Golden Nuggets: All for Sproles
by Ninjames on Feb 27, 2010 3:00 AM PST
in Golden Nuggets
19 comments
Morning NN, how's everyone doing today? I'm not doing bad, myself, just over-worked and slightly exhausted but I'm going to work on providing more complete links in the coming days as combine starts up. I'm over Verdasco losing in tennis and back having the 49ers on my mind and the combine definitely has me thinking. At times I find the draft to be vastly more exciting than say, Super Bowl time. Is that like, a football sin or something? Either way I can't see this draft going bad for the 49ers, there's just so much talent it's looking completely stacked through the first twenty picks--and the Niners hold two of said picks inside the twenty. Short of reaching for someone or picking Tebow, I don't see how the team can't come out vastly improved. But I'll stop yammering, make sure you make the jump for more linkage. Later on, folks!
Now lately I've been advocating drafting Spiller in the first round and I still think it wouldn't be a horrible move but I've recently changed my tone. Why? Because Darren Sproles is available. Maiocco sides with me on this one and says Sproles makes perfect sense for the 49ers. I see in the comments someone said "Well Spiller makes more sense" and I'm inclined to agree--if the prices were the same, I'd take Spiller in a heartbeat, but their not the same are they? If the team signs Darren Sproles (a proven return commodity and a solid change of pace back) they can spend that first round pick on the offensive line or the secondary. If the team gets Spiller, they get someone who is as of now unproven and have to hope that Williams or Iupati are still available with their next pick. I like ranting. (PressDemocrat.com)
A couple of the Niners' coaches will be working with some of the players in the scouting combine drills. Great that Solari is one of them. (SacBee.com)
Lynch of the Chronicle makes a good point about the 49ers needs in their secondary, but makes a laughable comment about the offensive line becoming more proficient at run blocking last season. I'm sorry, but even if Danny comes in here and throws stats at me, the line was terrible in run blocking this past season and I think everyone (but Lynch) knows it. Still, a good point about the secondary. (SFGate.com)
I snickered when I read this, and I'm sure that's all Maiocco posted this article for. Dez Bryant says he'll "most likely" report to training camp on time. Check his agent. (PressDemocrat.com)
Don't sleep on the 49ers in 2010. This is the kind of article I can get behind. This guy likes the 49ers to head to the playoffs this coming season and I'm inclined to agree. (SportsIllustrated)
The 49ers are eying the offensive line at the combine. They had better be, because we can't have Adam Snyder handing over coupons to the tune of 9.5 free sacks again. (SacBee.com)
Maiocco takes a look at some of the prospects on the offensive line as well. I'm liking virtually all of these guys, to be honest. I just hope the team doesn't have to settle for a reach and select Iupati with the 17th overall choice. I just REALLY for once would like a player who can come in and for SURE play right tackle instead of grabbing yet another guy who is "versatile" but manages to give up 9.5 sacks regardless of position. (Read versatile as: Adam Snyder, Tony Wragge) (PressDemocrat.com)
Lynch gives a run-down of the media session McCloughan and Singletary had a couple days ago. (SFGate.com)
A look at how the 49ers will stack their draft board. (PressDemocrat.com)
Here's a Yahoo Team Report just because they're always a decent read, a nice update. Sometimes not so nice depending on how the 49ers are doing, though. (Yahoo.com)
Carolina "lost" the coin toss and that means the 49ers will be picking at 13 and 17 in the first round. Carolina really didn't "lose" because that means they will be picking at sixteen in the second round (switching with the 16th in the first... etc) (Examiner.com)
What do you know, an article about Tebow and his charm. No, no no no no no. Get my stance on the matter? Good. (PressDemocrat.com)
More about Tebow and his holy quest or whatever. (SacBee.com)
Singletary says Smith is 'the guy' going into 2010. (SacBee.com)
One of Sando's readers clarifies Singletary's statement and simplifies it to this: "I'm OK with him until I'm not." Couldn't have said it better myself. (ESPN.com)
Charlie Casserly, a man I rarely agree with and think talks just to hear himself sound intelligent, says QB is clearly a need for the 49ers. Not that I disagree with him here, or anything. (SacBee.com)
So the CJ Spiller bandwagon may have hit a bump recently, what with McCloughan hammering home the point of liking bigger players. Not sure I agree with such a one-sided approach, but we'll see what happens. (SacBee.com)
A look at whether ANY of the running backs the 49ers could consider even measure up to McCloughan's lofty size requirements. Get it, lofty? (PressDemocrat.com)
Here's yesterday's combine blog from the official website. (49ers.com)
McCloughan recently received praise from his mentor, Ted Thompson. (49ers.com)
Check out this SBNation blog of the combine, he talks about Singletary and McCloughan, having viewed their media sessions live. A good read all-around, professional stuff. (SBNation.com)
What would you think about the 49ers getting Golden Tate in the second round? Returner maybe? (NationalFootballPost.com)
The team is very excited the way the assistant coach hirings went this offseason. I am too, as far as Solari is concerned, I think he'll be great with the team. (ProFootballWeekly.com)
I don't know how much I agree with what this guy says (ie the Faithful aren't exactly screaming for Spiller) but what about getting Best in the second round for change of pace/returner? (NinersCentral.com)
Barrows has some doubts about Best and his inclination to get concussions on a regular basis. Sorry, we already have Michael Lewis. (SacBee.com)
More speculation and more support for the 49ers to get Darren Sproles. (49ersNews.com)
Over at our resident Rams blog, they too are considering the proposition of Darren Sproles. Screw that, the little guy gives me nightmares when I think about defending him. (TurfShowTimes.com)
The Cardinals recently extended their coach Ken Whisenhunt, and also GM Rod Graves. (RevengeOfTheBirds.com)
Told you guys I was gonna try and make the links more complete today. Hurray for linkage.
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YES
i love the post and agree to the fullest degree.
McCluster to Willis – I hope he’s ready 49ers.com Goal Posts Blog
"The Football The 49ers Team has The excitement of the bear, the velocity of the deer and strenght of the buffalo.
Willis took perfect angles and jacked up Chris Johnson.
No problem on this guy.
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
Bamm Bamms twitter reply
@PatrickWillis52 ha don’t make me laugh. He picking the wrong guy. He better get in first and then play with those in his own league first. Lol
also everyone follow Patrick Willis on twitter, he does a good job answering fan questions and he’s awesome.
"The Football The 49ers Team has The excitement of the bear, the velocity of the deer and strenght of the buffalo.
McCluster better hope he’s ready because Patrick Willis can destroy the top running backs in the game
by 49erEmpire on Feb 27, 2010 10:32 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Don't bother with Sproles
Sproles is better than Coffee and can play as a returner.
That’s about all that can be said about him.
If the Chargers thought he was any good, they would have kept him.
...Really? Like, honestly?
‘and can play as a returner’ is an AFTERTHOUGHT? Did you watch the 49ers return units last season? Oh, you’re a Jets fan, I understand if you missed it but the 49ers averaged 4.4 yards per punt return. Sproles will get good change of pace and returner money in the market. What will he be with the 49ers? A change of page back and a returner. Returns were just abysmal last season, every time a team punted to us, no joke everyone around me in the stadium held their breath like the game winning field goal was about to be kicked. Sproles is a must.
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
If you saw my comment on the Return Men thread
I think that rather than reach for a specialist, the 49ers should evaluate their draft picks by overall contribution to the team’s needs and a player to handle return duties can be found in the later rounds. I know how much of a need a punt returner is, but I think that Sproles is not that great as an RB.
Is Sproles going to go for being seen primarily as a return specialist and getting maybe 5-7 carries a game? I suspect he expected to become the top back once LT retired or was released, but then he got cut. That won’t make him a bargain.
The return game was arguable the worst aspect of the 49ers game.
You address it as soon as you can with the best option available at the right price. Sproles will not be expensive and he won’t cost a draft pick. Sproles can have a role in any offense, he rushed for around 350 yards this past season and had something like 450 and 4 TDs through the air, didn’t he? That’s pretty good backup production, especially when he’s also the primary return man. Point is 49ers need a returner. A returner comes available. You’re saying don’t bother, I’m saying make it a priority and see if you can get him cheap enough. I didn’t say we should offer the guy a six year contract worth millions and millions. NOT looking into Sproles is not doing your team due diligence if you’re the GM.
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
I'd say the offensive line was the worst
or is the most pressing need in terms of impact on the overall game.
6 more yards of average on punt returns will be 6 yards of better field position to start each drive.
A better offensive line will mean half a yard more on every run play, and a higher completion percentage and more first downs on passes because Smith has more time to throw and the receivers will have run their routes a bit further.
Yes, a return man is needed. If Sproles was clearly the best at it, or the only guy who could do it well, I would say go. But he isn’t, and is going to be demanding starter money rather than special teams specialist money, which makes the cost-benefit ratio lower. You do have a point that he’s a good backfield receiver, which is always useful, but once again, there are many other options for this.
Apologies if that comment sounds defensive, by the way.
Initially meant to backspace and take away my caps and the like.
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
Didn't Kevin Lynch read my comments here all year?
The Niners need a solid tackle, and the more talented guys they can put on the line the better. Sometimes Lynch sounds coherent on when he’s interviewed on KNBR but sometimes it sounds like whatever Barbieri says Lynch just goes along with.
by Bob On The Coast on Feb 27, 2010 2:48 PM PST reply actions
Lynch is good, he has talent as a writer and is on the ball more often than not.
But has anyone else noticed that he’s forced to defend himself and retract statements more than any other writer in the history of anything? Seriously.
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
I'm strongly against Sproles and Spiller
Well, I’d get Spiller if he was still around in the 4th round, but returners aren’t a valued position. No return man is worth spending a lot of money or nor taking any higher than 4th round. RB side of things? Again, against placing such a high value on 2nd string talent. If we are to take Spiller in the first round, he better replace Gore as the starting RB or else it’s a horrible pick. As is it, it’s still a bad pick because we’re ignoring important needs. Picking Spiller would be like passing up fixing the brakes on your car because the pinstripe decals on sale is a rare find.
Read as: I'm against improving the team in its weakest area.
Nobody knows how much Sproles is going to cost. Why are you saying ‘spending a lot of money’ for? I just think the 49ers need to do their due diligence and check out everyone who becomes available, and if they are an upgrade try and get them for the right price. If you don’t think they should do that then.. I don’t even know what to say. It is NEVER a good idea to say “yeah lets just hope there will be a return man available later.”
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
We need a Bruce Cambel
Watching the combine, this dude looks like a young beast… then again Baluga doesn’t look bad either.
Not that it matters...
but I got Sproles on the Niners in Madden 10 and he has won the League MVP two times; it is 2014 in the game.
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