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49ers sign CB Keith Smith, Release WR Micheal Spurlock

The loss of Nate Clements meant the team needed some cornerback depth behind Dre Bly and Marcus Hudson.  Today the 49ers made an initial move to shore up that depth by signing CB Keith Smith.  To make room for Smith, the 49ers released much maligned KR/WR Micheal Spurlock.

Below are some details from the 49ers about the move.  I was looking for some info and found some interesting stuff.  Our Lions blog had some comments when Smith was released at the final roster cut:

Cornerback Keith Smith was released on Wednesday.  Though Smith was injured for part of training camp and hadn't been great since he returned, this was an unexpected move.  I personally thought Smith would make the team over Ramzee Robinson, albeit not by a very wide margin.  This decision really just came out of left field, especially when news broke a few hours later that Cletis Gordon was claimed by the Lions to fill Smith's spot on the roster.  Gordon is a cornerback who was cut by the Texans after spending only a few days with the team.  Before that he was with the Chargers, where he spent three seasons and was a starter in one game last year.

The folks at mlive.com had some comments when Smith was released by the Lions at the beginning of the season:

Smith was Detroit's best downfield on-ball defender last year, but he never stepped up in training camp this season.

Smith (5-11, 191) was originally selected in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. After spending five seasons with Detroit, he was released prior to the start of the 2009 season.

Smith has played in 71 career games (5 starts), registering 118 tackles, four interceptions, 14 passes defensed, one sack, one forced fumble and one touchdown.

A 29-year-old, native of Leesville, LA, Smith played collegiately at McNeese State.

Spurlock signed with the 49ers on January 23, 2009, after spending one season with the Arizona Cardinals and two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He appeared in 11 career games (four with the 49ers) and totaled four receptions for 31 yards and 19 kickoff returns for 498 yards and one touchdown.

In addition, the 49ers have also released TE Carson Butler from the practice squad.

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Fooch you can remove my fanshot!

I thought I was the first one on this. didn’t see anything before I posted.

by renke81 on Nov 3, 2009 2:12 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

no worries

I checked before I starting posting, but in the time it took me to find the articles, I’d imagine you got yours up. I’ll delete it

by Fooch on Nov 3, 2009 2:14 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

good move Niners

at least the guy has played in 71 games, has some INT’s, tackles…And he’s not 100 years old.

by Tre9er on Nov 3, 2009 2:16 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

About Time!

Adios Michael Spurlock, it isn’t your fault that we all hate you.

I was "Deific16"
The cake is a lie.

by Sultan of Seitan on Nov 3, 2009 2:17 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

^Hated*

I was "Deific16"
The cake is a lie.

by Sultan of Seitan on Nov 3, 2009 2:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good move

We really need the depth

by thecity23 on Nov 3, 2009 2:18 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Aren't there any free agent DB's

with a Kick/Punt return history as well?

I was "Deific16"
The cake is a lie.

by Sultan of Seitan on Nov 3, 2009 2:20 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

aw crap.

who is gonna run the taser?

by pwarren85 on Nov 3, 2009 2:31 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

season over

You can never resist the game... nor could I... we're the same, so don't even try.

by Ninjames on Nov 3, 2009 2:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

taser?

we can’t even figure out which offense we’re running…and when we’re running it.

Oh wait, if the past two games are any indication, I’d say we run a “Punt” offense for 28 minutes per half, then the 2-minute Spread.

by Tre9er on Nov 3, 2009 2:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

/Laughed
I’d say we run a "Punt" offense for 28 minutes per half, then the 2-minute Spread.

Humorous pessimism is always welcome.

I was "Deific16"
The cake is a lie.

by Sultan of Seitan on Nov 3, 2009 3:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this.

Bengals terminated the contract of veteran G Scott Kooistra.

i tried to get some info on this guy, not much other than hes been with the bengals for all 7 years of his career. maybe useable?

by pwarren85 on Nov 3, 2009 2:49 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

finally something that makes sense

A hearty thank you to Rich Aurilia for all the good memories, and to the Niners for finally getting the uni's (mostly) right.

by wjackalope on Nov 3, 2009 2:50 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

err this guy

The 6-6, 335-pound Kooistra, 29 proved to be a valued reserve at tackle and guard.

by pwarren85 on Nov 3, 2009 2:52 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

insurance if nothing else maybe?

once again i’m not sure if it’s just too late in the season for someone picked up at this point to make any difference.

by pwarren85 on Nov 3, 2009 2:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Goodbye Spurlock, we hardly knew ye

And to think, you were a fan favorite… in pre-season.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Nov 3, 2009 3:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

guess I made this for nothing

A hearty thank you to Rich Aurilia for all the good memories, and to the Niners for finally getting the uni's (mostly) right.

by wjackalope on Nov 3, 2009 3:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Yep, you forget the headline

Taser, It’s Stunningly Awful.

by bignerd on Nov 3, 2009 3:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We only ran it twice...

And the pass would have been a big gain if Spurlock had thrown it accurately. But then, I am a Taser apologist.

by Brendan Scolari on Nov 3, 2009 4:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Even the name Sucked

Does Taser sound worrisome?

by bignerd on Nov 3, 2009 4:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I bet you wrote that with a straight face too.. Great response!

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 5:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not gay either but I assumed you were referring to his taser episode with the law

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 5:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I know

I was being funny responding to your “straight face” comment.

sorry for the mix up. lol though.

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 3, 2009 5:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

No Problem.. but the Boone and Taser comment was still good

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I kept waiting

for them to use it and actually gain yards, and then bust this graphic out, but after I made this, they stopped running it. Actually not true – they started just giving direct snaps to Gore, who runs up the middle.

A hearty thank you to Rich Aurilia for all the good memories, and to the Niners for finally getting the uni's (mostly) right.

by wjackalope on Nov 3, 2009 4:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's why...

… it’s called the taser and not the wildcat!

by sfgfan on Nov 3, 2009 4:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I’m confident I beat that guy.

by bignerd on Nov 3, 2009 8:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Mega Man was an awesome game… pretty sure I did too. He kind of looks like Spurlock. Oh well…

by Drew K on Nov 3, 2009 8:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

TASER!

“We’ve shot ourselves so many times with it…we’re afraid of it too!”

by Tre9er on Nov 4, 2009 8:25 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The question I have is what are they going to do to back the OT

With Staley out for 6 or so weeks and Pashos out for the year… who is the backup for OT?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 3:27 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Good Question!!

Guess we have to rely on Sims and Boone.Oh crap we are in trouble

by WC-Ninerhead on Nov 3, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sims, Boone and Snyder

Offensive Tackles or the Cabela’s All Star Team? I’d feel secure if this were a hunting, fishing and camping competition.

by bignerd on Nov 3, 2009 4:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Don't know if Boone actually fits that group yet... I mean.. does he have Tatoos?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 5:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

On the PS

Boone plays both sides of the ball DT and OT…not sure if that’sa good thing. Maybe gives him better perspective on how to block. Takeo Spikes seems to think highly of him. I saw it on an interview somewhere

by Drew K on Nov 3, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We have Patrick, Wallace and Wragge for backup OL's

worst comes to worse one of them is going to have to come in.

by Tre9er on Nov 4, 2009 8:21 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Chris Patrick is going to be active this week.

He has played both Tackle spots in College and in preseason.

by Tre9er on Nov 4, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Keith Smith is 29

and has a pretty decent stat sheet, granted the Lions cut him, but he’s got a bit more to offer than a rookie on a practice squad, especially one we already cut.

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 3, 2009 3:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This.

I think the 49ers are looking for someone who can take up a 53-man spot and maybe contribute immediately if needed.

by sfgfan on Nov 3, 2009 4:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Coach will getting up to speed.

Dude had an injury coming into training camp and got cut. That and he’s kinda of a dimwitted country boy, but he can play. Coach will make him better than he ever thought he could be. Spurlock might as well get his bus ticket now.

by BigShoes on Nov 3, 2009 3:59 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

who are you talking about?

Smith is the country boy?

by Tre9er on Nov 4, 2009 8:24 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good night, sweet prince

GROUGTHINK ALERT
The first Chester Arthur fanboy ever.

by groug on Nov 3, 2009 4:32 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Rossum

REALLY makes you question Sing’s decision to cut Rossum now huh? I remember Barrow’s saying Rossum looked pretty solid in training camp. We cut Rossum because he is only a kick returner, in order to keep a guy that only runs the Taser which we don’t run anymore, so that we could put our $80 mil man to return punts, who get’s hurt, forcing us to cut the guy we kept, in order to get rid of our KR/PR specialist and also our back up DB….

Sing is a good rah rah guy, but his roster management is leaving something to be desired.

by hudd07 on Nov 3, 2009 5:04 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I think I remember where there was a blurb about the possibility of something not right with Rossum

Also, if he didn’t practice well…or put 100% into it.. Sing won’t put up with it… maybe the same problem with Spurlock..

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Rossum

He pulled a hamstring on his first try on a return for Dallas and has not played since. So, if the same hamstring had been here on the 49ers…..

by seafood lover on Nov 3, 2009 5:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

maybe he would've cut left vs right saving the hamstring if he was being blocked by Niners

No way can you say that since he did it with Dallas, it would’ve happened with us. But I’m picking up what you are putting down. Obviously he was having health issues. Just not sure I would have cut him.

East Bay, if you find where it blurbed about something not being right please post it.

by hudd07 on Nov 3, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I read almost all the posts here and in both Matt's columns so it would be difficult to remember where.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Nov 3, 2009 7:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Hello?

So why did we put Clements in on returns…

by 49ers#1 on Nov 3, 2009 9:04 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

It wasn't Spurlock's fault

that he was on the roster and the team never used him.

by Bob On The Coast on Nov 3, 2009 9:18 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Spurlock

Watch someone like the Rams get him off waivers and he’ll run a kickoff back the first game he’s there or something.

Does anyone know if Rossum has been doing the returns for Dallas?

by Drew K on Nov 3, 2009 9:25 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

That'r right. He's playing his former team

So besides picking his brain for info, we have to get him involved in the offense. A big play TD would make up for not being involved in the offense thus far.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Nov 3, 2009 10:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I hope to see him in there more often this week. I think he could be an asset if we use him correctly

by Drew K on Nov 4, 2009 1:35 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs


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