49ers Claim LaJuan Ramsey off waivers

by David Fucillo on Jun 17, 2008 3:46 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

This has been making the rounds, but the for those who missed it, the 49ers made a successful waiver claim of LaJuan Ramsey, a third year defensive tackle from the Philadelphia Eagles. Apparently the Giants and Patriots also made claims, but are craptastic record last season got us in ahead of them.

Ramsey didn't play a whole lot last season as he was active for nine games and inactive for seven. The Patriots would certainly make us think he's at least an intriguing addition. The 49ers are not exactly stellar at defensive tackle, but it will still be a tough road ahead for Ramsey to make the roster. Here is his ESPN scouting report:

Possesses good initial burst, reads keys fairly well and gets into position quickly . . . good upper body strength and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly . . . adequate lower body strength and flashes the ability to anchor when teams run at him . . . adequate closing speed and flashes a variety of pass rush moves.,

Again, he's got a tough battle for a roster spot, but it's always nice to have a little extra competition.

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His name is LaJuan?

Then I support this signing.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jun 17, 2008 8:22 PM PDT reply actions

I disagree Fooch

The 49ers are not exactly stellar at defensive tackle, but it will still be a tough road ahead for Ramsey to make the roster.

First off the Niners base defense, the 3-4 as you know, doesn’t play a defensive tackle and that makes it’s important to consider what position Ramsey would actually play in the 3-4. He’s 6’3 and 300 lbs which puts him pretty much at the ideal size for a 3-4 DE and it sounds like he’s a pretty decent pass rusher something that the Niners could probably use, at least on a situational basis. Especially when you consider, based on Fooch’s 53-man roster projection, that the Niners are only going to be carrying 4 DE and 2 NT, totaling just 6 DL. DL is very much a positions where it is very beneficial to have a solid rotation. If Smith plays some OLB than that only leaves 5 DL to rotate through the 3 positions. Ramsey will have a tough time breaking the roster, and maybe my point has more to do with Fooch’s 53-man roster projection, but I definitely seems to me that an additional DL needs to be carried on the roster, whether it’s LaJaun Ramsey, Joe Cohen, Melvin Oliver or Atiyyah Ellison, over a 10th DB (6th CB?) or a 6th WR.

by methodrampage on Jun 18, 2008 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

Good point.

If Smith does do a lot of work at OLB, the team will probably consider and extra defensive lineman. I think they carried 5 to 7 guys at different points throughout last season, no?

by sfgfan on Jun 18, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

You’re right about needing a solid rotation of guys on the defensive line. I’d think just looking at my original 53-man roster, Morgan would be a candidate to move to the practice squad. The 6 corners all bring something to the table that would be more likely to ensure them a roster spot.

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by David Fucillo on Jun 18, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

10 DBs is a lot

Especially when you’ve got guys like Goldson and Smith who are supposed to all versatile and crap. What exactly does Strickland bring to the table that nobody else offers?

by methodrampage on Jun 18, 2008 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Strickland

He’s basically a veteran version of Goldson and Smith. So yeah, he’s pretty expendable.

by sfgfan on Jun 18, 2008 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

That's exactly what I was thinking

I was just wondering if Fooch had any further insight as to why he think Strickland deserves a roster spot

by methodrampage on Jun 20, 2008 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

strickland

I hadn’t thought it through completely. I’d say he brings some kind of “veteran presence,” but `considering he’s only 27, I’m not sure if that’s accurate. He’s got six years experience and only his first year and last year has he appeared in double digit games. It’s very reasonable to bump him down to the bubble between 53-man and cut.

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by David Fucillo on Jun 20, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions