Well, the Saints fired the first shot in the upcoming salary cap wars by jettisoning safety Roman Harper, defensive end Will Smith, and cornerback Jabari Greer. They also decided not to re-sign linebacker Jonathan Vilma. They went from $18 million over the cap to $3 milll under.
Which brings us to the 49ers. As we stand we are about $6 mill under. But we have a lot of talent that is going to be on the market this year or next. The most immediate pile of money to recoup would be for Carlos Rogers. He’s scheduled to make over $8 million this year, and the Niners could recoup $5 mill ($2.9 mill in dead money) by cutting him. Rogers balked last year at any kind of restructuring becasue he felt he had earned the money. The Niners ended up agreeing to this when Chris Culliver suffered a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. This year however is a different story. He’s not the best corner on the team anymore, and he knows that if he wants to stay he has to restructure. I think the Niners play hardball with him in the negotiations and he walks.
Frank Gore on the other had is another big pile of money that could become available. His $6 mill would instantly be freed up as his contract is ending this yewar, and there’d be no dead money to choke on. Cut Gore? That is a tough row to hoe for me, seeing as Gore was the bell cow for so many years under offensive geniouses Dumb (Nolan) and Dumber (Singletary). Both of them couldn’t yell loud enough, STOP GORE! THAT’S ALL WE DO!!! to every popponent we faced from 2005 to 2010. He bravely toiled on dogshit teams, playing through various injuries and basically getting pounded to dust regularly facing 9 in the tackle box. The fact that he did get hisd yards is all the more extraordinary. Plus, he should be in the Hall of Fame for his blocking ability alone, let alone the 10,000 yard mark he’s about to surpass.
Still and all, I hope against hope that Frank restructures. He certainly can force the issue and make this a PR thing. He has become one of the most well-liked and respected players in 49er history, and the fans love him. Still, $6 mill for a guy who is definitely winding down is another tough row to hoe for the bean counters, when they have guys like Boldin and Whitner as immediate concerns. His base salary is ‘only’ $3 mill, so maybe they can restructure around the bonusses. I think he stays. Cutting him would be bad juju. They can phase him out, but they can’t cut him.
So, 2 prudent moves like that would give the Niners close to $10 million more in cap room. Throw in Adam Snyder ($1 mill to the cap), Jon (look out!) Baldwin ($1.4 mill in cap savings, $0.00 in dead money), and super-sub Craig Dahl ($1.4 mill in cap relief) totals out to almost another $4 million. Jettison some guys buried deep on the depth chart (Jason Shepler, Michael Purcell) adn retool woth rookies, and the total is close to $5 mill. With the room they have, they could come up with close to $21 mill in room to play with.
Here are the numbers:
Then they can focus on signing Anquan Boldin and Donte Whitner to deals. And Phil Dawson. Huzzah!
Forty Niners Forever 
How many draft picks do the niners have
I don’t come out here everyday, but my son says the Niners should move up to get this guy
Justin Gilbert
12
13 with the compensatory pick for Goldson.
have they announced the comp pick yet, do we know what it will be? I read speculation of a 4th maybe
I saw the Goldson pk being a 3rd. Niners Nation even has it penciled in that slot.
A 3rd would be great.
Gilbert is in the top 5 of the CBs oming out. But he’s the best press-cover corner. He could go top 10. It would be hard to get him unless he slips down to 20. Which is very possible. He’s one to keep an eye on.
Stanley-Jean Baptiste is an intriguing guy. He’s huge (6’3, 220), he’s a converted WR, and he’s fast. Definitely worth a look in the 3rd round. He’s raw and not a good tackler, but he’s got a big upside.
He’s got a big everything lol, 6’3″ 220 WR!
Yes, we have 3 3rd round picks this year.
This is subject to change, and it’s a good bet that before May 8 that it just might. But on this day when we celebrate the anniversary of St. Valentine being beheaded by Claudius the Cruel circa 270 A.D. Mark me down as being in favor of drafting a DL with our first pick. And just to throw out a name, how bout Stephon Tuitt from ND. He’d make a nice replacement for J. Smith. Or hell, why stop there. He could be our next Bryant Young.
This holiday should be beheaded except the flower industry and the candymakers and Hallmark wouldn’t allow it to disappear. BLEEP!
a friend thinks Gilbert could do punt and kick off returns
My Valentine thought: I think we should draft Sam and have him room with Chris Culliver during training camp. Then I think we should release Sam, subsequently having Seattle inevitably pick him up…. swapping Sam back and forth for the next couple of years, alla Cox. Rob would be in 8th heaven.
Gilbert is probably out of reach for the Niners Kevin
Speaking of the O line, which we weren’t, I would put Boone at RT, Davis at RG, Looney at C (bigger guy than Kilgore) Iupati at RG and Staley at LT.
Davis is a more natural guard and Boone is already a good tackle. He subs in for Staley when Staley goes out and there is no real loss of ability.
Goodwin is old and as Chuck said the weakest link on the line.
I am interested to see if they extend Iupati, I would not be surprised if they feel the cap space is better spent elsewhere and yes I understand Iupati is a premuim LG in this league.
If it’s me, I downsize the line and go smaller, quicker, faster. I want dudes who can pull and trap and cut. I’m so sick of hearing we aren’t athletic enough along the offensive line to run screens. We can’t run stretch plays either. I give the nod to Kilgore and see if he can put his hat on linebackers and even DBs in space. Iupati sure as hell can’t.
And just for the record…. Mike Iupati was great in space his rookie season under Singletary. But every year after he’s gotten bigger and more sloppy in space. He’s not as good as people think he is the run game. You want two yards, however, in short yardage situations? I’m running behind Mike Iupati (but let’s not confuse that with good overall run blocking).
And one more thing…. just for the record. Where Mike Iupati excels is in the passing game. He’s a great pass blocker. No question about that.
It would take several seasons to change out the line Spit. Window of opportunity is now. Think tinker not rebuild.
I completely agree. Just sayin’. If we’re talking philosophy….. But you can always go with the smaller Kilgore and have him start the more mobile transition. Plus, those guys are cheaper. Everyone wants an Iupati on their team. Not as many appreciate the smaller offensive lineman.
If we’re talking philosophy…….BLEEP!
“To have no time for philosophy is to be a true philosopher.”
—Pascal
….then there ain’t a true philosopher amongst us.
Did Craig Dahl even play this past season more than a handful of plays?…
Lots of ST plays…..
This is really discouraging. I’ve done two Sam jokes with no reply. I know what you all are thinking. You’re too classy. The time has come. This is a great move by a kid who could be the next Jackie Robinson and you’re not going to get in the way. You won’t be that ugly guy calling out curse words from the stands trying to maintain the status quo. However, you also know, “You want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.” And I will sit on the wall and say, “No [Nancy] is gonna harm you tonight.”
And while we’re talking controversy, I find it extremely ironic that I’m the only one here advocating for the re-signing of one, Micheal Crabtree. I was banned (before my time) from the Chron blog for threatening to burn down San Francisco when Crabtree was drafted over Micheal Oher. At the time, though, and in my defense, I didn’t know we’d get Harbaugh, a former NFL qb, who couldn’t develop a wide receiver for the life of him. The 49ers spin the lack of wide receiver development under Harbaugh, but “I WANT THE TRUTH!!!”
I do want to keep Crabs, he has developed into a good possession receiver, I just don’t think the team will meet his contract expectations.
As for the Sam story to many that’s a taboo thing to comment on. To me I don’t give a damn and I’m already sick of it.
We had a talented and promising QB in his first full season and a decimated receiving corps. We had a top (1-5 depending who you ask) defense. A solid running game and S/T. We played it the way that made the most sense and gave us the best chance to win, despite the wailing and gnashing from some of the louder spectators in the cheap seats. The results speak for themselves. There was no urgent need to risk stunting or destroying the young field general’s confidence before he developed some pro QBing skills and knew better what he was doing. You will see a more involved passing game next year. Count on it.
