Be Thankful: The 49ers are Trying
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.......
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
-
Raul
I must agree with your article and your perspective on how the 49ers are trying to have a better team by adding solid players to the roster and not overspending as they did in the past, the qb situation is going to solve itself with time, but I think Hill will be the starter at the end of the process . However if we learned something from last season and from the team who won the SB is the importance of having an effective pass rush, JS is a great pick but we need more push from the DL we need to go back to the 4-3 format and really go after opposing qb's. we have a good LB corp it's just a matter getting creative in the way they are used, but I am confident that Manuski in his second year as the DC and with the addition of Mike Martz as our OC we are going to have a much improved team and hopefully a succesful season.-
Mar 14, 2008 at 1:24 AM
-
Frank
Andre, Some fans don't get building depth...they want the top FA's, but that's just not possible every year. McNolan's done a very good job managing the cap...no reason to go down the wrong road again. Martz' message regarding O'Sullivan is the QB position competition will be wide open. He'll have a bit of an advantage, at least early on, because he already knows the offense. I saw J.T. play in NFL-E...it's not the NFL, but I could see this guy's a player. So, I welcome the competition. Alex and Shaun can learn from this guy. Love the Foster addition...it's the strongest backfield we've had in years. I'd also look for Robinson to be challenged by Martz...he understands MRob's athleticism has barely been tapped. Bruce will be the leader among the WR corps...we still need at least one more guy...which should be very doable in the draft. Justin Smith signing was huge...I'm envisioning a starting DL of Sopoaga - Franklin - Smith. I'd like to see another DL, maybe two added. Thomas could be a real find...I could see he and Willis becoming quite an ILB tandem. I hope we draft Quentin Groves to get that stud pass rusher to bookend Lawson.
Mar 14, 2008 at 12:03 AM
More San Francisco 49ers News
Several former 49ers named among 173 nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024
The Pro Football Hall of Fame named the 173 nominees for its Class of 2024. Several former San Francisco 49ers players are on the list, as Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area pointed out.
Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees include ex-49ers Jeff Garcia, Ricky Watters, Charlie Garner, Brian Westbrook, Anquan Boldin, Justin Smith, Dana Stubblefield, Ted Washington, NaVorro Bowman, Takeo Spikes, Patrick Willis, Lee Woodall, Julian Peterson, Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 19,
Why 49ers Nick Bosa appears "sluggish" through two games
After missing this year's OTA's and Training Camp in a hold out effort for a new contract, San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Defensive End Nick Bosa finally became the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, just days before the team's week one matchup against the Pittsburg Steelers. Bosa signed a five-year $170 million extension with the team.
It's easy to say Bosa's slow start in that week one matchup was due to his holdout and lack of football activity with the team this offseason. However, to say that sluggishness carried over into their week two matchup against their division rival Los Angeles Rams isn't entirely true. Far too often players (especially defensive players) are critiqued on stats alone. While stats help players earn end of the year accolades, they don't
"They are basically fielding the NFL All-Pro team": Where the 49ers stand in Week 3 power rankings
The San Francisco 49ers have now won 12 consecutive regular-season games, just three games shy of tying the 15-game record set between the 1989 and 1990 seasons. Sunday's 30-23 win against the Los Angeles Rams may not have been the prettiest of victories, but Kyle Shanahan's squad improved to 2-0 on the season and sit alone atop the NFC West.
The 49ers managed to beat their division rival despite quarterback Brock Purdy having arguably his most unimpressive game as a starter. He finished the game 17-of-25 for 206 yards and a passer rating of 93.1, a new regular-season career-low as a starter.
Meanwhile, running back Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL with 268 rushing yards and ranks second only to wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings in
One reason why Deebo Samuel and the 49ers love Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy wasn't perfect on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, yet the team was talented and disciplined enough to beat its division rivals 30-23.
Purdy had arguably his worst game as a starter. The second-year quarterback earned an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 65.1, his lowest regular-season mark since Week 13 of 2022. He finished the game 17-of-25 for 206 yards and a passer rating of 93.1, a new regular-season career-low as a starter. The stat line might have been better had Purdy connected on a few passes to open receivers that were overthrown.
After the game, when asked about the offense's shortcomings against the Rams, Purdy
