According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers have traded Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee to the Cleveland Browns for a 7th round draft pick in 2017. Yes, 2017 and not 2016.
The 49ers used a 5th round selection in this year's draft to select Clemson punter Bradley Pinion, who general manager Trent Baalke had said would offer competition for Lee. It looks as though that competition is over.
While there had been early speculation, due mainly to his college field goal experience, that Pinion might actually offer some competition for kicker Phil Dawson, he will likely start at punter for the 49ers and Lee will start for the Browns.
Lee was drafted by the 49ers in the 6th round of the 2004 NFL Draft and selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2007, 2009 and 2011 seasons. His contract with the 49ers had run through 2018.
Lee was going to count $2.55 million against this year's cap whereas Pinion will count only account for $483,550.
Lee had averaged 46.2 yards per punt during his career with the 49ers with a net average of 39.6 yards per punt.
And now, some Bradley Pinion punting highlights...
Cleveland is trading a 7th-round pick in 2017 to San Francisco for three-time Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee, league sources told ESPN.
Deshaun Watson faces six-game suspension; 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo to Browns unlikely
By David Bonilla
Aug 1
A punishment for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose legal issues continue, has been decided. The 26-year-old player has faced 24 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct and sexual assault. Twenty have been settled. The off-field controversies started last year during his time with the Houston Texans. In March, the Cleveland Browns traded multiple first-round picks and more for the talented quarterback.
On Monday, former federal judge Sue L. Robinson determined that Deshaun Watson violated the personal conduct policy, imposing a six-game suspension. The NFL has until Thursday to appeal the decision, should the league feel the need to increase the suspension
Report: Browns will consider acquiring 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo if Deshaun Watson's suspension increases
By David Bonilla
5 hrs
The Cleveland Browns have reportedly changed their tune. Depending on what happens with quarterback Deshaun Watson's suspension, the team will consider acquiring San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
"The Browns will consider acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo if Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension significantly increases upon appeal, league sources tell cleveland.com," wrote Cabot.
It's worth noting that Cabot doesn't say the Browns are willing to trade for Garoppolo. That could mean Cleveland might wait to see if San Francisco releases its high-priced quarterback. Of course, her wording doesn't preclude the possibility of a trade.
Cabot adds, "The Browns are awaiting the ruling of Peter C. Harvey, the
Deebo Samuel's 49ers trade request wasn't a negotiation tactic, says Michael Irvin
By David Bonilla
Aug 2
After Deebo Samuel signed a three-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, making the talented wide receiver a very wealthy man, some assumed that his April trade request was a negotiating tactic. According to Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin, it wasn't. Samuel legitimately wanted out of Santa Clara.
In April, Irvin admitted that he spoke with Samuel after the Super Bowl, advising the young wideout to stay with Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers because that would be best for his career.
"Like, it kind of felt, OK, he didn't receive that well," Irvin said in April.
In an interview with 95.7 The Game on
John Lynch on Jimmy Garoppolo trade: 49ers will 'stay patient through this one'
By David Bonilla
Aug 2
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch spoke with reporters via a conference call on Tuesday. He did so from his office at the team facility, noting that he could see quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the practice field from his window.
"I'm watching him throw right now, and he looks pretty good," Lynch said.
The general manager confirmed that Garoppolo is cleared to practice. However, both sides have "mutually" agreed that the best thing right now is to have the quarterback work on the side. Garoppolo doesn't have any restrictions, though.
"Jimmy's doing a really good job, kind of building his stamina in the throwing program that was prescribed all along, and working out really strongly and aggressively," Lynch
