I am happy Barry Sims have defected from the hapless Raiders to the 49ers. I think it just really means more depth at right tackle than we’ve had lately.

Regardless of who wins the starting job at right tackle, he has to be the best player at the position, and healthy. The addition of Sims makes our roster more lucrative and solid.

Sims will contribute for sure, but will he be a productive player?

That’s what we’ll have to see.

I am a former Raider Fan and for the past few years have become increasingly disillusioned with the way the team has been run. How can anyone stay focused and stay true to a team that each year changes the head coach and the coaching staff. Despite all of this Barry Sims has remained loyal and has done his best for most games. Everyone has a bad day but Sims never seemed to give up on his team. Good luck to you Sims and you Niner Fans should feel lucky to have someone like him on your team. Maybe I will become a Niner fan this year. We will see.

Former Raider fan- I myself was a former Raider fan who defected to the 49ers and that was over 26 years ago. I even have forgotten what it feels like to be a Raider aside from the Raider Nation hysterics.

Fooch, I want to add that newly signed Sims not only signed because he maintains a home in San Ramon, or because of the good money the 49ers will pay, but because he feels the 49ers is outstanding and offers him the chance chance to get into the playoffs.

When a free agent or any player signs with the 49ers, it makes me feel honored because it’s a sign that those players believe the 49ers are Super Bowl material, or that they believe the coaching staff will make them better players.

Also, I want to mention Sims’ history of false starts. I feel confident in our coaching, even if Sims is a veteran, our team of coaches will make him a better player. That’s not to say he won’t get any false start penalties, which are only 5 yards each penalty, but I firmly believe that Sims will cut it down and still maintain his intensity. He comes with more experience and more upside than Kwame Harris, anyway.

So much for the helicopter ride I wrote in a previous comment that should be offered to Sims, it was just my excitement because I could feel in my guts that Sims would choose the 49ers over the other teams.

I think we should keep Duckett. I think either Reuber or Toledo should be the odd man out. I don’t know who is better, Reuber or Toledo, but I am more enthusiastic about Duckett, from hearing good reports about him, he has grown as a player.

The more I’ve thought about it, the more I like the Sims signing. The way I see it, he and Jennings aren’t really that far apart. Jennings may be better, but lacks the consistency to be depended on, and ultimately, that’s something that’s VERY important along the offensive line.

With that said, I don’t think it’s a lock for Jennings to completely get axed if Sims wins the starting job at RT. Jennings can back up both tackle spots, so unless the 49ers are offered something useful (i.e. a younger offensive lineman or a 3rd or 4th round pick) in return, I don’t see Jennings going anywhere. Jennings’ primary detriment is that he’s oft-injured and as tough as a stick of butter when it meets a cleaver, but as a backup, he could be useful.

Likewise, Sims could be useful in the same effect. He was not always consistent in the past and that has shown to many people (particularly Raider fans). He’s had issues with false starts and holding penalties, but he has shown some kind of improvement according to Matt Maiocco:

Barry Sims was called for 10 false starts and four holding penalties last season. Six of his false starts (including three in Tennessee) were on the road, while all of his holding penalties were away from home. One more thing, only one of his false starts and one of his holding penalties came in the final eight games. —Matt M.

In the end, this is a fairly good signing for this team. It’s not so good to the guys who were vying for that backup tackle spot, as it’s pretty much sewn up by the loser of the starting battle. Duckett, while a pet project, may have reached the end of the line. I don’t think guys like Reuber or Toledo really had a chance to begin with. Chilo Rachal, according to Matt Maiocco, will probably be moved back to guard where he’ll compete with Wragge for the top backup spot.

On a side note, it’s very possible that Wragge and Rachal challenge Baas for the starting RG spot. It’ll be an interesting training camp in the trenches.