Darius Fleming, Trenton Robinson and Cam Johnson

Do we see them move into bigger roles for this team in 2013?

Trenton Robinson is getting a few mentions since Goldson has left but this guy was a 3rd round grade for a lot of experts that we picked up in the 6th round. He's had a year to settle in, learn the NFL and learn from Goldson, is it possible that he could be our starter at FS and Dahl was just brought in as backup in case he wasn't as good as predicted?

Fifth-round draft pick Darius Fleming suffered an ACL tear within the first 10 minutes of the team's rookie minicamp in May and was lost for the season. A lot of mocks have us taking OLB in the 4th and 5th rounds, why? We already have one he was just injured, he's been sat in classrooms all year learning game tapes and what to look for. Darius could step up and offer rotation for Brooks and Smith. He's had a year to learn game tapes, style etc

Cam Johnson 7th round pick but predicted to go between 3rd and 5th rounds. He's believed to have dropped because of a sickle cell trait which can be damaging to a player in physical exertion. This one improved a lot last season moving from practice squad to being suited and replacing a tired Aldon Smith at the end of the season. Another for OLB rotation maybe?


I'm just bringing these guys up as there was a lot of hype about them last year when they were drafted and all of a sudden mock drafts galore have us taking a Free Safety and an OLB. Baalke doesn't like starting rookies we know that so what if the next round of starters are already on the roster?

It's possible, but they would have to step up big time. I actually think all three of them have an uphill battle just to make the roster.

At safety, we will likely have Whitner, Spillman, Dahl, and a rookie (1st or 2nd rd). That leaves Robinson to battle for the 5th spot. That's a lot of safeties. We may not choose to carry 5 again.

At OLB, we've got Aldon and Ahmad entrenched as every down players. Haralson looks like he's coming back. Fleming and Johnson will likely have to battle a rookie for the 4th spot.

I had high hopes for Fleming before the ACL tear, now I'm not so sure. Robinson might get more playing time but I don't see him competing for a starting role. Johnson hasn't shown much. If either he or Fleming can step up at OLB I'd be happy, but I'd still like a solid run-stopper who can give Aldon/Brooks time off.

Haralson is a waste of good money N a spot don't even remember tha last time I've seen him make a difference in a play or game

I'm happy to have all 3 of them. Let them compete for spots and see who comes out on top. All 3 of them have good upsides, I think Robinson could become a quality contributor at safety, Fleming, we have no idea what he can do due to his injury but it'll be nice to see him get back out on the field and Johnson was possibly the most intriguing pick the 49ers made last year, a guy who was supposed to be a 3rd or 4th rounder that fell way down, sort of like RJF. I think with a year of experience and film study under his belt, he will be in the running at the #3 OLB on this roster.

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:
Haralson is a waste of good money N a spot don't even remember tha last time I've seen him make a difference in a play or game

Aaaaah...sarcasm?? You do know he was injured all last season..?

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:
Haralson is a waste of good money N a spot don't even remember tha last time I've seen him make a difference in a play or game

It's probably a combination of the fact that he didn't plat last season, so what he brought o the team isn't fresh in your mind, and also that his strength isn't rushing the passer, but stopping the run. He's not great making tackles in space, but going downhill and setting the edge he was excellent in 2011.

I wonder if Fangio considers kicking him inside in certain situations, like he did with Brooks. Hmm....

Originally posted by slowriot:

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:

Haralson is a waste of good money N a spot don't even remember tha last time I've seen him make a difference in a play or game

Aaaaah...sarcasm?? You do know he was injured all last season..?

When hasn't he been injured say what u will but let tha rookies N 2nd yr guys fight it out they're probably hunger N want it more ...

Robinson intrigues me at the safety position. I mean, we had Woodson come in and he left without a contract. There's a reason for this. I subsicribe to "In Baalke I trust" therefore there must be somebody in the draft or perhaps on our team he's already looking at.

Either way our team is stacked for the next few years and there;s plenty of opportunities to address the mentioned positions. Last years draft is still an unknown cuz so many of the rookies didn't play. We'll sure up the safety position with no issue.

I see a serious battle this year with Spillman, Culliver and Robinson as well as Fleming/Johnson. Then you add additional draft picks to this mix and you've got a fight on your hands and competition at the highest level and Baalke/Harbaugh are all about, best-man-wins. Period. This will be one of the most intriguing camps yet given the few real holes we have and ALL of the battles within!

As to your original question, absolutely, any of these guys have the talent to not only take the reigns but IMPROVE our defense next year.

Originally posted by Wodwo:

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:
Haralson is a waste of good money N a spot don't even remember tha last time I've seen him make a difference in a play or game

It's probably a combination of the fact that he didn't plat last season, so what he brought o the team isn't fresh in your mind, and also that his strength isn't rushing the passer, but stopping the run. He's not great making tackles in space, but going downhill and setting the edge he was excellent in 2011.

I wonder if Fangio considers kicking him inside in certain situations, like he did with Brooks. Hmm....

Agreed...wouldn't call him a waste of space but he IS eating up a lot of money that as far as production and upside, we could probably get from Fleming/Johnson and or a FA/rookie. If he can be great against the run, seal the edge AND provide a pas rush on ANY down, that would be ideal. We need well-rounded OLB's who can spell Brooks/Aldon should one go down. Gone are the days of the specialists (Ginn, Haralson, etc.).

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:
When hasn't he been injured say what u will but let tha rookies N 2nd yr guys fight it out they're probably hunger N want it more ...

I hate when people say something just to say something and completely ignoring reality in the process.

You don't make decisions based on 5, 6, and 7th round picked second year players who don't have any game experience.

My guess is they'll be battling for roster spots in training camp, but their presence has no bearing on who we'll be drafting.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I see a serious battle this year with Spillman, Culliver and Robinson as well as Fleming/Johnson. Then you add additional draft picks to this mix and you've got a fight on your hands and competition at the highest level and Baalke/Harbaugh are all about, best-man-wins. Period. This will be one of the most intriguing camps yet given the few real holes we have and ALL of the battles within!

As to your original question, absolutely, any of these guys have the talent to not only take the reigns but IMPROVE our defense next year.

Yeah, this makes predicting anything impossible right now. This team has a lot of talented players with big time potential. I feel like Baalke is going for a true "next man up" philosophy with this roster. He's trying to make sure every back-up is starting caliber. We're not quite there yet, but he's only been building for two seasons.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Agreed...wouldn't call him a waste of space but he IS eating up a lot of money that as far as production and upside, we could probably get from Fleming/Johnson and or a FA/rookie. If he can be great against the run, seal the edge AND provide a pas rush on ANY down, that would be ideal. We need well-rounded OLB's who can spell Brooks/Aldon should one go down. Gone are the days of the specialists (Ginn, Haralson, etc.).

Yeah, his pass rush is lacking and I don't see it getting better at this point, especially coming off injury. That's why I was thinking about him playing inside... he fits the mold of the traditional 3-4 TED with his size and ability to take on blockers, lack of range and coverage abilities. He could be similar to Bart Scott inside.

With the loss of Larry Grant, it makes even more sense now that I really think about it.

Sorry, don't want to derail the thread... this is just the first time I've really seriously considered the idea.