O-Coordinator Jimmy Raye II and QB Coach Mike Johnson

“Well, I think basically what we had a shared experience about was the fact that the team’s that I’ve been the leader of as a coordinator have been tough physical football teams that run the ball and have a physicality about them, but play an offense that takes care of the contingencies of the defense. But the overriding factor is that we want to be tough-minded, physically and emotionally, and I think those were the things that [Mike Singletary] was excited about.” -- Jimmy Raye II, Offensive Coordinator

It took a while, but Mike Singletary finally decided to settle on former Jets RB coach Jimmy Raye II as the new OC for the 2009 season with former Ravens WR coach Mike Johnson filling in as the QB coach. You can find all their stats and history profiles on their wiki-sites or from one of the Matts' blogs.

What do I think? Well, first of all, I've learned to never judge a pick up until I see what he can do. I've come to realize that the people in charge of my team are professionals, which I am not, thus they are much more likely than I am to make good football decisions for the team. Though they're not big name coaches, Coach Sing is no fool and he hired Raye and Johnson for a reason. He had many choices to go with, and he went with the coaches he believed would give the team the best chance to win, so that must mean something. If anything, I always like to give them the benefit of the doubt. It keeps me from getting sad.

Here are what I think are the positives...

1. Raye has a lot of experience; the most experience of any candidate that was interviewed for the job. That experience will be crucial in aiding Coach Sing in his first full year as head coach. Already, this is one characteristic that no other candidate could match. The last head coach he was under as an O-coordinator: Norv Turner.

2. Raye has had some recent success running ball, as the Jets ranked 9th in rushing yards last year. Also, he was the Rams OC when Eric Dickerson broke the league-record for rushing yards in 1984. It should be safe to assume that Raye and Singletary have similar philosophies in terms of running an offense.

3. The hiring of Raye will bring something the offense hasn't had in years--offensive continuity. It's safe to say that no one will be looking at Raye as a head coach candidate any time soon. Raye will surely be in for the long haul (which I hope is a good thing).

4. Jimmy Raye is old school. To some people, that's a bad thing. But to others, like myself, it's a breath of fresh air. He's the anti-Martz. What he brings to the team is a fundamental, smash-mouth brand of football that has been proven to win games. I know I'm in the minority here. Everyone these days in the Madden Era want to see shoot outs and record breaking scores. However, the most consistent teams over the years have been winning games on the ground.

...and now the negatives...

1. Jimmy Raye is very old. While he has a lot of experience, you have to wonder if he can be innovative enough to out-smart other coordinators.

2. Overall, he doesn't have the best track record. From a statistical viewpoint, his offenses have been just average. He's only cracked the top-10 in one year with the Chiefs, and most of those yards came through the air. However, Raye's work with the Chiefs gives the Niners a reason to be hopeful. During his tenure as an OC in Kansas City, TE Tony Gonzalez stood out as the most productive TE in the league, averaging 83 catches, 1060 yards, and 7.5 touchdowns. If Jimmy Raye can finally unleash Vernon Davis, and transform him into the playmaker he was intended to be, he would prove to be the most effective OC since Greg Knapp.

3. Jim Hostler has been quoted to be a disciple of Raye. This is bad because anything related to Hostler has to be very, very bad.

4. He looks funny!


So, that's four positives versus four negatives. In conclusion, I'm not mad at the hire but I'm not really ecstatic either. Shit, I'm just glad we picked someone already. Other than Linehan, I wasn't really sold on any of the either candidates anyway. To be honest, I'm much more excited about the Tom Rathman hiring than I am about this. Speaking of which, I think Rathman, more than anything or anyone, will have most significant positive influence for this team.

For next year, I predict our offense will be solid, not spectacular, and our defense will carry us into the playoffs. I also predict a better year overall for Frank Gore and less turnovers and sacks on offense. Most importantly, our offense will become much more physical and resemble a more smash mouth style of offense. Seriously, how can anyone complain if all that happened? Anyway, I wish Jimmy Raye and Mike Johnson (and Tom Rathman) good luck and I look forward to seeing what they can do.

