Golden Nuggets: Where I rant... a lot.

by Ninjames on Mar 26, 2009 1:20 AM PDT in Golden Nuggets Comment 34 comments

Morning everyone, James here (who else) with your Nuggets for today. Allow me to stretch this intro by taking just a short time to vent about what I think is wrong with the NFL these days... Roger Goodell. I wont go to indepth with it, but this man is doing everything he can to make this game less interesting to watch. If safety is the issue, fine, but those kickoff rules? Come on now. Don't even mess with my kickoffs, they're one of my favorite parts of the game, and you've managed to make them the newest edition to your No Fun League.... ... Anyway, moving on now, I've got a few links for you, all good stuff, got a couple things going on today in Ninerland with is good news for once. Enjoy.

The 49ers seem to be nearing a deal with OT Marvel Smith. Not sure how I feel about this one. Ask me later. (PressDemocrat.com)

Singletary, even after the "feud" with the assistant coaches, says that there's not a single coach on the team that he wouldn't keep. (PressDemocrat.com)

Goodell wants the season to be longer.. personally, I think its a terrible move and the guy needs to back off slightly on the... well, I'll keep these opinions clean. He needs to shutup. (Examiner.com)

Singletary spent a good amount of time with reporters during his time in league meetings. (SacBee.com)

Here's a nice Q&A with Joe Nedney. (49ers.com)

CB Donald Strickland signed with the Jets. This one actually doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I'm more of a Terell Brown kind of guy myself. (SacBee.com)

Jeff Fisher speaks out on WR Brandon Jones. (ESPN.com)

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Marvel-ous

I am thrilled we are close on this. With Marvel, we would no longer Have To take an OT at 10 – and my guess is that the BPA that drops to us will make a real difference.

by LT9er on Mar 26, 2009 7:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

More or less?

When McCloughan Bragged about the $25 mil. in cap, I thought he was going to fill in some positions with top flight players. Instead, he has signed nothing that has made me feel good about his decisions. I ‘Marvel’ at the fact that he may sign a OT that hardly played in two year,10 years in the league and has had major surgery on his back in Dec. 07. Why isn’t the SB Champs keeping him? Is he going to replace Jonas on the IR list?

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 26, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Marvel sounds like a good player when healthy

But wasn’t Jonas Jennings similarly good when healthy? Marvel has missed most of the past 2 years with a screwed up back. Backs don’t really get better, do they?

I like the potential signing, but I don’t think if we sign him we can feel like we’re done at RT simply b/c of the injury factor.

by Neon on Mar 26, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If you ever had a back injury,

It stays with you for Life. It never goes away. One good whack and he’s gone. Now what, back to square one again?

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 26, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Difference...

… between Marvel and Jonas is probably at least three to four million, which is why Smith makes more sense for the roster than Smith. M.Smith will not prevent the 49ers from taking an offensive lineman they like in the draft.

by sfgfan on Mar 26, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

Marvel has some seasons under his belt where he played all 16 games. I’m not saying he’s a shoe-in to be healthy, but he has made it through an entire 16 games in a season, something Jennings has never done. If we sign Smith, we can hope for 12 games from him, and be very lucky for 16. Either way, he’s a better player than Jennings. Especially in terms of cashola.

by Andrew Davidson on Mar 26, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just cann't see

paying anyone that much when he hasn’t proven that he can be a contributer at this point. I like the idea of picking a OT early and paying him the money. I know how you feel about a 1st pick on a lineman other than the 1st two. Going back to my 1st comment, they could have sign a front line lineman when the FA market open. Now they want to sign Marvel, who just might be another bust. I would rather spend my money somewhere else.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 26, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marvel...

… will likely cost them what it costs to sign a backup tackle. If he were capable of signing for more, he would have gone along with the other “front line” linemen a lot earlier in FA. Like I said in my comment, they can sign Smith (think of him as an insurance policy) and STILL draft a tackle. There should be three or so tackles at the top of the second that can probably make pretty good right tackles, which is what the 49ers need. A first round pick, at least anything in the top 10 (especially), should be a left tackle. Andre Smith and Oher aren’t necessarily locks to stay at LT.

by sfgfan on Mar 26, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

even if we sign Marvel Smith I’d love to see Niners draft Andre Smith or Michael Oher at #10

by Neon on Mar 26, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The reason I like

A. Smith is that he could be had for less. You put certain incentive clauses into his contract, ( i.e., weight ,additude and performance). The reason is that he realized he Screw Up and he also knows that it will cost him. Bad combine and bad advise. If the Niners negotiates right , he can be had at a good price and hopefully a good player for years.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 26, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Back to Marvel

If other teams thought of him, he would already be signed. There’s something the Steelers are keeping to themselvesand that may be why they’re not resigning him. It leaves some question mark about his durability.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 26, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Draft picks...

… don’t generally take less. This is especially true if you’re taken in the top 10. If the 49ers draft Smith, you better believe he’s going to get top 10 money.

Why is this you might ask? Because with rookies, you take them with your pick and if you don’t sign them, you lose a pick. Smith has a LOT of leverage to keep any ridiculous incentives/escalators out that force him to have a reduced base check.

by sfgfan on Mar 26, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Generally you're right

But this a situation where they may get away with it. If you don’t ask, how would you know. Sometimes, if you let them sweat it out, they may agree. he got to ask himself, what would I be worth next year if I sat out the season. If I lost one year salary, could I make it back? Maybe, Maybe not. If I play hardball today, what would the other teams think of me. At this point, he needs to show what he’s worth. What if Walsh put a weight clause on Bubba Paris? Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t want to lose the #10 pick either.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 26, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maiocco

In his response to some of the comments in the M. Smith article, he says the same thing about clauses in the contract that would protect both the team and the player. If Smith plays and plays well, he earns his money. If Smith is sidelined for extended periods, there would presumably be a clause that would pay him less.

by good as gold on Mar 26, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

If you don’t ask, how would you know.

Is that really a gamble that is worth taking a #10 pick on? I don’t think so.

Don’t get me wrong, I like A.Smith, too. If the 49ers were able to trade down or somehow gain a second first rounder (i.e. trade up from the second), without giving up a future first, I would really like him on the squad. As of right, though, I only envision him being a RT, and there’s no way he’s going to take RT money if he’s taken at #10.

by sfgfan on Mar 26, 2009 4:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

AHH!

Dang reply fail. This was supposed to be a reply to this comment by LASVEGASNINER.

by sfgfan on Mar 26, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No problem

It just a point of view anyway. No one knows who the 10th is, so I’m just shooting out some situational comments. OK, here’s another one. What “IF” they pick Crabtree. Wouldn’t you want some protection if he couldn’t play. OR,if there is more damage than realized and he ended up being worthless? I certainly would want some protection for both parties.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still.

I just don’t think it’s very possible at all, but I could be wrong. I’m thinking that Crabtree will get what Ted Ginn got from the Dolphins a couple years ago. I remember Ginn having some injury issues going into the draft, too, but my memory could be foggy on that. I doubt he gave the Dolphins any kind of a discount.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who dictate what terms

Having to negoitate deals nearly every day, I have to come from a position of strength. If I show weakness, the wolfs are on. Because A. Smith blew it and knows it, he is not in that position to dictate his terms. Yes, he will try, but if the Mgt. team stays in that position, they may and can get him. If they are weak, then they will flop and end up paying all the money to whoever they Draft. He who blinks first, loses.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Power

Believe it or not, the #10 draft pick has the leverage in all negotiations. That’s why you’ve never heard of an unsigned top pick. If the team fails to sign him, it’s not like baseball where they get their pick back the following year. The player walks (and I presume is out of football for a year?) and the team just flat out loses the pick. Yes, the team has A LITTLE bit of power in the negotiations, but the player pretty much holds all of it. This is not to mention they also have the players’ union backing them up.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I normally would agree,

But A. Smith has already shown his hand . If he comes out looking in great shape, then he back in the game or if he comes in poor shape, then he has no way of backing it up.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What...

… so if the 49ers took him and couldn’t agree to terms because they wanted to give him $2.5M a year instead of the $3M to $5M (at least) that it will probably cost, you think they should just chuck the pick? Please. That is NOT how you run a ball club. You’d be better off taking Oher.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

free agency is a bust

now i hope we have a great draft! because as of now we have signed damon huard, brandon jones, moran norris, demetric evans and we are most likely gonna sign marvel smith. All of which im not too happy about. Lets just say it how it is FREE AGENCY WAS WACK!

by 49ersAllTheWay on Mar 26, 2009 6:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who did you want?

Which free agent should the Niners have gotten this year? Obviously a guy like Haynesworth would have been awesome but not at that contract. I think the Niners were smart, fixing up some positions but keeping us with room to operate below the cap and re-sign our good players for the next few years. That is, assuming they sign Marvel Smith or someone else who’s a legit starting RT.

by Neon on Mar 26, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention...

… the 49ers went into free agency practically telling the world to not expect any big splashes.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes they did

But a couple of good ripples would have help fill some positions.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

… Jimmy Williams, Norris, and Evans are certainly sizable ripples.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe so

But Evans is not the sacker (31/2 in career), good tackler though. Norris,a blocker for Gore and Williams, Well, I see them more as support roles than a threat. The only one who might be is B.J., but he has never been a starter. Remains to be seen. Besides the word “ripple” was used in jest to compliment “splash”. Just trying to have fun.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 12:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Evans

Evans helps fill a delicate need highlighted by Florida Danny a while back. You’d be remiss to expect sacks out of Evans, period. He’s playing 3-4 DE, which isn’t a sack position.

Yes, the team needs starters, but honestly, what starter were available that could have HONESTLY been a surefire fit on the team? Peppers? The guy’s never played a 3-4, really. Garcia? Obviously the team doesn’t think he’s millions of dollars better than Shaun Hill, and I tend to agree. Any of the older offensive tackles the team “missed out” on probably took more than the 49ers were willing to pay for an aging RT.

Yes, signing big names is always fun. But in all honesty, and I’m sure many here agree with me, there weren’t very many “impact” free agents available that were definite improvements over what the 49ers have right now.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

Wasn’t everyone hoping to get a sacker. Then they should of signed a linebacker, Maybe in the draft?

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sfgfan

it been fun conversing with you but I got to go now. Hope to discuss other issues with you in the future.

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Linebacker

Yes, they should have signed a LB (particular an OLB, as they did sign Spikes again), but there weren’t really any 3-4 OLBs available. The draft was/is their best bet, at least for this offseason.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They can now.

After signing Marvel to a 2 year/10.5m contract. By the way, I am not thrilled with the amount they paid. McCloughan Blink first, didn’t he?

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

$10.5M

If I’m not mistaken, the article(s) reporting the signing said the contract was worth “up to” $10.5M, not that it actually was worth that much. What do I think this means? I think that if he doesn’t crack the starting line-up or play a “significant” amount or snaps, his contract will actually only be worth 2-years MAYBE $6M, but more likely $4M to $5M (about the same as Barry Sims got last year).

by sfgfan on Mar 30, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs