49ers already negotiating with Justin Smith?!?!

by David Fucillo on Feb 26, 2008 10:08 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Call me crazy, but when you're under investigation for tampering in the free agent market, does it make sense for rumors to be flying that you're already working on a deal with Justin Smith? To quote Matt Maiocco "are the 49ers so arrogant to tamper with one player while there are charges that they tampered with another?"

As much as I would enjoy seeing Justin Smith on the 49ers defensive line, I'd also prefer to not lose draft picks because we decided to jump the gun and get a deal done. One interesting take that makes all the sense in the world was over at Pro Football Talk where they mentioned, "Then again, it could be that their agents are merely trying to drive up interest by spreading the word that a deal is done."

Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan are not idiots (I think). Could they really be that insanely stupid? That is not a rhetorical question. Personally, I agree with the PFT take that this is a way for agents to artificially drive up the interest in a guy like Smith. Of course, considering the talent he brings to the table, I really don't see the need to artificially inflate it. Smith will get his money somewhere and even our own Cincy Jungle has been resigned to that fact since the Bengals franchised Stacy Andrews.

Anyways, what does everybody else think? I think this is more bluster than anything else, but I've been wrong before.

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I Just Read an Article About This.

I jsut read an article about this in, I think, the Sporting News. It was all about how every team commits what the league calls "tampering" during th combine. I wouldn't worry that much about this since every team is doing exactly what the niners are doing. In fact the article suggested the NFL should just change the rule to allow teams to talk to players during the combine. It is a little worrisome since the Niners are under investigation; however, the incident with Briggs was during the season which I think the league looks at as different than during the combine.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Feb 26, 2008 10:32 AM PST reply actions

Sorry wrong article

Sorry but I was wrong about where I read the article. It was on ESPN.com. Below is the link

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3263750

I still wouldn't be too concerned about the Niners getting nailed for tampering.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Feb 26, 2008 10:45 AM PST reply actions

goodell

I wouldn't think anything would happen, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Goodell wants to lower the hammer and make an example of a team.

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by David Fucillo on Feb 26, 2008 11:10 AM PST up reply actions

Fair Enough

I see what you mean. However, I think he would tempered by the fact that it is so prevalent, as the article says it is sort of a victimless crime, and to punish one team may shed light on a situation that would be a black eye for the league as a whole.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Feb 26, 2008 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

The deal may be done

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com is reporting that the 49ers are negotiating (four days early) with defensive end Justin Smith.

From Bengals.com:
An NFC source said Sunday he expects Bengals right end Justin Smith to go to the 49ers in free agency ("They were working on the deal last night," the source said), but he's shocked Mike Nolan is going to make Smith a 3-4 end, as well as drop him in coverage.

I saw an article on this in the SF Chronicle today. Would this mean Douglas is no longer in team's plan for 2008?

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Feb 26, 2008 12:22 PM PST reply actions

Not Necessarily

I think we need so much help along the line that we would be interested in Douglas even if we sign Smith. Not to mention Smith's small size could mean he would need to be spelled which is going to put a premium on depth.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Feb 26, 2008 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

I hope we wouldn't risk it

especially, for a guy who only had 2 friggin' sacks last year. Hey, why are we even trying to sign this guy?

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Feb 27, 2008 11:52 AM PST reply actions

Walter... who?

We've been talking so much about Smith, Briggs and Colvin... but does anyone know much about the free agent DE Walter Curry?

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Feb 27, 2008 3:18 PM PST reply actions

Curry

From Rotoworld:

49ers signed DT Walter Curry.
Curry, who went undrafted in 2005, has spent the last two seasons on Jacksonville's practice squad. He played under San Francisco's defensive line coach Jim Tomsula in NFL Europe.

Over at espn he has the lowest ranking for a scouting report (40) so I'd suppose he's a practice squad candidate.

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by David Fucillo on Feb 27, 2008 6:18 PM PST up reply actions