As reported by ProFootballTalk Tuesday, the new CBA will allow players with four years in the league to become Unrestricted Free Agents, or UFAs for you acronym lovers. This puts Dashon Goldson, Ray McDonald, and Manny Lawson out there on the gravy train.
While we don’t know what the new 49ers regime thinks of these players, it has been assumed Lawson will be allowed to leave without much of a fuss. McDonald has already chimed in that he wants to play on a team where he is the starter, not a backup. Without getting into any snide reminders that starters tend to earn their way into the lineup, and are not anointed into the job, which would probably set off an Alex Smith marathon, and pointing out that McDonald’s play has not exactly been earth shaking while he’s been in SF rehabbing his college injuries, it seems possible that big ole Ray is on this way elsewhere.
This would be another dilution of the current D-line rotation. With the suspected move of Isaac Sopoagna from LDE to NT, replacing the departing Abrayo Franklin, it would seem that the LDE spot is now wide open for McDonald to claim, if the 49ers think he is good enough and they can convince McDonald that the job is his to lose. Gosh, don’t we all rue losing Kentwan Balmer to the Seahawks last year. Is there a ruer in the house?
Goldson is a different matter. He is already the starting FS, and while not yet a Pro Bowl caliber guy, that distinction seems within his capabilities. The 49ers do not want to lose him, but they are not going to bid very high for his services, either. Taylor Mays may very well be only a year or two away from claiming the FS spot for a long time. If Goldson stays, then Mays would probably stay at SS, and the team would have a very impressive set of safeties for the future.
Off setting these nervousness causing losses is the knowledge that all the other teams in the league suddenly have four year players entering the UFA field that we might be able to lure west to our own team. I would list some of these intriguing possibilities, but that would be an exercise in bullshit, since I don’t much follow the young players on other teams. Not that I’m prissy about bullshit. Some would say it’s my meat and potatoes. But this is very serious stuff, so I am resorting to candor in homage to the moment. Some of our more enlightened citizens will have to provide some real names here. Then the rest of us can look them up on the internet and have strong opinions about their worth.
One thing is for certain. This definition of UFA eligibility is going to make the first two weeks of the eventual Free Agency period one hellava feeding frenzy. Having endured five plus months of virtual starvation in the NFL world, this pig out is a real chops licker to anticipate. Thank goodness we have Paraag Marathe to keep track of all the action.
No Balmer ruer here! Although, I am a ruer when I make seafood gumbo. It starts with a rue!
I don;t think they re-sign any of those guys. Lawson and Goldson are counting on making bank for a great stretch of games they played 2.5 years ago. Since then? Ehhhh. McDonald would hardly be missed. And if they let AF go without a viable alternative (Haloti Ngata would be excellent, if not pricey) on the FA market, they’d might as well go with a 4-3 D line.
Chuck’s fantasizing about Haloti Ngata. You have a better chance of landing Megan Fox to your stable than that dream coming to fruition. I think there’s a good chance our offense will be better than our defense this year. And you guys know how little I think about our offense.
Pain.
Unless we go completely into the tank (quite possible) and get a chance at Luck, I already have my sights on Nick Foles from Arizona as our No. 1 pick for next year. I’d keep drafting a QB until we got it right. And I’m sure by then Kaepernick will be coming off his third subsequent surgery to his lt. leg.
BTW, anyone ever find out what’s wrong with his leg? Thought not.
If Rob were a viable part of civilization these days, instead of a laptop wrecking semi-homeless Floridian drifter, this would be a perfect spot for him to give us a detailed wish list in FA. Come to think of it, Rob is a four year blogger. Maybe he sold himself to the Patriots, like certain members of our crew have purportedly done.
Speaking of people with bum legs, I’m still upset we didn’t draft a PK (Henery) in the draft. Nedney and his calcified mass have seen way better days. And I don’t care how far he can kick the ball, I don’t want a guy named Fabrizio as my kicker. His name sounds more like an ’80’s designer jean brand. “Nothing comes between me and my Fabrizios.”
Certain members of our crew have not seemingly sold themselves to the Patriots. Au contraire, mon frère. They were SOLD OUT by the Niners instead.
I knew I could count on you, NoFear. My brain got some severe stretch marks over that one.
Deluca just checked in from overseas. He’s on tour with The Muskrats. He’s second from the left. Not blues, but very good stuff.
http://www.gloria.tv/?media=166574
Good thread Skeebs – That video almost made me want to do drugs again. But, there’s not much worse than an older guy on dope, so that’s out. I kinda feel the same way as chuck about Manny, Ray, and Dashon, they all show some glimpses at times but I don’t feel any of them are great losses. I just hope we can get some compensatory picks out of the deal. Balmer who?
Hey rob – where u at? Since I am far to lazy and I guess kinda uninterested in researching potential UFA prospects, I could use your insight.
I’ll check back after running the young Fan to school but here’s more BS on the negotiations first;
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-cole_nfl_year_could_start_by_july_15_062111
okay then
I’m with you winder, let’s get some input from folks who actually have an opinion on the subject (that excludes me)
That video rocks! Had no idea Dennis (deluca?) was so talented
Deluca = Rob, an old time blogger who has had a harder time staying on line this year than your coconut isp.
dennis – About the leg thing, I guess it was so minor they won’t even talk about it. Yeah right. I just hope the kid has a chance to show us what he’s got. I think by week 12 we will see, because A.S. will more than likely implode by then.
OK, I’ll sub for Rob with a short list of FAs I think we should target:
Johnathan Joseph CB, CIN
Charles Johnson DE, CAR
Eric Weddle S, SD
Quintin Mikell S, PHI
Cliff Avril DE, DET
I left off Nnamdi because that’s a pipe dream. I think those other guys could help us at some positions of need.
Oh, I also left out any QBs because that’s also a pipe dream. God and the 49ers hate me.
I would take Eric Weddle over Goldson. Weddle is like having another coach on the field and reminds me of John Lynch.
Carolina and his old DC will make a strong play for him as will the Chargers to keep him.
Why, why? would any intelligent team discuss anything at all more than was required by da League about an injury to a player? To make happy da fans? Absurd. To help the opposition? Sure. But I thought this was FOOTBALL = WAR. So, no not really.
So please tell me WHY the F any NFL team would say anything about an Injury, surgery, hemorrhoids? I know we are used to the dumbest of dumb coaching, management and ownership for the last eon BUT PLEASE get used to management shutting the FFFFF up about all this for a change. Did Walsh shoot his fing mouth off?
NO. NO, NO, NO? Pluuese…
Check the avatar. Was walsh whispering “Tell them about the injuries”?
NO. He wa saying “Shut the FFFF up about all that JIMBO”
Phil- I can’t seem to get worked up about the injury to CK. Whatever it is he played on it for the last 5 games of the year while showing a lot of jujitsu scoring TD after TD.
It’s probably something kind of squeamish, like a skin fungus you get from having unclean weird sex with your leg – however that might work. I’ll have to look it up in one of those 1,000 ways to have sex books. Dennis probably knows, that’s why he’s so interested.
The thing is the only reason he had the surgery was because of the downtime from the lock out. Reading between the lines it seems he was just going to play on it. Nobody knew anything about it here in Reno for his last 5 games.
Hey dennis – I would take all those guys you mentioned. I think Weddle is a great player and I also like Joseph even though it seems he’s hurt all the time. Avril, Johnson, and Mikell are solid football players.
Once the floodgates open, it might just be a grand old time.
Well you can forget about those DEs I mentioned. Looks like we’re gonna re-sign Ray McDonald and make him the starter at LDE. You know how many sacks he had last year? Look at your morning donut. See that round hole in the middle? Bingo!
And, Phil, if this was the regular season withholding injury info should be SOP. But it’s Fing June ferchrissakes. If it was only something “minor,” why not say so? They’re either hiding something OR they’ll make it a chronic injury so A*** S**** won’t have any competition and will be handed the job once again. This organization has become a goddamn joke. I’m embarrassed to call myself a 49er fan.
Opener at Belmont today. The 2 horse is named All About A***. I could never wish an injury upon a poor animal, so let’s just say I hope he gets left in the gate. Better yet, maybe the circus will stop by and take him away for good.
That f**king horse just won. All About A***. I didn’t think my life could be any more miserable.
I seriously loathe this team and A*** S****. I could never ever stop being a 49er fan, but I sure the hell can and will root against them this year. That’s how much I love them.
NoFear, Maiocco has brought up Ike Taylor on more than a few occasions as someone who the Niners might target. But he’s 31. He’s not that great of cover corner, his strength is in run support and sure tackling. Didn’t we already pay big money for one of those guys? Translation: the 49ers will sign Nate Clements II. This organization blows.
dennis – I understand the “tough love” approach, but at least give the org time to screw up the FA signings. Let’s see what happens.
Winder, please tell me you haven’t signed up for any fantasy football leagues yet, it’s only June. My one sleeper, well, not really a sleeper, but more of a comeback player for this year is Tony Romo. I think he’s going to put up some huge numbers this year in Dallas.
How bout them Cowboys!
Well, Dennis, talk like that gets you banished forever from 49er fan-dom.
Ike Turner covers better, NoFear. . . He hits harder too. Just as Tina . . .
Their Luv child Keena could hit too. Never forget his hit on OJ Anderson where KT decleated OJ and sent him 7 yards into the backfield.
Bullitt, one of my all time fave hits . . .
Oh, boo hoo, NoFear. I just figured I’d play your game. Poor little guy can’t take it? Wahhh! I’ll try to be nicer from now on.
Brent Grimes out of Atl is a much better cover guy. He’s only 27, and shouldn’t be too expensive. 12 picks in 4 years.
Richard Marshall is also decent enough. 14 picks in 5 years.
Taylor’s older, slower, and has lousy hands . . .
How come the Niners don’t make a move to p/u Plaxico Burress? Our WRs aren’t all that. We could use an upgrade.
And, besides, there’s always the off chance that Plax could accidentally shoot A*** S****.
Del- Good to see your horse won today in the opener at Belmont. How much did you win?
dennis – say it ain’t so. Dallas is evil, and hopefully old Romo will be so invovled with his new wifey that he’ll choke on a regular basis.
I am gonna wait for our league to get going. I am done with having so many teams, I just love to draft and end up with to many.
I hate Dallas with a passion. I’m just talkin’ pure fantasy here. I think Romo’s gonna have a big year. Hey, I’m always up for playing w/o any Cowboys, but not everyone shows up for the draft and the computer picks ’em. If there was a way to eliminate them, and others, from the draft pool I would.
Don’t worry, I’ll draft Romo. I’ll let you and Berger fight over A*** S****. 😀
And when Rob comes back, Troy Smith will be waiting for Rob to select him in the first round.
Yes there is a difference between off-season and regular season as far as injuries go. Makes me think this can’t be very serious, possibly just embarrassing. Earlier I thought maybe a mild hernia but I like Skeebs idea of some weird sex deal. I’ll let Dennis deal with it, I give up.
Nobody would ever report injuries if they didn’t have to. During the season, they are required. Not so in offseason. Why give other teams any ammo of any kind?
nice spot skeebers – per usual, I’m late to the party so to speak.
Welcome, BF. An appropriate avatar for your sentiments, it appears.
What ammo would they be giving other teams if they revealed his injury? And what sort of “weird sex deal” involves your lower lt. leg? Did he have a second penis attached to his shin that he finally decided was too unsightly and wanted it removed for aesthetic purposes?
Are we sure Jed’s last name is York and not Disney?
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E.
Maybe he just needed a little sabbatical?
Del- Looks like UQB is holding another 4 day mini-camp next week. Any words of wisdom about this?
Should we be praying for Del or gawking at the agony?
You don’t need me to gawk. Watching 6 six years of A*** S**** play quarterback would stupefy even the best of ’em.
Do I have any words of wisdom about this next 4-day mini-camp? Sure. I hope Aldon Smith gets overzealous on a 7-on-7 drill, blows by Joe Staley and breaks A*** S****’s goddamn neck. How’s that for being smart…ass?
Yes, skeebers – I’d say it is fitting considering how intimidating many of you are here, especially NoFear. Happy friday to all…
Call me slow, but I finally got the thread ref to Ellis Brooks . . .
“See the USA in your Chevrolet” featured the voice of Dinah Shore. The Ellis Brooks jingle was sung by a local San Franciscan named Rose Marie Brunell.
Del- I forgot to mention your post from yesterday. Or two days ago? Good call on Nick Foles.
I’m outta touch, do they still offer 5 pounds of Hills Bros. coffee for a test drive? At least I think it was Hills Bros.
I already marked my calendar: 9/17 in Tucson. Luck vs Foles. Must See TV.
Thanks for the info. I’ll be sure to watch too. I would guess that to be the QB match up of the year for this upcoming college season.
.
I have Foles ahead of Barkely of USC. I haven’t seen one expert agree with that, yet. But then again, nobody knew who Blaine Gabbert was last year when I had him as a 1st rounder and I don’t know of anybody who had Ponder in the 1st round as of December except me. Of course, I had Ponder in the 1st round two years ago. Foles is fun to watch. He just has a way of making things happen.
If you get a chance to watch the kid from Oklahoma, he is the real deal too. I can’t remember his name but he has got to be the #2 prospect behind Luck.
Landry Jones. Yeah, kid’s real good. Another guy to keep your eye on is Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M. He’s a converted WR who’s just learning the QB position. Great athlete with a lot of “upside” as they say.
found this website that has very comprehensive stat breakdowns for college players.
Here’s what I found on Kaepernick
http://www.cfbstats.com/2010/player/466/1002417/passing/situational.html
Yeah, Foles is the kid to watch this college season. he’s projected as a high 2nd rounder now . . . I’d think he’ll be movin’ on up . . .
Dennis, is that Rose Marie from the Dick van Dyke show? And Hollywood Squares fame?
Different Rose Marie. That one’s from NY.
New post is up.