A Safety issue?

by save10 on Mar 9, 2009 1:11 PM PDT

maybe Mark Roman gets traded? Maybe he gets cut? Maybe the 49ers draft a safety at somepoint? And maybe Dashon Goldson wins the job and becomes an All Pro? That would be the best case.

But I've always been intrigued by the possibility of turning a guy who was once an Ace corner into a free safety (see Rod Woodson, even Merton Hanks). I bring this up because some dude on Yahoo sports has an article about FA's and Chris McCallister is on the list. He's lost a step to be a top corner maybe. But he still has instincts and might be a nice saftey for someone if he was willing.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmvSkeI79lF3u0Y60W8bgBc5nYcB?slug=cr-remainingfreeagents030909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

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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Singletary

must of been sarcastic when he told Mark Roman that he can seek for a trade, I mean who would actually want Roman?

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Mar 9, 2009 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

cost

He’s dirt cheap for a starting safety…His base salary for 2009 is $600K.

by David Fucillo on Mar 9, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Pretty sure this has been pointed out before:

must of

Must have.

Not trying to be a grammar Nazi, but if you can touch one person’s life…

by shlecko on Mar 10, 2009 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions

cost

He cost nothing because he does nothing on the field. Does he got interceptions? No. Does he deflect passes? No. Has he allowed big plays? Yes. He better be cheap because he sucks.

by iaalexeeff on Mar 9, 2009 1:41 PM PDT reply actions

He's allowed big plays...

So have Harris, Clements, Spencer, Lewis and Lewis and the rest of that secondary. If you (or anyone) were able to go over the coaches’ film along with what the players were assignments during any given play, I’m pretty sure Roman’s blown about the same amount of assignments as the rest of those guys.

The difference is that he doesn’t provide OH SHINY stats that the media (and fans love), so he “sucks.” I’m not saying he’s good. I’m not saying the 49ers can’t upgrade. I’m saying you get what you pay for and Roman provides solid (while extremely unspectacular) FS. He’s definitely a solid backup if Goldson (or any rookie they draft) can take over the starting role.

by sfgfan on Mar 9, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you implying you’ve watched coaches’ film on Mark Roman along with the rest of the 49er secondary and have come to this conclusion that they’re all about the same?

Its pretty safe to assume Mark Roman sucks because he’s invisible on the field.

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Mar 9, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Film

I’m not implying that at all. But the 49ers seem to be fairly high on Roman, and while they admit he doesn’t make huge plays, he’s a solid contributor that makes seldom makes huge mistakes. There’s a reason why he’s beat out players who SHOULD have taken the job, the 49ers wanted to go safe and Roman is “safe.”

by sfgfan on Mar 9, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

dare one say...

he puts the safe in safe-ty?

ouch…bad pun

by foosball4949 on Mar 9, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

As much as i don’t like ROMAN on our team i have to agree. I mean the guy is STARTING in the NFL in the grand scheme of things. And at the end of the day, you do get what you pay for! Look I’m from DC so I hear constant news about the deadskins all day. Shit my whole family is redskins fans. Ever heard of a guy named Carlos Rogers?……..well the past couple seasons I would make the argument that he’s a damn twin to the caliber of player ROMAN represents. Then Rogers comes out this past season and has a PRO-BOWL-ESQ year. I mean for $600k its not killing us to keep the guy on the roster, you never know, with some motivation and incentive we could all be putting our foot in our mouths. I say it doesn’t hurt to keep him as a backup for depth purposes at the very least!

by 49ers4lyfe on Mar 10, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions

McCallister

With all the ?’s in the first part I can see why every one so far has talked about Roman, but I think Save10 was more asking about what we thought about McCallister, should have put one more ? at the end.

That said.. I think it’s worth a look
Sing was with him in Baltimore
As pointed out corners on the downside can become great safeties

The questions though would be
Price?
Can he make the switch?
Is Goldson the guy?

And the linked article states he needs a good pass rush to be effective (Robinsons opinion not mine just taking from the context of his article.) and the niners are still looking for that. With a good pass rush Goldson and even Roman might look alot better than they do now. Again just speculation but I think it’s still worth a look.

by tanos135 on Mar 9, 2009 3:09 PM PDT reply actions

yeah

i guess that’s what i meant

by save10 on Mar 9, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

McAlister

At age 31, I’m pretty sure McAlister believes he can still be a starting free safety, and because of such, he’s asking for more money than other teams are willing to pay him. On top of the money issue, he’s probably not taking any team seriously that wants to move him to safety because he still feels he can play cornerback.

Heck, if Walt Harris can still play corner, you better believe McAlister can still believe he can play corner.

by sfgfan on Mar 9, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Good point

With a good pass rush……..anything is liable to change

by 49ers4lyfe on Mar 10, 2009 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on McCallister

I dunno if he’d be up for the switch or if he’d be a good fit but I’d be up for someone who’s more familiar with him than me giving a rundown on that option. anyone out there watch a lot of Ravens games?

by foosball4949 on Mar 9, 2009 6:22 PM PDT reply actions

Time to develop the youth... Goldson and Smith

Seems like everyone has forgotten about Reggie Smith already but maybe he was just miss cast as a corner last year. While I think Goldson seems has inside track on the starting spot. I don’t see Roman returning as backup.

The Niners interest in FA CBs leads me to believe someone is switching to FS. The best candidate is Smith, maybe Spencer. Smith did play FS in college and that’s what I thought he’d play in the NFL before the draft last year. Most teams don’t give up on 3rd rd. picks so early in their careers.

He could very well be the backup plan if Goldson falters. Hopefully both pan out and they’ll be out safety tandem in a few years with Goldson moving to SS.

McAlister and any other FA would be a stopgap and I hope we’re able to develop some of the the young guys… and be successful.

If these young guys can’t step up, then it might be time to start looking at another GM who can produce better drafts.

… on a side note, the only position I think a short term vet is necessary in WR, if Bruce doesn’t return. We have two young guys to develop (Morgan and Hill) but a solid vet is needed for leadership. I suspect the 49ers go after a cut veteran if Bruce retires rather than go with more youth at the position.

by abasketballfan on Mar 10, 2009 4:16 AM PDT reply actions

Ccome on man!!!!

Mc Callister??? are you kidding………….not even worth a comment. I agree with abasketballfan develop the youth, and I also agree with everuone that said we need a pass rush and DB’s will look better. Ask Cromartie how much he missed Merriman. Sorry fans the move this year is to trade down and see if the panthers jump at 2 FUTURE 1st round picks and let’s get a legitimate pass rushing OLB.

by rlott#42 on Mar 10, 2009 7:00 PM PDT reply actions

this isnt madden

If you had a lineup of 9 Jack Custs who hit(Cust career average) .239 AVG, .382 OBP, and .475 SLG, then your team would score 6.12 runs per game-totalling to 991runs a season.The 08 rangers lead the majors in runs score with 901.

by 9Custs on Mar 10, 2009 9:12 PM PDT reply actions