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.
How punter Mitch Wishnowsky may be the key to the 49ers beating the Packers
By Alan Gaines
Jan 20
"My number one goal is not to lose on special teams."
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan uttered this after the Wild Card win versus the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. The 49ers fan base would definitely agree with the head coach as memories of the 2011 NFC Championship game comes to mind. During the 2011 campaign, the 49ers won the NFC West and were primed to make a Super Bowl run before special teams miscues in the form of two muffed punts during that game derailed the team's hopes of adding a sixth Super Bowl championship to the franchise's storied resume. While head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't want to lose the game due to special teams, Mitch Wishnowsky and the punting unit could be the hidden key to slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers
Rapoport believes the trade market for 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be good
By David Bonilla
Jan 17
Former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, showed his former quarterback some love on Sunday during the Niners' playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Hope the faithful show my guy @JimmyG_10 the love he deserves. There is a reason he has so much love and respect from his teammates.— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 16,
NFL exec predicts 49ers trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Washington
By David Bonilla
Jan 18
Jimmy Garoppolo isn't thinking about the offseason right now. He is focused on the San Francisco 49ers' next playoff opponent—the Green Bay Packers. However, most predict that San Francisco will transition to 21-year-old Trey Lance this offseason, no matter how far Garoppolo takes the team in the playoffs. Could a Super Bowl win change the plan in Santa Clara? Possibly. It may at least cause some rethinking among the 49ers brain trust.
Still, there are significant benefits to moving on from Garoppolo, especially if coaches feel Lance has benefited enough from an entire season of studying behind the veteran quarterback. The most obvious benefit is the salary-cap savings. Garoppolo is set to count $27 million against the cap in 2022. On his rookie deal, Trey Lance will
Peter King feels 49ers should keep Jimmy Garoppolo, but first-rounder in trade not unthinkable
By David Bonilla
Jan 19
The San Francisco 49ers are in the middle of a playoff run, their second in three seasons. They hope to extend their season beyond Saturday's Divisional Round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Still, even now, it's difficult not to wonder about the Niners' looming offseason quarterback decision.
For many, there is no choice. The 49ers will have to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, transitioning to the team's No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance. Obviously, San Francisco would like to get something in return for Garoppolo, if that happens.
Of course, Peter King of NBC Sports isn't so sure parting with Garoppolo is the best option.
"I've had a two-fold opinion about Garoppolo," King told 95.7 The Game's Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto on Tuesday. "Number
