Originally posted by lamontb:
Originally posted by NinerGM:
Originally posted by lamontb:
It's a 3 day mini camp it would be a big deal if he wasn't showing up for TC. I'm not concerned at this point. I agree that the team did seem to pretty much skip over adding depth/youth to the NT, We have to wait and see what RJF can actually do.
a 3-day mini-camp with every vet in camp? and it's officially designated a "mandatory" camp? When was the last time you heard a 49er sitting out a mandatory camp outside of Crabtree? It's been a very, very long time.
There is cause for concern here especially since there is no NFL-starting caliber back-up. Jean-Francios is a PS player IMHO. I like him, I just don't think he's a starter.
WARNING WILL ROBINSON - this was the same approach we took with Marvel Smith and we convinced ourselves Snyder was actually a starter. Remember how that ended? A failed offense and 2 draft picks on the OL. Do we really need to blow up the season because we can't plan ahead a bit?
I would like to not take a NT with our 1st round pick 
That's b/c they didn't have any players worth franchising and that player trying to leverage himself for more money. This is what happens when guys step up and perform. and look at his age this is the team when guys try to get that last big contract b/c in 3 years he's not gonna get any big time money. Sadly it's part of the game. If he's still holding out come training camp then I would be more concerned. I think you getting overly concerned at this point I can't see how this resembles Marvel Smith. Smith was brought in and signed to be a starter after coming off a major injury. RJf is just taking snaps while a guy isn't in mini camp and is the back up. I agree RJf is a big question mark and I'm not sure he can get it done either but he's a back up player and won't be the starter unless there is an injury. As of right now homie the back up plan is RJF.
I agree lamb, but I don't want to wait too late into the process. For me it's about timing, for example like what San Diego is doing with the Jackson "holdout". Norv isn't waiting for TC for a receiver to become available and THEN do something about it, he's signing guys who can at least somewhat fill the role so if it does become an extended hold-out, the team isn't completely bare on receiving help. He's got someone he knows will need time to establish a rapport with the QB and can be ready game 1 regardless how the Jackson scenario plays out. Even is Jackson comes back early, great, you have another WR who's capable of contributing. It's totally win-win.
All I'm saying is that if the Niners truly want to take the next step, they have to think beyond their starters and plan for
the most probable bumps in the road. At this point, IMHO, the chances of Franklin being a holdout is high. Why?
1) Team just gave Willis a huge extension and Willis says Franklin is the best NT in football.
2) The 49ers don't honestly believe Franklin is the long term answer at NT given his age and his incomplete body of work.
3) No collective bargaining agreement in place to help stabilize the market or guarantee there will even be play next season.
4) A number of players throughout the league both restricted, under-contract and franchised that are holding out.
At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Manny Lawson held out but his absence can be absorbed by our recent depth signings of LaBoy and draft picks. Again, I just want to remind everyone we were here last year with Snyder and Marvel Smith. I said at the exact time last year that we needed depth in addition to Smith because he had yet to play a game since coming off injury or even take a practice snap. I see something similar this year although the circumstances being a little different. If we sign someone who can at least be a bit more than a PS player like RJF, I would feel a lot better. Even someone from another team who's a back-up and has had a few starts under his belt.
If it sounds like I was really burned from the whole Marvel Smith-Adam Snyder debacle, you're right I was. Why? Because the entire incident was ignored for an entire off-season and brought about the rush, last-minute, oh-my-God-we-need-to-find-someone singing of Pashos who wasn't much better (or reliable healthwise) than Snyder. If so, the team would have put a hair bit more effort into resigning him. As I re-watch the game against Indy, I'm reminded how close we were to making the play-offs if Snyder just has one decent block for the last offensive series (despite Roman's gaffe in Minnesota).
Hey folks! I really appreciate the thorough football discussion in this thread!!
[ Edited by NinerGM on Jun 16, 2010 at 13:19:42 ]
.. They need to scour the waiver wire or explore a trade for a young backup NT, or get a wiley vet-because this has the potential to get BAD!!
We have no depth. None. We are hoping that both can take Franklin's spot, but that's not going to happen unless RJF really steps up.
Maybe its a blessing that we need an NT next year because most of the 3-4 team already have signed extensions or drafted rooks. 