On Friday I argued why the 49ers should sign Charles Woodson and many of you disagreed, explaining why he probably would not solve the 49ers’ defensive issues. I found those arguments compelling.
The 49ers would be better off signing Dwight Freeney, whom the Colts will not re-sign. Vic Fangio could use the 33-year old defensive end as a sub package rusher – that’s how Bill Walsh used Fred Dean when Dean was in his thirties.
For Freeney, being a sub package rusher instead of a starter would keep him fresh. The impact he would bring on passing downs definitely would make the other 49ers’ pass rushers more productive.
Pressure is the best pass defense, because coverage cannot cover forever. Even the best cornerbacks struggle if the quarterback has all day.
Do you think the 49ers should sign Freeney? Why or why not?
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Grant,
The proposal to sign any of these older players is predicated on the notion that the 9ers show just reload for another run on the SB. If past history is an indication of their chances of making the title game this year, none, then I would be looking to find younger players through the draft for the long term. So my answer is no!
Past history is just that – history – and has no impact on whether or not the 49ers make it back to the Super Bowl.
As I said in the previous topic, I find it hard to imagine Freeney agreeing to play for any team that operates a 3-4 as its base. Some 4-3 team out there will be willing to take him as a starter, and at 33 I’d be surprised if he sees himself as a backup/ situational guy.
I agree the 49ers could use a situational pass rusher, and Freeney would certainly fit the bill, but don’t see it happening. The draft is the more likely source to fill this position.
I would like Freeney here, but gotta agree with scooter.
Good point
I agree that it would be a good plan to have Freeney fill that role, but I imagine some other team is going to offer him more money and more playing time. I guess it just depends on what he wants – $ or a chance at a ring. A 2 year deal would be nice.
I agree with Mr. Reynolds and Scooter. The depth at the defensive line position in the draft precludes overspending for a 33 year old who is clearly a 4-3 defensive end. I expect him to target those type of defenses and it will be interesting to see what the market value for him ends up being. I could see him maybe in Atlanta.
Buffalo should sign Freeney to put opposite of Mario and then sign Dorsey and line him up on either side of both of them. They’d have a hell of a defensive line, well for at least a year or two.
you need a pass rush sign him
And a safety that can cover as well as hit.
I do like the idea of signing freent. Could help keep brooks and Alton fresh. Wonder if some picks will be traded for future years, not a lot of open spots on the roster!
Alton?
hahaha
would be wise to draft key players and somehow trade the extra picks for later…..not gonna need all of them like you said.
Who would he replace on passing downs Grant?
This is worth a look-see. Freeney is another of those players that seemingly has health issues every year. In a rotation with Aldon/Brooks it might just work out.
sounds like a good idea BUT he struggled in a 3-4 scheme right? PLUS he would have to want to play less here and for cheap and i dont see that happening hes probably already having dinner with bellichick
hey grant curious whats your take on the niners keeping delanie and goldson!!?? i think goldson is an obvious MUST but delanie? thanks man!
Tyler Eifert from ND as a replacement TE for Walker.
hey mj doubt he lasts late 1st round more like ertz from stanford ive been reading
I’d be surprised if the 49ers don’t keep Delanie, but if they lose him then a FA like Martellus Bennett might be a better solution. I’d rather not see a 1st round pick being used to select a #2 TE when there are other positions that need attention.
With Kaep and Crabtree most likely getting a new contract after next season and the other two WRs Manningham and Williams in the last year of their contracts, it doesn’t make much fiscal sense to resign Walker. I’d love to see him back next season, but he will want a starter’s deal and the Niners cannot afford to give him that much.
He may want starters money but will he actually get it? His value to the 49ers is probably greater than to any other team. He has recorded waaaaayyy too many drops the past couple of seasons for a team to view him as a legitimate #1 pass catching TE option. He’s a #2 TE that is a good blocker. A good option for teams that like to play multiple TE sets, like the 49ers.
There are several teams that wouldn’t mind Walker being their starting TE. Unless the Niners place the franchise tag on him, which is highly unlikely, I can’t see him being on the team next season.
If we lose Walker, there could be good value in Dustin Keller. He works hard, has a good attitude and he could be inexpensive due to being on the Jets and having been injured.
I agree with you MM16. Keller would be a good bargain pickup if Walker goes elsewhere.
Ya, seems a no-brainer. His contract year was pretty much a disaster, so he’s gonna want to play for a contract.
I think you are exaggerating other teams perceptions of Walker. Before last season when he was injured, Dustin Keller average 50 catches a season. He is only 28. And he can run (around 4.5 – 4.6). He will most likely get a bigger contract than Walker.
Good news is there are a quite a few FA TEs available, as well as a couple of decent looking guys in the draft. This should make it easier to retain Walker at a reasonable contract.
Walker exploded in the second half of the season and was a key component in the Niners’ attempted comeback in the Super Bowl. He will get a hefty salary hike. He might not be the most sought after TE in free agency, but there will be a team that signs him due to him being more well-rounded than the others. And Keller’s stock took a big hit due to being injured. He’ll have to prove that he’s healthy and that the injury won’t have an affect on his performance.
Scooter,
I agree with you on DW, in that this is a case where the local fans are placing his value to other teams too high.
If we lose DW as Scooter mentioned there are options. Nevada TE Zak Zudfeld looks promising in low rounds for instance.
I’m from the Midwest Jack, so I’m technically not a local. I don’t believe that I am placing as to other teams too high a value because he is solid (but not elite) in the passing game, a great blocker, and a force on ST. Somebody will give him a fat raise and it won’t be the Niners.
MidWest,
By local I mean 49ers fans.
Ah, my bad Jack.
MidWest, Walker recorded 14 catches over the final 7 games of the regular season (with Kaep starting), and another 5 catches during the post season. While he averaged 18 yards per catch, he averaged less than 2 catches a game.
By comparison, Martellus Bennett had 55 catches in 16 games, Fred Davis had 24 catches in 7 games, Jared Cook had 44 catches in 13 games, and Dustin Keller had 28 catches in 8 games. What do these guys all have in common? They are free agents this year too. They also have starting experience, which Walker does not. Not to mention vets like Heath Miller, Ben Watson, and Dallas Clark.
They should draft a young DT/DE. However, they should also try to acquire Freeney if the price is right. Whats wrong with bringing in a future hall of famer to help increase the knowledge of the youngsters they WILL draft this year and to help Aldon increase his game as well. Im never against bringing in veterns on short contracts for well spent money. The guy has 107.5 sacks and was the most dominant DE at his peak. I think it is definitely worth a hard try.
He’s a 4-3 DE. Niners run a 3-4. He’s not taking the place of Justin or Ray on the ends…he’s not going to be playing nose and he’s not going to be a standup linebacker/end like Aldon or Brooks…so where exactly is he going to play?
At DE when the 49ers go to a pass rush formation (4 man line). He would rotate with Aldon Smith (a little) and Ahmad Brooks (a lot).
Why do so many people seem to have so much difficulty with this concept?
Claude, it makes perfect sense.
Rmac and Justin Smith can be taken out too. Its not like those 2 are pass rushing machines neither has had double digit sacks. We could play Brooks and Aldon with Freeney together on the line. You want your fastest pass rushers on passing downs. Vic Fangio is going to have to use his bench next year he can’t play the starting guys every snap like he did. His conservative coaching is one of the reasons why our defense worn down at the end of the year.
Is this going to come up after every player of note gets cut? Seriously. This is becoming an annual tradition that shouldnt be. Before it was Tebow, Vince Young, McNabb, Vick, and so on. Its like the posts that make a big deal out of the players the team signs after the season, guys who are just signed to futures contracts or to fill off season roster spots. Rarely do those players ever make the 53 man roster, even less the game day, and even less than that do the Niners sign some over the hill veteran. If Freeney or Woodson were so good, wouldnt their teams want them back? Both are playoff contending teams, if these two were so important to their success, they would make it work. This isnt the 2005 Niners who will take anyones cast offs. Build through the draft like the true successful teams: NE, Indi, Pitt, GB and NYG.
No to Woodson. No to Freeney. No to Mike Wallace (isnt he a since passed 60 minutes anchor anyway?)
I surprisely agree with MJ, Freeney had 5 sacks last year, enough with the old, perhaps we can bundle our draft picks to get some help on the D Line.
First, they’re salary cap casualties because of both their age and contract. Second, it’s the off-season MJ. Besides free agency, the combine, and the draft there isn’t really much to talk about.
Besides free agency, the combine and the draft. So few topics…so much time. Haha.
I could be wrong but the 49ers don’t employ a four man front often enough to justify bringing a one trick pony defensive end.
Said this yesterday but Freeney will end up where he belongs, at the end of a 4-3 defense.
I think this is the most obvious sign it wouldn’t be a great fit, if he was suited for a 3-4 he’d be staying in Indianapolis.
Grant, are you trying to bring back the 49ers’ mid-90′s tradition of bringing in older players for one last shot at glory?
From Dent, Woodson, Jackson to Woodson, Freeney.
I’d love to have Ricky Jackson back.
Dent had a really good year for us also
Don’t forget Charles Haley round 2 and Kevin Greene. Does Kevin Gogan count?
MJ
My memory sometimes fails me, but I recall Haley being a 5th Rounder ILB who they always intended to develop as a pass rusher.
Round 2 meaning his 2nd stint with SF in 98/99.
My bad. That fits your original context.
Looks like the Colts are releasing Collie (injuries)…hmmm!
Dude could never stay healthy. Peanut brittle.
great receiver however
Greg Oden and Sam Bowie want to say hi from the land of great talent, injury prone.
If they want to bring him in for a tryout, sure why not, but would be pointless to offer him a contract with anything guaranteed.
No…
I would love to see Freeney in the Red and GOLD! We need pass rushers. I hope to god Trent is planning to get two to three additional pass rushers. GO NINERS
While this makes more sense than Woodson, it won’t happen. The 9ers Nickle package is more of a 2-4-5, and keeping Smith and Brooks in gives them more variety in what they can do.
The better option, as i mentioned at the beginning of the week, is to sub in Haralson in the 3-4 base to give them a breather.
Bingo. Another pass rush specialist would also be nice, but more as insurance against injury or for really long drives. That’s for the draft.
Not at his current salary.
Freeney might be an interesting change of pace because the 49ers don’t really have a speed rusher that attacks the edge (Brooks is the closest). Aldon, Justin and Ray are power-move guys more than speed guys from what I’ve seen.
It just seems that a speed guy for the occasional edge pressure could come from the draft a lot cheaper than a 10 year vet. Or maybe one of last year’s rookies Fleming and Johnson could be ready to take that role.
I agree – the 49ers could do with a speed rusher. They don’t have a true speed rush guy (Fleming and Johnson aren’t speed rushers either). Whoever plays that role will not supplant Smith and Brooks as the starting OLBs in the 3-4 or DEs in the 4 man front, so won’t be on big money.
as i said in the Woodson post about Freeney; waste of a roster spot.
unlike Safety, pass rush specialist isn’t the most complicated position. you can plug in a youngster from the draft that has the possibility of developing beyond a specialist role. PLUS, I’m guessing Dwight Freeney doesn’t (or hasn’t in a long time and probably isn’t willing to) play special teams which you should want from a back up or specialist player.
Also, if you want an experienced sub, I’d want a DT/DE pass rusher to give Justin Smith breaks.
Johnny Jenkins DT Georgia would be able to spell the line quite well. I believe he can play every position.
The name Jenkins scares me for some reason. I can’t quite put my finger on why.
If LMJ hadn’t contributed late in the season we might be having a few more questions and concerns going into this draft! For now I’m staying calm and trusting in HarBaalke.
Even Mr. Walsh had a stinker draft. Gotta rebound with a 2011 performance this time, and establish himself as a great GM. He likes to move around, and he’s got plenty of ammo to make some bold moves. I’m looking forward to the approach and strategy, as much as the shiny new players.
I wonder if the 49ers might grab Lattimore in the 3rd to 5th and put him on the shelf for a year while he rehabs.
Good when he was healthy, and Frank Gore has shown you can come back from two devastating knee injuries during college. But catching lightning in a bottle twice might be too much to hope for. Guys don’t usually come back from two serious knee injuries. In saying that, didn’t stop the 49ers from signing Jewel Hampton…
That would give the team six RBs if they picked him up. Who would you cut Msclemon?
Dixon for one.
@MWN I’d stash Lattimore on IR and then make that decision next year.
Fair enough Msclemon, but would you still keep Hampton?
I really haven’t seen enough of Hampton to know if he’s worth a roster spot. Regardless, by 2014 the 49ers likely won’t have 5 good backs anymore.
With the 49ers having so many picks it just seems worth taking a flyer on a guy who might be great.
Hampton is coming back from injury,Hunter as well,our backup FB is 29,Frank is one of my all time favorite 49ers but he is moving toward the end of his career,(maybe taking a flyer on Lattimore if he falls isn’t that bad of an idea with the amount of picks we have)-if not Lattimore then Cornhusker-RB Rex Burkhead who some pundits indicate maybe THE STEAL of this draft would be worth a lower round take.
This is a deep draft year for DE and DT but I remember reading that DL 1st Rounders have a higher bust percentage than any other position. Hmmmm.
Kelley.,Ron Fields, Reggie McGrew…..whuh-oh!
Balmer!
Lets hope Baalke and Harbaugh are better at judging DL talent. In saying that, Balmer was a one year wonder at college that was widely regarded as an underachiever, and McGrew had serious knee issues that resulted in many teams taking him off their draft boards. This years crop of DL are much better prospects.
I hope and do suspect that you’re right. It looks like a good crop.
Seriously Brotha, you typed Reggie M****w on a family site?
I thought you had better manners than that.
Ms. Tuna is also appalled, but not surprised after all these years married to a Hooligan..
PS just had a Very Respectable ’09 RRV Pinot from Benziger
I have a feeling that your wife doesn’t exactly love being called Ms Tuna.
I’m kinda liking this Ricardo Lockette. He seems to be someone they’re developing. I like that he’s working hard and with Kap!
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2013/02/opportunity-knocks-wideouts-lockette-hall-working-with-kaepernick-in-atlanta.html
If somehow the light goes on for Lockette, that would be the nitro this offense needs to burn secondaries deep.
Same thing applies to Jenkins. It’s the reason why I’d prefer the team draft a big-bodied WR with good speed instead of a speedster.
It would be a great story to have him be a pain in the Seahawks butt for years to come being they originally had him.
And he’s 6’2″, 211. Thats not bad. An inch and a dozen lbs smaller than TO.
++
I noticed the line where it says that AJ Jenkins, who said he would train with Kaepernick, hasn’t shown up yet. I also remember him saying, after he was drafted, that he was going to do “the hill” with Jerry Rice, and that he never did.
My apologies to Razoreater who I just read pointed out the same thing. Although we do not know what’s really going on, it could explain the fact why he was a non-factor last year. Maybe he never “earned his minutes” in practice and the weight room.
I think you’ve hit on something there George, “earned his minutes”. Respect is not given.
Wonder if he will make an impact…..would be a nice story if he does.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/video_content_type/aldon-smith-gets-back-work-unique-way
The Condor wants a Super Bowl.
I’m starting to get concerned about Jenkins. He said he’d run the hill with Jerry. He says he’ll show up in Atlanta to train with Kaepurnicus, Lockette, Hall. I’m getting the feeling he’s a dimwit, lazy fool who says the right things, but does not follow through.
Take it easy on Jenkins. At his current pace he only needs 7 more seasons to catch up to Rashaun Woods.
Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt for the moment. After all, the off-season has only just begun.
Jenkins said he wants to be ready for the call. “Obviously, they made me a first-round choice for that purpose,” he said. “I’m going to accountable this offseason and make myself the kind of player that they want me to be.”
When Jenkins was drafted in April, general manager Trent Baalke said he loved the receiver’s big, soft hands and the speed with which he got in and out of breaks. One area that needed work, Baalke said, was strength, and Jenkins said he would dedicate himself to the weight room this year.
He said he’d go home to Jacksonville for a “couple of days” and, as soon as he could, return to Santa Clara to work with strength coach Mark Uyeyama. He also said he would spend time in Atlanta with Kaepernick and continue working on their chemistry.
“Me and him already are great friends off the field,” Jenkins said. “So hopefully, we can get that chemistry on the field.”
I don’t think this kid has a clue as to what it takes to be a Pro in the NFL. Troubling.
Razor,
Many players don’t realize what it takes to be a pro at first. Crabtree is a good example. It’s obvious that they weren’t expecting much of a contribution from him during his rookie season, let’s see how he develops during his second off season before assuming anything.
I’m not keen on the Crabtree comparison. What he did injured, and missing significant training/playing time in his rookie year was a revelation. Jenkins’ rookie year with a full training camp/practice time, more like the Apocolypse.
Crabtree was the only WR on the roster that had any talent. He was named a starter immediately after ending his holdout because they were so desperate, not because he deserved it. I’m not saying Jenkins is a good player, I’m saying let’s wait to see what progress he has made when OTA’s and TC starts up again. It’s kind of hard to assert yourself as a rookie when you have Moss and Crabtree as the starters and two other receivers who have been in the system for two years.
I think you have to approach the draft, and maybe Free Agency as well, under the assumption that you’re not going to get a whole lot from Jenkins.
Agree with Razoreater, which is why I would seriously consider Travis Austin if he is there at 31.
I meant Tavon Austin
AJ has to come into training camp showing he deserves to at worst be the #3 WR. I know teams don’t give up on 1st rounders after only one season, but if he’s buried down the depth chart again next season then he’ll never make it with the 49ers. Other guys will leap frog him and he’ll never get a chance. If he’s serious about an NFL career, he should be doing everything in his power to come back the best possible player he can be. So far, he’s all talk.
Player A: 5’9″, 170 lbs., very fast, highly touted as an open field runner, 3260 all-purpose yards in last college season
Player B: 5’9″, 175 lbs., very fast, highly touted as an open field runner, 2760 all-purpose yards in last college season
Player A: Dexter Carter
Player B: Tavon Austin
The NFL is not kind to tiny little fast guys.
Sure, I’d take him for league minimum as pass rush specialist
If our salary cap will only afford us 1-2 players I would go after a WR first and a DB second. Any other position after the afore mentioned is a luxury.
It depends on how free agency shakes out AES. FS and DT/DE could become a higher priority.
DT/DE could become even more of a priority if the 49ers can’t re-sign RJF. I’m really hoping that they offer him a contract that will keep him a 49er because he is the only real quality back-up they have right now for the DL. It always worries me when these late draft picks come up as free-agents that could possibly compete for a starting position on another team because a huge payday could mean more than being on a SB caliber team.
And when you look at a team like the Saints that are switching to a 3-4 defense and are probably looking at FA’s with experience, coupled with the fact that RJF played at LSU and has family there, it wouldn’t be a shock if he left for a better offer, if made.
after watching video of Aldon Smith doing an MMA workout – as in, what shoulder injury? – the answer is yes. if AS is well enough to be throwing punches, then his late-season decline in pass rush has to be taken seriously – ie, not just his listed shoulder injury or being “tired”, which by the way, won’t wash in his third year. he had a great season, but unfortunately not when we really needed it. one extra sack of Flacco and who knows how that game would have turned out. If Freeney has his head on straight and still has his burst, and all the other ifs (affordability, etc), we should sign him
Yeah, the six game stretch with no sacks was ridiculous. It may have been a blessing in disguise in the long term, though. What if Justin Smith wasn’t injured last season and continued to be healthy for the next couple of years? Would the Niners have to sign Aldon to a huge $$$ deal only to find out that he was dependent on J.S. for his sacks? It sucks that J.S. was injured, but I think it may benefit the team long-term from a roster building standpoint. I’m sure it opened a few eyes in the Niners front office.
Not so sure eyebrows were raised in the front office, but it served a purpose in the maturation process of Aldon Smith.
He had 19.5 sacks in 13 games with Justin Smith at his side, and 0 sacks in 6 games with Justin Smith injured. I’m pretty sure that raised some eyebrows in the front office, especially since the D-line is considered the priority to upgrade in the draft. The Cowboy obviously made Aldon a much more effective player, the difference in production is crystal clear.
Yes but don’t take too much away from Aldon because I don’t remember any of the linebackers before him or the ones behind Justin in Cincinnati getting 19.5 sacks.
Exactly, The Condor is not even close to his potential. The MMA Training is just another tool in his technical shed, and speaks to his dedication. Unlike Jenkins.
Haha,The Condor! Where’s that from?
Aldon Smith “The Condor” came from the length of a
arms and his ability to swoop in and devour the prey
Michael Crabtree “Mr. Crabs” from SpongeBob due to his meaty claws
Colin Kaepernick “Kaepurnicus” from Spartacus because he can slice you up, and is the leader of the gladiators
Some of the nicknames I gave 49er players. What are some of the nicknames others on here have bestowed upon their favorite 49ers?
It’s not taking anything away from Aldon Smith, it’s stating facts. How many sacks did he have after Justin Smith’s injury? As I recall, the CONDOR didn’t have any. Not one. That tells me that much of his production is based upon Justin Smith’s ability to occupy two blockers on the stunt plays they love to run. If you disagree, please tell me why. I’m glad he’s doing MMA if he thinks it will help him improve, but that has nothing to do with his lack of production after Smith’s injury. You are questioning A.J. Jenkin’s dedication to improving, but you don’t know what he does to train, you are merely stating your opinion.
Grant, how about a few “realistic” free agents that the 49ers should target. I’m not counting 40 year old situational players or defensive lineman that don’t fit our scheme.
p.s. Your webpage doesn’t know how to spell situational because it keeps underlining it even though it’s spelled correctly. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/situational
What have you got against us old folks? You just want a team full of whippersnappers. I say we need a 45 year old safety to add some wisdom and gravity to the defensive backfield. And by gravity I mean the extra weight due to the other DBs having to carry his carcass around the field.
Also, I believe the spell-check is a function of the individual browser rather than the web site. Right-click the word and hit “add to dictionary”.
msclemons67 says:
February 17, 2013 at 11:21 am
Also, I believe the spell-check is a function of the individual browser rather than the web site. Right-click the word and hit “add to dictionary”.
Hmmm, ok I’ll try that next time. Good to know. So it’s Chrome that doesn’t know how to spell apparently, well and me too but that’s why I have computers, oh wait.
@Coffee i’ve been listing 3 Baalke type FA’s for a couple of days check out
Greg Toller CB Cardinals
Victor Butler OLB Cowboys
Sen’Derrick Marks DE\DT Titans
Antwan Barnes (OLB from the Chargers) could be an option too.
Barnes had a very good 2011 season for the Chargers with 11 sacks. Only 3 in 2012, but could have had more if he hadn’t missed the last 4 games. Definately somebody to keep an eye on.
I’m not super familiar with those I’ll check them out.
Of the three Toller is the only candidate to be a starter. The Cardinals probably wont be able to afford to tag him but he’s not going to come cheap and we’d have to cut Rogers for sure.
Marks and Butler both look like signings for depth. Marks hasn’t put up very exciting numbers and Butler although stuck behind Ware and Spencer still hasn’t shown much in his chances on the field.
I wouldn’t mind Toller but I’m not sure he someone we’ll target and the other two would be fine at the right price.
The only starting position up for grabs at DL and LB is the NT postion. Anyone 49ers sign at the other spots will be depth/ situational.
Unless Rogers is cut, same goes for CB. Safety is a bit of an unknown with Goldson, but if he re-signs then I doubt any FA would come in as a starter there either, despite Whitner’s short comings.
Having starters doesn’t mean you stop looking for more. I’ve always thought you sign a guy thinking he has a chance to start and if not then at least he can be depth.
If the 49ers get Goldson signed, I wonder if they would then franchise tag Walker.
Use the franchise tag on a #2 TE that caught 21 passes during the regular season? I certainly hope not! Don’t get me wrong, I really like Delanie as a player and he fits what the 49ers do very well, but he’s not worth top 5 TE salary. Not even close. If someone wants to pay him like a starter, let him walk. He’s replaceable.
The TE # is 5.555 million, no way is Walker worth that money especially when you consider that Vernon’s base salary is 6.0 million before bonuses.
Yea, you’re both right. He’s probably gone. Celek might be the next swiss army knife. He might have better hands.
If someone makes a mistake and tries to make him their starter then he’s gone but aside from that situation I think there’s a good chance we signs back with us.
Walker was a receiver in college, they might be able to convert another big bodied WR into a jack of all trades type of player like Walker. Chris Harper from Kansas State is somebody to keep an eye on. Not fast enough to be an every down WR in the NFL, but he should be able to utilize his size against CB’s and outrun LB’s. CK definitely likes to utilize Walker as a receiver, he targeted him 22 times in his seven starts compared to 12 targets from Smith in nine starts. I still think that this coaching staff will utilize Walker better than anybody else would, but somebody may be willing to give him an inflated contract.
It seems to me that if we do lose DW that GRoman would probably like a big body at TE and use Vernon as the utility guy in those formations.
would like to hear more about other possible free agents out there like what was mentioned by old coach and scooter. i’m not counting on them signing anyone big and i doubt much will come of a possible alex smith trade.
No, go for another pass rusher in the draft. We need more than a stopgap here. And Freeney sucks against the run.
If you’re a playoff team this year, you have to be laughing, First, I don’t see much difference between the fifth and 25th picks this year. And I don’t really see the immediate difference-makers in the top 10.
If you are going to quote Mike Mayock directly, you ought to at least credit him.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/18/first-round-draft-trades-could-be-less-plentiful-this-year/
He is my go to scout. He’s not the greatest on QB’s but he’s money at the other positions.
M. Crabtree. C. Kaepernick. Aldon Smith. J. Smith. D. Goldston. D. Walker. Anthony Davis. M. Iaupatti. D. Whitner. J Goodwin.
Players that are freeagents/in last year of contract or needs to start negotiating next season.
Where is the money going to come from to sign C. Woodson or D. Freeny??? or any big free agent???
“Where is the money going to come from to sign Woodson, Freeny, or any big free agent???”
It’s not. Thankfully this team is pretty much set with only a couple areas to address.
Expect it to be like last year. Sign a few to second tier deals and build for the future through the draft.
Agreed
Crabtree, Kaepernick, A Smith, Iupati and Davis don’t become FA’s until 2015. I only see Goldson and Walker as possible priority signings since they are FA’s this year. Whitner and Goodwin (2014) will not get extensions and will more likely play out their contracts this season. Or one of them might be gone. J Smith is a harder call. They could extend him early to try and get some cap help – or see how he performs this season after the injury and make a decision later.
“Crabtree, Kaepernick, A Smith, Iupati and Davis don’t become FA’s until 2015″
That’s true. But do you think Kap and A. Smith go inot the last year of their contracts without extensions. They are primeir players. Same with M. Iupati and A. Davis. Eventually you have to pay them. Whether this off-season(not kap or A.smith as CBA prevents such negotiations) or the next. No money to sign big long term deals for outside free-agents.
I did not state in my comment that the others don’t need to be extended, just that it isn’t a priority at this point in time. I could see one or more getting extended later in the season like Bowman, or early the next year. I agree that Kaepernick, Crabtree and Iupati should be extended first, but I think the 49ers will wait on Davis.
And Crabtree*
Yes, 49ers are in a bit of a crunch with the cap and eventually decisions that might not be popular with fans will have to be made. You can’t always keep all your star players.
@Jack Which 2nd tier FA”s do you think they should be looking at?
In looking around a bit, I think your list looks pretty decent Coach.
Grant,
Just an idea. Since the next few months will likely be about the upcoming draft and free agents, can you do a report card on how the top 5 players at their positon fared last year?
Just to piggy-back off my last post. Did the top 5 players at their position from the 2012 draft last year, start? If they started, did they have an immediate impact?
Did the top free agents signed last year, have an impact on their new team?
I know that every team places a different value on their draft picks i.e. the Jaguars would have a higher value perspective on their 1st pick then the 49ers given their immediate skill needs.
Justin Blackmon no doubt has an immediate position to fill on his team more so then A.J. Jenkins.
Jenkins had the luxury of waiting a full season behind the likes of Crabtree, Moss, Williams and Manningham.
Blackmon on the other hand needed to produce in year one.
Grant, I guess I answered my own previous question (lol).
Sure it would be nice to find the next JJ Watt or Cameron Wake in the draft or even the next Ed Reed to replace Whitner. Odds are only a few of our draft picks will make the team. Although I do think Elam safety from Florida will be a star in this league if we can get him. I think grabbing a vet pass rusher like Osi or Freeney could only help the team. Our entire defense is young so its not like adding a vet in an area where we need help in is a bad idea.
Brian,
I’m ok with the team signing a couple of free agents, but the cap issues will be the major hurdle.
IMO, I feel that a big WR free agent to compliment Crabtree is the immediate need, but suddenly, there is a need at CB/Safety and D-lineman.
This is a quandary, because our DB’ and D-line played exceptional throughout the season until Justin Smith went out injured.
So do we put more weight on the possibility that a healthy Justin Smith may not reclaim his high level of play and sign a free agent D-lineman, or do we put more importance on getting Crabtree some help by signing a free agent WR?
It’s going to get interesting around in March/April.
@Aes along with all the positions you mentioned do’nt forget BU QB. You are right though it will be a very interesting off season.
How about the next two weeks? I believe that is all the time the 49ers have to designate Goldson as their Franchise Tag. Will they let him hit the market?
Good call Coach.
The BU QB position might be interesting as well.
But it doesn’t look like G.Roman is going anywhere.
So, with GRo still onboard, I suspect that the offense will still have their version of the traditional QB pocket presence.
Some here have endorsed the idea of having CK’ college coach Ault take over as Off-Cord, but completely adapting to a pistol offense will limit our offense if CK were to go down.
I feel more comfortable with GRo’ offense because it could easily shift to cater to S.Tolzien skill level if needed.
@Razor if the 9ers want to keep most of their roster together like the Pats seem to do year after year, they will have to make some unpopular cuts or trades every now and then. I believe they may let Goldson go. Whitners problem as a safety is coverage if you let him play CF in pass coverage and support in the run he does a pretty good job.
Which would allow Culliver to move inside giving the 9ers 1 safety who can cover TE’s. I also would’nt be surprised to see them let Goodwin, Ginn, Moss, Sopoaga and Walker go. If they do they better draft damn good like the Pats.
The problem is that, if the 49ers trade Smith, they’d need to have enough cap space — at least for a moment — to carry both Goldson and Smith on the roster. All teams must be in compliance with the salary cap as of 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12. And no trades can be finalized until 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12. This could be very tricky to pull off. I got to go on record with voting no to letting Walker go. Goodwin might be a cap casualty.
@ old coach:
Do you really think the Patriots do a great job of drafting?
@ Razoreater:
There are ways for the 49ers to remain cap compliant without rushing a decision on Smith or Goldson.
The only way to get Goldson under the salary cap will be to dump Alex first. Until that happens, I think their hands are tied.
Mr. Balls, do you wish to share those ways. Cutting Goodwin ($4 million) Haralson(2.8?) would be a start….
@ Razoreater:
Some combination of cutting David Akers and restructuring/extending some of the following players: Justin Smith, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Tarell Brown, Anthony Davis, Andy Lee, Jonathan Goodwin.
Why is everyone so anxious to cut Goodwin?
That’s what I though you meant. I’m not for cutting Goodwin unless Looney is ready. He’s got a nasty streak to him like Newberry had. So the 49ers have 2 weeks to cut at least 7.5 million if they want to franchise Goldson. Let’s start with Akers 4 million. Now you’re down to 3.5 million in restructuring starting with Haralson.
Akers would save $4 million too right?
Akers is gone for sure
Claude in regards to the Pats drafting. I honestly could not say which picks have worked out and which ones havent but they have been in the playoffs what 13 out of the last 14. They are doing something right.
@ Old Coach:
Belichick is an excellent coach, and Tom Brady is one of the best QBs in the game. They have done a very good job exploiting the NFL’s tilting of the rules in favor of passing offenses. Belichick is a good negotiator, particularly when bargaining from a position of strength. He also makes a lot of draft day deals, which sportswriters/sportscasters love because it gives them something to write/talk about.
But the Patriots’ fans I know think the media vastly overrate Belichick’s drafting acumen. He has some hits, but he has a lot of misses. I don’t think he has drafted nearly as many good players as Baalke since 2010.