For the last few days, many so called experts have questioned the 49ers' off-season moves.
What's there to question?
The 49ers have vastly improved their roster with their many key additions. There hasn't been a big Nate Clements signing like last year, but the 49ers have added plenty of good role players and added a lot of depth to a team that faltered last season when injuries struck early.
Justin Smith's low sack totals during his final Bengal year are not a reason for concern. His contract may be a little hefty, but it's not like the 49ers spent the house on him.
Isaac Bruce? Sure he's a little older now but he knows Mike Martz and the offense. He will be the only receiver with some semblance of a clue when the 49ers run the Martz O. Once again, we didn't break the bank to gain his services.
As for Bruce deciding not to wear number 80, I say thank you. Jerry Rice should be the final 49er to ever wear that number. Thank you Mr. Bruce for respecting history even if the man himself offered Bruce the number.
Dontarrious Thomas has been a solid linebacker since college and was a quality player in Minnesota. Sure, he wasn't Patrick Willis' twin brother (maybe more like a distant "cousin") as a Viking, but once again, the 49ers didn't spend a ton of money on him.
DeShaun Foster, Frank Gore's new buddy, will hopefully extend our feature back's career. Gore has proven to be a very productive back, but he needs help. Foster, a former Super Bowl standout on the Carolina Panthers is a solid back with plenty of upside.
See the trend?
The 49ers spent wisely this off-season and I for one will commend their efforts in trying to field a competitive team. Yeah, it's been awhile and while far from a sure thing, at least the 49ers are trying to improve.
These aren't the good old days anymore and what we got was pretty decent, given the selection of free agents this year. This off-season isn't anything like the 1993-1994 off-season when we signed Richard Dent, Rickey Jackson, Charles Mann, Ken Norton, Gary Plummer, and of course Deion Sanders. Those were different times, but at least we got some value for our buck this year,
Although we lost Marques Douglas, Maurice Hicks, Kwame Harris, and a few others, will any of us cry now that they are gone? I highly doubt it.
We even have a slight quarterback controversy with our free agent frenzy. Who would have thought that J.T. O'Sullivan would be considered for a starting job? I'm sure Mike Martz knows his quarterbacks but isn't it a little pre-mature to crown him as a possible starter?
Well only time will tell. Who knows. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill might stink up the place, but we got some quarterback depth despite the release of Trent Dilfer. Dilfer's experience proved to be a hindrance at times because he made some purely awful decisions when Smith went down.
Overall, I am pleased with all the new moves. Hopefully Allen Rossum will take one to the house soon.
Until next time 49ers fans.......
