49ers Ted Linebacker Position: Revisiting Keys To The Position

by David Fucillo on Jul 27, 2011 7:01 AM PDT in 49ers Roster

Yesterday's big news involved 49ers linebacker Takeo Spikes coming to agreeing to a three year contract with the San Diego Chargers. Spikes will rejoin former 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in the San Diego Chargers defense and will likely be able to blend right in down there given the similar defense.

Now the 49ers are looking at NaVorro Bowman as the likely TED in 2011. Scott McKillop and Keaton Kristick will battle him in training camp, but odds are high that Bowman will be the man next to Patrick Willis on Sundays. They could make a move in free agency to bring in another linebacker to compete, but I would be surprised if it was anything more than a depth guy.

If you do a google search for TED linebacker, the top two links are from Niners Nation. One was about a previous training camp battle, but the other was more valuable. A little over three years ago hoosierteacher from SB Nation's Broncos blog, Mile High Report, our Broncos blog, put together a rundown of keys to finding the right TED. Fittingly enough, it came a couple months before the 49ers decided to sign free agent Takeo Spikes for the first time.

It's interesting reading over that old report because while Spikes often got down in the trenches, he did a lot more than just clear the way for Patrick Willis. in describing keys to the TED, hoosierteacher provided three:

1. The player should not be expensive
2. He has to be physical (tough)
3. Despite not being a sexy role, the TED actually has to be pretty smart

NaVorro Bowman is an inexpensive player as a third round pick. Beyond that, he'll need to prove he can step into the new TED role. Although the 49ers are still using a 3-4 (for now pending further moves), one has to wonder what changes we'll see with a new defensive coordinator. Could it impact the role of the TED? Or did Takeo Spikes' play-making abilities sort of alter the role of the often more low-profile TED?

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by the way...we just lost Baas

by tonys2lucky on Jul 27, 2011 7:23 AM PDT reply actions

Ouch...

Baalke should be on the phone personally with former Giants center O’ Hara at this very second if he knows what’s good for him. Beeler is not exactly making anyone confident as the starter as a rookie.

by 9thevolution on Jul 27, 2011 7:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Who's going to be our center now?

Heitmann’s out for the season, possibly forever.
Our college Tackle/Guards who never played center? Our UDFA Beeler?

Yikes!!!

by brundylop on Jul 27, 2011 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Posted this elsewhere

but what’s gonna happen with Baas’s playbook?

by brundylop on Jul 27, 2011 7:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Plus, we play the Giants on Nov 13

by brundylop on Jul 27, 2011 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions

imagine if we signed Pouncey and Iupati

haha

Alex Smith 86%+ QB rating with 22+ TDs in 2012, hopefully! :)

by teekay on Jul 27, 2011 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Somehow, I thought it might come to us losing Spikes

After his comments regarding the Smith/Crabtree media fiasco, I got the feeling that he would be on his way out the door. Personally, I’m not all that worried about Bowman, and think experience is absolutely necessary for him; however, our defense just took a major hit in the middle. Time for Willis to truly step up and be the leader of this defensive unit.

by 9thevolution on Jul 27, 2011 7:29 AM PDT reply actions

We need a thread about losing baas

by Jesse Reed on Jul 27, 2011 7:47 AM PDT reply actions

And I am curious

to see what people think our team’s goals are right now. Most of us were hoping that both Takeo and Baas would be resigned, and now we are wondering what direction Baalke is headed in.

by Jesse Reed on Jul 27, 2011 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions

This scares me...

As PSU alum I’m glad that Bowman is getting his chance at the starting position. But as David said, you need a smart experienced guy in a TED position. I completely agree with that statement. If the Niners were thinking of not pursuing Spikes, I was hoping that they would go after a guy like Paul Posluszny, not flashy but he seems to have just amount of athleticism and smarts to make all the plays. I think he would have been perfect compliment to Willis. Just a thought… I think JAX got a great Linebacker for the next 6 years.

by HailState77 on Jul 27, 2011 7:48 AM PDT reply actions

They also paid him Patrick Willis money. Yes he is a great linebacker, but far from elite and I don’t think he ever will be.

by mcwagner on Jul 27, 2011 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Good point

by Jesse Reed on Jul 27, 2011 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I believe Takeo and the 49ers brass knew

that Bowman was comng on strong he might not get the playing time he craved. The Charger deal was better than Spikes could have hoped for. Bowman closed last season in style and should be on his way to stardom.

by rileyg1 on Jul 27, 2011 7:50 AM PDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure that San Diego offered more money and years on that contract.

I’m sure the FO wanted another year from Spikes, better opportunity in SD for the guy.

by Mertons_merkin on Jul 27, 2011 8:07 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Now I'm even more bummed we didnt draft Casey Matthews

by GTrain on Jul 27, 2011 8:12 AM PDT reply actions

Damn...TKO will be missed

but losing him isn’t that big of a deal, we have a young competent back up. Baas on the other hand could be problematic

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Jul 27, 2011 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

Bowman can do it!!!

the only problem with Bowman is that he looks better suited to play Patrick Willis MLB role rather than TED, his athleticism and speed and build is scary similar to patrick himself, the only thing i think he will struggle with is taking on blockers and linemen and shedding blocks which Takeo’s size and strength helped him do pretty easily. But he was considered a 1st round talent that we stole in the 3rd round, and he has done everything so far to be ready for this day. Same with Taylor Mays, Manusky said it last year himself “it takes a year or three for a safety to truly learn his role on defense” so lets be positive and hope that takes place this preseason.

PS – can we still get Janoris Jenkins from Florida in the supplemental draft? or Terrelle Pryor since Carr is leaving, i know two rookie backup QB would suck, but we’d double our chances of finding the next QB. my two cents…

by WaltMalt on Jul 27, 2011 11:05 AM PDT reply actions