Niners Sign Marvel Smith, Dump Jonas Jennings

ProfessorBigelow's note (4:35 pm EST): SanFranSoldier actually got the first post out, I just missed it. Kudos, props, hugs and handpounds for you SanFranSoldier.

Well, it's official. According to Maiocco, the Niners have agreed to terms on a two year contract with Marvel Smith, the free agent OT from Pittsburgh. A source said the two-year deal could earn Smith just under $10.5 million (really???).

Said Smith on being signed by the 49ers: "I'm really excited about going back home and playing for the 49ers in front of my friends and family... It can't get much better than that."

As an astute poster (who escapes me now) noted that we have a ton (literally) of Smiths on the roster now: Alex, Justin, Reggie and now Marvel. Kudos to that poster are due!

Also, the team announced the release of Jonas Jennings, but we all knew this was coming, not too much of a surprise.

7 months ago ProfessorBigelow 39 comments 0 recs |

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Due credit should go to SanFranSoldier

Who broke the news nearly 30 min prior.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Mar 27, 2009 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I said that

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Mar 28, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let’s just hope Marvel Smith isn’t the new Jonas Jennings

by bignerd on Mar 27, 2009 1:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm...

… probably one of the most relieved people following this signing. While it definitely doesn’t preclude the 49ers from taking a tackle in the draft, I’m hoping his presence will reduce the chance that they take one at #10. I really think that a RT should come at the top of round two.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 1:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whew

Count me as relieved but I do think it puts OT on the back burner for the Niners, at least for this draft. Barring an extreme value I don’t see them taking a OT in the first 3 rounds now as there are too many other needs and they could take a chance on a late rounder and kick his tires for a year.

As far as the contract goes I doubt much of it is gauranteed. He’ll have to be healthy and play well to get the full amount.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

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

OT on backburner

Oh I definitely agree with you. What I meant was that if you’re going to take an RT, the second round would probably be the highest you want to look, not #10 as many people (media and fans alike) have been suggesting. Smith, if he can avoid going (and staying) the way of Jennings, essentially buys the team two years.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

RT

signing Smith for 2 years may just be a bridge until the next OT develops. Assuming the niners are drafting for now rather than later, then OT is not the greatest need. Drafting an OT in the first round this year is still beneficial because it takes time to develop an OT and I’m banking on the fact that we will not have another top 10 pick in the next 2 years. Keep looking to the future fellas. I’d rather have a top OT while we have the chance.

by cachu on Mar 27, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A first round RT

Does not take time to develop.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Mar 27, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I mention...

… above (and many other times), I don’t think you draft a RT at #10, as that’s just too much money to pay (essentially) a run blocker. Basically, you only take a tackle that high (i.e. top 10) if he’s going to be your left tackle. Problem is, I don’t necessarily think A.Smith or Oher will be better LT’s than Staley.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes but think of the possibilities. If the 49ers draft Andre Smith at 3 10 then we could have another Smith on the team and two OTs named Smith.

How many Jones’ do we have? I know at least one.

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

by Eastbayjim on Mar 27, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear Pac Man is available…..

Thing A

by sam23 on Mar 27, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A source said the two-year deal could earn Smith just under $10.5 million (really???).

If Smith plays like he did a few years ago for 16 games, I’d say he’s worth $10.5M. I’m pretty sure “could” means that there are some kind of escalators/bonuses that he can achieve with performance/play-time.

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Hopefully this deal will have a lot of incentive clauses.

by RealDrew on Mar 27, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Thing A

by sam23 on Mar 27, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it

The signing is significant enough. If they feel the guy had a good enough physical examination, and can contribute, I’m all for it.

Let’s hope we can get 12 games out of the guy, with hope and wishing for 16 (or dare I say 19?).

by Andrew Davidson on Mar 27, 2009 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

or 20

Pro Bowl, baby.

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on Mar 27, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

an able signing, most definitely.
But I think if Oher is on the board at 10 you still take him.
Remember, we’re gunning for the best player on the board no matter what.

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on Mar 27, 2009 2:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Of course....

… it’ll all depend on who’s on the board at #10, but do you really think Oher is a top 10 talent? Do you think he’ll be a more capable LT than Staley has already shown he can be?

by sfgfan on Mar 27, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, Oher definitely seems like a need pick. If Smith is on the board I think its a tough decision now, but if Smith and a top 3 OLB/DE are available I think you go with the pass rusher now.

Thing A

by sam23 on Mar 27, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oher is a reach at 10

He’ll be there.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Mar 29, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again I'll ask

why are we dealing with another oft-injured veteran OT?

http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com

by supraman on Mar 27, 2009 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

because its affordable

if he doesn’t pan out, he doesn’t get paid much. if it does, we all win.

by Andrew Davidson on Mar 27, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh how I love incentive-laden contracts. It’s a two year deal that maxes at $10.5M. I like those numbers (assuming that maxing out means playing all 16 and making the Pro Bowl). If he maxes out, he’s probably a bargain. Count me a fan of this.

When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on Mar 27, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, it's done

And if McCloughan blows this one, I’ll be standing in line with most of you. I can only hope that it will work. That’s a lot of money!

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

$10.5 Mill?

That’s veteran starter’s money, but not much more. And that’s if he hits the max. And as far as Free Agent contracts go, that’s a bargain. A lot of money is what we’d be paying a 1st rounder at RT (cough, Andre Smith, cough), which would be the worst case scenario because of the fact that it’d make our LT-of-the-future (Staley) have grounds to complain that his salary should be bumped up because of the fact that he plays the ‘more valuable’ position. I LOVE this signing.

Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!

by grantmp on Mar 27, 2009 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

also considering

we really didn’t put that much out there for free agency this year, it’s not like 10.5 mill. is really gonna hurt.

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

by 49erLou on Mar 27, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

even tho with the signing of Smith we’re still goin after a OT in either 1st, 2nd or maybe 3rd round. 2 yr contract meaning he’ll be outta here soon we’re looking a future OT to develope for a solid run attack. Not someone with injury problems, Coach Sing is not shy about starting rookies if they’re ready to play. It just tells other team that we filling needed holes in free agency. Now teams will probably look at trading up to #10 and us trading down to add more picks. this draft is deep in positions we have holes in and like they said we’re looking to build this team out the draft. So I see us using Smith more of an insurance then full time starter.

by BIG49ERS_1 on Mar 27, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Problem eased. Not solved.

I’m still crossing my fingers for an OT at pick #10. We’ve seen what happens when our injury prone right tackles get, well… injured. First round tackles are starters and while this covers us in the short term a first round tackle secures the O-line for the long term. Who’d be down to trade down in round one to pick up a tackle and trade up in round three to pick up a running back?

by Hella Niners on Mar 27, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

We still need to use a high draft pick (hopefully 1st rd, now 2nd rd looks ok) on an OT who could start this year or next if needed. Depth at O-Line is a big part of being a good team, esp. one that runs.

by Neon on Mar 27, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trading down

This suddenly becomes a viable option because of this trade. I’d definitely be interested in trading down into the teens to pick up Moreno or even Percy Harvin (whose speed I just can’t get over).

Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!

by grantmp on Mar 27, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lots of Smiths?

please please please let me get what i want (this time)

what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/

by alea iacta est on Mar 27, 2009 5:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this move a lot. 10.5 million is really not that much to pay for this guy (assuming its an incentive laden deal) Low to medium risk/medium to high reward-works for me.

Thing A

by sam23 on Mar 27, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i like this move

but only if smith can be more healthier then jennings was for us

by 49ersAllTheWay on Mar 27, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope that

He’s a better player than a negotiater. Cause he slap the hell out of McCloughan. Man, without other teams interested in him, he was able to get a great contract. Until we know what the real contract says,it looks like a great deal for him! WOW, I would be totally blown away if there are no incentives build into it. Right now, I believe that the Niners (McCloughan) are acting desperate. Hope not!

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 8:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

P.S. When does Preseason start?

You don’t need to answer that! How much would he worth than? He wasn’t going anywhere and if he did , no big deal!

by LASVEGASNINER on Mar 27, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am a HUGE fan of this signing.

Of course my fan-dom is contingent on Marvel not catching Jennings disease. I don’t think it’s too much money (since it maxes out at 10.5—meaning it’ll likely be worth less unless he goes to the Pro Bowl, in which case we got a bargain anyway). My biggest reason it’s a deal that makes me happy is that it gives the Niners flexibility to either genuinely take the best player available if there’s a real value to be had or to trade the pick if they don’t think there’s a real value there.
If they don’t get Raji, Maybin, Brown, or Orakpo, the Niners can make the pick available and the Jets or Bucs will likely jump up to take Sanchez. I am scared to death of Oher and worried enough about A. Smith to be relieved that they don’t have to take the best available OT due to Marvel’s arrival. And if they do succeed in getting a pass rusher in round 1, they can legitimately look at addressing OT later in the draft and look to pick up Ron Brace in round 2, since a true NT will also help the pass rush.

Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!

by grantmp on Mar 27, 2009 9:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

YAY!!!!!

No more JoNoPlay Jennings.

10.5 is a steal

It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog. -PostingandToasting

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 27, 2009 11:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs