2014 Team Needs - Updates

Doc, I've always predicted, to the consternation of many here, that we'd draft a qb probably in the first three rounds as long term insurance on Kaep's progress. Any rookie, however, will be 3 sitting behind the guy with NFL starting experience this year. Gabbert's contract is guaranteed, so he's our man in the event Kaep goes down. If it's true that he's awsome on the practice field, I'm going to hold out hope Harbaugh can do something with him until we find out otherwise.

I agree Trent will take part in this rookie qb selection evaluating the whole package including field awareness, and will not be bashful this time vetoing a Harb crush if he perceives significant holes in the candidate's game. He sure seemed to think Harbaugh fickle with our rotating number three qb's last year. We all expect Harbaugh to be here long term, but with this spring's activities, I expect Baalke to want to be left with a team he's comfortable with if it doesn't happen.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Time to start updating...need your help and input and links...Let's take a look at our team needs and I'll update accordingly.

FYI: For 2013 Front Office moves: http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/171861-2013-team-needs-updates/

Trent Baalke on...
Free Agency - "We've never been big players in the early part of free agency. This year is no different. We feel good about the football team that we have. There are things we know we need to address and we will address."
Personnel/Cap Management - Trent Baalke said. "This move (on Kilgore's extension) is another example of our philosophy to extend the contracts of our own young players." Indeed, the 49ers have a history of signing promising backups to extensions before they step into starting roles. In December 2011, they worked out an extension with right guard Alex Boone, who has started the past two seasons. In March, they extended nose guard Ian Williams, who started the first two games in 2013 before he sustained a broken ankle. In November, they signed cornerback Tramaine Brock to a four-year, $16 million extension. Brock assumed a starting role near the end of the regular season.
Drafting/Player Evaluation - One of Baalke's favorite books, "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" by Malcolm Gladwell, helped the 49ers lead personnel man's approach to recent drafts, including the decision to select (Eric) Reid. Baalke explained the book's role in his draft evaluation process."The first time you look at a player, you're usually right," the general manager said. "Your gut is usually right. Through the process, you gather more and more information and you watch more and more film. And sometimes the process is so long and it's drawn out another two weeks that you end up talking yourself out of that first impression. So I always go back to the book. If you've read it, you understand where I'm coming from. And if you haven't, you should. It's a great book."
Year-round Planning - This is simply how the 49ers operate (re: the Draft board 65% done by March 1st) in "offseason" mode. Preparations are year-round, leaving little room for sudden alterations. This is an excellent article for how this FO also prepared for CK's cap hit as well: Read more at http://sfo.scout.com/2/1381221.html

Paraag Marathe on...
Contract Negotiation Philosophy - "Both sides in a contract negotiation, both sides are using analytics and data to help support -- it's confirmation bias to the max, everybody's trying to find evidence that supports whatever theory or contract demand they want to make," he said. "They can cut it and slice it in a lot of ways that help you. "Here's one that may not help them as much (on ESPN the Magazine article noting CK's 54.6% under pressure last season, the worst mark in the NFL. Meanwhile, he was sacked on 20.2% of snaps when under duress, the fourth-worst rate among starters), so that's why I'm looking forward to reading it." Later in the discussion, Marathe was asked more generally about the importance of a quarterback to a team's success. "That's the single biggest differentiator," he said. "If you can get by with average talent, but if you have a superior quarterback, you'll see the best quarterbacks -- the Hall of Fame quarterbacks -- it doesn't matter what kind of talent they have, even if they have really bad talent around them, they're going to finish 7-9 [or] 8-8. They're never going to go 3-13."

Jim Harbaugh on...
Contract Extensions/Relationship with Baalke/Jed - "I've told my owner I don't want any more power," he said. Harbaugh on Baalke and the amount the talk/communicate: "daily, hourly." "We're both demanding and we want to be accountable for ourselves, for each other," Harbaugh said. "If you haven't had a brother, you probably don't understand the relationship between the GM and the head coach. We're partners on the same team. I have great respect for him. He works extremely hard at it and is very good at it. We are all part of a team. I believe in the structure we have. I don't want to change anything that we do in that regard." Harbaugh, the third highest-paid coach in the NFC West, insisted he's content with his $5 million annual salary...but thetre is no timetable for an extension. "What I do know is this: I make plenty of money," Harbaugh said. "And I don't do five times as much work as any other coach on the staff. I get paid extremely well. Jed York has always been square dealing with me. I don't think about that as an issue … I've seen it written like fact: 'Harbaugh wants to be the highest paid coach in football', or 'desperately covets a new contract.' For the record: I make plenty of money. I mean, plenty of money.'" "Zero opportunity or chance of that in my mind (leaving the 49ers)."

Losses:
Defensive Assistant/Outside Linebackers Coach, Peter Hansen
Coaches Tim Drevno & Paul Wulff
SS Donte Whitner - Signed with the loser Browns for 4-year, $28M range, per @RapSheet. AB81Rules expected that we'd resign him to a 3-year deal, worth $15M, a $5M base average (good reference for how much the Brown's are getting ripped off).
CB Terell Brown - Signed a 1-year $3.5M contract with the loser, Raiders.
CB Carlos Rogers - Released and will be completely off the books accounting for an extra $6.6M on June 1st in salary cap relief. Also signed with the loser Raiders (where Niner's go to die - the Black Hole).
WR Mario Manningham - Signed with the loser Giants.
RB Anthony Dixon - Signed with some loser team like the rest.
QB Colt McCoy - Unrestricted and gone (27 @ $1.44M); signed with the Redskins.

Gains/Moves:
Clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the agents of players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. No contracts can be signed until March 11 at 1 p.m. (PT).
Another great resource for contract details: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/yearly/
2015 Draft Picks - #
2014 Draft Picks - 13 picks with 6 in the first 100.
CB Tramaine Brock - Signed to a 4-year, $16M extension (last 2013 move back in November)
WR Jon Baldwin - Base salary in 2014 is now $645k (down from $1.4M). $755 available in (unreachable) incentives.
S Craig Dahl - Base salary has been reduced from $1.35M down to $825,000. That would be a $525,000 savings, plus he may have had his $250,000 roster bonus, and $50,000 workout bonus eliminated, which would make the savings as much as $825,000.
C Daniel Kilgore - The 49ers signed Kilgore, 26, to 3-year extension today that could keep the 2011 fifth-round pick with the team through 2017. The contract averages $1.8M per season with escalators of $900K available in the last two years, plus $900K in incentives in '17. DK's 2014 base is guaranteed and he also has a separate $600K roster bonus due April 1st, 2015 guaranteed for injury.
WR Anquan Boldin - Signed a two-year contract @ $12M with $9M guaranteed. Matt Maiocco‏@MaioccoCSN22 secsSource: #49ers Anquan Boldin's first year cap number is $2.364M. Deal is actually 5 years (for cap reasons) but voids after 2 years.
Secondary/Assistant Defensive Coach Ed Donatell - Agreed to a two-year deal. If Donatell signed just a one-year extension, he could have been a candidate for defensive coordinator jobs next year. But the 49ers coveted him and clearly made it worth his while to stick around for the next two years.
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio - The FO has extended Fangio through 2015.
ILB Michael Wilhoite - Exclusive rights (will be back).
13 players signed to reserve/future contracts - Those players include: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, RB Jewel Hampton, WR Devon Wylie, WR DeMarco Sampson, WR David Reed, WR Chuck Jacobs, OG Al Netter, OT Carter Bykowski, DT Christian Tupou, NT Mike Purcell, CB Dax Swanson, SS D.J. Campbell & P Colton Schmidt
DE Demarcus Dobbs - #49ers expected to place lowest level tender ($1.4M) on RFA defensive end Demarcus Dobbs. First reported by @TomPelissero.
K Phil Dawson - AB81Rules projected a 1-year deal, worth $2.5M, with a $1M signing bonus, a $100,000 workout bonus, and a $1.4M base salary. Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers PK Phil Dawson received a two-year, $6.134 million deal with a $2 million signing bonus. He receives $3 million in the first year and can earn $25,000 in incentives each year.
SS Antoine Bethea - #49ers have reached agreement with Antoine Bethea on a four-year deal worth $21M per MB. Per AB81Rules: 2014- $3M ($1.25M base, $1.25M prorated bonus, $400K roster, and $100K workout)2015- $4.75M ($3M base, $1.25M prorated bonus, $400K roster, and $100K workout)2016- $5.75M ($4M base, $1.25M prorated bonus, $400K roster, and $100K workout)2017- $7M ($5.25M base, $1.25M prorated bonus, $400K roster, and $100K workout). 2014 base is fully guaranteed, 2015 is on signing, becomes fully on April 1 2015.
QB Blaine Gabbert - Adam Schefter, Jacksonville traded him to SF for a 6th round pick, per sources @ $2M a year; expected to rework final year of his original contract to, potentially, serve as backup.
CB Eric Wright - Resigns to a 1-year contract. Details pending.
OT Jonathan Martin - The Dolphins will get a seventh-round pick in 2015 if Martin is on the opening day roster this season. The 49ers play so many six-man O-line sets (used to be Daniel Kilgore's job who is now poised to start at center), so they needed another quality sixth man." He also doubles as our swing-T and will compete with OT Luke Marquardt.
CB Chris Cook - As expected, newly added cornerback Chris Cook signed a one-year deal for the league minimum $730,000, according to NFLPA records. He will count $570,000 against the salary cap.
CB Chris Culliver - A source told CSNBayArea.com the 49ers plan to enter into talks with Culliver's representation on a contract extension this offseason. Culliver is entering the final season of his rookie deal.
FB Bruce Miller - $645,000, along with new base salaries of $1.1 million in 2015, $1.25 million in 2016, and $1.45 million in 2017, he also received a $1.786 million signing bonus.He also is eligible for $160,000 per game roster bonuses in 2015-2017, along with $40,000 workout bonuses in 2015-2017. He also has $200,000 escalators for 2015-2017, base on making the pro bowl the previous year.The 3-year extension is worth $5.4 million.
ST/WR Kassim Osgood - Osgood getting $955k base, $20k first game roster bonus.
CB Perrish Cox - Has agreed to terms on one-year deal, source said (per MM).
WILL Aldon Smith (FYI) - According to MM we have a 5th year option (must be signed by May 5th) for him so he is signed for 2014 and 2015. In short, we don't expect to sign him long-term any time soon although doing so we would get him cheaper than we would in 2 years (and we always have the option to place the Franchise Tag on him). Technically we could have him for 2014, 2015 and tag him in 2016 and 2017 without having to sign him to a long term deal.
WR Brandon Lloyd - Lloyd's contract with the 49ers consists of the veteran minimum $955,000 base salary with $50,000 available through a workout bonus. His contract includes no signing bonus, the source said. He has more than the allowable amount of incentives in his contract, a source said, which means the 49ers do not receive the minimum salary benefit. Lloyd's deal counts $1.005 million against the 49ers' salary cap.

2014 Draft:
1. First round: Own pick, No. 30 (No. 30 overall)
2. Second round: Kansas City pick in 2013 Alex Smith trade, No. 24 (No. 56 overall)
3. Second round: Own pick, No. 29 (No. 61 overall)
4. Third round: Tennessee pick in 2013 draft day trade, No. 13 (No. 77 overall)
5. Third round: Own pick, No. 30 (No. 94 overall)
6. Third: Compensatory, No. 36 (No. 100 overall)
7. Fourth round: Own pick, No. 29 (No. 129 overall)
8. Fifth round: Own pick, No. 30 (No. 170 overall)
9. Seventh round: New Orleans pick from Parys Haralson trade, No. 27 (No. 242 overall)
10. Seventh round: Carolina pick from 2012 Colin Jones trade, No. 28 (No. 243 overall)
11. Seventh round: Own pick, No. 30 (No. 245 overall)
UDFA's:

The Current 53/90: To be updated after the draft and FA
Offense: (IR)
QB:
RB:
FB:
X:
Y (SLOT):
Z:
TE:
LOT:
ROT:
LG:
RG:
C:

Defense: (IR)
RDE:
LDE:
NT:
WILL:
SAM:
MIKE:
TED:
RCB:
LCB:
SLOT/NICKLE:
FS:
SS:

Special Teams:
LS:
PK:
PR/KOR:

Unofficial Roster: http://www.49ers.com/team/roster.html

Cap Ramifications/Potential Cuts:
QB Colin Kaepernick - "We're going to work extremely hard, very diligently in trying to get something done prior to training camp. That's the objective right now." - GM Trent Baalke. Currently in negotiations fo a LT contract. The Boston Globe and NFL Network have confirmed Matt Maiocco's earlier report that Kaepernick's representatives have set $18M per as the low-point for which these negotiations must begin. Remember, if you do the math, Kaepernick currently is due a base salary of about $1M next season. If he gets the franchise-tag in 2015, and supposing it'll be in the $18M range, the 49ers could get two more years of Kaepernick for less than $20M - or less than $10M per. On the flip side, if the 49ers immediately pay him $18M now (figuring in guarantees fitted to first 3 seasons of any deal), it'd cost about $36M for the same two years AND the 49ers would be locked into him. So Kaepernick and XAM Sports know that he at worst could be looking at a franchise-tag in 2015 and that'll be around $18M. The point? Both he and Harbaugh need to prove it next year that they together, can elevate a 30th ranked offense and they'll get renegotiated next year for long term deals. They, like all HC-QB's, are tied together.
OLB Aldon Smith - Per AB81Rules, he expects the team to pick up his 2015 5th-year option, worth $9.754 million, which doesn't hurt the 2014 salary cap in any way.
FB Will Tukuafu - Is not expected to be back in the fold this year with FB Alex Debniak healthy this year.
OL Jonathan Goodwin (35 @ $3.16M) - Unrestricted and will be let go. Earned a $2.5 million base salary in 2013 but is expected to be cut; he has no contract for 2014 and the team has not contacted him to date.

Total Current Cap Figure:
The 49ers are $4.057M under, currently. Cap is set at $133M for 2014. Any team can carry over unused salary cap room from the prior League Year.
Read more at AB81Rules: http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/98000-2014-49ers-salaries-5244-million-under-cap/
Read more at Over The Cap: http://overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=49ers&Year=2014

Team Needs: (Order of Tier Importance: Top Tier, Second Tier & Third Tier)
Trending on NinerTalk - Top 5 Needs: H/W/S = Ideal Height/Weight/Speed; Would need to forfeit picks for Justin Gilbert & Mike Evans.
#1 CB/Dynamic Returner (Justin Gilbert @ #12 = H/W/S + Returner or Jeff Fuller/Jason Verrett)
#2 WR/Dynamic Returner (2) (Size: X - Mike Evans @ #16 or Donte Moncrief @ #66 = H/W/S or Y - Brandin Cooks @ #37 = Returner + S)
#3 S (Calvin Pryor, Hasean Clinton-Dix or Jimmie Ward from picks #27 - #33)
#4 ILB (Shayne Skov in the 2nd round (#56 or #61) or from the 3rd round on, Yawin Smallwood, Chris Borland, Andrew Jackson or Telvin Smith)
#5 C (Marcus Martin @ pick #71)

Top Tier: No particular order within Tiers...
#1 CB/Dynamic Returner - This is especially true if he has dynamic return abilities (someone like CB Justin Gilbert who's 6'0" with elite speed AND return abilities). We have Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, Eric Wright, Perrish Cox, Chris Cooper, Darryl Morris and Dax Swanson (dark horse). Brown and Rogers chose to end their careers in the Black Hole (where Niners go to die). Culliver is a question mark coming off the injury and potential legal issues and distractions and Darryl Morris and Eric Wright barely saw the field last year. Cox was a late add but played very well for us on the fly during the playoffs. We will probably go a top blue-chip CB here and let him compete right away for the #2 or slowly develop him along in the nickle/dime or slot esp. if he has return abilities. Ideally, Culliver regains form and he and Brock light up the NFL with Morris quickly developing as a great slot CB with a top-tier rookie developing as the #4 to push both Brock and Culliver and Wright and Cox in the future. Don't expect to see another Marcus Cooper this go-round though. Trading up for Justin Gilbert here makes sense as well given he's 6'0" and a dynamic returner with 4.37 speed but this draft is deep in CB's so we have options. Also, it appears we'll be shifting to a more balanced press and off-coverage scheme (something we couldn't do with Brown and Rogers as starters). So pay attention to the CB's in this draft who can be very physical, strong and aggressive up at the LOS and who can also be smart enough, quick, etc. to play in off-coverage schemes.
#2 WR/Dynamic Returner - Here we have X = Michael Crabtree/Jon Baldwin --- Y = Quinton Patton/Brandon Lloyd --- Z = Anquan Boldin. Manningham went home to NY. This is an area where most feel we need a dynamic speedster to stretch the field and we would probably consider the 1st pick in round 1 to find him (note: the FO has tried to acquire Sanders and Jackson in FA, etc. for this reason). However, we've had "speedsters" in Ginn, Moore, Moss and even Lockette and never once choose to use them as deep threats used to stretch the defense (i.e. actually throw to them on deep balls). They were merely used as "decoy" deep threats to get guys such as VD and Crabtree space underneath. Boldin signed a 2-year deal. I'm guessing we go with a receiver in this bigger-body range to step in for Crabtree/Boldin next year (Crabtree) and 2 years down the road (Boldin) at the X & Z positions; someone like Donte Moncrief. Baldwin also restructured and is in this same body-mold and isn't as poor as people think. Our leading receiver averages about 4-5 catches a game right now anyhow so a big-body possession and run-blocker is essential to our offense. A speedster WR (esp. one with dynamic return abilities) will most likely be brought in after the first round IMHO esp. given how deep the draft is. Trading up for Mike Evans here may be a real option since he fits our style perfectly. Either way, we probably need 2 very different types of WR's here.
#3 S - There it is: Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid together. We just restructured Craig Dahl as some insurance and C.J. Spillman is an excellent ST player (as is Dahl). I have a feeling we'll spend a top pick for S this year to be groomed behind Bethea and he'll be more of the mold of a FS with tremendous football IQ, range and coverage ability (ala Reid last year). They need a quality back-up here with tremendous upside as Reid had 2 concussions last year and we desperately need coverage ability on the back end esp. come playoff time. The signing of Bethea means we have flexibility. Add a top S this year...or next. And now it affords us the option to draft a CB or WR who doubles as a dynamic returner! But since this draft is deep at both CB & WR, do we go S with the first pick (i.e. Calvin Pryor, Hasean Clinton-Dix or Jimmie Ward)?
#4 ILB - We currently have Patrick Willis and Michael Wilhoite as starters with Nick Moody backing up; while NaVorro Bowman is way ahead of schedule, we won't rush him back from injury. I'm unsure if the team plans to continue to develop Darius Fleming inside (his original position was as an OLB). That said, Wilhoite played well for us and don't be surprised if we go the late FA route again d/t experience needed here should either he or Willis go down at some point; someone like Larry Grant. I have a feeling the team only likes Moody as a ST ace and we'll go for a higher ILB this year in the draft as well (now and for the future). They want an upgrade here.
#8 FB - We currently have a healing Bruce Miller. Last year I was screaming for FB Jason Scheplar to make the team...then was happy when we at least brought in Owen Marecic. In the end, we let both go and Miller got hurt and our running game (and partial receiving game) tanked esp. in the playoffs. I doubt the FO makes that same mistake again! We could get a top notch FB much later in the draft and we also have FB Alex Debniak coming back from I.R. from last year who the FO was high on.
#5 C - Right now, our OL QB is Jonathan Goodwin but he's not expected to be back even as a backup/insurance. Daniel Kilgore and Joe Looney have been training all year for a shot to start here (Looney, mostly at G) so don't be surprised if we make a run at the best C in the draft or even bring in another via FA like we did with Goodwin. We could get a top notch C much later in the draft (3rd and 4th round); maybe someone from Stanford.

Second Tier:
#6 DE - Currently, we have Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and then Demarcus Dobbs, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Tank Carradine and Lawrence Okoye. Quinton Dial can also play DE. On the surface, this looks stacked here. But, Justin is much older now and slowing down, McDonald is oft-injured and Carradine and Dial are huge question marks coming off their I.R. years. TJE and Dobbs had very nice years and Okoye may end up being a surprise BUT we need top-notch "quality" talent here and health here as these 3 DL are critical to our front 7 play. It would not surprise me if the FO saw this as a primary Top Tier pick. And isn't this the ideal spot to take another IR-filler, red-shirt developmental pick by Baalke? Tomsula can hold the fort down with 1 or 2 big injuries here as proven in the past and this group and depth is solid/stout/experienced already.
#9 OG - With Mike Iupati and Alex Boone, we're more than solid here when healthy. That said, Iupati had an injury-riddled season and may command high $ come FA. With a down year, this is the year to either sign him LT or consider replacing him now. We also have Joe Looney who's been training for a year as well and Adam Snyder can also play there if needed (if he sticks with us). I would not be surprised if someone like Ryan Seymour surprises as well. We need some inside pass protection here badly.

Third Tier:
#7 QB - With Colin Kaepernick and Colt McCoy's departure, no doubt, we needed another QB, so they went out and nabbed QB Blaine Gabbert. Well done FO. That said, we could still use another QB in the mold of CK himself. We lost a potential good one in B.J. Daniels this past year to Seattle who sees a lot of similarities to Wilson already. My guess is we'll draft for added competition.
#10 OT - We have Joe Staley, Anthony Davis and Adam Snyder but Luke Marquardt will be back from I.R. and from all the reports, this dude is huge and has zero body fat. He should also be hungry as well. And as expected, the FO brought in a veteran OT in Jonathan Martin to compete with Snyder and Marquardt as well. Well done FO!
#11 RB - We have Frank Gore, Marcus Lattimore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Jewel Hampton. Jewel is my dark horse if Lattimore doesn't hit the ground running. He flashes to me and after another year in our system, don't be surprised to see him shine; we love to develop these UDFA's over time (Brock, Boone, Williams, etc.). This unit is stacked but Baalke loves competition and he'll probably bring in another rookie here for down-the-line thinking.
#13 TE - We have the best in Vernon Davis and the coaches love how much Vance McDonald could handle in his first year. He is expected to get more involved in the passing game next year. So that leaves Garrett Celek who is familiar with our system and is decent at both blocking and catching. Perhaps the coaches want to give the H-back (Delanie Walker role) a try again but I doubt it as we had both MarQueis Gray and Chris Harper last year and let both walk. That said, there are talks of Derek Carrier being ideal for this role and we heard good things about him late last year.
#12 NT - With Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams back healthy, and with the ability of Dial developing here more as well, we may go the route of another 2-gap plugger like Lamar Divens to develop on the PS (like Williams).
#14 OLB - With Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Dan Skuta and Corey Lemonier on tap. we're top-notch here but you can never have too many pass rushers, right? Darius Fleming now has experience at OLB and ILB but we'll draft some competition here and try and develop him ala Cam Johnson.
#15 PK - Phil Dawson is old and his inability to kick out of the back of the EZ cost us dearly in the playoffs. And P Andy Lee had an off-year by his standards and we may need to consider late-round picks for the two that are best-in-the-country here. LS Kevin McDermott was my unpopular choice over the legend Brian Jennings last year but it turned out to be the right move. Good call Baalke/Coaches!

NCommand:

What is your thought on

CB Chris Cook - As expected, newly added corner back Chris Cook signed a one-year deal for the league minimum $730,000, according to NFLPA records. He will count $570,000 against the salary cap. and

CB Eric Wright - Resigns to a 1-year contract. Details pending.

I remember Wright was a prospect years ago and wasn't able to trade or sign him until the begging of the fallow year.

What special about E. Wright.

Originally posted by Constantine:
NCommand:

What is your thought on

CB Chris Cook - As expected, newly added corner back Chris Cook signed a one-year deal for the league minimum $730,000, according to NFLPA records. He will count $570,000 against the salary cap. and

CB Eric Wright - Resigns to a 1-year contract. Details pending.

I remember Wright was a prospect years ago and wasn't able to trade or sign him until the begging of the fallow year.

What special about E. Wright.

eric wright will be special this year. he is my marlon moore man crush of this coming season. i whiffed on marlon but i will keep trying. with a full off season and a full chance to digest what we do,, i think he is going to take one of those open spots and perform at a high level. i know this was directed at NC. i could not pass up a chance to horn in

Originally posted by Constantine:

Originally posted by cciowa:

Originally posted by Constantine:
NCommand:

What is your thought on

CB Chris Cook - As expected, newly added corner back Chris Cook signed a one-year deal for the league minimum $730,000, according to NFLPA records. He will count $570,000 against the salary cap. and

CB Eric Wright - Resigns to a 1-year contract. Details pending.

I remember Wright was a prospect years ago and wasn't able to trade or sign him until the begging of the fallow year.

What special about E. Wright.

eric wright will be special this year. he is my marlon moore man crush of this coming season. i whiffed on marlon but i will keep trying. with a full off season and a full chance to digest what we do,, i think he is going to take one of those open spots and perform at a high level. i know this was directed at NC. i could not pass up a chance to horn in

Please, all, chime in.

I don't have much to go off of re: Chris Cook other than his prototypical size, strength and speed. I noticed in watching his low lights that he never had S help and that he was in good position and going up against very good WR's. Brooks played with him and thought he was very physical and is going to make some plays for us. But, he's got to be in the right defense. If it is true we are going to play more press coverage (tight, physical, jamming at the LOS) with more single-high FS sets coupled with Fangio's more exotic off-coverage schemes, he could very well end up fitting very nicely with what we do. Cully and Brock are in that same mold as well.

At the end of the day, we already have our #1 CB and #3-#5 is very good/set/experienced. The only position there will be a battle at is for the #2 and perhaps, the slot CB position of which I expect Morris to take big leaps this year. So, I expect a blue-chip CB to compete with Culliver and Wright, both of which already have experience in our defense and time on the field. Many forget that Wright would have started in the playoffs had he not pulled up lame forcing us to resign Cox (blessing in disguise). And even Cox has an outside chance to challenge for the #2 along with Cook.

So all in all, whoever loses out for the #2 is only going to make #3-#5 that much stronger and that is encouraging. I think Cook has a real chance here but it's Wright, to me, that may surprise everyone. Last year was all about getting right, learning the playbook and getting some PT on a championship caliber defense. He also is, by far, the most experienced NFL CB we have now. NOW, he'll have a full off season to hit the ground running and genuinely will have a shot at a starting CB position. My guess is that he may very well earn that spot while the rookie and Cook get acclimated and while Culliver gets back into football shape.

More kudos to the FO...

One of the reasons why the San Francisco 49ers have become consistent contenders over the course of the past three seasons is the way the team has been built. General manager Trent Baalke is a staunch believer in building through the draft and it shows. ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote Monday about how NFL teams are built. The 49ers are in a four-way tie for the second most homegrown players. The 49ers have 30 players on their roster who they drafted. The Green Bay Packers lead the NFL with 33 players. On offense, only receiver Anquan Boldin and guard Alex Boone are projected starters for the upcoming season who the 49ers did not draft. Boone was signed as an undrafted free agent and has spent his entire NFL career with the 49ers. On defense, including injured linebacker NaVarro Bowman and troubled linebacker Aldon Smith, six projected starters were drafted plus cornerback Tramaine Brock, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. Don't expect the 49ers' reliance on home-grown talent to change. The team's free-agency M.O. is always to keep their own players. That likely won't change soon with the Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, Smith and Mike Iupati all currently scheduled to be free agents next year. "We are always going to try to keep our own guys rather than go out in free agency and pay guys that haven't invested themselves in this place like these guys have," Baalke said Friday. The result is a roster full of players who they have handpicked and developed in what has become a winning system.

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/6861/49ers-among-leaders-in-developing-their-own-players

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by cciowa:

Originally posted by Constantine:
NCommand:

What is your thought on

CB Chris Cook - As expected, newly added corner back Chris Cook signed a one-year deal for the league minimum $730,000, according to NFLPA records. He will count $570,000 against the salary cap. and

CB Eric Wright - Resigns to a 1-year contract. Details pending.

I remember Wright was a prospect years ago and wasn't able to trade or sign him until the begging of the fallow year.

What special about E. Wright.

eric wright will be special this year. he is my marlon moore man crush of this coming season. i whiffed on marlon but i will keep trying. with a full off season and a full chance to digest what we do,, i think he is going to take one of those open spots and perform at a high level. i know this was directed at NC. i could not pass up a chance to horn in

Please, all, chime in.

I don't have much to go off of re: Chris Cook other than his prototypical size, strength and speed. I noticed in watching his low lights that he never had S help and that he was in good position and going up against very good WR's. Brooks played with him and thought he was very physical and is going to make some plays for us. But, he's got to be in the right defense. If it is true we are going to play more press coverage (tight, physical, jamming at the LOS) with more single-high FS sets coupled with Fangio's more exotic off-coverage schemes, he could very well end up fitting very nicely with what we do. Cully and Brock are in that same mold as well.

At the end of the day, we already have our #1 CB and #3-#5 is very good/set/experienced. The only position there will be a battle at is for the #2 and perhaps, the slot CB position of which I expect Morris to take big leaps this year. So, I expect a blue-chip CB to compete with Culliver and Wright, both of which already have experience in our defense and time on the field. Many forget that Wright would have started in the playoffs had he not pulled up lame forcing us to resign Cox (blessing in disguise). And even Cox has an outside chance to challenge for the #2 along with Cook.

So all in all, whoever loses out for the #2 is only going to make #3-#5 that much stronger and that is encouraging. I think Cook has a real chance here but it's Wright, to me, that may surprise everyone. Last year was all about getting right, learning the playbook and getting some PT on a championship caliber defense. He also is, by far, the most experienced NFL CB we have now. NOW, he'll have a full off season to hit the ground running and genuinely will have a shot at a starting CB position. My guess is that he may very well earn that spot while the rookie and Cook get acclimated and while Culliver gets back into football shape.

The only way I can get player info or evaluate them is off of what I can see from the T.V. or online video blogs. Like you I like to evaluate not baste what is just said but what the screen says. Like anyone who has played any kind of football, we can tell when a player is truly battle tested good or just a player who shines because he is on a very good team. So looks like Cook and Wright are good players but compared to Rogers and Brown? I know releasing Rovers and Brown helped elevate cap room, but what did it do to the talent room...
Last years Defense was awsome but not as potent as the year before... I want to see first hand what players we have and what to expect from them (video's) before the season starts. E. Reid did outstanding for his rookie season, and not taking away from that, but he also played with very good veterans. I can not emphasize how much "Gooder" Safeties are when they play with good CB's. I am a huge believer is spending money In Offensive linemen and Secondary CB's. I believe they are the back bone of the squad. Just like your back... if it is wack then so is your hole body.

Originally posted by NCommand:
More kudos to the FO...

One of the reasons why the San Francisco 49ers have become consistent contenders over the course of the past three seasons is the way the team has been built. General manager Trent Baalke is a staunch believer in building through the draft and it shows. ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote Monday about how NFL teams are built. The 49ers are in a four-way tie for the second most homegrown players. The 49ers have 30 players on their roster who they drafted. The Green Bay Packers lead the NFL with 33 players. On offense, only receiver Anquan Boldin and guard Alex Boone are projected starters for the upcoming season who the 49ers did not draft. Boone was signed as an undrafted free agent and has spent his entire NFL career with the 49ers. On defense, including injured linebacker NaVarro Bowman and troubled linebacker Aldon Smith, six projected starters were drafted plus cornerback Tramaine Brock, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. Don't expect the 49ers' reliance on home-grown talent to change. The team's free-agency M.O. is always to keep their own players. That likely won't change soon with the Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, Smith and Mike Iupati all currently scheduled to be free agents next year. "We are always going to try to keep our own guys rather than go out in free agency and pay guys that haven't invested themselves in this place like these guys have," Baalke said Friday. The result is a roster full of players who they have handpicked and developed in what has become a winning system.

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/6861/49ers-among-leaders-in-developing-their-own-players

Nice!

Originally posted by Constantine:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by cciowa:

Originally posted by Constantine:
NCommand:

What is your thought on

CB Chris Cook - As expected, newly added corner back Chris Cook signed a one-year deal for the league minimum $730,000, according to NFLPA records. He will count $570,000 against the salary cap. and

CB Eric Wright - Resigns to a 1-year contract. Details pending.

I remember Wright was a prospect years ago and wasn't able to trade or sign him until the begging of the fallow year.

What special about E. Wright.

eric wright will be special this year. he is my marlon moore man crush of this coming season. i whiffed on marlon but i will keep trying. with a full off season and a full chance to digest what we do,, i think he is going to take one of those open spots and perform at a high level. i know this was directed at NC. i could not pass up a chance to horn in

Please, all, chime in.

I don't have much to go off of re: Chris Cook other than his prototypical size, strength and speed. I noticed in watching his low lights that he never had S help and that he was in good position and going up against very good WR's. Brooks played with him and thought he was very physical and is going to make some plays for us. But, he's got to be in the right defense. If it is true we are going to play more press coverage (tight, physical, jamming at the LOS) with more single-high FS sets coupled with Fangio's more exotic off-coverage schemes, he could very well end up fitting very nicely with what we do. Cully and Brock are in that same mold as well.

At the end of the day, we already have our #1 CB and #3-#5 is very good/set/experienced. The only position there will be a battle at is for the #2 and perhaps, the slot CB position of which I expect Morris to take big leaps this year. So, I expect a blue-chip CB to compete with Culliver and Wright, both of which already have experience in our defense and time on the field. Many forget that Wright would have started in the playoffs had he not pulled up lame forcing us to resign Cox (blessing in disguise). And even Cox has an outside chance to challenge for the #2 along with Cook.

So all in all, whoever loses out for the #2 is only going to make #3-#5 that much stronger and that is encouraging. I think Cook has a real chance here but it's Wright, to me, that may surprise everyone. Last year was all about getting right, learning the playbook and getting some PT on a championship caliber defense. He also is, by far, the most experienced NFL CB we have now. NOW, he'll have a full off season to hit the ground running and genuinely will have a shot at a starting CB position. My guess is that he may very well earn that spot while the rookie and Cook get acclimated and while Culliver gets back into football shape.

The only way I can get player info or evaluate them is off of what I can see from the T.V. or online video blogs. Like you I like to evaluate not baste what is just said but what the screen says. Like anyone who has played any kind of football, we can tell when a player is truly battle tested good or just a player who shines because he is on a very good team. So looks like Cook and Wright are good players but compared to Rogers and Brown? I know releasing Rovers and Brown helped elevate cap room, but what did it do to the talent room...
Last years Defense was awsome but not as potent as the year before... I want to see first hand what players we have and what to expect from them (video's) before the season starts. E. Reid did outstanding for his rookie season, and not taking away from that, but he also played with very good veterans. I can not emphasize how much "Gooder" Safeties are when they play with good CB's. I am a huge believer is spending money In Offensive linemen and Secondary CB's. I believe they are the back bone of the squad. Just like your back... if it is wack then so is your hole body.

Fair points, no doubt. I actually think we'll end up being BETTER this year b/c the players we have now add much more diversity then the formal regime. Rogers and Brown are off-coverage CB's. Period. They can not play press effectively. Factor in age, declining skill sets, salary cap, the fact that both players choose the Raiders should tell you all you need, etc....nobody was after these guys on any level...we're good. Brock off the bench put up more than either did combined. The guys we have now have experience, youth, passion, aggression and all can play off coverage AND press coverage. Imagine what Fangio can do with that along with providing some more single-high FS looks with Reid and utilizing Bethea close to the LOS in run support and on timely blitzes. You just added a number of dimensions that we could never do with Whitner, Brown and Rogers as starters AND you're getting back Culliver, who, would have started last year over either Brown or Rogers anyhow.

It was time to turn over the weakest link the past three years...the secondary which cost us 3 Superbowls. And I'm looking forward to it. And what better time with the crop of CB's out there in the draft? Baalke has looked at every 6'0"+ CB out there as well...the draft is deep for both types of CB's we need (esp. if they have dynamic return abilities).

The guys competing now all have NFL experience or experience in our defense or both. That's a good thing. We may see a drop off at first re: off-coverage schemes but we shouldn't see too many given the familiarity of our playbook/defensive coverage schemes. Who will make the defensive adjustments? I'm going with Reid on that one.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by ModestoNiner33:

Originally posted by NCommand:
DeUh! Thanks so much for this insight. We all know what we have in most of the starters and sometimes, even their backups but what keeps the team top notch is having that internal farm system and development and shinning when called upon. I love posts like these b/c I'm looking for the next dark horse: Brock, Williams, Boone, etc. or players that were originally miscasted (Brooks, James, Hunter, etc.). So thank you for the update on DJ. Earlier in this post, someone also gave a nice assessment of CB Dax Swanson as well. We'll have to watch these guys closely and with the 11 or so draft picks, these guys are going to have to play out of their minds just to make the 53, let alone a chance to contribute to the 46.

Devon Wylie is a guy we got buried on the roster who could turn out to be a pretty good special teams returner.

This is interesting. I see that he's 5'9" 187 and runs a 4.36. Does he have return abilities? Can he work the slot? Take the top off once in a while?

He was hailed coming out of Fresno State as a potential dynamic returner and slot WR in the Wes Welker mold. Flashed enough to be a 4th round pick. He has nagging injury issues, and a case of fumbleitis on returns. He's very fast, quick, athletic. Has yet to put it all together. An intriguing guy though. He's going to have to completely ball out in TC and pre-season to have a shot. Crab-Boldin-Patton are locks. So there's probably 3 remaining spots open for Lloyd, Osgood, Baldwin, Wylie, Jacobs, and at least 1 draft pick. Competition is going to be fierce!

Originally posted by NCommand:
This is interesting. I see that he's 5'9" 187 and runs a 4.36. Does he have return abilities? Can he work the slot? Take the top off once in a while?

Yes he is another one who I have an eye on. I recently had a little discussion with IdahoNiner about him who thinks that he has no business on a 53 man roster. I personally never saw him play so I´m not sure.

Here is what I could find

Devon Wylie 5´9 187
40 Yrd Dash 4.36
10 Yrd Dash 1.52
Bench 17
Vertical 39
Broad 10´03"
20 Yrd Shuttle N/A Pro day 4.16
3-Cone Drill N/A Pro day 6.82

2011 Punt return avg. 15.4 yrds

Scout Report from CBS Sports

Positives: Has a compact built and frame to beat the jam. Good burst after one or two steps. Shows exaggerated movements on jerk routes and the ability to quickly adjust to throws. Fights through trash well and is not afraid to take a hit in the middle of the field. Hits top speed immediately after the catch. A dynamic player from the slot and in the return game with experience on the outside.

Weaknesses: Wylie tends to run around contact at the line and struggles to win contested catches that force him to leave his feet. Has lapses in concentration that lead to drops on easy catches. He lacks an open-field wiggle, preferring to outrun defenders rather than making them miss in short areas. Routes can get rounded when facing bigger corners. Drifts a bit in soft zones. Disappeared in a few games as a senior and missed most of the 2010 season with a foot injury.

He sure looks explosive in those highlights - real quick, real fast and turns on a dime. He also has an aggressive running style and he looks like he has good hands. When I look at that guy playing, I really don't know why anyone could be sure he doesn't belong on an NFL field.

Beauty of a summary NC, and while I can suggest slight modifications, they are just that...options, not necessarily better choices. Starting with 1st pick we move up to take trent's favorite CB...no waiting on this one. That gives us our # 2, with Brock at #1. I was glad to see rogers and Brown go, as altho good tacklers, it was always AFTER the catch. SEA seemed at times to be playing with 3 press corners, altho one could have been a S. Nonetheless, I would stay with 2 our two really top flite Ss, and go with another #1 or #2 CB and pass on the Ss. So
CB
CB
and at #3, QB, altho this may need to be moved up 1 slot. I would like to put a C here, but if kap takes a hit and is out, right now GAbbert is nowhere near ready to come in and start. GAroppolo, or Bridgewater(if he is still around at end of rd 1, despite his leperous pro day.). Then Center, again depending on how the board looks. At #5 I would look at Ss and if a starter, take him as a great choice if injury(eg, Reid).

I'll leave it at top 5 but am advocating for two starting CBs, to use in press coverage, just as SEA did with (?Thomas) and loudmouth Sherman. It was their 3rd guy, whether S or CB, he sure played like a CB that impressed me. I would prefer in a draft filled with CBs who could start and take two CBs early as opposed to a CB and a S. The QB/C /and CB picks would be determined by how much trent likes the value of the guys available at the pick. In effect, if he really likes bridgewater/garoppolo after taking a CB at #1 better than he likes the available CBs, then he goes Qb. As you are aware, it is BPA at the biggest need when we pick early. After those 5 I am fine with anything, but favor OL/DE first. In summary our biggest 4 needs are 2 CBs , QB, and C. WE have a backlog of CBs at present, but our #3 currently could actually be a #4. Hence the extra CB.( I don't see any starters after Brock. Good replacements all, but just not enough to start.)

These are just minor adjustments to your well thot out piece. Will trent go for two CBs early on if they are there and he can get HIS Qb? Probably not, but this is just the way I saw our glaring weaknesses during the NFCC.

Oh, and if they allowed it I would take an OC first, but no go on that. In truth, our OC is what killed us in last game of the last two seasons.

Brock (5'10"--197) and Culliver (6'--199) are the likely starters going into training camp and they are 25 years old. Behind them will be:

Wright--28--5'10"--200
Cox--27--6' 0"--198
Cook--27--6'2"--212
Morris--23--5'10"--188
Swanson--23--5'11"--191

Add in a top rookie and there should be plenty of competion and depth. Fangio and Donatell are really great at making the most of their DBs, so I am not that worried about this position. Much more worried about Center and WR...will they all be ready and healthy?