Is Bernard Berrian the answer to the 49ers WR woes?

by David Fucillo on Feb 7, 2008 10:44 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

EDITOR'S UPDATE 11:20PM - Quick thanks to Braekneck for mentioning this first in the comments, but over at Rotoworld, they posted that the NFL Network is reporting Berrian will likely hit the free agent market and the 49ers will likely have interest.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Bears are unlikely to place the franchise tag on impending free agent Bernard Berrian.

Berrian averaged a career low 13.4 yards per catch in 2007, but that was mainly due to terrible quarterback play. He did score five times and caught a personal best 71 passes. Berrian, who just turned 27, is still improving and will by far be the most attractive player at his position when free agency begins on February 29. The 49ers and Redskins will likely have interest.

First off, thanks to everyone for getting the conversations really going through diaries. Things got kind of busy the last couple of days, but thankfully we've got a good community that can keep the conversations flowing.

Throughout these conversations names are being thrown out left and right as answers to all that ails the 49ers on the defensive line, the offensive line, at wide receiver and just about everywhere in between (except of course for Andy Lee, punting God). One name that I've noticed coming up here, as well as on other message boards is Bernard Berrian, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. He is generally considered the #2 WR in free agency, behind Randy Moss. After two non-descript seasons to start his career, Berrian has steadily improved the last two season.

51 rec, 775 yards, 6 TDs
71 rec, 951 yards, 5 TDs

Considering he's had the Sex Cannon Rex Grossman, Kyle "Jack Daniels" Orton and Brian Griese throwing to him, that's not too shabby. As we get closer to free agency and it becomes more clear who the 49ers will be targeting I'll get some in-depth scouting reports from fellow SB Nation sites. In the meantime, let's check out what Scouts Inc. has to say about Berrian:

Berrian has excellent deep speed, ball skills and red-zone ability. He is deceptive and gets on top of off defenders quickly. He has the extra gear to separate from tight man-to-man coverage. He is outstanding in the red zone. He runs good fade routes and attacks high balls, often out-jumping the defender. He has soft hands and impressive hand-eye coordination. He tracks and snatches balls, often without breaking stride. He continues to refine his game and improve his route running. He no longer is just a deep threat and decoy. He is excellent after the catch and dangerous on reverses. He has improved his hand use and has the quickness to avoid most jams at the line. He makes the effort as a blocker. But Berrian is lean and somewhat limited by his lack of bulk. He sometimes struggles against tough press coverage. He isn't a physical downfield blocker.

So where does that leave us? I'm not so worried about the downfield blocking, but it's always a worry when a receiver struggles against tough press coverage. Should Berrian bulk up a little or will that take too much away from his game? There is a lot of upside with Berrian, but I worry about the bust potential. While he is steadily improving, he hasn't had that real bust out season you want to see if you're going to hand over a nice chunk of change.

One other thing to consider is whether or not the Bears will franchise Berrian. I was checking out Windy City Gridiron, our Bears blog, and they had a couple of interesting discussions about Berrian. One was a diary entry that is convinced Berrian will be franchised. The other was a front page post with franchise and transition tag amounts. A franchised wide receiver would get $7,848,000, while a transition tag receiver would get $6,872,000. Do the Bears think he's worth this for one year and if they do not, what do the 49ers need to shell out for a guy like Berrian? And of course, is he worth it?

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Re. Bernard Berrian

Uh oh. According to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Berrian, Berrian is a California guy. I had no idea that he went to college in Fresno. Also one of his nicknames is "California Cool." How does that bode for his chances of returning to The Golden State, well I don't know.

About the franchise tag business, wtf? Is this how it works? When you get the tag you get the same as the highest paid player at that respective position and it is just a one year deal? And what the heck is a transition tag?

When you think of the Niners, call me crazy but, a vaunted offense usually comes to mind. Well maybe not in recent years but you get the gist. My point is, the Niners shelled out 10 mil for Clements last year. Is 8 mil too much to offer a guy on the opposite side of the ball? Maybe. With so many other holes to fill I am not sure what is best for my beloved 49ers.

by jfainsf49 on Feb 7, 2008 11:31 AM PST reply actions

franchise tag

With the franchise tag, you get a one-year contract for the average $ amount of the top five paid players at your position. I'm guessing that number is based on 2007 salaries, but I'm not totally sure.

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by David Fucillo on Feb 7, 2008 11:34 AM PST up reply actions

Is he worth it?

Tough question. If you're in the camp that thinks WR is a huge need for the team then I think you've got to say that he is worth it. He's the 2nd best free agent WR available. Would you rather pay him ~$8 million/year or pay the next Robert Meachem (who wasn't active for any of the Saints games last year) ~$2 million/year. With Berrian you know what you're getting; with rookie WRs you have no idea.

Personally, I don't think WR is a huge need for the team. I actually think Martz will be able to put together a decent enough offense to contend with the skill guys that are currently on the roster. After, defense wins championships. And except for Priest Holmes and Dilfer who can name any of the other offensive skill position players on the Super Bowl XXXV Champions Baltimore Ravens?

With all that said, I don't think we need Berrian, I'd rather sign a guy like Bryant Johnson, but if I had to pick between Berrian and a first round rookie WR I'd prefer Berrian.

by methodrampage on Feb 7, 2008 12:40 PM PST reply actions

Good points

I agree I'd take Berrian in a heartbeat over a high-draft-pick rookie receiver, and I also agree that I think our current receiving core has a lot of untapped potential that Martz might be able to make use of. Everyone always wants the sexy, big-name free agents in the skill positions, but where teams really improve the most (and what we need desperately) is by upgrading their offensive line.

Also, I'm not sure that Ravens Super Bowl team is a good example now, as that was during a particularly weak offensive period for the entire league. To win now you need a solid defense and an offense that can at least get the job done (I think the idea of managing the game is done with for now).

by jaytierney on Feb 7, 2008 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

Shits and Giggles

You're right the Ravens analogy isn't really relevant but I tried to used it to prove something of a point. If they can win a Super Bowl with that offense then we can get to .500 next season with DJax, Battle, Davis, and Gore.

by methodrampage on Feb 7, 2008 1:04 PM PST up reply actions

Ravens

Off the top of my head Jonathan Ogden, Jamal Lewis, and shannon sharpe

by wader251 on Feb 7, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions

Parallels

Definitely a reach, but Staley, Gore, and VD are similar. Ogden > Staley, Gore > Lewis, Sharpe > VD.

Anyways, I'm of the belief that our WR group is fine as is. If we drafted a WR in the middle rounds I'd be fine with that also, but I really think this group is above average and will be fine for Martz:

Jackson
Battle
Lelie
Hill
VD (obviously not a WR, but needs to be considered when judging the receivers)

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Feb 7, 2008 2:14 PM PST up reply actions

Re. Parallels

Somebody on another site(I think) posted that Nolan is turning this team into the SF Ravens. Along with the parallels you have drawn condsider these: Ray Lewis>Patrick Willis, Ed Reed>Nate Clements (I know Ed Reed is FS but still both are capable of dominating at their roles in the secondary).

by jfainsf49 on Feb 7, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

Ray Lewis > Patrick Willis

Not for long!

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Feb 7, 2008 3:03 PM PST up reply actions

Touche

Although Ogden isn't a skill position player, I forgot Lewis burst onto the scene that year after Holmes got hurt. But my point was, basically, that they had garbage WRs.

by methodrampage on Feb 7, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions

Tough to say

... are there any Bears fans who can attest to Berrian as being more than just a deep threat? Neither Smith nor Hill has a strong arm, so a receiver who is mainly a deep threat might be wasted. I mean, Lelie is a one-trick deep threat pony, and he barely caught any passes all year (granted, he didn't have many chances, but that's kind of my point).

by jaytierney on Feb 7, 2008 12:42 PM PST reply actions

Bears Fans

Although I am not a Bears fan I live near Chicago and see them play. I was never that impressed with Berrian. Like you said He always seemed like a one trick pony to me. His size prevents him from being a well rounded reciever. In my opinion.

by wader251 on Feb 7, 2008 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

scouting report

Do you see ways he would fit in well with the 49ers, or is he a definite no in your opinion?

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by David Fucillo on Feb 7, 2008 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

Sure I do

Sorry about my delayed response to your question Fooch.

I see Berrian as filling in as a third reciever in vain of Az Hakim from his days in St. Louis. On another not I see Battle filling the role of a McDonald or Mark Furrey or any other number of successful yet less talented third receivers in the Martz system.

by wader251 on Feb 11, 2008 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

Berrian

I'm not a bears fan, but I live in Illinois, so I see them on tv alot. Berrian is fast, has good hands and is tough. I've seen him take some pretty good shots and bounce back up. He is the best receiver they have. He would be a much needed upgrade for us. I think he will end up getting franchised by Chicago, but I don't know if he is worth the amount he will be paid by being tagged. He is a very good receiver, but not one of the top 5 in the NFL. For a more reasonable salary, I would definately like to see him in SF.

by illini49er on Feb 7, 2008 1:38 PM PST reply actions

Rotoworld

via the NFL Network is reporting that Berrian is more than likely going to hit the free agent market. They also name the Niners and Redskins as probable interested parties.

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Feb 7, 2008 6:32 PM PST up reply actions

Berrian a niner

Please take him as a Bear fan I watched him drop passes for three years. You can blame Rex or Griese but for all his speed I never see him get open down field he's small and corners knock his ass down. I hope they don't franchise him and spend the money on some real needs like a RB or a OT or G. Berrian Sucks.

by magicunderwear on Feb 7, 2008 1:51 PM PST reply actions

Berrian

If you want to talk abot bears receivers dropping passes, how about "hands of stone" Muhammad? In the games I watched, Berrian took slants at speed and turned them upfield for nice gains. YAC is not something we've seen enough of lately in SF.

by illini49er on Feb 7, 2008 2:13 PM PST up reply actions

Re. Berrian

That's right, I mean, what you say about the YAC.
Really besides that one play that Battle took to the house, the few plays that Norris had out of the backfield(around midseason) and Gore out of the backfield, I can't think of ANY plays that involved YAC.(And I watched every game, of course my memory is shot like a stop sign on a country road)

Bring back the YAC. Bring back the YAC. Bring back the YAC. (I may have just found my new signature)

by jfainsf49 on Feb 7, 2008 2:28 PM PST up reply actions

what about VD

he usually managed to get some YAC

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Feb 8, 2008 8:37 AM PST up reply actions

Yes...

That's why I'm excited to see what Martz can do with VD. Martz was always good at getting the ball to his playmakers in open space. Sometimes VD needs to learn to go down, but if he can get the ball with enough room to start charging forward, well, I sure wouldn't enjoy trying to tackle him.

I can seriously see Vernon Davis ending up as one of two things at the end of next season:

a Pro Bowler
an average TE who looks like he'll never reach his potential.

This will be an important season for him either way.

by jaytierney on Feb 8, 2008 8:58 AM PST up reply actions

Re. Yes...

I share in your excitement about VD(tell me that doesn't sound weird).

In the past I have even predicted that VD would catch one turn it upfield and totally blast a defender, simultaneously knocking off the defender's helmet. I am still waiting for that, maybe next year...

You mention VD needs to learn to go down. sfgfan and I had that very convo during the latter part of the season, ~~I hate to say I told you so but~~ shortly after we discussed that, sho nuff, it happened. Perhaps we put the kibash on him. Perhaps he just needs to learn that the play is over, and he isn't going anywhere with 3 guys draped on him. However to VD's credit I believe that was the only time he fumbled.

Bring back the YAC!

by jfainsf49 on Feb 8, 2008 10:29 AM PST up reply actions

Re. what about VD

If your are talking about YAC> 5yds then yes your are right.

Honestly, I can't even think of a single play that VD got any significant YAC.

I guess I could look up the stats myself. But if you can come up with his stats for YAC, I would appreciate it.

I am not even sure who to blame for lack of YAC. Is it the receivers getting no seperation? poor qb play? poor coaching? or ~~most likely~~ the whole damn lot of them?

I am off to look for that stat.

Bring back the YAC!

by jfainsf49 on Feb 8, 2008 10:14 AM PST up reply actions

Found it!

I wasn't sure I would be able to find it. But it was actually pretty easy thanks to: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7755.

I found The Disease's stats for YAC.
The Disease Avg. YAC 3.1

If my math is right that's about 160 total YAC.
I also went ahead and looked up some other tight end's stats.

Tony Gonzalez     Avg. YAC 3.1
Eric Johnson    Avg. YAC 3.2
Jason Witten    Avg. YAC 4.0
K. Winslow    Avg. YAC 4.4
R. MicMichael    Avg. YAC 4.4
Antoino Gates    Avg. YAC 4.5
J. Shockey    Avg. YAC 4.6
Dallas Clark    Avg. YAC 5.4
Alge Crumpler    Avg. YAC 6.5

After looking this over I thought maybe YAC had a lot to do with the qb. As we progress towards higher YAC we see some nice qbs, Bulger, Brees, E. Manning, P. Manning, then Crumpler shows up and blows that out of the water.

I also wanted to look at what Martz did with his tight end last year, granted Martz didn't have a freak like The Disease to work with.

Sean Mchugh Avg. YAC 8.5

Oddly enough Mchugh had the highest avg. YAC. But one must also condsider that Mchugh only had 17 receptions in 15 games. Still I think this may support the claim that Martz's offense will create space for The Disease.

Bring back the YAC!

by jfainsf49 on Feb 8, 2008 11:32 AM PST up reply actions