NEXT: Super Bowl & Mock Draft 4.0

Senior Bowl

"DT BJ Raji, Boston College: The most impressive player on the North team, hands down. He pushed his way into the top half of the first round, quite literally, with his dominant bull rush against some very talented interior blockers." -- Chad Reuter, The Sports Xchange

Now that the Senior Bowl has wrapped up, it's time for another mock draft. I wasn't sure how my mock draft could possibly change after updating it the first time, but alas, at this point of the offseason, it's impossible for mock drafts to not change. One thing to note is the team's addition of DB Jimmy Williams, who may or may not be a factor at free safety, and Michael Spurlock, who's going to get looked at as a possible return man. Other than that, I'm going to assume no other additions were made during free agency. By the way, I base all these predictions based on NFLDraftScout.com's rankings.

Mock Draft 3.0

1. DT BJ Raji, Boston College. Two weeks ago, I had the Niners picking him in the 2nd round. In a matter of 4 days, his stock has skyrocketed to the first half of the draft. He absolutely dominated during Senior Bowl week and he looks like the real deal at NT, a position the team has needed to upgrade as much as their needs for a FS and a pass rusher. His rising stock is a blessing as much as it is a curse. It's a blessing because we can justify taking him with the 10th pick. It's a curse because now he's open to getting picked at #9 by the Packers, who are planning on switching to the 3-4. I can count the number of 3-4 teams with a legit NT on one hand. That's how rare these nose tackles are and Raji's the only one in this draft. This pick is a virtual lock if he's available.
Other options: OT Michael Oher, DE Everette Brown, MLB Rey Maualuga, DE Brian Orakpo, CB Malcolm Jenkins

2. DE Larry English, Northern Illinois or DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State or LB Clint Sintim, Virginia. If RB Shonn Greene is available here, he's the pick. My gut thinks he won't be [will probably be picked by the Browns or Bengals], so I'm going to go with a premiere pass rusher in either Larry English, Aaron Maybin, or Clint Sintim. Right now, it's too hard to tell which one is the better prospect of the three and if the better prospect will even be around long enough for the Niners to select him in the 2nd round. I'd be happy with any one of these guys to provide the team with a legit pass-rushing threat.
Other options: RB Shonn Greene, DB Sean Smith

3. OT Fenuki Tupou, Oregon. If OT Phil Loadholt is still there, I'd rather take him. Again, I don't think he'll last that far into the 3rd round if he even gets into the 3rd round, but I'd be just as pleased with Tupou. Tupou is the only original prospect from my first mock and I want him on the team for all the same reasons as before.
Other options: OT Phil Loadholt, QB Josh Freeman, MLB Scott McKillop

4. RB Andre Brown, NC State. Another Senior Bowl standout that earned himself some money with strong play. Brown's been overlooked because of his lack of production in college. However, over the last week, he's shown the ability to be a powerful runner that can hit the holes hard and truck over DBs. He's a well-fitted complement to Frank Gore and will thrive in a smash-mouth system.
Other options: QB Graham Harrell, FS Rashad Johnson, DE David Veikune, OT Augustus Parrish

5. CB Bruce Johnson, Miami. Bruce Johnson would be a good fit for the team at this point in the draft for a number of reasons... 1. With Walt Harris on the decline,questions surrounding Shawntae Spencer's health, and the mystery known as Reggie Smith, the team's CB depth could stock up. You can never have too many CBs; 2. Johnson is a different mold of CB other than what the team currently has. Nate Clements, Harris, Spencer, Smith, and Tarrell Brown are all larger CBs that like to jam WRs and bully them around. Johnson relies more on his quickness and his ability to stick onto and harrass WRs; and 3. His speed may be an asset on special teams, where the team is looking for Rossum's successor at KR/PR; 4. He's from Miami, my favorite NCAA football team.
Other options: QB John Parker Wilson, DE Lawrence Sidbury, DE Phillip Hunt, DT Terrance Taylor

6. FS Curtis Taylor, LSU. I've been wanting a free safety in the early rounds of the draft for the last five years. For the last five years I've watched those early round picks go to every position other than safety. Yet, this year, I'm shooting for another late round safety. Why the change of heart? Two words--Dashon Goldson. I don't think last year's training camp was a fluke. I think Goldson can still be a playmaking FS but he just needed a year or two to hone his game. Other than injuries, the only thing holding him back last year was his lack of experience. Waiting until the 6th round for Curtis Taylor would still get us a quality FS that may not push for too much playing time, thus allowing Goldson to get comfortable in a starting role. Let's call Taylor an insurance policy in case Goldson never pans out.
Other options: WR Brandon Tate, RB Devin Moore, RB Tyrell Sutton, MLB Antonio Appleby, MLB Victor Butler

7. QB Tom Brandstater, Fresno State. Here, the Niners pick up their other QB. It was tough to choose between picking a QB or FB here but I went for the position that would be more valuable and higher in demand. In terms of measurables and all that prototype stuff, Tom Brandstater is the complete package. He has drawn comparisons to past draft picks Foe Flacco and Kevin O'Connell. However, he's gonna need a lot of coaching and he's far from a finished product. With Shaun Hill and Alex Smith ahead of him, the team can afford to let the 7th round pick wait.
Other options: FB Travis McCall, FB Quinn Johnson, QB Mike Reilly

One position I neglected to address was WR or scat back. I've always thought the team had talented receivers, including our tight ends, that just needed the right system to thrive. With that said, I still don't think we need to waste an early round pick for another WR. However, I wouldn't mind taking a scat back with one of those picks [Devin Moore, Tyrell Sutton]. If the offense lacks anything, it's a legit burner that's a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Since we're switching to a more traditional offense, I figured we could leave it out. Next update will come some time after the Super Bowl. Surely, a lot will change by then so I'll keep this updated. Until then, I'll be enjoying the MMA bonanza that's going on over the next two weeks.

NEXT: [Insert Offensive Coordinator's Name]

NFL Playoffs Analysis

I'm just taking notes while I watch these games. Unfortunately, I'm not always around a TV, so I miss a lot of action and I can't cover everything. Also, I'm not always at a computer so a lot of this stuff comes straight from memory. I'll update this as the playoffs continue...

BCS Championship: I might as well add this in here, too.

• I'm still not sold on QB Sam Bradford as an elite NFL QB. He does have remarkable touch, but I would've liked to have seen how he would perform with a defense constantly in his face. He'll do fine in the pros if he can land with a team that can protect him.

• And I'm definitely not sold on QB Tim Tebow, either. For one thing, he's a dick. Apparently, he's pulling a Matt Leinart because he's compelled to stay due to a sense of loyalty to Florida. Right, and I'm sure his 5th round draft projection had nothing to do with it, either.

• But I am sold on WR Percy Harvin IF and only IF he can stay healthy. He has Reggie Bush-like talent at a position better suited for Reggie Bush-like talent. Would I spend the 10th pick on him? Probably not, unless I was desperate for an upgrade at WR. His durability still worries me.

Falcons 30 @ Cardinals 24

• Now that was a surprise. All of a sudden, the Cardinals were able to take over the running game on both sides of the ball. Actually, what I think it came down to was Kurt Warner's ability to lead the team over Matt Ryan's lack of big game experience. With Michael Turner held back, the game was put into Ryan's hands, yet he couldn't come through.

• Welcome back Edgerrin James. He didn't exact light it up but he did get the job done and that's all the Cardinals are really asking of him right now. His big game experience will be invaluable for the rest of their playoff run.

Colts 17 @ Chargers 23

• I'm gonna go ahead and call LaDainian Tomlinson the most dominant running back of my time. That wasn't the most well-thought out comment and I might get crap for it. With that said, it was heartbreaking to see him on the sideline rendered helpless from a groin injury. Since Barry Sanders, no other running back has been able to take over a game single handedly with as much authority as Tomlinson. However, he experienced a huge decline this year, mostly due to injury, and it seems that his best days are far behind him. He's officially set the standard for future RBs in the league.

• As long as I'm doing a tribute to some of the greats, I might as well say something about Tony Dungy. Tony Dungy was the consummate "family man" of the NFL. Some will remember him as the first black coach to win a Super Bowl. Others will remember him as the quiet, resolute leader that found strength through his faith and family devotion. His football philosophy will be carried on throughout his coaching tree and his legacy will be carried on through his quiet inspiration. Geez, this game was like a swan song for these guys.

Ravens 27 @ Dolphins 9

• I'm not gonna give Flacco as much credit as he's been getting for his performances so far in the playoffs. If anything, his play has proven that a team does not need an elite QB to make it far into the playoffs. The Ravens have stuck with the same formula each year and it's proven to be successful. Solid running game + dominant defense - elite QB = playoff run.

• Here's the only stat of the game that matters: Ravens, 1 turnover; Dolphins, 5 turnovers. Different schemes come out each year but in the end, it's the same thing: you win the turnover battle, you win the game.

Eagles 26 @ Vikings 14

• Didn't watch this one, but apparently Donovan McNabb had a good game.

Ravens 13 @ Titans 10

• Until he leaves the Ravens, Ray Lewis will always be the undisputed leader of the the team. Despite all the hype surrounding Ed Reed, Ray Lewis is their most valuable player and their field general. Ultimately, he'll be the key to their success in the playoffs. That hit was beautiful.

Cardinals 33 @ Panthers 13

• This game was more about the Panthers losing this game [six turnovers] rather than the Cardinals winning it. Say all you want, the Cardinals are gonna get ravaged by the Eagles.

• Steve Smith's stats for the game -- 2 catches, 43 yards, 1 touchdown. I wasn't watching how they were covering him, but it blew my mind how uninvolved Smith was during this game. I know DeAngelo Williams currently has the hot hand, but Steve Smith is the team's most experienced veteran playmaker and you can't make it through the playoffs without giving him the ball and letting him make magic happen. The Cardinals did it with Larry Fitz and look how that turned out for them. I have a feeling someone's gonna call me out and say Jake Delhomme was trying to get him the ball but he kept getting intercepted.

Eagles 23 @ Giants 11

• Didn't watch this one either. I'm always missing the Eagles games.

• I'd like to say one thing though. I applaud Andy Reid for what he's done with this team. Early in the season, the Eagles looked to be the odd team out in the NFC East. Now they're the last NFC East team remaining in the playoffs. With his much publicized family issues, his month off during the offseason, and questions surrounding his star QB, Reid managed to get his team together and make a strong push for the Super Bowl. If you knew the story behind his family, you'd have to wonder how he made it through and still manage to lead the team. Don't forget, it was his decision to bench McNabb, which ultimately led to his resurgence. Right now, there isn't a better coach in the league.

Chargers 24 @ Steelers 35

• This game was held in Pittsburgh in the snow with Tomlinson out and 5'6" Darren Sproles starting against the Steel Curtain. The Chargers never stood a chance.

• I'm starting to get concerned that the Steelers might actually go all they way and become the first NFL team to reach six Lombardi trophies. Right now, three teams are in the lead with five: Steelers, Cowboys, and the 49ers. Whoever gets #6 first will be the undisputed greatest of all time. I always hoped the Niners would be the ones to do it.

NFC Championship

• I got home in time to catch the second half. What's crazy is that everyone thought of the Cardinals as one of the worst teams to ever make the playoffs, yet here they are, up by seven, with less than two minutes left in the game. If you remember what this post used to say, I predicted a lopsided blowout in favor of the Eagles. As impressive as the Eagles' rally was to shorten the 18-point gap, they're gonna need something even more impressive and highly improbable to win this game. From what I've seen, I still think Andy Reid's been calling an incredible game.

• The Eagles have to cover about 88-yards in 9 seconds. Not gonna happen...

• ...It didn't happen. The Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl...

• ...wait. What?

AFC Championship

• I actually didn't get to see much of this game.

• One thing worth noting... It may be hard to imagine, but this might've been Ray Lewis' last game with the Ravens. Ray Lewis was one of the reasons I came to love football and although he's not on my favorite team, he has always been and may always be my favorite football player. What's heartbreaking is that there are rumors that he might move on to the Dallas Cowboys next season. I can't imagine anything worse than my favorite player going to my most hated team.

Super Bowl XLIII

• I want the Cardinals to win but I don't think it's gonna happen. But hey, I said that three times already in the past month so you never know.

Running Backs Coach Tom Rathman

"He wants to be a smash mouth football team; a tough, physical football team. That's what I want my group to do--be the toughest guys on the football field. His approach to the game is similar to my approach to the game." - Tom Rathman, Running Backs Coach

It was a happy day in 49erland when it was announced that former 49er fullback and running backs coach, Tom Rathman, would be return to take the job he previously had with the team. The hiring made sense on so many levels...

1. Rathman has connections to the 49ers golden years of the past when he was the lead blocker for Roger Craig. He brings a winning tradition to a team that hasn't had a winning season in seven years.

2. He's proven himself to be a productive coach. Under his tutelage, rookie RB Kevin Jones had the best season of his career, rushing 1000+ yards. With the Raiders, Rathman developed Justin Fargas and company into a solid RB corps after years of mediocrity.

3. He shares the same smash mouth, ball control philosophy as Coach Singletary. His goal will be to turn the 49ers RB corps into a violent, physical group that can move the pile at will. He'll be crucial asset in finding a fullback that can blow holes through the line for the RBs to run through.

4. When it was announced that the Niners were in search for a new offensive coordinator, Rathman's name seemed to come up a lot. While a popular choice, it's also not so much a smart one, especially considering his lack of experience calling plays. If there is some merit to his ability to make the calls, he can sit back as a position coach while learning the ropes, then fill in as the successor if the next offensive coordinator decides to bounce for another job--something us 49er fans are far too familiar with. Again, that's all just speculation, but hey, it'd be pretty cool if it happened.

Of course, this hiring was just a piece of the puzzle. The bigger question: Who will be the next offensive coordinator? I expect the answer to come soon. According to Sing, they were supposed to have the answer two weeks ago.

***

I think my mock draft is already out of date. I know I said I wouldn't talk about the draft until the Senior Bowl but eh, what can you do? Here's the new one without analysis...

Mock Draft 2.0
1. DE Brian Orakpo
2. RB Shonn Greene
3. FS Rashad Johnson
4. RT Augustus Parrish
5. NT Terrance Taylor
6. QB David Johnson
7. RS Marcus Thigpen

NEXT: Senior Bowl

Early Look at the Draft

“So whom do the 49ers select with the 10th selection? My answer: The best player available.” - Matt Maiocco, Press Democrat

Today, I'll post my first of many 49ers mock drafts and analyses for the upcoming offseason.

OK, to reiterate from the last post, the Niners' needs include QB, OL, pass rusher, DS, and perhaps NT, RB, and FB [and maybe WR or CB]. Through my mock free agency, the Niners have addressed a few of those needs with the signings of OT Vernon Carey [or OG Jason Brown...], DE Terrell Suggs, and FB Leonard Weaver along with maintaining Takeo Spikes, Allen Rossum, and Donald Strickland. So with that said, who do I think the Niners should draft in April? I'll go with Maiocco's answer: best player available.

MOCK DRAFT 1.0 [predicted under the assumption that no trades occur allowing the Niners to move spots]

[1] RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
I had a safety like Taylor Mays [currently the favorite along with the illogical picks of QB Sam Bradford and QB Matt Stafford] or William Moore being picked here for over a month. However, after deliberating over what I said in the last post, I think the range that Coach Sing is looking for at the safety position can possibly be found within a couple players currently on the roster. Thus, the Niners can afford to address the need later in the draft. Now, Wells is not the most popular pick for the Niners. In fact, it wasn't even one of the needs addressed by Sing. In the last post, I described how the top 4 teams in the league all have superior runing games. What's notable is that those four teams also use multiple RBs in their offensive systems. Coincidence? Probably not. This isn't a knock on Gore at all. He's still the best offensive player on the team and will be unless Vernon Davis can tap his potential. However, he's been taking a major beating since his college days, and his career won't last much longer unless the team can lighten his load. With the team to become more focused on the run in the coming seasons, another RB is an absolute necessity. Enter Chris Wells, who has been considered one of the premiere prospects of the draft all year with comparisons to Bo Jackson and Eddie George. He's a powerful RB that complements Gore nicely. Both RBs have injury issues so a RB committee may benefit them both in the long run. Furthermore, I believe he is a better talent than Mays or Moore anyway, so picking him would stay true to the "best player available" philosophy. Why not Knowshon Moreno? To me, he seems too similar to Gore. While I'd love to have two Gores on the team, I think some versatility at RB would benefit the offense more. Also, he's not a bruiser as much as Wells is, which I think the Niners need to wear down the defense. With his selection, the Niners will possess arguably the most powerful RB corps in the league for years to come.
Other options: FS Taylor Mays, FS William Moore, DE Brian Orakpo, DE Everette Brown

[2] NT BJ Raji, Boston College
It's been frustrating watching the Niners try to implement the 3-4 defense despite missing the most critical component of the system: a NT that can plug the middle of the line and draw multiple blockers. Like I said before, Franklin has improved dramatically toward the 2nd half of the season, but I'm not convinced that he's anything more than a back-up in this league. Raji is built like a prototypical NT and possesses 1st round talent. He's very one-dimensional, but he plays that dimension very well and the best run stuffer in his class. There are character concerns, but his talent is too good and the need is too great to pass him up at this point.
Other options: RB Shonn Greene, RB CJ Spiller, OT Phil Loadholt, OLB Clint Sintim

[3] OT Fenuki Tupou, Oregon
Tupou is 6'5" and 333 lbs of raw power. Scouts have used words such as "violent," "monstrous," and "nasty" when describing him. Physically, he's built to play right tackle but can move inside to guard when needed. Despite his tremendous talent, he's still very raw and may take some time to develop. With the recent pick-up of Vernon Carey, the Niners can afford to groom him into a starter somewhere along the line. David Baas will be in the final year of his contract, and it's yet to be seen whether he will be signed to an extension. What's also possible is that he'll move into the center position, replacing Eric Heitmann, who isn't an ideal fit for the power running game. Regardless of what happens to Baas, the Niners need some depth and some power on the line and Tupou is a fitting addition.
Other options: RB Rashad Jennings, DE Phillip Hunt, DE Larry English, FS Rashad Johnson

[4] FS Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
Delmas just pulled out a very productive senior season displaying a solid, balanced set of skills. From a talent standpoint, he's already an improvement over Mark Roman and he'll give Dashon Goldson some competition for the spot as the eventual successor. Considering he can start as a rookie, getting him in the 4th would be the steal of the draft.
Other options: DE Cody Brown, NT Terrance Taylor, QB Rhett Bomar, QB Nathan Brown

[5] QB David Johnson, Tulsa
Here, the Niners address the last of their quoted needs. Johnson had an impressive season but is still being overlooked by most draft gurus. Right now he's still viewed as a 5th-6th rounder. He has many of the tools needed to succeed and will benefit from riding the bench for a few years behind Shaun Hill and Alex Smith. Calling him the QB of the future is a stretch but still possible. If Matt Cassell can do it, there's no reason to think that Johnson can't.

[6] DE Slade Norris, Oregon State
With the pick up of Suggs, the Niners are able to bypass selecting a pass rusher until the 6th round. Norris was nothing more than a situational pass rusher which is OK because he'll be nothing more than a situational pass-rusher in the NFL either. His stats are VERY impresive considering he only played on 3rd downs against some strong competition.

[7] KR/PR Marcus Thigpen, Indiana
Oh yeah, just to clarify, it's virtually impossible to predict the last 2-3 rounds of the draft. During these rounds, you start hearing names you've never heard of from schools you've never heard of at the most random positions. Yet, every year, I predict teams to be logical and pick the most qualified players. At this point, drafting for speed for special teams would be a good idea. Thigpen has bounced between RB and WR so he doesn't have a true position and is still very raw. However, he is electrifying on the field and is a big play waiting to happen IF he can put it all together. If he stays at RB, he can be a change of pace RB for Gore and Wells; similar to the RB trio the Giants currently have. If he goes back to WR, he can be the deep threat the Niners have been lacking for years. With Rossum as the primary return specialist, Thigpen can wait in the wings and work on his game until he is ready to make a significant contribution.

NEXT: Running Backs Coach Tom Rathman

Early Look at Free Agency

"Definitely think we need to add another quarterback. I think we need to add an offensive lineman, guard or tackle. On the defensive side of the ball, we definitely need a pass rusher. You never have enough of those. So a couple of those guys would be great. Possibly a safety. Our guys have done a good job but going forward, we may want to get a safety that has some range or what have you. So generally, to start with, that's a good place to start right now." - Mike Singletary, Head Coach

Now that we know what the team needs, time to look over those specific needs and how the team can fulfill them during the offseason, specifically through free agency. Also, remember that this is a VERY early look into the preseason. The current football season isn't even over yet and there's A LOT that can happen by the time free agency starts. Before I go over each position individually, we need to address the futures of the team's current free agents. There's more than a few so I'm only gonna cover the ones I think are significant.

1. First, we can clear some cap space by releasing OT Jonas Jennings and Tully Banta-Cain. Jennings was one of Nolan's biggest flops and it's clear that he can't stay healthy enough to make a positive contribution to the team. TBC is expendable and should be expended. He's being paid too much to be a special teams player. Here's a wild card: FS Mark Roman. However, I wouldn't release him until we pick up a replacement.

2. MLB Takeo Spikes. In my opinion, re-signing Spikes is a MUST. He played his part perfectly and was one of the most productive players on the team. Most importantly, he provides leadership for a young front seven and a mentor for Patrick Willis.

3. KR/PR Allen Rossum. McCloughan really nailed it when he brought Rossum on board. Despite his age, Rossum possessed enough quickness to match his instincts and starred as one of the most productive return specialists in the league. I believe Rossum can still contribute in his current role next season, but the 49ers would be smart to look into the position more and find an eventual successor. At the least, a capable back-up is a necessity. If Dominique Zeigler returns another punt, I will blow my brains out.

4. WR Bryant Johnson. It's hard to gauge Johnson's value to the team. Either way, if he's re-signed, I can't see him doing any better than becoming the #3 WR, AGAIN. With the emergence of Josh Morgan and Jason Hill, Johnson just seems expendable.

5. RB DeShaun Foster. Foster proved to be a capable fill-in when Frank Gore sat out two games towards the end of the season. However, he didn't do much else before that. I think the Niners can afford to go in a different direction this season and instead sign a bruiser, power RB that can crank out those short yards, thus taking a huge load off Gore.

6. NT Ronald Fields. I was really disappointed that Fields didn't contribute much this year. I haven't been the biggest Aubrayo Franklin supporter, even despite his improved play, and I hoped that Fields could possibly supplant him as the starting nose tackle. With that said, I'd openly welcome Fields back as a back-up for the right price, but I still believe the team's answer at NT is not on the current roster.

7. CB Donald Strickland. Strickland's always been a solid, yet VERY underrated player. He has been reliable in coverage and does well in run support. He will never be considered a top CB in the league, but he excels in the role he is given. I expect the Niners to re-sign him at a reasonable price.

The rest of them can be let go and that includes JTO, Rod Green, Billy Bajema, and Zak Keasey.

Now back to what Coach Sing was saying...

1. Quarterback. First off, I like Shaun Hill. Yeah, he's not as talented or athletic as most NFL quarterbacks, but he plays very smart and he posesses the intangibles needed to succeed. He's a fully capable game manager and he's has shown a real knack for winning. For the type of system Singletary's trying to implement, Hill seems to fit in just fine. However, several media pundits have the Niners looking to improve upon the position through free agency. Right now, the most popular pick would be Matt Cassel, who just had a semi break-out season as a fill-in for the injured Tom Brady. However, I'm not convinced that Cassell would be an improvement over Shaun Hill, thus I can't see how his signing would be justified. The wild card of the offseason may come as a surprise to some. Before the 2007 season, the idea of Donovan McNabb playing for another team was unreal. However, when his successor, Kevin Kolb, was drafted in 2007, it raised questions about McNabb's future with the Eagles. Some believe this year to be his last with the team, which would instantly make him the most coveted free agent on the market. His experience in Andy Reid's West Coast Offense makes him appealing to Coach Sing's desire to return to a traditional offense. Would I be upset if the Niners fail to sign him if he became available? Nah, but I'd have no complaints if they did. In the end, I think the Niners should pass on QB free agents this year and draft a QB to groom as an eventual replacement for Hill.

2. Offensive lineman. You can't have a smash-mouth offense without a mauling offensive line that can steamroll through the defense. I agree with Coach Sing in that the current line is fully capable of doing so. However, there is a glaring weakness at the right tackle position that must be addressed. Jonas Jennings is finished in SF. Barry Sims is not a starter, period. Adam Snyder is talented but still inconsistent as a starter. He performs his best when used in rotation along the line. What the team needs is a consistent pass blocker on the right side that can also create holes for the run game. The wild card here would be current starting right guard, Chilo Rachal. His natural position is RG and he excels at it, but in training camp, he has shown flashes of ability to play tackle, as well. If he can manage to lock down the tackle spot, it would provide the Niners some flexibility in handling the other weak points of the line. Ideally, the team should keep Rachal at his current position and bring in a starting right tackle to bookend the line. The prize pick of free agency this year is Jordan Gross, who was franchised last season by the Panthers. He would be a major upgrade over anyone currently on the Niners' roster but will also be a hot commodity around the leage. If the Niners target him, they'd likely be caught in a bidding war with several other teams. My personal pick this season would be Vernon Carey, a monster left tackle currently with the Dolphins. Carey has experience at almost all the positions along the line, but his natural position would be at right tackle, where he dominated as an All-American at The U. One more wildcard player: OG Jason Brown. Getting Brown would mean the team would have four players capable of playing guard or center. He's a powerful mauler and someone I really hoped the Niners would draft in 2005. He's exactly the type of player the team needs to run a smash mouth offense. If Rachal moved one spot to his right, Brown would fit in nicely between Heitmann and Rachal. I'm just saying...

3. Pass rusher. Parys Haralson finally came along and Justin Smith was a huge step in the right direction. However, despite the improvements, the Niners lack that double digit sack, QB-killing, game-changing pass rusher that can put pressure on the QB on a consistent basis. The free agent class for pass rushing specialists is very top heavy the year, assuming that the key players don't re-sign with their current teams. Julius Peppers would be an obvious upgrade but is not a good fit in the 49ers' 3-4 system. On the other hand, Terrell Suggs, if signed, would bookend the Niners' linebacker corps giving them arguably the best young group of linebackers in the league. In addition, Suggs has a history with Singletary during Sing's previuos days as the Ravens' linebacker coach. The problem is that pass rushers are held at a premium and the costs of their services are very expensive. GM McCloughan will have to think hard as to whether he should break the bank to acquire Suggs or bite the bullet and try his luck in this year's draft, which is rich in pass rush specialists. Or he can do both. Like Coach said, "You can never have enough of those."

4. Free safety. It's been years since the Niners had some decent range at FS and this year, the team's deficiency at that spot was exposed all too often. Like the pass rush, the team has failed to upgrade the position and has suffered from it year in and year out. Mark Roman is out of his league and the fact that he hasn't recorded an interception in over two years says a lot about his lack of playmaking ability. The team desperately needs some better talent at FS; a true ball-hawking centerfielder that can be reliable last line of defense and get his hands on the ball. Got another wild card here: Dashon Goldson, the 4th round draft pick and gem of the previous training camp. From what was said about him in the reports from camp, you'd think Ed Reed grew some dreadlocks, put on a Goldson's helmet, and played in Goldson's place. Yet for some reason, he was never able to supplant Roman. You can only hope that it was due to his lack of experience and next year, he'd be more prepared to take on a larger role. The team's gonna need it, too. The FS free agent class is pretty bare. The best of the bunch seems to be Oshiomogho Atogwe, who I'm not convinced will be a significant upgrade over what the Niners got now. Fortunately, they can look forward to the draft, which looks to have a strong group of safeties coming in; something we can discuss later... **Update: Another idea may be to try rookie Reggie Smith out at free safety. Smith has experience playing both a CB and a DS, so it's not out of the question. Only time will tell where he fits, but if he can put it all together, he does have the physical tools to become a starting DS.

5. Nose tackle, Running back, and Fullback. These weren't positions of need stated by Coach Singletary, but I really think that they are crucial positions of need. I don't see how the team's gonna get any upgrades through free agency, so we're not gonna talk about them, yet. Actually, I'd love to pick up Brandon Jacobs if he were to be let go, but that'd never happen and if it did, he'd never come to SF. **Update: Bee-Rows brought up something interesting in a recent blog. FB Leonard Weaver, who's about to become a free agent, is a young, talented fullback with the size to create holes and the hands to make plays. After watching him torch the Niners this season, I'd welcome him to the team with open arms.

So, in conclusion, this is what I think the 49ers should do in regards to free agency this offseason.

1. Re-sign MLB Takeo Spikes.

2. Re-sign KR/PR Allen Rossum.

3. Re-sign Donald Strickland.

4. Sign DE Terrell Suggs. Suddenly, the 49ers' pass rush has become an area of strength. Matt Leinart doesn't have a prayer.

5. Sign OT Jordan Gross. I don't think we'll be able to break the bank for him so instead, IF we can afford it and IF he's available, sign OT Vernon Carey. This last move is wishful thinking at this point so we'll just see what happens. If we miss out on both, I say go sign OG Jason Brown and begin the Chilo Rachal project at RT. In fact, I'd love to have Carey AND Brown but that's way out of our budget. If we miss out on all three, the Niners will have their pick at some fat boys in this year's draft...

6. Sign FB Leonard Weaver.

Don't forget, it's still VERY early to predict anything regarding free agency. There's still a chance these guys don't even hit the market and there's also the chance that another team may release a player that can contribute. Stay tuned...

NEXT: Early Look at the Draft