Posted By: Robby (25/06/2008 3:18:00 AM)
Comment: Why is everyone in such a hurry to move Rachal back to guard. Remember last year when Nolan said Snyder was a "left side player.?" Rachal should be at least tried as a right side player. He can learn both the right guard and the right tackle spots. After next season, there is a good chance that Jonas Jennings will be gone. Are we going to just give that spot to Simms? I might be jumping the gun a little on this non-issue, but the line is now set for this year. But in the truth is Jennings has not played a full season in 3 years and Simms is 33 years old. Heck, they might need him at RT this year. If he can't handle the tackle spot, we learn that now. But if he can, replacing guards is a little easier then finding tackles in this league.

Posted By: StonerLab (24/06/2008 7:26:54 AM)
Comment: LOTTNTOTT, You need to pulled your head out. First off his name is Sims, secondly if you've been up on Matt's blog...oh in the last 2 months you would have known the Sims situation & how he was "released" not "beat out" as you say by Kwame. Sims was released because of the Raider's high cap & how much (4+ mil) Sims was going to make in bonus & playing time money. Simply he was a "cap casualty" The 49ers picked him up at about half the money he was going to make had the Radiers kept him. As for Kwame we all know why he's no longer here & it would have cost quite a bit of money to keep him. LOTTNTOTT, you might want to have your facts straight before posting on another subject that you nothing about.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (23/06/2008 7:06:13 PM)
Comment: Good signing for depth... JJ is a broken pinky away from being out again. At least Sims chose us over those Lambs =)

Posted By: LOTTNTOTT (23/06/2008 6:13:18 PM)
Comment: Let's get this straight: Simms was beat out of his starting job by Kwame Harris and his signing is seen as shrewd move as he may be good enough to be the backup for the "man of glass". Oh my! What a deal. I doubt the Patriots were interested in Sims--unless, of course they could get him at minimum wage. As to Nolan going to Afghanistan the rumor is he heard that there may be some 3rd string ex-Ravens hiding among the Taliban that he may be able to sign. (This guy never stops working!)

Posted By: ninermaniac (23/06/2008 5:14:24 PM)
Comment: I dont think Nolan ever takes a vacation. Hes always doing something, Senior bowl, coaching clinics OTA,s, Draft, Combine. The only time i think he takes a vacation is when he has to like during the playoffs. BUT NO VACATION FOR MIKE NOLAN THIS YEAR ! !

Posted By: TRex (23/06/2008 5:10:47 PM)
Comment: Is the Delanie Walker contract official. I haven't read about it on any other site.

Posted By: Aaron (23/06/2008 4:42:37 PM)
Comment: Matt, did you get scooped by Bee-rows on the "Nolan to Afghanistan" story? You're gonna let a guy from Virginia who doesn't have a single hair on his head beat you to some 49ers news? You're better than that Matt.

Response: Looks like we both got scooped by a press release announcing Mike Nolan's visit. Here's the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan website (http://www.cstc-a.com/index.html). --Matt M.

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (23/06/2008 4:41:53 PM)
Comment: I have gained a lot of respect for Mike Nolan as a man today upon hearing from B-Rows that he is in Afghanistan visiting our troops. I guess that is where he was going on "vacation" post OTA's. Good for you Coach!!!

Posted By: ninermaniac (23/06/2008 4:29:36 PM)
Comment: YEAH ! ! WE LOVE YOU BARRY ! ! switchin up the colors, yeah gold is better than silver even though the raiders pay alot for silver, even gold LOL. GO BOLD, RED AND GOLD ! ! "Yeah Baby Yeah" Austin Powers

Posted By: StonerLab (23/06/2008 4:03:48 PM)
Comment: Yes this is great news. The 49ers really needed an OT that had experience & they got their man. Now when Jennings goes down sometime this season the 49ers will be ready to fill that void with a player who's played alot of games. But boy wouldn't it be shocking if this move actaully was a positive reaction for Jennings where he plays a full season this year? That would be something! By the way there will be a segment on the NFL Network on Frank Gore at 4:00pm

Posted By: Niner Jan (23/06/2008 2:49:28 PM)
Comment: Matt, it's refreshing to see so many POSITIVE posts, for a change! I got a kick out of your "coverted" comment; nice touch. I am SO relieved that Sims made the right decision (for us, as well as for him) and chose the 49ers. Now with more depth in OL, we have a chance for a solid year. I'm a believer...

Posted By: http:// (23/06/2008 2:41:49 PM)
Comment: Re: FA's that have signed elsewhere, Chris Hope signed with Tenn two years ago. That's one guy they really persued and didn't quitereel him in.

Posted By: Stampede (23/06/2008 2:18:00 PM)
Comment: Great signing. Matt, moving Duckett to o-line seemed to be a move out of desperation due to lack of depth. Now that they have a little more depth at tackle will he be moved back to d-line?

Response: No. The move was not made out of desperation. It was made because they thought his skills were best suited to offensive line. --Matt M.

Posted By: San (23/06/2008 2:03:37 PM)
Comment: I would be pretty shocked if Sims beats out Jennings for the RT spot. I know everyone is way down on Jennings because of his injury history and seemingly questionable toughness, but lets not forget when he's in there he's pretty damn good. In fact you could probably make a case that he's the best player on the line right now (though I fully expect Staley to take that title based on this years play).

Posted By: Razoreater (23/06/2008 1:59:04 PM)
Comment: The fact that the patriots wanted him is good enough for me. Now light a fire under JJ's arse! It'll be interesting to see how he handles his business now that Simms is in the house. I am leaning towards keeping Rachel training at RT if he has that capability. What I would like to do is get C.Wallace starting at center ASAP while moving Heitman to RG. Looking forward to training camp reports on him and Terrell Brown.

Posted By: Big Jim, Reno (23/06/2008 1:53:55 PM)
Comment: Rich, good question. Matt, can you think of any free agents the 49ers pursued and did not get?

Response: Yes, it was a good question. I gave it a partial answer down below. --Matt M.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (23/06/2008 1:26:17 PM)
Comment: Hacman: Funny!

Posted By: Hacman (23/06/2008 12:58:52 PM)
Comment: Lodi in stuck, again.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (23/06/2008 12:54:39 PM)
Comment: Sorry about the repetitive posts.....again, blame Mr. Gates and his awesome software.

Posted By: ev9er (23/06/2008 12:53:41 PM)
Comment: Lodi, is it necessary to post 4 times??

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (23/06/2008 12:46:59 PM)
Comment: Matt, another question for you. This was essentially a swap with the Raiders (not counting money, contract, etc.) Raiders seem happy with the deal, as do the Niners. How does Harris compare to Sims in strengths and weaknesses? Obviously there was something the Raiders saw in Harris that they did not see in Sims. Was it only the salary? Thanks.

Response: OK, OK, I'll answer. You win. Just don't send in the same question again. Here's what happened: Harris was a backup RT for the 49ers. The Raiders paid him a ton of money and are counting on him to be a starting LT. Sims was a starting LT for the Raiders. The 49ers did not pay him nearly as much to be a backup RT. (If he wins the job, that's fine, too.) Sims is 33 with 119 career starts. Harris is 26 with 28 career starts. I can't answer what the Raiders saw in Harris. In Sims, the 49ers saw a guy who has been a starter in the league for a long time and who can come in and function, if he does not beat out Jennings for the starting job. --Matt M.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (23/06/2008 12:46:57 PM)
Comment: Matt, another question for you. This was essentially a swap with the Raiders (not counting money, contract, etc.) Raiders seem happy with the deal, as do the Niners. How does Harris compare to Sims in strengths and weaknesses? Obviously there was something the Raiders saw in Harris that they did not see in Sims. Was it only the salary? Thanks.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (23/06/2008 12:46:56 PM)
Comment: Matt, another question for you. This was essentially a swap with the Raiders (not counting money, contract, etc.) Raiders seem happy with the deal, as do the Niners. How does Harris compare to Sims in strengths and weaknesses? Obviously there was something the Raiders saw in Harris that they did not see in Sims. Was it only the salary? Thanks.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (23/06/2008 12:46:52 PM)
Comment: Matt, another question for you. This was essentially a swap with the Raiders (not counting money, contract, etc.) Raiders seem happy with the deal, as do the Niners. How does Harris compare to Sims in strengths and weaknesses? Obviously there was something the Raiders saw in Harris that they did not see in Sims. Was it only the salary? Thanks.

Posted By: tgflynn (23/06/2008 12:13:56 PM)
Comment: I think the best thing about the signing is it allows Rachal to stay at guard. The transition for a talented kid coming out early is hard enough without a position change on top of it. He could still be the right tackle of the future but the path looks a little easier for him now. Get his feet wet at the new competition level then make the change.

Posted By: tumbleweed (23/06/2008 11:58:24 AM)
Comment: Hey the guy is from "Dixie State"he's gotta be good!

Posted By: Nevyn (23/06/2008 11:53:17 AM)
Comment: I've never been so happy at the signing of such a marginal player. I don't expect him to start, but having a backup you can dress for both tackle spots means that Snyder gets a year to show what he can do inside without having to move around, and that they can develop Rachal at one spot during the year. Now the biggest OL intrigue left for camp is when Baas gets back, if Jennings stays healthy, and whether Wragge (can backup 3 inside spots) or Rachal (2nd round investment) gets to be the 7th guy to dress.

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (23/06/2008 11:50:05 AM)
Comment: Two years for a 33 year old RT is not bad at all. I like the 2nd year because it means that there will be some continuity, either Jennings or Sims, in 2009 when the Niners will presumably be grooming a medium-round OT draftee to take over in 2010. Other than Adalius Thomas, I can't come up with any FA that the Niners pursued in the last 3 years that chose NOT to come. Anyone else know of one(s)?

Response: G Chris Gray, who re-signed with the Seahawks in '05 or '06. WR Joe Jurevicius, who signed with his hometown Browns despite a larger offer from the 49ers in '06. Those two immediately come to mind. Perhaps I can think of some others. --Matt M.

Posted By: DaveInDavis (23/06/2008 11:39:18 AM)
Comment: Great news! I don't know if he is going to be much of an upgrade from Kwame Harris given his propensity to false-start, but at least Simms will add some experienced depth to the OL. Good move.

Posted By: Dirk (23/06/2008 11:34:32 AM)
Comment: Berger, that was Buffalo. The Bills wanted to sign Duckett with two games remaining. They got Estes instead. We should have placed Dilfer on IR to keep both!

Posted By: Matt (23/06/2008 11:21:23 AM)
Comment: Berger--Nice catch...good for a chuckle at work on a muuunday.

Posted By: Berger (23/06/2008 11:16:15 AM)
Comment: Matt- I'm sure you meant to say Duckett is a converted DT, but coverted would work too because we tried to hide him on the practice squad and didn't put him on the roster until some other teams(Denver and Dallas) discovered him and wanted to sign him!

Response: Berger, that's exactly what I meant. How did you know? I'm sticking with "coverted." --Matt M.

Posted By: Berger (23/06/2008 11:12:24 AM)
Comment: I like the fact the agent said it was the money. I almost fainted. Usually you hear, "It wasn't the money."

Posted By: Pat B (23/06/2008 11:09:34 AM)
Comment: Valid point PDX, touche.

Posted By: Cleveland Mike (23/06/2008 11:04:01 AM)
Comment: Smart move signing Sims. Granted he isn't the second coming of Bob St. Clair but he can play. Just more insurance. I like it. Good Move Scotty.

Posted By: Dirk (23/06/2008 10:58:25 AM)
Comment: We startet last season with ten OL on the 53 men roster. Might do the same this year.

Posted By: Matt (23/06/2008 10:58:03 AM)
Comment: I like it. No gaurantees. Matt, if he doesnt beat out Jonas at RT, do you see him being the main backup for both tackle spots or is there someone else on the roster who may be a backup for LT?--Matt

Response: No question. Whichever player -- Jennings or Sims -- does not win the starting job will be the primary back at both LT and RT. --Matt M.

Posted By: PDX Mike (23/06/2008 10:57:50 AM)
Comment: Pat B, Keep in mind that coaching has a lot to play into it. The line in SF looked very good under Turner, but horrible under Hostler. Sims played on the Raider line int he Super Bowl, but looked terrible on the line under Tom "Bread and Breakfast" Walsh. If the Niner line plays better under Martz, expect Sims to follow suit.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (23/06/2008 10:54:55 AM)
Comment: I think last year we kept 8 OL. If that's the case Wallace is inactive as the 9th OL. the others better put up or they'll be looking for new jobs. Duckett needs to show that he can stick on the roster this year or that experiment ends. The UDFA's, de La Puente and Booker can be stashed on the PS. The others will probably get cut

Posted By: Mike in Glendale (23/06/2008 10:48:31 AM)
Comment: Finally, it lets me post - stupid security check refused to show up in Internet Explorer or Firefox. Sims won't make or break the season, but it's nice to have another experienced body on the line...we've all seen how easily the Niners' offensive line can break down over the past few years. He can also help bring the new guys (Toledo, etc.) along with some veteran know-how...as long as he's not the starting LT, he's valuable, and probably means we won't be pulling Snyder out of the LG spot again. If Baas comes back strong, we have Baas, Snyder, Rachal, and Wragge at the guards, Heitmann and Wallace at center, and Staley, Jennings, Sims, and Duckett at the tackle spots. Don't know if Nolan and Co. would really keep 10 linemen, but considering the rate of attrition on the line in seasons past, it might not be a bad idea...

Posted By: Pat B (23/06/2008 10:39:53 AM)
Comment: Good for depth, better than what we were looking at before for sure, but I'm still nervous if Staley or Jennings go down, this guy's an ex-starter on a line that was consistently terrible. At least he has experience though.

Posted By: Cadmus (23/06/2008 10:38:08 AM)
Comment: Matt, now that McCloughan has signed Sims, can you pass along what Scot thinks Sims adds besides veteran OT depth? What are Sims strengths and weaknesses? Is he nasty? Brute strength? Quick feet? Or, just a space saver? What exactly is it McCloughan values? Aside from better health and more games played, how does Sims compare to Jonas Jennings?

Posted By: ev9er (23/06/2008 10:28:31 AM)
Comment: Good to hear Matt!! Any other depth helps with our offensive line. I really believe that we can be a 9-7 or 10-8 team this year. No one is really talking about the niners this year, so we will be a sleeper team. Go Niners!! Matt, so no news on Larry Allen or BY about there retirements??

Response: B.Y. announced he's retiring at the end of last season. Allen is a free agent. He has not talked to the 49ers, but the club does not expect him to want to continue his career. --Matt M.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (23/06/2008 10:17:32 AM)
Comment: Great. We have a little more depth now. Even if he is Kwame 2, I am sure we got him less than what Al paid. At best, he'll unseat JJ. Feel much better now at OL.

Posted By: FloridaFan (23/06/2008 10:06:43 AM)
Comment: First first. Been waiting all day here on the east coast for this news. Our offense appears to be set going into TC. Now if we can just sign Spikes our defensive depth should be good. Go Niners!