2009 NFL Free Agency: A meat and potatoes kind of day

by Fooch on Feb 28, 2009 8:53 AM PST in News Comment 16 comments

First off, today is the 7th Annual Crab Festival in Union Square. The 49ers make an appearance at this event ever year and this year will include Joe Staley, Manny Lawson and Guy McIntyre (with potentially more). The event starts at noon and includes a tasting area ($5 entry fee, cash only) and a crab-cracking competition. You can get player autographs for $20, with proceeds benefiting the 49ers Foundation. I'll be heading out for the event and will have the red 49ers cap from my avatar.

It's safe to say the first day of free agency was a success for the 49ers. They didn't make any big name or big money signings, but they took care of some essential areas (assuming pen gets put to paper). I'm sure there are some people out there who would say whatever, but I think these moves are important building blocks for a potential playoff team.

Takeo Spikes locks up the Ted for the next couple years with a guy who clearly has something left in the tank. Just as useful is that it gives the team some time to find the linebacker of the future to pair with Bamm Bamm. While it'd be nice to find a young ILB in this year's draft, the pressure is not as immediate to find such a rookie.

Allen Rossum showed what he could do while healthy. Danny indicated he wasn't that good on punt returns, but if you see this Danny, I'd like clarification on that point. He didn't return a ton of punts (not enough to qualify in the rankings, but among anybody who returned even 1 punt, Rossum finished seventh in the NFL on punt returns (15 returns with a 14.9 yard average). I'd say that's not too shabby.

Finally, Moran Norris is a guy most people wanted back in the fold. Norris alone won't bring back the Frank Gore of 2006, but it certainly can't hurt. I've definitely got my eye on the running game this coming season.

There were plenty of other rumors out there about the 49ers, and potential 49er targets. Of all the explanations for the Kurt Warner rumor, one that Barrows threw out makes the most sense: This provides serious leverage for Warner in getting a deal done with the Cardinals. There are plenty of reasons for AND against bringing in Kurt Warner. Whatever your view of Warner, I think most would agree that the Cardinals are not in a position to let him walk.

Chris Canty was a guy mentioned yesterday as a guy the 49ers wanted to bring in for a visit. However, it wouldn't surprise me if he was latched up sometime this weekend before getting out to the Bay Area. He's in NYC for dinner with the Giants and a meeting on Sunday, with a visit to Seattle scheduled for Monday. Apparently he already pushed back a meeting with the Titans. Given that the 49ers don't even have a meeting scheduled, it's not looking likely that he comes to town.

As per Maiocco, Brandon Jones had a physical performed last night and will meet for breakfast with Mike Singletary today. Demetric Evans will be in town for a meeting on Monday. Neither is a blow you away type of guy, but could provide some depth options.

I'll be out for this crab business for a few hours around lunchtime, so as info comes down the pipeline, make sure and throw it up here.

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Fargas interest

I’m not sure how much weight this carries, but on both the 49ers official message board, and a Raiders fan board, they’re saying Mike Lombardi has stated on the NFL Network that the 49ers have interest in Justin Fargas.

The problem with this is that there is not a single official link anywhere mentioning it…just something somebody possibly heard on the NFL Network. And Lombardi has been known to throw crap against a wall on occasion. Anybody else heard this rumor? Anybody else actually believe it? Fargas is a solid enough running back, but I’m not sure how much I expect anything to come of this rumor.

by Fooch on Feb 28, 2009 9:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Fargas

Would be an easy guess for a back we could land for not too much money, who also clearly knows what Rathman expects. I’ve only heard what Fooch just said, but that probably is the kind of back that could come in and share carries with 21. I wouldn’t have any issues with that at all. Is Fargas is under contract? If so, I don’t think any sort of trade is a wise move. The draft will have someone for us. I would like to see if McC could schedule a visit with D. Ward. Might be too much money, but you never know.

49ers and TOOL live, my personal Heaven!!!

by CW30 on Feb 28, 2009 9:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think Fargas signed a deal with the Raiders not too long ago, so I assume he is under contract. Considering the Raiders drafted McFadden and gave him a lump sum, Fargas’ contract is unneccesary. That and the fact that Michael Bush is a beast.

If the Niners get Fargas, does that change the Niners draft philosophy at RB? Would we even draft one late?

by Andrew Davidson on Feb 28, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

trade

He is under contract so it would require a trade. John Clayton discussed him briefly earlier in the week (right sidebar), primarily stating that the Raiders probably would get no higher than a 4th round pick for him. Would you deal a 4th or later pick for Fargas?

The 49ers do have a pair of compensatory picks coming to them (which I don’t believe they can trade), but one might be a 4th rounder to replace any lost 4th rounder. Thoughts on that?

by Fooch on Feb 28, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Now you're talking

In that case, a move like that would make for a decent one. A forth rounder isn’t much of a gamble at all. Does anyone feel that Fargas would change pace though? He reminds me a little of Gore, in that he doesn’t break away much, but has consistant YPC. He doesn’t appear to be a 3rd and 1, 4th and 1 thumper either. I could be off. Thoughts?

49ers and TOOL live, my personal Heaven!!!

by CW30 on Feb 28, 2009 9:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not in that case

because of Thomas Clayton and Michael Robinson, the team would then have plenty of depth at that spot. But if you consider what the Bucs and Broncos went through last year, it seems as though you can never have too many RB’s. They also didn’t have a thumping, blow up the hole FB, which the Niners just inked, and imo that plays a huge role in the health and overall performance of the HB’s. However, it would in no way surprise me to see them get an FA RB and draft one as well. Your guess is as good as mine.

49ers and TOOL live, my personal Heaven!!!

by CW30 on Feb 28, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My non-statistical take on Kurt Warner -- regardless of money, cap space, system, etc

All he has done in his career is win, wherever he goes. How again is that a bad thing?

Sure, it’s not a long term solution, and likely won’t happen, but Warner would be a significant improvement at QB.

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Feb 28, 2009 10:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Matt Cassel to Chiefs

Sorry to get off topic, but this will shake up the top 10 picks. If Detroit skips Stafford, both he and Sanchez could be sitting there.

49ers and TOOL live, my personal Heaven!!!

by CW30 on Feb 28, 2009 10:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Detroit would be idiotic to skip Stafford.

But I don’t like the way this is shaping up for Sanchez to be there at 10. I’d love Sanchez, but I’d love him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder, not the 10th pick.

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Feb 28, 2009 10:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

per rotoworld

Brandon Jones is a 49er. 5 year deal.

49ers signed WR Brandon Jones to a five-year, $16.5 million contract. $5.4 million is guaranteed.
We’ve always loved Jones’ potential, but we’re amazed he got this much guaranteed money with little production to back it up. This ensures Jones a huge role in the 49ers offense, likely as a starter. While his numbers should increase, he’s headed to another run-first team and fantasy leaguers should keep their expectations in check.

Not deadbeat Dad looking to adopt young SF ball player.

by AndYourBirdCanSing on Feb 28, 2009 10:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

let me clarify...

…i was apparently braindead from a day of loading a u-haul, driving 320 miles, and then unloading said u-haul…

the niners, on the whole, were good on punt return efficiency compared to the rest of the league. however, rossum was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better on kick returns than he was on punt returns in terms of the creation of a field position advantage. also, i didn’t realize that (a) the niners only returned 29 punts last year, and (b) rossum only returned 15 of the 29. so, basically, disregard my mindless blather from last night. i’m on board with rossum (and the niner special teams in general).

by Florida Danny on Feb 28, 2009 11:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kitna to Cowboys

I know no-one really cares, but still news

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Feb 28, 2009 1:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kitna

I don’t even think Jon Kitna’s mom cares.

by Fooch on Feb 28, 2009 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Lions got Anthony Henry in the trade for Kitna, however. I think that’s pretty significant by the Lions. Kitna had no future with the team, and they get a CB in a contract year in return. Not bad.

by Andrew Davidson on Feb 28, 2009 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1 for Fooch

made me lol

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Feb 28, 2009 9:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

About Spikes

I read a comment saying that this signing was a death knoll for the niners and was very surprised until the author went on to say that it was because no team Spikes has played for has ever made the playoffs. I hadn’t realized that. That’s rough.

by foosball4949 on Mar 1, 2009 1:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs