OK, that hurt. Now to the question of who needs to stay/go...

by MomoR on Jan 23, 2012 9:02 PM PST

I'm still in a bit of shock, I suppose. I expected good this year. I hope every year, against hope, for a return to the glory days where not reaching the Super Bowl was a failure. But I knew, realistically, that Alex was still the QB (read--capable but not going to become Brady/Brees class anytime soon), and given the culture of losing over the past decade, the latest in a long line of coaching turnovers, and some of the youth on the squad, we'd get to 10-6 at best (I still recall going through the schedule and saying "Nope" to the Eagles game, Steelers, etc.), win the weak division, and be one-and-done in the playoffs. To see things start to gel, though...to see Alex and VD team up to win that game against the ~~Brees~~ Saints, and the media coverage start to get positive, to hear the crowd at the Stick get as loud and proud as it used to be every year when I was a kid (growing up in Joe Cool's heyday, I was spoiled), only to get it ripped away by a couple of mistakes...ouch. I can't even blame Kyle Williams, or the non-fumble call on the Giants, or even the weather. I just didn't think they'd lose after that last win. I felt like this game was just a formality, and was waiting for Eli to throw the big interception to lose it. But it was not to be. Oh well, it was one hell of a run. Which brings us to next year...

There's a solid core in place, but some major needs as well. The speculation is going to be rife (my personal fave: one of my friends, who's a Lions fan, asked me if Harbaugh would push for Andrew Luck, and if the 49ers would be willing to give up Patrick Willis to do so. I don't think you gamble one of your defensive cornerstones to get a draft pick, no matter how great he "could be.") We all know wide receiver is a major need. Corner and Safety could use some reinforcement. I'm thinking a decent project RB, too, since Gore is approaching that "tricky" age for RB's, and Hunter is good but may not be quite at the breakout point. Some D and O-Line reinforcement will definitely be needed in the draft. And it looks like Alex will be the QB yet again, since he has earned it this year--while I'm not willing to proclaim him "elite" yet, I'm also fine with him playing given both this year's results and the lack of likely trade or free agent options.

Without going into the usual "trade for Peyton Manning/Calvin Johnson/insert great player here" notions (unrealistic much?), I thought I'd address who I'd like to see go/stay. I'm not going to address the whole team, or guys like VD who obviously should stay, just the ones perceived through chatter to be in danger.

Ginn--Go. Talented, but he's injured all the time. One good hit on a punt return and he's toast. Get someone less fragile. Better offense will negate the loss to special teams.

Williams--I say stay. He's young, talented, and could grow into something great. Keep him as a third reciever and bring him along slowly. Even put him on the practice squad if need be. He'll redeem himself in time.

Walker--Go. Great player, good target, but he's probably worth more on the trade block than he'll produce next year, and I feel like he's at that "what he's going to be" point.

Crabtree--Go. Quickly. He should have put it together by now, especially with Alex looking for him all the time and his skills. One breakout game a year is not what the faithful expected when he first was signed. One catch for three yards in the year's most important game says it all.

Dixon--Go. Those 2 yd runs don't make me think he'll ever be a real threat, I'm soundly unimpressed.

Rogers--Stay. Great season and wants to help create a winning culture, even willing to take less than a max deal to stay. You keep guys like that.

Morgan--Undecided, but I'm leaning towards him being worth more on the trade block than his likely production next year.

Those are my knee-jerk reactions. Anyone else have some, or disagree with my assessments?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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We definitely need to keep Crabtree. We are now a championship caliber team, meaning we expect superbowls at this point. The chances of landing a WR in the draft who NEXT YEAR could produce 72 catches and 874 yards is highly unlikely, saying the only two players who had that production came as top 6 picks. Even with a productive rookie receiver, Crabtree definitely needs to be a part of this offense for next year.

by milesf on Jan 23, 2012 9:14 PM PST reply actions

I think we keep all of them

After last night do you really want to get rid of Ginn? Just dont let him play offense as much

Kyle Williams- Take Ginns spot on offense. Great hands and speed. Still young

Walker- He could be a stud. Hes a great player. Good blocker and the double threat is important look at NE.

Crabtree- He had a crap post season but he really came on at the end of the year. Im excited to see what he can do with a full offseason and camp with Harbaugh and Alex

Dixon- Great special teams player and energy guy. Do need another RB though for when Gore is done in a year or 2.

Rogers- NUMBER 1 PRIORITY!!

Morgan- Seemed poised for a breakout season. And do we really need to get rid of our receivers? Look at how depleted they were at the end of the year. Hes the only one I say “go” on if we draft someone like Jeffery in the first round or Sanu.

I know we cant keep everyone. If people are going to leave I say maybe Grant. He earned a starting job.

Follow @cbush927

by Collin B on Jan 23, 2012 9:21 PM PST reply actions

Totally disagree!

Continuity in the NFL is everything ! We have about 45 million to play with for free agents next year, so you resign everyone you can (except Chilo,Moran, and release Spenser) sign rodgers,Snyder,Costanzo,and Alex Smith to 3 year deals. If Gholdston wont take a 3 year deal for 16 million franchise him and pay 6 million for a year.Brooks is a tough decision- resign him if he will take less, and resign Morgan cause he will be cheap and hes a baller. Only thing we really need outside in free agency is Bowe or Jackson. GArcon might be a fit and cheaper. Need a big fast receiver that can beat press coverage.

by dglove49 on Jan 23, 2012 10:43 PM PST reply actions

Everyone earned aspot next year

Release FB Norris, CB Spencer if he is truly done which seems to be obvious, Chilo Rachal, Justin Peele, Byham will be healthy. Hastings back to PS. Release DE Tufu, We should be able yo make all the resigns happen. FA/draft we should be BOLD. Not CONSERVATIVE. I think Mohammed Sanu is a 49er type of player. I casee Crabz,Morgan, and Sanu being dangerous in Sept.

by STELF BOMBZ on Jan 24, 2012 3:04 AM PST reply actions

Keep Smith, and Josh Morgan on offense. On defense Goldson, Rogers, Grant, Brock. On special teams Castanzo, Spillman. I’m only talking about soon to be free agents.

by bmcrae83@yahoo.com on Jan 24, 2012 3:29 AM PST reply actions

Ginn Go & Williams stay ... O " boy " ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Jan 24, 2012 8:23 AM PST reply actions

you left out: alex smith- go

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 24, 2012 9:34 AM PST reply actions

Keep Crabs? Keep them all? Really?

I agree this draft and trade/FA season needs to be as bold as possible. Next year should be our year to take the trophy, so it’s time to prune the tree of dead weight, in order to allow it to grow taller and fuller next season.

I say that Crabtree only plays well when there’s nothing on the line. Look at the game logs, his general trend is to have his “breakout games” when the opponent is substandard, but in bigger games he disappears. He’d be worth far more as trade fodder to some team who sees his potential than he is right now. And Walker/Morgan seem to have peaked. Dixon is just a 3rd-string guy who will probably get cut this year or next anyway if he isn’t traded. I agree to dump Spencer and Norris.

And actually, I mentioned that Alex has earned the right to stay. Not that he shouldn’t have competition on the roster, but he still did earn a new contract.

Sometimes, when I start to feel sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.

by MomoR on Jan 24, 2012 9:36 AM PST reply actions

Disagree with almost all of these.

Ginn – You really want Ginn to go? He is not injured all the time or fragile. He’s taken some real big hits and I’ve seen him get right back up.
Kyle – I want him to stay. Like I’ve been saying since we drafted him, he has a lot of potential and can be a real explosive playmaker for us. (Btw, he isn’t practice squad eligible.)

Walker – Really? First off, he’s not a free agent so he’s not going anywhere. He’s a mismatch for defenders because of his speed(WR in college) and he’s pretty good in blocking. He will not be going anywhere.

Crab – I didn’t know 70 catches and 800 yards = 1 good game a year. He really got it together over the course of the regular season. Don’t know what happened in the playoffs. He should not go.

Dixon – He’s going to have to earn his job next year. But he is a good goal line back.

Rogers – Obviously resign.

Morgan – Resign. He’ll be back. He wants to be back and Harbaugh wants him back. He’s also a pretty good #2.

"It might be time to give Alex some credit, huh?" - Harbaugh

Follow @michaelsp310

by mikeinsp on Jan 24, 2012 2:34 PM PST reply actions

Crabs Game logs

Crabtree had 5 games over 70 yds this year (copied his yardage below for those who seem to think his final numbers are indicative of regular dominance. They clearly show he’s not, only good in flashes, no real consistency. Of those, only one (Detroit) was a winning team. He can torch weak defenses, but not good ones. To be a great receiver, he has to be able to torch good corners. Even in the Tampa rout, he had a 36 yd game. In a slaughter like that, he should have topped 100 without breaking a sweat. He also had four TD’s this year (4!), three of which were against the lowly Rams—not exactly making opposing defenses fear him in the red zone. My point is that he’s not elite and at this point probably not going to be. He’s worth far more as trade bait than he is now to this team. He’d probably reap a good piece or two and a higher draft pick on the market for some receiver-hungry team dying to tap his “potential.” Never mind his expensive contract, or diva tendencies. We don’t need VD kicking his posterior again because he’s too busy being a jerk.
SEA 1 4
CIN 3 24
PHI 5 68
TB 2 36
DET 9 77
CLE 5 54
WSH 5 51
NYG 1 21
ARI 7 120
BAL 6 54
STL 4 96
ARI 7 63
PIT 4 35
SEA 5 85
STL 8 86

Sometimes, when I start to feel sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.

by MomoR on Jan 24, 2012 10:00 PM PST reply actions