Lots of talk out there regarding the huge impact the salary cap will be as guys like Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, Anquan Boldin, Richard Dawson, Donte Whitner, and a few hundred others come up for free agency in the next year. Someone (or two) is going to be left out with all the signings the Niners need to make. And that’s just from within the team. Kaep to me is the deal you work out first. Everything flows down from getting him on board for the next 4 years at least. After that I think Boldin is the biggest priority. He and Kappy had great great success together. Then you have Crabs. He’s going to be a hairdo I’m afraid. Or maybe he won’t. His holdout to start his career hasn’t been forgotten, but his steady ascension to being a top flight WR has come to pass. But he’s going to want a big payday. One the Niners may not want to do. Because in the endd, he’s a possession WR. Not a burner like Julio Jones (or even Roddy White) or an unstoppable force like Megatron. If anyone is going to get a ride to the end of their deal, it’ll be Crabs. Cheaper possession WRs can be had once his deal runs out. I’d like to see Donte Whitner stick around as well. He has been vital to the development of Eric Reid, and the 2 form a strong safety tandem, despite the rookie mistakes in the NFCCG. Dawson? Sure, but no need to go nuts on him. With McDonald being not much and Celek providing minimally, I’d wonder what a guy like TE Brandon Pettigrew from Deetroit would cost. Maybe get a discount for the opportunity to play on a winning team, or a 2 year incentive-laden deal.
If there are casualties, it could end up being Iupati, Goodwin, Crabs, and Wright. I just wish Boldin wasn’t so old, but he’s not a speed guy anyway, so he shouldn’t drop off too much, at least for the next couple years. Rice played at a high level til he was 40ish. Kilgore Trout and Looney can take Iupati and Goodwin’s line spots, and we can draft backups. Cox is on the bubble, but he played well. As did Tarell Brown once he recovered from his rib injury. I’d keep both and of course draft backups. WR is was and will be a draft need. Osgood and Boobie are ST stalwarts, and should be easy to keep. I heard George Constanza is also available. He was a great ST guy when here, and he wants to come back. With Ventrone signed that may not be possible.
Forty Niners Forever 
If Crabby isn’t extended, I won’t be that sorry. He’s not even on the order of John Taylor quality. What has to be done more importantly is have a major change in the offensive mindset. It’s bogus, utterly too conservative and run dependent. I could understand that if the Niner defense sucks, and they can’t afford to be a little risky and turn the ball over a few times because of a porous defense. But, this Niner D has been, is and should be a stalwart defense for a while longer. I don’t care if this squad had Rice and Taylor in their hay day — they wouldn’t catch many balls with this offensive scheme. When I see other teams playing, and see their highlights, sheezus. Mediocre wide outs are crazy catching slants, hooks, bubble screens, quick outs, you name it, the ball is MOVING out of the QBs hands quickly and to the WRs so they can make a play. To the TEs, too. And, the offenses get plays off early, late and in the middle of the clock count, keeping the DLine off balance, not waiting to hike the ball every damn time with one second to go. If Roman doesn’t go, this bullshit conservative offense has to …
Bring back Nolan! Perhaps he’ll wear better suits this time.
This is the Draft to focus on WR/DBs for future development.
Crabtree is worth the thought, regarding an extension, however, he can’t be the focus.
Agree Chuck, Kaep drives the show here now.
I’ve taken the position that, Kaep can be safely extended for a good long-term Contract, because he’s shown enough of the ‘IT’ factor to be considered worthy.
My number, $15-17M/yr would make perfect sense because he’s young.
Saw the SBNation piece, posted a couple threads back, with 5/$86M.
My number of 7/$120M is exactly the same, only I’ve spread it out further, to make the working Cap more viable.
You could backload my option too.
It all depends on the up front money as to how you spread the Cap hit.
As for Crabtree?
Draft a guy to replace him, just in case.
Patton could easily provide some insurance there too.
And, while it’s been suggested that I’m a conspiracy theorist, I’ve always believed 2 theories in Sports.
1) Boxing is the easiest sport to fix, simply for the dive factor.
2) Officiating answers to no one. It’s the the good old ‘judgement’ factor.
Until there’s an option afforded to a HC in football, to challenge all calls or, non-calls, games can easily be impacted by the Officials.
Camera angles are making the game more and more complete, in terms of game action getting to the TV viewership.
As Harbaugh gets blamed for losing his cool, he’s also very much in tune with what the Officials are less and less aware of, in high pressure situations, (Carolina Clock Penalty).
The Biilionaire Boys Club is well aware of the stakes generated in Vegas, especially for the SB.
No different than Wall St.
Pump and Dump when the opportunities are there.
I stand by my opinion. It’s all about the money.
Tuned in just in time to catch a mini Alex interview at The Ol’ Crosby Clambake. Dude’s beard is a poor Rodgers imitation.
Peyton’s got a great short game, might even make the cut. Alex, Aaron and The Future President aren’t doing so badly, just not quite there.
The 49ers should pounce all over F/A WR Kenny Britt!!
The uncertainty of Boldin even coming back means major need at WR.
Britt brings the size 6’3 215 lbs and speed to “Stretch the Field” a weapon Kap can surely take advantage of .
They will need more WR’s in the draft perferablly with Size as well to counter with Seahawks physical DB/CB/S and other teams in our division, but Britt with experience and a good compliment to Crabs on the other side would be a great start!
General Patton needs to step up as well ,now that he has seen limited action and would be ahead of the development curve of the Rookie’s we draft!
I’m with ya Snarkk, and I’ve been on this bus since after Turner left. Well, maybe Martz. The point being, the passing game needs a big upgrade. I’m not sure Harbaugh is the one to do it. Certainly Roman’s passing game is rudimentary at best. If Harbaugh wants to take more control, great. Just get things much faster and much more aggressive. They can stilll run, just get rid of all the jumbo formations. 90% of them anyway. I really was hoping Harbaugh would pull a brother John move and fire his OC midseason.
Thing is, Harbaugh is up for an extension. If they wait on him, I really wonder how this shit could go down.
Gotta love the idea of adding Odell Beckham Jr to the Roster in May too –
If we were able to land him, I wouldn’t feel too bad if Crabtree were to be lost to Cap considersations.
Davante Adams wouldn’t be a bad consolation option either –
You guys might think the 49ers’ biggest off season problem is our passing attack and Greg Roman, but it’s not. Our biggest off season problem is Frank Gore. Here’s a guy who used to be, and still might be, a collective blog all-time 49er favorite. Frank used to call Nolan on the phone after games to see what he could have done better. Frank cried when he saw Brandon Lloyd partying in the parking lot with fans after a loss. Frank backed Alex. A potential HOF running back who probably won’t make the hall because he faced 8 and even 9 in the box for most of his career (in his prime) while Alex was his qb? And Frank still backed Alex? That’s character. That’s why we all love Frank……… and that’s why it makes the decision to cut Frank or severely limit his touches next year (while paying him next to nothing) that much more difficult. He’s dug in. Hard to unseat.
My case against Frank now is simple: He can’t run outside the tackles and he hasn’t run away from anyone in the open field for the last five years. If linebackers and D linemen know your game is up the middle, it’s simple: clog the middle. That’s exactly what Seattle did to Frank in the NFC Championship game and Frank went no where. But the Saints ran effectively against the Seahawks the week before. Frank can still pass block with the best of them, and he can certainly still be shifty behind the line, finding the smallest of seems to exploit. But running backs need to do a lot of things well, and Frank, at 31, isn’t doing all of those things well enough, and it makes it harder on the passing attack. Roman might be addicted to Gore, but Gore is killing the passing attack even if one of Gore’s strengths is pass protection.
If Kaep had a running back in his prime who could hit holes and break long runs, with more juice in his legs, Kaep would be more effective. And I know this year was all about Frank facing 8 in the box while defenses dared Kaep to beat them without Crabtree. But if you flip the field, or flip the offensive philosophy, you pass to set-up the run to give the running back more space with fewer defenders in the box. However, when you pass to set-up the run, the running back has to be fast to catch defenses off guard (a quick, sneaky delay that Frank tried to run but couldn’t down the stretch in this year’s playoffs). What about the swing pass in the flats, making a linebacker miss, or a toss sweep? Frank can’t do any of those things anymore, and those things are crucial to opening up a defense so the passing attack can thrive.
Marshawn Lynch made Russell Wilson, but Frank Gore, as much as I hate to admit it, or claim it, hurt Colin Kaepernick in the playoffs this year. The 49ers’ offensive success next year depends on Rathman, Harbaugh and Roman finding Frank Gore’s replacement. Make Gore the bell cow next year and the 49ers won’t go anywhere in the playoffs. And if you’re looking to gradually hand the duties over to Lattimore next year while phasing out Frank Gore, then you’re gambling a lot on a man with two horrific knee surgeries. The window for Super Bowl greatness is small. Let’s not gamble on Frank and Marcus. I say we need to draft another running back in the second round.
This dude, Florida State’s Devonta Freeman, is a stud. In my opinion, he’s the best running back in the draft, and he’s considered a 3rd round pick. Grab him in the second and smile all the way to the Super Bowl. Jeremy Hill is another good second round option.
We should well with Lattimore Spit.
He too was a 1st Rd talent scooped up on the cheap due to Gore-like knee injuries.
If he learned anything from Frank during this Redshirt season, he’ll do well.
Agree about the blocking piece of Franks’ game.
Lattimore has already acknowledged that Rathman made the blocking assignments priority number one.
Freeman is a player.
Other guys I’ve penciled in for the RB slot are Ka’Deem Carey, James White and Dri Archer.
Archer being the Pocket Rocket option.
Not sure what the deal is with LMJ at this point either.
If he’s not cutting it, adding a PR/KR weapon is imperative too.
If there’s a RB with those talents, put him on the list.
RB Charles Sims from WVU is a worthy candidate too.
Runs well and is a threat on the receiving side of the ledger too.
Check out WR Bruce Ellington from SCAR.
He’s got some KR experience. Little guy, decent numbers.
Might be a consideration for Slot duties?
WR Brandin Cooks from OR State has KR ability too.
Another candidate for the Slot perhaps?
Spit, Frank never never never ran outside the tackles. He was almost always caught from behind. Even back in 2006. Speed was never his game. You act like these things are new. And the whole world seems to understand that Lattimore will be phased in as Gore is phased out this season. This is Frank’s last year. He’ll get his 10,000, and he can get 10-15 touches a game.
Considering that 90% of the offense is based on the run, that’s a helluva lot of expectations of a guy who hasn’t played a full season, because of injuries, since Singletary was Head Coach.
I don’t see a 2nd rounder, rather a 4th or lower, but definitely a pick.
Gore needs 33 yards for 10,000. They start the season with him and they’ll phase him down.
I’m all over Beckham. I like his size and really like his speed. Great route runner. Might have to trade up to get him. Carolina needs a WR, as does KC, Deetroit, and a few others. He could last til 30, but I don;t think they wait. Maybe a deal with KC would get us Beckham.
The 49ers need a wr in the first, rb in the second, safety in the second, DT in the third, qb in the fourth.
Spit I’m inclined to consider DT/DE Aaron Donald, maybe NT Louis Nix, if he’s still available at Pick 30.
Nothing wrong with a WR either, especially if it’s a coveted individual.
Most of the SS’s are rated from Rd 2 on so, I wouldn’t reach for that position too early.
Should be interesting to watch Baalke play the Board in May.
Wouldn’t mind picking up OG Gabe Jackson either, if Iupati becomes a Contract extension headache.
Could find him in Rd 2 possibly.
I didn’t realize how high Derek Carr was rated. He’s a 1st rounder? Hopefully he won’t be as big a bust as his bro. David Fales on the other hand likely lasts until the 4th round. He’s a shot with our 3rd 3rd round pick. The little I’ve seen him, he looks pretty close to Carr. Might be a steal. We defeintely need to get a rookie AND a vet for Kappy’s progression.
Shit, for as good as the 2011 draft was , the 2012 was equally bad. Last year looks pretty strong, but the inability to get a WR that can produce is getting harder and harder to reconcile.
But then again that points back to the playcalling/route-running/quarterback issue that is getting the ball to anyone not named Boldin, Crabs, or VD.
I saw the replay of the pass to Crabs, and it sure looks like Boldin isn’t even looking for the ball. He’s bracketed, but there’s some space around him. Could Kappy have gotten a pass to him? Iffy at best. But is sure looks as if he knows the play is for Crabs and Crabs only. VD is open as well for a medium gain underneath. That would be the safe pass. But again, the play was designed to go to only Crabs from the looks of things.
2 WRs, 1 quick slot guy and 1 a big, good hands guy – speed a bonus
2 secondary – 1 safety (SS or FS depending on what happens in free agency and resigning), 1 CB
1 interior DL, a fat man would be nice
1 OG
1 RB who can catch and scoot
The rest special teams guys and role players. Any outside pass rushing terror who can be had cheap for situational roles should be snatched up, as always.
Some thoughts on Gore.
2013 he had the second most attempts of his career and the lowest YPA at 4.1 of his career.
Can this be all about the O line blocking and execution? Was the O line even close to how bad some of the lines he has run behind year after year were?
Gore has the final year of contract but nothing guaranteed. I read somewhere an idea of extending him using the same basic amount of money he is due in 2014. That makes the most sense to me but not because I see him playing beyond 2014 as the writer of that article did.
I can’t see Gore accepting a straight out paycut, he has done too much and has too much pride for that.
His only other real option would be to sign a 2/3 year contract elsewhere but I don’t see him wanting to do that so that’s a last resort.
Which leaves an extension as the most viable option. In effect it would be a 50% paycut for 2013 but publicly it would affirm the belief Gore still has 2/3 years left in him and he may have 2 in reality if he reduces his carries significantly although I doubt he is in Niner uniform after 2014.
Just my 2c
Gore’s done. Chuck’s stuck on numbers, but who gives a sheat about numbers.? The 49ers only have one running back on their roster for all of next year who’s a sure thing: Kendal Hunter. The 49ers will draft a running back high. I guarantee it.
Was cruising over at the flap and saw Dennis was banned there for racism? Haven’t seen him post here for a while either come to think of it.
Dennis has made some off-color (pun intended) remarks in the past but nothing I would construe as overtly racist. I presume he stepped out of character?
Chuck doesn’t like him. sniff…….
Shame to ban him, his brand is unique. Most folks talk out of turn from time to time especially with a dram or two too many.
burp…….yeah foot in mouth and brain shut off. ……belch!
Bullshit! I’ve read the most vile insults and slander on this blog. It used to be the “no-holds-barred” blog and bragged about for it. But marching orders is marching orders. Don’t tell Dennis. He still thinks Chuck is his friend.
I have been discussing football and life for years with Dennis. I miss his non sequitur pop movie and other references. He’s like a buddy. I’d like to see his exact quote, in context, which garnered him excommunication.
I realize that life is not just under The Pope. Henry VIII had a thing for beheading wives because they didn’t bear him a male son and heir. Yet he was excommunicated not for this, but for the sin of divorce (which he resisted, which is why he resorted to the ax in the first place).
Free Dennis!
For all the jockeying the 49ers did last season to keep as much talent as possible on the roster and not lose guys like BJ Daniels, Micheal Thomas, Perrish Cox, Marcus Cooper (who got beat like a drum) and others, the 49ers sure did lose out with all of their wasted running backs taking up roster spots. Why have Anthony Dixon and Bruce Miller on the roster at the same time? They’re the same guy. Both have special teams ability, both can block, catch and run the ball – with limits with ball in hand. Bruce out, Dixon in. Did we really need to keep two fullbacks?
And like the old saying goes: If you have two, you probably don’t even have one. For my money, I dump Miller and use Dixon. Dixon has more ability with the ball in his hand, and Dixon makes more plays on special teams. Miller’s the superior blocker but Dixon could be taught and coached to get better at blocking. Who knows if Cooper, Thomas and Daniels will turn into something in a few years? If they do, the 49ers running back conundrum cost the team some talent.
I’d look at trading La Micheal James. He has some value in terms of ability, and he’s cheap. He’s tradeable. I’d trade him. I don’t trust him with the ball in his hands: he’s too damn small.
Forget about Lattimore and Gore. NEXT!!!!!
Next year give me Hunter, Dixon, Devanta Freeman and Jeremy Hill. Put Bruce Miller on the practice squad. Cut Frank Gore.
NoFear, I’ve talked to Dennis about it. He’s fine with and understands why he was banned. He knows I’m his friend.
He was banned the same reason why JT and all his incarnations were banned.
Yer loony, Spit. You and noFear should be on point/counterpoint. Get rid of all the RBs? Brilliant.
LMJ isn’t worth a warm bucket of piss right about now. We don’t need more draft picks. What do we get for him? Adrian Peterson? Or Pat Paulson?
LaMicheal James has a lot of value. He’s still in his rookie contract (which is value right there), he was great at Oregon, and he was behind Frank Gore and Kendal Hunter on one the best teams in the NFL. We used a second on him. I think Baalke could get a third for him now. Trade him to a team like the Titans. Whissenhunt, an offensive minded coach, could do something with CJ2k, Locker and James.
I’m not a Bruce Miller fan. He’s a great blocker, but he’s limited with everything else. I’m amazed that Greg Roman wanted to feature him more in the passing game (but I shouldn’t be). I’d dump him or put Miller on the practice squad. I know he’s cheap, but someone else can do more as our FB. The only thing I don’t like about Dixon as our FB is that he runs past defenders and they tackle the ball carrier – that can’t happen. But a lot of that can be fixed with coaching and watching film.
In my opinion, Marcus Lattimore shouldn’t just be given an automatic roster spot next year. He should have to compete with all the other running backs in camp. I think that’s what the 49ers will do. But I’d bring in two more running backs as high draft choices to compete with Lattimore to be Gore’s replacement. I’d bet dollars to donuts Lattimore doesn’t hold up next year. Then what? We revert back to Gore down the stretch? James, Miller and Dixon? No thanks. Our running backs, besides Kendal Hunter, aren’t that good. And if Lattimore does surprise, GREAT! The huge gamble paid off. But hedge your bets.
Devanta Freeman and Jeremy Hill. On a team that runs as much as we do, we can’t afford to hand the ball off to sub par or extremely aged players. AND, making our backfield better makes Kaep better. In addition, if you’re going to have a college run game coordinator run the offense, put some bullets in his gun. Roman’s firing duds. I know, Unca, you love Frank but what do you think Bill Walsh would do? If Bill Walsh was the coach of the 49ers right now, Frank Gore would be looking for another team…… and you know it.
Forgot… we already own the Titans’ third…. but you get what I’m sayin’.