June 1 free agents

by Fooch on Jun 4, 2007 9:34 AM PDT in News Comment 34 comments

The Chronicle had an interest article on Friday about players that could become available now that the traditional June 1 date has passed. The article brought back a few nightmares that were released on that date to clear cap space in the past including Gabe Wilkins and Antonio Langham. I wasn't big on Langham but I thought Gabe Wilkins was gonna do some good things for us. And THAT is why I'm not running this team!

However, the article threw out a few interesting names. The team has 3 open spots, and while they are more likely to save them for emergencies, there are some intriguing options that could probably be had on the cheap. While I doubt the 49ers add any of these guys, I figured I'd throw out two names that caught my eye. There weren't many June 1 releases, but players will definitely become available as training camp rolls through.

1. Corey Simon - I could be wrong, but I thought he could fit into the 3-4 scheme as a nose tackle. I noticed he's just under 300 lbs, so maybe the size isn't there for us. Plus, he's had some issues with teams in the past over money. Furthermore, we certainly have some decent depth at nose tackle, particularly if Aubrayo Franklin turns into a legit starter.

2. Obafemi Ayanbadejo - We could certainly use a backup to Moran Norris, as I don't think Zak Keasey is the answer there. Additionally, he can play all over the field and is from Santa Cruz. Every team could use more versatility.

Feel free to throw out some other names that interest you. Are we happy with our backup running back situation, or would a veteran backup be helpful? This conversation has gone round and round. I don't think it'd be worth it to bring a guy in, if one becomes available. However, every options should be considered when you've got the luxury of such a signing.

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Ayanbadejo

I liked this guy in the past. He had pretty good speed for a bigger back, and has some decent hands. He's not that great of a lead blocker, so he'd end up being more like Delanie Walker or Michael Robinson in that he'd be like a versatile H-Back. Because Walker and Robinson are both already on the roster and both are drastically younger than Ayanbadejo, I don't think Nolan would sign this guy to one of the remaining spots on the roster.

Matt Maiocco seems to share my thoughts in that Michael Robinson could probably fill in at FB if Norris needs a breather. Robinson would add tremendous versatility to the backfield in that he's a capable blocker, has capable hands, and should have the ability to pick up blitzes. We saw some athleticism from Norris last year, but he isn't extremely useful in any passing play. With Robinson, the team would sacrifice SOME run-blocking ability but should benefit from added athleticism and versatility.

My thoughts on Robinson in no way are saying he is a capable STARTING fullback. I'm just saying that if Norris needs a few plays off, or is out for two or three weeks, Robinson should be a fully capable backup. Everyone knows he's fearless, loves to do the dirty work, and can run over people (stopping them dead in their tracks).

On an additional note regarding Franklin, Matt Maiocco noted that Franklin is 334 pounds in his recent analysis of defensive players. Franklin is putting on tons of weight, because wasn't he previously listed around 300-310?

Matt Maiocco has some interesting analysis of the defense and offense (two separate entries). He notes who he thinks are starters unless proven otherwise and all of the other serious competition on the team.

by sfgfan on Jun 4, 2007 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Franklin

Well I think we could assume one of two things with Franklin. Either he's been talking with the coaches and they all agree the weight is necessary as a starting nose tackle or he's happy to be a rich man now! Hopefully it's the former and not the latter.

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by Fooch on Jun 4, 2007 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

RB

I not particulary happy with the RB situation and I still have a bad taste in my mouth after seeing the Raiders draft Michael Bush a couple picks prior to the 49ers pick (who knows if they would have taken him there but if they passed this bad taste would assuridly be more skank).

The Niners sort-of-kind-of addressed the RB depth problem with the use of their last pick on Thomas "Hollywood" Clayton. We spent a high 2006 4th round pick on Robison, and as seen on this site the jury is still out on him, so what can we expect from Clayton? For either him or Robinson to supplant Hicks as the #2 RB?

