49ers Defensive Line: What's The Plan After Justin Smith?

by David Fucillo on Jun 19, 2011 6:00 AM PDT in 49ers Roster

As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for the eventual free agency period to begin, the big question mark on defense would seem to be Aubrayo Franklin. The team elected to not use the franchise tag on him and now have to wait and see if they have the money to resign the big nose tackle. The team is expected to re-sign free agent center David Baas and has several other decisions to make alongside Franklin.

What makes the Aubrayo Franklin free agency decision all the more difficult is the domino effect it has along the rest of the defensive line. If Franklin is at nose tackle, the team can rotate in Isaac Sopoaga, Ricky Jean-Francois, and Ray McDonald at left defensive end. Additionally, they can roll Sopoaga and RJF in at nose tackle to spell Franklin. It's a great situation because the team has a talented rotation.

If Franklin walks, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula will have to figure out how best to handle the defensive line. Some folks are concerned that Ricky Jean-Francois doesn't have the time under his belt to be the full-time nose tackle. What do folks think? How would you organize Sopoaga, RJF, and McDonald along the defensive line if Franklin walks? Demetric Evans is also a free agent and potentially walking which leaves those three and maybe Will Tukuafu if he can work his way on to the 53-man roster.

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If Franklin walks

We’re in deep trouble.

Everything in the 3-4 starts with the nose. If you don’t have a guy that can eat up 2 gaps you’re better off running a 4-3.

by Ougadas on Jun 19, 2011 7:31 AM PDT reply actions

probably not "deep trouble"

but they’ll certainly suffer a little for the next couple of years until they find somebody else.

it’s not like Franklin played at an amazing level in 2010, and they still were pretty solid against the run. even with a drop in play at NT, their issues are still on the outside, the OLBs beating the tackles and the corners and safeties not blowing coverage.

by whistlingmountain on Jun 19, 2011 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I would rotate RJF and Soap

which is what I imagine will happen anyway. McDonald isn’t an every down guy, but I think 2 downs at DE is reasonable.

Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.

by goatfather on Jun 19, 2011 8:05 AM PDT reply actions

D line will be featured

in next draft & possibly in free agency. If the Niners have become smart – a new possibility – they aren’t going to sell the farm in 2011 but focus on going for it all in 2012, due to…too many factors to list.

by oldfoggy on Jun 19, 2011 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

Obviously the retention, or not, of Franklin will be the single biggest factor ...

If he is retained, here’s how I would hope that the DL roster would turn out —

NT: Aubrayo Franklin, UFA Blaine Sumner
DE: Justin Smith, Issac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald, Will Tukuafu
Practice Squad: UFA Marc Schiechl, UFA Brandon Bair
Released: Ricky Francois, Demetric Evans

If Franklin signs elsewhere, I would hope the DL to be —

NT: Issac Sopoaga, UFA Blaine Sumner
DE: Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Will Tukuafu, Ricky Francois or Demetric Evans
Practice Squad: UFA Marc Schiechl, UFA Brandon Bair
Released: Either Francois or Evans

My message here is simply that it is time to move on. IMO neither Francois or Evans will ever become significant contributors; let’s go with some young guys with potential (Sumner, Schiechl and Bair) who Tomsula and Fangio can develop, rather than wollowing with mediocrity.

by 49erFanSince1950 on Jun 19, 2011 2:52 PM PDT reply actions

Why would they release RJF? He was a second year player last year that got his first real taste of playing time. He was a bit of project when he was drafted and has come along decently so far. Not to mention he is still under contract.

by cush52 on Jun 20, 2011 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions