- There were signs all preseason that the Cardinals' offense was struggling and it seems that their struggles carried over into the regular season. We're well into the 4th quarter and so far, it's been a primarily defensive matchup throughout the game.
- Speaking of defense, Patrick Willis is making his early case for NFL Defensive MVP. Play after play, he is consistently around the ball including a very impressive pick.
- Another thing about the defense... The most impressive (and surprising) part of today's defense has been the pass rush. Kurt Warner hasn't looked comfortable all day and Niners are actually putting on some pressure. The Niners' pass rush has led to multiple 3-and-outs plus 2 interceptions, and Justin Smith's two hurries ended the final two Cardinal drives of the game. Again, Smith and Parys Haralson were the two most consistent pass rushers, but Ray Mac also got a sack of his own and Man Law was also in Warner's face often.
- Second most surprising thing? Mark Roman decleats Jerheme Urban. I'm actually really liking Roman in his new backup role.
- On the other hand, the most surprising part of the offense has been a very stagnant rushing attack. You can't blame this one on Frank Gore, though. The offensive line is giving him absolutely no room to run and the Cardinals have been getting penetration almost every play. Early on, the decision to not address the O-line in the offseason is looking like a mistake.
- As a fan, you have to hope that Michael Crabtree was watching that whole game. If he is as competitive as he says he is, he'd be willing to join the team and start playing now. It's gotta be hard to sit out especially when your team is winning.
- Back to the defense, initial defensive MVP awards go to the two big uglies, Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga. The defensive line really controlled the line of scrimmage the entire game and these two were rarely out of place. Ice seemed to be around the ball more often than I'm used to seeing.
- Also, let's not forget Shawntae Spencer. The decision to start him over preseason stand out Dre Bly raised a lot of eyebrows, but he effectively manned up on Larry Fitz for the first half. I'll just stop talking about the defense now and just say they played a complete, almost flawless game.
- Shaun Hill had a very Shaun Hill-esque game. He did what he does well, which is managing the game, very well despite the lack of help from his O-line. However, he's not going to make a lot of plays on his own and his lack of athleticism in the pocket was exploited. As is the case with Hill, we can do better for sure, but we can also do much, much worse. To end on a brighter note, he again showed that he can toss up the deep ball with his 50 yard completion to Isaac Bruce.
- As for the receivers, Vernon Davis looked solid but not spectacular, Bruce hasn't slowed much, if at all, from last season, and Josh Morgan showed he can make plays but it would be nice to see him finish better. I really hate to say this, but I'd like to see what we'd look like with Crabtree in this offense.
- Here's a question: Did the 49ers win the game or did the Cardinals lose it? I say both. I already explained how the 49ers won. On the other hand, the Cardinals killed themselves with penalties and turnovers.
- Lastly, I'd really like to hear what Coach Singletary had to say in that one huddle during the timeout. Just by the look on his face, you could have an idea of what it was. I imagine that if I heard it, I'd be inspired to find a cure for cancer and bring peace to Darfur.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Week 1: 49ers at Cardinals Blog
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Competition: NFC West
I'm feeling really good about the 49ers' chances of making the post-season this year. The team is making notable progress and more importantly, they're relatively healthy. The rest of the NFC West is a different story...
St. Louis Rams
First off, the Rams suck and there's not much reason to believe that any of that will change this season. Their O-line has improved, but that was only one component of a much bigger problem. Under Coach Spagnolo, the Rams are still in rebuilding mode and it'll still take a season or two to see some progress. To make matters worse, they've been bit hard by the injury bug which is a death wish this early in the season. Starting QB Marc Bulger has suffered a broken pinky, DT Adam Carriker has a bum ankle, and leading WR Donnie Avery will surely miss the beginning of the season with a stress fracture. Outlook for the season: Bad for Rams. Good for 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks
Walter Jones, arguably the best offensive tackle in the league, has just undergone his 2nd knee surgery in 8 weeks and is now questionable for the 2009 season. Losing him would be the most significant blow the Seahawks could possibly take on offense. Earlier in the month, LG Mike Wahle retired, so already the Seahawks will be entering the season with a severely depleted line. You better believe QB Matt Hasselback, who went to the IR last season for a bulging disc, will be looking over his shoulder a littler more than usual. Again, he's only one hit in the blindside away from finding himself back on the IR. He's not the only one with back problems. Key CB Marcus Trufant is a possible candidate for the PUP list, which would deactivate him for the first 6 games of the season. As the leader of their secondary, it'd be difficult for the team to overcome his loss. **Update** C Chris Spencer is also out with what Jim Mora said to be the most serious injury out of the bunch. The depleted o-line is exactly what our stagnant pass rush needs.
St. Louis Cardinals
Two words: Billy Davis. Yes, that is the same Billy Davis that led the 49ers' ineffective, "vanilla" defense and was stripped of his playcalling duties before ultimately getting fired. Since then, he's been serving as the Cardinals' linebackers coach before he was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2009 season. Now, I'm all about 2nd chances, but from my experience, a good indication of the future is a look at the past. The Cardinals' defense was horrible last season, and I don't see Billy Davis as the key to save it this year. Also, the team's offense is taking a hit with the injury setbacks to 1st round pick Chris Wells. As the guy that was supposed to spark a stagnant running game, he has been a non-factor. You really can't expect them to rely on an explosive passing offense to send them to the playoffs again.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Preseason Week 1: 49ers vs Broncos Live Blog
- I have to run an errand... There's a chance I might miss the beginning of the game. I'll continue posting as soon as I get back.
- Just got home in time to see a Dre Bly interception. I completely missed Shaun Hill's opening drive. Other than that, I'm really gonna focus on how Glen Coffee performs as today's premiere RB. So far, I'm having mixed feelings. On a positive note, sounds like Vernon Davis had a great start to the season.
- Reggie Smith??? Where the heck did he come from? Other than Dashon Goldson, there's no one else I would've wanted to get an INT other than Smith.
- Glen Coffee just churned out his best run of the night. The run was highlighted by the way he finished it--lowering his shoulder to deliver a final blow to his tackler.
- At this point, although he got the touchdown, Alex Smith still looks like he's behind Shaun Hill in the QB battle. I still expect Hill to get the nod entering the regular season.
- ...and down goes Thomas Clayton. It looks pretty bad, too. Alright, Kory. Here's your chance to show us you got something. **Update: Clayton has a "knee sprain." You know, I had a "knee sprain" until my MRI showed 4 separate tears.
- I'm actually impressed by Jay Moore's play in the 2nd half. There were a few times that he was applying some significant pressure and he made some plays against the run. However, I can't say that I'd be comfortable as a starter if Lawson went down again. He does have time to prove me otherwise.
- They keep sending Sheets up the middle and he keeps getting blasted once he gets in the hole. Funny, but right as I typed that, he ran for a 25 yard gain. The kid's surely got some wheels but he's certainly no workhorse. Wow, there he goes for another big gain! By the way, Khalif Mitchell is huge. His measurements don't exactly fit the standards for a nose tackle but he certainly passes the eyeball test.
- I'm hoping for a chance to catch a replay of this game. I didn't get to see much of Kentwan Balmer. I'm really interested in seeing how he's developed.
The Good- Three interceptions including one for Dre Bly. That's good considering he's filling in for one of our starters. I was initially concerned about the secondary, but they were arguably the best unit of the team tonight.
- Saw some good showings out of both rookie RBs. Coffee held his own as a workhorse and even showed some surprising burst on a 15 yard run. I hope to see that carry over into the regular season. Sheets can potentially become a game-breaker if he can get the ball in space. If I'm gonna be nit-picky, Coffee needs to get lower in his pads and Sheets needs to finish his runs with a little more pop. But overall, I'm feeling really confident about our running game.
- After today's game, there are probably going to be a lot of people picking up Vernon Davis in their fantasy drafts in earlier rounds.
- You also gotta wonder how the team is going to handle Michael Spurlock after his strong showing. If you're keeping tabs, he actually started the game as the slot receiver.
The Bad- Four sacks allowed. This was supposed to be the year that the line finally shows some progress. I understand that those sacks weren't entirely the line's faults (Zak Keasey's failed blocks, Hill and Smith holding the ball too long), but there was too much pressure for comfort on too many occasions.
- Where the fuck was our pass rush? At the moment, I'm gonna assume we're sandbagging for the regular season. There wasn't a lot of blitzing but our starters should have gotten some decent pressure at some point. Either way, their performance was VERY disappointing.
- Also, the inside run defense is looking a lot like early last year's... Things would probably have been much different with Patrick Willis in the line up.
- Not everyone in the secondary looked good. Jahi Word-Daniels, another long shot to make the team, hurt his chances even more by making some major whiffs in coverage.
The ugly- Goodbye Zak Keasey and Thomas Clayton. Both were already question marks for the final roster and now they took a couple huge setbacks with injuries. Worse yet, Keasey's injury came right after he allowed two sacks. Too bad for Clayton, though. He was actually looking somewhat decent.
- MVP of the game FB Brit Miller took two short passes for touchdowns. How is this ugly? Miller's chances of making the team aren't that strong. However, he definitely has some practice squad potential.
- Jason Hill looks like he might be the odd man out this year. It's a shame because he was showing a lot of promise last season. It would've been nice to have a San Francisco kid playing for his team.
- Al Harris isn't looking too good right now...
Friday, July 31, 2009
10 Pre-Training Camp Observations...
"I expect it to be physical and intense, everything training camp should be. If you know Singletary, he's known for his intensity. I expect it to be a physical, intense training camp with a lot of competition." -- Joe Staley, Offensive tackle
Training Camp begins tomorrow and there are a lot of storylines in the media that will be circulating as camp carries on. Lost in the shuffle are a couple mini subplots that will intrigue the more-than-casual fans. Here are a couple details of camp that I'll be keeping an eye out for...
1. Nate Davis vs Practice Squad
The 49ers currently have four quarterbacks battling for a roster spot and Nate Davis is in distant 4th, trying to catch up with the other 3 veterans. Here's the dilemma: Teams typically hold onto three QBs throughout the season (starter, back up, emergency back up). Having a 4th QB can be considered a waste of a roster spot because it is extremely rare for a team to have to resort to their 4th QB. However, the 49ers see a lot of potential in Davis and for good reason. He's a talented young QB with tremendous arm strength and decent mobility. If the Niners decided to place him on waivers, he'd be available for the 31 other teams to snag him for their roster. Is it a chance the Niners are willing to take? It will depend on how Davis performs in training camp and whether he proves he is worthy of taking up an open spot.
2. Same nose tackles, same problems?
Early in the season last year, the biggest glaring hole on the team was in the middle of the defensive line where opponents' running backs would run through at will. As the season progressed, that hole seemed to close a bit but there was still that feeling that the position should still be addressed at some point. Well, the offseason came and went and alas, there was no upgrade at nose tackle. Just as the linebackers will be counted on to provide a pass rush despite the inability to do so in the past, the nose tackles, specifically Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga, have their work cut out for them, too. Remember, the 3-4 revolves around the nose tackle's ability to collapse the pocket, thus the success of the defense will fall on the shoulders of these two very large men.
3. Reggie Smith's role...
Apparently, he's a strong safety. What I want to know is how he will fare in his new position. According to the Matts, he's not even the primary back up (Mark Roman is backing up both Dashon Goldson and Michael Lewis). In addition, the 49ers are holding rookie safety Curtis Taylor in high regard, as well. If that's the case, Reggie Smith might be relegated to special teams ace. That's sort of a let down for a highly-touted 3rd round pick with high expectations. It will be interesting to see how he develops.
4. Tackling drills? Really?
NFL practices NEVER involve tackling drills. In most coaches' and players' minds, tackling drills are for freshman/JV football teams that have yet to learn how to take a ball carrier down. The reason why NFL teams never do them is because of the injury risk. When there's full contact tackling, there's always an injury risk. The question is: Will it work? It's a high risk, high reward situation. The idea can either fail and lead to a dessimated team even before the season starts OR it can succeed and result in the most fysical, defensively-sound football team in the league.
5. Ball distribution
For the first time in a long, long, LONG time, the 49ers have some good depth at the WR position. If Arnaz Battle is struggling to keep his roster spot, you know our offense is doing good. However, it's gonna be tough on the coaching staff to figure out how to get all these talented WRs the ball. You pretty much got 5 WRs fighting for the same spot and 2 others fighting for the last spot and possibly 7 WRs complaining about not getting enough opportunities. Lastly, the QB rotation can't help the WRs' cause. Chemistry will be a huge factor in how the offense progresses over the season, and a disruption in the amount of reps each player gets can hinder the offense's development.
6. Al Harris
The primary criticism of the 49ers' offseason was their negligence in acquiring a pass rush specialist. I like to think they actually did pick one up, even though he'll never leave the sidelines. Al Harris was hired as a pass rush specialist coach and it will be his job to light a fire under the ass of the team's stagnant pass rush. The talent is there. Parys Haralson managed 8 sacks on part time duty. Ahmad Brooks moves like a panther at 260+ pounds. Manny Lawson is one of the most athletic linebackers in the NFL. However, the production just hasn't been there. It will be Harris' job to make sure the team made the right choice in not picking up another linebacker.
7. New uniforms
Apparently, the new uniforms aren't just for show. The way the pants are crafted were made so that they allow more flexibility and less resistance to motion. Will it make a difference? I doubt it, but if the team starts breaking more 20+ yard runs and 50+ yard passes, some uniform manufacturer is going to start feeling really good about themselves.
8. Michael Spurlock who?
Before the draft, I predicted the 49ers would draft a potential successor to Allen Rossum at some point in the draft. It never happened. Instead, Michael Spurlock, a journeyman WR, was signed mainly for depth especially as a return man. While not a household name for most fans, he will always be remembered by Buccaneers fans as the first Buc ever to take a kick off return all the way for a touchdown. Despite his celebrity status in Tampa, he'll need more than that to retain a roster spot in a crowded WR corp. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers will be willing to offer him a spot on the roster in case ol' Allen Rossum goes down with an injury again. Surely, the team would like to avoid a situation similar to last year when they were forced to plug in Dominique Zeigler on punt returns.
9. Leadership
Without question, the head guy in charge is Mike Singletary. He is the be all, end all of the team. However, as Singletary has stated before, the team is in dire need of leaders consisting of players on the team willing to take on the role. Who are those players exactly? Patrick Willis immediately comes to mind. Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes, and Nate Clements were leaders even before they came to the team. Joe Staley claims to be taking upon the leadership role, as well. Other than him, Eric Heitmann, Frank Gore, Shaun Hill, and even Vernon Davis are also fit to lead on offense. Steve Young has said before that the reason why the Niners were so successful in the past was because the team consisted of leaders who were dedicating to winning. This year, many of our players are shedding their former roles of developing players and our entering the league as seasoned veterans. Even with all the additional talent, this newfound swagger may be the key factor in the team's future success.
10. Results?
Singletary's approach to training camp is a little different than the norm, but you can't always assume that's a good thing. We'll have to wait and see if his approach really works and produces the results we're expecting. So far, the outlook appears very positive. The players have responded extremely well and are already looking sharper than they have at this point of the year. Whether they can carry this over into the regular season has yet to be seen.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What Mike Nolan Did Right...
Before you crucify me, let me say that Mike Nolan was not a good head coach. After 3.5 seasons, the team had made minimal progress, in which their crowning glory was a 7-9 record in 2006, which was just good enough for 3rd place in the weakest division in the league. He has drawn the ire of 49ers faithful and the media, and reportedly lost the respect of the team he was supposed to lead. What was supposed to be the beginning of a once-proud team's resurgence to dominance, turned out to be a brief period of mediocrity, spearheaded by the lone man who was given the sole duty to save the 49ers.
In all fairness, Mike Nolan was put into an almost impossible situation. Nolan inherited one of the most talent-less teams in NFL history backed by an organization that was notorious for their frugality and unwillingness to support the team. His first major move was selecting a quarterback with the #1 pick of a terribly weak draft (who had no business ever being a #1 pick), simply because he had to. Futhermore, he had the worst possible luck with offensive coordinators, each one leaving for head coaching jobs the following year. Ultimately, this carousel of coordinators led to a lack of continuity on offense, which is a death sentence for an extremely young and raw team. Regardless of Nolan's inability to lead, it's hard to imagine any other coach doing much better with the given circumstances.
With all the bad that has occurred the last four years, it's easy to overlook the good that came out of the Mike Nolan era. Today, the team is in better shape than it's been in since 2002, and Nolan deserves at least partial credit for that. In honor of the man who has been dishonored over the years, here is a list of things we should be thankful for from the Mike Nolan Era.
1. Hired General Manager Scott McCloughan
In all fairness, Mike Nolan was put into an almost impossible situation. Nolan inherited one of the most talent-less teams in NFL history backed by an organization that was notorious for their frugality and unwillingness to support the team. His first major move was selecting a quarterback with the #1 pick of a terribly weak draft (who had no business ever being a #1 pick), simply because he had to. Futhermore, he had the worst possible luck with offensive coordinators, each one leaving for head coaching jobs the following year. Ultimately, this carousel of coordinators led to a lack of continuity on offense, which is a death sentence for an extremely young and raw team. Regardless of Nolan's inability to lead, it's hard to imagine any other coach doing much better with the given circumstances.
With all the bad that has occurred the last four years, it's easy to overlook the good that came out of the Mike Nolan era. Today, the team is in better shape than it's been in since 2002, and Nolan deserves at least partial credit for that. In honor of the man who has been dishonored over the years, here is a list of things we should be thankful for from the Mike Nolan Era.
1. Hired General Manager Scott McCloughan
Here's a list of some core players who McNolan had to build upon when they came to the team: Tim Rattay, Kwame Harris, Kevan Barlow, Brandon Lloyd, Derek Smith, Tony Parrish, Anthony Adams. I actually liked Derek Smith, Tony Parrish, and Anthony Adams, but they were NOT players you wanted to build a defense upon. Today, we have guys like Frank Gore, Joe Staley, Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree, Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, and Nate Clements. The talent of our current roster makes the 2004 squad look like a UFL squad (in fact, Tim Rattay is a back up for the San Francisco based team). Together, Nolan and McCloughan dramatically improved the talent of the team while managing to stay out of salary-cap hell. Today, McCloughan's presence is still felt, and is a essential factor in the team's continued progres.
2. Hired Mike Singletary as assistant coach
2. Hired Mike Singletary as assistant coach
If Nolan never came to the Niners, Mike Singletary wouldn't even have been considered for the current head coaching job. As Nolan's colleague and friend, Singletary followed Nolan to San Francisco and never thought once that he'd eventually be chosen as his boss' replacement. Now he is the face of the team and the undisputed leader. If you listen to how the team speaks of their new head coach, you're compelled to believe that fans have much to look forward to next season.
3. Drafted running back Frank Gore
3. Drafted running back Frank Gore
You can call it McCloughan's pick, but in the end, it was Nolan's final say on who the Niners picked in the draft. Being a Miami fan, I was well aware of Frank Gore's abilities and was more than happy to see him contribute to my team. You can blame a lot of the offense's woes on Nolan, but you have to give him credit for giving us our offensive center piece.
4. Got more money for the team
4. Got more money for the team
Ask any NFL fan what caused the 49ers' downfall into mediocrity and the common answer would be the frugal practices of team owner, Dr. John York. In all fairness, it's almost impossible to follow in the footsteps of a previous owner like Eddie D., but John York's inability to manage the franchise ultimately led to the current state of shit hole that the team has been stuck in for almost a decade. However, since Nolan's signing, York seemed to be a little more willing to open up the checkbook ($80,000 for Nate Clements...) and be more willing to do what it takes to improve the team. Apparently, Nolan had a plan that gave York the confidence to put in a more significant investment. The result? The deepest, most talented roster since 2002.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Walt Harris Tears ACL, Out For Season; UPDATE 49ers sign Dre Bly
"I'm hungry right now." -- Dre Bly, Cornerback
Fuck...
Before the draft, I mentioned that CB was becoming a need that the team should address sooner than later. The logic of that argument was that Walt Harris was noticeably on the decline, and behind him, there are many young, unproven players who would serve better as reserve players rather than starters. Currently, the next in line to replace Harris looks to be 3rd year vet Tarell Brown, the trouble CB out of Texas. I don't know what it is about Brown that just rubs me the wrong way. He's a talented guy that loves to compete and has shown a knack for getting his hands on the ball. However, I feel he's better suited for the slot, being relegated to nickel back duty. If placed on an island against a top WR (such as Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald), he'd be at a disadvantage and a wide open target for other teams. Meanwhile, it looks like Reggie Smith will be settling in at strong safety, removing himself from the CB competition, especially with the Jimmy Williams project turning out to be a failure. He should serve as the primary back up to Michael Lewis, and possibly the future starter.
One day later...
The day after Walt Harris was ruled out for the 2009 season, the Niners went out and signed his apparent replacement, Dre Bly, for one year at the veteran minimum. While he's one of the more high-profile cornerbacks of the league, even moreso than Walt Harris, his level of play has noticeably diminished the past couple of seasons, resulting in his inability to get signed until now. Right now, it's a question of which Dre Bly we will get: the Dre Bly of last year who was consistently burned or the Dre Bly of before who was a top-5 cornerback and teamed up with Champ Bailey to anchor the best pass defense in the league (with a very weak pass rush). At this point, I can't expect him to be an upgrade over Walt Harris yet. However, if he can find his groove, and get some aide from an improved pass rush and Dashon Goldson, there's a good chance that he could return to form. Either way, it's a very good move by the 49ers and provides a safe, proven player that will create some excellent competition at the very least.
Fuck...
Before the draft, I mentioned that CB was becoming a need that the team should address sooner than later. The logic of that argument was that Walt Harris was noticeably on the decline, and behind him, there are many young, unproven players who would serve better as reserve players rather than starters. Currently, the next in line to replace Harris looks to be 3rd year vet Tarell Brown, the trouble CB out of Texas. I don't know what it is about Brown that just rubs me the wrong way. He's a talented guy that loves to compete and has shown a knack for getting his hands on the ball. However, I feel he's better suited for the slot, being relegated to nickel back duty. If placed on an island against a top WR (such as Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald), he'd be at a disadvantage and a wide open target for other teams. Meanwhile, it looks like Reggie Smith will be settling in at strong safety, removing himself from the CB competition, especially with the Jimmy Williams project turning out to be a failure. He should serve as the primary back up to Michael Lewis, and possibly the future starter.
One day later...
The day after Walt Harris was ruled out for the 2009 season, the Niners went out and signed his apparent replacement, Dre Bly, for one year at the veteran minimum. While he's one of the more high-profile cornerbacks of the league, even moreso than Walt Harris, his level of play has noticeably diminished the past couple of seasons, resulting in his inability to get signed until now. Right now, it's a question of which Dre Bly we will get: the Dre Bly of last year who was consistently burned or the Dre Bly of before who was a top-5 cornerback and teamed up with Champ Bailey to anchor the best pass defense in the league (with a very weak pass rush). At this point, I can't expect him to be an upgrade over Walt Harris yet. However, if he can find his groove, and get some aide from an improved pass rush and Dashon Goldson, there's a good chance that he could return to form. Either way, it's a very good move by the 49ers and provides a safe, proven player that will create some excellent competition at the very least.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
49ers 2009 NFL Draft Analysis
Again, I'm no expert and I'll never claim to be. I read up on the draft a lot and I like watching/observing players during games, but that's about the extent of my knowledge of players. That's why I'm always supportive of my team no matter who they pick, because in the end, I'm pretty sure they know more than I do when it comes to their selections. With that said, I was pretty spot on with some of my predictions, which I'm kinda proud of. Here are those predictions again.
Neither of the top 2 QBs, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez, will be available at #10. There are more than a couple teams out there looking for a QB in the first 9 picks, and if they aren't picking a QB, they're looking to trade down with a team looking to draft one. If one of them does fall to the Niners, the Niners will trade down and get a great deal for the pick.
I got this one right. In fact, neither of them were available at #6.
One of the following three players will be available at #10: Brian Orakpo, BJ Raji, or Andre Smith. Assuming Stafford and Sanchez are gone by then, whoever is left of those three will be in a 49ers uniform next season. My wildcard pick for #10: CB/S Malcolm Jenkins.
Brian Orakpo was the only one of the three that made it to #10. However, my prediction was under the assumption that Michael Crabtree would be gone by #10, as well. I'm glad I was wrong about that.
The Niners will select a RB somewhere in the first 3 rounds. Selecting a RB in round 1 will only make sense if the team trades down. The RB crop is deep this year but there is a significant drop off in talent for big backs after the three mid-round power RBs: Andre Brown, Shonn Greene, and Rashad Jennings. McCloughan understands the necessity to pick up one of those RBs and will follow through with it.
By the time the Niners picked in round 3, both Andre Brown and Rashad Jennings were available. I think McCloughan decided to go with production at this point, which he should've done, and took Glen Coffee. The big question: If Greene was available, would the team have taken him instead? I'd like to think so.
Here's an extra bold prediction -- the 49ers will not select a wide receiver in this year's draft unless the player will be used primarily as a special teams player or if the player's name is Michael Crabtree. Finding a back up for Allen Rossum would be a smart move and there are a few WRs out there that can fill that void. Other than that, it'd be hard for any WR not named Michael Crabtree to find any significant playing time in our filled up WR corps.
I nailed this one, too. Call the fire department because I'm on fire.
If the Niners don't select BJ Raji in the first round, they won't draft a nose tackle until the 6th or 7th rounds, if at all. After Raji, the nose tackle talent just isn't there this year and the 49ers staff is probably content with the two NTs they have now until they draft Terrence Cody next year.
I got this one right, but I gave myself a lot of room for error. In free agency, they picked up DT Khalif Mitchell who looks like a defensive end, but has been worked in at nose tackle during minicamps.
The 49ers will draft a CB before they draft a safety. Right now, I think drafting a replacement for Walt Harris is a bigger need than drafting a replacement for Mark Roman.
I missed on this prediction. I'd like to think they would've selected a CB if they didn't trade away two of their picks for Carolina's future 1st rounder.
The 49ers won't draft a pass rusher until the 3rd round at the earliest. The value just isn't there at the earlier rounds. That means no Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, or even Brian Orakpo. I think a tough, hard-working guy like David Veikune will be more appealing to the team than the flashier guys in the early rounds.
The 49ers didn't pick up a pass rusher until after the draft. In free agency, they picked up OLB Brandon Long (Michigan State) and OLB Diyral Briggs (Bowling Green). As of now, Briggs is the only one still on the team.
There will be a shitload of trades this year. I don't who or what or when the trades will occur, but they will happen and they will happen a lot.
I was right. There were a shitload of trades this year.
________
To make things clear, I refuse to grade this draft one day after it finished. Whoever thinks they can judge the success of a draft this soon is full of it and is only kidding themselves. One doesn't realize the success of a draft until at least 3-4 years after because many draft picks don't even fully develop until they've been in the league for a significant amount of time. For example, Parys Haralson only realized his potential during his 4th year in the league. Prior to the 2008 season, many would've considered him a bust without much argument from others. Now after his breakout season, most consider him a steal in the 4th round. This analysis would be focused on how each pick fits into the team's plans and the impact they'll potentially make. Some are predicted to make more of an impact than others. Some are expected to contribute immediately while others will be given time to develop.
[1-10] WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
What he brings: Crabtree was widely considered as the premiere offensive playmaker of the draft. He is expected to bring a legitimate receiving threat immediately. 10 TDs/1000 yards is definitely not out of the question.
How he fits: Crabtree's expected to lead an already crowded WR corps. He will most likely take up-and-coming Josh Morgan's spot at split end and start opposite from either Isaac Bruce or Brandon Jones. His addition will open up running lanes for the run game and the seams for Vernon Davis to run his routes.
[3-74] RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
What he brings: Coffee is a hard-nosed, power RB that craves contact. He can easily add another 10 pounds to his 210 lb body and become an imposing runner between the tackles.
How he fits: Coffee is automatically the 2nd option behind Frank Gore. He provides a different element to the run game as a power back in contrast to the slashing type of running style that Gore possesses. He's expected to get about 5-10 touches a game, mostly during short-yardage situations and whenever Gore needs a breather. With the new offense in place, look for him to contribute more than previous #2 RBs DeShaun Foster and Michael Robinson did in the past.
[5-146] ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
What he brings: McKillop is almost everything you want in a middle linebacker. He is highly instinctive, intelligent on and off the field, very hard working, consistent in his tackling, and extremely competitive. Add a sprinkly of ferocity and you have the white Mike Singletary.
How he fits: McKillop figures to become the heir apparent to Takeo Spikes. In the mean time, he will serve as a back up and learn from the best in the business. Because of his superior football IQ, he will probably be able to fill in for the oft-injured Spikes when needed without hardly missing a step. McKillop and Patrick Willis will form the core of the MLB corps for years to come.
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
What he brings: A whole lot of talent but less than ideal height and some spurts of inconsistency. Davis also has a well-publicized learning disability and will need probably need some time and some good coaching to become successful. However, his skill set, particularly his arm strength, currently outmatches the abilities of any other 49ers QB.
How he fits: Don't expect Davis to see the field any time soon. We'd probably be in big trouble if that were to happen. The coaching staff plans on bringing him along slowly and not to force his development. At this point, he is an insurance policy for the future (2-3 years down the road) in case the team decides that Shaun Hill cannot lead the team to the upper echelon of the league and Alex Smith's comeback ends up failing.
[6-184] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
What he brings: Pascoe is another Singletary-type guy: intelligent, hard-working, super tough, aggressive, and sometimes nasty. His specialty is his blocking whether it is on the line or on the move.
How he fits: If he can block as well as Vernon Davis, this might end up as the steal of the draft. He's not expected to become a receiving threat--we already have two tight ends that excel at that. Instead, he's expected to help the team's transition into a running oriented offense and to provide more blocking stability on the line. His presence would also free Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker from blocking duties so they could focus more on becoming threats in the passing game. Don't count him out as a receiver though. He definitely has better hands than Billy Bajema.
[7-219] FS Curtis Taylor, LSU
What he brings: A lot of talent and a prototypical build but not a lot of production. He was a solid starter in college that showed some occasional flashes as a ballhawk and explosive hitter, but not consistently enough to warrant some consideration as an early round pick.
How he fits: Athletic safeties can be considered safe picks aronud this time because they can be used as assets on special teams. However, he's very talented with a lot of range--something the 49ers currently lack at the position--and might be able to be coached into a contributor in the secondary. Right now, he probably fits in as the 3rd FS behind Dashon Goldson and Mark Roman, assuming Roman isn't released/traded.
[7-244] DT Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
What he brings: At times, he can be an explosive 1-gap penetrator on the line. Playing next to Tyson Jackson, Jean-Francois was often seen making plays of his own. However, off-field issues and questions of maturity has led him to fall to the later rounds.
How he fits: Like Crabtree, Jean-Francois coming into a crowded stable of defensive ends. Unlike Crabtree, Jean-Francois has his work cut out for him and will have to fight to make the roster, assuming the team only keeps 6-7 D-linemen. He certainly has the tools to become an effective playmaker, but he will need some time to develop.
[FA] RB Kory Sheets, Purdue
What he brings: The fastest RB at the Combine, Sheets is a scatback that likes to run between the tackles. He also has the hands to be a factor in the passing game.
How he fits: If he makes the team, he could fit in as the "Fire" in the 49ers' version of "Earth (Coffee), Wind (Gore), and Fire." The scatback is becoming more popular in the league with teams valuing the added speed to the run game. If he makes the team, he'd provide another element to the run game and a nice change of pace as a 3rd down RB.
[FA] OT Alex Boone, Ohio State
What he brings: Boone is a mammoth sized tackle and a classic mauler. However, he has some serious holes in his game, especially in pass protection. Even more concerning are his off-field issues regarding alcohol and bouts with the police.
How he fits: Although he is a free agent, he is the most significant addition an O-line in need other than Marvel Smith. He would fit in at RT but must prove that he can handle NFL defensive ends if he has any chance of making the team. He's also on his last strike so any more off-field mishaps would probably send him packing.
[FA] DE Brandon Long, Michigan State
What he brings: Workout warrior with extremely impressive measurables but very little on-field production. It was very hard to judge him because there just wasn't enough game film. While you can't deny the talent and athleticism, his instincts and football IQ are big question marks.
How he fits: Long will probably looked at as a pass rushing OLB. On most teams, he would be a long shot, but it's a significant position of need for the team so keeping him would be seriously considered. I have very high hopes for him, because the team really needs some depth and he has all the tools to become effective.
Neither of the top 2 QBs, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez, will be available at #10. There are more than a couple teams out there looking for a QB in the first 9 picks, and if they aren't picking a QB, they're looking to trade down with a team looking to draft one. If one of them does fall to the Niners, the Niners will trade down and get a great deal for the pick.
I got this one right. In fact, neither of them were available at #6.
One of the following three players will be available at #10: Brian Orakpo, BJ Raji, or Andre Smith. Assuming Stafford and Sanchez are gone by then, whoever is left of those three will be in a 49ers uniform next season. My wildcard pick for #10: CB/S Malcolm Jenkins.
Brian Orakpo was the only one of the three that made it to #10. However, my prediction was under the assumption that Michael Crabtree would be gone by #10, as well. I'm glad I was wrong about that.
The Niners will select a RB somewhere in the first 3 rounds. Selecting a RB in round 1 will only make sense if the team trades down. The RB crop is deep this year but there is a significant drop off in talent for big backs after the three mid-round power RBs: Andre Brown, Shonn Greene, and Rashad Jennings. McCloughan understands the necessity to pick up one of those RBs and will follow through with it.
By the time the Niners picked in round 3, both Andre Brown and Rashad Jennings were available. I think McCloughan decided to go with production at this point, which he should've done, and took Glen Coffee. The big question: If Greene was available, would the team have taken him instead? I'd like to think so.
Here's an extra bold prediction -- the 49ers will not select a wide receiver in this year's draft unless the player will be used primarily as a special teams player or if the player's name is Michael Crabtree. Finding a back up for Allen Rossum would be a smart move and there are a few WRs out there that can fill that void. Other than that, it'd be hard for any WR not named Michael Crabtree to find any significant playing time in our filled up WR corps.
I nailed this one, too. Call the fire department because I'm on fire.
If the Niners don't select BJ Raji in the first round, they won't draft a nose tackle until the 6th or 7th rounds, if at all. After Raji, the nose tackle talent just isn't there this year and the 49ers staff is probably content with the two NTs they have now until they draft Terrence Cody next year.
I got this one right, but I gave myself a lot of room for error. In free agency, they picked up DT Khalif Mitchell who looks like a defensive end, but has been worked in at nose tackle during minicamps.
The 49ers will draft a CB before they draft a safety. Right now, I think drafting a replacement for Walt Harris is a bigger need than drafting a replacement for Mark Roman.
I missed on this prediction. I'd like to think they would've selected a CB if they didn't trade away two of their picks for Carolina's future 1st rounder.
The 49ers won't draft a pass rusher until the 3rd round at the earliest. The value just isn't there at the earlier rounds. That means no Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, or even Brian Orakpo. I think a tough, hard-working guy like David Veikune will be more appealing to the team than the flashier guys in the early rounds.
The 49ers didn't pick up a pass rusher until after the draft. In free agency, they picked up OLB Brandon Long (Michigan State) and OLB Diyral Briggs (Bowling Green). As of now, Briggs is the only one still on the team.
There will be a shitload of trades this year. I don't who or what or when the trades will occur, but they will happen and they will happen a lot.
I was right. There were a shitload of trades this year.
________
To make things clear, I refuse to grade this draft one day after it finished. Whoever thinks they can judge the success of a draft this soon is full of it and is only kidding themselves. One doesn't realize the success of a draft until at least 3-4 years after because many draft picks don't even fully develop until they've been in the league for a significant amount of time. For example, Parys Haralson only realized his potential during his 4th year in the league. Prior to the 2008 season, many would've considered him a bust without much argument from others. Now after his breakout season, most consider him a steal in the 4th round. This analysis would be focused on how each pick fits into the team's plans and the impact they'll potentially make. Some are predicted to make more of an impact than others. Some are expected to contribute immediately while others will be given time to develop.
[1-10] WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
What he brings: Crabtree was widely considered as the premiere offensive playmaker of the draft. He is expected to bring a legitimate receiving threat immediately. 10 TDs/1000 yards is definitely not out of the question.
How he fits: Crabtree's expected to lead an already crowded WR corps. He will most likely take up-and-coming Josh Morgan's spot at split end and start opposite from either Isaac Bruce or Brandon Jones. His addition will open up running lanes for the run game and the seams for Vernon Davis to run his routes.
[3-74] RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
What he brings: Coffee is a hard-nosed, power RB that craves contact. He can easily add another 10 pounds to his 210 lb body and become an imposing runner between the tackles.
How he fits: Coffee is automatically the 2nd option behind Frank Gore. He provides a different element to the run game as a power back in contrast to the slashing type of running style that Gore possesses. He's expected to get about 5-10 touches a game, mostly during short-yardage situations and whenever Gore needs a breather. With the new offense in place, look for him to contribute more than previous #2 RBs DeShaun Foster and Michael Robinson did in the past.
[5-146] ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
What he brings: McKillop is almost everything you want in a middle linebacker. He is highly instinctive, intelligent on and off the field, very hard working, consistent in his tackling, and extremely competitive. Add a sprinkly of ferocity and you have the white Mike Singletary.
How he fits: McKillop figures to become the heir apparent to Takeo Spikes. In the mean time, he will serve as a back up and learn from the best in the business. Because of his superior football IQ, he will probably be able to fill in for the oft-injured Spikes when needed without hardly missing a step. McKillop and Patrick Willis will form the core of the MLB corps for years to come.
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
What he brings: A whole lot of talent but less than ideal height and some spurts of inconsistency. Davis also has a well-publicized learning disability and will need probably need some time and some good coaching to become successful. However, his skill set, particularly his arm strength, currently outmatches the abilities of any other 49ers QB.
How he fits: Don't expect Davis to see the field any time soon. We'd probably be in big trouble if that were to happen. The coaching staff plans on bringing him along slowly and not to force his development. At this point, he is an insurance policy for the future (2-3 years down the road) in case the team decides that Shaun Hill cannot lead the team to the upper echelon of the league and Alex Smith's comeback ends up failing.
[6-184] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
What he brings: Pascoe is another Singletary-type guy: intelligent, hard-working, super tough, aggressive, and sometimes nasty. His specialty is his blocking whether it is on the line or on the move.
How he fits: If he can block as well as Vernon Davis, this might end up as the steal of the draft. He's not expected to become a receiving threat--we already have two tight ends that excel at that. Instead, he's expected to help the team's transition into a running oriented offense and to provide more blocking stability on the line. His presence would also free Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker from blocking duties so they could focus more on becoming threats in the passing game. Don't count him out as a receiver though. He definitely has better hands than Billy Bajema.
[7-219] FS Curtis Taylor, LSU
What he brings: A lot of talent and a prototypical build but not a lot of production. He was a solid starter in college that showed some occasional flashes as a ballhawk and explosive hitter, but not consistently enough to warrant some consideration as an early round pick.
How he fits: Athletic safeties can be considered safe picks aronud this time because they can be used as assets on special teams. However, he's very talented with a lot of range--something the 49ers currently lack at the position--and might be able to be coached into a contributor in the secondary. Right now, he probably fits in as the 3rd FS behind Dashon Goldson and Mark Roman, assuming Roman isn't released/traded.
[7-244] DT Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
What he brings: At times, he can be an explosive 1-gap penetrator on the line. Playing next to Tyson Jackson, Jean-Francois was often seen making plays of his own. However, off-field issues and questions of maturity has led him to fall to the later rounds.
How he fits: Like Crabtree, Jean-Francois coming into a crowded stable of defensive ends. Unlike Crabtree, Jean-Francois has his work cut out for him and will have to fight to make the roster, assuming the team only keeps 6-7 D-linemen. He certainly has the tools to become an effective playmaker, but he will need some time to develop.
[FA] RB Kory Sheets, Purdue
What he brings: The fastest RB at the Combine, Sheets is a scatback that likes to run between the tackles. He also has the hands to be a factor in the passing game.
How he fits: If he makes the team, he could fit in as the "Fire" in the 49ers' version of "Earth (Coffee), Wind (Gore), and Fire." The scatback is becoming more popular in the league with teams valuing the added speed to the run game. If he makes the team, he'd provide another element to the run game and a nice change of pace as a 3rd down RB.
[FA] OT Alex Boone, Ohio State
What he brings: Boone is a mammoth sized tackle and a classic mauler. However, he has some serious holes in his game, especially in pass protection. Even more concerning are his off-field issues regarding alcohol and bouts with the police.
How he fits: Although he is a free agent, he is the most significant addition an O-line in need other than Marvel Smith. He would fit in at RT but must prove that he can handle NFL defensive ends if he has any chance of making the team. He's also on his last strike so any more off-field mishaps would probably send him packing.
[FA] DE Brandon Long, Michigan State
What he brings: Workout warrior with extremely impressive measurables but very little on-field production. It was very hard to judge him because there just wasn't enough game film. While you can't deny the talent and athleticism, his instincts and football IQ are big question marks.
How he fits: Long will probably looked at as a pass rushing OLB. On most teams, he would be a long shot, but it's a significant position of need for the team so keeping him would be seriously considered. I have very high hopes for him, because the team really needs some depth and he has all the tools to become effective.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
2009 NFL Draft Blog
"I was too nervous, I took a shit at Starbucks." -- Richard Huynh, SF 49ers Fan
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Day 1
[1-10] WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
[3-74] RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
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Day 2
[5-146] ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
[6-184] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
[7-219] FS Curtis Taylor, LSU
[7-244] DT Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
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Did the day 2 of the Draft always start at 7:00 AM? I'm not surprised that I got up at 6:45 AM but I am surprised how easy it was to get up. Calling it early last night probably helped. Anyway, rounds 1 and 2 were riveting and filled with drama, mystery, suspense, surprises, disappointments (especially for Raiders and Broncos fans), and a lot of happy 49ers fans. I would've blogged everything last night but I was swept up in the rivetingness of the Michael Crabtree pick. So for now, I'll be blogging my thoughts as Day carries on...
• With the first pick of Day 2, the New York Jets trade up and select RB Shonn Greene. This is huge because Greene is the first of the 3 mid-round RBs that I had the Niners targeting to be selected. Greene's powerful running style would have been enough to warrant a 2nd round pick so I believe the Jets got some very good value. Is he really better than the other 2 RBs that were projected to be picked around this time (Andre Brown & Rashad Jennings)? From a production perspective (the most imporant perspective), I'd say yes. Andre Brown didn't produce much on the field and Rashad Jennings never didn't show a lot against top tier competition. Either way, one of those two should surely be available at #43, where the Niners should be strongly considering picking one of them.
• With the 43rd selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... RB Glen Coffee. Well Scotty Mac just put me in my place. Yes, I'm a little surprised. Disappointed? Not at all. In a way, this pick justifies my analysis from earlier. The two knocks I explained on Andre Brown and Rashad Jennings were lack of production and lack of experience against top competition, respectively. Scotty McCloughan has said many times that the #1 source in determining a player's value is the game tape. Take away the Combine numbers and all the measurables, and just compare these 3 players' game footage, and Glen Coffee would surely come out as the best RB. While he doesn't necessarily fit the build of the type of RB that McC was looking for, he plays BIG and can afford to pack on some muscle. He's not as big as Brown and Jennings, but he plays like he is as big, if not bigger. More importantly, he produced as an All-American in the toughest conference in college football, something the other two did not come close to. I've gotta hand it to Scotty to sticking to his guns and picking a power RB that can complement Gore and can help in rotation. Now, another question: If Shonn Green were still on the board, would he have been the pick? As much as I like the Coffee pick, it'd be hard to believe that he was rated higher than Greene.
• "I love contact... If I see you in the hole, I won't think twice about lowering my head... I think I'd like to put on more pounds, and I can carry more pounds. I'd like to get up to 220, 218 ([pounds]." -- Glenn Coffee, RB. Also, Coffee wears a full cage face mask on his helmet. Players of his position don't wear full cages unless they plan on hitting people hard and often.
• Since the Niners don't pick for a while, it'll be pointless to predict who they'll go for with their next selection. They still have needs on the O-line, especially at RT. OG Duke Robinson, OG Herman Johnson, OT Gerald Cadogan, and OT Fenuki Tupou can all contribute to a line in need of depth. However, it's very possible that all four will be picked by the time the Niners are back on the board. The Niners are also expected to draft a PSR at some point. OLB Lawrence Sidbury, a workout warrior, has yet to find a team, although I question his ability to stand up in the 3-4. Also, the team should address the need for future replacements of ILB Takeo Smikes and CB Walt Harris. ILB Jasper Brinkley, ILB Scott McKillop, ILB Darry Beckwith, ILB Worrell Williams, ILB Josh Mauga, ILB Antonio Appleby, and ILB Frantz Joseph all fit the role needed to be a thumper in the 3-4. With the depth of players at the position, I think the team can afford to address it with later. Also, another surprise of the draft is the fall of CB DJ Moore, who was ranked as a top 5 CB entering the draft. His drop is a little odd, but there must be a reason behind it and it'll be interested to see which team takes a chance on him. Whoever it is will be getting a very talented CB. Other quality guys at the position would be San Jose native Coye Francies, Macho Harris, Mike Mickens, and Greg Toler. Finally, both McC and Sing have stated their desire to add another QB. There are some guys still available, but you'd have to think the 49ers might be looking to address the need next year, maybe with one of their 1st rounders...
• A RB duo as dynamic as Frank Gore and Glen Coffee must have a nickname. I think Matt Barrows nailed it with his proposed nickname: Frank and Beans.
• Yesterday, the 49ers traded their 2nd and 4th round picks (43 and 111) to the Panthers for their 2010 1st round pick. With those picks, the Panthers have selected DE Everette Brown and RB Mike Goodson. Brown is a PSR that a lot of 49er fans coveted. However, I've always thought of him as a one-dimensional defensive player with poor measurables. Yes, the production was there, but it was inconsistent. I'm glad the 49ers decided to pass on him. If only Rey Maualuga lasted two more picks... With #111, the Panthers then selected RB Mike Goodson. Goodson came in for a visit with the 49ers prior to the draft. However, he doesn't fit the mold of a power RB at all and is known more for his speed and agility. Now the real question: Would you rather have DE Everette Brown and RB Mike Goodson or an extra 1st round pick in the 2010 Draft. I'd go with the first rounder with 3% hesitation. Next year's draft will be a lot deeper, and I believe we'll still be able to address our other needs with the remaining picks.
• Just saw a clip of QB Rhett Bomar, who's being portrayed as an acclaimed prospect. I never want to see him in a 49ers uniform. The guy has Phillip Rivers douchebag written all over him. Plus, his accuracy sucks and I don't see him becoming a very succesful QB in the NFL.
• I'm highly caffeinated, restless, and too antsy to study so I'm gonna blog a little more. For those curious, I had my top 10 looking like this:
1. OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
3. OT Jason Smith, Baylor
4. OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
5. QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
6. QB Mark Sanchez, USC
7. DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
8. DT BJ Raji, Boston College
9. DE Brian Orakpo, Texas
10. OT Andre Smith, Bama
Thus, I'm ecstatic that we were able to grab Crabtree. It's not a huge need, but again, you NEVER draft for need in the 1st unless the BPA fills a position of need.
• With the 146th selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... ILB Scott McKillop. With guys like OG Duke Robinson and OT Fenuki Tupou on the board, I expected the 49ers to draft an O-lineman with this pick. Regardless, I was very happy with this selection. Out of all the ILBs I listed earlier, McKillop is the most complete prospect. He's highly intelligent and the most productive player on one of the best defenses in the nation. He's not as explosive as some of the other guys, but at this point, he's probably the better linebacker and is more likely to contribute right away. This is critical because TKO has a concerning injury history and the team might need McKillop's to contribute sooner than later.
• Two picks in a row, the Eagles have stolen away two players that I've been targetting since the offseason began: CB Macho Harris and OT Fenuki Tupou. I'm guessing O-line with the next pick. Some players to look out for: Gerald Cadogan, Cornelius Lewis, and Duke Robinson. I take that back. Panthers just took Duke Robinson.
• With the 171st selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... QB Nate Davis. And there you have it folks. Everyone knew the Niners were going to take a QB. The Niners HAD to take a QB. It was definitely a need, even though the degree of need varied depending on who you talked to. I believe the 5th round was the perfect spot to grab one. I had the Niners selecting him at this exact pick in my mock draft. He has tremendous talent, questionable technique, a concerning learning disability, and plenty of time to learn Jimmy Raye's offense, which should fit Davis well. Another pick, I'm genuinely happy about.
• 49ers are on the clock. They're going to take an O-lineman named Gerald Cadogan. I'm calling it. I'm probably wrong.
• ...and I was wrong. With the 184th selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... TE Bear Pascoe. A lot of people in the 49ers organization, including fans and reporter, wanted this guy in a 49ers uniform. With the departure of blocking specialist Billy Bajema, a blocking TE became a big need going into the offseason. If anything, that's what Bear excels at. Coffee + Bear means the 49ers running game just got a whole lot better. I had the Niners picking him in the 7th round, but obviously the 49ers valued him much more. Again, it's a pick I love, but I'm a little concerned about the lack of upgrades on both sides of the line.
• One round left to go... I'm loving this draft so far. Target players for the last two picks: CB Coye Francies, OT Gerald Cadogan, OT Cornelius Lewis, DT Myron Pryor, LB Nick Reed, OLB Phillip Hunt, OLB Sulak Stryker. Who do I want? By now, I've already claimed my desire to get Cadogan, but I also really like Reed, the Ducks career sacks leader. He reminds me of Parys Haralson as another pass rusher with a blue collar attitude.
• With the 219th selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... FS Curtis Taylor. Many, many mock drafts ago, I had the Niners selecting Taylor at this exact pick. I started to wane on my prediction due to my belief that FS wasn't as big of a need anymore and that Curtis Taylor's ability as a FS wasn't enough for him to make much of an impact. However, as Coach Sing said in his end of season press conference, finding a FS with some range would be a priority at some point in the offseason. Even with the emergence of Dashon Goldson, depth is needed, especially if Mark Roman leaves. It would also allow Reggie Smith to go back to CB, where some depth is also needed. Not my favorite pick of the draft, but Taylor has all the tools of a prototypical FS with the range, ball skills, and explosive hitting ability.
• I got lazy and I didn't finish this post. The Niners picked DT Ricky Jean-Francois with their last pick.
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Day 1
[1-10] WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
[3-74] RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
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Day 2
[5-146] ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
[6-184] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
[7-219] FS Curtis Taylor, LSU
[7-244] DT Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
----
Did the day 2 of the Draft always start at 7:00 AM? I'm not surprised that I got up at 6:45 AM but I am surprised how easy it was to get up. Calling it early last night probably helped. Anyway, rounds 1 and 2 were riveting and filled with drama, mystery, suspense, surprises, disappointments (especially for Raiders and Broncos fans), and a lot of happy 49ers fans. I would've blogged everything last night but I was swept up in the rivetingness of the Michael Crabtree pick. So for now, I'll be blogging my thoughts as Day carries on...
• With the first pick of Day 2, the New York Jets trade up and select RB Shonn Greene. This is huge because Greene is the first of the 3 mid-round RBs that I had the Niners targeting to be selected. Greene's powerful running style would have been enough to warrant a 2nd round pick so I believe the Jets got some very good value. Is he really better than the other 2 RBs that were projected to be picked around this time (Andre Brown & Rashad Jennings)? From a production perspective (the most imporant perspective), I'd say yes. Andre Brown didn't produce much on the field and Rashad Jennings never didn't show a lot against top tier competition. Either way, one of those two should surely be available at #43, where the Niners should be strongly considering picking one of them.
• With the 43rd selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... RB Glen Coffee. Well Scotty Mac just put me in my place. Yes, I'm a little surprised. Disappointed? Not at all. In a way, this pick justifies my analysis from earlier. The two knocks I explained on Andre Brown and Rashad Jennings were lack of production and lack of experience against top competition, respectively. Scotty McCloughan has said many times that the #1 source in determining a player's value is the game tape. Take away the Combine numbers and all the measurables, and just compare these 3 players' game footage, and Glen Coffee would surely come out as the best RB. While he doesn't necessarily fit the build of the type of RB that McC was looking for, he plays BIG and can afford to pack on some muscle. He's not as big as Brown and Jennings, but he plays like he is as big, if not bigger. More importantly, he produced as an All-American in the toughest conference in college football, something the other two did not come close to. I've gotta hand it to Scotty to sticking to his guns and picking a power RB that can complement Gore and can help in rotation. Now, another question: If Shonn Green were still on the board, would he have been the pick? As much as I like the Coffee pick, it'd be hard to believe that he was rated higher than Greene.
• "I love contact... If I see you in the hole, I won't think twice about lowering my head... I think I'd like to put on more pounds, and I can carry more pounds. I'd like to get up to 220, 218 ([pounds]." -- Glenn Coffee, RB. Also, Coffee wears a full cage face mask on his helmet. Players of his position don't wear full cages unless they plan on hitting people hard and often.
• Since the Niners don't pick for a while, it'll be pointless to predict who they'll go for with their next selection. They still have needs on the O-line, especially at RT. OG Duke Robinson, OG Herman Johnson, OT Gerald Cadogan, and OT Fenuki Tupou can all contribute to a line in need of depth. However, it's very possible that all four will be picked by the time the Niners are back on the board. The Niners are also expected to draft a PSR at some point. OLB Lawrence Sidbury, a workout warrior, has yet to find a team, although I question his ability to stand up in the 3-4. Also, the team should address the need for future replacements of ILB Takeo Smikes and CB Walt Harris. ILB Jasper Brinkley, ILB Scott McKillop, ILB Darry Beckwith, ILB Worrell Williams, ILB Josh Mauga, ILB Antonio Appleby, and ILB Frantz Joseph all fit the role needed to be a thumper in the 3-4. With the depth of players at the position, I think the team can afford to address it with later. Also, another surprise of the draft is the fall of CB DJ Moore, who was ranked as a top 5 CB entering the draft. His drop is a little odd, but there must be a reason behind it and it'll be interested to see which team takes a chance on him. Whoever it is will be getting a very talented CB. Other quality guys at the position would be San Jose native Coye Francies, Macho Harris, Mike Mickens, and Greg Toler. Finally, both McC and Sing have stated their desire to add another QB. There are some guys still available, but you'd have to think the 49ers might be looking to address the need next year, maybe with one of their 1st rounders...
• A RB duo as dynamic as Frank Gore and Glen Coffee must have a nickname. I think Matt Barrows nailed it with his proposed nickname: Frank and Beans.• Yesterday, the 49ers traded their 2nd and 4th round picks (43 and 111) to the Panthers for their 2010 1st round pick. With those picks, the Panthers have selected DE Everette Brown and RB Mike Goodson. Brown is a PSR that a lot of 49er fans coveted. However, I've always thought of him as a one-dimensional defensive player with poor measurables. Yes, the production was there, but it was inconsistent. I'm glad the 49ers decided to pass on him. If only Rey Maualuga lasted two more picks... With #111, the Panthers then selected RB Mike Goodson. Goodson came in for a visit with the 49ers prior to the draft. However, he doesn't fit the mold of a power RB at all and is known more for his speed and agility. Now the real question: Would you rather have DE Everette Brown and RB Mike Goodson or an extra 1st round pick in the 2010 Draft. I'd go with the first rounder with 3% hesitation. Next year's draft will be a lot deeper, and I believe we'll still be able to address our other needs with the remaining picks.
• Just saw a clip of QB Rhett Bomar, who's being portrayed as an acclaimed prospect. I never want to see him in a 49ers uniform. The guy has Phillip Rivers douchebag written all over him. Plus, his accuracy sucks and I don't see him becoming a very succesful QB in the NFL.
• I'm highly caffeinated, restless, and too antsy to study so I'm gonna blog a little more. For those curious, I had my top 10 looking like this:
1. OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
3. OT Jason Smith, Baylor
4. OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
5. QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
6. QB Mark Sanchez, USC
7. DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
8. DT BJ Raji, Boston College
9. DE Brian Orakpo, Texas
10. OT Andre Smith, Bama
Thus, I'm ecstatic that we were able to grab Crabtree. It's not a huge need, but again, you NEVER draft for need in the 1st unless the BPA fills a position of need.
• With the 146th selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... ILB Scott McKillop. With guys like OG Duke Robinson and OT Fenuki Tupou on the board, I expected the 49ers to draft an O-lineman with this pick. Regardless, I was very happy with this selection. Out of all the ILBs I listed earlier, McKillop is the most complete prospect. He's highly intelligent and the most productive player on one of the best defenses in the nation. He's not as explosive as some of the other guys, but at this point, he's probably the better linebacker and is more likely to contribute right away. This is critical because TKO has a concerning injury history and the team might need McKillop's to contribute sooner than later.
• Two picks in a row, the Eagles have stolen away two players that I've been targetting since the offseason began: CB Macho Harris and OT Fenuki Tupou. I'm guessing O-line with the next pick. Some players to look out for: Gerald Cadogan, Cornelius Lewis, and Duke Robinson. I take that back. Panthers just took Duke Robinson.
• With the 171st selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... QB Nate Davis. And there you have it folks. Everyone knew the Niners were going to take a QB. The Niners HAD to take a QB. It was definitely a need, even though the degree of need varied depending on who you talked to. I believe the 5th round was the perfect spot to grab one. I had the Niners selecting him at this exact pick in my mock draft. He has tremendous talent, questionable technique, a concerning learning disability, and plenty of time to learn Jimmy Raye's offense, which should fit Davis well. Another pick, I'm genuinely happy about.
• 49ers are on the clock. They're going to take an O-lineman named Gerald Cadogan. I'm calling it. I'm probably wrong.
• ...and I was wrong. With the 184th selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... TE Bear Pascoe. A lot of people in the 49ers organization, including fans and reporter, wanted this guy in a 49ers uniform. With the departure of blocking specialist Billy Bajema, a blocking TE became a big need going into the offseason. If anything, that's what Bear excels at. Coffee + Bear means the 49ers running game just got a whole lot better. I had the Niners picking him in the 7th round, but obviously the 49ers valued him much more. Again, it's a pick I love, but I'm a little concerned about the lack of upgrades on both sides of the line.
• One round left to go... I'm loving this draft so far. Target players for the last two picks: CB Coye Francies, OT Gerald Cadogan, OT Cornelius Lewis, DT Myron Pryor, LB Nick Reed, OLB Phillip Hunt, OLB Sulak Stryker. Who do I want? By now, I've already claimed my desire to get Cadogan, but I also really like Reed, the Ducks career sacks leader. He reminds me of Parys Haralson as another pass rusher with a blue collar attitude.
• With the 219th selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select... FS Curtis Taylor. Many, many mock drafts ago, I had the Niners selecting Taylor at this exact pick. I started to wane on my prediction due to my belief that FS wasn't as big of a need anymore and that Curtis Taylor's ability as a FS wasn't enough for him to make much of an impact. However, as Coach Sing said in his end of season press conference, finding a FS with some range would be a priority at some point in the offseason. Even with the emergence of Dashon Goldson, depth is needed, especially if Mark Roman leaves. It would also allow Reggie Smith to go back to CB, where some depth is also needed. Not my favorite pick of the draft, but Taylor has all the tools of a prototypical FS with the range, ball skills, and explosive hitting ability.
• I got lazy and I didn't finish this post. The Niners picked DT Ricky Jean-Francois with their last pick.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Mock Draft 7.0
This will be my final 7-round mock draft for the 2009 NFL Draft. At this point, all the teams have a pretty good idea of which direction they're gonna go next weekend and there won't be a lot of change between now and Saturday. With that said, this year's draft has the makings of the most unpredictable draft ever. The first 10 picks are wide open and no picks are 100% certain by any means. Thus, whatever the 49ers do at pick #10 will be determined by whatever occurs in the first nine picks.
Before I get into the mock drafts, here are some bold pre-draft predictions...
• Neither of the top 2 QBs, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez, will be available at #10. There are more than a couple teams out there looking for a QB in the first 9 picks, and if they aren't picking a QB, they're looking to trade down with a team looking to draft one. If one of them does fall to the Niners, the Niners will trade down and get a great deal for the pick.
• One of the following three players will be available at #10: Brian Orakpo, BJ Raji, or Andre Smith. Assuming Stafford and Sanchez are gone by then, whoever is left of those three will be in a 49ers uniform next season. My wildcard pick for #10: CB/S Malcolm Jenkins.
• The Niners will select a RB somewhere in the first 3 rounds. Selecting a RB in round 1 will only make sense if the team trades down. The RB crop is deep this year but there is a significant drop off in talent for big backs after the three mid-round power RBs: Andre Brown, Shonn Greene, and Rashad Jennings. McCloughan understands the necessity to pick up one of those RBs and will follow through with it.
• Here's an extra bold prediction -- the 49ers will not select a wide receiver in this year's draft unless the player will be used primarily as a special teams player or if the player's name is Michael Crabtree. Finding a back up for Allen Rossum would be a smart move and there are a few WRs out there that can fill that void. Other than that, it'd be hard for any WR not named Michael Crabtree to find any significant playing time in our filled up WR corps.
• If the Niners don't select BJ Raji in the first round, they won't draft a nose tackle until the 6th or 7th rounds, if at all. After Raji, the nose tackle talent just isn't there this year and the 49ers staff is probably content with the two NTs they have now until they draft Terrence Cody next year.
• The 49ers will draft a CB before they draft a safety. Right now, I think drafting a replacement for Walt Harris is a bigger need than drafting a replacement for Mark Roman.
• The 49ers won't draft a pass rusher until the 3rd round at the earliest. The value just isn't there at the earlier rounds. That means no Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, or even Brian Orakpo. I think a tough, hard-working guy like David Veikune will be more appealing to the team than the flashier guys in the early rounds.
• There will be a shitload of trades this year. I don't who or what or when the trades will occur, but they will happen and they will happen a lot.
Because of the unpredictable circumstances that will occur, I've made two mock drafts to accomodate the picking of the two players I believe have the best chance of being picked at #10, NT BJ Raji and OT Andre Smith. Also, I expect some sort of trade to occur at some point of the draft involving the 49ers. Again, this is a mock draft based on the needs of the team. It's sort of an "ideal" draft scenario, NOT the likely scenario. The real draft will probably look nothing like my prediction. Eh, it was still fun to make...
________
Mock Draft 7.0
[1-10] NT BJ Raji, Boston College
Here, the Niners stay true to the planet theory and grab their missing piece to the 3-4 puzzle, who also happens to be the best player available.
[2-43] OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
Perhaps the best RT prospect next to Andre Smith. Loadholt is a big run waiting to happen. Given the chance for him to develop behind Marvel Smith, Loadholt can solidify the offense in the trenches and help form a dominatingO-line.
[3-74] RB Shonn Greene, Iowa
A true pile-mover that can take a huge load off Frank Gore's shoulders. Always hits the hole hard and finishes every run falling forward. Gore and Greene would form a devastating 1-2 punch between the tackles.
[4-111] OLB Jason Williams, Western Illinois
David Veikune would make more sense here as he fits the mold of the hard-nosed, blue collar types that Mike Singletary loves. However, the team already has a guy like that in Parys Haralson. In Jason Williams, the team will acquire an explosive playmaker that can terrorize the opponents' backfields and can fill in on either the weakside or strongside.
[5-146] CB Victor "Macho" Harris, VTech
The fan in me made this pick. Macho Harris is a big name with a flashy game. Does he fit with the team? Eh, maybe. Truth is, I needed to draft a CB and he fits right in there in the 5th round. He fits a need so I drafted him which is exactly why I will never be the GM for an NFL team.
Actually, Macho deserves more credit than that. Although he can be a bit reckless at times, he's still a playmaker. He has a penchant for getting his hands on the ball and can really lay down the lumber as a defender. Also, he's a dynamic punt returner with a burst and good vision. He doesn't have the impressive 40-time but his 3 cone drill is intriguing.
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
Here's another "eh" pick. Good feet, rocket arm, learning disability and all, Nate Davis has the tools but needs to prove he has the football smarts. Luckily, Jimmy Raye doesn't run a complicated system, and with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith ahead of him on the depth chart, he has some time to play catch up. With that said, if he sees the field in 2009, we're in BIG trouble.
[6-184] ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
I've been a Frantz Joseph fan for a while now. I'm an even bigger fan now that his stock is falling and I think we can get a good deal picking him in the 6th round. Regardless of his current stock, he would be a wrecking ball of a TED linebacker and can someday, unseat Takeo Spikes as the team's TED.
[7-219] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
Bear fills a need at great value. If he can prove his worth as a blocker, our TE group would look really good on paper.
[7-244] FB Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh
In Kansas City, Jimmy Raye had a lot of success running the ball behind his lead blocker, Tony Richardson. On the 49ers, he has another sledgehammer to run behind in Moran Norris. The addition of Collins adds a versatile component to the FB position in the mold of Richardson, who Raye can coach up to fill that role.
________
Mock Draft 7.1
[1-10] OT Andre Smith, Alabama
The prototypical RT of the draft. Running the ball behind Chilo Rachal and Smith is going to be a beautiful thing.
[2-43] RB Andre Brown, NC State
The most explosive of the 3 mid-round big backs. He had a very impressive workout at the Combine, but his knack is finding the holes in the line, and smashing through them. The addition of Smith and Brown would drastically improve our run game.
[3-74] OLB Paul Kruger, Utah
Classic blue-collar, Mike Singletary-type defensive player. Athletic enough to be a force but can truly dominate with his tenacity and hustle. He will benefit from not being forced into a starting role as a LB and learn the ropes while coming in on 3rd downs.
[4-111] DT Roy Miller, Texas
Roy Miller has shot up draft boards recently. He's another hard working player that can win battles with his hustle and tie up double teams. If he can find a niche as a NT in the 3-4, he has the potential to be our designated run-plugger.
[5-146] CB Macho Harris, VTech
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
[6-184] ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
[7-219] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
[7-244] FB Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh
Before I get into the mock drafts, here are some bold pre-draft predictions...
• Neither of the top 2 QBs, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez, will be available at #10. There are more than a couple teams out there looking for a QB in the first 9 picks, and if they aren't picking a QB, they're looking to trade down with a team looking to draft one. If one of them does fall to the Niners, the Niners will trade down and get a great deal for the pick.
• One of the following three players will be available at #10: Brian Orakpo, BJ Raji, or Andre Smith. Assuming Stafford and Sanchez are gone by then, whoever is left of those three will be in a 49ers uniform next season. My wildcard pick for #10: CB/S Malcolm Jenkins.
• The Niners will select a RB somewhere in the first 3 rounds. Selecting a RB in round 1 will only make sense if the team trades down. The RB crop is deep this year but there is a significant drop off in talent for big backs after the three mid-round power RBs: Andre Brown, Shonn Greene, and Rashad Jennings. McCloughan understands the necessity to pick up one of those RBs and will follow through with it.
• Here's an extra bold prediction -- the 49ers will not select a wide receiver in this year's draft unless the player will be used primarily as a special teams player or if the player's name is Michael Crabtree. Finding a back up for Allen Rossum would be a smart move and there are a few WRs out there that can fill that void. Other than that, it'd be hard for any WR not named Michael Crabtree to find any significant playing time in our filled up WR corps.
• If the Niners don't select BJ Raji in the first round, they won't draft a nose tackle until the 6th or 7th rounds, if at all. After Raji, the nose tackle talent just isn't there this year and the 49ers staff is probably content with the two NTs they have now until they draft Terrence Cody next year.
• The 49ers will draft a CB before they draft a safety. Right now, I think drafting a replacement for Walt Harris is a bigger need than drafting a replacement for Mark Roman.
• The 49ers won't draft a pass rusher until the 3rd round at the earliest. The value just isn't there at the earlier rounds. That means no Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, or even Brian Orakpo. I think a tough, hard-working guy like David Veikune will be more appealing to the team than the flashier guys in the early rounds.
• There will be a shitload of trades this year. I don't who or what or when the trades will occur, but they will happen and they will happen a lot.
Because of the unpredictable circumstances that will occur, I've made two mock drafts to accomodate the picking of the two players I believe have the best chance of being picked at #10, NT BJ Raji and OT Andre Smith. Also, I expect some sort of trade to occur at some point of the draft involving the 49ers. Again, this is a mock draft based on the needs of the team. It's sort of an "ideal" draft scenario, NOT the likely scenario. The real draft will probably look nothing like my prediction. Eh, it was still fun to make...
________
Mock Draft 7.0
[1-10] NT BJ Raji, Boston College
Here, the Niners stay true to the planet theory and grab their missing piece to the 3-4 puzzle, who also happens to be the best player available.
[2-43] OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
Perhaps the best RT prospect next to Andre Smith. Loadholt is a big run waiting to happen. Given the chance for him to develop behind Marvel Smith, Loadholt can solidify the offense in the trenches and help form a dominatingO-line.
[3-74] RB Shonn Greene, Iowa
A true pile-mover that can take a huge load off Frank Gore's shoulders. Always hits the hole hard and finishes every run falling forward. Gore and Greene would form a devastating 1-2 punch between the tackles.
[4-111] OLB Jason Williams, Western Illinois
David Veikune would make more sense here as he fits the mold of the hard-nosed, blue collar types that Mike Singletary loves. However, the team already has a guy like that in Parys Haralson. In Jason Williams, the team will acquire an explosive playmaker that can terrorize the opponents' backfields and can fill in on either the weakside or strongside.
[5-146] CB Victor "Macho" Harris, VTech
The fan in me made this pick. Macho Harris is a big name with a flashy game. Does he fit with the team? Eh, maybe. Truth is, I needed to draft a CB and he fits right in there in the 5th round. He fits a need so I drafted him which is exactly why I will never be the GM for an NFL team.
Actually, Macho deserves more credit than that. Although he can be a bit reckless at times, he's still a playmaker. He has a penchant for getting his hands on the ball and can really lay down the lumber as a defender. Also, he's a dynamic punt returner with a burst and good vision. He doesn't have the impressive 40-time but his 3 cone drill is intriguing.
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
Here's another "eh" pick. Good feet, rocket arm, learning disability and all, Nate Davis has the tools but needs to prove he has the football smarts. Luckily, Jimmy Raye doesn't run a complicated system, and with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith ahead of him on the depth chart, he has some time to play catch up. With that said, if he sees the field in 2009, we're in BIG trouble.
[6-184] ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
I've been a Frantz Joseph fan for a while now. I'm an even bigger fan now that his stock is falling and I think we can get a good deal picking him in the 6th round. Regardless of his current stock, he would be a wrecking ball of a TED linebacker and can someday, unseat Takeo Spikes as the team's TED.
[7-219] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
Bear fills a need at great value. If he can prove his worth as a blocker, our TE group would look really good on paper.
[7-244] FB Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh
In Kansas City, Jimmy Raye had a lot of success running the ball behind his lead blocker, Tony Richardson. On the 49ers, he has another sledgehammer to run behind in Moran Norris. The addition of Collins adds a versatile component to the FB position in the mold of Richardson, who Raye can coach up to fill that role.
________
Mock Draft 7.1
[1-10] OT Andre Smith, Alabama
The prototypical RT of the draft. Running the ball behind Chilo Rachal and Smith is going to be a beautiful thing.
[2-43] RB Andre Brown, NC State
The most explosive of the 3 mid-round big backs. He had a very impressive workout at the Combine, but his knack is finding the holes in the line, and smashing through them. The addition of Smith and Brown would drastically improve our run game.
[3-74] OLB Paul Kruger, Utah
Classic blue-collar, Mike Singletary-type defensive player. Athletic enough to be a force but can truly dominate with his tenacity and hustle. He will benefit from not being forced into a starting role as a LB and learn the ropes while coming in on 3rd downs.
[4-111] DT Roy Miller, Texas
Roy Miller has shot up draft boards recently. He's another hard working player that can win battles with his hustle and tie up double teams. If he can find a niche as a NT in the 3-4, he has the potential to be our designated run-plugger.
[5-146] CB Macho Harris, VTech
[5-171] QB Nate Davis, Ball State
[6-184] ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
[7-219] TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
[7-244] FB Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Anttaj Hawthorne Effect
***Update***
Apparently BJ Raji and his agents have disputed the claims that he failed a drug test at the Combine. There has been no official notice that he did test positive (unlike Anttaj Hawthorne), so it's probably safe to say that he really has been clean. Any questions on the issue would probably have been answered during individual team meetings. According the the 49ers, the reports were indeed false.
"Because top-10 picks are guaranteed anywhere from $10-30 million in their first contract, teams conduct thorough background checks before investing such a large sum. Gil Brandt, a longtime vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys who now works as a draft analyst for NFL.com, believe Raji will experience a significant drop in his draft status. 'We've seen in history, it usually causes them to go down a couple rounds,' he said. 'When that happens, teams are concerned and some teams take him off their board entirely.'" -- Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
Prior to the 2005 NFL Draft, Anttaj Hawthorne out of Wisconsin was widely considered the premiere prospect at the DT position. He was a big body at 6'3" and 310 lbs, and a standout football player. One failed drug test (marijuana) later, his stock plummeted all the way to the 6th round, where he was selected by the Oakland Raiders, whom he played for for two years before his NFL career came to an end...
Fast forward to the 2009 NFL Combine. DT BJ Raji is coming off one of the most dominant Senior Bowl weeks ever. As a player red flagged by past character issues mostly involving academics, he needed a strong showing to erase any doubts that may hurt his stock. While he didn't blow scouts away in his workouts, his solid performance solidified him as the top defensive lineman of his class and a lock as a top-10 pick...
Fast forward again... DT BJ Raji, CB Vontae Davis, and WR Percy Harvin have been tested positive for marijuana. First, let me go into how stupid this is. This isn't some random testing deal. Prospects are well aware that they will be tested for every narcotic on the planet when they get to the Combine. The fact that some of them even think it might be OK to smoke a blunt anytime near the Combine reflects poor judgment, immaturity, and tremendous stupidity. In the NFL today, particularly in the draft, character has become a focal point more than ever. The last few years have shown that poor character players can destroy teams from the inside-out while high class teams have been going strong consistently each year. Don't be fooled into thinking that a team would be willing to just overlook some character flaws just because of talent. If a team can't get that talent on the field because the player is getting high at home instead of studying the playbook, why should they even bother? Last year, OT Carl Nicks was considered an elite O-line prospect until reports of him being arrested arose. Once a 1st round prospect, Nicks wasn't picked until the 24th pick of the 5th round.
Don't be surprised if BJ Raji falls out of the top-10 or even the 1st round. I'm expecting an Alan Branch-type slide into the early 2nd round where some team will take a flyer on him. This drug test setback, along with already existing character issues, won't be ignored by GMs and coaches. As for his future, I think it'll truly depend on the team he ends up on and whether they can keep him focused. Would I still want him on the Niners? At #10, I still wouldn't be mad at it. He's a talented nose tackle, something the team has been in desperate need of for years. Plus, if anyone can keep Raji on track, it'd be Coach Singletary.
Apparently BJ Raji and his agents have disputed the claims that he failed a drug test at the Combine. There has been no official notice that he did test positive (unlike Anttaj Hawthorne), so it's probably safe to say that he really has been clean. Any questions on the issue would probably have been answered during individual team meetings. According the the 49ers, the reports were indeed false.
"Because top-10 picks are guaranteed anywhere from $10-30 million in their first contract, teams conduct thorough background checks before investing such a large sum. Gil Brandt, a longtime vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys who now works as a draft analyst for NFL.com, believe Raji will experience a significant drop in his draft status. 'We've seen in history, it usually causes them to go down a couple rounds,' he said. 'When that happens, teams are concerned and some teams take him off their board entirely.'" -- Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
Prior to the 2005 NFL Draft, Anttaj Hawthorne out of Wisconsin was widely considered the premiere prospect at the DT position. He was a big body at 6'3" and 310 lbs, and a standout football player. One failed drug test (marijuana) later, his stock plummeted all the way to the 6th round, where he was selected by the Oakland Raiders, whom he played for for two years before his NFL career came to an end...
Fast forward to the 2009 NFL Combine. DT BJ Raji is coming off one of the most dominant Senior Bowl weeks ever. As a player red flagged by past character issues mostly involving academics, he needed a strong showing to erase any doubts that may hurt his stock. While he didn't blow scouts away in his workouts, his solid performance solidified him as the top defensive lineman of his class and a lock as a top-10 pick...
Fast forward again... DT BJ Raji, CB Vontae Davis, and WR Percy Harvin have been tested positive for marijuana. First, let me go into how stupid this is. This isn't some random testing deal. Prospects are well aware that they will be tested for every narcotic on the planet when they get to the Combine. The fact that some of them even think it might be OK to smoke a blunt anytime near the Combine reflects poor judgment, immaturity, and tremendous stupidity. In the NFL today, particularly in the draft, character has become a focal point more than ever. The last few years have shown that poor character players can destroy teams from the inside-out while high class teams have been going strong consistently each year. Don't be fooled into thinking that a team would be willing to just overlook some character flaws just because of talent. If a team can't get that talent on the field because the player is getting high at home instead of studying the playbook, why should they even bother? Last year, OT Carl Nicks was considered an elite O-line prospect until reports of him being arrested arose. Once a 1st round prospect, Nicks wasn't picked until the 24th pick of the 5th round.
Don't be surprised if BJ Raji falls out of the top-10 or even the 1st round. I'm expecting an Alan Branch-type slide into the early 2nd round where some team will take a flyer on him. This drug test setback, along with already existing character issues, won't be ignored by GMs and coaches. As for his future, I think it'll truly depend on the team he ends up on and whether they can keep him focused. Would I still want him on the Niners? At #10, I still wouldn't be mad at it. He's a talented nose tackle, something the team has been in desperate need of for years. Plus, if anyone can keep Raji on track, it'd be Coach Singletary.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Daily Notes and Stuff...
"Thanks to the Internet, 93% of the American population now has a sports column, podcast or blog. All we do anymore is estimate things!" -- Bill Simmons, ESPN
I'll update this whenever I think of something worth posting...
April 3, 2009
• 1.49 seconds. That was the recorded time of Jason Williams' 10-yard split at his pro day which was ran on a slow track. Combine that with a 39" vertical, a 10'9" broad jump, and 26 bench reps, and you have yourself an amazing athletic specimen. The question: Can he rush the passer as the WILL of the 49ers' 3-4? He certainly has the athleticism needed for the role. His 8 sacks and 5 forced fumbles prove his productivity. For the Niners, Williams, who's currently projected as a 3rd-4th round pick, may be a risk worth taking.
April 1, 2009
• The big story of the week is the rift that has formed between QB Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos. Immediately, the news caught the attention of the 49ers fan base and media and with good reason. If the team was willing to go after Kurt Warner, why wouldn't they be interested in Jay Cutler? First, I'll just say that I don't expect Cutler to be in a 49ers uniform any time soon. We don't have the draft picks or the players to compensate for a trade. I'd be surprised if a deal went through. If/When he does get traded, it will probably for one of Detroit's 1st-round picks, another mid-round pick, possibly a future 1st, and maybe an additional player (Daunte Culpepper?). If the Lions pass on Matt Stafford with the 1st pick and go for OT Jason Smith (which they SHOULD do), there's a good chance that their 20th pick would be used on QB Josh Freeman, anyway. However, if they trade it for Cutler, Denver could grab their own QB of the future while the Lions get their franchise QB. It all makes perfect sense; at least more sense than the Niners creating a Mike Nolan/Alex Smith reunion in Denver.
February 18, 2009
• An anonymous source has released a list of four teams that Julius Peppers is demanding to be traded to if not released: Cowboys, two other NFC teams, and an AFC team. First, I'd hate to see Julius Peppers go to the Cowboys. I can't imagine how ugly it'd get with Julius Peppers and DeMarcus Ware on the same team. But the news also gives the 49ers something to be hopeful for. Looking at the NFC, there aren't a lot of teams running the 3-4 defense, which Peppers has publicly expressed his interest for. Those teams, in addition to the Cowboys, are the Cardinals, who run more of a hybrid defense, the Packers, who are in a transition to the 3-4, and the 49ers (I could've sworn there were more than those four teams). It's reasonable to believe that the Niners are one of those four teams on Peppers' radar. The Packers' defense is in rebuilding mode after their offseason overhaul. While they plan to run a more solid form of the 3-4 than the Cardinals, you can't expect them to see much success. The track record for teams converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in recent years has not been very favorable. Also, I don't think Peppers would like to move to cold ass Wisconsin after living in Carolina his whole life. On the other hand, the Cardinals run the 3-4 in some ways, as well. Their new D-coordinator, Billy Davis, last worked for the Niners, whom he failed to convert to the 3-4 successfully. I don't see much reason to believe that he'll find success in Arizona. Last but not least, other than the Cowboys, the Niners have the most stable form of the 3-4 defense in the NFC. Greg Manusky completed his conversion to the 3-4 last season and found some success. They're currently two big pieces away from becoming a dominant 3-4: a run-plugging nose tackle and a pass rushing outside linebacker, something in the mold of Julius Peppers. I'd go on more but I'm hungry as shit.
January 25, 2009
• I don't know why I've never thought of this. I mean, it's crossed my mind but I've never really considered it. Anyway, Matt Barrows was doing a Q&A and again, the idea of switching Nate Clements to free safety was brought up. I've always disregarded this idea because Nate has much more value as a CB. If we moved him, we'd have a gaping hole at an already shallow position. It sucks because Nate has all the makings to become a fantastic safety, but we just don't have the CB depth to do it. Enter Malcolm Jenkins, the top-rated CB in this year's draft. If we picked him up at #10, pairing him with Nate would give us one of the best CB duos in the league. Furthermore, we'd have a legit lock down CB capable of filling in for Nate if he were to ever make the switch. In doing so, we'd have a solid CB to match up with opponents' #1 WRs, and have Nate fill in at arguably our biggest need. I'm just saying this is a possible scenario that I wouldn't be against if it happened. In reality, I'd rather keep Nate at CB and instead, pick up another safety to replace Roman.
January 22, 2009
• The Niners just signed DB Jimmy Williams. Back in 2006, I was really pushing for the Niners to draft him with one of our first round picks [we ended up picking up Vernon Davis at #6 and Manny Lawson at #22] but he fell to the Falcons in the 2nd round. Before the draft, NFL Draft scout ranked him as the #1 CB in the draft. He was a 6'3", 220 lbs CORNERBACK with 4.4 speed. This guy was a beast in college. Back then, I thought he was the answer to our FS problems [which have yet to be solved]. He ended up getting released by the Falcons because of weight issues and maybe because he was suspended for mariuana possession. Anyway, despite how much I admired him back then, I'm gonna try to keep my hopes low for him next season. I think the team is making the right move in trying him out, but the chances of him making a significant impact, especially as a starting FS, are very low. He'll probably be nothing more than another Ahmad Brooks. I REALLY hope I'm wrong about this.
• FUCK SCOTT LINEHAN. The reports of him interviewing for the Raiders OC job is a fucking slap in the face to our team. I actually hope he does go to the Raiders and ends up ruining his career. Scott Linehan can eat shit and die. **Update: Scott Linehan took the job with the Lions. I guess all that talk about him interviewing with the Raiders was just that--talk. Sorry Scott Linehan for the harsh words.
• Dan Patrick brought up something interesting today canlled the "Gruden Effect." He basically described how John Gruden's Bucaneers went to the Super Bowl against his old team, the Raiders, and ended up destroying them because he knew about their whole gameplan from his history with the team. Next Sunday, Ken Whisenhunt will be leading the Cardinals against his old Steelers, whom he was the OC for. Will the "Gruden Effect" prevail and keep the Niners' hopes for reaching 6 championships first alive? We shall see next Sunday...
January 20, 2009
• With Linehan out, I'll need a new favorite to win the OC job. My new pick will be Chan Gailey, who may or may not be the Chiefs' OC. While the Chiefs' offense last year was abysmal, Gailey has a strong track record as an OC and a college head coach prior to last year. More importantly, he has run-first philosophy that has been successful in the past. As the Steelers' OC in the '90s, he led the team to a league leading 154.9 rushing yards per game. The problem is that the Niners have yet to interview him. Get on it Scotty!
January 18, 2009
• Linehan declined the 49ers' offer for the OC job for personal reasons concerning his family. That just sucks. Really. That really, REALLY sucks. I don't see the Niners going for Jon Gruden so I'm guessing they might go for Rob Chudzinksi which sucks, too because he'll get snatched away for a head coaching job after the season which will fuck up our continuity AGAIN. What I REALLY want: Linehan bitches and moans about not taking the job and his wife makes him change his mind. God, this whole mess could've been avoided if we had hired Cam Cameron instead of Mike Martz last year.
• Julius Peppers, who's played DE for the Panthers for 7 seasons, wants to leave Carolina to play for a 3-4 team. The news is very intriguing and sort of peculiar at the same time. First, the peculiar part. Before, I stated that Peppers was not a good fit for the 3-4 defense; he's too lanky to hold his ground as a base DE and he's way over the average size of a typical 3-4 outside linebacker, which is probably the position he wants to play. In fact, he's bigger than some of our own base linemen [including two starters], who are meant to be immovable run-stuffers whose primary job is to tie blockers. However, Peppers is an intriguing prospect. For a player of his size, he's a freakish athlete. While he possesses tremendous power, he is lightning quick, with top-notch speed and agility. Along with his proven hand skills, all these attributes have made Peppers the most versatile defensive lineman in the league. So, when I heard he wanted to play linebacker, I instantly became a believer. Imagine Julius Peppers and Justin Smith going after Kurt Warner next year. I'm getting cream jeans just thinking about it.
I'll update this whenever I think of something worth posting...
April 3, 2009
• 1.49 seconds. That was the recorded time of Jason Williams' 10-yard split at his pro day which was ran on a slow track. Combine that with a 39" vertical, a 10'9" broad jump, and 26 bench reps, and you have yourself an amazing athletic specimen. The question: Can he rush the passer as the WILL of the 49ers' 3-4? He certainly has the athleticism needed for the role. His 8 sacks and 5 forced fumbles prove his productivity. For the Niners, Williams, who's currently projected as a 3rd-4th round pick, may be a risk worth taking.
April 1, 2009
• The big story of the week is the rift that has formed between QB Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos. Immediately, the news caught the attention of the 49ers fan base and media and with good reason. If the team was willing to go after Kurt Warner, why wouldn't they be interested in Jay Cutler? First, I'll just say that I don't expect Cutler to be in a 49ers uniform any time soon. We don't have the draft picks or the players to compensate for a trade. I'd be surprised if a deal went through. If/When he does get traded, it will probably for one of Detroit's 1st-round picks, another mid-round pick, possibly a future 1st, and maybe an additional player (Daunte Culpepper?). If the Lions pass on Matt Stafford with the 1st pick and go for OT Jason Smith (which they SHOULD do), there's a good chance that their 20th pick would be used on QB Josh Freeman, anyway. However, if they trade it for Cutler, Denver could grab their own QB of the future while the Lions get their franchise QB. It all makes perfect sense; at least more sense than the Niners creating a Mike Nolan/Alex Smith reunion in Denver.
February 18, 2009
• An anonymous source has released a list of four teams that Julius Peppers is demanding to be traded to if not released: Cowboys, two other NFC teams, and an AFC team. First, I'd hate to see Julius Peppers go to the Cowboys. I can't imagine how ugly it'd get with Julius Peppers and DeMarcus Ware on the same team. But the news also gives the 49ers something to be hopeful for. Looking at the NFC, there aren't a lot of teams running the 3-4 defense, which Peppers has publicly expressed his interest for. Those teams, in addition to the Cowboys, are the Cardinals, who run more of a hybrid defense, the Packers, who are in a transition to the 3-4, and the 49ers (I could've sworn there were more than those four teams). It's reasonable to believe that the Niners are one of those four teams on Peppers' radar. The Packers' defense is in rebuilding mode after their offseason overhaul. While they plan to run a more solid form of the 3-4 than the Cardinals, you can't expect them to see much success. The track record for teams converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in recent years has not been very favorable. Also, I don't think Peppers would like to move to cold ass Wisconsin after living in Carolina his whole life. On the other hand, the Cardinals run the 3-4 in some ways, as well. Their new D-coordinator, Billy Davis, last worked for the Niners, whom he failed to convert to the 3-4 successfully. I don't see much reason to believe that he'll find success in Arizona. Last but not least, other than the Cowboys, the Niners have the most stable form of the 3-4 defense in the NFC. Greg Manusky completed his conversion to the 3-4 last season and found some success. They're currently two big pieces away from becoming a dominant 3-4: a run-plugging nose tackle and a pass rushing outside linebacker, something in the mold of Julius Peppers. I'd go on more but I'm hungry as shit.
January 25, 2009
• I don't know why I've never thought of this. I mean, it's crossed my mind but I've never really considered it. Anyway, Matt Barrows was doing a Q&A and again, the idea of switching Nate Clements to free safety was brought up. I've always disregarded this idea because Nate has much more value as a CB. If we moved him, we'd have a gaping hole at an already shallow position. It sucks because Nate has all the makings to become a fantastic safety, but we just don't have the CB depth to do it. Enter Malcolm Jenkins, the top-rated CB in this year's draft. If we picked him up at #10, pairing him with Nate would give us one of the best CB duos in the league. Furthermore, we'd have a legit lock down CB capable of filling in for Nate if he were to ever make the switch. In doing so, we'd have a solid CB to match up with opponents' #1 WRs, and have Nate fill in at arguably our biggest need. I'm just saying this is a possible scenario that I wouldn't be against if it happened. In reality, I'd rather keep Nate at CB and instead, pick up another safety to replace Roman.
January 22, 2009
• The Niners just signed DB Jimmy Williams. Back in 2006, I was really pushing for the Niners to draft him with one of our first round picks [we ended up picking up Vernon Davis at #6 and Manny Lawson at #22] but he fell to the Falcons in the 2nd round. Before the draft, NFL Draft scout ranked him as the #1 CB in the draft. He was a 6'3", 220 lbs CORNERBACK with 4.4 speed. This guy was a beast in college. Back then, I thought he was the answer to our FS problems [which have yet to be solved]. He ended up getting released by the Falcons because of weight issues and maybe because he was suspended for mariuana possession. Anyway, despite how much I admired him back then, I'm gonna try to keep my hopes low for him next season. I think the team is making the right move in trying him out, but the chances of him making a significant impact, especially as a starting FS, are very low. He'll probably be nothing more than another Ahmad Brooks. I REALLY hope I'm wrong about this.
• FUCK SCOTT LINEHAN. The reports of him interviewing for the Raiders OC job is a fucking slap in the face to our team. I actually hope he does go to the Raiders and ends up ruining his career. Scott Linehan can eat shit and die. **Update: Scott Linehan took the job with the Lions. I guess all that talk about him interviewing with the Raiders was just that--talk. Sorry Scott Linehan for the harsh words.
• Dan Patrick brought up something interesting today canlled the "Gruden Effect." He basically described how John Gruden's Bucaneers went to the Super Bowl against his old team, the Raiders, and ended up destroying them because he knew about their whole gameplan from his history with the team. Next Sunday, Ken Whisenhunt will be leading the Cardinals against his old Steelers, whom he was the OC for. Will the "Gruden Effect" prevail and keep the Niners' hopes for reaching 6 championships first alive? We shall see next Sunday...
January 20, 2009
• With Linehan out, I'll need a new favorite to win the OC job. My new pick will be Chan Gailey, who may or may not be the Chiefs' OC. While the Chiefs' offense last year was abysmal, Gailey has a strong track record as an OC and a college head coach prior to last year. More importantly, he has run-first philosophy that has been successful in the past. As the Steelers' OC in the '90s, he led the team to a league leading 154.9 rushing yards per game. The problem is that the Niners have yet to interview him. Get on it Scotty!
January 18, 2009
• Linehan declined the 49ers' offer for the OC job for personal reasons concerning his family. That just sucks. Really. That really, REALLY sucks. I don't see the Niners going for Jon Gruden so I'm guessing they might go for Rob Chudzinksi which sucks, too because he'll get snatched away for a head coaching job after the season which will fuck up our continuity AGAIN. What I REALLY want: Linehan bitches and moans about not taking the job and his wife makes him change his mind. God, this whole mess could've been avoided if we had hired Cam Cameron instead of Mike Martz last year.
• Julius Peppers, who's played DE for the Panthers for 7 seasons, wants to leave Carolina to play for a 3-4 team. The news is very intriguing and sort of peculiar at the same time. First, the peculiar part. Before, I stated that Peppers was not a good fit for the 3-4 defense; he's too lanky to hold his ground as a base DE and he's way over the average size of a typical 3-4 outside linebacker, which is probably the position he wants to play. In fact, he's bigger than some of our own base linemen [including two starters], who are meant to be immovable run-stuffers whose primary job is to tie blockers. However, Peppers is an intriguing prospect. For a player of his size, he's a freakish athlete. While he possesses tremendous power, he is lightning quick, with top-notch speed and agility. Along with his proven hand skills, all these attributes have made Peppers the most versatile defensive lineman in the league. So, when I heard he wanted to play linebacker, I instantly became a believer. Imagine Julius Peppers and Justin Smith going after Kurt Warner next year. I'm getting cream jeans just thinking about it.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Mike Singletary Interview with Ralph Barbieri and Mock Draft 6.0 with Official Compensatory Picks
"If you speak for the fans, I want to speak to the fans: Get excited about what we're doing today. Get excited for where we're going now. I'm the head coach this year... We know exactly who we are and we know exactly where we're going and all I'm asking you and the fans to do is just watch, just listen, and just see. I think we're on to something. I really do." -- Mike Singletary, Head Coach
http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/5608.mp3
I loved this interview for many reasons. Here's a list of those reason and some other points I'd like to point out...
1. I loved how Coach Sing took the interview in the direction he wanted it to be in, and not allow Ralph push him into a corner. For once, the interviewee refused to be the cooperative, polite guy and decided to push the interviewer around. Sing wasn't gonna take Ralph's shit and just called him out on it. I've made it known of my hatred of Ralph Barbieri. If I had a shit list, Ralph would be in the top 10. It was a breath of fresh air to hear Ralph becoming flustered, for once. That stutter sounds perfect with his nasal voice.
2. I love how "in the moment" Coach Sing is. He doesn't give a shit about what's happened in the past nor does he give a shit about what other people think about the past. All he cares about is what he can do NOW with his team so they can prepare for the future. Ralph tried to bring shit up about the Yorks' poor judgment of the past and Sing's answer was pretty simple: "I don't give a fuck. That has nothing to do with me. The past is the past and this team and I are now." but not in those exact words.
3. I love how he called out the skeptics. Basically, he said he could care less about the skeptics. He's not a skeptic and each person in the organization is not a skeptic either. If you're skeptical about the team, come to a practice, watch them prepare, and then call them skeptical if you can.
4. I love how Coach Sing called out the media. Ralph said there were questions about Warner because there were things that the public weren't sure about. Sing just said "Why does the public have to know?" And it's true. It's not their job to know what happened. It's Sing's job, and as long as he knows what happened and makes good calls based on what happened, everything's good.
4. Again, I love how honest Coach Sing is, especially about his players. More specifically, I love the news about the continuing progress of Kentwan Balmer. We need young players like Balmer to step up and form the foundation for this team. A lot of people rag on him, but again, most of the people that are calling him out don't really understand what kind of player he is. He was probably the unsexiest option at that part of the draft, but he will do his job, and that's more than you could ask from most players in the league. I believe Balmer will be a good player with the potential to be great and will help his teammates succeed. I'm 100% happy with that.
****
Today, the NFL released the official compensatory picks for this year's draft. It looks like I was a little off with my prediction. The 49ers were awarded comp 5th round pick and a 7th round pick instead of a 6th rounder. Oh well... A lot has happened in draft land, so you know what that means...
Mock Draft 6.0
1. CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
The reasoning behind this pick is simple: Malcolm Jenkins is the best player available. We have no shot at Aaron Curry (KC or Seattle), Jason Smith (possibly 1st overall pick), Eugene Monroe (Jacksonville at the latest), Michael Crabtree (same as Monroe), Brian Orakpo (going to the Browns), BJ Raji (won't get passed #9 to the Packers), or Matt Stafford (will be a top 3 pick) so I won't even consider them. We're not going to pick QB Mark Sanchez; I'll slit my wrists if we do. The Niners could reach for OT Andre Smith or DE Aaron Maybin, two players at positions of greater need, but they'd be selling themselves short. Instead, why not go for the safer, more talented pick and shore up a secondary in need of depth? With Jenkins, you'd have a Pro Bowl caliber heir to CB Walt Harris, whose contract expires after the season, or the ball-hawking safety we've needed since... God, I can't remember the last time we had a legit ball-hawking safety. Jenkins was a top-5 pick at one point. A couple slow 40-times later (and an amazingly quick shuttle time...), he free falls to the 10th pick. Regardless, he's an incredible football player and will be a fantastic asset to the team.
2. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty
No one will be happier about this pick than Frank Gore. Mike Nolan called Frank Gore a young talent in a old veteran's body after his breakout sophomore year in regards to his broken down body due to tremendous wear and tear over the years. If Gore has any chance expanding his career, he'll need to give up some carries and avoid the punishment. The problem is that he's also the centerpiece of the offense and the focal point of the new smash mouth system. Adding Rashad Jennings would give the team a powerful, yet shifty RB that can spell Gore without skipping a beat. With the new run-heavy system being implemented, adding a starting-caliber RB is as big of a need as any other position. Jennings has the talent to churn out a Matt Forte type rookie season on the right team. However, this pick will probably anger fans wanting to address greater needs such as a pass rusher or offensive tackle.
3. OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
"For a team team that plays smash-mouth football, he could be an ideal fit, as you need a city to get around his massive frame." Remember "The Replacements" starring Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves? Remember those two big tackles that flipped that car over? Chilo Rachal and Phil Loadholt could be the real life versions of those characters. Pairing them together would make running the ball much easier. Allowing him to sit behind Joe Staley and Marvel Smith will also benefit him. This pick also adds some insurance in case David Baas decides to leave after the season. Another option would be a longtime favorite of mine, Fenuki Tupou, one of the fiercest linemen of the draft.
4. OLB David Veikune, Hawaii
Before, I had the Niners selecting DE Cody Brown in the 3rd to help with the pass rush. At this point, I wouldn't even pick him in the 4th if David Veikune was still available. A Senior Bowl stand out, Veikune's high non-stop motor is what separates him from everyone else. His hustle and determination outweigh his athletic shortcomings and will allow him to make an impact, even as a rookie. Furthermore, Veikune clocked in a 1.58 10-yard split, which is comparable to other standout pass rushers from the past and present including Gaines Adams, Derrick Harvey, Connor Barwin, and Everette Brown. He also has experience standing up and has shown the improved ability to cover receivers and backs in the flat. So much for athletic shortcomings, huh?
5. ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
Meet Takeo Spikes' successor and Patrick Willis' new sidekick.
5. QB Mike Reilly, Central Washington
Right now, NFLDraftScout.com has Mike Reilly listed as a 6th rounder. Meanwhile, the Scott McCloughan thinks otherwise: "The 49ers rank players in three tiers, and they consider Reilly a second-tier player--which puts him in the late 3rd to 5th round category." Either way, the Niners will probably be looking to the mid to late rounds for another QB to sit behind Shaun Hill and Alex Smith. Reilly has been reported to meet with the 49ers and has been connected to them in other instances, as well. Of course, this could all be a smokescreen, but if not, this would be a solid pick to claim a QB of the future for a reasonable price. Reilly has all the tools and exceptional athleticism to be successful, but needs to prove that his talents can transfer to the pros. He will benefit from riding the bench for a couple years. Other QBs that are worth considering around this point of the draft are Nate Davis and Tom Brandstater. Stephen
6. LB Nick Reed, Oregon
"On the defensive side of the ball, we definitely need a pass rusher. You never have enough of those." This spot used to be reserved for Houston pass rusher Phillip Hunt. If he ends up having a good pro day, he might take this spot back. While I would still love Hunt to be selected at this spot, Nick Reed's versatility is very intriguing. Projected to play inside linebacker after playing defensive end in college, Reed is the all-time Ducks sack leader which was a product of his tenacious hustle on the field. He doesn't quite measure up, but he's a pure football player that will contribute one way or another.
7. NT Roy Miller, Texas
Before the light bulb went on for Aubrayo Franklin and the team started stopping the run, nose tackle was definitely the team's biggest need. While there are more pressing needs elsewhere, the departure of Ron Fields means that some depth at NT might be needed. If nothing else, Roy Miller can run on the practice squad until one our NTs goes down with an injury.
7. FB Travis McCall, Alabama
Yes, I know the team signed Moran Norris and there's no longer a glaring need for a FB. However, Travis McCall is not a typical FB. In fact, calling him a FB might even be a stretch. In Alabama, McCall was considered a blocking specialist who served as a 2nd TE on the line. With the departure of TE Billy Bajema, the 49ers are looking for another blocking TE to bolster their blocking on the line, which would also free up Vernon Davis from blocking duties.
http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/5608.mp3
I loved this interview for many reasons. Here's a list of those reason and some other points I'd like to point out...
1. I loved how Coach Sing took the interview in the direction he wanted it to be in, and not allow Ralph push him into a corner. For once, the interviewee refused to be the cooperative, polite guy and decided to push the interviewer around. Sing wasn't gonna take Ralph's shit and just called him out on it. I've made it known of my hatred of Ralph Barbieri. If I had a shit list, Ralph would be in the top 10. It was a breath of fresh air to hear Ralph becoming flustered, for once. That stutter sounds perfect with his nasal voice.
2. I love how "in the moment" Coach Sing is. He doesn't give a shit about what's happened in the past nor does he give a shit about what other people think about the past. All he cares about is what he can do NOW with his team so they can prepare for the future. Ralph tried to bring shit up about the Yorks' poor judgment of the past and Sing's answer was pretty simple: "I don't give a fuck. That has nothing to do with me. The past is the past and this team and I are now." but not in those exact words.
3. I love how he called out the skeptics. Basically, he said he could care less about the skeptics. He's not a skeptic and each person in the organization is not a skeptic either. If you're skeptical about the team, come to a practice, watch them prepare, and then call them skeptical if you can.
4. I love how Coach Sing called out the media. Ralph said there were questions about Warner because there were things that the public weren't sure about. Sing just said "Why does the public have to know?" And it's true. It's not their job to know what happened. It's Sing's job, and as long as he knows what happened and makes good calls based on what happened, everything's good.
4. Again, I love how honest Coach Sing is, especially about his players. More specifically, I love the news about the continuing progress of Kentwan Balmer. We need young players like Balmer to step up and form the foundation for this team. A lot of people rag on him, but again, most of the people that are calling him out don't really understand what kind of player he is. He was probably the unsexiest option at that part of the draft, but he will do his job, and that's more than you could ask from most players in the league. I believe Balmer will be a good player with the potential to be great and will help his teammates succeed. I'm 100% happy with that.
****
Today, the NFL released the official compensatory picks for this year's draft. It looks like I was a little off with my prediction. The 49ers were awarded comp 5th round pick and a 7th round pick instead of a 6th rounder. Oh well... A lot has happened in draft land, so you know what that means...
Mock Draft 6.0
1. CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
The reasoning behind this pick is simple: Malcolm Jenkins is the best player available. We have no shot at Aaron Curry (KC or Seattle), Jason Smith (possibly 1st overall pick), Eugene Monroe (Jacksonville at the latest), Michael Crabtree (same as Monroe), Brian Orakpo (going to the Browns), BJ Raji (won't get passed #9 to the Packers), or Matt Stafford (will be a top 3 pick) so I won't even consider them. We're not going to pick QB Mark Sanchez; I'll slit my wrists if we do. The Niners could reach for OT Andre Smith or DE Aaron Maybin, two players at positions of greater need, but they'd be selling themselves short. Instead, why not go for the safer, more talented pick and shore up a secondary in need of depth? With Jenkins, you'd have a Pro Bowl caliber heir to CB Walt Harris, whose contract expires after the season, or the ball-hawking safety we've needed since... God, I can't remember the last time we had a legit ball-hawking safety. Jenkins was a top-5 pick at one point. A couple slow 40-times later (and an amazingly quick shuttle time...), he free falls to the 10th pick. Regardless, he's an incredible football player and will be a fantastic asset to the team.
2. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty
No one will be happier about this pick than Frank Gore. Mike Nolan called Frank Gore a young talent in a old veteran's body after his breakout sophomore year in regards to his broken down body due to tremendous wear and tear over the years. If Gore has any chance expanding his career, he'll need to give up some carries and avoid the punishment. The problem is that he's also the centerpiece of the offense and the focal point of the new smash mouth system. Adding Rashad Jennings would give the team a powerful, yet shifty RB that can spell Gore without skipping a beat. With the new run-heavy system being implemented, adding a starting-caliber RB is as big of a need as any other position. Jennings has the talent to churn out a Matt Forte type rookie season on the right team. However, this pick will probably anger fans wanting to address greater needs such as a pass rusher or offensive tackle.
3. OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
"For a team team that plays smash-mouth football, he could be an ideal fit, as you need a city to get around his massive frame." Remember "The Replacements" starring Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves? Remember those two big tackles that flipped that car over? Chilo Rachal and Phil Loadholt could be the real life versions of those characters. Pairing them together would make running the ball much easier. Allowing him to sit behind Joe Staley and Marvel Smith will also benefit him. This pick also adds some insurance in case David Baas decides to leave after the season. Another option would be a longtime favorite of mine, Fenuki Tupou, one of the fiercest linemen of the draft.
4. OLB David Veikune, Hawaii
Before, I had the Niners selecting DE Cody Brown in the 3rd to help with the pass rush. At this point, I wouldn't even pick him in the 4th if David Veikune was still available. A Senior Bowl stand out, Veikune's high non-stop motor is what separates him from everyone else. His hustle and determination outweigh his athletic shortcomings and will allow him to make an impact, even as a rookie. Furthermore, Veikune clocked in a 1.58 10-yard split, which is comparable to other standout pass rushers from the past and present including Gaines Adams, Derrick Harvey, Connor Barwin, and Everette Brown. He also has experience standing up and has shown the improved ability to cover receivers and backs in the flat. So much for athletic shortcomings, huh?
5. ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
Meet Takeo Spikes' successor and Patrick Willis' new sidekick.
5. QB Mike Reilly, Central Washington
Right now, NFLDraftScout.com has Mike Reilly listed as a 6th rounder. Meanwhile, the Scott McCloughan thinks otherwise: "The 49ers rank players in three tiers, and they consider Reilly a second-tier player--which puts him in the late 3rd to 5th round category." Either way, the Niners will probably be looking to the mid to late rounds for another QB to sit behind Shaun Hill and Alex Smith. Reilly has been reported to meet with the 49ers and has been connected to them in other instances, as well. Of course, this could all be a smokescreen, but if not, this would be a solid pick to claim a QB of the future for a reasonable price. Reilly has all the tools and exceptional athleticism to be successful, but needs to prove that his talents can transfer to the pros. He will benefit from riding the bench for a couple years. Other QBs that are worth considering around this point of the draft are Nate Davis and Tom Brandstater. Stephen
6. LB Nick Reed, Oregon
"On the defensive side of the ball, we definitely need a pass rusher. You never have enough of those." This spot used to be reserved for Houston pass rusher Phillip Hunt. If he ends up having a good pro day, he might take this spot back. While I would still love Hunt to be selected at this spot, Nick Reed's versatility is very intriguing. Projected to play inside linebacker after playing defensive end in college, Reed is the all-time Ducks sack leader which was a product of his tenacious hustle on the field. He doesn't quite measure up, but he's a pure football player that will contribute one way or another.
7. NT Roy Miller, Texas
Before the light bulb went on for Aubrayo Franklin and the team started stopping the run, nose tackle was definitely the team's biggest need. While there are more pressing needs elsewhere, the departure of Ron Fields means that some depth at NT might be needed. If nothing else, Roy Miller can run on the practice squad until one our NTs goes down with an injury.
7. FB Travis McCall, Alabama
Yes, I know the team signed Moran Norris and there's no longer a glaring need for a FB. However, Travis McCall is not a typical FB. In fact, calling him a FB might even be a stretch. In Alabama, McCall was considered a blocking specialist who served as a 2nd TE on the line. With the departure of TE Billy Bajema, the 49ers are looking for another blocking TE to bolster their blocking on the line, which would also free up Vernon Davis from blocking duties.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Demetric Evans and Mock Draft 5.0
"This will be a loss. He was highly productive. He needed to get paid so I cannot blame him..." -- Redskins fan on the 49ers' signing of Demetric Evans
"Bummer, wanted him back." -- Another Redskins fan on the 49ers' signing of Demetric Evans
Demetric Evans Negatives
• Never had more than 3.5 sacks in a season
• Never started more than 11 games in a season
• ...hence, not an impact player
• Can he be a consistent contributor?
Demetric Evans Positives
• Coming off the best season of his career (11 starts, 3.5 sacks)
• Durable; never missed a game due to injury
• Blue-collar type player; hard worker that sets a good example for others
• Prototypical size for a 3-4 DE, can be a force against the run
• Smart, experienced veteran
• Team player and asset to the community
I'm actually happy about the signing. In Demetric Evans, we've acquired a hard working veteran who's proven to be a capable starter but will be playing in rotation with other talented defensive linemen. It really says something about the guy when he chooses to play for a team that would put him in a rotation over another team for which he'd probably be a starter. Also, I feel it should be noted that September 28 has been coined as "Demetric Evans Day" in Shreveport, LA in honor of his contributions to the community through his 92 Blessings Foundation. It's just another one of those things that speaks of the quality of his character. Next year, look for him to start ahead of Kentwan Balmer, at least for a while, and to provide an example for him with his professionalism and hard work ethic. A lot of stock is being put into Balmer and a mentor to help groom him would be an ideal situation for the team.
The first week of free agency has passed, so at this point, we sort of have an idea of what direction the team may be going in for the rest of the offseason. Sounds like time for another mock draft...
Mock Draft 5.0
1. OT Andre Smith, Alabama
Andre Smith has been catching a bad rep lately. As bad as his character has been portrayed as of late, plain and simple, he's still a phenomenal talent for a tackle. Pairing him on the right side of the line with Chilo Rachal with Joe Staley on the opposite end will more than solidify the line for the next decade. His addition will turn what was a tremendous weakness for the last 5 years into a position of strength, and will dramatically improve the quality of the offense. He's not a flashy pick, but his presence will do more for the team than any QB, WR, or RB at this point can do. Right now, it's a toss up between Smith and BJ Raji for the #10 spot.
2. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty
I've been on RB Shonn Greene's nuts for a while now. Last season, he proved to be the tough, between the tackles, thick-legged runner that the team needed to spell Frank Gore. However, his offseason workouts have been less than spectacular and may be signs of an unathletic, unconditioned prospect. On the other hand, Rashad Jennings' stock has only been going up with some amazing workouts. I guarantee that the 1-2 punch of Gore and Jennings running behind Chilo Rachal and Andre Smith would rivet. With this pick, the team will definitely get some crap from fans for passing on a pass rusher, which is arguably the bigger need. There's a good number of pass rushers that may be available at #43 including Clay Matthews, Aaron Maybin, Larry English, Connor Barwin, Michael Johnson, and Clint Sintim. Picking any of those guys at this point would heed no argument from me. In fact, Shonn Greene has a good shot of being available in round 3 if the team decides to go that route instead.
3. OLB Cody Brown, UConn
After skipping on upgrading the pass rush for the first two picks, the first pick of day 2 should be obvious. Cody Brown has fantastic burst off the edge with the upper body strength to explode into the backfield. While he has past experience standing up, he still needs to work on his footwork, so he may be relegated to 3rd down duty and special teams where he would excel. In San Francisco, he would be surrounded by a solid group of LBs that could help him develop into an every down force.
4. QB Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
Grabbing your QB of the future in the 4th round isn't a bad deal at all. Brandstater probably displayed the best set of skills at the Combine of all the QBs and shot up some draft boards. With that said, QB Stephen McGee also deserves some consideration. He's probably a better athlete than Brandstater, but he's also very raw, and will take a couple years to develop. Luckily for the both of them, they'll have a lot of time for that if drafted.
5. ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
The 49ers have been searching for a Robin for Patrick Willis' Batman since his drafting. Like I've said numerous times before, while Takeo Spikes is a perfect complement, he is just getting old and an eventual successor is needed. Last mock draft, I had Franz Joseph being the guy. While I still wouldn't argue that pick, Brinkley has risen up some draft boards and looks to be recovered from his knee injury. Sitting a year behind Spikes would help him work on his two most significant weaknesses: football instincts and his knee injury. Think of it this way... Patrick Willis is Jack Bauer and Brinkley is a shitload of C4 and the D-line is a locked door preventing Jack Bauer from saving the country. Brinkley is used to blow a hole in the line while Willis charges in and cleans house. Fuck yeah.
5. WR Mike Wallace, Ole Miss
Despite all the other additions that have been made, the team still lacks a burner needed to spread the field and open up running lanes. Jason Hill is supposed to fill this role, but his speed in shorts doesn't transfer to his speed in pads. Furthermore, a successor for return specialist will be needed once Allen Rossum leaves. Mike Wallace is all about pure speed. If he can learn to harness that talent, he may even turn into a solid starter.
6. DT Chris Baker, Hampton
In the beginning of the season, the team's most glaring weakness was its inability to stop the run. Even before QBs were abusing Mark Roman in the secondary, RBs were pounding new ones into our D-line at will. After Mike Sing took over, that started to change, but the fact remains: we need some beef on the line. Elite nose tackles are as hard to find as franchise QBs and shut down CBs. At this point, Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga are efficient, but some depth is desperately needed. Chris Baker has some experience in the 3-4 and is effective plugging the run. His strength against the run would be an asset and fitting him into the rotations would help keep other players fresh.
6. DE Phillip Hunt, Houston
As talented as he is, Phillip Hunt's measurables and lack of experience against top competition are keeping him from being a higher draft pick. Being snubbed by the Combine, it will be interesting to see how he works out at his pro day. At this point, he draws comparisons to current 49er Parys Haralson and will make plays with his tenacity and hustle. I would love to see a player like him pan out and become a James Harrison type terror. He definitely has the tools and the long gorilla arms for it but needs to fit into the right system.
7. TE Dan Gronkowski, Maryland
While Moran Norris answers the team's questions at FB, it's still up in there who the 3rd TE will be. Dan Gronkowski fits in as a blocking specialist which will hopefully relieve some of the blocking duties from Vernon Davis, another former Maryland TE. His big size and reliable hands led coaches to award him All-ACC accolades. Also, with Moran Norris' age somewhat a concern, a FB of the future is not out of the question, either.
I'm sleepy. Good night everybody.
"Bummer, wanted him back." -- Another Redskins fan on the 49ers' signing of Demetric Evans
Demetric Evans Negatives
• Never had more than 3.5 sacks in a season
• Never started more than 11 games in a season
• ...hence, not an impact player
• Can he be a consistent contributor?
Demetric Evans Positives
• Coming off the best season of his career (11 starts, 3.5 sacks)
• Durable; never missed a game due to injury
• Blue-collar type player; hard worker that sets a good example for others
• Prototypical size for a 3-4 DE, can be a force against the run
• Smart, experienced veteran
• Team player and asset to the community
I'm actually happy about the signing. In Demetric Evans, we've acquired a hard working veteran who's proven to be a capable starter but will be playing in rotation with other talented defensive linemen. It really says something about the guy when he chooses to play for a team that would put him in a rotation over another team for which he'd probably be a starter. Also, I feel it should be noted that September 28 has been coined as "Demetric Evans Day" in Shreveport, LA in honor of his contributions to the community through his 92 Blessings Foundation. It's just another one of those things that speaks of the quality of his character. Next year, look for him to start ahead of Kentwan Balmer, at least for a while, and to provide an example for him with his professionalism and hard work ethic. A lot of stock is being put into Balmer and a mentor to help groom him would be an ideal situation for the team.
The first week of free agency has passed, so at this point, we sort of have an idea of what direction the team may be going in for the rest of the offseason. Sounds like time for another mock draft...
Mock Draft 5.0
1. OT Andre Smith, Alabama
Andre Smith has been catching a bad rep lately. As bad as his character has been portrayed as of late, plain and simple, he's still a phenomenal talent for a tackle. Pairing him on the right side of the line with Chilo Rachal with Joe Staley on the opposite end will more than solidify the line for the next decade. His addition will turn what was a tremendous weakness for the last 5 years into a position of strength, and will dramatically improve the quality of the offense. He's not a flashy pick, but his presence will do more for the team than any QB, WR, or RB at this point can do. Right now, it's a toss up between Smith and BJ Raji for the #10 spot.
2. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty
I've been on RB Shonn Greene's nuts for a while now. Last season, he proved to be the tough, between the tackles, thick-legged runner that the team needed to spell Frank Gore. However, his offseason workouts have been less than spectacular and may be signs of an unathletic, unconditioned prospect. On the other hand, Rashad Jennings' stock has only been going up with some amazing workouts. I guarantee that the 1-2 punch of Gore and Jennings running behind Chilo Rachal and Andre Smith would rivet. With this pick, the team will definitely get some crap from fans for passing on a pass rusher, which is arguably the bigger need. There's a good number of pass rushers that may be available at #43 including Clay Matthews, Aaron Maybin, Larry English, Connor Barwin, Michael Johnson, and Clint Sintim. Picking any of those guys at this point would heed no argument from me. In fact, Shonn Greene has a good shot of being available in round 3 if the team decides to go that route instead.
3. OLB Cody Brown, UConn
After skipping on upgrading the pass rush for the first two picks, the first pick of day 2 should be obvious. Cody Brown has fantastic burst off the edge with the upper body strength to explode into the backfield. While he has past experience standing up, he still needs to work on his footwork, so he may be relegated to 3rd down duty and special teams where he would excel. In San Francisco, he would be surrounded by a solid group of LBs that could help him develop into an every down force.
4. QB Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
Grabbing your QB of the future in the 4th round isn't a bad deal at all. Brandstater probably displayed the best set of skills at the Combine of all the QBs and shot up some draft boards. With that said, QB Stephen McGee also deserves some consideration. He's probably a better athlete than Brandstater, but he's also very raw, and will take a couple years to develop. Luckily for the both of them, they'll have a lot of time for that if drafted.
5. ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
The 49ers have been searching for a Robin for Patrick Willis' Batman since his drafting. Like I've said numerous times before, while Takeo Spikes is a perfect complement, he is just getting old and an eventual successor is needed. Last mock draft, I had Franz Joseph being the guy. While I still wouldn't argue that pick, Brinkley has risen up some draft boards and looks to be recovered from his knee injury. Sitting a year behind Spikes would help him work on his two most significant weaknesses: football instincts and his knee injury. Think of it this way... Patrick Willis is Jack Bauer and Brinkley is a shitload of C4 and the D-line is a locked door preventing Jack Bauer from saving the country. Brinkley is used to blow a hole in the line while Willis charges in and cleans house. Fuck yeah.
5. WR Mike Wallace, Ole Miss
Despite all the other additions that have been made, the team still lacks a burner needed to spread the field and open up running lanes. Jason Hill is supposed to fill this role, but his speed in shorts doesn't transfer to his speed in pads. Furthermore, a successor for return specialist will be needed once Allen Rossum leaves. Mike Wallace is all about pure speed. If he can learn to harness that talent, he may even turn into a solid starter.
6. DT Chris Baker, Hampton
In the beginning of the season, the team's most glaring weakness was its inability to stop the run. Even before QBs were abusing Mark Roman in the secondary, RBs were pounding new ones into our D-line at will. After Mike Sing took over, that started to change, but the fact remains: we need some beef on the line. Elite nose tackles are as hard to find as franchise QBs and shut down CBs. At this point, Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga are efficient, but some depth is desperately needed. Chris Baker has some experience in the 3-4 and is effective plugging the run. His strength against the run would be an asset and fitting him into the rotations would help keep other players fresh.
6. DE Phillip Hunt, Houston
As talented as he is, Phillip Hunt's measurables and lack of experience against top competition are keeping him from being a higher draft pick. Being snubbed by the Combine, it will be interesting to see how he works out at his pro day. At this point, he draws comparisons to current 49er Parys Haralson and will make plays with his tenacity and hustle. I would love to see a player like him pan out and become a James Harrison type terror. He definitely has the tools and the long gorilla arms for it but needs to fit into the right system.
7. TE Dan Gronkowski, Maryland
While Moran Norris answers the team's questions at FB, it's still up in there who the 3rd TE will be. Dan Gronkowski fits in as a blocking specialist which will hopefully relieve some of the blocking duties from Vernon Davis, another former Maryland TE. His big size and reliable hands led coaches to award him All-ACC accolades. Also, with Moran Norris' age somewhat a concern, a FB of the future is not out of the question, either.
I'm sleepy. Good night everybody.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
49ers Free Agency
"This team, from here on out, with myself being the general manager position is going to build through the draft and again, we are going to use free agency as a tool, to add players to this roster, in a starting role or even in a backup role, meaning they can be a backup linebacker, but we know we are getting a core special teams player, so we are going to use free agency, but we are not going to be considered a team that is going to build this roster through free agency, but we’ll make it stronger because of it." -- Scott McCloughan, General Manager
After almost a week into free agency, the Niners haven't made as much of a splash as they have in the past couple of years, but they certainly have made significant moves to solidify the team. Again, I'll go over the changes that have been for each individual position.
Quarterback
Although no changes have been made at QB yet, there is definitely some activity going on regarding the position. First, Scotty Mac has made it clear that negotiations with Alex Smith have been "positive" and that there is a very good chance he'll be back in a 49ers uniform when the season starts. While that isn't set in stone, there's no reason to suspect otherwise. Second, while the Niners didn't make a splash, they certainly made headlines with their well-publicized, yet unsuccessful courtship of Kurt Warner. I still don't know how I feel about that move. For me, it really depends on what the team's underlying intentions were. If the team was seriously looking for a starting QB to supplant Hill and Smith, I wouldn't have been too excited about it. For one thing, Warner is fucking old. Sure, he had an amazing season last year, but I highly doubt he could match the same success, especially on the Niners. Then after two years, what then? Hope Alex Smith or some young draft pick can finally step in? Doesn't seem like the smartest move. Also, if Warner was signed, what would that mean for Shaun Hill and Alex Smith? Would Hill, who's proved to be a winning starter, be relegated to back up duty AGAIN? Would that also mean Smith be pushed back to 3rd string duty even after all the negotiations? The move just doesn't make sense. This is what I think really happened... I think the move was just a flashy act to sabotage the Cardinals' efforts to re-sign Warner. The Cardinals weren't willing to spend franchise-player type money, but maybe some pressure from another team would've forced them to. The Niners knew that, so they put a rival team into a tough position. If that were true, the move was brilliant. The other team wasn't exactly sabotaged, but the Niners didn't really hurt themselves either. They'll still be going into next season with a proven winner, a young, promising backup, and probably a project rookie who will contend for the position in the future.
Fullback
Welcome back Moran Norris. This was a very good move by the team. Norris fits the bill for the type of square-shouldered, sledgehammer type of FB the team was looking for. Even better, he has a very close relationship with Frank Gore, who had a lot of success running behind Norris. However, Norris' age might be a concern, so addressing the position in the draft is not out of the question.
Wide receiver
One of the first moves of free agency was the Niners' signing of WR Brandon Jones. Jones is a 4-year veteran who fits the mold of the typical big, aggressive 49ers wide receiver. Before he was drafted, he pulled off a 4.38 40-time, but has yet to show that burst and deep speed in the pros. The move is somewhat questionable because despite his lightning 40-time, Jones is not a burner, something the Niners are in desperate need of. He's also coming off a knee injury which has caused him to lose a step, although he claims that he is now faster than before. Overall, it's a good move by the Niners. I've never been a fan of big name WRs. Casual fans love them, but I've always thought of them as expensive luxuries that can only be effective if surrounded by the right talent. An average WR on a team with an elite QB and O-line will do much better than an elite WR on a team with an average QB and O-line. Anyway, Jones is coming off the best season of his career and is gradually showing some signs of his potential. It's been over a year since his injury and if his claims about his speed are true, he will add an element that was missing on offense. If not, he is still a sure-handed, aggressive WR that will provide some depth for a WR corps is desperately in need of it.
Offensive linemen
The team has been pretty quiet about their interest in any O-linemen. This leads to some fair speculation that the team will be looking to upgrade the position early on in the draft, especially around pick #10, where they will be likely to find a quality offensive tackle. Don't write off the signing of a free agent, though. There is still some quality talent on the market including OG Jahri Evans and OT Khalif Barnes.
Defensive linemen
So far, the Niners don't seem to be searching the market for the all-important nose tackle position. This can mean either one of two things: 1. There aren't any worthwhile NTs on the market or 2. The team is comfortable with the talent at NT they have now. I'm hoping it's the first one because despite what Scott McCloughan thinks, I'M not comfortable with our NTs. With Ron Fields departing for the Broncos, the team is in need of even more depth at the position. On the contrary, the team is looking out for more DE depth (Chris Canty, Demetric Evans...), which can be confusing because of the amount of depth already on the roster. The signing of another DE may result in Isaac Sopoaga moving back to his hold position at NT. However, it'd be a dream come true to see Sopoaga finally fill in at NT and flourish. I've been a Sopoaga fan since his days at Hawaii and it's been heartbreaking to watch his underachieve each year. Will McSing commit to the Sopoaga project at NT? Will this be the year Sopoaga proves his worth? Will the Niners eventually solve their D-line problems? The beginning of next season could not come any sooner...
Linebacker
First and foremost, the Niners have locked up Takeo Spikes for another 2 years, thus maintaining the best inside linebacker tandem in the league (yeah I said it). This may have been the best move for the team so far. However, Spikes' age will be a concern as long as he is on the team, and grooming his eventual replacement must be on the team's to do list. Look for the team to add some youth in the draft. Other than that, there are still some question marks about the OLB position. With Peppers and Suggs off the market, the shelf is pretty bare of quality pass rushers. Right now, Jason Taylor is the only available player that has any real value. However, I think the team is looking to get younger at the position, and at 34 years old, Taylor is on the decline. The same goes for Willie McGinest. If worse comes to worse, look for one of the mentioned players (more likely Taylor) to provide locker room presence at the very least for a young, talented defense.
Defensive back
Well, the Niners did sign CB Allen Rossum, but of course he's more of a return specialist than defensive back. Either way, it's a good signing of a proven playmaker. Other than that, the team doesn't seem to be making any big moves. Like may other positions in free agency, there isn't a lot of talent out there for DBs. I can list a bunch of available DBs on the market, but I can't honestly say that they'd be a significant upgrade over what the team currently has. At this point, finding some youth through the draft to add some depth would be the smarter move.
****
Well, that's it for today. Free agency is still going, so I'll be updating this as I see fit. Look out for another in-depth mock draft within the next couple of weeks...
After almost a week into free agency, the Niners haven't made as much of a splash as they have in the past couple of years, but they certainly have made significant moves to solidify the team. Again, I'll go over the changes that have been for each individual position.
Quarterback
Although no changes have been made at QB yet, there is definitely some activity going on regarding the position. First, Scotty Mac has made it clear that negotiations with Alex Smith have been "positive" and that there is a very good chance he'll be back in a 49ers uniform when the season starts. While that isn't set in stone, there's no reason to suspect otherwise. Second, while the Niners didn't make a splash, they certainly made headlines with their well-publicized, yet unsuccessful courtship of Kurt Warner. I still don't know how I feel about that move. For me, it really depends on what the team's underlying intentions were. If the team was seriously looking for a starting QB to supplant Hill and Smith, I wouldn't have been too excited about it. For one thing, Warner is fucking old. Sure, he had an amazing season last year, but I highly doubt he could match the same success, especially on the Niners. Then after two years, what then? Hope Alex Smith or some young draft pick can finally step in? Doesn't seem like the smartest move. Also, if Warner was signed, what would that mean for Shaun Hill and Alex Smith? Would Hill, who's proved to be a winning starter, be relegated to back up duty AGAIN? Would that also mean Smith be pushed back to 3rd string duty even after all the negotiations? The move just doesn't make sense. This is what I think really happened... I think the move was just a flashy act to sabotage the Cardinals' efforts to re-sign Warner. The Cardinals weren't willing to spend franchise-player type money, but maybe some pressure from another team would've forced them to. The Niners knew that, so they put a rival team into a tough position. If that were true, the move was brilliant. The other team wasn't exactly sabotaged, but the Niners didn't really hurt themselves either. They'll still be going into next season with a proven winner, a young, promising backup, and probably a project rookie who will contend for the position in the future.
Fullback
Welcome back Moran Norris. This was a very good move by the team. Norris fits the bill for the type of square-shouldered, sledgehammer type of FB the team was looking for. Even better, he has a very close relationship with Frank Gore, who had a lot of success running behind Norris. However, Norris' age might be a concern, so addressing the position in the draft is not out of the question.
Wide receiver
One of the first moves of free agency was the Niners' signing of WR Brandon Jones. Jones is a 4-year veteran who fits the mold of the typical big, aggressive 49ers wide receiver. Before he was drafted, he pulled off a 4.38 40-time, but has yet to show that burst and deep speed in the pros. The move is somewhat questionable because despite his lightning 40-time, Jones is not a burner, something the Niners are in desperate need of. He's also coming off a knee injury which has caused him to lose a step, although he claims that he is now faster than before. Overall, it's a good move by the Niners. I've never been a fan of big name WRs. Casual fans love them, but I've always thought of them as expensive luxuries that can only be effective if surrounded by the right talent. An average WR on a team with an elite QB and O-line will do much better than an elite WR on a team with an average QB and O-line. Anyway, Jones is coming off the best season of his career and is gradually showing some signs of his potential. It's been over a year since his injury and if his claims about his speed are true, he will add an element that was missing on offense. If not, he is still a sure-handed, aggressive WR that will provide some depth for a WR corps is desperately in need of it.
Offensive linemen
The team has been pretty quiet about their interest in any O-linemen. This leads to some fair speculation that the team will be looking to upgrade the position early on in the draft, especially around pick #10, where they will be likely to find a quality offensive tackle. Don't write off the signing of a free agent, though. There is still some quality talent on the market including OG Jahri Evans and OT Khalif Barnes.
Defensive linemen
So far, the Niners don't seem to be searching the market for the all-important nose tackle position. This can mean either one of two things: 1. There aren't any worthwhile NTs on the market or 2. The team is comfortable with the talent at NT they have now. I'm hoping it's the first one because despite what Scott McCloughan thinks, I'M not comfortable with our NTs. With Ron Fields departing for the Broncos, the team is in need of even more depth at the position. On the contrary, the team is looking out for more DE depth (Chris Canty, Demetric Evans...), which can be confusing because of the amount of depth already on the roster. The signing of another DE may result in Isaac Sopoaga moving back to his hold position at NT. However, it'd be a dream come true to see Sopoaga finally fill in at NT and flourish. I've been a Sopoaga fan since his days at Hawaii and it's been heartbreaking to watch his underachieve each year. Will McSing commit to the Sopoaga project at NT? Will this be the year Sopoaga proves his worth? Will the Niners eventually solve their D-line problems? The beginning of next season could not come any sooner...
Linebacker
First and foremost, the Niners have locked up Takeo Spikes for another 2 years, thus maintaining the best inside linebacker tandem in the league (yeah I said it). This may have been the best move for the team so far. However, Spikes' age will be a concern as long as he is on the team, and grooming his eventual replacement must be on the team's to do list. Look for the team to add some youth in the draft. Other than that, there are still some question marks about the OLB position. With Peppers and Suggs off the market, the shelf is pretty bare of quality pass rushers. Right now, Jason Taylor is the only available player that has any real value. However, I think the team is looking to get younger at the position, and at 34 years old, Taylor is on the decline. The same goes for Willie McGinest. If worse comes to worse, look for one of the mentioned players (more likely Taylor) to provide locker room presence at the very least for a young, talented defense.
Defensive back
Well, the Niners did sign CB Allen Rossum, but of course he's more of a return specialist than defensive back. Either way, it's a good signing of a proven playmaker. Other than that, the team doesn't seem to be making any big moves. Like may other positions in free agency, there isn't a lot of talent out there for DBs. I can list a bunch of available DBs on the market, but I can't honestly say that they'd be a significant upgrade over what the team currently has. At this point, finding some youth through the draft to add some depth would be the smarter move.
****
Well, that's it for today. Free agency is still going, so I'll be updating this as I see fit. Look out for another in-depth mock draft within the next couple of weeks...
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