Yesterday, I forced our Seattle Seahawks blogger, Danny Kelly, who is on the West Newsdesk, to write complimentary things about San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. It's one of the perks of being editor and having another site's editor be on the newsdesk - I can give them the most 49ers-friendly assignments and bask in the fact that writing nice things about Harbaugh probably makes them want to vomit.

The assignment was to write a quick commentary about a recent article on the National Football Post (our good friends), in which they ranked the NFL's head coaches power rankings style. The power rankings have the aforementioned Harbaugh at No. 5 - the fifth best coach in the NFL. What's a little crazy is the guys above him: Bill Bellichik, Mike McCarthy, Tom Coughlin and ... wait for it ... Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz.

I don't get the "done so much with so little" talk regarding Schwartz, whose team has had how many early first-round picks over the last few years? At any rate, I just don't see it - I think there's a lot of questionable positioning on the list all-around, really.

Including the positioning of Harbaugh. Is that weird? I just don't see how a guy with one season can be the fifth-best coach in the NFL. I also don't see guys like Jeff Fisher are ineligible - he's not exactly an unknown commodity. But yeah, at the very least, this is a good topic of discussion and I'm interested to know a couple things. Jim Schwartz at No. 1 - LOL or LOL? And also, can you put Harbaugh in the top five after only one season?

The 49ers were in desperate need of wide receiver help, and it became very clear as the 2011 season progressed and the corps was depleted. In the NFC Championship game, only one catch was made by a 49er wide receiver. In free agency, San Francisco added wide outs Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.

Moss was signed to a one-year, incentive-laden deal to play with the Niners in 2012. The big thing about Moss is it's hard to tell which player you're getting with him. He can be a gamechanger at will, but could also just quit on a whim. With Jim Harbaugh being the motivator he is, the defense giving Moss multiple opportunities and the 49ers being a top contender, I believe Moss will show up big.

Continue reading this post »

It's been reported that the 49ers will host former Ravens and Rams offensive lineman Jason Brown this weekend. Brown, 28, will be one of the handful of offensive linemen San Francisco has brought in for a visit. The Niners missed on Geoff Schwartz who signed with the Vikings, and look to be passing on Leonard Davis and Deuce Lutui.

Brown was originally signed by the Rams to a five-year, $37.5 million contract, but for whatever reasons, his career fizzled there.

However, I believe the 49ers should make a move to make sure Brown takes a deal with the Niners.

Continue reading this post »

A surprising number of 49ers fans weren't excited to hear that their team had signed former New York Giant running back Brandon Jacobs. It was either because of him being an alleged headcase or the fact that he is almost 30-years-old, or even the fact that he's an ex-Giant. The reasons ranged far and wide, but as the optimist here, I'd like to discuss some reasons on why this might be a good thing.

1. One-Year Deal

Above all, 49ers faithful can exhale -- Jacobs is only signed on for one year. Like Randy Moss' deal, this is likely not a bank breaking deal and the 49ers should be able to cut ties anytime if need be. And with these new short term contract additions, San Francisco could be gearing up for a serious charge at the Lombardi Trophy in 2012.

2. Adds Competition

I really like Anthony "Boobie" Dixon, and believe he's been a great locker room guy, a great team guy and a hard worker. However, there were points during the season where the run game just looked lifeless, and it would've been great if he had the thunder to spark it. I think Jacobs does.

When Frank Gore was tired, and it was a third and short situation that didn't call for a change of pace back like Kendall Hunter, Dixon wasn't really Mr. Reliable. And San Francisco let go of Blake Costanzo who did even more for the 49ers, so I could see them being harsher on Dixon when re-evaluating the team.

Continue reading this post »

A lot of 49ers fans were a little frustrated this morning, including myself. Many NFL commentators like Chris Mortensen, Steve Young and even Deion Sanders brought up the immense talent already in the Bay Area, and were more or less dumbfounded by Peyton Manning's decision. But from the get-go, I didn't believe the 49ers would go after Manning unprotected.

They knew the implications if they missed on Manning, and those presumable consequences have become reality. Alex Smith is the next quarterback to make his choice of teams, as he decides between a rebuilding process with the Miami Dolphins or swallowing his pride and returning to the 49ers.

Smith has to know that his best option to perform well individually and have success as a team is in San Francisco. In that respect, Miami isn't even close to the 49ers. Smith had a breakout season with Jim Harbaugh but now feels like his efforts didn't matter after the season came to a close. Smith needs to understand this is a business, and emotion needs to be taken out of it. Take a look at Drew Brees' situation right now with the Saints.

With that said, the best business decision for Smith would be to sign the deal that is currently on the table and play well enough to earn that payday he so desires.

Manning going to the Broncos also might've been a blessing in disguise as the 49ers still have needs elsewhere and hardly enough cap to situate it all. The 49ers desperately need a right guard that can come in and start from day one, and I believe Geoff Schwartz, the former Carolina Panther and longtime 49er fan will ink a deal with San Francisco. The 49ers also could still use some wide receivers, which I believe will get settled in April.

The 49ers also need to take care of their draft picks and just completely kill the draft again like they did last year. The 49ers will add more 'gold star' guys this month and especially next. San Francisco can get back to their regular way of doing things. They reportedly held a impromptu pro day for players to come in and work out for them, and will look to get depth.

I fully trust the 49ers organization as long as it's run by Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke, so Manning or no Manning, San Francisco will be fine.

Follow me on Twitter: @DeSimone80

After signing Randy Moss and Perrish Cox, the 49ers have been relatively quiet. They've been rumored to bring in guys, but no serious outside acquisitions have been made, just departures. The 49ers have been linked to numerous guys, particularly at the offensive line and wide receiver positions. At this point, we've only been able to come away with the implication that they would sign guys at each position of need.

Former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, and former Pro Bowler Leonard Davis have been reportedly in some sort of talks with the San Francisco front office, but no signings have been made. With the departure of Adam Snyder to division rival Arizona Cardinals, and the willing release of Chilo Rachal, the 49ers left us with the implication that they would get two new offensive linemen.

Unquestioned fan favorite Joshua Morgan was allowed to walk, and found a home with the Washington Redskins, who have been busybodies this offseason. And Ted Ginn is taking meetings, reportedly linked to the Detroit Lions. With only Kyle Williams, Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss, the 49ers receiving corps is certainly not done being addressed. Once again, we are left with the implication, but no action -- yet.

Continue reading this post »

Quite a frenzy of offseason activity as the free agency kicked off yesterday at 1pm PT. Headlines related to the 49ers were centralized around the departure of fan favorite Joshua Morgan for the Washington Redskins. San Francisco also signed former Denver cornerback Perrish Cox, and re-signed Carlos Rogers after they were reportedly interested in either Brandon Carr or Eric Wright.Unfortunately, the 49ers decided to part ways with Blake Costanzo.

After the first rush ended a few hours after free agency began, meetings were being set up and interest was being shown. The fact that the 49ers let Morgan walk and the following tweet had got me thinking; maybe the 49ers haven't shown their hand yet.

Randy Moss deal - 1yr, $1.75M in salary, $46,875 per game roster bonuses (max $750K), $1.5M in PT/rec/pro bowl incentives. No guar $

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 13, 2012

Continue reading this post »

And in a breaking development, the 49ers have come to reportedly reached an agreement with Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers on a deal that averages $7.3M per year. This move would mean the 49ers were somehow able to retain all eleven starters from last years defense, which is arguably the smartest thing they could have done.

RT @JasonColeYahoo CB Carlos Rogers about to re-sign with SF. Deal will avg about $7.3 mill per yea.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) March 14, 2012

The defense was clearly the strength of the team, and to have them all returning would allow the 49ers to have some continuity; something they always seemed to elude them in previous years. Not all the details are in, but it's as official as anything else that broke today.

Rogers had a career-best 6 interceptions as he basically had a rebirth under Jim Harbaugh and the Vic Fangio run defense, led by All-Pro Patrick Willis. It is a surprising development, seeing as how the 49ers brought in former Denver Bronco cornerback Perrish Cox on a two-year deal and were reportedly interested in Brandon Carr and Eric Wright.

A lot of fans will be thrilled with the signing because Rogers basically played like a kid again, as if his career had new life, even at age 31. Many critics out there would question the Niners bringing in a cornerback on the wrong side of 30, but his veteran presence is something the 49ers wouldn't have had with the cornerbacks if they let him walk.

Follow me on Twitter: @DeSimone80