woodson.
@claude
I’m not sure I understand your question/comment about institutional pass rushing.
There are times when the Niners will use the Nickel even in non-obvious passing situations. Example; 2nd and 5 the opponent rolls out a 3WRs set…but that’s pretty much their base package anyway and they will run out of it (Pats and Lions are two teams that come to mind) so you wouldn’t use a situational pass rusher in that scenario.
But it basically comes down to # of snaps for a dedicated roster spot and a situational pass rusher who doesn’t play special teams, with no upside and a position/skills that can be done by a rookie…I just don’t see signing a veteran like Freeney as a pass rush specialist making sense.
@allforfunnplay:
I am with you on the # of snaps he would play. Given what other teams are likely to offer Freeney, the $/snap he would command from the 49ers would be steep.
And if you think Fleming, Johnson or a rookie could provide a pass rush contribution on a par with Freeney, then by all means, the younger player is the better option.
sure a rookie can provide pass rush. it doesn’t take the much strategic or tactical knowledge of understanding plays and blocking schemes. just go after the QB (and all the tactical pass rush moves that are strung together that go with it).
You beat me to it Claude. Freeney would make a lot more sense than Woodson.
Now that’s a guy who is done IMO.
Very interesting topic today!
Grant, if there has been any comment from you about the automatic refreshes in your blog, I missed it. It’s disconcerting to be interrupted when posting, but even more so when reading.
agreed, i’ve lost a post or two while writing them because of the auto-refresh on this blog.
I’ll talk to the webmaster about it.
Probably a good idea on the main index page but terrible idea on the story pages.
Glad to know I’m not the only one having that problem.
Sign him to do what?
And hell no.
Pick up Mike Wallace instead.
I’d take a contract hold-out guy at 25-years-old or whatever he is than even look at a Percy Harvin. Woodson is great but…
No.
can he play 2 deep zone? that’s like having a pitching problem and signing a hitter.
Just saying.
If we’re looking at FAs, go Wallace.
Skip Woodson, skip Harvin.
My name is CFC and I endorse and support the above statements. Mike Wallace for 49ers in 2013.
Wallace would be a nice addition but he’d be waaaay to expensive for a #2 deep threat. yes the Niners sorely need a reliable deep threat but Wallace is looking for #1 money and will probably get close to it on the open market.
Harvin is 24…
Trade for Revis and the whole secondary gets 10 times better !
A big emphatic NO!
maybe we should sign derick mason also……
Hey, since this seems to be the theme today Titus Young is available again. A WR with some wheels.
LOL, Jack! Could we get him cheap?
Boooo, I’d throw a tomato at you if I could ;)
again? wtf? how do you get fired during orientation? lol
My guess would be that they wanted him to start working on the playbook or start working in some form and he told them it was the off season.
Blockhead punks like Young just cant get out of their own way, they’re as dumb as the day is long.
I think Titus Young just beat Terell Owens’ record for getting run out of town.
Might be his last chance in the NFL.
That’s bad, but he may have also beat Jamarcus Russell’s record. That is 10X worse.
Woodson would be an immediate upgrade at FS not SS. He can still cover TE’s. Forget slot recievers but the TE has been killing us. He’s smart and savy. If he can come for cheap, to win, then I’m all for it. Whitner is a one trick wonder.
I could see Woodson as a one year stop-gap if the 49ers are unable to resign Goldson.
Goldson is really a better SS than FS,so ,if Woodson is not too slow to still play centerfield it would be an upgrade to have Goldson move to his natural spot at SS and groom a FS for the future while Woodson fills that spot for a year.
He’s too slow.
dwight freeney was released too….come for cheap too? rotate with JS and Ray mac?
Freeney is a 4-3 DE and turns 33 this year. He’ll go find a 4-3 team and be their third down pass rusher.
Now, if you wanted to convert the 49ers to a 4-3 then Freeney would be a good way to do that in a short time. Put Freeney and Aldon Smith(who played with his hand on the ground in college) at the ends with Justin and Ray starting at tackle. Willis becomes the Mike with Bowman at the Sam and Brooks at the Will.
With Freeney on the end it would give us two drafts to find another suitable starter at end and some depth.
If Freeney is only signing on to be a 3rd down pass rusher, he can do that with the 49ers. When the 49ers rush the passer on third down, they do so from a 4 man front.
He’s too light to play the end in the 3-4. The Colts tried to play him at OLB this past year after switching to the 3-4 and he struggled to say the least. If they thought he could play the end they would have tried him there as well.
He’s a 4-3 guy and he’ll go to a 4-3 team.
They tend to play two DL when they’re in nickel. How many times did they actually rush with 4 down lineman this year?
@ CFC:
Freeney wouldn’t play end in the 3-4. He’d play end when the 49ers go to a 4 man line. Like Aldon Smith and Brooks do now. Even though they are OLBs in the 3-4, when the 49ers go to a 4 man line, they essentially play DE.
No…
Woodson will come cheaper than Carlos Rogers’ salary in 2013 and he’ll cover the slot receivers better as well. Trade Rogers, pick up Woodson. This would be a one year deal. Keep grooming Trenton Robinson. And draft a SS/CB.
I could see Johnny Cyprien stepping right in at FS or SS. Charles Woodson? Not so much. His legs no longer have the burst to take the angles needed. *See the Kaepurnicus TD gallop against the Packers in the playoff game.
Tyrann Mathieu CB LSU would be an awesome pick in the second round for the 49ers. Solve the return problems too.
I’m not mad at drafting Mathieu, but there’s no need to reach that high for him. He should be a third day pick and would fit well playing special teams.
Grimey, I think it really depends on his individual 15 minute interviews at the combine that will dictate that severe of a drop. He’s a first round talent.
Agreed. A 3rd rd. pick for Honeybadger sounds good.
Hopefully he last until the 4th rd. which would be a steal.
If he is no longer on drugs.
Do we really want to bring Honey Badger to the heart of marijuana production in America?
I can just see him arguing against another failed drug test on the basis of a “medical” marijuana card.
Honey Badger is a baller.
Honey Badger is also a pothead who managed to smoke himself out of two programs.
Yea?! Lets see how he does in his interview before you dismiss a talent that could help this ball club. Honey Badger might be sober and ready to move on. Don’t hate until you talk to the young man.
It’s not a matter of dismissing a talent, the kid has a lot of red flags. He was busted for marijuana at LSU several times, kicked off the team, and then promptly arrested for marijuana possession along with his buddies who were selling it. That doesn’t seem just like immaturity, it seems like he has a problem and hangs out with the wrong crowd. A guy that has that much to lose and still puts weed above it all is not somebody I want on my football team. Honey Badger my ass, more like the Ganja Badger.
What do you mean it’s not about dismissing a talent? You just said you don’t want him on your football team. If he’s a changed man, I’d welcome him with open arms.
Razor,
Just what I said, it’s not a matter of simply dismissing talent. This kid has consistently made bad decisions. He wasn’t busted for at LSU for smoking pot once, he was busted for testing positive on multiple occasions and was kicked off of the team because of it. In the fall, after he was already kicked off the team (but supposedly working hard to return to the football team the following season), he was arrested for marijuana possession along with his buddies who were selling it. This happened after he had already gone to rehab for his weed problem a couple of months earlier. College is similar to the pros in that everybody knows there are players that smoke weed, and for the most part coaches and GM’s don’t care as long as it doesn’t impact their play or their status with the team. The reality is there are a ton of guys in college and the pros that smoke but don’t get caught because it’s not difficult to avoid detection. You have to be an idiot, careless or have a problem to get caught. Every year players test positive for marijuana at the combine. The fact that the players tested positive has a lot less impact than the fact that the players couldn’t put the weed down for a month or so before the combine. It shows they have a substance abuse problem or they just don’t care. These are the same issues that plagued this kid at LSU. I know he is talented, but the NFL is brimming with talented players that don’t have these issues. You don’t need a locker room of choir boys, but you don’t also don’t want knuckle heads on your team. As LSU found out, you can’t depend on them. Thumbs down to adding the Ganja Badger, but I hope the young man is able to turn his life around and become successful.
Honey Badger would be perfect on the team……
so what he likes MJ, at least he is not using performance drugs.
The media makes too much a big deal of MJ.
It is a big deal Oneniner.
http://www.marijuana-addiction.net/marijuana-side-effects.htm
Oneniner/Latino Heat,
It’s a big deal because his future employer doesn’t want their employees smoking weed and will suspend them for testing positive for it. Kind of like how he got kicked out of school for breaking the same rules.
He’ll be lucky to be drafted. Sound like Shannahan going after Mo Clarett.
We’ll see.
I see the arguments on both sides of this. For one, Tarrel Brown had a pot issue tha cost him draft position but he’s been stand-up. Warren Sapp had college pot issues but stayed out of that kind of trouble as a Pro. Big P’s point about continued problems needs consideration though.
Sometimes Baalke likes guys who need to prove themselves.
Big schools like LSU practically sell their souls to keep their big time players on the field and this kid still got kicked off the team. That’s what worries me more than anything. To me, the problems he had in college have a good chance to be magnified by a lot of free time and money in the NFL. That being said, you hope he is able to get past his issues and play to his potential. I trust in Harbaalke to pick the right guys.
Yes, on C.Woodson for 1 yr contract wrapped with back end incentives.
Two names to add as I’m in the process of working on my mock.
1. Sam Montgomary, DE, 6’5″ 260 lbs. 4.58 40 yrd. LSU
2. Barrett Jones, Center, 6’5″ 311 lbs. Alabama
These two could be our #1 and #2 picks.
Seeing B Jones listed as 2nd rounder( he is good player but that slot would be a little high)-rather go with Schwenke from CAL in the 3rd or 4th if we pick a C.
49ers are loaded on the interior of the OL, with both Kilgore and Looney getting groomed to play center so I don’t see them drafting a center. But the 49ers have no OT backup for Staley and Davis except for starting RG, Boone. Either they’ll draft an OT or find a FA. An injury to Staley or Davis could have a negative effect on an OL that really gelled last season if they had to kick Boone out to OT long-term.
Even if he plays 5 games he’s worth it.
If Freeney still has it I would sign him for the right price. In 81 we signed Dean and he put us over the top.
Terrance Williams WR Baylor
Dion Jordon OLB Oregon
So many shiny new toys.
If Charles Woodson wasn’t injury prone I’d say sign him. But in recent years he’s been constantly out with injury. His experience would be a welcomed addition to cover TE’s and WR’s. But I think we would be better served to draft a safety than bring him aboard when he’ll be asking for more money than the niners can afford.
Mocking on a forum with a bunch of other fans from different teams, for the 49ers I have so far:
1. Datone Jones DE/DT, UCLA
2. Terrance Williams WR, BAylor
3a. Jordan Reed TE, Florida
3b. Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
4. Michael Buchanan, OLB/Pass rusher, Illinois
I’d be pretty happy with that.
Last time 49ers won the super bowl they signed an experienced veteran cornerback by the name of Deion Sanders who helped them win the super bowl that year. I would welcome Charles Woodson with open arms as he is still eager for a championship.
Deion was still in his prime when he was brought aboard. Charlie? Not so much.
Woodson is finished as a starter! He would be good as a back up for his experience!
Aldon Smith training with MMA Champion to get in better shape. Can’t wait to see him use it against fat lineman.
Nice where did you hear that! I can tell you if this news is true he is going to see a major improvement in his overall performance! I am a triathlete and spent one summer training with a MMA athlete and it really helped me take my game to the next level! GO Niners
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2013/02/15/aldon-smith-begins-mma-training-coins-post-loss-motto-you-either-complain-or-train/
David Akers is also into Martial Arts. How much did it help him?
Should the 49ers sign Charles Woodson?
No.
does that mean his shoulder is ok? what does that say about his lack of prduction down the strech
Woodson at age 37 is still an upgrade over Donte Whitner. They said Whitner gave up more tds than any other strng safety in the nfl last year. If not Woodson I would rather see what Spillman can do. Cut the fat and the 4 million Whitner would make and use that money to sign Goldson.
Not with you on Woodson, but where we agree is on Whitner. Cut him, sign Goldson and move him to his natural position SS. I don’t know if Spillman can step in, but there are 3 or 4 safeties in the draft that could.
Another alternative is to move Culliver to safety – the position he played in college.
For those that listen to Sirius NFL you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with Pat Kirwan and maybe even already have his book. If you aren’t and don’t then let me heavily recommend this book from him : http://www.amazon.com/Take-Your-Eye-Off-Ball/dp/B0078XOX3C
I absolutely promise that even if you think you know a lot about football you’ll learn something new in every chapter. Pat has a great way of keeping it simple for the beginners but technical enough so the super fan still doesn’t get bored.
Anyway it’s only $10 and it’s a book that every NFL fan should own.
thanks
Grant who do you see as THE sleeper in this draft?
Don’t know about Grant, but my pick would be Dion Jordan.
A first round sleeper?
Heh, heh…has he sneaked into the first round already?
Some guys currently seen as mid to late round picks that I think could surprise:
- Tharold Simon, CB, LSU: Big corner (6’2″) that plays aggressively and can make plays on the ball. Will need to play in the right system though – like Seattle.
- Josh Johnson, CB, Purdue: Physical and aggressive (violent is a word I’ve seen used to describe his play), and has considerable experience being left one-on-one with WRs, which will suit the 49ers. May not be an explosive athlete, but has good coordination.
- Duke Williams, SS/FS/CB, Nevada: Physically gifted athlete that can play multiple DB positions.
- Michael Buchanan, DE/OLB, Illinios: Impressive frame and athleticism for a 3-4 OLB and looks the part, but production was down in 2012 without Whitney Mercilus around. Probably won’t ever be a premier pass rusher, but has the potential to be a good complementary player, ala Brooks.
- Trevardo Williams, DE/OLB, Connecticut: Explosive but under-sized speed rusher. Very good production. Will need to add some bulk, but could contribute right away as a speed rusher.
- Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State: Not so much a sleeper but a player whose stock has fallen due to injury. Body of work in 2010 and 2011 would probably see him as a 2nd round grade.
- Montori Hughes, NT, Tennessee-Martin: Wide load that is hard to move, but also shows a good first step and generate some push. Looked good at the Senior Bowl. Nasty. Has had some off field issues though.
- Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma: Only average size for the position and not an explosive athlete, but is smooth and has good, natural coordination and ball skills. Importantly, wants to be the best and will work hard to get there. Team leader. Will throw himself around. Has had some off field issues though.
Nice work Scooter.
Duke Williams is a sleeper I hope we check out!
Behave!
On one hand, why not? On the other hand I can still remember O.J. in red and gold fighting for a yard and a half on first and ten.
It’s a fact that Woodson would be an upgrade over whitner. Idk why so many people on here are against it. Whitner was by far the worst coverage safety in the nfl this year and was one of the two defensive reasons to why we lost the Super Bowl. Fact is we need an upgrade. Even if it is for only one year. Won’t happen tho, we will keep the midget.
His age for one Adam and his up-and-down health the last few seasons for another.
“Whitner was by far the worst coverage safety in the NFL this year” yet he played at a Pro Bowl level. SMH
He played at a pro bowl level in the run game. But everyone knows he was awful in the pass.
Championship teams stop the run. You don’t replace a 27 year old Pro Bowl safety with a 37 year old corner who is playing out of position.
This question may have been valid 5 years ago.
“Championship teams stop the run.”
Well this statement doesnt make much sense because we seemed to stop the run very well in both thr NFCC and SB yet it was the coverage ability that nearly lost and lost. When it came time for the most important games of the year Whitner was exploited. He is too short and slow in coverage. Idc how good he is in the run game, our front 7 takes care of that 95% of the time anyway. It’s a passing league now. Woodson would be an upgrade (if healthy) for the next season or two. But like i said, signing woodson wont happen, and Whitner will continue to get abused in the pass game. Theres one thing you cant teach in football and thats height.
The Super Bowl was lost on turnovers, special teams, and a CB who still doesn’t know what the coverage is.
6 points.
@Jack and a choke for the ages after 1st & goal from the 7.
Yeah, you can throw that in there too.
Whitner gave up 2 tds in the Superbowl. 12 pts. Game over
“Whitner gave up 2 tds in the Superbowl. 12 pts. Game over.”
The 49er offense scored 29 points. So how can the game be over?
The first TD was Bowman getting beat, and the 3rd was Culliver getting beat, so not quite sure where you are coming up with Whitner giving up 2 tds,
Probowl is a weak argument. Fans know Whitner from that big hit on Pierre Thomas and he’s been riding that moment for 2 years. People forget all the coverage busts in his career starting with week 2 in 2011 vs Cowboys getting burnt by a practice squad receiver. Fact is he was rated as the worst strong safety in football by PFF giving up the most tds last year. Fact is if we had a better cover safety in the Superbowl the 49ers are Champs. I’m not even sure if that Culliver td on Jacoby Jones wasn’t Whitners fault. The defense was a joke I blame our d cordinator for not blitzing more and playing too conservative because you can’t expect those guys to cover for that long. But Whitner has to go I would be shocked if they pay him the 5 million they could save if they release him considering Goldson is better and needs a new deal. We can replace Whitner without losing a beat.
Ok. Want a stronger argument? Here you go.
6 points
Goldson also was a non-factor in the Super Bowl as well. Does that mean we let him walk and release Whitner? Improve the pass rush and see how well their coverage skills improve.
Goldson was good all season In coverage. Played at an All Pro level. Whitner on the other hand was graded the worst coverage safety in regards to comp % and TDs allowed.
Whitner is a huge problem in passing situations. Woodson would be an upgrade at strong safety from that perspective (not in the box though). As far as covering the slot, neither Rogers nor Woodson are sufficient. My conclusion, Woodson would help, but not greatly. Only thing which will cover our flaws in backend is an improved pass rush. That said, never draft for need, BPA only.
Grant, I HAVE A QUESTION for you…
Even though we drafted AJ last year, if you were choosing between Travis Austin and a DT/DE of equal value, who would you take? Personally, I think this guy is everything Harvin is and more. When I put on the tape, I see huge problems for any defense trying to match up.
Grant, I meant Tavon Austin.
Aqib “Stop or My Mom Will Shoot” Talib is a free agent.
Worth a shot (pun intended)?
That makes more sense than Woodson and Freeney, but he will probably be too expensive.
I see the Patriots keeping him.
Whitner was a liability in coverage before he got here. We need to cut him loose. Our safeties get beat over the top routinely. We were exposed in the playoffs. Other teams were beating us in the regular seaso. As well. Their qbs were overthowing the wr’s.
The 49ers gave up the fewest deep balls in the league or pretty close to it.
Saying the safeties were beaten over the top routinely is quite an exaggeration.
Only 7 passes of 40+ throughout the regular season and they also gave up the 3rd fewest of 20+.
Well said Jack. The DBs had some breakdowns in the playoffs, true, but for the vast majority of the season they were pretty darn good. The lack of pass rush at the back end of the season was likely a contributing factor to the play of the secondary.
Getting some backups the coaches feel comfortable actually letting see the field would sure help this defense, and that is across the entire defense.
That’s great except they allowed the big passes when it mattered the most.
DL and OLBs didn’t get any pressure/ sacks when it mattered most either. There’s a number of factors that went into the defense under performing in the playoffs, but the defense is built around being able to get pressure and forcing the QB to throw early or swallow it. That’s what allows the safeties to play so aggressively.
23welcher issued an over-the-top conclusory opinion that is contradicted by the facts?
I am shocked.
On a one year deal. At a reasonable price. Absolutly. He will be a clear upgrade over C. Rodgers in the slot. Can also put him in the redzone being that Whitner gets beat constantly by Tightends in that area.
At this point, the 49ers need anyone on the outfield that can really shut down receivers. Darrelle Revis is looking more and more agitated with the Jets. Yes, he had a torn ACL, but he was the best CB in the league. Something to think about.
The Jets aren’t trading Revis.