Freeney Rumors - Let's see how high we can raise expectations!

by David Fucillo on Jan 5, 2007 9:18 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

This came from the Sacramento Bee through Rotoworld. This article in general is interesting, but why not throw out something about potentially getting a stud like Dwight Freeney. Of course, gatling put it best when he said the Colts would tag Freeney before losing him to free agency.

Nolan said he isn't solely interested in bringing in household names.

"I would rather have a big, tough mean, ornery, smart son of a gun that gets eight sacks and stuffs the run than a guy that gets 14 and gets his bonus," he said.

Asked if that means the 49ers aren't interested in Indianapolis sack master Dwight Freeney, a possible free agent in March, Nolan said: "He's on the list. Put him in this environment and maybe he becomes the (team player). Maybe not, but he's a good player."

I could definitely see Freeney or Nate Clements causing the biggest stir as free agent options. Either would make a HUGE impact on this team and definitely alter first round draft strategy. It's gonna be a fun few months coming up.

***EDITOR'S NOTE*** - CONSIDER THIS AN OPEN THREAD FOR THE PLAYOFF GAMES TODAY.

Poll

If the following were available, who would you rather sign in free agency?

Nate Clements

7 votes

Dwight Freeney

6 votes

Justin Smith

0 votes

13 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

None of the above

If we're going to make a splash in free agency, here's who I would target:

OLB Adalius Thomas

CB Asante Samuel

Both have experience in a 3-4 set, which we're switching to. Thomas would be a perfect complement to Manny Lawson on the outside. Brandon Moore spent his first two years in college playing MLB, so sliding to an ILB spot shouldn't be too much of a stretch. This would give make a defensive lineman the logical choice for the first round. A guy like Alan Branch, if he fell to us, or Amobi Okoye would be a great fit in the 3-4, Branch at DT or Okoye at DE. With Bryant Young locking up one DE spot, we should be able to fill one of the other spots with the young players we have in Sopoaga, Fields, Duckett, or Adams.

I'd then focus on a WR in the second round, a guy like Robert Meachem of Tennessee, Dwayne Bowe of LSU, or Jason Hill of Washington State. A big play, deep threat type of WR to go with possession guys in Battle and Bryant, and our hopeful middle of the field man Davis. If we could solve those issues, in free agency and the first two rounds of the draft, then every pick after that could basically be for depth.

To go a little further on Freeney. While he's a tremendous talent, he wouldn't fit into the 3-4 defense. He doesn't really fit at linebacker, as he's basically always been an end. If the Niners were to stay with the 4-3, he'd be a great fit and would allow Lawson to remain at linebacker. Beyond that, he's the top priority for the Colts this offseason. I'm hoping for a quick extension, mainly so we can use the Franchise tag on Cato June if needed. He's the Colts free agent I'm most worried about losing. The loss of David Thornton, and to a lesser degree the loss of DT Larry Tripplett and the injury to Corey Simon, was the biggest reason in my mind why the Colts run D was so bad this year. Losing June would really throw this defense for a loop.

by gatling on Jan 5, 2007 11:48 PM PST reply actions

Freeney

is Nolan saying that Freeney isn't a team player? It sure sounds like it.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 6, 2007 10:45 AM PST reply actions

You're right

And it's not the first time I've heard it. Not even this year. Earlier in the season, when Jacksonville was running all over the Colts the color commentator (I forget who it was) used the telestrator to show how all the Colts problem stopping the run started with their ends. On just about every play -- even obvious rushing downs -- they simply rush straight up the field toward the QB. This creates huge gaps in the line, so big their LBs can't adequately plug them (a bigger problem for them because of they prefer fast, undersized LBs).

I think that's exactly what Nolan means when he says he'd rather have a guy with fewer sacks, but who's a better all-around player (i.e.: also good against the run), than a guy with great sack totals who ignores the other aspects of the game.

Once a cobra bit Frank Gore's leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

by Josh from Hollywood on Jan 6, 2007 1:01 PM PST up reply actions

Excellent points

I would definitely agree on that. We just need good all around D-linemen who can do a little bit of everything. It's kind of like when Dana Stubblefield was the Defensive Player of the Year. He had all those sacks but really it was because BY was taking all the double teams that opened up holes for Stubblefield to rack up the sacks and also the ugly contract from Washington.

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by David Fucillo on Jan 6, 2007 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

Ok

It's early, and only two drives, but the Colts D has made some bigs changes here. Robert Mathis isn't playing every down at DE, Thomas is in at end on 1st and 2nd down. He outweighs Mathis by 35-40 pounds. That and the return of Bob Sanders makes a big difference. Both starting safeties have missed alot of the year with injuries, and we've been starting our 3rd and 4th safeties on the depth chart, and even had the 5th and 6th guys in due to injuries also. I know someone here mentioned that you shouldn't rely on safeties to stop the run for you, but if you haven't seen him play, Bob Sanders is heart of this Colts defense. They have a swagger about them with him on the field. He's the John Lynch to this defense, and you can't underestimate his importance.

by gatling on Jan 6, 2007 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Freeney

I've every Colts game since Freeney's been on the team, and every game Tony Dungy has coached here. I think alot what you said above isn't so much Freeney or Mathis freelancing, but staying in the system. I haven't seen Freeney do anything different in any season, so if his play not what Dungy wanted, something would have changed somewhere along the line.

The Colts have multiple problems as to why they've struggled against the run so much. Here's the list:

Losing Larry Tripplett and David Thornton to free agency, and Corey Simon to injury. Thornton was replaced by Gilbert Gardner early, then Rob Morris. Gardner is a backup/special teams type guy at best, and Morris wasn't that good when he was young and playing the middle spot instead of an outside one. Simon and Tripplett were big losses, although adding Booger McFarland helped a bit. I think a full year of McFarland and Simon next year will reap big benefits next season.
Speed vs. Size on the entire defense. This is part of the core of Dungy's Cover 2, but it hurts us more than it helps some times. Cato June is listed at 227, but he's admitted this year he struggles to stay around 208 pounds. That's basically a safety playing linebacker, and while he covers lots of space, he gives up alot of weight. MLB Gary Brackett is listed at 235, but I'm guessing him more at 220 or so. Gardner is listed at 228, but he's no bigger than June. Robert Mathis is listed at 245, so I'm guessing him at about 230-235. With a defense this light, you do get a lot of speed at every position, but too much speed can run you out of a play too.
Player management. Robert Mathis is too undersized to be an every down DE. He should be lining up at OLB on first and second down, and then shifting to the rush end spot on third down. He has the speed to keep with guys in coverage, he could rush the passer from the LB spot, and he would be better in run support there than lining up head on a tackle. Today we're seeing Dungy change things, and use Mathis in a pass rush role, and putting a bigger end in on 1st and 2nd down.

by gatling on Jan 6, 2007 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

I totally agree...

...that Freeney is just doing what the Colts' system asks him to do. That's why I think Nolan added that last bit in his quote: "Put him in this environment and maybe he becomes the (team player)." But in my opinion it's very risky to throw top dollar at a guy without proof he can do the things you plan of asking him to do in your system.

Once a cobra bit Frank Gore's leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

by Josh from Hollywood on Jan 6, 2007 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

Seattle/Dallas/Hooray-the-Boys-are-Out

I was actually busy most of the day and had to check the score by yahoo for most of the game, but I got free toward the end and actually turned the TV on as Dallas was lining up to take that field goal.

I was watching it before the snap thinking, well it'll be a two point game after this and Seattle still has plenty of time to march down and win it... but the other half of me was screaming "game over, man, game over!"

Then when Romo started running I couldn't believe my eyes... (cue internal monologue) Parcell's had called a fake to make it a touchdown game and put it away! Ultimate risk, but brilliant play... oh please oh please Seattle just come on make the tackYES YES YES he made the tackle! (end internal monologue)

And then it turns out Romo just fumbled the ball on the snap and he's sitting on the sideline looking like his life just ended and the game's still not over...

Man, for one of the most uninteresting matchups of the last few post-seasons, that was one exciting way to end a game.

On the final play there, there was only one Cowboy anywhere near the pass in a Sea of Hawks. Why weren't all of Dallas's recievers in position for that?

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 6, 2007 8:32 PM PST reply actions

Question

Is it wrong to have already taken the photo of Romo fumbling the snap and made it the background on my computer? It's just too funny.

by gatling on Jan 6, 2007 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

Let me tell you

Not only is it not wrong, it's right in more ways than I can count.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 6, 2007 10:27 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

Seems all Niner fans are united in hatred for the Cowboys. As for me I still feel loathing whenever I think of the "triplets".

by IM4Niners on Jan 7, 2007 5:06 PM PST up reply actions

it is wrong

not to post that in this forum.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 8, 2007 12:55 PM PST up reply actions

I picked the Eagles in this game

But I would really rather the Giants win. I'd like to see Eli have a good game and shake some of these "confidence" issues (experience/family-stigma/pressure issues, in my opnion) he's been having.

7-0 Giants in the first is a good start.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 7, 2007 2:12 PM PST reply actions

I was proud of our boy...

Garcia. He may not be the best of players but he has composure and heart. Wishing him the best of luck next week In New Orleans.

by IM4Niners on Jan 7, 2007 5:04 PM PST reply actions

In all honesty

I think this game came down to Brian Westbrook outplaying Tiki Barber in the backfields (and Westbrook's impact at the end is hard to unerstate).

I am a confessed anti-Garcia-an, so take what I say with a grain of salt if you're not, but he played an almost identicle game to Eli, minus one pick and one TD, and neither was all that great.

However, he did what he had to for that team to win, so I really have no ground to stand on if I want to trash him. My kudos to JG in this one. Good luck at the Saints, but I'll be pulling for New Orleans.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 7, 2007 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

Garcia isn't a wow player

but he plays up to his ability IMO. and I admire that. Plus I pull for him since he is a Bay area native.

by IM4Niners on Jan 7, 2007 5:19 PM PST up reply actions

Well

I don't like him for a lot of reasons that are actually not very fair and a little selfish (some that I think are legitimate, too, but mostly selfish and unfair). I admit this, and have no illusions about it.

It's a good quality to admire in somebody, making the most of what they have, and I could never say that he hasn't done that.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 7, 2007 5:42 PM PST up reply actions

Freeney

I read on ESPN that the colts will use their transition player tag on Freeney if they can't resign him, so he isn't going anywhere after this year (I suppose if he is seriously injured they wouldn't do that, but...)

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 8, 2007 12:56 PM PST reply actions