A look ahead at Coach Sing's 2009 NFL Draft
by shlecko on Jan 1, 2009 1:00 AM PST
29 comments
After reading Singletary's end of season press conference, I've suddenly become a lot more interested to see how our next draft will unfold. His implications that he'll have heavy influence on the players selected really thickens the plot to a story that's already got our attention.
There are reasons for both optimism and skepticism in his latest release:
On the bright side, I think it's safe to say that we'll aquire a few players that will fit the system that we should have in place for the next couple years. Coach Sing has a pretty solid grasp on his "philosophy", so we're unlikely to get many players that we'll have to re-invent or develop into something that they aren't already. This is good. Expect tough, disciplined football players (see: Staley, Joe)...rather than physical specimens or superathletes (Davis, Vernon).
On the less bright-and-cheery side of things, we have to wonder just how good of a talent evaluator Singletary really is. I don't doubt his ability to lead men, and I'm positive that he's an excellent judge of character...but that doesn't necessarily mean that he can pick out quality football players out of a 250-man line-up.
Thanks to Sing's wonderful honesty, we see that not only did he not endorse our best draft selection in years (who else? Bamm Bamm himself) - but seemed to actually be in opposition to the choice until being heavily persuaded. Call me negative, but that worries me a bit. You would think that if anybody were in a position to spot Willis as a sure-thing, then it would have been Singletary...who coached him personally at the Senior Bowl. But we'll just have to wait and see.
Now...the positions that Singletary mentioned were points of interest, as far as possible areas of improvement, are as follows:
Quarterback: Despite being the guy that initially handed the ship over to Shaun Hill, Singletary seems to be one of Hill's biggest skeptics. Understandable. I think Hill was a good option this year, and can make a quality NFL quarterback...but I don't think any of us will realistically argue that he is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the long-term answer at this position. And I think that a long-term answer, going into a new regime and a new era of 49ers football, is exactly what we should be looking for right now.
Offensive Line: Right Tackle. Pretty much says it all. Barry Sims was a cheap patch that was put over the gaping hole left by oft-injured Jonas Jennings. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Jennings released before training camp next year. There's no excuse for paying that much money to a guy who spends as much time on IR as he does.
Also, David Baas and Tony Wraggae have performed...less than admirably as of late, and will definately be on the hot seat going into 2009. We've got a promising future with Staley, Snyder, Heitman and Rachal, but depth on the OL will be a must for this team if we are to commit to the kind of physical running game that Singletary hopes to instill.
Defensive End/Pass Rusher: Singletary didn't specifically mention DE as a point, but I assume that if we are to add a pass rushing specialist, then this is where it would fit. The 3-4 linebacker group of Haralson, Willis, Spikes (assuming we bring him back, and I expect that we will), and Lawson seems to be pretty solid. Justin Smith is a lock at LDE, and Franklin has been lauded with praise in the past few months, while we've got money already invested in Isaac Sopoaga.
This leaves Ray McDonald and... I guess... Kentwan Balmer to round out the big names on the defensive line. While Ray Mac had an impressive second half in 2007, he didn't seem to improve on it any this season. He still jumps too often, and has trouble with anyone more than sub-par on passing downs. Balmer? Well...he'll make a good up-man on next year's kick return unit. RDE may turn out to be our number one pick in this year's draft, should there be a worthy player in the first round come time for us to choose.
Saftey: Ugh. Mark Roman. I think it's pretty much unanimous across NN that we are in desperate need of an upgrade at free saftey. Singletary mentioned someone with "range" - which, I assume, means someone who can cover enough ground to allow Michael Lewis, who is at his best when he's playing like a deep linebacker, to do his thing. The ability to ballhawk would be wonderful plus as well, as FS is a position we haven't recieved many takeaways from in recent years.
I like Dashon Goldson, but I think he's better suited for dime and quarter packages than the 3-4 set that we will supposedly be carrying into next season. A 50/50 chance, in my mind, on whether this need will be addressed in free-agency or the draft.
In addition to these positions, there are some more that I, personally, would like to see addressed in the draft, or at some point this offseason:
Running Back: I'm not going to wager on Deshaun Foster returning in 2009, though I wouldn't be opposed to the idea. That leaves Michael Robinson - at his best on special teams, and... (shudder) Thomas Clayton. Yeah. I'm sorry to the enigmatic Clayton Fan Club, but there's a reason that the guy is still on the practice squad of a team with no depth at halfback.
The fact of the matter is that Gore is, and really always has been, a guy who shouldn't have to carry the load by himself. Even if he were to stay healthy for an entire season, he lacks the breakaway speed to be considered a home run threat in the running game. We've seen it for years in the NFL: the teams that have the most effective running games are the teams that employ a (somewhat cliche) thunder and lightning attack. Jacobs/Ward, Bush/McAllister, White/Johnson...the two-back system is what gets the job done. Gore is a proven back, and one of the best power runners in the game, but I think it would take someone with a little more speed and elusiveness to take our run game to the next level. Rolling the dice on a guy like that in the draft wouldn't be a bad idea.
Also, I know it's very rare to see fullbacks get drafted...but does anyone know if there's a guy in this year's draft that might be worth a look? We're going to need one for Singletary's system, and it's not going to be Zak Keasy.
Cornerback: Not a glaring need. Not yet, anyway. I like the way that Tarrell Brown and Donald Strickland have developed, but Walt Harris is getting up there in years, and I'm not sure that anyone else on the roster would make me feel safe as a starter. As I understand it, Shawntae Spencer's contract is up and he's coming off a pretty big injury. Reggie Smith, the corner we took out of Oklahoma in the 3rd round last year, didn't see very much playtime this season...and as thin as we were at DB for a while, that leads me to believe that the coaching staff doesn't have a lot of confidence in him.
I wouldn't expect to see us spend a first-day pick on another corner, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one taken in 2009.
Anyone else have any ideas as to where we might want to aim next April? I know it's still very early, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Besides - thinking ahead is one of the side-effects of missing the playoffs =)
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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Love For The Game (Not Just The Fame)
The biggest thing is getting quality people as players who LOVE to play the game. In 1991 the Eagles traded up to take OT tackle Antone Davis in the first round. Davis was a highly rated prospect who was sure to go somewhere to some team in the first round.
There was just one “tiny” little problem with Antone Davis. He really DIDN’T like to play football. Oh, he played and played well at Tennessee cause he was huge. I don’t think he minded the money or the fame in the NFL. He just really didn’t like to play the game. Imagine that!
He struggled during his career in Philly. Up and down. On a Monday night game one time he was abused so bad that Dierdorff actually started feeling sorry for him.
As a first rounder, he was a wasted draft pick. In his great book “Bringing The Heat” Mark Bowden chronicles Davis and that Eagle team. This was the first Eagle draft post-Buddy Ryan. A great book to read for serious football fans.
Ryan Leaf? If SD didn’t draft him second he probably would’ve gone third, fourth, or fifth. He was drafted by Bobby Beathard, considered to be one of the best GMs at that time.
Peyton Manning? Loved the game. Leaf? Loved the paycheck.
Eliminating guys like these in your draft will go a long, long way towards building a great team.
Talent is great but character, leadership and a LOVE for hitting and playing and winning is HUGE. Look at the Disaster in Dallas. Man for man they’re as talented as any team in the league and more so than most. Little or no character and leadership!
by GeoMak on Jan 1, 2009 9:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
love of the game
Of course this isn’t something that is always easy to figure out. And speaking of love of the game. Drew Bledsoe admitted he never really loved the game and hated leaving his home at the end of every summer. He wasn’t the greatest QB ever but in his prime was a very fine QB.
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by Fooch on Jan 1, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There were a MILLION red flags regarding Leaf, especially his “Las Vegas” answer to a question.
I believe that coaching and organizations Matter. Big Time. Years ago, the Cards passed on Brian Urlacher to draft Thomas Jones. He was a bust and they let him go a few years later.
My assessment. In 20 years in Phoenix, they have only had TWO 1,000 yard rushers. In 20 Years! They have always had offensive line problems and the coaching staff that drafted Jones (Tobin/McGinnis) weren’t very good, in my opinion, at developing players.
A HC’s number one responsibility is in getting the absolute most out of his players. No one has done that BETTER than Vince Lombardi, which is why his name is on that trophy. The SAME player coached by Mike Singletary and Mike Nolan will PROBABLY be at least a little bit better under Singletary.
Jones goes to Tampa and the the Bears and goes on to the Pro Bowl. Same player that was a BUST in AZ. became a Pro Bowler in Chicago.
Why? What was the difference? While I have no doubt that Jones might have matured somewhat going forward, I’d say it speaks more of the coaching/organization difference between the Arizona Cardinals and Gruden’s Buc’s and Lovie Smith’s Bears.
Half the battle is already won when you have a great leader like Singletary in place. That’s just my opinion.
by GeoMak on Jan 1, 2009 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
Although, I like where you are trying to go, I disagree. Vernon Davis…..
by MinerNiner on Jan 3, 2009 5:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think that Clayton and Reggie Smith didn't get playing time in the second half of the season because Sing didn't see a need to push there.
He moved Rachel to the starting RG spot and Snyder to the RT and those worked but those were moves that had to happen for us to succeed. Running back and CB were not.
I think Sing will give everyone a fair chance and a tuff row to hoe in the spring. He will know who wants to play and who doesn’t.
I can see us going for a RT in the 1st or 2nd.. If we can get Mays in the 1st he may shore up the FS spot quickly. But, again, I think he will want to solidify the RT backup spot in the 1st if one of the big guys is available.
Quarterback is a position that we may fill in FA as well as FS and DE/OLB.
I would love to see us find a big, fast running back like Jackson for the Rams to put next to Gore. From a Defensive side, who to you defense with two different backs like that. I think that would provide a range of running and short passes to the back that we were supposed to see this year.
As far as Sing’s evaluation of Willis before the draft I think he did his research to find out who Willis was and didn’t jump to conclusions. Remember he was not the HC at that time so he was just working with the guys at the Senior Bowl not really evaluating them. I trust that he knows players and will take a big look at who our scouts and McCloughan come up with.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on Jan 1, 2009 10:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Possible draft picks
QB: If Sam Bradford or Matt Stafford are still on the board when the 49ers are on the clock, they must take a chance at one of them. Shaun Hill is not the answer long term. It will be a tough pick knowing what happened to Alex Smith, but a risk we should take.
If both Sam Bradford and Matt Stafford are not available, here are some other options that might be available for the 49ers:
1. Taylor Mays S
2. Everrette Brown DE
3. Michael Johnson DE
4. Aaron Curry LB
5. Eugene Monroe OT
Yadida
by Mill3R on Jan 1, 2009 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
QB
Hill isn’t the long term answer but you can grab some decent options in the middle rounds and still get a great pass rusher or offensive tackle in the first round and make yourself playoff viable now and still develop a QB of the future.
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by Fooch on Jan 1, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i like mays only at SS
him and michael lewis would be like having 6 linebackers on the field
that's gold jerry, gold!!!
by 9Custs on Jan 2, 2009 2:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea where he is expected to go...
But if there is one guy I would most want the niner to pick up, it would be Taylor Mays. And that’s saying something, since I’m a Cal fan who hates all things USC. Mays is a beast that scared the hell out of me every time somebody threw over the middle against USC, and if he plays that way in the NFL he’s exactly what the Niners need at safety.
by norcalnick on Jan 1, 2009 12:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Not sold on Mays...
I’m watching the Rose Bowl and don’t see how Mays can be considered to be a FS that can cover the field. He’s a beast but don’t see his speed being a factor. He reminds me of a Roy Williams at Dallas.
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
by bayboy on Jan 1, 2009 3:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
strong safety?
I was thinking if they were to take him, maybe try and convert him to strong safety to succeed Michael Lewis? That is if you bothered drafting him of course.
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by Fooch on Jan 1, 2009 3:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
too high of a pick for back up
I hope they don’t draft Mays in the first round, hopefully they draft a RT, S and QB in that order..
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
by bayboy on Jan 1, 2009 4:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
what about some pass rush?
i say we get one of the top 3 DE’s (brian orakpo, michael johnson, everrette brown) with our first pick.
Yadida
by Mill3R on Jan 1, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
DEs
I believe they’re projected as 3-4 OLBs, although not 100% sure yet.
Speaking of OLBs, I’ll be addressing OLB tomorrow with a review of the 2008 season for our outside linebackers and a look ahead, so plenty of clarification to come.
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by Fooch on Jan 1, 2009 4:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
FS is a much bigger need than SS
I think that at this point in time a SS isn’t worth the Niners first round pick.
by methodrampage on Jan 2, 2009 10:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope we go
OT, DT/DE, S, QB
in that order.
MURS for President!!!!!!!
by jtoj on Jan 1, 2009 4:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
my offseason priorities
1. a big DT signing Haynesworth would be perfect dominant line is essential to what Singletary wants to do
2. OT
3. DB harris showed his age at times this season and another starter will probably be necessary, whether its at S or at CB probably depends on where they decide Goldson’s future is agree a speedy compliment to Gore would be nice, but I’d also like someone capable of carrying the load for a few weeks should Gore go down. Seems like an unspectacular but fairly deep RB draft class this year or a FA like Sproles, though he’d probably be expensive. Regardless, a 2nd back is also key to Singletary’s system.
4. OLB -howmany consectutive years do we have to ask for a pass rusher? I havent really looked at who could be available via the draft but Follett from Cal looked very good in the Emerald Bowl and is the rare college player familiar with a 3-4
5. RB
6. QB-I’m not sold on Hill, but because Singletary wants to run such a run heavy O, I dont think its a huge priority. Cassel would be too expensive and unless one of the top 2 QBs is available I’d rather not spend the first round pick on this position
7. O-line depth
8. FB-a late round pick should be able to land us a good run blocker…..or just bring back bench press champ Moran Norris.
by sam23 on Jan 1, 2009 5:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
no idea why half of that had strike throughs
by sam23 on Jan 1, 2009 5:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
try and redo it
If you copy and paste it into a new comment it should be fine. Do that and then we’ll delete the striken-through comment, ok?
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by Fooch on Jan 1, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
my offseason priorities
1. a big DT signing Haynesworth would be perfect
2. OT dominant line is essential to what Singletary wants to do
3. DB harris showed his age at times this season and another starter will probably be necessary, whether its at S or at CB probably depends on where they decide Goldson’s future is
4. OLB -howmany consectutive years do we have to ask for a pass rusher? I havent really looked at who could be available via the draft but Follett from Cal looked very good in the Emerald Bowl and is the rare college player familiar with a 3-4
5. RB agree a speedy compliment to Gore would be nice, but I’d also like someone capable of carrying the load for a few weeks should Gore go down. Seems like an unspectacular but fairly deep RB draft class this year or a FA like Sproles, though he’d probably be expensive. Regardless, a 2nd back is also key to Singletary’s system.
6. QB-I’m not sold on Hill, but because Singletary wants to run such a run heavy O, I dont think its a huge priority. Cassel would be too expensive and unless one of the top 2 QBs is available I’d rather not spend the first round pick on this position
7. O-line depth
8. FB-a late round pick should be able to land us a good run blocker…..or just bring back bench press champ Moran Norris.
by sam23 on Jan 2, 2009 10:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
why would he be perfect?
because he seems to only produce in contract years? or because he would take a massive Clements-like contract which would hurt our cap situation?
that's gold jerry, gold!!!
by 9Custs on Jan 2, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Switching DB positions...
have been a good move for some 49er players like Ronnie Lott (CB to FS), Merton Hanks(from CB to FS) and Marquez Pope(from FS/SS to CB). I don’t know if that will be of any help to Mark Roman, but I do think that that could be a possibility for Walt Harris and it would allow him to play at least 2 more seasons. In the draft, try to get a Safety and let him learn the NFL system.
This years draft, I would like to see the 49ers get the best available athlete versus the best available at his position (not if the players available are WR’s or TE’s or special teamers). If a RB like Shonn Greene is available, I would take him. If Orakpo’s knee is sound, I would take him. There are ILB’s that are intriguing like James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga and OLB’s like Aaron Curry and, of course, Zack Follett. At DB’s, I like DJ Moore, Rashad Johnson (if he cleans up his act), Taylor Mays(a big upgrade over Roman), and Michael Hamlin.
Good luck to the 49ers. I hope to see some great players taken by them in this coming draft.
"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"
by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Jan 2, 2009 11:20 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
in regard to WR
I would consider taking a WR only if his name in Michael Crabtree.
by 3eyes on Jan 2, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I like the idea of switching either Harris or Clements to FS
and drafting a CB, giving the backups a shot.
They're called RUNS for a reason.
by connie mack on Jan 6, 2009 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
madden
clements has a high 90’s rating when converted to fs on madden lol
Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.
by maveric_87 on Jan 6, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
49ERS 2009 NFL MOCK DRAFT
1st Round: William Moore, S, Missouri, 6-1. Weight: 227- Moore compiled 83
tackles, 5.5 TFL and five passes broken up as a senior. An All-Big XII
first-teamer,With Moore and Willis, it’ll we be our version of
Ray lewis and Ed Reed.
2nd Round: Herman Johnson, G, LSU, 6-7. Weight: 349- Herman Johnson,
a member of the All-SEC first team, has made 23 consecutive starts.
Big Guard for Gore to run behind.
3rd Round: Ron Brace, NT, Boston College, 6-3. Weight: 330- earned an
All-ACC honorable mention. Big Nose to stuff then gap for P.Willis.
4th Round: Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State, 6-8. Weight: 314- Good OT to bring in
and compete for a starting job.
5th Round: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State, 6-2. Weight: 218- Led
Sam Houston State with 3,355 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 picks. Good young
QB to bring in and maybe back-up Shaun Hill.
6th Round: Frantz Joseph, ILB, Florida Atlantic, 6-3. Weight: 235- Joseph
recorded 141 tackles and 9.5 TFL as a senior. Will be P.Willis Twin in no
matter of time, great tackling machine.
7th Round: Eric VandenHeuvel, OT, Wisconsin, 6-7. Weight: 323- Another good
OT that will compete for a job an jus to have around. Plus Sing wants hit
people in the mouth and run the ball
Deon Butler, WR, Penn State, 5-10. Weight: 171- With Allen Rossum gone
Butler can be our return guy. Small but great hand led Penn St wit 47
catches for 810 17.2 YPR, 7 TD 70 yard was his longest this year
Lawrence Sidbury, DE/ OLB, Richmond, 6-3. Weight: 262- DE/OLB
He had eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 13 starts last season.
49ERS 2009 FREE AGENTS SIGNED
J.P. Losman, QB, 6-2. Weight: 217- Boost our QB competition.
Chris Canty, DE, 6-7. Weight 304- Beast in the 3-4 defense perfit fit
Tank Johnson, DT, 6-3 Weight 305- Franklin, Tank, and Brace Good Rotation
Vernon Carey, OG, 6-5 Weight 350- Another great addition
Stacy Andrews, OT, 6-7 Weight 342- Will add to wat should aready be a
MASSIVE OL.
by BIG49ERS_1 on Jan 4, 2009 1:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Regarding Brace
I’m not so certain that he’ll make it past round two (combined with Raji, BC had the best tandem in the league). If he does, there are a couple of issues with him that might not make him as strong a pick as you might imagine.
First, Brace was able to rely on Raji to take some of the heat off him on the inside, allowing Brace to make plays that he would not have been possible had someone other than Raji been next to him.
Second, if you were to watch the game tape of BCs last regular season outing, the Brace/Raji combination began to fade somewhat, allowing the Hokies to amass 150 yards on the ground (as opposed to the scant 84 through the air). The Hokies were able to keep pounding it up the middle and neither Brace nor Raji seemed to have the endurance to withstand the beating.
I’m not saying Brace would be a terrible option at NT, but I am definitely saying that he is not going to be as effective without a beast like Raji next to him, and he might have issues lasting the full 60 minutes in a punishing NFL game.
by Cruithear on Jan 4, 2009 11:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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