Week 14 (Vikings) Link Dump

by sfgfan on Dec 5, 2007 3:19 PM PST

Not that I have a whole lot to dump into this link dump, but I figured I'd start one off for the week (being that it is already Wednesday).

According to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers family is losing yet another member of it's extended family. Greg Manusky's father passed away yesterday. According to Matt, Manusky is expected to be back by Sunday, and Mike Nolan has taken over the defense for the time being.

Sad year for a lot of the 49ers brass, alumni, and players.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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Nolan to have hands full?

From what I gather from Maiocco's blog entry and Matt Barrows, Manusky's father's funeral is Saturday, which means that even if Manusky gets back by Sunday, he wouldn't have worked with the team today and will miss the usual walk-through on Saturday. If that's the case, it's very possible Mike Nolan will be calling the defensive plays this week.

by sfgfan on Dec 5, 2007 3:41 PM PST 0 recs

Condolences to the Manuskys

Hostler the Horrible

by jfainsf49 on Dec 6, 2007 6:31 AM PST 0 recs

Staley @ LT?

Matt Maiocco reports that Mike Nolan expects Joe Staley to remain at RT for the remainder of this season. Nolan did say, however, that Staley could be a LT in the future.

I think the next part was just speculation on Maiocco's part, but it's been pointed out a couple times here before as well: if the team decides to let Jonas Jennings go, Staley would probably move over to LT permanently. I've been all for this kind of a move, as it allows the 49ers to be more flexible in the post-season in what positions along the line they should acquire.

By removing Jennings, the 49ers now have an opening for a starter at LG or either tackle position. Considering Staley was drafted to be a LT, that would leave openings at LG or RT (assuming Heitmann and Baas man C and RG, respectively). This allows the 49ers to either consider retaining Kwame Harris to compete for RT next year, or not force themselves into drafting a tackle or a guard in the draft. Adam Snyder would presumably take over the position the 49ers don't bring someone in for, as he could play LG (which is where the 49ers really want him to be) and either tackle position.

A line of Staley, Snyder, Heitmann, Baas, and Harris/FA/draftee has got to be better than what showed up this season. Even if it is something like: Staley, FA/draftee, Heitmann, Baas, and Snyder, instead.

by sfgfan on Dec 6, 2007 4:06 PM PST 0 recs

Interest in Lance Briggs?

According to this Yahoo! Sports article, the 49ers and Bears had struck a deal involving Lance Briggs and an undisclosed draft pick. Briggs, who was a UFA last offseason, accepted the Franchise Player tender from the Bears after a short period of holding out.

The reason the trade did not go through is because the 49ers wouldn't have been allowed to re-sign him before the season was over. That would make trading for him rather risky, because he would then be allowed to hit the free agent market before the 49ers can even attempt to re-sign him.

Briggs was discussed a bit during the offseason around here. The general opinion is that he didn't fit into the 3-4 very well, where his size forces him to play ILB. The 49ers have a lot of depth inside already, and Briggs isn't much of a pass rusher.

However, if this "rumor" (which is all it is unless we hear something otherwise, which is unlikely) has any truth to it, it could very well mean the 49ers are unhappy with the players that are complimenting Patrick Willis at ILB. Brandon Moore has three more years left on his contract, but the 49ers would only be responsible for about $1.5M dollars in bonuses that are still owed to him. Derek Smith, on the other hand, only has one year left, but the 49ers would be on the hook for about $2.2M in bonuses for that one season. It's very possible the 49ers are considering releasing/trading one or both of these players.

This is all speculation on my part, so take it for what it's worth. Matt Maiocco thinks it is pointless for the 49ers to trade a pick AND give up money to re-sign Briggs when they are so deep at that position. I beg to differ, in that while deep, the talent there is pretty average (outside of Willis). There is no indication of whether or not if it was a high draft pick, and trading a 4th rounder or something for Briggs and re-signing him would have been well worth it in my book (with or without Moore and Smith on the roster). Moore and Smith could then be flipped for 4th or 5th rounders themselves (Smith, highly unlikely).

This isn't Madden, so trading for one guy and flipping another doesn't really happen in the NFL. It is definitely a possibility, though.

by sfgfan on Dec 7, 2007 11:12 AM PST 0 recs

I like it

With Willis and Briggs at LB, lookout RBs. Too bad this thing didn't go through. If the Niners have any sense they will make it happen. Willis can't do it all. Damn just thinking of the possibilities gets me all giddy. Willis, Lewis, Clements, Lawson and Briggs--well that sound pretty damn sweet to me.

Hostler the Horrible

by jfainsf49 on Dec 7, 2007 12:18 PM PST up 0 recs

Briggs

Well, I read somewhere earlier today that someone on ESPN says Briggs will definitely be a UFA at the end of this season. Supposedly the franchise contract he signed last year says that he had to play in 75% of the defensive snaps in order to not be franchised again. With Thursday night's game over, it's very unlikely he would play in less than 75% of the snaps on the season, even if he skips out on the final games of the season.

If that is indeed the case, it might be why the 49ers decided not to pull the trigger on the trade. Why give up a draft pick if you really get nothing out of it? They probably wanted to give the Bears a 4th or 5th rounder, so that they could have exclusive negotiation time with Briggs' agent. Since the CBA doesn't allow that for franchise players, then no draft pick was worth the trade.

The 49ers can now just wait until he hits free agency and have him fly out to San Francisco on day one, much like Nate Clements and Michael Lewis did this past off-season. They can possibly get both Briggs and the player that lost draft pick is used on.

While I think Briggs COULD be an upgrade inside, I'd only do the deal (if I were the 49ers) if something could be done about Derek Smith or Brandon Moore. I read this morning (I think it was Matt Barrows' blog) that Brandon Moore will be getting more play time because "he's been practicing well of late." I think the 49ers may be trying to showcase him for any potential trade partners during the offseason.

Again, I could just be reading too much into this entire ordeal. In either case, I'd be okay with what the 49ers do. They could keep Smith and Moore, or they can sign Briggs (and keep one of Smith or Moore). I don't think that they should do both, though.

by sfgfan on Dec 7, 2007 1:25 PM PST up 0 recs

LBs

Moore has skills but I am not sure about his football IQ. And Smith, well, I have always liked Smith, for some odd reason. But others have pointed out that he is not a solid tackler. I have seen him miss a few tackles. I have also read that he has trouble seeing out of one eye because of an old injury. What's going on with him? I have noticed in recent weeks that Ulbrich has been on the field more, mohawk and all. Is he taking Smith's place?

Hostler the Horrible

by jfainsf49 on Dec 7, 2007 1:43 PM PST up 0 recs

Ulbrich and Smith

Between Ulbrich and Smith, Ulbrich is the more athletic one. Ulbrich, in my opinion, has been on the field more because the 49ers have had to play in their "big" pass-defense package more. Right now, he plays kind of the extra DB that Keith Lewis, Dashon Goldson, and Donald Strickland have all shared time with as well.

From what I understand, Derek Smith's eye injury should be fully recovered. He suffered a torn ligament/muscle or something that prevented him from looking up and to the left (I'm pretty sure it was left), which made it difficult to scan the field. The injury was suffered while delivering a hit, I believe.

by sfgfan on Dec 7, 2007 2:31 PM PST up 0 recs

Ulbrich

In recent weeks he has played like a man possessed. He is probably trying to earn a spot or showcasing his skill for other teams.

Hostler the Horrible

by jfainsf49 on Dec 7, 2007 2:59 PM PST up 0 recs

Well

Well, the 49ers have him under contract for the next two seasons (after this one), so maybe THEY are the ones showcasing him. If the 49ers cut/trade him, they probably only take a $800k cap hit for his bonus money still due (that's not very bad at all). It's highly unlikely he'll be traded though, as he is a very versatile (and thus, useful) player to the 49ers. Moore and Smith on the other hand, not so much.

by sfgfan on Dec 7, 2007 3:31 PM PST up 0 recs