With the free agency signing period almost three weeks old, I want to take a look at which players the 49ers acquired and what kind of outlook the team has in store for them in the next coming weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
First, the 49ers took care of two important players from the past season by re-signing them.
- LB Takeo Spikes; 2 years, terms unknown
- KR Allen Rossum; terms unknown
Spikes was clearly a fan favorite and a major impact to the 49ers defense last season. He finished second on the team in total tackles and provided great veteran leadership for the young linebacker group. There was interest for Spikes to remain with the team and the 49ers made the right choice in retaining him. He will still provide help at the "ted" linebacker position for the team.
His signing gives the 49ers security in the linebacker position. The emergence of Parys Haralson as the outside linebacker, along with the strength of Patrick Willis, already gives the 49ers a very young, talented group. The problem with the team now is Manny Lawson, the other outside linebacker. The 49ers are in desperate need of a pass rusher and Lawson has not lived up to that potential just yet.
Through the Draft, it looks like the 49ers could find a pass rusher in the first round. Lawson has been hampered by injuries throughout his young career, which has slowed his development. If the 49ers to draft a linebacker, there might be a battle during training camps. However, the signing of Spikes does at least give the team a lot of stability in the linebacker position and can give the 49ers enough strength to try out a new linebacker if needed.
Rossum's re-signing made a lot of sense for the team. Special teams has been the best weapon for the team the past few seasons (or only weapon since past offenses were pretty bad). Rossum still has some gas left in his tank and proved it last year. The 49ers' other potential kick returner is tight end Delanie Walker and I don't think that would be that great of an option for the team. Rossum provides a great veteran presence and as the second best kick returner in the game (in terms of yards gained), it's very smart to keep him around.
I'm very pleased with the return of these two players. The 49ers didn't add any big name players like they have in the past couple seasons (Nate Clements, Justin Smith), but they did add players that are going to be solid in cementing the foundation of the team.
- DB Jimmy Williams; terms unknown
- FB Moran Norris; $5M/3 yrs, $1.5M SB
- WR Brandon Jones: UFA Titans; $16.6M/5 yrs, $5.4M guaranteed
- DE Demetric Evans: UFA Redskins; $3.8M/2 yrs
- QB Damon Huard: FA Chiefs; 1 yr, terms unknown
Williams is an experiment for the 49ers. He didn't play at all last year and the 49ers are looking to put him in the safety position. I am not too sure what to expect, but at least the 49ers are not throwing him right into the mix. The 49ers are looking for safety help and Williams could be the answer. If not, that's OK. He still has untapped talent that might surface this year.
Norris' signing was a no-brainer. The 49ers bring back the fullback that helped Frank Gore in his two best seasons in the league. Good move right here.
Jones is a hit or miss signing. He isn't a #1 receiver, yet there is a lot of room for him to jump on the depth chart. I won't think too much on this signing just yet. But I am interested to see how Jones is a supposed upgrade over the departed Bryant Johnson.
Evans may be the best signing the team has made so far. In securing stability in the 3-4 defense, finding a solid player to work opposite Justin Smith would be awesome. The Kentwan Balmer experiment has not developed and if Evans does earn the starting job, he should help bring pressure to the opposing quarterback.
Huard comes in as the third string quarterback for the team. But if it's an open battle for the quarterback position and Huard is the most experienced, I won't rule him out of anything. His veteran presence is what the team signed him for, but he might just be more than that.
The 49ers addressed some needs on the team with these signings, but they haven't given themselves a chance to really take that next step forward.
All off-season long, it was obvious the team needed a new pass rusher, right tackle and running back. They also need safety help, but at least for now, they look like they have all their starters in tact. The Draft looks like the next destination for the 49ers to find help in these three areas.
I would assume that even if the 49ers do end up with the choice of drafting a quarterback at #10, they would opt not to and draft a player like LB Everette Brown to take care of their pass rushing woes. They could find a good handful of tackles in the draft as well. And for the running back, they can find their idea "215-pounder" in any round to back up Frank Gore.
There are a few other free agents the team can look into before they go into the Draft, but it doesn't look like the team will pursue any major free agents. They have been hosting visits from cornerbacks Eric Green and Karl Paymah. If they do sign a cornerback, the team will be stacked at that position. Aside from these visits, it looks like the 49ers will focus on the Draft.
**Eric Green has signed with the Dolphins
There is always that possibility that the 49ers can trade up or down in the Draft, or even trade picks away for players. And given the situation of the NFC West, the 49ers are so close to being contenders for the division title. The team could use that one big move, trade that sets them apart from the pack. Recent history has shown us that the 49ers usually aren't very active in making trades during the Draft. Yet with the team so close, maybe it's time they pull the trigger.
Comments
I keep wondering if the Sanchez doesn't get taken in front of the Niners, if someone would be willing to trade up to get him. The Jets maybe? Maybe the Broncos if they deal Cutler?
Is there anyone else worth trading up to #10 for that the Niners wouldn't want to take themselves?
I wrote a piece here on March 7. It said that the Colts and Jets were inviting Sanchez in for a private workout. If either of those two want him, the 49ers should listen if they want to trade down.
Niners are not trading there pick so forget it we re-sighned Alex no on cry baby cutler he'd never take a pay cut he'd cry there are to many choices at Tackel an WR , BUT IM CALLEN THAT WE DRAFT MICHAEL JENKINS TO MOVE TO FREE SAFTY he droped at combine cause lack of speed to plat CB.....
I disagree that the 49er are set at safety. I think after a lack of a pass rush, it is this defense's biggest weakness. Just about every game last year the safeties got torched once or twice on a big pass play. Our strong safety aside from being foot slow, looks like he waits too long to turn and run to stay in front of the receiver. I hope SF upgrades this positions somehow either with a trade or through the draft.
Instead of wasting a 1st round draft pick on an unproven QB why don't we sign a free agent. There are several good experienced QBs still available: Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich, JP Losman. If Singletary wants to create competition for the starting QB position I think he is taking a big risk considering Alex Smith has been injury prone for the past two year with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm. I think their is a good chance he might not be healthy again this year.
mike: Jenkins would be a great talent and there have been talks about the possibility of the 49ers taking him. However, I think the best talent for the 49ers at #10 would be a pass rusher. There are a good handful of pass rushers they can get at the #10 spot and they can grab a safety in the later rounds.
troy: The Niners are looking to be set at safety in terms of their starters. They are more prepared in the CB position, so I know that the safety position will get lots of looks. They probably will bulk it up via the Draft. I see the same approach for the QB position. The 49ers could be content with the QBs they have now and they should be able to be OK with them. If they bring in another QB that has a legitamate shot at taking the starting position, there will be a lot of grumbling.
For the most part, I think the Draft is where the 49ers will finish up the roster. I don't see any other FAs out there on the 49ers radar at this moment... but you never know.
samuel i dont see the niner drafting a d line man as the first pick again only see Orakpo being a great choice an he will be gone by #10 , an the 49ers already have top 5 linebacker core n the NFL, u say lawson is a ? but i think this year he's comin of a healthy season an has the talent trust me most RB wouldnt wanna meet him 1 on 1 runing his side he's so fast an his pass covrage is over looked, so if Jenkins is gone I have them taking WR macline he is fast very developed for coming out of college forsure playmaker an the niners need as much help as they can get for HILL an SMITH , cause if u wanna run the ball now a day the other teams D has to fear ur WR's
I think the team will take the best player available. And more than likely, I would hope that Maclin is there. If not, I wouldn't mind a pass rusher. I think the team can hold off on a right tackle, but it's hard to say until we get closer to the Draft
I'm just highly skeptical that Brown or Maybin actually solve the pass rushing issues. They seem like the two with picks with the highest bust potential outside of Maclin. Raji, Oher, either Smith, Monroe, Orapko, Curry, Jenkins, Crabtree... any of those 9 and I'd be happy. Problem is the Niners pick 10th. If they got Raji, that would be the DT they have been searching for since Stubblefield left.
I wonder if the 49ers would be willing to take Andre Smith if he is available. Prior to the Combine, I had big hopes for him. I think he can be a fine player in the NFL, but how badly has his stock dropped?
samuel, excellent summary of our free agent signings. i agree that our top needs are safety and rt and to a lesser extent, rb. firts, the only safety the 49ers would have seriuosly considered was otowge from the rams. apart from that, there were no worthy safeties avaiable. besides, goldson has the talent, just needs exp. from the start, mcloughan stated were getting a rb in the draft. that is a smart move b/c the longevity of a rb is not very good, so why take one in free agency? i was also surprised we didnt look at any rt's. that only tells me one thing: they like what they see in the draft.
for everybody else, i know its fun to speculate on whats going to happen, but to really figure out whats going on you have to think realistically like the 49ers. from what i've read (and trust me, its alot) this is how the draft will most likely go:
round 1: either lb or rt; from the way the other nine picks are unfolding, it will most likely be everett brown/aaron maybin or andre smith. if we take a lb, i wouldnt be surpised if the 49ers move up to the bottom of the first to also grab andre smith. they've done it before.
round 2,3,4: this will be rb,qb,safety (not in that particular order) mcloughan like to take the best available player, so this might change depending on who starts to slide down.
If you take a look at my latest piece I just wrote, it looks like the 49ers are really interested in Andre Smith. The team could draft him with their first choice. But you are right though. The team needs a right tackle or a solid pass rusher and that is where they more than likely will get their guy with the first pick.
The 49ers will find a new safey and running back in the draft.
And there has been a lot of talk about the possibility of the 49ers getting W. Virginia's Pat White in a later round. I'm just curious of how he would be able to fit into the mix of things.
i agree samuel, if raji is there, we take him. if he turns out to be great, our lb's will automatically be better b/c they get easier matchups on the outside. however, dont count on him dropping to ten.
Of course! If Raji is available, take him!
The way the Draft is shaping up, it surely looks to be a very intersting first round. There are a lot of players that I see dropping or rising, so the 49ers could end up with Raji at #10.
i did read your piece, that second paragraph was directed more to the "take mark sanchez" speculators. and i never really thought about it, but the niners have recently been prone to draft those pat white type players. he isnt really a "true" qb, hes more of a slasher (like michael robinson or arnaz battle). with that said, im not sure the niners want to take any chances with the qb position right now and take a safer option.
White, at least to me, has a lot of upside as a QB. The Combine allowed him to prove that he is a QB that happens to be good on his feet as well.
The 49ers do have to take the safe picks and not go out on the limb to get a "slash" player. It will be interesting at least to see how the other teams approach White in the later rounds and how the 49ers take their picks after round one.
I think that the 49ers really need to address the defensive side of the ball in the draft. They can't go wrong with Brian Orakpo , Mike Jenkins , Aaron Curry , or B.J. Raji.
When it comes to it, the team should take the best player available. And it's a bonus if they are on defense.
I think the Niners need just 4 or 5 players to make a difference: A QB, a RB, a WR, a MLB and a DB. It would be great if they would have:
QB - Matt Leinart or Mark Sanchez
RB - LT or RB
WR - A.Boldin
MLB - Urlacher or AJ Hawk
DB - Could be B. Dawkins or A. Wilson
I keep reading everyones comments an wonder when singeltary took over the team we had a top 10 defense an was not are problem Offense is were the 49ers need improvment THE WHOLE 49ERS O relys on FRANK GORE weather he is running or catch'n it out the back field that put to much presure on him we need another threat to back him up so listen to this i say we trade down a 6-7 spots for a 3rd round thats were we found gore n with the 17 pick in the draft get the Top running back , Now i know ur thinking RB is the least of r problems but look at every great team an they have a TAG TEAM at RB it will help us pund the rock 35 times a game without wearing gore out like this last season at the end he missed 3-4 games from wear in tear an are O had no identity with out gore so it could happen
the 49ers should not address the defense at that number 10pick overall in the draft. they already added a db in williams and a de in evens, so why not go offense?!... it should look like this for the first three rounds:
RD1 Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, or Michael Oher. (build from the core)
RD2 Kenny Britt (TO like, has the ability to be a primetime player; need a TRUE #1 reciever)
RD3 Andre Brown if hes still available (we need a back that compliments to gore)
Defense and offense are both needs the team has to address. Big plays are being given up on defense because of the lack of pressure. And on offense, it's really not consistent without protection.
Like I've said, if we can get a pass rusher or a tackle in the first round, that would be ideal.
How about this sign Holt, and trade for pepper in the draft.
Okay it's not just the defense but the offense needs some work to. The 49ers need another back that can carry the load besides Frank Gore. I think the receiving corps is okay but I wouldn't mind the 49ers drafting a big time wide receiver. As for the quarterback position I want Shaun Hill to win the job but the 49ers could have done better than getting Huard. If they were going to get some old qb it might as well been Jeff Garcia.
ka: I'm starting to think that the 49ers might be serious about taking Andre Smith in the first round.
Eddie: Holt says he wants to play with his brother, but I wouldn't rule out reuniting with Isaac Bruce out.
CJ: Garcia wanted to start and it would just hurt the 49ers if they allowed Garcia on the team.
The 49ers might get their RB in a later round. That's what the GM said he plans on doing.
It would be nice to have a three man running attack with Frank Gore , Thomas Clayton , and the rb that will be drafted by the 49ers in the later rounds. With that Frank Gore's tenure with the 49ers can last longer.
It's a shame that the team has yet to give Clayton a fair chance to play in the league.
The 49ers need help bad.. they are my favorite team and Im sick of them not signing people that make sense with the team such as Tori Holt, Dre' Bly is out there to go opposite of Nate Clements he's our best shut down guy of course teams are going to throw at other corners. And why not try and sign a QB, Garcia is out there but Damon Huard is Definately not the answer. And it Wouldn't hurt to go after Andre Smith or a Pat White.. Bottom line is we need help and we need it now.. We missed the playoffs by 2 games last year and if Arizona can make it to the Super Bowl there is Hope for the Niners in '09.. Sign Like you want to win and don't rely on people that Did semi ok for us last year.. we need help Fast!
I would hope that the Niners at least try to get Holt and show that they want to gett a guy that has been there.
The 49ers have Bruce they might as well get Holt to.
Bruce might be the incentive for him.
IM SO BUM'D OUT ABOUT THIS YEAR FREE AGENCY THERE WAS SOME GREAT PLAYERS, Ray lewis is Patricks idol grown up we could of got him, its scary enough watchin out 4 Patrick then add lewis I would of been scared , DT Albert H. a dream in a 3-4 , an many more I think Free Agency is critical 2 any teams rise an this year we played every card wrong, goin after warner when he said it himself card or re tier what a waist of time
The Niners should look up a better backup QB and not one of those QBs like Trent Difler, Huard? What were they thinking? There are a bunch of QBs that could done better than him such as Leftwich, Losman, Ramsey aren't bad. As far as a backup RB or FB, I would look for Tatum Bell, Warrick Dunn, D McAllister, Rhodes, D Sproles. Those are the good guys and we need talent players to win games and be back to the SB! I'm sick of seeing niners losing all the damn time.
MIKE: Lewis plays the same position as Willis, so they cannot be on the same team. And the other inside linebacker spot goes to Takeo Spikes.
The only real big name player the 49ers could have pursued was TJ Houshmandzadeh. Other than that, it's smart that the Niners didn't jump on any free agent. Also, you have to factor in if these free agents WANT to come here too.
Joe: The Niners are looking for a vet QB that wants to be here and willing to take a backup role. Huard is an OK pickup, so I won't complain. It just looks like the team wants to stick with Hill or Smith.
The Niners are looking for a young backup RB, so the free agent market wouldn't work for them. For the guys you mentioned:
Tatum Bell- he is ideal, but hasn't been too good lately
Warrick Dunn- not the right size, too old
D McAllister- old and injured
Rhodes- not the right size
D Sproles- franchised
The Draft would be a safer place to get a fresh set of legs. I would like the team to go put Thomas Clayton in the lineup, but they probably won't ever.
I just would like to mention something that gets missed often... Prior to the Free Agency period, the Niners did sign Michael Spurlock to a future contract... This may not mean much but considering Spurlock was the only Tampa Bay player to ever ran back a kick off return for a touch down, it might be worth noting that Rossum's potential back up was already signed by the Niners even before they re-signed him
I hadn't heard much from the Spurlock signing since it was first mentioned a while back. To me, he might end up still trying to fight for a roster spot. If he is just a return specialist, it might be hard for him to get a spot on the team since usually we don't see two return guys taking up two roster spots.
I would also add that WR is an area of great concern especially since Isaac may not come back this year and at his age even if he does come back I wonder if has enough "left in the tank" to be as productive as last year.
I agree that the niners could use another RB to compliment Gore and I don't see anyone in the Free Agency market that fits the bill but what about in a trade? The niners could trade for Michael Bush from the Raiders plus there is a whimsical angle on having both Bush and Gore in the backfield
Bush and Gore... that almost happened if the Niners drafted Reggie Bush.
Regarding your earlier comments on Shaun Hill's arm strength, I think of even more concern is his consistency. Look at the video of the Rams game in St Louis or the Redskin game, and you'll see how Hill struggled with accuracy. One of the things that made Montana great even without a laser arm was that he was deadly accurate.
I am not a QB coach, but I think Hill has flaws in his throwing mechanics. When I see Matt Hasselbeck throw the ball he uses his entire body, even his legs. When I watch Hill throw the ball it looks like he mostly just uses his arm.
I would also think improving his mechanics will also improve his "arm strength," cuz it will allow him to put more zing on the ball. And I am also of the opinion that one of the big problems for SF quarterbacks is the lack of consistency with offensive coordinators. Instead of dedicating time on polishing their QB skill, these guys are spending their time learning the system of the new coordinator.
Niners should REALLY pick up Michael Bush. He'd be a great compliment to Gore and we could have a NY Giants type of RB rotation.
As far as the tackle position, the draft is like 11 tackles deep. We could sign John Runyan to a two year contract and wait later in this year's draft to pick up his replacement.
I'm not sure if Bush is the answer as the #2 back. He is neither particularly fast or good at running over people. I think he would be more of a #3 back. I think considering what's left in free agency in HB, the 49ers best bet is through the draft.
If not, we're in big trouble!!!!
Did you see Bush against the Bucs? 27 carries for 177 yards at 6.6 yards per touch and 2 TDs.
Ah well the aging bucs defense. My mother could ve run for 200 yards against them...
Bottom line is.. why are they waiting, I read that the GM said we can do damage in the offseason.... BUT WERE NOT!!! What is he waiting for. There are some many what if's in these comments here. Yes we need an extra RB, CORNER,QB who's worth a damn,OFFENSIVE LINE MEN,PASS RUSHER..ETC. And there out available to grab. what are they waiting for? We wasted almost a week on Kurt Warner to decide he didn't want to come to San Francisco.. And lost out on chances to Sign a Brian Dawkins, Shawn Springs and other potential players that could have helped our team. There are players that can be helpful to our team out there, It's drives me crazy to watch them Sign Nobody. And Bring in guys Iv'e never even heard of.Hey let's sign DE.. Demetrick Evans when Jason Taylor is out there...ARE YOU KIDDING ME? They need to Bring back Eddie Debartolo to run our team maybe we'll have a chance to win within the next 10 years to make it to the suberbowl...WOW, COME ON NINERS YOUR BETTER THAN THIS!
I agree. I understand the 49ers don't want to overpay for free agents but this is ridiculous. You have to accept a certain degree of opportunity cost. Especially's with the 49ers spotty record in the draft they need to be more aggressive in free agency! Also factor into that the 49ers started the offseason $29 million under the cap! Unquestionably one of the stingiest teams in the NFL.
GET CUTLER NUFF SAID
Trade the ten pick for cutler
if not keep it take either linebacker from usc
unless orakpo is there (highly doubtful)
hey brady quinn fell like a rock
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