"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.
Monday, March 23, 2009
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.
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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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