LB Akin Ayodele to visit 49ers

by David Fucillo on Mar 12, 2010 3:00 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Thanks again to nocal81 for posting this as a FanShot. He's absolutely on fire lately. As he indicated in the fanshot, former Dolphins linebacker Akin Ayodele is planning on visit the 49ers this coming week. Over at Twitter, Maiocco is reporting it will be a Monday visit. Once again I thought it'd be worthwhile to expand this into a front page post so we can roll out a few more details on Ayodele.

As nocal81 mentioned, Adam Schefter views this as a depth addition, with Ayodele being added to the crew competing for starting time with Takeo Spikes. Here is his Insider scouting report:

He isn't an explosive player . . . but plays hard and wins with toughness, technique and aggression. He is a solid reactor and understands angles and how to leverage the football. He uses his hands well to ward off and separate from blockers and stays active to the pile. He [is] a solid open field tackler. He [is] limited in man schemes and is best in short zone coverage's. Ayodele is a good football player but appears to have reached his ceiling . . . but brings experience, toughness and stability to the position.

So, we're looking at a general over-achieving type of player. Not just a training camp body, but rather somebody who will get a chance to get some solid playing time with the team. The 49ers seem to be using free agency to focus on depth. They're visiting with slightly older veterans who bring something to the table, but are not needed to make a big impact for the team. This makes the upcoming draft all the more interesting.

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Comments

He’d be an upgrade over Wilhelm backing up Takeo. I doubt he’s going to beat Spikes out for the starting job though. I’d imagine that comment from Maiocco was just to spark convo and debate.

"If you're not first, you're last" -Reese Bobby.

by Drew Kerr on Mar 12, 2010 3:11 PM PST reply actions

Adam Schefter… pardon me.

"If you're not first, you're last" -Reese Bobby.

by Drew Kerr on Mar 12, 2010 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Is it me and that

our does it seems that my team,this team ,our team seems 2 go after people who are not even near the radar .I’m sorry akin 2 me has’nt been a factor since dallas and that wasn’t all that big and he has’nt been a game changer since jacksonville he’s a liabilty in space and he’s lost a step.I know ya’ll try 2 pump him up as much as you can but you can tell ya’ll not even sure why we are talking 2 him we have more talented linebackers on are practice squad i don’t if its scott cheap pockets or sing thinking he can coach up every tough playing playerbut you can’t coach wear and tear and he has miles on him .I know being a niner die heart i want us 2 do something in FA and around this time of the off-season you’re hungry 4 any news but 2 me this does’nt do nothing but ‘’ pisses me off ’’ because we have’nt got out of this mode of talking 2 players at the tale end of there careers why take up a roster spot with a old un-athletic LB when you can get a younger cheaper and more mobile in a deep draft.If were going 2 bring somebody in who’s a veteran bring a offensive lineman in not no aging linebacker who’s best years are behind him’’ .

by jayjonna415 on Mar 12, 2010 3:24 PM PST reply actions

Please tell me that English is your second language.

I was "Deific16"
The cake is a lie.

by Sultan of Seitan on Mar 12, 2010 7:14 PM PST up reply actions

wasted so much time

typing that gibberish… i tried for 2 lines….. and then gave up.

by pwarren85 on Mar 12, 2010 8:51 PM PST up reply actions

I would much rather look at Bullock, yeah, the linebacker from Tennessee.

And yes, he is better than Takeo and has played in a different scheme his entire career. It’s not guaranteed yet, but there are talks about him not being with the team, or they haven’t contacted him about staying. I would much rather wait to see what happens there. Best coverage OLB, in the league, IMO. I think his coverage skills would be a huge asset to the team.

As far as Ayodele, last year was his worst statistical year in pass defense, I would think a coverage linebacker that can fill holes and shed tackles, would be a nice add.

Equation= 1,2,2,3,3 is a lot better than 1,1,2,3 in a deep draft, especially when your 1 nets you E berry.

Alex Smith is not a bust, he is a product of poor management and coaching.

by rlott#42 on Mar 12, 2010 4:04 PM PST reply actions

Are you saying keith bullock

is better than takeo , i know you’re not saying akin has been playing better than what takeo has been playing in the last 2 years lol i will laugh you right up out of here hell bullock has’nt been playing better than what takeo has been playing.I think people in here get 2 damm caught up in spitting out stats and instead of looking at the damm game we all know takeo is in his 13 or 14th year but 4 you or anybody else in here try and compare what takeo has been out these last 2 years 2 bullock or akin is ludacris they both right now could’nt hold spikes jock strap.I do know takeo’s is getting up there and we do need 2 address his position but trying 2 bring 2 un-athletic LBs in is plain stupid groom a youngster instead of used 2 be.

by jayjonna415 on Mar 12, 2010 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

Lol, is it really you? I mean, at least KSWOF had sentence stucture, what is your deal.

Bullock supports the run sheds tackles and makes plays vs the pass. Do you have any idea what our defensive weaknesses are? One of them is 3rd down defense, because we lack pass defending ILB’s, aside from Willis, but he is one man. Sometimes, and additional ILB with these qualities would allow a player like Willis to spy Rb’s to help against the screen, or blitz and provide pressure. We sack by comitee, so allowing Willis to have more chances would be great. Spikes is horrific in pass defense and Bullock is a lot better, regardless of stats. Almost every time the Titans play the Colts and win, he has a great game and I can almost bet he has more int’s vs Manning than any player.

Equation= 1,2,2,3,3 is a lot better than 1,1,2,3 in a deep draft, especially when your 1 nets you E berry.

Alex Smith is not a bust, he is a product of poor management and coaching.

by rlott#42 on Mar 12, 2010 6:36 PM PST up reply actions

Pacman Update

Just saw on NFL Total Access. Mike Maycock said Pacman Jones is holding a ‘Pro Day’ at Tulane University on March 19. Apparently, Mike Singletary has shown the most interest in the enigmatic cornerback, along with Schwartz from Detroit.

by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 12, 2010 4:36 PM PST reply actions

Saw that…I’m thinking I’ll work on a front page post for that tomorrow morning…Definitely a topic plenty of folks will want to voice an opinion on.

by David Fucillo on Mar 12, 2010 4:44 PM PST up reply actions

Awesome, there hasnt been any links that Ive seen so far regarding this, but since it was on NFL Network I doubt theyre joking around.

by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 12, 2010 8:46 PM PST up reply actions

Actually there is this one up now.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=3127&line=169770&spln=1

by Rod Blogojevich on Mar 12, 2010 8:49 PM PST up reply actions

I Agree With The Approach

In this free agent market is doesn’t make much sense to focus on acquiring star level starters; one simple reason for this, there really aren’t that many out there without giving up picks as compensation.

Another reason i agree with this is that the 49ers are on the verge of being a perennial playoff team, to chance directions at mid course isn’t a great approach. With the picks the 49ers have, they are in position to get multiple starters out of this draft, especially considering how deep it is. Also lets look at the positions that could be open come training camp time. Tackle, Guard, Wide Receiver, Safety (if Lewis is released). Now what players on the free agent market are suited to fill those positions? Not many!!

The 49ers are looking at
Pacman Jones, Travis Laboy and Akin Ayodele. These players fit right into the 49ers philosophy of adding veterans for depth. Takeo Spikes was such an addition and look at what happened. He became a full time starter and has succeeded in it. I see Ayodele adding a lot to the 49ers on a part time basis, he brings the toughness and intangables you want in a free agent addition, this without risking much. Same goes for Travis Laboy.

"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"

by nocal81(Vincent) on Mar 12, 2010 5:26 PM PST reply actions

There’s not much in the way of starting talent in the free agent pool, unless you go after an RFA, so adding depth is a good thing… and I like Ayodele, but I think they should look for another guy who can put pressure on the QB as well. He hasn’t had a sack in over 3 seasons.

by aBulldog on Mar 12, 2010 5:43 PM PST reply actions

His Role

as a “mike” LB in a 3-4 system isn’t to go after the QB. Before last season Takeo Spikes hadn’t registered more than 1 sack in a season over the course of four campaigns. I agree that the 49ers need to add a pass rusher but that isn’t the goal of signing Ayodele.

"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"

by nocal81(Vincent) on Mar 12, 2010 6:41 PM PST up reply actions