So I know a couple people have commented on how little Manny has seen the field due to the number of nickel and dime packages we've run out there and Fooch alluded to it in his most recent main post.  But why haven't we heard of Lawson playing any DE in these nickel and dime scenarios?  He's a bit light, but I'd think he could be a very good speed rusher still and its where he played full time in college after all.  Would he be too small to be effectiveon the line for even a couple downs in those situations?  I'm curious to hear what others think about this.  I feel like we may be wasting one of our most talented and athletic players and potentially our best pass rusher, despite the fact that we dont have that many super athletes our natural pass rushers to begin with.  I'm pleased with what Haralson, Smith and Green have shown, and the pass rush seems much improved regardless.

Ok so its a little bit knee jerk to completely give up on this season after one game, buuut...  It does look very unlikely that Nolan or Smith will be back with the team and as mentioned in another post Martz and JT are both likely to leave whether they perform well or poorly.  It seems the team will probably have a dramatically new look one year from now?  So who should be the team's starting QB?

The candidates-

Category 1-guys we already have-JT has played only one game and minus all the fumbles he didnt look too terrible, but he has limited upside and who knows if he could have any form of success without Martz.  Shaun Hill seems to be a bit of the same story, he's looked good in limited action but has very limited upside, and serious questions linger about his ability to throw beyond 10 yards.  The case can easily be made that Smith hasnt gotten a fair shake in his time here (4 coordinators, no talent, thrust into a bad situation,  Nolan hates him, blah, blah, blah, we all know the story)

Category 2-young vets from another team-Brady Quinn is too pricey to remain a backup for much longer so another good year from Anderson could force the Browns to start talking trade.  John Beck seems to be the odd man out in Miami already.  With Arizona looking like the early favorites for the NFC West its easy to envision Leinart growing unhappy as he slips farther and farther away from the starting job.  Who knows, maybe Vince Young decides the Titans or Jeff Fischer are the problem and what he really needs is a fresh start.  Most of these are unlikely scenarios but its looks like there will be at least one or two young QBs on the trade/FA market this offseason.  I dont really know what older vets will be available on the FA market (I think Kyle Boller?) and doubt the niners would decide to go that route anyway.

Category 3-the draft-Its way too early to even begin speculating on specific names  (not that its not too early to begin this entire conversation anyway)  and drafting QB's hasnt gone so well for this organization lately.

Category 4-Convicts-Mike Vick-yea its a joke.....sort of.  Its about as likely as my last post idea:Usain Bolt at wideout.  I know Vick is very unlikely to play next year, but he is set to be released in July at the latest and Goodell did show a little lieniency to PacMan.  Vick grew up a Niner fan and worked with Steve Young a little early in his career.  Hey, crazier things have happened. 

So despite Josh Morgan's impressive play in the preseason I remain convinced the Niners are still desperately lacking a receiver  with the potential to be a legit #1 guy.  There doesnt seem to be much hope for improvement in this area either, unless we throw mega bucks at Roy Williams in the offseason or are able to draft someone like Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree.  It may be a bit outlandish as he has no football experience but why not save most of that money and the draft pick and see if world record sprinter Usein Bolt has any interest in playing wideout?  He obviously has the speed, and unlike other sprinter turned WR projects he has the size as well, standing 6'5".  It might be a little late to bring him into camp now, but bring him in and let him spend a year on the practice squad learning to run routes and catch balls.

EDITOR'S NOTE 6:25PM: So how about it folks?  Should the 49ers make a play for Steve Smith?  There are no rumors mentioning the 49ers, but it's still something interesting to consider.  Smith is 29 and certainly as explosive a receiver as most anybody out there.  He's had two ugly fights and now faces a team-imposed two game suspension.  At the same time he would immediately upgrade the offense.  No matter what you think about Alex Smith, Shaun Hill or J.T. O'Sullivan, any of them could get the ball to a guy like Smith.  So would you do it and if so, what would you give up?

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http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Are-the-Panthers-considering-trading-Steve-Smith?urn=nfl,98454

If the Panthers really are considering dealing Smith (doubtful) I would hope the Niners would be extremely involved in the discussions.  Smith comes with considerable baggage and is likely approaching the downside of his career, but I cant think of many guys who would be a better fit for Martz's system or who could single handedly make the offense as dynamic as Smith would.  Thoughts?  Would it be worth a 1st round pick and Jason Hill perhaps?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3497625

Looks like Daniel Snyder is up to his old tricks aquiring another big name, big money veteran.  I'm surprised the Dolphins gave in and didnt get a 1st round pick for the former defensive player of the year.  I'm also surprised the Redskins felt like the Phillip Daniels injury would leave that big of a void.  Interesting deal, apparently Snyder and the Skins think they can contend with the Giants and Cowboys in the NFC East.  This trade shouldnt have any real impact on the Niners as they probably werent ever serious contenders for Taylor but at least we will probably get to see Tony Romo take a couple extra big hits this season.

I know its pretty far fetched, but ESPN did list the Niners in the "other possible options" category for teams Favre might join if he is indeed released by the Pack.  Its almost totally unrealistic, but isnt this something that should at least be discussed here?  So, assuming he is released in the next couple days would you encourage the Niners to take a look at him? I know it could just further impede the development of Smith or Hill, but I'm not a big fan of either anyway so I vote yes.  For pure entertainment purposes it might not get much better than watching one of the NFL's ultimate gunslingers team up with one of its most creative offensive minds for one year.  I dont know if we become actual contenders, but it would sure make every game more watchable, and we could sure use the exposure and excitement.  I know it will never happen, but I felt like someone had to bring it up.

   I'd love to land Brand, Marion, AK47, Artest or Josh Smith.  But landing one of those guys without parting with Baron, Monta or Biedrins is unlikely, so how about this idea?  Warriors get David Lee, Jared Jeffries and Jerome James.  Knicks get partial TPE and Al Harrington.  It would have to be made in 2 seperate deals because the TPE cant be combined with players. 

   Donnie Walsh gets to make an immediate impact by dumping two bad contracts.  Al's contract is also bad, but its shorter, he's a much better player than Jeffries or James and the knicks would also get a TPE to work with in future deals that are sure to come. 

  The Warriors get a great young rebounder in Lee who is athletic enough to play in their system and in the future he could play next to Wright and AB in the frontcourt.  Jerome James is a terrible contract and I would suggest buying him out immediately after the trade, but taking him on would be a huge reason for the Knicks to make the trade.  Jeffries is also a bad contract but he has the length, versatility,  shooting ability and athleticism to really excel in this system.  I think he could be a major contributor of the bench and replace pietrus/barnes.  

  If Baron returns, AB is signed to a reasonable extension, and Monta is locked up the warriors would probably then have just enough room under the cap to bring back buike.  If the MLE was used on a backup pg for baron like Duhon I think theyd have a very good roster.

pg-Baron/Duhon/CJ Watson?

sg-Monta/Buike/Bellinelli

sf-Jack/Jeffries

pf-Lee/Wright

c-Biedrins/Kosta

Add to that a rookie big man and a rookie swingman. 1st rounders like-DeAndre Jordan, Hasheem Thabeet, Tyler Hansborough, Brandon Rush and Chris Douglas Roberts and 2nd rounders like-Bill Walker, Joey Dorsey, Serge Ibaka, and DeVon Hardin could all be good fits here.

I know, I know, most of you are tired of trade speculation and this is a name that has been kicked around quite a bit.  Buuuuut, I'm curious why there isn't more general excitement over a first baseman who plays great d, and can get on base with the best of 'em.  Johnson seems to be the odd man out in D.C. due to Bowden's man crush on "character guy" Dmitri Young. Washington needs pitching....we have pitching and need a corner infielder, or two, or three, or four.  (and another cf) Mostly, I wanted to get the thoughts of  Baron, Grant, Goofus or some of the other guys who have been around here longer and generally have interesting insight, but let loose with more Johnson jokes if you must.  

mlbtraderumors.com is reporting the angels and chisox are discussing a konerko deal now that the sox have landed swisher.  i dont know if we can match the angels offer (names being mentioned include figgins, kendrick, santana) but i sure hope sabean is kicking the tires on konerko.  (sanchez/lowry+roberts/winn+sosa/other prospect?)

apparently even the niners move faster than the giants.  didnt sabean notice chris weinke is 37 and has outfield experience?