Originally posted by Rascal:
Absolutely not.
I ask because your reaction to these moves would seem more appropriate if it were 2009 - you know....when we had put together a string of...hell I don't even know what to call what we were back then because "bad" just doesn't cut it. Even then, a fan is a fan no matter what but at least what you're saying would make some sense in that era.
Look man, just take a breath and think this through.
Cam Johnson had ONE...not several - ONE monster game. It occurred in the preseason. You could argue that he had a big upside and that we wasted a pick on him or what not but the truth is you don't expect every single draft pick to make the team. No one does. Looking at our current LB position, even with Smith and Willis out we do not need Cam Johnson. He would still be on the bench. As far as young defenders that will be developed, we have Cory Lemonier and Tank Carradine (I know Tank is a DL and not a LB). At the LB position we currently have Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks, Cory Lemonier, Dan Skuta, Mike Wilhoite, and Nate Stupar. Almost all of these guys have outperformed Cam Johnson thus far (4 games played and 1 tackle).
Lavelle Hawkins has played 6 years and his biggest game came in - yes...a 49ers preseason game. Although we're quite weak at the WR position as it stands, Hawkins did not help his case with multiple penalties. He had some big plays, yes, but again, you have to know that preseason is not a direct translation to regular season. That said, I'll concede this much to you: Hawkins didn't look any worse than some of the guys we kept. However, you could argue that Jon Baldwin was expected from the start to get a bigger role eventually. He was 1 month behind in the playbook so there's no way it was going to happen early. Still, if the 49ers knew that they would eventually work him into the lineup, cutting Hawkins makes a little more sense. The team - for whatever reason...maybe experience - is sold on Kyle Williams so he wasn't going anywhere. Marlon Moore was initially brought in for special teams. Currently, this group suck a$$ but that will change drastically with the return of Manningham and Crabtree. It's worth noting that Hawkins was unemployed until a Chargers player got injured. I hope you weren't expecting a guy who could barely land a job on the other 31 teams to contribute as a legitimate #2 or 3.
BJ Daniels. If Daniels were to see the field for the 49ers, that would mean that our season is a total wash. Both Kaepernick and McCoy would have to be injured or totally ineffective. The SAME GOES FOR SEATTLE. If Daniels is playing for Seattle, they're in a sh!tload of trouble. The 49ers hoped to keep him and develop him. They had to take a risk. Was Skelton worth the risk? I have to say I'm not sold that he is. I'm not seeing the improvement with that one. Either way, losing Daniels to the Seahawks is not an impact transaction. It will not directly add to the Seahawks win total and it's not like we were robbed of QB who was going to lead us to any victories.
No matter how you package it or how many ways you spin it. The bottom line is that we have not lost any players (with the transactions discussed) that will keep us from the playoffs. It's very unlikely that any of them would've touched the field this season or next.
Remember, Rascal - this is still a great team we're talking about here. This is not the Jaguars.
And stop crowning Seattle already. Unlike most other 49er fans, I don't think about them much and they don't get under my skin at all. People around the WZ seem to think they're untouchable. Yea they're damn good, but they're beatable.
Seriously dude. Your reactions suggest that we traded Patrick Willis for Hakeem Nicks or something (heh...there was a guy who suggested this for real).