49ers 2011 Free Agency Strategy: For What Are The 49ers Being Patient?
by David Fucillo on Aug 1, 2011 9:01 AM PDT
in NFL Free Agency
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PrintOne of the running themes in just about every thread this weekend was what reason the 49ers had to be patient. Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh have repeatedly stated the team is being patient in free agency. There has been analysis of this as it relates to their decisions regarding 49ers internal free agents, the players they may or may not be choosing to pursue, and of course the continuing discussions about whether Baalke and company lack some sort of "closing" ability.
Which brings me to Tim Kawakami's column on Sunday. I recognize that Kawakami rubs some folks (OK, a lot of folks) the wrong way with his columns and his comments on twitter. However, his Sunday column hit the nail on the head as he discussed some of the possible reasons for why the 49ers might be acting in such a deliberate and patient manner thus far in free agency.
Kawakami put together five possible reasons for the 49ers actions to date. Some of the reasons are mutually exclusive, while others could piggy-back on others. His list of reasons provides one for just about anybody out there. Well, it doesn't include one for people who think the front office is incompetent. Apologies to those folks. For now, his reasons broke down more or less as follows:
1. The team was undercoached by Mike Singletary and the addition of Harbaugh is enough to vault them into contention.
2. The coaching staff and personnel folks need time to evaluate the current roster before making investments.
3. Free agents want winners or big bucks (or both in an ideal world) and 49ers aren't either.
4. With addition of Colin Kaepernick, team is playing for 2012 so might as well hold off on free agency.
5. Cash is short as the team works to build a new stadium and they decided Jim Harbaugh was their biggest free agent.
In looking at these, I think the addition of Harbaugh could provide the necessary coaching chops to improve the team, but it remains to be seen if it's enough to vault them into playoff contention as is. I would argue that number two and number four can work well together, although the team could still think they could contend for this year. So one and two could very well work together.
Three is a reasonable option if the 49ers are telling free agents they won't give them quite what they want; thus the departures of Baas and Spikes and one of the reasons Nnamdi didn't come to San Francisco. I think that situation could fit in in any manner.
As for five? Well, it's entirely possible. Kawakami's closing line makes it seem like that's his own belief as to the reason for the conservative approach. I guess we'll know a bit more over the next two or three days.
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This was the best Kawakami article I've seen in forever.
Logical. Reasonable. Not at touch of blow-hard-ness.
I had to double-check the byline!
Kaepernick may have some growing to do as a passer, but you don't get to 10,000 yards passing in college without being able to read a defense.
Twitter me at twitter.com/grantmp1
#2 sounds more realistic than anything ...
…The coaching staff and personnel folks need time to evaluate the current roster before making investments….!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
Point #2 makes sense to me
Letting the new coaching staff evaluate what we have (and what we don’t) before signing new guys seems like a logical approach.
There *are* five reasons that are giving the Niners reason to be patient...
but I’m still surprised that the Niners haven’t brought at least a couple of CBs in—even 2nd-tier guys. The team just doesn’t have a lot of bodies at that spot for TC, especially given how often guys get injured there. Those guys are particularly vulnerable to hamstring pulls (see Spencer, Shauntae).
Kaepernick may have some growing to do as a passer, but you don't get to 10,000 yards passing in college without being able to read a defense.
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Patience is for MLB where there is 182 game seasons
Were have cap money, I’m not saying to go overspend on average player a la nate clements, and i do believe thru building thru the draft, but when you waste picks on the likes of Kentawn the bust Balmer, and Glenn i found the light Coffee you need to pick up proven players to make up for wasted picks when you could have drafter D Jackson or Mike Wallace picked by Steelers after niners picked Coffee.
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Hindsight...
There were many other teams who passed on D. Jackson and Wallace. Obviously they fell for a reason, and I doubt the Niners could look into their crystal ball to see what Coffee would do. Its easy to point fingers now, thought.
Twitter: @Joshuahss
I can't believe we passed on Tom Brady for 6 rounds
D’oh
"The past is the past. The only time I look into the rear view is for the cops and I don't speed." -Shawn Andrews
by TryAndCatchVD on Aug 1, 2011 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions
stand by your team
Carmazzi is only 34, next year is his year . . . if we can get him away from his goats
I know hindsight is 20/20
But the fact is you need to try to make up for your screwups Baalke was the main scout for those drafts just can’t go on hoping Gore VD and Willis are gonna stay in their prime for ever they need help, feel bad for them
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Hindsight is 20/20
But when I’m screaming at the tv “TAKE DESEAN!!”, and it makes a TON of sense to take him (local ties, need at WR), and they inexplicably dont, and then he turns out to be a stud, I feel justified in mentioning it.
still stings
Maybe you just didn’t yell loud enough. Next time try harder
by Andrew9erfan on Aug 1, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
I could understand being patient and not signing 3-4 big names, per point 2. However, we have a hole at CB that is not being addressed. I picture a flashing neon light sitting on Baalke’s desk and he just puts a paper bag over it, hoping it will go away.
This is where I think something is getting lost in the mix...
The 49ers were active in negotiations with the top CB on the market. This team was aggressively pursuing Asomugha.
They were doing exactly what every fan wants. They were making an honest bid at the top player available. And it was a two man race, with only the Jets to beat.
Then the Eagles swept in with an offer so good it even shocked Nnamdi.
We got outbid. And we got outbid by a team that could easily be in the Super Bowl this year. Sometimes, you just lose those matchup. Especially when they come straight out of left field.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Aug 1, 2011 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions
don't think it came out of left field, just supports reason 3 in the article
hard to land a FA without overpaying when you’re competing with a team that has missed the playoffs once in the last 11 years and you haven’t made the playoffs in 8 years.
The most probable consideration was
what CB wants to go to a losing team with no proven pass rushers? It’s not the best career move even if it pays a whole bunch.
And I think when Baalke is talking about patience, he’s talking to the fans. It seems to me like he’s saying, “this team is still rebuilding. The thing is, it’s just not realistic to win bids against Super Bowl favorites when 1) those guys are making great bids, and 2) your team has sucked for almost a decade. We’re trying to be aggressive, but we’re not going to sacrifice our long-term plans for the sake of a big splash with tiny ripples.”
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Aug 1, 2011 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Well said, sir
Well said.
"The past is the past. The only time I look into the rear view is for the cops and I don't speed." -Shawn Andrews
by TryAndCatchVD on Aug 1, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I was actually happier that the 49ers were so actively pursuing Asomugha than I was sad that they lost out on him. The team is actually willing to pursue the top players at positions of need. Eventually, that will turn into contracts. Eventually. Probably. I hope, anyway.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Aug 1, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Are the being honest about pursing these players?
Or are they just telling the media that they are to ease the fan tension?
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by Drew Kerr on Aug 1, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m pretty sure they were earnestly pursuing Asomugha. The reports were too strong and the move would have made too much sense.
Otherwise, it’s always hard to tell, admittedly.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Aug 1, 2011 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Even if they were, they obviously waved the white flag once he was out of the picture.
…on everyone.
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We weren't outbid. We pulled out before a decision was made.
Nnamdi signed for $12 million/yr (only $10 mil counts against the cap this year and Philly can void the contract after this year without additional penalties). We’ll never know why our FO nixed the idea before we got strong footing in negotiation. It wasn’t until after we dropped out that the Eagles started contacting Nnamdi’s camp. The bottom line is this, we have a problem if we can’t pay $10-12 million dollars a year to a top-3 player in any of the the most important impact positions (QB, CB, LT). Name the top 3 QBs, CBs or LTs and tell me they aren’t worth that type of money. The biggest risk involved is the guaranteed money, but rarely do teams get burnt by this when dealing with injury free, perrenial pro-bowlers who have never been anything short of a leader in the locker room.
“This team is still rebuilding” because Baalke has been the cheif talent evaluator for the last 7 years. It has taken Dominik, Mayhew and Pioli less than 3 years to turn there respective teams from the doldrums to respectability. The ability of these 3 to effectively evaluate draft prospects was immediately felt. In all honesty, this is Baalke’s 2nd year at the helm. The roster moves made in this 2 yr period (save for Iupati and a couple of draft picks with “upside”) have been marginal at best. Baalke got the job by being Jed’s friend and having a very powerful selling point. Baalke was around for all of McCloughan’s foils. All Baalke had to do was retroactively fix these and he would automatically seem competent. He’s not built for the position. He knows football, and maybe too well. He outsmarts himself in player acquisition and evaluation. He’s like the guy in your fantasy football league who overdrafts players in the first 3 rounds (is the laughing stock), finishes the draft respectively and has hit on enough picks to compete…but never win. Sure, that guy knows football, he just doesn’t know winning football. And though the season isn’t lost yet, the off-season certainly is.
by SKINNYPOST on Aug 1, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Now that the rules favor the Offense so much...
You can’t have all pass rush and no ability to cover. Diversity of schemes makes it easier to generate a pass rush in a variety of ways (from a variety of body-types). Great cover corners are rare and in demand more than ever. None of this was my point though. My point was, you pay the top 3 of those positions accordingly. If you can’t, then you have bigger problems than FA. And sure, you could include the top 3 Pass Rushers to this equation.
No ability to cover
isn’t the same as the difference between decent and great.
The issue is that the difference between decent and great with CBs isn’t worth the premium that the rarity of elite talent commands.
Worse, in FA you have guys who are merely decent to good, and sometimes less talented, wanting pay that is only deserved by the tier or two above them. You take a market that is already scarce, and add in the artificial scarcity of FA, and you are paying too much for that talent difference.
But I agree with you that Corners are more in demand, I just see more need to be balanced in the secondary.
Teams are putting more speed on the field, which I think means it is more important to have 3-4 decent corners than 1 elite corner, 1 decent corner, and 2 guys who are a liability — and with what the elite guys cost you can’t afford to surround them with decent talent.
The Eagles did this year, and it’s going to be painful when it comes time to re-sign all their young offensive talent. They have about a 2-3 year window to bring home the Lombardi before their team implodes.
These days they are
However it’s more like QB, Pass Rusher, LT and DB. Just need one play maker in the secondary, i.e. Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu.
sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray
I don’t know if that’s true. Nnamdi wanted a legit super bowl chance in the next 2-3 years, reading Peter King (take that as you will). Given that, I’m not sure he ever was that interested in SF.
Has he seen the Eagles trophy case?
sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray
I’m actually not in total disagreement. I do, however, think it’s telling when the player himself says, “Wow, I’m pretty surprised to be in Philadelphia!” They swooped in. He also admitted to accepting less money to play in Philadelphia, so that “$10-12 million” figure you cite is well below what we’d have had to pay.
Where I agree is that it’s terrible the team is rebuilding, and that it’s possible to put some of that on Baalke’s shoulders – though he’s not the most obvious suspect. This is, as you say, only the second year he’s had real control.
The stuff about outsmarting himself, I’m not going to touch. Armchair pseudo-psychology was not my major in college.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Aug 1, 2011 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
No psuedo-psychology
I just watched the draft.
wrecked
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
by Giant Voodoo on Aug 1, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't think we were outbid
Wasn’t Jets going to offer something around $12m per year. I think Nnamdi just decided money isn’t everything.
Money isn’t the only thing a team brings to a bid.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Aug 1, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions
I am probably upset over
losing Jonnath Joseph to Bengals. Of all the teams, he signed with Bengals.
He signed with Houston. He was a Bengal last year.
by Andrew9erfan on Aug 1, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Bengals got Clements.
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by Giant Voodoo on Aug 1, 2011 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
We should nab Osi, and move to a 43.
Wait for it, wait for it, yeah 49ers sign, an undrafted free agent, AGAIN!!
We should sign Rosie O' donell
And pioneer the 1-4-6 defense
"The past is the past. The only time I look into the rear view is for the cops and I don't speed." -Shawn Andrews
by TryAndCatchVD on Aug 1, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Refs don’t allow teams to use blimps during games.
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
by Giant Voodoo on Aug 1, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
no outside linebackers
unless we bring back Lawson. Bowman played OLB in college but then spent last year learning the Inside LB position.
Brooks and Harelson are conversion projects that still work best as defensive ends and aren’t really 4-3 OLB material.
by allforfunnplay on Aug 1, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
I am less concerned about that...
I think Aldon Smith is going to contribute immediately after watching a bunch of more stuff on him last night. And between the other guys, I feel that someone out of all those guys will step up and prove they can be a full-time starter. Fangio is a maniac and takes pride in pass rush.
Brooks
Haralson
Gibson
and a bunch of UDFA’s…
I feel confident that out of all those guys, someone will emerge and take flight under Fangio.
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I find everyone's reaction to FA so far very amusing.
The 49ers were 6-10 last season despite poor coaching. Now everyone is calling for the heads of a brand new FO when they don’t make any moves, yet they made the biggest move by bringing in a new coaching staff. The team was picked by some to reach the Super Bowl last year yet underachieved greatly.
Goldson, Spencer, Franklin and others all had worse years than the one before. That leads me to point at the coaching staff. While there is a hole at CB, there may actually be a method to their madness if they believe the players they already have fit their system better than what they had in place (Nnamdi aside). Everyone thinks they know what the FO is trying to do when no one outside the war room really knows how hard they have pursued any of the free agents.
I have little doubt that Harbaugh’s regime will be more successful than the other recent 49er coaching staffs. It is understandable to be frustrated after losing for so many years but to not even give them a chance is crazy. I’m going to hold judgment on whether this off season was a success or not until later in the season when we know what they have.
Twitter: @Joshuahss
by Joshuahss on Aug 1, 2011 9:33 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
seconded
agree on all accounts. there are valid points all around, but the last thing this team needs to do is sign big names for the sake of signing big names. let the coaching staff figure out exactly what they have, maybe “coach em up” from last year, and go from there. The NFC west is still a weak division, despite the recent “upgrades”. All we need to do is be competitive and a little lucky.
what upgrades?
what have seattle, ariz, and stl done that’s so impressive? it’s more than the niners, true, but i think nfc west is still the weakest div, and i agree the coaching could be the difference between 2-3 more wins
You're right for the most part - nothing too impressive, but
they addressed what needs they had, for the most part
Ariz: QB- Kolb may not be the answer for them, but they addressed their biggest need.
Sea: WR- Sidney Rice, will probably be a huge WR upgrade for them, but of course Tavaris Jackson probably isn’t their long term fix at QB, maybe hoping Pete Carroll can pull some magic. Losing Tatupu was big for them.
STL: WR- Mike Sims Walker, obviously their biggest hole. Stl’s strategy is probably just to build on last year, as they are trending in the right direction.
49ers: HC – Jim Harbaugh, probably our bigest need was HC.
The problem I’ve had with all of this ‘patience’ is that we are losing players that were at least competent. Baas and Spikes, in particular were not guys we were prepared to lose, and if we were- we should’ve utilized some of our many draft picks to at least pretend like we were prepared for their departures.
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
Our biggest need was more than getting a new head coach.
We have swiss cheese…scratch that… we have an abyss for a secondary.
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I agree
And despite Clements’ contract, I don’t think cutting him helps us in any way. Had we signed someone to fill that void, I may have understood.
In my comment above, I suppose it didn’t translate that I am not satisfied with what we have done – and the other teams in the division made moves, while maybe not out of this world, that make sense given the make-up of their teams.
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
mcbain seconded - so what can I do
Two objective minds(Joshuahss and mcbain) rise above the turmoil – amazing. Permit me to join you. Kawakami’s points 1-2 & 3 make the clearest sense to date of the Niner scenario. It is depressing how shaky one’s belief system can get in a climate of poor on-field product and losing for so long. It is a sad thing how desperate us fans have become for a quick fix. But hey, eight years of losing tend to do that to you. Hang on Faithful. Go Niners!
I’m not planning on sending angry letters to the front office or anything, but I’m definitely concerned that the 49ers seem set on the notion of losing defensive five starters, and really only having replacements in place for maybe two spots.
I’m cool with them not overpaying for the top free agents, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable for people to be worried until they know what the plan is supposed to be.
I'm thinking but nothing's happening.
I think that is one of the problems the fans have. We don’t know what is going on. The coach and FO don’t need to run everything by the fan base and can’t put out information that will give another team an advantage over us either. However there is no communication except the standard BS coming out to the fans and even that is few and far between. I think one of the articles in the last couple of days made this comment.
Also I don’t want this team to waste money, we don’t need to sign every top FA. Teams can not be fixed over night. However after 8 years of little improvement and fans get upset and antsy. Especially when based on all the adds/subtracts to the roster in this offseason you seem to be losing more talent then adding or creating more holes than you are plugging. Whle other teams seem to have filled more holes than they created by cuts. It feels like the gap between us and the rest of the division get bigger not smaller.
Loses (as of right now)
Nedney
Lawson
Spikes
Clement
Goldson
Franklin
Baas
Laboy
Gains
Harbaugh
Aldon Smith
David Ackers
Couple of backup LBs
Good points
Our coaching staff is gonna help the team take major strides fairly quickly, but isn’t our front office the same as its been since they took personal decisions from mike nolan, just with baalke taking over for scot McC
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions
not the same front office
if it was the same old front office…we’d be overpaying and making splashes. I actually like what Balkee has done over the last year. I think some of the lower round guys (Philip Adams comes to mind) may turn out to be solid contributors. I think the coaching change can only bring upside.
Re: “upgrades”…i put it in quotes for a reason. I think Seattle may actually be worse. I think Kolb to the cardinals will help, but their D is on the decline. I think the Rams are the main threat in the division, and their learning a new offensive system. This division is totally up for the taking.
Reason #6
‘Patience’ is the word of choice for when the Niners attempt to sign somebody but fail, or lose somebody they didn’t intend to.
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
by bonbrillio on Aug 1, 2011 9:53 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
A long season coming.
This offseason has been hard to watch. I don’t think it will compare to how hard it will be to watch the games this year. I’m preparing to see a bunch of losses. I just hope it pays off in the long run. Top 5 pick in 2012 draft here we come!
Probably
Oppo Fitzgerald, w/ a QB who can probably get him the ball – why not join a team looking to ease into the playoffs because their division opponents don’t exactly strike fear into teams.
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
And a bunch of. weak secondaries in the division.
Wait for it, wait for it, yeah 49ers sign, an undrafted free agent, AGAIN!!
Still better than the Niners
They all have at least two worthy starters. We have zero.
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Must be a cardinal fan huh by the way i hate texas
Just supporting our qb
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Such anger the lack of moves is getting to you
Ill leave you alone before you cry to Fooch or something
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Moss
His agent just tweeted that he’s decided to retire. For some reason I had a small glimmer of hope he would come to the team.
Damn out of nowhere
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 1, 2011 10:00 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Now T.O. needs to retire
I don’t like how they are slowing creeping closer and closer to Jesus Ch-Rice’s records
"The past is the past. The only time I look into the rear view is for the cops and I don't speed." -Shawn Andrews
by TryAndCatchVD on Aug 1, 2011 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Moss had played like he did at NE with the Raiders he could of been close
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 1, 2011 10:03 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
it's not patience, that's the ruse
it’s the Yorks trying to MAKE DAT MONEY
they don’t give a crap about winning, please, it’s all business and bottom line
Trade Sabean/jk...Overthrow the Ydorks...
by Regulus on Aug 1, 2011 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
That's funny.
All I see are a bunch of fans who have no idea what “patience” means.
I hope most of the fans who consistently whine on here don’t even show up on NN during the season.
"Bears are crazy, Willie. They'll bite your head off if you're wearing steak on it."
by Blank x2 on Aug 1, 2011 10:15 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Patience means wait for next year...
….and next….and next…. and next…. and then hey! We’ll be looking at another head coach because the FO wanted him to be patient to bring in free agents.
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they're welcome to show up
All opinions are welcome. You can pick and choose who you respond to.
by David Fucillo on Aug 1, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Go Niners
Just hope for the best. The sun shines on a dogs ass sometimes
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 10:02 AM PDT reply actions
That is a distrubing analogy
Why are you even thinking about dog’s asses?
Building for 2012, or not...
We still need cornerbacks in 2011… even if for 2012. Continuity is important in all facets.
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Agreed Drew
We need DBs like a fish needs water
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 10:08 AM PDT reply actions
When you are looking for 9 starters on defense in a shortened offseason, that doesn’t bode well for anyone. Fangio is going to be put in a position where he is going to be slammed left and right by the fanbase… I just hope everyone remembers why the defense is going to be less than average.
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Heh
I love how the Jets Network on my television, formerly NFL Network, is taking a second in its Jets coverage to talk about Randy Moss retiring.
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
I hate it.... None of the West-Coast teams get any love ever.
Who cares that Moss retired? It’s really not that big a deal. Players do that when they get old. Report it and move on to something else… preferably some West-Coast stuff.
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Balance
all I want is balance. All I have seen on it is half of Rex Ryan (I don’t have a widescreen) talking about how great his team is and how he didn’t get every FA he wanted (cry me a river)), cut to Mark Sanchez talking to Burress, cut to old interview with Burress about coming to the Jets.
No West coast training camps or interviews or anything.
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
by Giant Voodoo on Aug 1, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I know.
Drives me nuts… they never cut to a Seahawks, Cards, Chargers, Raiders, 49ers camps rarely ever.
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Not a big deal that Moss retired?
The guy is one of the greatest receivers to play and is going to e a hall of famer. That’s a pretty big deal if you ask me.
I guess it's really a matter of opinion, isn't it?
I mean, he’s a sure-fire hall of famer who hasn’t retired 5 times before. He’s only 34 and could still be productive for a few more years… This might not be Barry-Sanders-is-retiring big, but it’s not Joe-Nedney-is-retiring unimportant either.
I'm thinking but nothing's happening.
Sorry Fooch and MrG80
No disrespect to neither of you specially sorry to Fooch for disrespecting NN wont happen again
by yearofthearmadillo on Aug 1, 2011 10:23 AM PDT reply actions
lets get real
I understand why the FO might be gunshy, and why good players would he hesitant to come here, especially veterans, but as far as the cb position goes, this has been a glaring need for a while now. Over the last 3 years they have had a top 10 rush d, and a bottom 10 pass d. Forget free agency, they haven’t even drafted a corner higher than the 3rd round in the last 3 years. What is see is a FO that got some talent, but hired mediocre coaches in nolan and singletary and now that they have a good coaching prospect, the talent is degrading. Great teams have both great players and coaches.
by BY97ismyhero on Aug 1, 2011 10:26 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Bogan says he's having an MRI this morning.
"I may be an idiot, but one thing I'm not sir, is an idiot." - Peter Griffin
I'll believe it when I see it.
I hate to sound pessimistic but it’s really tough right now to think positively about a “potential” signing.
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Or this is just another attempt to pacify the fan base...
“We tried”
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by Drew Kerr on Aug 1, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
And now we'd have to pay a premium, and overpay Rogers due to the decrease in supply of other CBs
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
If we don't get him, and they are still (honestly) looking for a corner
They will be forced in to a trade market. If that happens, I will know for sure that Baalke is not a good GM.
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You mean we need a fat, rolly polly GM ?
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Good article by Kawakimi
At least he tried to present possible reasons for why HarBaalke are proceeding so cautiously through this admittedly weird post-lockout free agency period. I found his take more analytical than Ann Killion’s doom and gloom piece on CSNBayArea.com.
I thought it was especially interesting a couple days ago when Harbaugh stated that 3/4ths of the teams in the league are taking the cautious approach. Think about it…how many teams have been in the spotlight signing big names? The Jets, Patriots, Cardinals by my count. There have been a couple other teams that have made a signing here or there, but by and large, the league has seemed cautious as teams slowly pick off players from the market one by one.
I’ll bet the team really wants Goldson back, and they might luck into bringing Franklin and Lawson both back. From there they may sign one or two mid-tier CBs and another center. Not splashy, but it would improve the team
Jim Harbaugh doesn't just WANT winners, he MAKES them!
3/4th of the league comment is a bit misleading
Have teams over the cap who have to cut players instead of sign them.
Have established good teams that are staying put.
Have bad teams that are chocked full of draft choices that are staying put.
Have teams that are well below the cap but cannot afford to spend.
I think the difference is the 49ers are one team with a lot of free agents that are getting away. Green Bay and Atlanta have managed to retain most of the their available free agents.
sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray
Good to put it in perspective
It’s the fans that need it the most. We’re fickle and impatient. Tired of cheering for a losing team? I know I am!
But hey, TK is right. There is a new coaching staff in town, and this ‘patience’ strategy shows that the org is committed to this staff. These are the coaches that will usher in the new stadium and in the upcoming FA years, these coaches will know exactly who to pay and who to baalk at.
for now, this staff has one month to get the team together and ready to play. It’s going to be a tough year, guys. Patience. And no expectations. That’s the reality of the situation we’re in.
24th in the league against the pass
And the Niners have done nothing seriously in either the draft or in the free agency market.
Our secondary should be contending for 32nd in the league this year.
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Agreed
perhaps Harbaugh is hoping for some magic within the non-vets?
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
by Giant Voodoo on Aug 1, 2011 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
He better call Criss Angel or David Blaine if he wants magic.
Magic won’t cover Larry Fitzgerald or anyone else for that matter.
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defense against the pass
If they think Aldon Smith can boost the pass rush (and McDonald as an every down back), maybe they think that can help make up the difference in their minds.
by David Fucillo on Aug 1, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
OMG!!!
Take a picture! NFLN is talking about a west-coast team… (well for 30 seconds anyway)
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I wonder how the Jets feel about that, get Rex Ryan on the line!
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved solar powered broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
by Giant Voodoo on Aug 1, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
That's why it only lasted 30 seconds...
Rexie called up and said, “What the hell is this crap?”
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the 6th reason??
Maybe it’s because the 49ers want people that want to play for them and they want to build a solid team from the ground up for the long haul. When it was time for them to make moves, they did with Harbaugh, so getting high-priced free agents obviously is not what the niners want to do right now. They got a great team and a team to build on, so if a player wants to go somewhere else for more money, or to play in a different market, then let em! The guys that are here, want to be here, and hopefully the pre-madonna’s with big contract’s get weeded out, and solid players with heart get the starting job’s because this is a team, not a bunch of hired guns!
Building a DYNASTY takes patience ...
Our history has always been – Great Drafts. Great player development. Timely Free Agent signings.
While some of these teams are going all in on Free Agents – our brain-trust has chose the route of prudency. We will build the team for the long run – not for this season, but for the next 10 years.
Just like we've been building for the past 10?
God. I sure hope so… now I am excited!
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Are Free Agents always necessary?
Very interesting statistics regarding the 1981 niners:
17 Rookies, including three starting rookie DBs
Team average experience: 2.6 years.
Getting big name Free Agents may be beneficial, but in 1981 it was not essential.
Coaching, Coaching, and more Coaching!!!!
Hopefully, JH almost = BW.
including three starting rookie DBs
Ronnie Lott – 1st Round
Eric Wright – 2nd Round
Carlton Williamson – 3rd Round
The Niners did not do that… it is totally different. Completely new circumstances. Culliver in the 3rd does not compare to that situation.
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Yes, that was a fantastic move
I think it was a lot like the RT / LG first round draft we did last year. Unfortunately, we haven’t made the other moves required to move up as a team this year.
by asmithisaverage on Aug 1, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Eazy does it!
RIP
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
by bonbrillio on Aug 1, 2011 2:44 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
No, the other one.
He’s 52 of course — but maybe he can still make the fans happy.
If it’s ok to pay 12 million to a 30 year old CB, maybe it’s ok to pay 1 million to a 50 year old one. =P
Also
but in 1981 it was not essential Key point (1981). Today’s league is different.
“Hopefully, JH almost = BW” JH… He needs to carve out his own legacy. Anyone who tries to replicate rarely succeeds.
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@MaioccoCSN
Matt Maiocco
The 49ers agree to terms free-agent safety Madieu Williams, source says.
Ready For #6
How to waste money in free agency
Brandon Jones, come on down!
sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray
Certainly don't buy the "Think the team is talented enough" scenario
Otherwise they wouldn’t be letting half the starting D walk
Another version of Reason #6 ...
1. No top-tier free agent will entertain the idea of joining the Niners … no opportunity to win a ring anytime soon.
2. Possible to attract second-tier free agents only by grossly overpaying … they’ll take the money now and get the ring later.
3. There is no spending minimum this year … hey, I see an opportunity here!
4. We’ll release large contract guys, not resign guys who will require bigger contracts … saving still more money.
5. We’ll simply pocket the cash! Yeah, but we won’t be able to compete, Harbaugh will be pissed that he doesn’t have a decent group to coach, and the fans will be in an uproar.
6. Screw Harbaugh … we have him signed for 5 years. He won’t walk in his first year anyway.
7. Screw the fans … we signed Harbaugh and his crew. That should placate the fans for a while.
8. Now, Trent … you’re going to have to be the fall guy for this strategy … you take the brunt of Harbaugh’s and the fan’s ire … that’s what you get paid for!
9. Oh boy, how am I going to explain this one? I got it … we’ll use the old “patience” explanation!
10. This is going to be painful … I wonder if I could renegotiate my contract and get some of that cash before I become a free agent?
by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 1, 2011 1:30 PM PDT reply actions
He didn't mean "patience"
He meant patients. Balke and the rest of the FO have given up taking their meds and boy is our secondary going to get torched.
Ground Hogs Day ~ The Sequel ~ The Nightmare Goes On And On And...
There goes Cromartie!!!!
We need Carlos Roger now. And get Brent Grimes now. At least we wont get torched that bad. lol
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