2014 Team Needs - Updates

A good reminder Giedi, so the precedent was set long ago, and not for just 2 but 3 CB/DBs. I will still be amazed if it happens, but that is my bet.

Well, it's almost Baalke-time (late FA and draft). Any guesses/predictions on who Baalke brings in on the cheap?

Top FA's available:
QB's: Freeman, Kolb, Flynn & Grossman
WR's: Rice, Holmes, Austin, Williams, Bennett & Alexander
RB's: Johnson, Bush, Brown & McGahee
TE's: Finley, Keller, Dickson, Scheffler, Davis, Winslow, Clark, Coffman & Hartsock
OL: Joseph, Wharton, Nwaeri, Goodwin, McKinnie, Winston & Colledge

DE's: Spencer, Keisel, Smith, Matthews & Carriker
DT's: Williams, Pickett, Jolly, Franklin & Sopoaga
LB's: Harrison, Angerer, Henderson, Nicholas, Bishop & Vilma
CB's: Samuel, Thomas, Greer & Robinson
S's: DeCoud, Huff, Reed, Gregory, Adams & Wilson

Wasn't Greer having a decent year before getting hurt? Or am I thinking of somebody else?

Originally posted by Giedi:
Ideally the cornerbacks we take should be 6.0 to 6.2 in height and strong enough to redirect WR's to the outside, and fast enough to turn and run after them - like in the Ronnie Lott/Eric Wright (1981 draftee) mould. Well, Ronnie wasn't really *fast* but he was a mind reader and could read WR's and get to their spot before the WR's could. Even if we only got one good cornerback, it will enable more blitzing from the Linebackers on his side of the defense and also simplify the linebacker reads and drops on his side. In 1981 we got three - Lott, Wright, and Carlton.

The bold is one reason I am not totally set on size as the requirement...talent, no matter how it presents itself is what's needed. I think Fangio wants to be able to play against any type of passing team...speed, strength, whatever. The more diverse talent the better.

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:
Wasn't Greer having a decent year before getting hurt? Or am I thinking of somebody else?

Not sure...only watch Niner games basically so I'll look to you all for outside talent that would play very well here in our system.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

The bold is one reason I am not totally set on size as the requirement...talent, no matter how it presents itself is what's needed. I think Fangio wants to be able to play against any type of passing team...speed, strength, whatever. The more diverse talent the better.

Quite right, speed isn't of prime importance if your defensive philosophy is man-press. Man press should also mean you have very good pass rushers (George Siefert had Fred Dean and Charles Haley) to protect the DB's from WR's taking advantage of the man press with vertical slow developing speed routes. Offenses tried to run slants and hitches to offset the 49er pass rush and man-press in those days but Lott would sit inside and use his strength to force the WR's to go outside and up. As the WR's was fighting Lott, that disrupted the timing and also took time and there wasn't that much time for the QB with Fred Dean and Haley breathing down the QB's neck.

If Fangio decides to stay with more zone blitz and only on occasion, use man press, or single high safety, then he will probably go with much smaller DB's that have great speed and covering ability, but will be a liability in run support (like more in the Deion Sanders mould). This draft will go a long way in telling us what the offensive and defensive coaching staff is thinking about this offseason.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
I neglected to mention our LBs in coverage, NC, and wth Brooks, bowman and p-52 PLUS whoever trent brings us as a (our hopefully TWO) starting corner(s), this could be a fascinating D to watch. Matter of fact it could be THE reason to go see the 49ers...to see the D we finally ended up with, yet had needed for the last 3 yrs. Put football's best front 7, three of whom are excellent to great in coverage, plus pass knock-downers Brock, Bethea(yes , Bethea), Reid, plus our
two new shut down corners, and I would be happy to just watch the D all day long.

The truth, however, is that with frank, some more of Hunter, kap, anquan, Vernon, vance, Crabs, and patton, with miller returning, this could be a team for the books. Now we don't have our CBs yet, but we have 3 really good DBs of the 4 needed already, and add in the new CBs...well, we could put the league on notice. Granted, we still have the boat anchor of roman, but I just don't see Coach H not being more aggressive on O this yr. If so, we should have a legit shot at #6.

Oh, I forgot a new Center who finally anchors the OL in the middle.

For sure...lots of reasons for optimism. I'm very excited about all the players coming into their second years (be it via I.R., red shirted, rookies, UDFA, FA's, etc.). While the starting spots are limited, the competition for them AND play time, period, is going to be epic to watch. Iron sharpens iron, right!? So this defense will be facing this offense in practice and vice versa. If the offense can get anywhere NEAR the defense, look out NFL.

Tight coverage, more and more varied blitzing, all-world LBs...this may be the start of a beautiful defense...more beautiful that is! It will at least give opponents something to think about!

After Bethea's comments last night (and reinforced by Cook's), it's sounding more and more like we'll be playing much more press and single-high FS this year. Fangio has a plethora of options for blitzing esp. if we play this defense (b/c the CB's and SS will be very close to the LOS). What he could do with Brooks/Aldon/Willis/Bowman could be electric if he wanted. Then you add in the potential pass rush and rotation of Carradine to this DL plus the probable growth of Dial, TJE, Okoye, Dobbs, Williams and Dorsey? No excuse not to "bring it" on a more regular basis. Just the ability to provide off-coverage AND press with equal success is going to be huge for our front 7 in the pass rush department.

This has me excited as well and you forgot to mention Lemonier who I think also has potential to be pretty damn good, he's so quick off the snap on that first step that if he gets a couple of pass rush moves we could have an absolutely monstrous blitz package.

I still think Baalke might draft a Dline man like Tuit or Easley and stash them on IR for a reserve ala Tank just because we obviously build our D on front 7 and a future of Carradine and Tuitt/Easley with Dorsey (who I think has been overlooked, he's been excellent his first year and will only get better in his 2nd year) , Dial and Williams could be epic.

I could see us drafting a SS who is a big hitter if we're going down the press and single high FS scheme as well.

Originally posted by Buchy:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
I neglected to mention our LBs in coverage, NC, and wth Brooks, bowman and p-52 PLUS whoever trent brings us as a (our hopefully TWO) starting corner(s), this could be a fascinating D to watch. Matter of fact it could be THE reason to go see the 49ers...to see the D we finally ended up with, yet had needed for the last 3 yrs. Put football's best front 7, three of whom are excellent to great in coverage, plus pass knock-downers Brock, Bethea(yes , Bethea), Reid, plus our
two new shut down corners, and I would be happy to just watch the D all day long.

The truth, however, is that with frank, some more of Hunter, kap, anquan, Vernon, vance, Crabs, and patton, with miller returning, this could be a team for the books. Now we don't have our CBs yet, but we have 3 really good DBs of the 4 needed already, and add in the new CBs...well, we could put the league on notice. Granted, we still have the boat anchor of roman, but I just don't see Coach H not being more aggressive on O this yr. If so, we should have a legit shot at #6.

Oh, I forgot a new Center who finally anchors the OL in the middle.

For sure...lots of reasons for optimism. I'm very excited about all the players coming into their second years (be it via I.R., red shirted, rookies, UDFA, FA's, etc.). While the starting spots are limited, the competition for them AND play time, period, is going to be epic to watch. Iron sharpens iron, right!? So this defense will be facing this offense in practice and vice versa. If the offense can get anywhere NEAR the defense, look out NFL.

Tight coverage, more and more varied blitzing, all-world LBs...this may be the start of a beautiful defense...more beautiful that is! It will at least give opponents something to think about!

After Bethea's comments last night (and reinforced by Cook's), it's sounding more and more like we'll be playing much more press and single-high FS this year. Fangio has a plethora of options for blitzing esp. if we play this defense (b/c the CB's and SS will be very close to the LOS). What he could do with Brooks/Aldon/Willis/Bowman could be electric if he wanted. Then you add in the potential pass rush and rotation of Carradine to this DL plus the probable growth of Dial, TJE, Okoye, Dobbs, Williams and Dorsey? No excuse not to "bring it" on a more regular basis. Just the ability to provide off-coverage AND press with equal success is going to be huge for our front 7 in the pass rush department.

This has me excited as well and you forgot to mention Lemonier who I think also has potential to be pretty damn good, he's so quick off the snap on that first step that if he gets a couple of pass rush moves we could have an absolutely monstrous blitz package.

I still think Baalke might draft a Dline man like Tuit or Easley and stash them on IR for a reserve ala Tank just because we obviously build our D on front 7 and a future of Carradine and Tuitt/Easley with Dorsey (who I think has been overlooked, he's been excellent his first year and will only get better in his 2nd year) , Dial and Williams could be epic.

I could see us drafting a SS who is a big hitter if we're going down the press and single high FS scheme as well.

These are all great points...the rotation. Skuta was very good rotating in as a pass rusher as well.

Going DL is something I could see Baalke doing maybe ahead of CB, WR or S. I predicted S Calvin Pryor b/c of talent and it being a position of need...we'll most likely NEED a SS to start either next year or two years from now but it takes time to learn all the coverage schemes we run. WR? Well, we're pretty set there today but we will need a WR to replace Crabtree next year or Boldin in two years so we need to start grooming him now. CB? We're set here on positions #1 & #3-5 but could use a blue-chip CB to push for the #2 spot and some depth/competition. But the draft is low for S's but high in CB's and WR's (most in the second round). So this is my surprise move. But above that, DL is a position where I could see being a #1 pick as well but I see that being next year IMHO.

Originally posted by Buchy:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:

I neglected to mention our LBs in coverage, NC, and wth Brooks, bowman and p-52 PLUS whoever trent brings us as a (our hopefully TWO) starting corner(s), this could be a fascinating D to watch. Matter of fact it could be THE reason to go see the 49ers...to see the D we finally ended up with, yet had needed for the last 3 yrs. Put football's best front 7, three of whom are excellent to great in coverage, plus pass knock-downers Brock, Bethea(yes , Bethea), Reid, plus our
two new shut down corners, and I would be happy to just watch the D all day long.

The truth, however, is that with frank, some more of Hunter, kap, anquan, Vernon, vance, Crabs, and patton, with miller returning, this could be a team for the books. Now we don't have our CBs yet, but we have 3 really good DBs of the 4 needed already, and add in the new CBs...well, we could put the league on notice. Granted, we still have the boat anchor of roman, but I just don't see Coach H not being more aggressive on O this yr. If so, we should have a legit shot at #6.

Oh, I forgot a new Center who finally anchors the OL in the middle.

For sure...lots of reasons for optimism. I'm very excited about all the players coming into their second years (be it via I.R., red shirted, rookies, UDFA, FA's, etc.). While the starting spots are limited, the competition for them AND play time, period, is going to be epic to watch. Iron sharpens iron, right!? So this defense will be facing this offense in practice and vice versa. If the offense can get anywhere NEAR the defense, look out NFL.

Tight coverage, more and more varied blitzing, all-world LBs...this may be the start of a beautiful defense...more beautiful that is! It will at least give opponents something to think about!

After Bethea's comments last night (and reinforced by Cook's), it's sounding more and more like we'll be playing much more press and single-high FS this year. Fangio has a plethora of options for blitzing esp. if we play this defense (b/c the CB's and SS will be very close to the LOS). What he could do with Brooks/Aldon/Willis/Bowman could be electric if he wanted. Then you add in the potential pass rush and rotation of Carradine to this DL plus the probable growth of Dial, TJE, Okoye, Dobbs, Williams and Dorsey? No excuse not to "bring it" on a more regular basis. Just the ability to provide off-coverage AND press with equal success is going to be huge for our front 7 in the pass rush department.

This has me excited as well and you forgot to mention Lemonier who I think also has potential to be pretty damn good, he's so quick off the snap on that first step that if he gets a couple of pass rush moves we could have an absolutely monstrous blitz package.

I still think Baalke might draft a Dline man like Tuit or Easley and stash them on IR for a reserve ala Tank just because we obviously build our D on front 7 and a future of Carradine and Tuitt/Easley with Dorsey (who I think has been overlooked, he's been excellent his first year and will only get better in his 2nd year) , Dial and Williams could be epic.

I could see us drafting a SS who is a big hitter if we're going down the press and single high FS scheme as well.

Me too. Even with Bethea's acquisition, I'd still draft a SS between rounds 2-4 to groom as an eventual replacement for Bethea. Wouldn't mind taking a guy like Ahmad Dixon (3rd round?), big hitter, very athletic; he's still raw and needs to improve his coverage skills but he won't be asked to start on this team right away, he'll have plenty of time to develop under Donatell.

We don't need Brandon Lloyd .

Originally posted by ModestoNiner33:

We don't need Brandon Lloyd .

agreed .....complete waste of time

Originally posted by NeeJ49er:

Originally posted by ModestoNiner33:
We don't need Brandon Lloyd .

agreed .....complete waste of time

holy s**t. why would they even want miss lloyd back? no special teams, out of the nfl for a year, do not even get me started on how much of a punk he was here, unable or unwilling to block or go over the middle, please draft two kids and then if they think they have to, find some other vet after june first, no miss lloyd for gods sake,, shirley they can not be serious

I'M ALL FOR THE BRING BACK BLLOYD!


he was the best thing we had between 03-05 other than Julian Peterson, Andre Carter, Tony Parrish.

He was the best thing on offense we had, he'd fit nice in our system. I'm all for it.


I have nothing but love for the guy, I was bummed we traded him! Blloyd Fan right here! don't care what the haters have to say.

Guys got Hands, an I bet he can still play!


BLLOYD BABY!!! BRING EM BACK!

That is a classic, NC. "Baalke time, to get FAs on the cheap and draft". Couldn't be truer, however.

dtg, I understand where you are coming from on this, but recall the SB, and one Anquan Boldin just ate our lunch on jumpball, OOB marker passes. That is the exception where you need not only strength, quickness, agility...but also height. He literally just took the ball away , but higher, than our defender could get to. Brock was such an improvement when he started that we started to see balls batted down. That was huge. Bethea is another guy like that. Reid seems to have same ability. Really, we have 3 of the 4 starters we need to start, but I would love to see someone better than all three get drafted, and then another also. That would put us with 1 starter on the bench unless nickel. That would be on helluva D backfield to go with our heroic front 7.

Brandon LLoyd? we don't need another WR who won't be used. All he can do is mix and stir up the pot. We have enough talent at WR. Let's look elsewhere, where we could actually keep the guy we hire...and on this team, that is no mean feat. Baalke will get one who can make the team in the draft.

I agree with Buchy on DL. For exactly the reason he said.

And I like NC's thinking on SS , again for reason already stated.

This yr as opposed to the 3 previous, Baalke has built up a team plus plenty of talent sitting on the Bench...ie, depth. WRs...if we are gonna get one, save our money for a guy who can start...and he doesn't have to look like
Welker, either, he can be big, tall, fast, huge hands, strong, and tough. So what if he is 6'2"? Go 3 wide with 3 big WRs and I think that only makes you better, not worse for having a big tough 3rd WR on 3 wide. CBs, we got plenty of back ups...paying another one doesn't make sense. But taking two with our first two picks and jumping up on both sure does. Trent has assembled so much depth it makes it hard to get on this team.

QBs...that is interesting, in that I still maintain Gabbert is just trade bait. Flynn...if cheap enough, would be a possibility. If expensive, over $2mil, no way.

RBs? they have been so underused and misused, that we need Coach H to decide what the heck he is going to do with LMJ and Hunter( who I think splits time this yr with frank to keep him fresh). Our RBs are just an afterthought and are given short shrift in the O...a huge, massive mistake IMO. So no Rbs either until JH, or maybe this roman, get their act together and use the talent we have...which as noted has been ridiculously underused. Don't add another RB who won't be used either. So no on RBs.

Originally posted by NinerDreamer11:
I'M ALL FOR THE BRING BACK BLLOYD!


he was the best thing we had between 03-05 other than Julian Peterson, Andre Carter, Tony Parrish.

He was the best thing on offense we had, he'd fit nice in our system. I'm all for it.


I have nothing but love for the guy, I was bummed we traded him! Blloyd Fan right here! don't care what the haters have to say.

Guys got Hands, an I bet he can still play!


BLLOYD BABY!!! BRING EM BACK!

this is not 2003 thank god.. why would you even want to bring someone back who reeks of that stench.. you must have been poster lloydrules back in the day. i really am getting sick