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.
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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.
Blog Archive
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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
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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.
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.
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