2008 Depth Chart v. (presumptive) 2009 Depth Chart

by kiyoshi on Apr 27, 2009 12:54 PM PDT Comment 54 comments

While its probably a little early, I thought it might be helpful to write out what our new depth chart is going to look like and compare it to last year. Its probably the easiest way to see if we've gotten better from a personnel perspective. What does everyone think. Looking at this it does look like the offense should be better, personnel wise, than last year.

(Let me know if I get any of this wrong.)

2008 - JTO, Hill, Smith, Martin

2009 - Hill, Smith, Davis, Huard

Verdict - Upgrade. JTO was terrible. Davis has tools and might develop.

2008 - Gore, Foster, Robinson, Clayton

2009 - Gore, Coffee, Robinson, Sheets, Clayton

Verdict - Upgrade. Coffee and Sheets are intriguing and should be better than Foster, who looked washed up. Clayton probably gets cut.

2008 - Keasey

2009 - Norris, Keasey

Verdict - Upgrade. Keasay's no longer hurt and Norris is the bruiser we were missing last year.

2008 - Bruce, Johnson, Morgan, Hill, Battle, Zeigler

2009 - Bruce, Crabtree, Morgan, Hill, Jones, Battle, Zeigler, Bradford

Verdict - Upgrade. Crabtree should be great. Morgan and Hill are a year older and seem to be coming into their own. Zeigler, Bradford or Battle might get cut.

2008 - Davis, Walker, Bajema, Ryan

2009 - Davis, Walker, Pascoe

Verdict - No difference. Pascoe is supposed to be the same kind of solid blocker as Bajema and a better receiver, but he's also a rookie.

2008 - Staley, Jennings, Sims, Synder, Duckett

2009 - Staley, Smith, Sims, Synder, Boone

Verdict - Upgrade. Smith and Boone certainly can't be worse than a guy that didn't even play (Jennings).

2008 - Bass, Rachal, Wragge, Bender

2009 - Bass, Rachal, Wragge, Toledo, Bender

Verdict - Upgrade. The players are the same, but Rachal has his rookie year behind him, Wragge got some experience and Bass isn't coming off a pec injury.

2008 - Heitman, Wallace

2009 - Heitman, Wallace

Verdict - No difference. Same guys, same relative level of health and experience.

2008 - Smith, McDonald, Sopoaga

2009 - Smith, Balmer, Evans, McDonald, Francois, Egboh

Verdict - Who knows. Hopefully Balmer comes into his own and Evans plays some quality snaps. McDonald is coming back from surgery. Egboh probably won't make the team. Francois is a project who hopefully will help down the line.

2008 - Franklin, Fields

2009 - Franklin, Sopoaga

Verdict - Same. Sopoaga rottaing with Franklin sound solid, but not strong.

OLB

2008 - Lawson, Haralson, TBC, Green, Moore

2009 - Lawson, Haralson, Brooks, Moore, Washington

Verdict - Same. Lawson bulked up and Haralson had 8 sacks in limited action. Maybe their better and maybe Brooks does something. Or maybe we should have drafted 1 OLB to help our edge pressure.

ILB

2008 - Willis, Spikes, Ulbrich,

2009 - Willis, Spikes, Ulbrich, McKillop

Verdict - Better depth, same starters, so upgrade.

2008 - Clements, Harris, Spencer, Strickland, Brown, Hudson, R. Smith, Rossum

2009 - Clements, Harris, Brown, Spencer, Hudson, Word-Daniels, C. Thomas, Rossum

Verdict - Downgrade. We lost Strickland and Harris is really getting old.

2008 - Roman, Goldson

2009 - Goldson, Roman, R. Smith, J. Williams

Verdict - Upgrade, maybe. Roman made no plays. Hopefully, Goldson will make some without given up others. Williams is a wildcard. Smith was a relatively high pick.

2008 - M. Lewis, K. Lewis,

2009 - M. Lewis, R. Smith, C. Taylor, Baker

Verdict - Same starter, but better depth. K. Lewis was worthless. Smith was a relatively high pick.

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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Fairly good rundown.

I think it’s very possible that Clayton gets kept on the roster at the expense of Keasey. I think the 49ers still want to hold on to Clayton, and being that he’s not PS eligible anymore, they’d have to keep him on the roster. Keasey, on the other hand, seems to be cut and will always be sitting in free agency if/when the 49ers need him.

I also think Sopoaga could be a better NT than Fields, which would probably push the NT verdict into the “who knows” category.

by sfgfan on Apr 27, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

That is correct.....

Sopoaga will play over Franklin and do a better job than most think

by Qbgetter13 on Apr 27, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't go that far...

… quite yet. If it was that cut and dry, he would have been starting over Franklin two years ago, or even last year. It’s not like the 49ers have had a shortage of 3-4 DEs. They just didn’t feel he fit at the nose. Moving him there allowed them to not HAVE to take one.

by sfgfan on Apr 27, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think you're right here!!

one of the changes that Sing made was adding another DL coach, one that has history with Sopoaga I expect better play from the front three because Mike Sing seen something in the defense!!

by rlott#42 on Apr 27, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franklin did real good after Sing took over. The entire defense did a lot better after Sing

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

by Eastbayjim on Apr 28, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OLB

Look out for Brandon Long…. He is one of the few sleepers i wanted that we got. He has all the physical tools to be a OLB transition pass rusher.

I dont think we have close to a capable backup at SS…. Maybe taylor but he is a 7th round pick… it looks like we went to a garage sale for these guys.

I think Staley should drive a tow truck to camp to make fun of Boone…. what an idiot (I’m from ohio)

by Qbgetter13 on Apr 27, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is why I'm hot!!

We should have drafted R johnson at SS with our depth at the position and a shaky starter only good in run support.

by rlott#42 on Apr 27, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baas

isn’t it?

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on Apr 27, 2009 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

If he had turned out to be a better catch, one could get away with calling him Bass.

by sfgfan on Apr 27, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2008

Was missing it’s rookie class from you list. Also Micheal Robinson is also on notice as much as Clayton.

by bignerd on Apr 27, 2009 3:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Robinson

While I agree that he’s on a slippery slope (as it’s possible the 49ers go with Gore, Coffee, and Foster), I disagree that he’s on as big a slope as Clayton. The 49ers flat out like Robinson as a player. While he may not be a very good runner, he provides cheap value for them in other roles. I think if the decision came down to Robinson vs Clayton, the 49ers would go with Robinson, if they believe Coffee truly is a runner, allowing them the ability to keep a special teams player on board.

by sfgfan on Apr 27, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

I would think Robinson is pretty valuable in that he fills in at a lot of spots. Backup RB and FB in a pinch. Special teams ace (at least at times). Possible weapon in the Wildcat. His versatility, I think, will keep him on the roster.

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Apr 27, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I recall correctly, the Niners let go their number one ST player a year ago who was also a good runner.

He also did returns. I am sure they will look at the whole package and remember, Clayton can’t go on the PS this year so they either use him or lose him. I think they keep him.

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

by Eastbayjim on Apr 28, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who was their...

… number one special teamer that was a good runner? Hicks? If Hick was their best returner, than Rossum was an upgrade and made Hicks expendable. Hicks wasn’t considered the ST blocker that Robinson is, and I don’t even think Hicks was on coverage teams.

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Robinson shouldn't even make the roster

He’s not productive around the goaline or on 3rd down, IMO he’s a waste of space!!

by rlott#42 on Apr 27, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

other than his special teams play (where he his admittedly great—see Rossum’s game-opening kr TD against Arizona if you don’t believe me), Robinson is a waste. That doesn’t mean someone else couldn’t step into that role, though.

Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!

by grantmp on Apr 27, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but

If you figure Gore/Coffee will get the bulk of the snaps at HB and Norris gets almost all the FB snaps that means they probably have room for 2 more backs on the roster. Keasey and Robinson are the only ones who could really move over to FB, and none of the rest have proven themselves to be valuable special teamers like Robinson. I think Gore, Norris, Coffee, and Robinson are near locks while Sheets, Clayton, Keasey and perhaps Foster fight for that last spot. My guess is Clayton enters with a slight advantage on the others.

Thing A

by sam23 on Apr 28, 2009 1:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This.

If the 49ers choose to carry five RBs, they’d go with four HBs and one FB, and it’s only because Clayton proves he’s earned a roster spot. Sheets is a near-lock for the practice squad, unless he can uproot Rossum as the kick returner (which is doubtful in year one).

by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on Apr 27, 2009 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinda How I See It

Yes, he fills those multiple roles but other special teams he’s not very good at it. He cannot backup Gore if he gets hurt, he’s not a good short yardage runner, did we ever run wildcat? If he is on the team it’s because he’s a great special teams player that gives an advantage to win on Sunday . . . like a Bill Bates.

by bignerd on Apr 27, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A third string back...

… doesn’t really get into the game at all. If Gore AND Coffee get hurt, the 49ers have bigger problems than Robinson occupying the third RB spot. Besides, of Gore and/or Coffee get hurt, the team will find room to bring in another HB like Clayton or Sheets, just like they did toward the end of last season.

by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Robinson

I think will get dumped. Last year he did have some good catches, but horrible runs. I say give Clayton and the rookies a chance

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on Apr 27, 2009 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As I mentioned in my response...

The 49ers taking Coffee means that they’ll have at least two runners already in their runningback group. That could possibly allow them to keep a special teamer like Robinson on the roster. I’m not saying that’s what will definitely happen, but I think it’s a very likely scenario.

by sfgfan on Apr 27, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still No Compliment RB

I still think the 49ers are looking for a big back or a speed back to compliment their running game. Coffee is more of backup plan. Than again Kory Sheets is more the same, so maybe they aren’t replacing Robinson.

by bignerd on Apr 27, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know.

Coffee looks like he’s a bruiser back like Gore who is kind of a straight forward runner. Time will tell if he’s a better short-yardage back than Gore, which is what they’re looking for really. “Complimentary” backs are a bit overrated. I’d take two of the same back if it means they’re fairly equal in production and ability, as long as it is productive. Bottom line is that Gore should now be depended on less to carry the team, which he kind of has over the past three years.

by sfgfan on Apr 27, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coffee's playing time?

Maybe Clayton will be ahead of him on the depth chart. I know some people don’t like him, but I do. Hopefully we will use Clayton and Coffee to give Gore a breather kinda like what the Giants had.

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on Apr 27, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coffee...

… being a third round pick pretty much means he’s going to get carries over a 6th round carryover player. Unless Clayton absolutely wows coaches during training camp and preseason, which apparently he’s failed to do, Coffee will enter the season as Gore’s primary backup.

by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not what he used to be

I watched Robinson all through his college days and he was a fluid, quick, and explosive runner. Playing QB, WR, and RB for Penn State. I don’t understand his role with the niners, its obvious to me that he’s not the same explosive runner with all that weight on him. He needs to shed some weight and needs to play WR and HB role. But now it might be too late… Thanks to Nolan… and the misuse of players… another one down the drain who had some potential and flexibility.

by HailState77 on Apr 29, 2009 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh. I think he should get dumped. Bad grammar sorry

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on Apr 27, 2009 4:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good post

by rlott#42 on Apr 27, 2009 6:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

CB

I don’t know if CB is necessarily a downgrade. Spencer is back from injury, and Brown did good when he played. But you forgot Brown. He is still on the team, right? But with a better pass rush the secondary looks a lot better.

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on Apr 27, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

how is the pass rush better?

Thing A

by sam23 on Apr 28, 2009 1:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he meant it IS better....

I just think he means that IF it were better, that alone would contribute to the secondary looking better. I could be wrong, but that’s how I took it.

by Blank x2 on Apr 28, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually having a FS who isn't afraid of catching the ball of even defending the pass will help the pass rush.

