49ers Free Agents: Ray McDonald Agrees To Five Year Contract With 49ers

by David Fucillo on Jul 27, 2011 3:46 PM PDT in 2011 49ers Free Agents

Just as I posted about Travis LaBoy geting overshadowed in free agency, the 49ers and Ray McDonald overshadow him further! Matt Barrows just tweeted that league sources indicate Ray McDonald has come to terms on a five year contract with the 49ers. As has been repeatedly discussed, McDonald had emerged as a priority of the 49ers entering free agency. Adam Schefter tweeted the deal is worth $20 million, with $7 million guaranteed.

McDonald's role is not quite determined at this point, although his future could very well be tied to Aubrayo Franklin. If Franklin walks in free agency as many expect, that would open up the defensive line to some competition for playing time. Justin Smith is locked in as the right defensive end, but if Franklin is gone, that means we could see Isaac Sopoaga move in to the nose tackle role. That would open up the left defensive end starting spot for McDonald. And in fact, if the 49ers decide somebody other than Sopoaga fits the nose tackle role, I could see McDonald still ending up as the starter at left defensive end.

The 49ers still have some other holes, but if they're comfortable with Ray McDonald in a starting job, this will fill a good-sized piece of the team's free agency puzzle. Injury hurt his draft stock in 2007 but if he can remain healthy, his upside is high.

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I like RayMac...congrats to him

let’s hope he stays healthy

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 3:47 PM PDT reply actions

Things are starting to come together hopefully

by WetNoodle on Jul 27, 2011 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

2ndary still a mess...what do they do?

can they afford a top CB and Goldson? Will Clements restructure cheap enough to still sign a top CB? We need our plethora of young CBs/S to step it up this offseason…we have a ton

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions

One of my favorite 49ers

Hope he really turns into a quality starter

Got love for the WCC. Go Lions!

by SnakesOnAPlane on Jul 27, 2011 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

he got paid starter money...

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

5 years 7M?

Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR

by mikev on Jul 27, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

5yr/20mill/7mill guranteed

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

5 years $20 million

7 million guaranteed

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Very glad to hear this

This is good news. A front line of McD and Soap/RJF/Williams and Smith could be pretty nice. And then with a backing of PWilly and Bowman Smith and Brooks could end up looking pretty nice in it’s own right. If the Clements rumours and the Nnamdi rumours have any substance then we could really fill in our secondary that way. Losing Baas bugs me a bit but others will have to pick up a bit.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:04 PM PDT reply actions

yeah out DL appears to be about as set as...

it’s going to be, just need some depth. i’m assuming there is no way Franklin is back. let’s hope I. Williams makes ppl want to pay for not drafting him.

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I am very excited about this

I think he’s an overall improvement over Sopoaga.

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:06 PM PDT reply actions

So will it be...McDonald-Sopoaga-J.Smith

and who else besides me thinks our current roster D-Line is scary thin should one of the starters get hurt?

by BigMar on Jul 27, 2011 4:15 PM PDT reply actions

Assuming Franklin walks that's probably the rotation

but we signed several defensive linemen yesterday in the mad rush of UDFAs, and I think most of them can probably make the team as backups.

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Several?

Two right? Ian and Silega(sp?) right?

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought there was 4

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Checking

or trying to.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

undrafted guys signed on the DL

Defensive linemen — Brian Bulcke (Stanford), Demarcus Dobbs (Georgia), Sealver Siliga (Utah), Ian Williams (Notre Dame).

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

under contract DL

RJF, Tukuafu, J. Smith, Sop, RayMc

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope looks like 2

http://blog.49ers.com/2011/07/27/49ers-announce-undrafted-free-agents/
Ian Williams and Sealver Siliga both NTs. The rest are WRs (a lot of short ones), OL, LB, and Masoli and Reuland

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Defensive linemen on roster

McDonald, Sopoaga, Smith, RJF, Will Tukuafu,

Ian Williams (NT), Sealver Siliga (NT), Brian Bulcke (DE), Demarcus Dobbs (DE)

Here

That’s 9 heading into camp, assuming no more trades or signing. Should be plenty to find backups and depth on the line.

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Still don't know what to think about RJF

In a rotation I think he works well. Part of the reason I think they moved him to NT was because he tired quickly at DE. Hopefully the 49ers don’t get into a situation where they have play him full time cause I don’t think he is ready for that.

sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray

by bignerd on Jul 27, 2011 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think he's ready for full-time either

but a roation of Sopoaga and RJF might be a nice substitute if Franklin leaves.

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

and Ian Williams...

said he chose the 9ers over 10-15 teams trying to sign him…he could have a chip on his shoulder.

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

scary thin for Madden, yes...

but really it is just a bunch of unknowns, that who knows, could be pretty good

by sanfranfanmdk on Jul 27, 2011 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Ian Williams, RJF, Tukuafu....

think that’s about it under contract besides the other undrafted guys..maybe they resign Evans too?

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Nooo!! On Evans

Never liked him. He should be gone.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I never understood why he kept making the team

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Singletary

"I need a new (guy) for this black cloud to follow, cause while it's over me it's too dark to see tomorrow" -Nas

by FearTheTree on Jul 27, 2011 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

HE WANTS WINNERS!

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe Bruce Miller!

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

My choice is to play him at LB

Bring him in like Brooks was brought in.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

It is scary thin

sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray

by bignerd on Jul 27, 2011 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

We've got 9 defensive linemen on the roster right now

I think we can find 5 or 6 of them that are worth starting or being backups.

by smileyman on Jul 27, 2011 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe

At the least the 49ers coaching staff has proven they can coach up and develop defensive linemen.

sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray

by bignerd on Jul 27, 2011 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Zona interested in Manny...

does that mean Alex doesn’t have to worry about being sacked twice/season….OH SNAP!

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

SEATTLE SIGNS SIDNEY RICE...too bad

they have no QB

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:47 PM PDT reply actions

"MinnyWest" Connection??

Jackson,Rice & Bevell!!

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The World's Most Interesting Man---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Jul 27, 2011 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't see Rice link to seattle....

On the other hand seachickens got there hands full with Brandon Mebane lol!!!

michaelombardi Brandon Mebane DT Seattle hot free agent right now. Seattle wants him 4 teams including the Rams & Denver Will get expensive.

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The World's Most Interesting Man---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Jul 27, 2011 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

saw a tweet from Jay Glazer

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions

SIDNEY RICE: 5yr/up to 44mill/18.5mill guranteed (from Schefter)

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions

cool thanks just saw that too

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The World's Most Interesting Man---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Jul 27, 2011 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Holy smokes

In Jed We Trust?

by jonesin25 on Jul 27, 2011 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't count out Jackson.

by mrdev4 on Jul 27, 2011 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Darrell Jackson?...DJACK!

by Coretete on Jul 27, 2011 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions

No I believe he's implying Tavaris Jackson

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The World's Most Interesting Man---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Jul 27, 2011 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey Sidney...

remember how in Minny I threw all those balls you couldn’t or didn’t catch or had to lay yourself out for? Well dude we can do that again..but it’s not that cold here….." “What? Not that cold you say?” turns away from the phone He’s in..should I mention Paul Allen and Microsoft or not?

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 27, 2011 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs