NFL Draft 2009: Smokescreens and Misinformation

seems to be stopping the run. He’s looking at players who are Run Stoppers 1st Pass Rushers 2nd.
and
I’m glad to see we’re looking at a few top notch safetys

you’ve been linked
http://www.examiner.com/x-2712-San-Francisco-49ers-Examiner~y2009m4d6-List-of-prospects-to-visit-49ers

Okay – here’s my take :: the 49ers are doing the “typical” meetings because “they” (NFLTA, ESPN, et. all) are all saying the 49ers need a QB-OL-CB-DL-S. Why not play the part? If all the communication around the league suggests you take those positions, but you have another idea in mind, why not play the hype? Great strategy! Or, would people actually think this is what the 49ers are going to do?

If that’s the case then people are expecting the typical 49er smoke screen. Meaning the 49ers should bring in the positional players because no one expects them to draft that position. All I gotta say is IF McCloughin screws this draft up… he should be fired! He’s got nine chances to get 3-4 immediate impact players. That’s a 50% success rate. Of course, this doesn’t include a trade down to Denver’s 18th pick, which I think would be a good move if we could pick up another 2nd and 3rd rounder.

Steven

So he has us taking Sanchez. I would do that in a heartbeat..
if it plays out just like he suggested i think we get a steal..
orakpo and crabtree would still be on the board. that means that san fran takes Sanchez and then can trade with Denver at 12. Get another pick and we are guaranteed to get either orakpo or crabtree at 12.. pick up an extra 3rd round pick. please lord let this happen

I think there were three reasons why the 49ers management renegotiated with Alex Smith:
1) It makes him a more tradable commodity
2) It’s in keeping with is lack luster performance (although the OL had a lot to do with his pocket protection – when he had protection, he did well)
3) McCloughan likes Smith…

My vote goes to number 1. I think right now they believe HIll is the starting QB – but they won’t say it or hint to that because they want to keep Alex happy. Huard is there to back up Hill and I think taking a QB like Sanchez, is a smart move. He can develop for 2-3 years.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Alex Smith is traded as part of some elaborate McCloughan deal with another team. Who knows what’s in his head? It’s not like he or Singletary are going to share it with us. Otherwise, the whole NFL and GM’s would know! :) But you can bet your money on the fact that some white board in Santa Clara has hundreds of different scenarios – maybe even on computers powered by the Silicon Valley! HA!

Smith showed a lot of character in re-working his contract. His agent, who could be lying but I doubt it, said that Smith turned down more money from elsewhere b/c Smith felt he had “unfinished business.” I haven’t been a huge Smith fan over the past few years yet I still believe he’s talented and he should get another shot at some point. The way he handled all of turmoil shows a lot. I like the guy; I wish him the best and I hope we don’t trade him.

I wish Alex well – I really do! I think he showed some great talent and potential WHEN he had pass protection. However, he forced things a lot too. Now, granite, in time as he matures as a man with experience in the NFL, he really could be a great QB.

My only point above is that yes, Alex will get a shot to compete, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s traded to a team that’s really struggling to find a better QB but has neither the salary cap or the draft order to achieve it. I think if one things for sure, the Cutler trade showed us that nobody is off limits from a trade in the NFL. Crazy!

Can you imagine the 49ers talking trade with Montana and Young? Oh, wait a minute, they did several times… in fact I think the Contra Costa Times reported that several times in the late 80’s and even in the late 90’s. I’m just merely illustrating my point.

Again, I’m not saying we should trade Smith – I think he should get a real shot under Singletary. In fact, if we take a really good OL (not sold on Marvel yet – age/durability) Alex could do really well. I’m merely bringing up the point that it wouldn’t surprise me.

BTW… did you see that Garcia is back in the Bay Area? LOL

Steven

1 – look, we can all like Mark Sanchez, but with only a single year under his belt, there is no question that he is a high risk/high reward commodity – with Alex Smith already on our roster, drafting Mark Sanchez is just like getting another Alex Smith (who this time could be luckier, less injury ridden, have less suck – but who also could be worse) … basically, is one good college year enough to justify taking him as your #1 draft pick, especially when other teams are a lot more desperate/willing to give up more for him than we are???

2 – with our first 4-5 picks, there is absolutely no reason we can’t address all our holes at offensive tackle, pass rushing, free safety and running back depth – oh yeah, unless we decide it’s better to address future replacements for future holes we don’t really have right now

3 – Alex Smith … whatever … the past draft picks I’m worried about wasting are Kentwan Balmer and Manny Lawson … yes, we really really need a pass rusher right now, but Balmer and Lawson are still on the team for a reason, right? I guess I’m questioning the “you have to take the best player on the board” philosophy. Is B.J. Raji really the best player on the board when you have a year older Kentwan Balmer along with Demetric Evans for depth, and Oher or A. Smith are available?

4 – I just can’t hope for Alex Smith becoming our franchise QB anymore. As attractive as Sanchez is, I hope the 49ers really look hard at Josh Freeman, Mike Reilly, or heck, even Tom Brandstater – the upside is higher when you look at the lower cost.