Depending on how camp shakes out it might be worth looking else where for some RB help. Maybe someone who could mentor Robinson and Clayton, even Gore, as they are all pretty young backs.

by methodrampage on Jun 4, 2007 10:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dillon

If they want to bring in a veteran that's fine, as long as it's not Corey Dillon. I like him, but I don't think it's a role he'd be suited for. It's kinda like how hitting coaches for baseball teams were usually not great hitters. I wouldn't mind a career backup brought in to teach that kind of role.

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by Fooch on Jun 4, 2007 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definately no Dillon

I think we need to sign a big name guy. But at the same time I don't think Hicks presents much as a mentor.

by methodrampage on Jun 4, 2007 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big name guy?

Did you mean to say we don't need to sign a big name guy?

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by Fooch on Jun 4, 2007 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are correct

I meant to say "we don't need to sign a big name guy". Oh what a difference two letters and a comma makes.

by methodrampage on Jun 4, 2007 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

That's what I figured. A big name would only create headaches there. This is the perfect opportunity to over-emphasize character and get a good guy who realizes his role and won't complain. Basically a Trent Dilfer-type running back

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by Fooch on Jun 4, 2007 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rumor mill

Are there any HBs rumored to be released or are on the trading block? I'm not always up to snuff on rumors, rumblings and such, so I'm just curious.

From what I recall, though, there aren't very many veteran RBs that can be of any use to this team that are still available in FA. I'm sure if there were, the team would have brought them in.

by sfgfan on Jun 4, 2007 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Free Agent Running Backs

ESPN has a list of free agents. The analysis is insider-protected, but you might be able to see just the list here. Either way, here are some options listed:

Corey Dillon
Domanick Williams (formerly Davis) - He's had big injury issues, but before that he was a poor man's Marshall Faulk in my opinion. Could run and catch.
Chris Brown - Another intriguing option as he has never seemed to really reach his potential
Stephen Davis - Pretty old, but he could be a good mentor to the young guys.
Tony Fisher

There are other guys listed, but they're not worth it in my opinion.

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by Fooch on Jun 4, 2007 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Free Agent Running Backs

Chris Brown's an interesting thought - he has a pretty upright running style which is suited to the Broncos "one-cut" game - not really what we're running but he's relatively young and presumably pretty cheap. However, he is also injury-prone (back to that upright running style), which is not what you're looking for in a back-up

Injury worries really negate most of the others on that list (Corey Dillon, Domanick Williams and Stephen Davis).

I'm not sure that there's a better option out there. We've still got Hicks for this year, which gives Robinson another year to settle. Wait until the end of the year, and see if it needs addressing next year

by spikydavid on Jun 5, 2007 3:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Williams & Davis (Stephen)

Are probably the guys that interest me the most. From what a saw of Davis last year, which was limitted, it seemed like he might have a little left in the tank and could be a solid veteran presence. And I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on Williams. I don't know how much of a knee he has left but if things are looking not so hot in camp with our current core of RBs I'd be really interested in Williams if he can be had for a small 1 or 2 year deal.

Also can someone else stir something up with another blog site? It's getting a little boring around here and I wouldn't mind seeing someone else possibly on the line for something. Step it up.

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2007 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

stirring it up

I've emailed Turf Show Times (Rams SB Nation site) and Field Gulls (Seahawks SB Nation site) to get some discussion going before training camp, so hopefully they'll get back to me soon.

Also, working on a post for tonight hopefully about the 49ers red zone offense, or lack thereof at times. More Football Outsiders excitement.

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by Fooch on Jun 5, 2007 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Williams

I could have sworn Domanick Williams was picked up by someone, but I guess I was wrong. I made a diary entry about him a while back (when he was released), and I still think he's an intriguing option.

He had some cartilage damage, but I don't think thats what kept him out last season, was it? From an ESPN article I'm reading, it sounded like Kubiak put him on IR because of a knee BRUISE that wasn't going away. I wonder what the status of those two injuries are now.

As for the rest of them, I don't recall any of them really having a personality that fits what the 49ers' backfield needs. I'm not saying Williams has it either, but he's young and has some potential. With Davis, he's not a really great back anymore, and he's never really been one to take to taking a back seat, even as late as a couple of seasons ago.

Chris Brown is interesting. He had everyone believing he had so much potential after his first couple of seasons, but last season tumbled. He fell behind TRAVIS HENRY on the depth chart? Did I miss something here?

Fisher and Dillon just don't interest me at all. Dillon for obvious reasons. Fisher, as I don't think he'd bring any kind of veteran leadership to the backfield. Gore's got more carries in one season (last) than Fisher has in all of his combined.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Travis Henry

I don't know how to do those fancy block quotes that Skin Patrol was using so I'll use remedial quotations;

"He fell behind TRAVIS HENRY on the depth chart? Did I miss something here?"

I'm not sure what you're saying here but don't sell Henry short, he's a solid running back. Prior to McGahee showing up in '04 Henry posted 1438 yards in '02 and 1356 yards in '03, while averaging 4+ yards per carry. When Henry got to Tennesse Brown was coming off a pretty impressive season, 1067 yards in 11 games and almost averaged 5 yards a carry. Bur other than '04 Brown hasn't accomplished anything near what Henry has done when he's been given a chance to play.

Now that Henry is in Denver he's going to go off and most likely the Denver offensive scheme will get the credit but Henry is pretty legit.

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2007 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My fault.

I didn't mean to slight Henry at all. I thought him going to Tennessee was a great move for that team. I should have been more clear in what I was trying to say.

Not only was Brown behind Henry on the depth chart, he only got into 5 games last season. Did he have some kind of injuries that limited his play? Its hard to imagine that Henry is THAT much better than Brown to monopolize the backfield touches as he did last season.

Brown made his living early on being a solid backup to Eddie George, so you would think that he'd at least get a good amount of carries as Henry's backup. If I'm not mistaken, Henry has had some injuries in the past, and if thats the case, then you'd really think that they'd try to split his carries with someone that has shown to be a fully capable backup or second back.

I'm just curious as to what happened last season. Was Henry just that good? Did LenDale White pass up Brown on the depth chart as well? It just kind of throws up a red flag to me that he goes from being a fairly productive player to hardly being in any games at all.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brown

I think Brown was pretty banged up yet again last year. Henry had some crazy good games I think the Titans had to ride him when they could. Henry didn't play in 2 of the first 4 games so I'm not totally sure if Brown entered the season the starter or if Henry was just injured at the time or not. But after playing in 3 of the first 4 games Brown only had 7 carries in 2 games. So I've got to believe he was hurt.

And I don't think you draft LenDale White to sit behind an oft-injured RB that honestley hasn't done much outside of '04. But talk about a young group of running backs. LenDale is the grizzled veteran of the bunch.

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2007 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brown

From what I see, he had turf toe early in the season. I know that injury is like a sprained ankle or strained muscle in that it could take a little as days or as much as months to get over. He remained on the inactive list for much of the season until Henry got hurt toward the end of the season.

I guess Brown could be an interesting candidate. I just don't know if he really has much to offer Gore/Robinson/Hicks/Clayton.

According to little blurbs on Rotoworld, he doesn't appear to be looking to be buried on the depth chart again. I think if he signs in SF, thats exactly what will happen by season's end.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fancy block quotes

Here's the code for the fancy block quotes:

<$div class="blockquote"> Your text here <$/div>

Like this. You need to remove the $ signs to make it work.

by booya on Jun 5, 2007 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you very much sir

Like this. You need to remove the $ signs to make it work.

Ah, with block quoting now in my repertoire the possibilities area endless.

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now!

Now you can do anything you ever dreamed of!

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

by howtheyscored on Jun 5, 2007 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

html

I'll throw up a link on the main page with html tips and we can add as people come up with new ones.

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by Fooch on Jun 5, 2007 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jackpot

I don't think bold works.

by methodrampage on Jun 6, 2007 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Revision

don't

think bold works

by methodrampage on Jun 6, 2007 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Corey Simon

Hmm, Corey Simon missed all of last year with the Colts for undisclosed reasons, and was signed there to be the active, "under" tackle - I really don't think he's a good fit for a 3-4 NT

by spikydavid on Jun 5, 2007 3:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good to know

He had played nose tackle in college so I wasn't sure exactly what role he would fill...good to know.

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by Fooch on Jun 5, 2007 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is there such a thing as...

... having too many good cornerbacks?

I personally don't think so, as good corners are VERY hard to come by. That leads me to this question:

According to ESPN, Asante Samuel is planning on sitting out until week 10 of the regular season if his contract situation doesn't improve. Deion Branch did something similar previously with the Patriots and they ended up trading him to Seattle for (what turned out to be) a late first round pick.

Would Samuel be worth sending a first round pick over for? If it'll take more (which I think it could), how much would you be willing to part with? Would Spencer and a first or second rounder be worth it?

Your thoughts.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 11:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2008 1st Round

Is Asante Samuel worth a very late first round pick (remember we've got the Colt's 1st rounder next year)? Yes.

But we just went on a pretty substantial spending spree this off season. I doubt we've got the cash to get a deal with Samuel worked out.

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2007 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True.

Thats why I kind of threw Spencer into the mix. In a couple of years he'll be making 4+ million a season (not including the bonus figures that will count against the cap). That could go toward a Samuel contract.

But yeah, while I believe he's not going to get Champ Bailey or even Nate Clements type money, he'll be making at least 5 to 6 million a year, with a huge signing bonus.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Addition by subtraction

Is there such a thing as...
... having too many good cornerbacks?

If we send Spencer to NE we'd be losing a good cornerback.

Spencer and a 1st round pick for Samuel? Not worth it in my book. Spencer and a 3rd? Maybe. I'm not real eager to jump all over guys who are having contract disputes.

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2007 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me neither.

I really like Spencer. My hope is that he finally stays healthy for a full season and dominates in that #2 role. The media is making a huge deal out of Bly going to Denver to pair up with Bailey, but honestly, I think a healthy Spencer and Clements could turn out to be better.

I was just trying to stimulate discussion and test the waters. I really wouldn't trade Spencer and a 1st OR a 2nd. And I totally understand about not jumping all over guys who are having contract disputes.

By the way, congrats on your quote box!

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spencer

I agree in that I think Spencer could dominate that #2 role. While Asante Samuel is certainly a solid corner, I could see him coming back to earth a little after a big contract. I'd rather have some early cost control with Spencer rather than backing up the truck for Samuel.

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by Fooch on Jun 5, 2007 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A signing

The 49ers have agreed to terms with Sam Rayburn. The 49ers have been reportedly interested ever since the Eagles recently released him.

According to his agent, he'll have a chance to play LE with/behind Bryant Young and possibly some NT.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2007 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Quick thought on Corey Simon

The Colts really thought he'd be the key for them on defense when he was signed, but he didn't play well, then had some kind of falling out with management. He was out all of last year, and Bill Polian actually called him the biggest waste of money he'd seen. That said, if he came cheap(which I doubt) he might be worth a look at DE or as a pass rushing DT in the nickel and dime packages. My guess is if he's healthy and has his head on straight the Colts will give him one last chance. If they give up on him, he's going to need to take a low salary deal to prove himself again. He's only 30 so this year could be a make or break for him, put up a good showing and land one more big contract.

"I'd trade Barlow for a case of crabs and a nasty rash any day of the week!"-Sprint Right Option

by gatling on Jun 6, 2007 7:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs