49ers reportedly schedule a Thursday meeting with Dre Bly

by Fooch on May 20, 2009 5:49 PM PDT in News Comment 51 comments

And so begins the search for depth and/or Walt Harris's replacement. Maiocco is reporting that on the heels of the announcement that Walt Harris is done for the year, a league source has indicated the 49ers have scheduled a meeting with Dre Bly for tomorrow.

We've got the general discussion thread going on, but I wanted to focus this one on Dre Bly since he's the first unofficial candidate. I thought first I'd roll out some of the details from a Scouts Inc scouting report:

[A]n excellent athlete with good foot quickness, agility and excellent speed. He is fluid and smooth in his hip turn and can mirror most receivers all over the field. He has good route awareness when in off coverage, but has a tendency to gamble and jump on routes at the wrong time, which can cost him. He is not a big cornerback and struggles against some of the larger receivers in the league . . . He has awareness and good ball skills when in position to make a play on the ball. He is not very physical and not much of a force in run support. He lets himself get blocked too easily. He would probably be a better fit as a nickel back, if [his team] were able to find a top level cornerback in the near future, but can still play effectively even as a starter.

One big plus is that he's played in every game the last three seasons, and according to Maiocco, he's played in 97% of defensive snaps. Not the #1 reason to sign him, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

While there are no guarantees, I'd imagine Mike Singletary will not BS him in regards to playing time. It seems like he would not be handed a starting job and would compete through training camp with primarily Tarell Brown, but also Shawntae Spencer, for playing time.

This discussion certainly lends itself to considering other cornerbacks, and that's certainly ok. However, let's try and keep it more about people's opinions on Dre Bly on his own and as compared to the existing 49ers corners.

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Bly

as I’ve said in other posts, was the only playmaker in Detroit’s secondary while there. He’s not shutdown anymore, but here’s hoping he can still play at a high level.

He was pretty good with St. Louis and has had a pretty solid career thus far. Playing on the opposite side of Champ gets a lot balls thrown your way and last year Bly was burnt toast. I think he can fit in nicely as a third option, or even winning the starter’s job opposite Nate.

40 career INTs, 7 DEF TDs, 18 FF, 135 pass def. over 10 seasons means the guy has been a playmaker. Does he still have the playmaking ability left? Could this be similar to the Walt Harris signing when he came over (Dre is 32)?

by Andrew Davidson on May 20, 2009 6:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Stop being coy

The only person that would give that kind of ringing endorsement about Bly is ~~Dre~~ Bly himself. I watched a lot of Bronco games last year and he didn’t at a very high level but that whole defense sucked.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on May 21, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

well played sir. well played.

maybe I was a bit too much with the “ringing endorsement”, but I think Bly will fit in nicely (if he signs). Just wanted to point out his historical record of playmaking.

yes, he was burnt toast last season, and that defense as a whole was garbage. if the 49ers bring him in, knowing he will have to compete, then we may get a very good CB out of the deal, at a bargain price.

by Andrew Davidson on May 21, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

think Bly will fit in nicely (if he signs).

Apparently Singletary might disagree with you. Of course he doesn’t say Bly is one of those people, but it could explain why the team never went after him before.

by sfgfan on May 21, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true

and I think Singletary has been very consistent with his philosophy. However, if coach Sing doesn’t think a guy will fit, Scot McCloughan may insist otherwise.

I like that Singletary has been very straight forward about wanting guys that fit, and maybe with Bly, he’s just looked at the height number, not the film.

by Andrew Davidson on May 21, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can someone tell me why

the 49ers year after year seem to be made of glass?

It would be very interesting to see what the injury percentage is of 49ers over the last few years vs the better temas in the league. I KNOW every team has injuries. But in a voluntary practice Harris is done, and Zeigler has a concussion!!!

What the?

by Since79 on May 20, 2009 6:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

its football

every team has a lot of injuries every year.

Thing A

by sam23 on May 20, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To support that

Take a look at the ridiculously long week 17 injury report. Poor Denver.

by Cruithear on May 20, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bah

I can’t find any stats on injuries by team, I’ll go ahead and make a data miner real quick. I’ll hopefully have those stats up soon.

by Cruithear on May 20, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Preliminary results are in, with an average of 5.875 players injured at any given time during the regular season for the 49ers last year… I’ll get a league average up shortly.

by Cruithear on May 20, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

League Average

League average ends up being 7.0 injuries per week per team.

by Cruithear on May 20, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bah

Forgot to typecast the operation, output is now:

Average injuries for all teams: 7.6328125

by Cruithear on May 20, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and Ziegler weighs about 130 lbs

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 May 20, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because they acquire OLD A@@ players that break and slim guys underwegith for their role.

Can somone tell me why we didn’t draft a CB, we were short on depth before the injury

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on May 20, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Pats drafted our guy 3 spots in front of us

by bignerd on May 20, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Darius Butler?

I want winners!!

by loudiamond on May 20, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, that is who are scouts loved and Maiocco said we would have drafted in the 2nd round

by bignerd on May 20, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll tell you

They traded away their 2nd and 4th rd pick

by Italia1970 on May 20, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

I’m more of the opinion that injuries to 49ers players are extremely rare. Of course that could have a lot to do with being an A’s fan – their injury reports every week are pages long. In comparison, the 49ers are all men of steel.

by shlecko on May 20, 2009 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well all those steroids thru the farm system catch up eventually

by bignerd on May 20, 2009 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bly

I think he has the potential to actually be an upgrade over Harris. His size is a bit of an issue, but Clements has good size and the only team I see on our schedule with two big WRs is Arizona.

Thing A

by sam23 on May 20, 2009 6:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

REPLACEMENT FOR HARRIS?????

look no further than TAREL BROWN FROM TEXAS!!!!!!! He has good speed and technique to take Harris’ spot!!!!!!!!!! WE DON’T NEED DRE BLY ANOTHER HAS BEEN!!!!! IF YOU WANT TO ADD SOMEONE HOW ABOUT PISA TISAISAMOA LB FROM THE RAMS LEADER TACKLER FOR THE PAST4 YEARS AS A STARTER!!!! ALSO, A PRO BOWL STATER!!!! LISTEN SINGLETARY YOU WOULD BE BETTER OFF NOT SIGNNING BLY AND GETTING THE LB FOR THE RAMS!!!!!!

by slammin on May 20, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

.....

[IMG]http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss172/crownn7/2123392792_7f5df7ddda.jpg[/IMG]

by save10 on May 20, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

by Andrew Davidson on May 20, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dre win's

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on May 20, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To play in front of who??

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on May 20, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

But DB’s get hurt and roster was already thin at that position to begin with. They probably need to sign two if the team expects to make through the season.

by bignerd on May 20, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+100

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on May 20, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or

they could draft 2….in the 2nd and 4th rounds…………/cry

by Arkie49er on May 21, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

leigh bodden?

by 9Custs on May 20, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

on the pats

We could trade for him. The Pats do love trading though

by iaalexeeff on May 20, 2009 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

had a post about him

And now I see why I shouldn’t delete my posts

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on May 20, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bly

would be better on the slot receiver in the nickel, assuming Tarell can get it done on the outside.

by Grumpy Guy on May 20, 2009 7:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bly

is a bit of a surprise to me, but I guess it makes sense since he is the best healthy option available. McCalister would be a better fit given his experience in the 3-4 and tackling ability, but he isn’t healty. You are right Grumpy Guy, Bly will be able to contribute in the slot and hopefully he can create a few turnovers for us. He’s not the toughest guy around but no denying that he is an absolute ballhawk.

I want winners!!

by loudiamond on May 20, 2009 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

McCalister is watched up he was toast last year due to his lack in speed

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on May 20, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

True

I want winners!!

by loudiamond on May 20, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You have to remember with our defensive pass rush our DB’s are forced to cover. McCalister sat back 10 yards from the line scrimmage and caught ducks generated from that great Raven blitz package.

by bignerd on May 20, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depth

I am cool with signing a veteran. We still need veteran leadership at the corner position. Plus our corners have not been healthy lately. Bly is not coming in to the savior at corner. Just provide leadership and stability.

Cream

by chriscream on May 20, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Older corners have a good track record in the NFL over the last 5 years. It actually a good strategy to keep riding out the last few years of these guy’s productivity. Year after year, you can always pick up another one for a decent price off free agency.

by bignerd on May 20, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think we’d get the same if not more from bly this year than harris

by 9Custs on May 20, 2009 8:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

probably more

He’s a good corner….but I don’t know how he will do against AZ though.

by chikmagnet_565 on May 20, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If VD still can't catch this year,

let’s put him on those big receivers.

Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?

by kinglouie33 on May 20, 2009 9:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this

seriously they always say corners are receivers who can’t catch. stick him on Boldin let him use those alligator arms to knock every ball thrown his way out of bounds. VD for CB!

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on May 20, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs