It’s great to have football news again. I see everyone has been enjoying it. The first few days of free agency have been a whirlwind of league activity which the 49ers, true to their word, have more or less refrained from.
It seems safe to say, this was not a wildly popular approach.
Through four days of free agency, the team has lost its starting center, starting nose tackle, a starting ILB, a starting OLB, and might still lose the starting free safety. They have added exactly nothing. And they still need a third QB.
All of these losses were planned for with the exception of the center, who somehow translated a six year career of ineffectiveness and injury into a pro bowl salary in New York. Fans in NY who might take the time to scrutinize this center’s career here could possibly wish their own team had more or less refrained, also.
Most of the BIG NAME$ are off the market now, having established the salary structure the lesser names will be working with, and there are still a lot of these FAs still out there as yet unemployed. One of them, who has generated zero interest or ink thus far, is Abrayo Franklin. You might remember him as the 49ers starting nose tackle. Many felt he was irreplaceable here and would command big money in free agency. So far, that has not been the case.
None of these FA players can start practicing with their new teams until next Thursday, so there is still almost a week for a lot more transactions to occur. This second stage of free agency is where the 49ers have operated in the past few years, and will operate this year as well.
Mostly obscured by the free agency noise, the 49ers quietly started Training Camp on Thursday, taking the field Friday for their first practice. According to the beat writers, Jim Harbaugh is 180 degrees opposite of Mike Singletary. Singletary stood around looking regal, while his assistants did the work. Harbaugh is neck deep in the mix with the players, from telling the crane cameraman what angle to take film from to even making a few snaps at the center position, evidently attempting to teach a new technique that would increase the speed of the snap by a few split seconds. That sounds kind of funny, but I suppose when you only have two or three seconds to get the ball and throw it, a split second extra bit of time might be looked kindly upon. In addition, a fumbled snap from center in a real game can be blamed on the new technique and not on the two clods who effed it up.
This week of enforced inaction for FAs and re-signed players will be an opportunity for the young players on the team, and the rookies, to get some invaluable practice reps and perhaps catch the eye of the new coaching staff. On the first day, third round CB pick Chris Culliver broke up some passes and looked pretty sharp. Needless to say, the team could use a good young corner about now.
Those who have not enjoyed the 49ers lack of participation in the free agency game should stay tuned now. In the next few days, the team will be adding some players who can be insulted and demeaned to your heart’s content. Unless by some miraculous chance, you are pleased. If, however, you have taken up a position of NO HOPE, then by all means, carry on.
NT Kelly Gregg signs with KC. Still no mention of Abrayo. Either teams don’t value him as much as thought or he’s asking too much.
Perhaps Aubrayo tried to gazump a prospective employer by raising his price out of this world?
Fan reaction initially (and mine) to free agency reminds me of what happened in the draft; people scratching their heads going huh? Harbaugh is firm that he and Baalke are following their plan which appears to be building through the draft not through free agents. JH the inscrutable one strikes again.
hey Skeebs …theres been alot of fan disappointment with FA signings and losses…but i truly believe Harbaughs gonna build a winner….we have a REAL coach now…and top flight assistants… players that make it to the pros have ability (some more than others obviously).. but the coaches make the REAL difference..and game plans mean alot too…in game/half time adjustments are not a new concept… but they are in San Francisco…Harbaugh made a power out of Stanford…STANFORD..( when was the last time that happened?)…he WILL do the same in San Francisco… will we be in the playoffs this year ? probubly not…but watch next year.. and the year after that..and as for all the Alex Smith bashers …i think alot of him as a young man..and he may be a good QB with a coach and game plan..but then again..he may be Harbaughs Steve DeBurg…and remember how that played out…Kaapernick may really be something… keep the faith …we’re heading in the right direction
We’ve got 8 guys from last year’s class and 9 from this year’s who will be on the active roster or practice squad. These fellows need to step up and perform and validate these two drafts.
The stench from this team is permeating into my living room. I can literally smell 49er shit in the air. And Kelly Gregg just signed with the Chiefs? Berger was just telling me last night how much he wanted the Niners to sign him. Quick, somebody sign a D-lineman for Berger. He’s about to go nuttier than I am.
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It does look like the youth movement is on. Not a bad thing. Anything is better than what we have seen the past few years and if Harbaugh can get a new mindset and attitude installed who knows where that might take us. As far as the second part of FA, we are going to have to get some players if for no other reason than to fill some holes. We shall see. I am still excited about this season.
One thing for sure, Dennis will never be disappointed in this team. Lowered expectations are okay if we can see we are getting somewhere with ‘the plan’. JH counsels patience. So be it until we have evidence one way or another. We know with the BW teams that it can take a few years to build a winning Team.
I’m glad we didn’t get NA. Let it play out.
The Cards just signed CB Richard Marshall from Carolina. I didn’t want him, but that was one guy Maiocco was touting as a Niner target. Either they’re not trying to sign anyone, or nobody wants to come play here. I think it’s both.
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Barrows of Sacbee had a depth chart of the first day of prcatice. Rachal was
not first string RG but Nick Howell played instead and CJ Spillman was at S and not Taylor Mays
Dennis nothing like being in a lifeboat with Mr “we’re all gonna die”
I am not a York apologist, I just like to let things play themselves out.
I said the roster would take shape within 2 weeks and you jumped all over me yesterday.
Just dealing with reality. You can give V a run for his money for being Dr Doom
In my earlier post i wrote “wiil we make the playoffs this year?…probuly not” With the way the off season went this year…and holes we have that is a reasonable assumption…but in our division anything is possible….however what i really want and expect to see is the team play better and better as the season moves forward…and like skeebs said…i want to see these young players step up and show something…
Maiocco sharing his thoughts on Free Agency
But there are plenty of options that remain available to the 49ers, and the organization certainly has those agents’ numbers on speed dial.
For instance, the 49ers spent a lot of time talking to Ben Dogra of CAA about Asomugha. Dogra and 49ers lead negotiator Paraag Marathe have worked together a lot in the past, most notably on Patrick Willis’ contract extension last year. Dogra represents Jets free-agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie, too.
CAA also represents newly signed defensive end Ray McDonald. Quarterback Alex Smith’s agent, CAA’s Tom Condon, represents a potential target at center, Chris Spencer, who played under 49ers line coach Mike Solari with the Seahawks.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus figures prominently in the 49ers’ roster quest. He represents holdout running back Frank Gore and free-agent safety Dashon Goldson. (CSN’s Mindi Bach reports Goldson, who remains unsigned, has talked with the 49ers, Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.) Rosenhaus also represents a potential cornerback solution, Carolina free-agent Richard Marshall, and backup quarterback possibility Billy Volek. UPDATE: Marshall revealed Saturday morning on Twitter that he’s flying to Arizona, presumably to sign with the Cardinals.
The 49ers also have a lot of interaction with agent Todd France, who represents Nate Clements, Takeo Spikes and Aubrayo Franklin. Cornerback Carlos Rogers, a Washington free agent, is a client and somebody who would become an immediate starter.
Bullit, you’re not a York apologist? Maybe when it comes to the York Peppermint Pattie. But when it comes to Denise, John and Jed? The hell you aren’t.
And I don’t know why you’d have anything against the York Peppermint Pattie. They’re delicious.
Dennis So how do you square what you said a week or so ago?
“I wanted Harbaugh all along. I think you’re confusing me with what Spit said. And I could could never “jump ship” as you suggest. I will always be a 49er fan. I couldn’t stop being one if I tried.”
Like I said relax and have a favorite beverage or two. Have a Dogfather.
You need to give Coach Harbaugh a chance not rail on him after one TC practice.
Look what’s happening in DC with Shanahan
:”You talk about a guy not being experienced — I believe in the guys,” Shanahan said. “I believe in ’em. And I’ve been doing this for a long time. And I put my reputation on these guys that they can play.”
Beck and undrafted rookie Ben Chappell were the only quarterbacks on the field Friday morning at the first practice of training camp. Grossman is a free agent, but the team plans to re-sign him to compete for the starting job.”
I stand by my words, Bullit. I’m just deeply concerned with how this FA period has begun. You can add another CB who’s now off the market — Chris Carr is re-signing with the Ravens.
What I feared the other day looks to be reality. The Niners are going to need to spend $20+M by the time the new league year starts. Who, pray tell are they going to spend that money on? They just might end up giving A*** S**** another $15M yet.
The cap floor doesn’t kick in till 2013, if that concerns you. I don’t think it concerns the Niners.
Niners have signed FB Jack Corcoran and ILB Larry Grant.
Brooks lined up in Manny’s old spot yesterday, with Aldon Smith backing up Haralson on the other side. Wonder if that’s a portent for Haralson’s future.
Skeebers, are you sure about that? Maiocco tweeted that the Niners needed to spend about $20M by the time the new league year begins. I took that as being Aug. 4. And I just read the salary floor is $108M for this year.
Jack Corcoran spent all of last year on the Titans PS. Larry Grant? The Niners originally drafted him in the 7th rd and summarily cut him. What time’s the parade?
But regardless if Jack spent the entire yr on the PS or not. If it means that he and Bruce Miller will be the FBs and they’ll tell Moran Norris’s sorry ass to hit the road, I’m all for it. I will not tolerate another year of Moran Norris at fullback. I can’t. I won’t.
James Harrison was undrafted and cut by the Steelers at least 3 times. Now he’s All Pro and an MVP.
Late bloomer or suddenly the light clicked on.
Maybe they just want another look at Grant as this is a new staff and different DC.
Norris need to go so we agree on something. I’ll drink to that!
New York doesn’t care too much for Nnamdhi
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/30/daily-news-uses-classic-drop-dead-headline-for-nnamdi-asomugha-snub/related/
The Jets went all in on NA and got burned.
Too bad REX!
Dennis The Yorks told me yo pass this on to you
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/30/per-team-spending-minimum-doesnt-apply-until-2013/
2013 is when the salary floor starts
Well, Matt Maiocco needs to send out an apology and retraction for his tweet this morning that stated otherwise. And if the cap ceiling is $120M this year, how much do you think the York’s will be spending, Bullit? It won’t be a $120M. I can guaran-damn-tee-it. Prepare to defend the York’s when they are bombarded with accusations of being cheap, miserly and skinflints.
That hasn’t been the case in recent years. IIRC, they’re somewhere in the middle of the pack in that regard.
Skeebers, I’m talking about where the Niners will be this year in regards to the cap. If they’re anywhere near the median I’ll be shocked and I’ll offer an apology to them. Unlike that little shit Maiocco…
Well, I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see what they do and what they spend. It seems a bit premature to assume the worst right now. Plaxico is visiting the Niners today. He might cost a few nickels.
Bummer, Cullen Jenkins to the Eagles. What’s the deal with them, are they trying to win the Super Bowl or something like that?
Maybe Philly fans are tired of seeing the team contend every year, but always come up short. All these splashy signings puts a lot of pressure on Reid to get them over the hump this year.
Hey, Berger. When we play the Eagles this year Harbaugh can ask them, “what’s your deal?”
Plaxico Burress and the Niners? He’d be a great teammate with Kaepernick. They both know how to run the Pistol Offense.
I’ll predict the over-under on Alex Smith’s interceptions against the Eagles at three.
The Colts have released CB Kelvin Hayden. Hayden was one of their starting CBs but a cap casualty. He’s only 28 years old.
CBs still available are Cromartie, Rogers, Hayden and Clements.
Raiduhs signed Trent Edwards and Khalif Barnes. Third time they signed Barnes to a 1 year contract.
sounds like cromarti joined namdi in philly there loading up for a SB run after dumping Kolb its a reshuffle in the east.
just reading the snippets from Harbaugh’s practices he is really into it.
Fangio is having a presser at 5:30 or so about his methods for deciding who is starting on defense he has been giving reps to all the players so he can evaluate there skills personally, he also said that he didn’t want to be influenced by last years film and would make judgments based on how well the practices go,it sounds good to me.
Harbaugh has also set a frenetic pace in the practices, fast to practice fast to play, his stanford practices were legendary grinders
Philly has Dominque Jones-Cromartie in their trade.
We are talking Antonio Cromartie
UFA from the Jets
DT Amobi Okoye was cut by the Texans 6-2 305, he has the build of a NG and has been a starter for Houston. He was a former top ten pick and might be worth a look at.
Nate Clements is now a Bengal. We’ll get a chance to torch Nate ourselves Week 3 in Cincy. Oh wait, I forgot. In order to torch an opponents CB, your team must have a quarterback.
No Fear, pre-game warmups? 😉
We’re gonna get trashed by the Eagles by at least 3 TDs. Early numbers crunching spits out 38-16. Akers will exact a little revenge with 3 FGs and a PAT. I even foresee Akers winning the ST POTW. I put that achievement right up there with receiving total consciousness on our death bed. So we got that going for us.
Far better to have a plan than the last 3 regimes who had ‘none’. By their results we will know if Baalke is simply refusing to take shit or is full of it. I think the later since he’s working with Harbaugh who has a record of some success: Draft fast talented youngsters, coach ’em up, mix in a few vets. Hmmm, wasn’t this BWs plan when he took over?
I hate to say this but Spitblood is making some sense lately and thinks part of the JH plan is to have a competitive team in 2013. Obviously not this year or probably next. It took awhile to create this train wreck and it won’t be fixed overnight no matter how many Nmandis we buy. BTW he really helped the Raiders shut down the 9ers last couple time we played ’em, huh? Oh wait…
Nnamdi, whatever.
Raiders re-signed safety Michael Huff, presumably taking them out of the Dashon Goldson sweepstakes.
Plaxico signs with the Jets.
He didn’t even bother to fly out here. Are you guys beginning to see a pattern here?
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Just suck and draft Luck.
Ted Ginn is going to be our starting WR this year. Skeebers has better hands than Ted Ginn. Bullit has better hands than Ted Ginn. The Venus de Milo has better hands than Ted Ginn.
Yeah but can Venus block? Oh, that’s right Ginn can’t either.
It’s gonna be a very long year. Who’s fooling who? Might as well purge all the dead weight and get it over with.
But, that would mean dumping “good ol Alex.”
I heard that Baalke just bought some peanuts. That is incredible, he spent some money!
.
It all makes sense if you can look at it this way. John York is going to pay 20 million per year to himself for naming rights to the new stadium. He is going to find a way to make that money count against the cap in order to save money. The stadium will be call York Stadium. Since it will be new we will be the New York 49ers.
The NY Post reported that he was coming to talk. The 49ers never confirmed it and Maiocco was only
quoting what the NY paper was saying.
When asked yesterday Baalke had no comment.
Unfortunately ever since Kurt Warner the Niners have been used to leverage bigger deals for clients.
Baalke better come up with a small victory soon because the natives are very restless. Need to throw them a bone look Olin Kreutz.
Marion Barber signed for half what he was making in Dallas.
It’s a soft market and only
a few teams are spending.
Osi Umenyiora ended his holdout and is in camp. He just swore he would never talk to the NY Giant GM again as long as he lived.
Signing Plaxico wasn’t going to be the answer.
If they need a WR then go after James Jones or Malcom Floyd.
ARZ just signed TE Todd Heap. I’ll ask you guys again, you beginning to see a pattern here? Every other team in the NFC West up to this point has markedly improved themselves. The 49ers? We got ourselves a new kicker.
Dennis You’re absolutely right.
It’s time for a suicide pact.
Meet you at the Golden Gate Bridge. If I’m late feel free to jump without me.
John York made me say that.
Abrayo Franklin flying to SF to re-open talks with Niners. Perhaps our NT has not left afterall.
Is Franklin taking the same plane that Plaxico did?
It seems our plan is to amass some compensatory picks for next year?
Rob This guy is trying to find Fla Niner fans
http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/7/29/2304482/49er-fans-in-florida
Tampa is close to Rob, he’s in the Clear Water area. And that person looking for Florida 49er fans wasn’t a guy, it came from 49er_gurl. Looks like Rob will be too busy for us on Sunday’s during game time. Looks like you guys will have to get more me. You can thank Rob for that.
dennis – U gonna spin out another league this year? If so sign me up.
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I wonder what Frankin was asking for. At this point I would almost rather see a total rebuild.
Winder, oh yeah, we’re doing another league. Probably two again — ESPN and yahoo! I’ll send out e-mails to everyone who played last year. I’ve already been contacted by both ESPN and yahoo! to renew my leagues. Probably won’t hold the LIVE draft until after the preseason. First game is a Thurs. night on 9/8. Maybe that Tues. the 6th right after Labor Day. Hopefully everyone will be back from their holiday weekend.
dennis, very kool, I’ll be certain not to draft A. Smith this year. I guess Berger will take him.
I might. He sure scored well for me last year.
Frank Gore is ending his holdout tomorrow.
Correction, since the 49ers do not practice tomorrow, technically, he can’t end his hold out until Tuesday.
Great news, Gore holding out just didn’t seem right.
Interesting how the new CBA imposes $30K/day and additional penalties also imposed to accrue eligibility in a short period of time too.
I don’t see how Rosenhaus has anything to bargain with following a broken hip and the advanced mileage on Frank either.
This new CBA is apparently squeezing agents by the nootz. I think they’re grasping at straws for more deals. Love Frank but face it, in RB years, he’s a little long in the tooth.
I’d be looking ahead to next year at RB Trent Richardson as an example.
New post is up.