WHITE SMOKE: Clements & Lewis signed by 49ers

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 4:36 PM PST Comment 37 comments

[EDITOR'S NOTE] - Midnight - Obviously there's been plenty happening to discuss in deep depth. I'll be working until 4pm and will get a post up Saturday after work. If anything happens, feel free to continue using this as a free agent thread. We'll see if Franklin or Spragan get signed and if any receivers visit 49ers headquarters.

[EDITOR'S NOTE] - What ledge was I talking about earlier? Apparently it's run across the NFL Network ticket that we've signed Nate Clements and Michael Lewis. I'm working late and won't have time for a full post until this weekend probably, but I'll pull up nostocksjustbonds post. White Smoke indeed my friends. GAME ON!

According to Matt Maiocco -----

4:24 p.m.: CORNERBACK NATE CLEMENTS AND SAFETY MICHAEL LEWIS HAVE SIGNED WITH THE 49ERS.

FOOCH Addition: Some links mentioning it: Maiocco's blog ---- 49ers Web Zone

[EDITOR'S UPDATE 5:25pm] - Indeed it is official over at sf49ers.com. Mike Nolan is definitely excited to be adding two defensive starters. As I said, I'll have more this weekend on this exciting development for the Faithful!

[EDITOR'S NOTE 6:15PM] - It appears Adalius Thomas is off the market and preliminarily a New England Patriot. TBD on the numbers but it's gotta be close to Clements deal. That stinks, but if we can grab a second-tier linebacker I'd be happy considering we've rebuilt half our secondary. I still want Jay Moore in the 2nd round to convert from DE to OLB!

[EDITOR'S NOTE 6:35PM] - Brief Sacramento bee article about the signings. A few extra details, but nothing on the Lewis contract yet. Since there will be plenty of stories tomorrow about the signings I'll work on putting together a post with as many of the links as I can find. I'd expect a run down of details on Clements and Lewis to be up tomorrow night or Sunday night, depending on how work goes.

[EDITOR'S UPDATE 9:20PM] - John Clayton wrapped up Day 1 of free agency over at espn.com. He's reporting we're likely to sign Aubrayo Franklin to a 3-year $6 million deal and potentially Dolphins LB Donnie Spragan. More to come.

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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Comments

comments on Matt's blog

the rumored price tag is $8M for 8 years. that's a lot.

someone else commented that Adalius Thomas was close to signing with NE for $7.5M/year. If he sees what Clements is getting here, he'll have to think twice about not signing here.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 4:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

signing bonus

I'm curious to see what the signing bonus is and how much of the 8 years 80 million is guaranteed. Wouldn't be surprise me if the signing bonus was a big chunk of that 80 million considering how easily he could get cut a few years down the road.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Millions

Oh wait, so it's rumored to be 8 years @ $8M per, or 8 years, $80 million.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry, that was a typo

it's $80M for 8 years or $10M per year...according to some of hte comments on Matt's blog.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

contract

Sounds good.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

according to 49ers Webzone

Official: Nate Clements and Michael Lewis signed
Friday, March 2, 2007 at 16:22:22 PT - Printer-friendly version
Source: 49erswebzone.com

Adam Schefter of NFL Network just reported 49ers have agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Nate Clements. The contract is said to be an 8 year deal worth $80 million with $22 million guaranteed, making Clements the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 4:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

according to Nancy Gay...

the Raiders/Garcia deal is far from done:

The Raiders negotiated for several hours with the agent for quarterback Jeff Garcia, but those talks produced nothing in the way of a contract offer.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sgreen/detail?blogid=40&entry_id=14043

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 5:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

make it official

http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=2885&section=PR%20News

"I am excited to add two defensive starters to our team," said head coach Mike Nolan. "Free agency is about adding good players with character to our team. I am confident that Nate and Michael will help make us better. Players have a choice in free agency. It is a compliment to our players and fans that Nate and Michael wanted to be with the 49ers."

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 5:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Anything new on Thomas?

There are a lot of conflicting reports on this guy. I've read that he was in Santa Clara yesterday and appeared to have a deal done (although that would be illegal). Then I read he went straight to New England and might have a deal there. Is it possible that he was here last night and went to New England to make it look legit? Excited, confused, excited confused!!!! Any word on the $'s for Lewis?

by jjham15 on Mar 2, 2007 5:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Supposedly

6 years, $7.25M

by sfgfan on Mar 2, 2007 5:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Landry

So, as mentioned on the other thread, I guess Landry is off the draft board. We could either go receiver (maybe with a trade down) or we could grab Carriker (unless Branch fell to us). Carriker could be groomed to succeed BY on the end spot.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 5:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

... that is what Nolan may have in mind. If you watch the way Nolan plans things, he always seems to make it so he's always got options. He never paints himself into a corner, in other words. So you could look at the Lewis signing as Nolan propping the "trade down" door open a bit further.

Considering how critical Nolan is of talent, it wouldn't surprise me if he would trade down if he didnt see what he wanted.

by sfgfan on Mar 2, 2007 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Answered my own question....

The Boston Herald is reporting Adalius Thomas has agreed in principle with the Pats, here is the link:
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=186089
Bummer deal if the report proves true, maybe we turn to Porter or go for a WR with the remaining cap space.

by jjham15 on Mar 2, 2007 6:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like the idea of Porter

He's got some serious heart. He could be a hell of a leader with BY.

I'm not crazy...*INSTITUTION* You're the one that's crazy...*INSTITUTION* You're driving me crazy...*INSTITUTION*

by 42Blackout on Mar 2, 2007 6:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Porter

I've heard so much good information, but also some bad and I want to get it clear before deciding. I'm definitely going to do some research into Porter this weekend.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 6:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, F*** Adalius

a-hole.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 6:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thomas

As much as I'd like to, we can't sign EVERYBODY :)

We'll find linebacker talent to pair on the outside with Manny. 2007 is going to be one hell of a fun season.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 6:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I had my hopes up

I really, really wanted us to sign Thomas, and really, really thought we would sign him. But he didn't choose to even come here, even though he apparently was scheduled to. I know we can't sign everybody, but we could have signed him and Clements. That's just the disappointment talking.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 7:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Trading picks...

the niners are going to have a glut of picks, I would prefer to package and move up instead of moving down.

by jjham15 on Mar 2, 2007 6:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling that Porter is going to....

sign with Cleavland for fat cash and try to stick it to the Steelers. Hopefully I'm wrong but we are a long way from home. I'm also a little bummed that Hackett got tendered, I think he may be worth the 2nd round pick when you look at what else is available. Maybe they would take a couple of 4th round picks for him in trade, the guys going to be a stud.

by jjham15 on Mar 2, 2007 7:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Porter

I agree. I think Cleveland or Baltimore will be the landing spot for Porter, to get some revenge on Pittsburgh twice a year.

by gatling on Mar 2, 2007 7:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you're both right

it seems like "sticking it to the Steelers twice a year" is something that would really appeal to a guy like Porter. Hell, it will probably be written into his contract.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 2, 2007 8:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Clayton Update

John Clayton is reporting we're probably gonna sign the nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin to a 3 year $6 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus.

Additionally, he thinks we'll sign Dolphins LB Donnie Spragan.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 9:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Donnie Spragan

I went to high school with Donnie Spragan (James Logan in Union City). It would be nice to see him come back home.

PT-42

by norcaldevilasu on Mar 2, 2007 9:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I went to Logan too

but I went with Roy williams. What year did you graduate?

I'm not crazy...*INSTITUTION* You're the one that's crazy...*INSTITUTION* You're driving me crazy...*INSTITUTION*

by 42Blackout on Mar 4, 2007 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Grad Year

1996. Donnie was c/o 94 or 95 I believe. I think Roy Williams was a Frosh or Soph when I was a Senior.

PT-42

by norcaldevilasu on Mar 4, 2007 8:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I graduated in '97. Lots of good talent out of Logan. Spragen, Williams, Eddie House and the Amey brothers. We weren't De La Salle, but a pretty good powerhouse school.

I'm not crazy...*INSTITUTION* You're the one that's crazy...*INSTITUTION* You're driving me crazy...*INSTITUTION*

by 42Blackout on Mar 5, 2007 11:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be even better if he was good.

6 mill for Franklin? What is going on here.

by jjham15 on Mar 2, 2007 9:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Franklin

Clayton said 3 years, $6 million with a $3 million signing bonus. I was kinda thinking it was $6million over the length and not $6M per...maybe I'm wrong.

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by Fooch on Mar 2, 2007 11:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

2 million a year for a career back-up nose tackle?

The contract seems excessive as does 10 million guaranteed for Lewis. This is a huge opportunity to set the franchise up for the next 5+ years and I hope we are making good football decisions. We still have a lot of holes to fill and a lot of draft picks to sign.

by jjham15 on Mar 3, 2007 9:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Walt Harris gets a new deal

and according to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers still have a ton of room under the cap, as Clements's deal doesn't have to count more than $5M against this year's cap.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=514187

Also, the 49ers are apparently interested in Ashley Lelie.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 3, 2007 2:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lelie

Ashely Lelie has always struck me as great potential, but under-performed. Maybe we could get production out of him. Maiocco mentioned Lelie and Joey Porter...I wouldn't mind Porter in our linebacking corp AT ALL.

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by Fooch on Mar 3, 2007 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Please. God. No.

"Also, the 49ers are apparently interested in Ashley Lelie."

That signing would be a major mistake.

"You gotta bring ass, to get ass." --EDDIE DeBARTOLO JR.

by Josh from Hollywood on Mar 3, 2007 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We need to make a play for Hackett now!

I think we can get the pass rushing LB in the draft, we need to bolster the O with a couple of WR via FA because WR take forever to groom coming out of college.

by jjham15 on Mar 3, 2007 3:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

According to ESPN.com the Franklin deal is done.

Also, Brian Gilmore re-signed which isn't a horrible thing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786610

Maybe Brandon Williams is ready to step in and be a contributor on offense.

by jjham15 on Mar 3, 2007 3:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lelie on board!

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10033511
Niners have locked up Lelie, 2 yrs. 4.3 mill (2 mill signing bonus). This is the type of deal I was hoping for; low risk, decent potential. If you want a good laugh look at the offer sheet Wes Welker signed with New England.

by jjham15 on Mar 3, 2007 4:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

he's certainly better than Bryant

though their track records are similar. You can't blame him for what he did (or didn't do) in Atlanta. That was just a messed up situation.

Remember, though, Vernon Davis will be our primary receiver.

Also, this move seems to make it more likely that we go defense at #11 in the draft and pass on Jarrett or Ginn, and address the WR situation in the later rounds as basically expected.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 3, 2007 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs