Niners general manager Scot McCloughan had a noon conference call today with some of the reporters who cover the team. Here are some of the bullet points of what he had to say:
--The 49ers exercised the Alex Smith buy-back clause. The team had until March 15 to buy back two more years on his contract. It means it's a six-year deal (instead of a four-year deal), and a vote of confidence.
"It's the same thing the Giants had with Eli (Manning) and they bought it back," McCloughan said. "It just goes to show that we have faith in him to be our guy.
"It wasn't a tremendous amount of money, but it was enough that shows we have faith in him to be our guy," McCloughan said. "It just shows we believe with him and Shaun (Hill) going out there that we have two quarterbacks that can compete for the starting job and feel really good that the winner of that is going to be a dang-good quarterback for us. From a business standpoint, if we didn't think he was worth it, we wouldn't have done it."
--Smith is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday and should be allowed to start throwing the ball. Andrews performed surgery in December to repair a right shoulder separation.
--On the charges of tampering with Bears LB Lance Briggs, who becomes a free agent tonight, McCloughan said: "There's nothing to it. We have no response because there's nothing to respond to."
The Bears reportedly complained to the NFL that the 49ers had tampered with Briggs. The sides apparently discussed a trade during the season. The Bears accused the 49ers of starting negotiations with Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, without their permission.
McCloughan said all this does not mean the 49ers do not have any interest in Briggs. "Where the market goes is when you start losing interest," McCloughan said. "Right now, we have interest in a lot of guys. But if money starts getting out of control or it's a position that's not a need position, we start backing away from it."
--More on the Briggs NegotiGate allegations: "I think it's maneuvering by an organization trying to find the best way to keep their guy. From our standpoint, there's nothing to it. It doesn't mean we will or we won't go after him. It's something they (the Bears) put out and we have no comment."
--Jonas Jennings will be with the 49ers, McCloughan said. He's under contract and he'll go through the offseason program and compete for a starting job. They are not looking to trade him. He could play either side of the line.
--We don't want to be considered a free-agency team. Want to do their damage through the draft. They want to build through the draft.
--Free agency is to address needs; the draft is to take the best-available player.
--Needs are . . . defensive line, and depth at offensive line . . . thing about free agency everybody thinks you need to go out and make a splash, but you can find guys to fill roles. You can do a lot of stuff if you step back and don't be anxious.
--We don't think we're good enough to get one guy to put us on top. We need to keep adding good players as a whole.
--Didn't want to get into any names of players right now. (That would be tampering.)
--It worked out with Nate Clements last year. He said they won't necessarily not be active on the first day. "We don't feel we need to go out and make a big splash."
--Nothing done with DeShaun Foster or Allen Rossum. All speculation right now, he said.
--Trent Dilfer: nothing is set 100 percent. Waiting for a sit down with Dilfer and coach Mike Nolan. It'll happen sooner than later.
--Identified their own guys that they want to re-sign. All teams having cap space, they have a chance to get a blockbuster deal. We know what we have in them as a player and as a person. Free agency is a way for these guys to be set for life.
--Marques Douglas: no offer on the table, but numbers have been discussed.
--Larry Allen: McCloughan has not spoken with him since the end of the season. He expects Allen to make a decision closer to training camp. It'll have to be the right price.
--Justin Smiley: for the right price, they want him back. But he's going to test the market.
--Isaac Sopoaga: could play defensive end, but that will be determined by what happens with free agency or the draft. He fits left end better than the right end. His standpoint he can play either/or.
--They'd love to get a WR in free agency, but the market is not deep on No. 1 receivers. He said they've tried to address that position in the past but haven't gotten as much value from it as they had expected. He said it can be addressed in the draft. He thinks WR is a position where teams overspend. He said he thinks you have to draft those players.
--McCloughan has spoken to O.C. Mike Martz about the kinds of players he want. Martz said find a good football player and he'll make it work.
--He said the 49ers are not interested in trading for Lions WR Shaun McDonald.
--Great to be able to draft a young QB, but free agency is a possibility. If you can find someone who knows the system, helps out a lot. (McCloughan did not mention names, but 49ers would not have to spend a lot on Trent Green or J.T. O'Sullivan.)
* * *
UPDATE: There's some news about free-agent quarterback Trent Green. He has been cleared to play football again. He received the favorable reports a couple days ago from Dr. Robert Clark Cantu, the chief of neurosurgery service and director of service of sports medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass. However, I just spoke with Green's agent, Jim Steiner, who said he has not spoken to the 49ers about his client. "Trent is now looking into his options," Steiner said. Green sustained his second concussion in two years, and was placed on IR in October.
* * *
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: 49er Faithful fan. (28/02/2008 7:16:52 PM)
Comment: I meant smith progressed well under Norv not Nolan lol.
Posted By: 49ers Faithful Fan (28/02/2008 7:15:43 PM)
Comment: Looks like the Yorks have been listening to Norv and Martz two of the best judges of QB talent in the game. Smith progressed well under Nolan. Now that we have a real OC again He will do very well. Martz has said he thinks Alex has all the skills to be a great QB. I am looking for Martz to show us the Smith we have been waiting for. True he looked like crap last year especially after he got hurt but with basically Nolan running the offense who didn't look like crap. We didn't start looking good until we brought in extra offensive coaching help and actually started calling plays worthy of the NFL.
If Martz can turn loser boy Warner into a good QB he can make Smith a HOF-er for sure!!!
Posted By: shobbrobb (28/02/2008 6:25:47 PM)
Comment: DREW BREES?....DREW BREES? LMAO...Alex's numbers doesnt come close to Brees year prior to leavin the Chargers.More to the point Alex Smith's numbers probably compare more to Akili Smith(by the way are they related because they defineatly play alike)
Posted By: Bobby in SF (28/02/2008 5:43:08 PM)
Comment: As always thx for the info. Matt!
Paul - Nolan is not calling the shots. You can hate on him all you want (probably deserves most of it), but "To Cseaser what is Cseaser's..." For what it's worth, Nolan is not the only reason the 9ers have under-achived. If all the Nolan haters would take a moment, they would realize that before Nolan we were hoping to win more than 4 games, now our complaint is not making the play-offs. Call me a nutt, but that sounds like progress to me. Last year was the the first true disapointment from Nolan aside from his first draft(hence "new limited role").
Re: Smith's buy-back: that is a brilliant move if we could lose him without compensation after this season (his fourth). Reason being if we decide to move him (trade), we can make sure to get something back. Though I am not a big AS fan, and didn't think we should have drafted him, I think he will pick up his game this year. I don't think he will set the NFL on fire, but will blossom... anyone remeber a guy named Drew Brees out traded by the Bolts? looks like the Saints roll of the dice paid off huh? If nothing else, it'a a motivational tool that will help AS from just slugging his shoulders and regressing... remember after all, we were told AS would be a long term developemental project (even before anyone figured 3 OC's in 3 years). I say give hime one more year... make it or break it time.
Which leads me to the following question... Matt, what do you think about the idea of not drafting a QB wiht our 2nd/3rd round pick, and getting David Carr to be our #3? We could probably get him at a cheap price, and he is a former starter... not a QB of the future, but would be a good #3 I think. By doing this, we could use the pick we would use on a QB on getting a true back-up RB for Gore (no offense to Robinson; he's a great ST/#3 RB), no Deshaun Foster please... enough second teir veteran players already!
As for WR: What ever happened with "Ocho Cinqo"? now that is someone i would love to see the 9ers trade for. Could you imagine it... Ocho, D-Jack, & V. Davis spreading the field for Gore. Can you say "Touchdown Fourty Niners!"?
One love to all the Niner Fans... hang tight, this year will be a good one.
Posted By: oneniner (28/02/2008 5:20:53 PM)
Comment: stonerLab- "If not I can really see him take off this year under Martz then he could bail on the 49ers shortly afterwards."...good point
Posted By: oneniner (28/02/2008 5:18:47 PM)
Comment: am not corny enough to say "BANK IT"....i am starting to feel like a celebrity with all this people using my name.
Posted By: StonerLab (28/02/2008 5:09:23 PM)
Comment: Mind of McLoughan,
That was a great take on your last post in describing how important was that the 49ers do the "buy-back" on Alex's contract. If not I can really see him take off this year under Martz then he could bail on the 49ers shortly afterwards. That would have been the "worst case senario" but also not surprising so I was all for the "buy-back" And I also like your take on the comparison between Alex & Brees. That's what I had been thinking all along about Alex. He just needs somebody like Martz who needs to stick around for more that a year for Alex to reach his potential.
Posted By: shobbrobb (28/02/2008 5:03:53 PM)
Comment: oneniner that comment sounds stupid enough to be the real u!!!!!!!lmao
Posted By: oneniner (28/02/2008 4:55:24 PM)
Comment: 16 (Montana) + 8 (Young) = 11 (Alex)
Alex will blossom this year and become the next HOFer 9er QB! BANK IT.
Posted By: shobbrobb (28/02/2008 4:51:44 PM)
Comment: Wow.....all this faith in Alex Smith? Its as if none of u guys missed last season,u mean to tell me everyone forgot that sick feeling that we had game after game,uve got to be kidding me. Shaun hill came in and was effective every single game with the same cast.But ive got to tell u if Alex cant produce under Mike Martz,heads should roll, Nolan and especailly McCloughan for signing one of the worst draft picks in 49er history to a freakin extention.my god this must be a joke,could someone tell ole Scotty its march and not April!
Posted By: Nirav (28/02/2008 3:42:24 PM)
Comment: As much as A. Smith's play agonized me last season, the team also agonized me.
I agree with oneniner, alex is the guy to go with. Hill had nice showings, but he isnt a franchise leading qb.
Posted By: Mind of McCloughan (28/02/2008 2:34:45 PM)
Comment: (sorry about the double post)
Here's the thing about the buyback: whatever Alex Smith is going to eventually be, we'll see it this year. He has an offensive/QB whiz as his OC now. He doesn't have a ton of weapons, but he has enough to be evaluated without any more excuses (Gore, Davis, whoever Martz turns into the next Mike Furrey). His development path has been hindered in many ways, so this year is his last chance to show that he can be a starting quarterback in this league. If we don't exercise the buyback, and Alex Smith finally has a breakout year, he'll probably bolt via free agency or try to extract every last dollar on his next deal because this organization didn't believe in him and mishandled his injury. As misguided as that possibility may sound, we KNOW that Hostler was a big problem, and that affected EVERY aspect of this team's offense in 2007: gameplanning, practice, blocking assignments, personnel usage, etc. We know that Alex Smith had nothing to work with as a rookie and that he wasn't NFL ready when we drafted him. You can't RISK the possibility that the light bulb is about to turn on (Drew Brees in year four, 2004) and watch some other team benefit from all the growing pains we've gone through with him by shorting him on his original contract now. If you think the Nolan regime is disliked NOW, imagine that nightmare scenario...
Posted By: Mind of McCloughlan (28/02/2008 2:33:20 PM)
Comment: Here's the thing about the buyback: whatever Alex Smith is going to eventually be, we'll see it this year. He has an offensive/QB whiz as his OC now. He doesn't have a ton of weapons, but he has enough to be evaluated without any more excuses (Gore, Davis, whoever Martz turns into the
Posted By: Sandeep (28/02/2008 2:31:51 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt- A report out of FanNation says that the Rams might release Isaac Bruce to avoid paying him a $2M roster bonus. If Bruce becomes available, what do you think about the Niners signing him? He may be past his prime, but he could act as a mentor to the Niners young receivers (Jason Hill or maybe 2008 draft pick?).
Posted By: Jayson (28/02/2008 2:30:10 PM)
Comment: We've been hearing alot of rumors about Justin Smith coming to the 49ers - would you care to speculate as to how he might fit in our 3-4 defense?
Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (28/02/2008 2:27:39 PM)
Comment: Paul- Sounds like you've been listening to Tim Kamikaze... I can't stand that guy. Anyways, I'm still not sold on Alex Smith, but I'm going to give him another year under an actual OC, that has a proven track record of developing QBs to see what he can do. Hopefully, McCloughan made the right choice... He does need to step up and be a vocal leader though. I won't be disappointed though if Hill is our starter come next year.
Posted By: whocares (28/02/2008 2:22:55 PM)
Comment: "Build through the draft" - we've been hearing that crap since McNolan arrived but they can't draft to save their life. Roman (FA), M Lewis (FA), Clements (FA), Harris (FA), TBC (FA), Lawson (Draft), Willis (Draft), D Smith (FA), BY (Policy pick), Franklin (FA), Douglas (FA) - 2 starters on D last year were drafted. Jackson (trade), Battle (Donahue pick), Norris (FA), Gore (draft), A Smith (draft), Jennings (FA), Allen (FA), Heitmann (Donahue pick), Smiley (Donahue pick), Staley (draft), Davis (draft) - 4 draft picks on offense - 6 total out of 22 starters are draft picks. 6 out of 29 picks!!! That is bad drafting people, plain and simple. Teams like the Chargers, Colts, etc., have been built through great draft picks, and it enables them to keep their players for a long time and be successful year in and year out. Same old story with McNolan this year folks, get used to it.
Posted By: saj4423 (28/02/2008 2:15:20 PM)
Comment: So what you are saying is that since the team has not played well, just like Alex Smith, then they should not try and resign anyone? Smith was making some progress under Norv Turner and then last year the whole Offense was bad, and I don't think you can put the blame on Smith. Whether he will be able to adjust to Martz's system is something we will have to wait and see but it is way to early to give up on him just yet.
Posted By: oneniner (28/02/2008 2:12:18 PM)
Comment: look at you...bunch of WHINNERS...like it or not A. Smith is our QB for at least 3 more yrs, argue/cry as much as you want, he his our QB....and there is no doubt he his going to get better. I can't wait to see him refreshed next season.
Posted By: Erik (28/02/2008 2:11:08 PM)
Comment: I am with Indiana Jim: Bring back Eddie D!
Posted By: Pat (28/02/2008 2:06:56 PM)
Comment: BHF, i think you're right. If I recall correctly, the buy back option was basically a given. I think the other option would have been expensive, and I'm not sure that this option is actually adding anymore guaranteed money to the Alex deal. Matt, you're the expert.... do you know the details?
Posted By: Erik (28/02/2008 1:58:35 PM)
Comment: Let me clarify my stance on Smith a bit. My biggest problem is that he hasn't done much in three years to warrant what amounts to a 2 year extension on his contract. Some of his teammates don't even believe in the guy. Matt, I realize that they had til March 15 to decide, but don't you think they should have stood pat until the end of next season to see how Smith does before doing anything? If he does well, they could always negotiate an extension AFTER he proves himself worthy?
Posted By: Nate (28/02/2008 1:51:39 PM)
Comment: Do the 49ers have any interest in Jevon Kearse or is his career basically over?
Posted By: phil (28/02/2008 1:49:15 PM)
Comment: So Matt, how about your free agency plans? You and Barrows going to hang out in the parking lot with binoculars again this year? :-) I'll be looking forward to those up to date posts! Thanks as always!
Posted By: BHF (28/02/2008 1:49:11 PM)
Comment: Matt, please enlighten everybody on the buy-back. What was the alternative in terms of money by the 49ers not excerising the AS buy-back? As I recall the difference was not much.
Posted By: 49erJeff (28/02/2008 1:43:48 PM)
Comment: Trent Green? No way! Might as well bring back Dilfer. That guys taken more hits to the head than our good ol pal Steve Young. I'd rather have Battle as our 3rd option.
Posted By: Jake (28/02/2008 1:43:13 PM)
Comment: Matt,
I heard you interview from earlier this week on KNBR and found it very interesting when Murph and Mac asked you about Bryant Young's role in the future with the 49ers because of how so many 49ers legends have such a distance from the team now like Montana, Lott, Rice, and Young. You mentioned that you thought it wouldn't be good for the team to have some of those guys mentoring the team now. Can you elaborate on that a little more??? I have always found it strange that a historic franchise like the 49ers are so distant from their legends, I think it is terrible for this organization. I look at the Cowboys, the Yankees, the Lakers, etc. and think how come the 49ers aren't more like that when it comes to getting input from their legends??
Response: I said there might be some former players you might not want around the current team (I meant it in a light-hearted manner), but B.Y. is certainly not one of them. I did not mean that in reference to any of the former players you mentioned. --Matt M.
Posted By: Paul (28/02/2008 1:41:35 PM)
Comment: Randy, it not Scott who made the choose. Don't be fooled. Nolan is still calling the shots and that why I'm not looking forward to this year. You just don't give a QB that done nothing since being in the league more years on a deal. It's a bonehead move. I would understand if he actually done some thing,but Alex has stunk since being in the league.
Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (28/02/2008 1:33:04 PM)
Comment: Paul- Why is Nolan to blame for the extension on Smith? That's McCloughan's call now.
Posted By: Erik (28/02/2008 1:29:59 PM)
Comment: Alex Smith is absolutely awful period. I think three years was plenty.... so why the need to extend his contract by doing the buy back? Bad move IMO. A lot of the players in the locker room don't even believe in the guy.
Posted By: Danny (28/02/2008 1:27:27 PM)
Comment: Matt, what do you think about the decision on Alex Smith? A good move?
Posted By: Paul (28/02/2008 1:20:06 PM)
Comment: Only Nolan can give an extention to a QB that has sucked for 3 years. Makes me wonder if my favorite team will ever be good again. I would of a least made him earn the option,geez Nolan.
Posted By: oneniner (28/02/2008 1:11:14 PM)
Comment: "It just shows we believe with him"
.........Good stuff McNolan, we the "fans" believe in him too. Alex Smith is our QB for a long time.....ha ha ha..:)
Posted By: vermonator (28/02/2008 1:10:26 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, I heard a rumor that we just signed Trent Green. Any truth to that?
Posted By: oneniner (28/02/2008 1:07:59 PM)
Comment: "They'd love to get a WR in free agency, but the market is not deep on No. 1 receivers. He said they've tried to address that position in the past but haven't gotten a lot of production from it. He said it can be addressed in the draft. He thinks WR is a position where teams overspend. He said he thinks you have to draft those players." = Hardy boy you are comin comin to cali cali!!!
Posted By: cervant (28/02/2008 1:04:59 PM)
Comment: "as a hole"... hahaha.. ain't that the truth!
Posted By: Jake (28/02/2008 1:02:01 PM)
Comment: "Overpaid position WR????" Teams that win have legit #1's! Giants, Colts, Patriots, Cowboys, etc.
Posted By: Indiana Jim (28/02/2008 12:59:52 PM)
Comment: I'll tell ya my thoughts on this whole re-signing thing. I'd like to see John York resign, and see Eddie D. re-signed!
Posted By: JKC (28/02/2008 12:53:29 PM)
Comment: just missed........
Posted By: JKC (28/02/2008 12:52:38 PM)
Comment: 6
Posted By: kendall rosa (28/02/2008 12:52:26 PM)
Comment: McCloughan says "We need to add good players as a hole." I assume the 'hole' he's referring to is Jonas?
Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (28/02/2008 12:37:35 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt - You're awesome!
Posted By: Dustin (28/02/2008 12:36:47 PM)
Comment: Great to see the 49ers pick up the buy-back on Alex. This with coach Martz could be exactly was Alex needed.
Posted By: PEDRO (28/02/2008 12:31:26 PM)
Comment: FIRST...Great update. Here's to an exciting free agency!
Posted By: one (28/02/2008 12:30:40 PM)
Comment: 2
Posted By: Pat (28/02/2008 12:27:29 PM)
Comment: 1
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