Posted By: Pat (27/02/2008 9:38:50 AM)
Comment: oneniner, if you comment is directed toward me, about not mentioning Manny as an OLB, my post was only about Roderick Green and who is competing against to make the team. Manny is part of the nucleus of the 9ers and part of the future. No other OLB can say that. All other OLB's need to prove themselves and fight for their roster spot.

Posted By: white 90! (27/02/2008 12:36:09 AM)
Comment: I guess I am back in the mix again by commenting. Just wanted to say I was glad to read the favor Nolan did for Smith. If Smith is anything he is a gamer and Nolan showed some great leadership by following through with the call.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (26/02/2008 10:04:02 PM)
Comment: Jay, I like the possibility of DRC at 29, would be tough to pass a quality CB, but there's depth at CB, so we may have another guy in mind for later rounds? Oneniner, it's a safe assumption everyone who blogs here is 49ers fan. Chill my Friend. Post, read, and appreciate everyone elses' view of the team and their opinions. It's assumed we're all adults and can afford each other the simple courtesy to share this forum. Many of us are long time fans, many others may not be.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (26/02/2008 9:19:42 PM)
Comment: MAtt, any chance the team would be involved with the 'Mutliple' teams interested in Shaun Rogers? I'd offer up a deal to take Shaun for Jonas?

Posted By: jay (26/02/2008 7:06:40 PM)
Comment: i know that db is not a major need but do you think that if Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is available at #29 49ers should take him, being that harris is getting long in the tooth

Posted By: Bud San Jose (26/02/2008 5:59:29 PM)
Comment: I love this time of year so much & Matt u help out alot!!!!!!!

Posted By: oneniner (26/02/2008 5:42:46 PM)
Comment: its funny how some of you call yourself niner fans....I would think the first OLB mention on the roster is Manny Lawson. I am luving the moves so far no need for Briggs (i didn't see how he would fit anyways). Manny Lawson, Banta-Cain, Haralson, J. Moore, Green, Pace. If Brandon/Ulbrich holds down the other MLB position, we can draft either Beau Bell-Guyton-Wheeler on Day 2. Looks like its offense on Day 1.(WR-OT)........"Hardy you are comin comin to Cali Cali"

Posted By: Samra (26/02/2008 5:39:20 PM)
Comment: I think we may move back to a 3-4...thus signing Justin Smith and Lance Briggs makes sense...at DT we would have Sopogoa, franklin Melvin oliver and ronald feilds...at DE we would have Ray Mcdonald at LE, Justin Smith at RE and Roderick Green, Payrs Haralson and Jay Moore rotating in...at SLB we'd have lawson competing with Moore and at MLB we have Bam-Bam and at Weak we would have lance briggs

Posted By: Pat (26/02/2008 5:13:08 PM)
Comment: tgflynn, They will cut Rod Green again in training camp this year. He couldn't make the team last year, now, he'll be competing against an improved Haralson, hopefully an improved Moore, and hopefully a draft pick and hopefully a free agent. If cutting TBC is financially beneficial, TBC better start working his butt off.

Posted By: tgflynn (26/02/2008 4:55:20 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt Isn't it getting potentially crowded at rush OLB they resign Green, they have Banta-Cain, Haralson, and Moore coming of injured reserve and now there after Pace at 14 mill, What's the plan here?

Response: Well, let's be real. It's not exactly an embarrassment of riches, yet. The plan is to strengthen the roster. --Matt M.

Posted By: Samra (26/02/2008 4:49:30 PM)
Comment: Hey matt word is that the niners just resign chubacca(sopogoa)...is there any truth to this...ur the one and only reliable source on niner news...

Posted By: oneniner (26/02/2008 4:43:00 PM)
Comment: "but you always pay above market value early in free agency anyways"...,,lol....and i guess players drafted with no experience are not paid above the market value......."I would rather see them get and develop a guy they can lock up for 5 years at 1-2M "...this is coming from someone who wants a coaching change every year.....where do u people come from?

Posted By: Cyrus (26/02/2008 4:37:08 PM)
Comment: Along those lines (and I realize I may be jumping the gun), the epitaph of this regime may be their failure to bring in impact players at the singlular most important positions on offense (QB) and defense (pass rusher), assuming they are relying on Pace or someone of that ilk to be the answer at OLB.

Posted By: Cyrus (26/02/2008 4:33:43 PM)
Comment: True, Matt, but you always pay above market value early in free agency anyways. Regardless of the player (Groves or someone else), my point is that there will be an impact pass rusher who can play OLB available to the 49ers in this draft. I would rather see them get and develop a guy they can lock up for 5 years at 1-2M per, given where they pick, than throw 14M guaranteed at a guy who's been in the league a while now and has had only one season worth noting.

Posted By: Junior (26/02/2008 4:20:18 PM)
Comment: So its possible that of the Niners' unrestricted free agents, Strickland could be the only one to return. Would Pace replace Banta-Cain, or Moore? Would the team move Banta-Cain inside? Just assuming signing Rod Green was for weak side backup. Is Jay Moore healthy now, and will he factor in this year?

Response: Pace would replace Banta-Cain as a starter. The 49ers came to the conclusion that Banta-Cain is best-used as a situational pass rusher and not an every-down guy. He is certainly not an inside linebacker. Moore is healthy, and his performance will dictate how much of a factor he becomes. --Matt M.

Posted By: Cyrus (26/02/2008 4:09:05 PM)
Comment: I'm surprised that the 49ers are reportedly willing to throw that much money at Calvin Pace. Going after someone like Quentin Groves in the draft and signing a vet like Roosevelt Colvin would be a sounder strategy. My bet is that if they sign Pace, they'll be disappointed with his production and still have the same problem next offseason.

Response: Unless you're willing to spend a lot to trade up, very few teams can go after anyone. In the draft, the players come to you. --Matt M.

Posted By: Pastor Dave (26/02/2008 3:45:06 PM)
Comment: Matt, You mentioned the camp roster will be 80 again this year. It made me realize that the teams' usual roster of 85+ players due to NFL Europe is gone. Will having fewer players be a hardship on the teams? Is the league considering upping the number? Or were those extra players simply too many bodies? At any rate, it will be different this year!

Posted By: XL (26/02/2008 3:40:30 PM)
Comment: Matt, Any word on Douglas and his contract status? What about Riordan's best (until E Wright starts playing more) Strickland? thanks!

Response: Status quo on Douglas. I'd assume Strickland will be back. --Matt M.

Posted By: jimaool (26/02/2008 3:31:51 PM)
Comment: I'm still confused about this whole Lance Briggs debate. WHY would the Niners be willing to give up a draft pick AND sign him to a long term deal during the season, but not pursue him during free agency when he comes without the expense of a draft pick? That argument makes no sense to me.

Response: Two options: 1) Maybe things aren't how they seem; 2) Maybe things are exactly how they've been reported and my thinking is opposite of the 49ers' approach. --Matt M.

Posted By: Samra (26/02/2008 3:27:47 PM)
Comment: Colvin roosevelt of the patriots got releeased according to espn.com do u think the niners could bring him in

Response: He's had an awful time staying healthy. --Matt M.

Posted By: rob_ deluca (26/02/2008 3:27:17 PM)
Comment: now if we sign j smith to replace b.y. and re sign sopoaga w'ell be as good on the d line as last year... think about it

Posted By: rob_deluca (26/02/2008 3:21:21 PM)
Comment: y e a h ! ! ! ! ! ! scot m is da man ! rod green is back !!!!

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (26/02/2008 3:18:32 PM)
Comment: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=4476 We'd also be taking away a decent OLB from the Cards.

Posted By: Robert (26/02/2008 3:08:49 PM)
Comment: Can you post Calvin's yearly tackle and sack totals? It seems like the only year he played well was last year (in his entire 4 seasons). Seems like a contract year fluketo me.

Response: According to the stats kept by the Cardinals, last season Pace had 106 tackles (81 solo, 25 assists) with four tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for minus-44 yards. He had one interception, six passes defensed, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 18 QB pressures and two QB hits. For the other years, check the link Randy (above) posted. --Matt M.

Posted By: Pat (26/02/2008 2:54:19 PM)
Comment: Armchair T, totally agree, we need Pace. We've gotta improve the rush from the outside. How many times did we hold the other team on 1st and 2nd downs, only to give up the 3rd down conversion. Our D was such good tacklers, good against the run, so we were getting to a lot of 3rd downs. Then, on definite passing downs, the opposition would be given way too much time and the QB could easily pick apart our pass defense because they had all the time in the world. And down the field they went, slowly, converting many 3rd downs. No pass rush at all. TBC looked helpless many times, getting pushed into the middle of the line. He is not a starter or doesn't fit into the role in which we need. We need a disruptive OLB in a hurry.

Posted By: Tom J (26/02/2008 2:52:16 PM)
Comment: Calvin Pace was interviewed today (2/26) on Sirius NFL radio and said the 49ers were one of three teams that have shown the most interest according to his agent. Matt, what were you saying about tampering?

Response: Uh . . . that it takes place and nobody denies it (off the record). --Matt M.

Posted By: oneniner (26/02/2008 2:49:18 PM)
Comment: Modesto Frank if you read my comment you will see i had tbc in ().....and lets be easy on the guy, it was his first time as a starter, he was injured most of the season and still played (compared Jonas Jennin)..i say we give him one more yr to really judge the guy.

Posted By: Danny (26/02/2008 2:40:46 PM)
Comment: I'm a little confused about your post. If the Niners do sign J. Smith, are they still willing to commit at least $14M guaranteed to Pace?

Posted By: Danny (26/02/2008 2:40:46 PM)
Comment: I'm a little confused about your post. If the Niners do sign J. Smith, are they still willing to commit at least $14M guaranteed to Pace?

Posted By: danvilledan (26/02/2008 2:39:12 PM)
Comment: Alright we sign Pace and Smith what about Sopoaga or any other nose tackle?

Posted By: EastCoastNiner (26/02/2008 2:38:51 PM)
Comment: Niners would have a very good Front 7 if they sign Smith and Pace. Although if we don't resign Sope, Franklin has to start. Not good. Still, maybe we could get Red Bryant in the 4th round.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (26/02/2008 2:37:28 PM)
Comment: UPDATE: The NFL has now released the official times, and Rodgers-Cromartie's time was changed to 4.33. Penn State's Justin King and Connecticut's Tyvon Branch tied as the fastest defensive backs with 4.31-second 40s.

Posted By: EastCoastNiner (26/02/2008 2:37:10 PM)
Comment: ArmChair T- Agreed on Pace. He should be #1 priority. Modesto Frank- Agreed on TBC. He isn't a starter. He never will be. Nice depth just in case of injury, but he isn't a starter. Henry- I don't think Gholston will last till #7 anyways. Jets will definetly take him at #6.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (26/02/2008 2:32:37 PM)
Comment: Pace would be a definite upgrade over TBC. Lawson & Pace would be a good combo on the outside. Smith wouldn't hurt either =)

Posted By: Armchair T (26/02/2008 2:31:08 PM)
Comment: Although I like Justin Smith, the 49ers have to go with Pace if they can get him to agree. In the Niners' 3-4, I would compare Smith to Marques Douglas, both are undersized, play with a high motor, and have the strength to take on blocks and push upfield. Smith is more attractive than Douglas because he is younger and a better pass rusher. Still, finding a 3-4 defensive end in the draft is easier than finding an impact rush linebacker, which is why the 49ers will sign Pace over Smith if given the chance.

Posted By: Modesto Frank (26/02/2008 2:29:04 PM)
Comment: Matt M.: the Sacramento Bee blog, in response to a question, mentioned that Donte Stallworth would make sense for Martz's offense. Is he a free agent? As for oneniner...3 solid starters at OLB? Please tell me that in addition to Lawson and Pace, you aren't referring to Tully Banta-Cain. He is the reason McCloughan has had to make OLB an offseason priority, again. TBC was a disappointment!

Response: The Patriots declined to pick up the option on Stallworth, who caught 46 passes for 697 yards and three TDs. Did you really expect the Bee not to trumpet Stallworth, a Sacramento native? --Matt M.

Posted By: henry (26/02/2008 2:28:27 PM)
Comment: rodgers-cromartie will probably get drafted even earlier than his cousin was at 19. with vernon gholston measuring ridiculously well, as well as this year's stud crop in OTs, i'm now beginning to wonder if staley is really such a genius pick by mcnolan... matt, with the 9ers interest in pace, mcnolan would probably look to de-prioritize pass rushers on their board till late 1st day, early second day (like haralson). who do you see would be viable options at round 3 and later?

Posted By: MattinSac (26/02/2008 2:27:14 PM)
Comment: they just had calvin pace on sirius radio and he said the niners are in his top three teams to sign with

Posted By: oneniner (26/02/2008 2:15:37 PM)
Comment: I am all for the OLB Calvin Pace signing, with him we will have 3 solid starters at OLB (that is of course if TBC comes true)

Posted By: EastCoastNiner (26/02/2008 2:14:10 PM)
Comment: Great news on Smith and Pace. Those are exactly the two guys we should be going after. Maybe we can sign both. That will bump TBC and Marques Douglas out of the starting lineup. Definite upgrades at both places- if they can nab both. It sounds like the Niners will go after defense in free agency and offense in the draft. I like it.

Posted By: Pat (26/02/2008 2:12:57 PM)
Comment: I really hope we get a few key signings in free agency to allow us to draft the best available player and not have to focus on need. Rodgers-Cromartie looked good in the senior bowl. Good cover and ball skills, along with blazing speed, and, he made a nice physical tackle. Chris Johnson also looks intriguing. A super fast RB, good hands, can even play WR in the slot. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Martz offense. I don't want to see us HAVE to draft a DL, OLB, WR, OT and pass up the all important playmakers that we need.

Posted By: Cooper (26/02/2008 2:06:50 PM)
Comment: any news of DeShaun Foster or Lance Briggs??

Response: My wild guess is Foster will be a 49er, Briggs will not. --Matt M.

Posted By: Nardine Sarkozy (26/02/2008 1:52:50 PM)
Comment: Great ! Thx Matt

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (26/02/2008 1:48:58 PM)
Comment: I hope we didn't give him too much. Anyone know what the max limit we can have on a roster? Not the 53, but the max prior to OTA's. Maybe we're signing a bunch of players for competition, then churniing the roster. I would like to see upgrades in the roster, not just resigning the same average players. BTW did anyone else see Rodgers-Cromartie at the combine? 4.29 40. WOW! He might be available at 29

Response: 80. --Matt M.

Posted By: oneniner (26/02/2008 1:37:40 PM)
Comment: will like to be the first to say, I am dying for some news...thks Matt.

Posted By: Berger (26/02/2008 1:36:54 PM)
Comment: Our pass rush is set! Obviously kidding, but this is good news.

Posted By: PEDRO (26/02/2008 1:36:11 PM)
Comment: FIRST...Good resigning.