As for Mr. Sam, he made a bad decision in allowing ‘the movement’ to use him for crazy media attention for their agenda. I think he figured on shaming a team into taking him higher but only succeeded in creating a media circus he can’t control. And no team will welcome the spotlight that comes with him now.
It’s worse than the Tim Tebow show but Tim was in a group that it was fine to publicly criticize, not the protected class that Sam enjoys. Martin winning his bullying case only sets up the knock-out punch for any team taking Sam.
On Crabs, I think he’s matured beyond the me-me-me attitude of his early days and he’s a much better receiver than you hear here. Keeping CK7’s go-to guys around can only help the passing game gain some momentum and progress. If it comes down to some tough cap decisions, well, that’s part of the game these days, but it’s just as important to re-sign your top players in FA as it is to sign other teams’ top players with their own baggage.
I like the nickname, CRABS. I hope he sticks around just for that.
For all Crabs’ apparent growth as a player, I’m pretty sure he’s gonna want 5/60. Forget that. Draft another possession WR. They shouldn’t be that hard to get.
Oh, the poor Christians in America. Persecuted by the imaginary godless media, or whatever the fuck it is. Being fed to lions is persecution. The attack on Christmas is but a FOX myth. Being ridiculed because Timmy was a shitty QB is not persecution.
If Timmy facetime was really serious about trying to get back into the NFL, he would sign on with a CFL team, or if they don’t want him, go to the arena league. He’d learn his craft and relearn the proper way to throw a pass. Not do these staged ESPN QB sessions with Trent Dildo and become an announcer. Loved his commercials by the way. Poor guy. making millions off his faith. There’s persecution.
That “shitty” QB, as you style him, took over a 1-4 team, won the division, and defeated the defending AFC Champions in the playoffs with over 300 yards passing. He then was beaten by the Patriots in Foxboro, something in which he has lots of playoff company.
Tebow has a better playoff record (1-1) and just as many playoff wins in his 2/3 of 1 season as Alex has in his 30 year career.
But go on, Chuck. Pay some hugh priced proven loser big bucks to stand on the sidelines as Kappy’s backup. Right. I submit that Tebow could run Roman’s SCO RIGHT NOW in case of a Kappy injury.
Tebow can’t get signed by a Canadian team. He needs to start over. why isn’t anyone pursuing him? Harbaugh’s a QB guru, but he wouldn’t touch Tebow with a 10′ pole.
He either likes the fame and money he’s getting now or he’s being blackballed by the league for his overt Christianity. No one will ever convince me that’s he’s not flat out better than anybody the Browns, Vikings, or Packers sans Rodgers put on the field, just to cite three examples.
For the record, I was the only guy on these blogs vocal in his support for Crabs during the holdout/injury years. B* later joined in with tepid support.
We’re short of quality WRs now, and you casually assert, “Oh dump him, we’ll just draft another possession reciever. No problem.”
Right. Facing a pressing problem, a dearth of receivers, we should dump Kappy’s favorite target over a few bucks.
Rubbish.
We sign Crabs, say goodbye to Aldon Smith and Donte Whitner. He’s a decent WR, I just don’t think he’s worth 60 mill. We have to pick and choose where to spend the money. Iupati? We’ll see. If this team wants to keep running, they should sign him back. If they want to branch out and become more of a passing team (and lose the jumbo) , they should move on.
High priced proven loser? Tebow’s a low-priced proven loser. he can’t even get a tryout. Why?
There’s a reason for that. It’s the same problem Gino Toretta had, Tim Rattay had, JaMarcus Russell had, and plenty of others. He’s not very good. Pea Shooter McCoy is better than Tebow. This isn’t a vast conspiracy to keep him out of the game. He just isn’t very good. Denver lost 4 of their last 5 games in 2011 to ‘win’ the division. The Raiders lost 5 of 5. There’s streaking into the playoffs. Hey, they won a playoff game. Great. If he wants to get back into the NFL he needs to start over and hone his craft. Not do these staged events with Trent Dilfer.
I think the 49ers can re-sign Aldon, Kaep and Crabtree. They should re-sign both Kaep and Crabtree now, then use the franchise tag on Aldon. Forget Whitner and Iupati. Draft another safety in the second. Dump Gore, Goodwin, Whitner, Rogers, Iupati… and trade James for Captain Kirk Cousins. That’ll create the necessary room for Aldon, Kaep and Crabtree. Pass the ball and stop the pass.
Just HOW is Tebow a proven loser? Two national championships in college. Starting on a 1-4 team WHICH HAD MISSED THE PLAYOFFS FIVE CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, he went 7-4 into the playoffs, 1-1 with an upset over the Steelers in the playoffs. That was his only chance as a starter before being replaced by a future HOFer.
Your statement screams wrong.
Unca: I think the Alex Smith years taught Crabtree a lot. Crabtree suffered. 5/60 might not be a bad place to start for Crabtree’s agent, figuring he’d fall back on $9 million per year with the 49ers. Crabtree won’t get $12 per year unless it’s with a team that really sucks with a lot of cap room – a team like the Jags. Then Crabtree’d become the next Mike Wallace, play with Alex all over again. Crabtree knows painfully well his talents are dependent on a quarterback and offensive system. Crabtree’s worth is also dependent on the immediate market, which is always hard to estimate. Goldson tested FA, found a soft market, then came back to the Niners. Two years later the market was hot, and he left. I think Crabtree will sign with a good team for around 9 million per year. I think the 49ers should be happy to pay him between 8-10 million per year. You don’t let him get out of town when Kaep needs help, Boldin’s old and Harbaugh can’t develop receivers. But if Crabtree grabs 12 to play in Jacksonville, I’ll be really surprised. Crabtree just spent something like 5 years with Smith, then they bring in Kaep, Crabtree’s career takes off, only to have Crabtree leave to play with someone like Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert? Teams like the Packers, Patriots, Saints, Broncos and others, with good qbs, don’t have the cap room to give Crabtree 12 per year.
NoFear: Sam isn’t Tebow. Sam is Manti Teo. And Manti Teo wasn’t a distraction in the San Diego locker room. The story will “blow” over initially but get revisited from time to time. Tebow is a lightning rod for debate for so many reasons. There’s nothing to debate about with Sam. He bites pillows. End of debate. I think Sam will get drafted ahead of where his talent suggests, not lose draft stock because of his announcement. However, teams could hope to get a bargain with him, anticipating a slide. This could make his stock drop, but he’ll get drafted.
Bill Romanowski said at the end of the day in the locker room you’re worried about whether or not that guy helped you win a ball game. I completely agree with this. Bill also said what’s said in the locker room is unrepeatable, and I think we all know it. Sam might clean up the locker room a little. I think there might even be some teams who see a real benefit to bringing in Sam to their team for the locker room cleanup and the team PR in the community. Some GM will want to be Branch Ricky.
Sam’s draft stock is around the 4th. I think that’s where he goes. But the combine will play a role. Depends on the kid’s character. He might want to be a success to pave the way. He might have an extra fire that burns deep to succeed. If teams pick up on that, he’ll go higher than his draft stock.
I’ll give you one, and the only one good goddamn reason NOT to draft Michael Sam…
he has two first names.
“Never trust a man with two first names, especially if one of them’s a woman’s”
— Joel Hodgson. Mystery Science Theater 3000
Or in this case, he is a woman.
Mike Sam is clearly confused. He has two first names AND two linebacker names. Until he figures it out, he shouldn’t have come out of the closet. He should have stayed in the closet and just found a beautiful woman to marry. Hell, that’s what Jeff Garcia did…