I think Goldson will do ok.. he just has to stay healthy and Williams and Smith can provide a good back for both safety spots

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

by Eastbayjim on Apr 28, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good stuff

i think harris has another good year in him, but we really need a young CB to step up and claim that starting position opposite clements

by zmoney on Apr 27, 2009 9:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

By far and away the most interesting training camp battles will be at WR and RB

Keasey and Robinson are versatile and great special teamers but Kory Sheets reportedly is too and will probably be a better runner than Robinson. As much as I like Robinson, I don’t like the way he’s been used and he could be in trouble. I’m not wild about Coffee but I’d be amazed if he didn’t make the roster, putting Clayton in jeopardy.

I think Brandon Jones might actually be in trouble. The niners clearly weren’t expecting to land Crabtree when they signed him and I really don’t think he’ll be any better than Johnson was. That being said, Bruce, Crabtree, Hill and Morgan are near locks leaving one, maybe two slots. I’d be really surprised if Battle didn’t make the team, despite his injury woes. He’s too good a blocker and special teamer. I think Bradford is out, which leaves Jones and Ziegler battling it out for perhaps no spot. Personally I’d like Jones to get cut and put Ziegler back on the practice squad (if he has eligibility, I don’t know if he does).

by foosball4949 on Apr 28, 2009 12:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Battle vs. Jones.

There is NO WAY the 49ers burn away the $5M they gave Jones without keeping him for at least a year. Battle is in the final year of his deal and it seems as though the team isn’t looking to re-sign him anyway. Cutting him a year ahead really doesn’t hurt the team.

by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I'm saying this...

… as probably one of Battle’s bigger fans.

by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I don't disagree with you

but as one of Battle’s bigger fans, I was just expressing the hope that it’d be otherwise…

by foosball4949 on Apr 28, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

I can’t imagine his website looking better in any colors other than red and gold.

by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’ve always liked Battle. I’d be upset if we had to get rid of him, since he seems like a good player and a great teammate.

by Blank x2 on Apr 28, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

If he would take a pretty minimal salary (maybe just over $1M a year), I think the team would definitely keep him. However, in a league where the Brandon Joneses get $5M guaranteed over five years and Bryant Johnsons get $4M a year, a solid handed, good run-blocking WR who knows his assignments like Battle should command around $2M at least from a team desperate for WR help.

I’ve always thought of Battle as Hines Ward-lite, minus the supposed cheap shots.

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

LoL

“Hines Ward Lite”. I’m stealin’ that one.

by Blank x2 on Apr 29, 2009 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Battle

He is a pretty good all around WR. He will have to prove himself over the others. I agree with whoever (sorry) said Bruce, Crabtree, Morgan, Hill and than Battle/Jones. sorry Zieg, (nickname for him if he stays) but he probably won’t make it. Hopefully he is still eligible for the practice squad. With Crabtree, I don’t think Jones will get a real chance to prove himself. We have too many WRs. I would be really mad if we got rid of Hill because he is speedy and a good 2/3 WR (now like a 4th WR).

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on Apr 28, 2009 7:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Jones spot is pretty secure

The Niner’s won’t cut Brandon Jones so soon after signing him. I think he will start in the slot because he is the fastest receiver on the roster. I could see him losing playing time to Hill or Morgan, but at least to start he will get a significant amount of playing time as Singletary will want him to stretch the field.

by DiegoAsFan on Apr 28, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Bruce...

… shows that he’s slow out of the gate (i.e. he’s washed up), Jones would instantly start in his place. I don’t think the team would go with the two youngsters unless they wow while Bruce falters.

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

im just happy

about our WR position we are in now rather then couple years ago when we had nobody. crabtree is gonna be great and should learn from bruce. hill and morgan look like they are up and coming good WR’s. we signed jones and battle should be good options when crabs or bruce is covered in some plays. Im looking for big things out this year. all these WR’s should clear up some good space for gore espically now that we have a good TE blocker in pascoe and have FB norris back.

by 49ersAllTheWay on Apr 28, 2009 9:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs