2011 top FA CB (all potential starters for niners)

Nnamdi Asomugha (OAK) – It should say something about the importance of statistics when a player can have an All-Pro season, yet not achieve minimal performance marks, which renders the rest of his contract null and void. The Raiders are unable to place the franchise tag on Asomugha, making the league’s best corner the prize of free agency. There’s some buzz that he wants to go to a Super Bowl contender such as the Jets or Packers (where he has ties with Woodson). The Packers seem like an unlikely destination given their strong, highly paid secondary and the Jets may want to pursue him, but that would leave holes in their roster elsewhere. This will be the most exciting story to follow this offseason.

Brent Grimes (ATL) – Grimes had a fantastic season for an improved Falcons defense. Going into the final week, he’s one back of the leader in deflected passes. As an undrafted player, he’s worked his way and improved each season to become one of the league’s better corners now. With the secondary struggles in Atlanta over the past few years, they’ll show their appreciation for Grimes in the offseason.

Carlos Rogers (WAS) – Rogers has been a solid cover corner for years now and one of the leaders in Washington’s secondary. Still, I’ve never seen anyone in the league with worse hands than Rogers. An average set of hands would have allowed him at least a couple more picks per season and that’s why he doesn’t generally get the credit he deserves. Some Redskins fans will cringe if the Redskins bring him back, but in reality, they could do much worse from a starting corner.

Johnathan Joseph (CIN) – The Bengals’ corners awakened in 2009 to help lead a good pass defense, but 2010 turned out to be a different story. Both Joseph and Hall regressed and the results in the Bengals secondary showed. Joseph is physical and aggressive and good in any scheme. If the Bengals do hit him with the franchise tag, Joseph has said he’ll sign it on the first day, though he’s holding out hope that the two sides can reach a deal before that point.

Ronde Barber (TB) – Though Barber and the Buccaneers haven’t discussed a new contract, he’s returned to playing at a high level and Coach Raheem Morris has given Barber plenty of praise asking him to return to the team in 2011. It should just be a matter of getting the business side sorted out if Barber decides he wants to continue playing.

Antonio Cromartie (NYJ) – Cromartie is one of several big names hitting the market this year for the Jets. He hasn’t panned out as the elite playmaker many media outlets expected he would opposite Darrelle Revis, but he has given the Jets some flexibility at cornerback. Cromartie’s stiffness and long strides makes him an ideal candidate to be victimized by smaller, elite route running receivers, but he’s effective defending down the field. Because Kyle Wilson hasn’t lived up to expectations, the Jets may look to re-sign him with more urgency.

Ike Taylor (PIT) – Ike Taylor has been the lone, consistent cornerback for the Steelers over the past 5+ years. His ability to shadow receivers effectively and come up in run support has allowed the Steelers to do a little more creatively up front. With a lack of depth behind him, it would be surprising to see the Steelers let Ike Taylor to leave, even though he has lost a step.

Richard Marshall (CAR) – Marshall has been okay in coverage over the years, but good in run support. He won’t be at the top of the Panthers priority list, but if they do offer him a fair long-term deal, Marshall is ready to sign immediately.


all these guys can be starters in our secondary and we really need Cb since we didnt really adress it in the draft (at least not any starters)

im pulling for ike taylor Johnathon joespeh and grimes oh ya and of course namdi

[ Edited by 49ersalldaway126 on May 5, 2011 at 13:06:33 ]

I'm pretty sure Baalke and Harbaugh have their list and they're checking it twice. This year's class of free agent veteran corners is much better than what was available last year i.e. Will James and Karl Paymah. I have a good feeling that they'll sign two veteran corners that will give Nate and Shawntae a run for their money.

s**t I'm happy with one free agent corner!

Carlos Rogers or Ike Taylor please. Nnamdi will be too much for the Yorks.

Jonathan Joseph!

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Carlos Rogers or Ike Taylor please. Nnamdi will be too much for the Yorks.

not ike taylor. He benifits greatly from the pass rush and defensive schemes from Dick LeBeau. He is not terrible but wont really be an upgrade IMO.

I really hope Clements restructures, maybe try him out at safety or something. I like Joseph from that list, Carlos Rogers couldn't catch a cold in alaska

Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
I really hope Clements restructures, maybe try him out at safety or something. I like Joseph from that list, Carlos Rogers couldn't catch a cold in alaska

I dont really care if Carlos Rogers doesnt pick up INTs and drops balls. He still gets passes defensed and is good in coverage. I'd sacrifice an interception for not getting burned nearly as much as Nate does.

Originally posted by ea_thegreat:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Carlos Rogers or Ike Taylor please. Nnamdi will be too much for the Yorks.

not ike taylor. He benifits greatly from the pass rush and defensive schemes from Dick LeBeau. He is not terrible but wont really be an upgrade IMO.

Taylor and Rogers would both be definite upgrades over Spencer, I'm banking on Clements restructuring. Taylor can hold his own in man coverage, hes played much better receivers than whats in the NFC West.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Carlos Rogers or Ike Taylor please. Nnamdi will be too much for the Yorks.

no way on Ike Taylor. i just don't think he's an upgrade.

Originally posted by WillistheWall:

Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
I really hope Clements restructures, maybe try him out at safety or something. I like Joseph from that list, Carlos Rogers couldn't catch a cold in alaska

I dont really care if Carlos Rogers doesnt pick up INTs and drops balls. He still gets passes defensed and is good in coverage. I'd sacrifice an interception for not getting burned nearly as much as Nate does.

I live in DC and Rodgers is a Nate clone. He falls for the double move more than Nate does. Does get his hands on some balls and is good in run support. I do agree it's not a huge issue that he drops a lot of int's. But it is a problem when he's dropping so many that were possible game changers. I mean balls just hit him right in the hands. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him in. B/c Washington's defense got little to no pressure and a change of scenery could be good for him.

Grimes was mentioned as a ProBowl snub last season. Him, Nmandi, or Cromaetie would really improve the defense.

I'll cross my fingers. Cutting Clements will free up plenty of room to make this possible.

I'm gonna call it now, Baalke's gonna lure Ike Taylor away from re-signing with the Steelers. -It'll be a huge FA 'muscle' move for us (cause there's no realistic chance Nnamdi will sign with a non-superbowl-ready team).

With the way the new regime went with their draft picks the 9ers will be looking for someone that can play multiple positions. I dont really know too much on the DB list this FA but who ever in there is flexible and coachalbe will be a likely 9er candidate.

Originally posted by ace49ers:
With the way the new regime went with their draft picks the 9ers will be looking for someone that can play multiple positions. I dont really know too much on the DB list this FA but who ever in there is flexible and coachalbe will be a likely 9er candidate.

This

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Carlos Rogers or Ike Taylor please. Nnamdi will be too much for the Yorks.

no way on Ike Taylor. i just don't think he's an upgrade.

Why not, hes always handled the opposing teams #1 WR. Most of the time winning battles in man coverage, what's not to like.