Golden Nuggets: What Will Franklin Do Indeed

by James Brady on Jul 17, 2010 3:00 AM PDT in 49ers Links

Good morning everyone, Ninjames here with your Nuggets. So far , no death threats due to yeterday's 'At Least We're Not' though I'm not going to write off the possibility that something comes down the line. Still, it's not like I do them for that alone, I do that for your entertainment! I'm sorry about the wait in getting it posted, I know a lot of people were expected it sooner - was it what you wanted? Beyond that, I'm not sure what actual factual 49ers linkage I have for you tonight, I know there's not a whole lot. There's a couple vidoes on NFL.com and things of that nature, but I'm not too sure I agree with them to a large extent. There's definitely not as many links as there have been in the last couple days, today just doesn't have as much to offer as some of the others, but I'll dig up anything I can. Enjoy the links, folks.

NFL Network had their 'Best in the Biz' segment and ranked their top five middle linebackers. I think it's a load of crap because I know that Lewis only gets the spot because he's Ray Lewis. It's respect. Willis is better than him now. (NFL.com)

What will Franklin do? Honestly, I don't see him being back after next season. I don't see the team being able to come to terms with him and he walks, just a gut feeling I guess. (SFGate.com)

It's a Make or Break season for Alex Smith, as noted in this video on NFL.com. They list a few players, and Smith is the second one listed, I completely agree. He needs to play well. (NFL.com)

Sando debates with Matt Williamson on who has the best offensive line in the NFC West. Gotta be the 49ers. (ESPN.com)

More and more people think quarterback Alex Smith is poised for a breakout season. I hope this media attention doesn't jinx us. Let's do this, 49ers. (SportingNews.com)

Here's a bit on Joe Staley and Alex Smith visiting with the Earthquakes and a "different kind of football." (49ers.com)

Rival Blog Buzz Revenge of the Birds had a fantasy football post and their quote of the day. Field Gulls has a season retrospective on Leroy Hill, a fanshot about Leroy Hill being suspended in the season opener and then they answer a question which probably didn't need to be answered. Turf Show Times examines when and where the Rams might pick up their first win, and then takes a look at the teams' Madden ratings.

Yesterday On Niners Nation Kicked off with the Golden Nuggets, Fooch had a post about the team's health in 2010, we had a post from Andrew Davidson, and then I took a look at why we should be happy we're not the New England Patriots.

Today On Niners Nation (All times pacific and subject to change)

7:00 AM- I'll have a confidence post in the morning.

11:00 AM - Either myself or Fooch will have a post.

2:00 PM - Either myself or Fooch will have a post.

Yesterday's Best Comment " You previously said the cut off for YBC was the first pre-season game. You’re now moving the goalposts. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE JAMES???" from London Niner... Calm down bro!

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Comments

hmm..

I’d say another franchise tag on Franklin next year and before time runs out again they get a deal done somewhere around 3-4 years.

by StevenC on Jul 17, 2010 3:57 AM PDT reply actions

I don't think

the franchise tag is in the players best interest. The reason why is because it leaves the player open to the possibility of a career-ending injury while waiting for a new contract. I wouldn’t be surprised if the new CB agreement discontinues the franchise tag. Too many players are getting burned with it. I realize the game shouldn’t be about the money. But when you look at it from the players point of view as it relates to fairness, one player on a team is being singled out to be forced to stay there without a contract. Even worse it’s because of the hard work they put in the year before. The barganing advantage definately goes to the team owner after the tag gets placed. Every time I see it stuck on someone it causes at least a little bit of hostility or animosity for the player.

I think Aubrayo will do what any professional would do in this situation and come to work, do his job, and cash his huge check. But I don’t think it’s completely fair for him to be forced to take that risk two years in a row and especially not three years with another tag next year. Especially as it is as a result of being singled out for his superior performance.

by Pat Willie on Jul 17, 2010 6:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Why does it seem to me

that the franchise tag is always used on defensive players?

by Pat Willie on Jul 17, 2010 6:32 AM PDT reply actions

It's not

Matt Cassel had the franchise tag placed on him before being traded to the Chiefs

Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority

by smileyman on Jul 17, 2010 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions

I would say it’s mostly used on non-franchise players these days. Teams lock up franchise players before contract expiration and use the franchise tag on good players that they aren’t so sure they would like to hold onto long term.

by bignerd on Jul 17, 2010 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Another Note

Notice how they snubb Crabtree on second year WR that will make an impact? DHB? Plz!

Santa Clara, You are the Father!

by chriscream on Jul 17, 2010 6:48 AM PDT reply actions

yeah..

I had a big posted a big comment about that..

All I know is that Bucky Brooks is going to be surprised by Crabtree if he can’t even mention him as a breakout player in his 2nd year.

Also I believe Brooks had DHB for a breakout this year because if he were to catch 10 passes and get 1 TD it will be considered his breakout year compared to last year lol..

by StevenC on Jul 17, 2010 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Bucky

Did you notice his mocks in last years drafts they sucked from what I can remember. Solomon is a good guy and I respect what he says. He gave props to Ray as we all have to. Ray has been good and odds are he will be again. But PWilly is fast gaining on him. More than fast actually.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 17, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

lol...

Maybe the thing is that the opposite is true for Crabs as opposed to DHB. The extreme room for improvement isnt there for Crabtree… after all, is it really a breakthrought when everyone sort of just expects it to happen? Breakthroughs, while not suprises, arent money in the bank the way that Crabtree is.

by Sigelvictory on Jul 17, 2010 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Solomon Wilcox

has negative style. That tie and shirt combination was atrocious.

Chris Cohan- YOU'RE FIRED!

by bonbrillio on Jul 17, 2010 9:56 AM PDT reply actions

i'm concerned

if we lose franklin, it will hurt our linebacking core.

by thedly on Jul 17, 2010 11:42 AM PDT reply actions

We won't lose him this year

but we quite possibly will next year. I hope that RJF can show some prowess on the line and make a mark at either DT or DE. But we need to consider getting some depth at that position.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 17, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Gratuitous extra

I liked watching that Michael Lewis end zone interception from Jay Cutler right before they went on to show Alex Smith’s touchdown highlights from last year.

by McTee on Jul 17, 2010 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

I find that "Best of the Biz" video insulting.

Patrick Willis is the BEST inside linebacker in the league. Putting an aging Ray Lewis at #1 on name power alone is trite and shallow. I thought NFL Network was better than that, but this really eats away at their credibility. Funny thing is even Lewis would not claim to be better than P. Willis at this point in their careers! Lewis has too much class to even make that claim. I guess NFL Network suffers from a slight case of East Coast Bias as many of the networks do. Well, the average fan might buy that load of dung, but the serious football fan knows that P. Willis is the MAN, and has been the best Inside Linebacker for a coupla years now. Come ON NFL NETWORK! PULL YOU HEADS OUT OF YOUR COLLECTIVE ARSES! This really does stain the credibility of the NFL Network analysts. Patrick Willis is the best inside linebacker in the game today bar NONE.

Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!

by FaStRmAn on Jul 17, 2010 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

On playing ability alone you're 100% right...

The one thing you could probably still give an edge to R. Lewis in is “being the GB of the defense”. S. Wilcox did say that was a part of his criteria for his selections. From that perspective I can see his point. However, Bam Bam is still the man, and he is only getting better. In a couple more years people are gonna look at P. Willy and say “Ray who?” Another thing that would get P. Willis a bit more media cred would be if the niners would turn him loose on the QB more often. I know it isn’t the primary function of a 3-4 mike backer to get sacks, but it seems like when Willis does blitz, he has a high percentage of success. Does football outsiders keep track of that?

by Sigelvictory on Jul 17, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Oops, I meant "QB of the defense"

by Sigelvictory on Jul 17, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Even when you factor in Ray's leadership

Patrick Willis is still better.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"

by SportsChicken on Jul 18, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

The thing is, NFLN is based in California

The NFLTA show is filmed in So. Cal.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"

by SportsChicken on Jul 18, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Let me get this straight

The Cardinals have the stronger defensive line but the 49ers have the better offensive line? This is screwy crap that bubbles up when the offseason starts to get very long.

by bignerd on Jul 17, 2010 6:54 PM PDT reply actions