I just got home from Trent Baalke’s pre-draft press conference at which he didn’t say much of anything. That’s OK – I expected him to say nothing. What was he supposed to say? Who he’s hoping to draft? If you’re interested in what he had to say about his first round pick, I transcribed that part below. I pass it along without comment, and if you guys would like to…
This afternoon the 49ers officially announced they’ve signed Brandon Jacobs to a one-year deal. Trent Baalke had this to say: “The 49ers are pleased to add a player with Brandon’s wealth of experience and talent. He has been productive throughout his career, and provides our offense a different dimension. We look forward to incorporating Brandon into our system.” Jacobs answered questions just now on a conference call, and here’s what…
Let’s examine Trent Baalke’s draft resume. According to the Niners media guide, Trent Baalke has called the shots on draft weekend the last two years. Here’s what it says about him: “Prior to being named the 49ers GM, Baalke served as Vice President of Player Personnel for the team in 2010, as he oversaw all aspects of player personnel, including the team’s draft process. For the first time in his…
I say the Niners will not take a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft, and here’s why. This season, Frank Gore will be the starter and Kendall Hunter will be the backup. Any running back the Niners could draft would be a third-stringer this season (with the exception of Alabama’s Trent Richardson. He’d be the Niners’ best RB right now, but they’re not getting him – he’s a top-five…
Here is the transcript of Alex Smith’s Wednesday conference call. Q: What are the emotions like right now for you having put this thing to bed? SMITH: You know, obviously happy. I’m glad that this is finally done. For me this was the plan all along. Since the season ended I wanted to be back here. It dragged out a little bit but I’m glad it’s over. Glad it’s done….
The Niners are a “team to monitor” in the Tim Tebow trade talks, according to Adam Schefter. Chris Mortensen also confirmed the Niners as a front runner. The rumor is Tebow costs nothing more than a fifth or a sixth round pick. If Baalke can get Tebow for that paltry price, he should do it and here’s why. Besides sucking on third downs, the Niners offense sucks in the red…
Kevin Lynch broke news this afternoon. Citing a league source, Lynch reports the Niners offered Alex Smith a three-year contract worth $24 million. What’s more, according to the source Smith wants to change agents, too. His current agent, Tom Condon, also represents Peyton Manning, the quarterback the Niners seem to really want. Condon is doing a great job pumping up the price tag for Manning, but he doesn’t seem to…
The 49ers signed 25-year old cornerback and return specialist Perrish Cox this morning to a two-year contract. This could signal the end for Carlos Rogers and Ted Ginn Jr. in red and gold. Cox will most likely compete with Tramaine Brock for the third CB job, while Chris Culliver and Tarell Brown will start. On special teams, Cox could take Ginn’s job as the primary returner. He returned punts and…
According to Adam Schefter, Randy Moss will fly to San Francisco today to work out for the Niners on Monday. This is a good move for the Niners. Moss may be the best deep threat wide receiver they could realistically get this offseason. They’ll probably pass on expensive free agents Vincent Jackson and Mike Wallace, and probably miss out on Kendall Wright and Stephen Hill, both of whom will get…
Look, I’m on the outside, but I can’t help but notice that Mark Sanchez just got a five-year contract extension from the Jets, $24 million guaranteed. Alex Smith is a better quarterback than Sanchez. It would be embarrassing for Smith and his agent to accept a three-year deal with less than $20 million guaranteed. The best move for them is to find out if a team like the Seahawks or…
Alex Smith wants a five-year contract, but the Niners only want to sign him for three years – that’s what the Sacramento Bee is reporting. What does this say about the Niners’ true feelings towards the quarterback they call “their guy?” It says Smith is their guy for now, but not for the long-haul. They like Smith and they want him presently, but they also want to keep their options…
A “well-placed source” told the great Matt Maiocco that the 49ers have an offer on the table for Alex Smith and they have no interest in signing free agent Quarterback Peyton Manning, to which I say, slow down, 49ers. That’s a lot you’re asking us to accept there. Let’s break that claim down bit by bit. First, Alex Smith has an offer from the Niners. Good for him, but we…
According to Matt Maiocco, Ahmad Brooks will count $2.85 million against the 49ers’ salary cap in 2012. For all the figures of Brooks’ deal, read Matty’s article here. Just know that Brooks’ cap figures significantly increase in upcoming seasons, but in 2012 he’ll be a relative bargain. Here’s how this affects free agency: Currently the Niners have about $23 million in cap space. If they cut Shawntae Spencer, then they’ll…
Yesterday, I wrote that free agent free safety Dashon Goldson had a strong negotiating position with the Niners because they have no replacement for him. Well, maybe Trent Baalke disagrees. He gave C.J. Spillman, backup safety and top-special teamer, a three year, $6 million contract (1.8 million guaranteed), according to Matt Maiocco. Spillman is the first 49er Baalke has re-signed this off season. Considering the Niners will not re-sign last season’s…
Here’s a very interesting tidbit from the great Mike Sando on Trent Baalke’s free agency philosophy. Sando asked Baalke at the Combine when is the right time for an NFL team to spend a lot of money on an outside free agent? And here’s what Baalke said: “There’s reasons why we don’t do it and I’m not going to get into those reasons of why we operate the way we…
Trent Baalke is having a monster year. On Friday, the 49ers extended his contract through the 2016 season, this coming a few weeks after he won the NFL’s Executive of the Year award. Almost every move he made in 2011 worked out. It was like he was on a heater at a craps table in Vegas and he was hitting ten the hard way over and over again. Here are…
Here are my full season grades for the 2011 49ers. Alex Smith: A-. He’s a ‘B’ quarterback who had an ‘A’ regular season, an ‘A+’ divisional playoff game against the Saints and a ‘D’ championship game against the Giants. The ‘D’ performance knocks his overall grade down to an ‘A-’ for the season. You can’t finish flat like that and get an ‘A.’ Here’s what we know about Smith: He’s…
Here’s the article I wrote for the Tuesday’s Santa Rosa Press Democrat. It’s about the Niners free agency situation. They believe they’re a Super Bowl team, so what they want to do is keep what they have and resign their core players. Pro Bowlers Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson are two of their most key guys, and they’re going to want a lot of money. The Niners may be able…
SANTA CLARA – The Niners free agent cornerback Carlos Rogers spoke at his locker this afternoon and here’s what he said. Last night in my grades I said I didn’t think the Niners would resign him. After listening to Rogers speak today, I’ve changed my mind. I think he’ll be back. Q: Why was Victor Cruz so effective in the first half? ROGERS: “That man runs around so much. He…
Lawrence Dushensky of the NFL blog This Given Sunday asked me six questions about the 49ers. The theme of his line of questioning was this: Can the 49ers shock the Saints? And how could they possibly do it? I’m linking my six answers to my six questions at the bottom. To be clear, I do think the Niners can “shock” the Saints. I think the Niners will win 17-16. I’m…
