2009 Roster Projections: Cornerbacks

by Fooch on May 20, 2009 8:00 AM PDT in News Comment 38 comments

Yesterday's news that Walt Harris sprained his knee in practice had me thinking now was as good a time as any to take care of our roster projections for the cornerback position. Up till now we've handled the defensive line, offensive line and running backs.

Walt Harris is 34 and seen his performance decrease each year since his Pro Bowl season in 2006. The 49ers have attempted to develop younger talent and have been touch and go thus far.

Locks
Nate Clements, Walt Harris, Tarell Brown, Reggie Smith

Highly Doubtful
Carlos Thomas, Jahi Word-Daniels, Terrail Lambert

Bubble
Shawntae Spencer, Marcus Hudson

I included Reggie Smith in this group even though he's likely to see most of his playing time at safety. Given the talent and potential injuries out there (I'm talking to you Spencer), I could see Smith moving back and forth, even if that's not the best idea in the world.

As you can see, I've listed both Spencer and Hudson in the bubble column. I've been a big Spencer apologist the past few years. I see a ton of potential in a nickel back role and he just keeps on getting injured. Rotoworld had an interesting comment a couple months ago when they said:

49ers CB Shawntae Spencer is a candidate to be released this offseason.
Spencer's cap number is close to $3.5 million, and he's due a $500,000 roster bonus. Coming off an injury-plagued season and no longer viewed as a starter, Spencer's days in San Fran are numbered.

It was based on a San Francisco Chronicle article that stated Spencer might be seen as a salary liability. While he hasn't been cut yet, I am curious to see how what happens with him this season. Spencer is signed through 2012, but if he were to get hurt again, could you see the 49ers cutting him after this season? I definitely think that's a distinct possibility. He's injury-prone and likely has been passed on the depth chart by Tarell Brown.

Speaking of Tarell Brown, I like to think his time is coming soon. Walt Harris is a free agent after this season. Even if Brown isn't the replacement, I don't see the 49ers bringing Harris back. However, given that the team did not pick up a cornerback in the draft, do you think that they think Tarell Brown is their long term answer?

We had a rather brief discussion about the corners back in January and I thought I'd carry that poll over here and see what people think at this point. It's the same exact, poll but I'd like to see what people think at this point after a draft that included only undrafted free agent cornerbacks.

Poll

At what point will Tarell Brown be the 49ers starting cornerback opposite Nate Clements?

During training camp

136 votes

During one of the 4 preseason games

93 votes

Week 1

124 votes

Midseason

150 votes

2010

123 votes

Never

50 votes

676 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

If Brown is capable we will know by the end of training camp for sure.

by goatfather on May 20, 2009 8:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Corner depth

With Strickland gone and Smith moving to SS, the depth at corner is wearing thin. Spencer is an injury concern and Hudson seems to be on the roster at this point more as a special teams player, so if our corners were to suffer 1 or 2 injuries we would be in a pretty bad position to say the least. Last year we began the season with a lot of depth and young talent having a mind boggling 8 CB’s on the roster(although 1 was Rossum). We saw the likes of guys like Brown develop and move up the depth chart. One year later though we have an aging Harris, who as mentioned is an FA at years end, and have lost Strickland who is as consistent as they come.

I’m kind of surprised we haven’t brought in an experienced FA after the draft to compete for a dime spot. A guy like this wouldn’t be hindering the development of any younger player, and we would get that starting experience if he needed to be thrown in for a game or two. Guys like Deltha O"Neal or Dre Bly have that experience but at this point in their careers won’t be expecting to start and could be signed to 1 year cheaper/incentive laden contracts. Younger players with more promise like Sean Jones and Leigh Bodden have signed 1 year contracts, w/ Bodden’s contract being a 1 year vet minimum of $750,000. Just wondering what anyone else thinks about the idea of signing a vet CB before training camp…..

by 49er4life on May 20, 2009 8:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

training camp

Maybe a Takeo Spikes type move as we get into training camp or even before then?

by Fooch on May 20, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not necessarily as a starter

I just meant a veteran for depth purposes.

by Fooch on May 20, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

heck

even if it is to come in start, I’d fine with that. Walt is supremely old, and while I’ve grown found of the guy, he’s not what he used to be. Maybe this knee injury will make him train harder and rehab better than ever, and he’ll have one final swan song with the 49ers (6 picks please?).

Bringing in a vet would be nice. Leigh Bodden I think would’ve been a great addition, and obviously, the Pats felt the same way. Signing Sean Jones would’ve been nice too, because we could’ve kept Reggie at CB for sure. Shawntae Spencer has the height/weight/speed numbers you want from a corner (especially in this division), but has the fragility of a diaper. Brown looked good last season, so I think he’s a lock for the nickel back position at the very worst (unless he regresses).

I’d like to see a Deltha O’Neal or Dre Bly come in for a decent price, with the chance to compete. Bly was Detroit’s only bright spot in the secondary for a few years, and even though is play dropped off in Denver, he’d still be good for depth. O’Neal has been a playmaker since as long as I remember, although age isn’t helping him anymore either.

What other free agent corners are out there?

by Andrew Davidson on May 20, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other CBs...

Chris McCallister – although i think he’s still waiting for a team to give him the opportunity to start
Roderick Hood – visiting a few teams right now
Fakir Brown – started for the Rams last year
Sam Madison
Reynaldo Hill

by 49er4life on May 20, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only ones listed I'd be interested in

would be Madison, O’Neal (and experienced returner), or most alluringly Bly, who would be a really solid 3rd/4th CB plus spot starter. I would be fine with signing so long as it doesn’t hinder Brown’s development

by foosball4949 on May 20, 2009 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like

Bly most as well, only because he’s been in the league and has had success. Same can be said about Madison and O’Neal.

I don’t think I’d complain about Rod Hood, but I certainly would about Fakir Brown. McAlister, if signed to a prove it deal, wouldn’t be bad, because I think Tarrell Brown can still develop as a nickel back before being the LCB. McAlister can start, if healthy, and I think that’s why we should stay away. If we sign a guy, he better not be a ? in the injury category.

by Andrew Davidson on May 20, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In my eyes...

… it seems like McAlister, Madison, and maybe even Hood are better suited to become safeties, but I doubt any of them view it that way. Brown is probably more of a cover-2 corner that doesn’t fit the 49ers scheme, not to mention he isn’t very good, either.

I’d rather take a shot on Brown and hope Spencer stays healthy than take a shot at any of the guys listed.

by sfgfan on May 20, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bly or O'Neal...

would be the only two i’d sign at this point and probably fit the dime spot the best. The other CBs I listed were just the next best available in my opinion, but at this point I’d rather wait and see who gets cut from other teams or how these three UDFA CBs look in TC before we sign anyone other than Bly or O’Neal.

And I agree with Hood being more suited for safety. If Arizona hadn’t moved Rolle to FS, Hood would have probably been playing there.

by 49er4life on May 20, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Miami...

will likely cut either Will or Jason Allen, with newly signed Eric Green plus Vontae Davis and Sean Smith in the mix now!

by 49er4life on May 20, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember somone saying

none of the other 31 nfl teams are interested in Bodden. And the Pats signed him the next day. Then the Pats traded and traded and landed Butler in the draft. Once again the Pats showing us how poor our Management is. We NEED a CB to start at Harris’s spot. He will be a liability like McCallister became as of late. This i sHarris year to show his age. We are extremely thin in the Defensive backfield.

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on May 20, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not necessarily as a starter

Takeo Spikes wasnt brought in as a strater either. we fully intended for him to back up Jeff Ulbrich, but he earned a starting spot within a few weeks.

I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.

by these3words on May 20, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Strickland

.. should have been resigned. its not like they couldnt afford him, and now look where our depth at cornerback is.

just another move that makes me question scot mcCloughan.

I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.

by these3words on May 20, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unless...

they were trying to hold out to see how the draft played out like they did last year.

by 49er4life on May 20, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is Serious..

We have one of the best run defenses in the league. But with no pass rush and shaky corners, teams will be throwing 50 balls a game on us, and that hurts.

by Niner Power on May 20, 2009 9:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

big backs seem to control the clock against us. I don’t think we are one of the best run defenses, for that reason alone if not statistically (we were 13th in the league).

I’m not saying it’s the weak link, but its definitely not one of the best in the league (yet).

by Andrew Davidson on May 20, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If my understanding is correct...

… the 3-4 has a weakness up the middle if your NT isn’t of the 2-gapping variety. Big backs tend to attack the middle of the field, so that would kind of explain that. Needless to say, the 49ers are still without a 2-gapping NT, so I don’t expect inside runs to be stopped any more this year than last.

by sfgfan on May 20, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo!

My guess is that the defense won’t get a whole lot better until the NT position is upgraded. A 1-gap NT in a 3-4 defense just doesn’t work too well for anybody but the offense. Khalif Mitchell, anyone? Or RJF? If McCloughan doesn’t use one of those two 1st rounders on a NT next year, he should be fired, imho. Either that or switch to a 4-3, which seems to fit our personnel better(Kirwan is predicting this at NFL.com).

by MontanaPass on May 20, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If McCloughan doesn’t use one of those two 1st rounders on a NT next year, he should be fired, imho.

A bit drastic. As the old saying goes: you can’t fit a round peg in a square hole. What if there are no NT prospects available at their picks next year? You can’t hold him responsible for not drafting NT’s in the first round. Now if one is available late, maybe they should take a shot at him, but I trust how they’ve drafted for the most part.

The 4-3 kind of fit the personnel better last year when Haralson hadn’t “broken out” yet. If the 49ers switch to a 4-3, Haralson would see significant playtime reduction, as I strongly doubt he can play with his hand in the dirt for all three downs all game long.

by sfgfan on May 20, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NT- Terrence Cody...

is a beast and barring some terrible setback will be a first round pick next year. He would be someone they should seriously consider!

by 49er4life on May 20, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

We are thinner than I thought at the CB position.

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on May 20, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Some good players will be available as TC/preseason ends.

Teams always load up on DBs for TC and the preseason, and every year there are good players available as rosters are trimmed. The team isn’t looking for starters, so it’s very possible McCloughan is waiting until then to bring in some good depth, and perhaps even someone with good starter potential. I was puzzled when he didn’t take a CB in the draft as Walt is obviously at the end of his career, Strickland left, Spencer is just a nickel back, and Hudson’s rarely available, so I assume he’s going to be very active watching CBs during the preseason. Let’s hope so, anyway.

by MontanaPass on May 20, 2009 10:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hudson, Bubble??

I think Hudson can be considered a nickel DB… he came in and intercepting a pass… I forget what game…..

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on May 20, 2009 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Looks like 11 people may be right...

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/05/harris-sustains-torn-acl-likely-to-miss-season.html

"I watch the Wings a lot," says Thornton. "They're the NHL's second-best team."

by Swift Kick in the Goc on May 20, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Geez

I think the 49ers should turn Reggie Smith loose on WRs, instead of having him back up someone who’s still under contract through 2012. Assuming Brown starts, having Smith, Spencer, and Hudson split time as the extra DB(s) isn’t so bad.

by sfgfan on May 20, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Further thoughts

Harris’ injury may be the best thing to happen to Curtis Taylor, as it provides an opportunity for the 49ers to move R.Smith back to corner, freeing up a safety spot. Of course, this also means it’s more likely that Mark Roman returns, but I already figured that was a given.

by sfgfan on May 20, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs