Moving on to one of the best bands to come out of the south, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Nothing fancy is how I think the 49ers deal with the impending FA period. Which cracks open in 2.5 hours.
My take is the 49ers try to keep the proverbial band together without hitting free agency hard. Keep Whitner and Brown. Maybe Cox if he’s cheap. Dawson as well. Other than that? Who knows? There’s talk of getting VD’s brother, VD the CB, from the Colts. These others are peripheral guys who can be replaced in the plentiful draft.
So, seeing what happens these next couple weeks determines what they need in the draft. I certainly don’t think they go after a FA WR, but maybe a backup D lineman on the cheap? Sure. OTher than that, and maybe a CB/SS if they let Whitner go, I don’t see the Niners going into a free agent frenzy.
Forty Niners Forever 
I’m not too excited to trade Whitner for Bethea but I think Baalke thought he was the next best thing out there to fill the spot for the money he could allocate to that position. Not a brilliant move but not bad for a prudent reaction to fill an important hole.
Gabbert’s getting solid back up money if he’s getting $2MM/yr. He’s expected to be able to come off the bench and actually win a game or two.
I don’t worry about the Martin trade, bought nothin’, paid nothin’. Miami couldn’t cut him but we can.
What’s all the money for? I’m wondering if the guys we cleared space for are already here.
Drafting receivers is like shooting craps, with doctored dice. Very hard to transition to the pros for most of those college stars.
That’s just it NoFear49er.
Whitner chose a better offer.
Good for him.
I appreciate all he’s done for us, solid guy, a little weak in pass coverage but, most SSs are.
Bethea was a prudent backup plan which Baalke was able to orchestrate.
I’m with you, extra cash is always better then dead money.
Maybe another piece is coming?
Time will tell.
It’s the 1st day of FA.
I didn’t expect anything to occur, yet, we had all sorts of activity.
At least it’s fresh football news for a change.
Good thing is Fangio/Donatell can make some adjustments in the secondary duties if Bethea isn’t up to the type of run support Whitner thrived on and if we get some big zone/run corners. Whitner upped his game last year and I don’t remember calling him a jerk-off more than once or twice. No wonder he got paid!
Think we’ll grab 2 in the draft in that case NF?
Depending on FA, probably so. They’re like drafting QBs. Keep doing it. Most don’t stick.
Bethea will be a band aid for a couple of years. I don’t think he’s Super Bowl caliber…. now. The Colts didn’t want to pay him 5 million per year, and they’ve made the playoffs two years in a row. That tells you something. You want a good player ON THE FIRST DAY of free agency, you have to pay big money. That’s what Baalke just did. He over paid for Bathea because Baalke panicked regarding our SS.
Martin’s a waist of time. Gabbert is potential trade bait after rehab. Check down, Charlie. But hell, Harbaugh won with Alex Smith. The best move of the day was signing our own – Eric Wright. Oh, and letting an older player in Carlos Rogers get out of town.
I look for T Brown to sign somewhere else this week. Brock, Wright and Culliver will do fine. If the 49ers draft a SS early, the secondary will be fine.
Bethea is solid Spit.
He’s also not overpaid.
He saved money in comparison to what Whitner got.
Sure, he’s a bandaid, he’s there for his experience while the newcomer from the Draft learns the ropes.
Again, small moves that saved money, while maintaining a viable roster.
Wright is a better option on the slot, for a whole lot less money, then Rogers too.
If TBrown moves on, there’s talk that we’ve made CB Nolan Carroll an option from Miami.
The game of roster tinkering.
If he’s so solid, why didn’t the Browns go after him?
If he’s so solid, why’d the Colts let him go?
He’s solid like the old bike in the garage you have to ride when the truck’s in the shop.
Same reasonwe let Whitner go I guess?
It’s the nature of the game.
FAs move around.
We lost our SS, we took theirs.
Both guys have 9yrs in the league.
Bethea – 123 games – 806 Combined tackles – 14 INTs
Whitner – 116 games – 669 Combined tackles – 10 INTs.
Bethea costs us less too.
Advantage Baalke.
Why didn’t the Browns want Bathea? Leadership? Bathea’s been in the league longer than Whitner. Big game experience? Bathea has a ring. The Browns didn’t want Bathea because Whitner’s a hell of a lot better, despite you spinning otherwise.
Whitner’s better than Bethea. Case closed.
In 2013 both guys had 2 Picks.
Bethea made 110 Combined Tackles
Whitner made 73 Combined Tackles.
Advantage Bethea.
Colts had expensive safeties and Manusky doesn’t insist on strong vs free in safeties. Probably a good way to save some money or must meet Landry’s contract numbers if reupping him. And I hear they want more pass rush so less on safeties makes sense. Besides I think RJF is taking all their money now.
Whitner is better but we don’t pay more than we set at current market value.
Both guys got Drafted in ’06 Spit.
Whitner a 1st RD selection
Bethea a 6th RD selection.
I’ve got no problems whatsoever with Donte.
Sorry to see him go.
But, he did.
Baalke got Bethea to replace him.
For LESS Money.
What’s not to like?
I know…….Baalke.
Follow my theory here Spit.
Spend wisely.
Manage the Cap.
Buy low.
Maintain the roster youth to Vet ratio.
Force other’s to max out their Caps.
Cash in on their mismanagement, when their guys hit the street, that still have value, make a pitch.
Like……..Bethea.
Good they can have RJF and he can have their money. Jest keep yer F-ing hands off our coach
Case closed? Naw the only case that should be closed is the one Dennis is trying to pry open
Whitner is a Cleveland native, Ohio State Grad.
He got offered a good Contract to play in his hometown.
His decision, he chose Cleveland.
Can’t fault him for that.
We got Bethea now.
Did I mention his stats are better and, he cost Baalke LESS?
I think I did.
Bethea made more tackles because he didn’t have Willis and Bowman in front of him. Give me a break. You’re full of shit.
Or…..Bethea was there before the LBs and took care of business?
You’re not a guy that adapts to change too readily are you?
You’re a joke.
Gentlemen I checked Phils Jaw Jack-O-Meter = it’s a draw until we get some evidence plus or minus. In games that count. Balky got the best guy available for what we can afford, can there be any doubt?
The 49ers don’t have Tom Gamble anymore. Gamble used to do the pro scouting for the 49ers. Last year Trent Baalke went out and got us Colt McCoy.
Just keeping it real Spit.
It’s football.
Things change.
Bethea is our new SS now.
Thanks to Donte.
Welcome Antoine.
A GMs work is never done.
More things to consider.
Blaine Gabbert:
What the 49ers have said now on three separate occasions is that Harbaugh can rehabilitate a quarterback’s career. He did it with Alex Smith. He couldn’t do it with Colt McCoy. They’ll try to do it with Blaine Gabbert. Now I admit, maybe I’m off here. Maybe Baalke isn’t looking at these guys as trade bait. Maybe he’s just looking to them as backups who can win a spot start here and there… now. But personally I think that would be a foolish angle. And another thing we’ll never know – Is Baalke even consulting Harbaugh when making moves at qb? It’s said that Harbaugh is the one who lost faith in BJ Daniels, but he was on the roster. Is Baalke giving Harbaugh Daniels, McCoy and now Gabbert? I think Colt was brought in because he could run the read option, and did in Texas. Does Blaine signal a move to a qb who’s now more of a pocket passer?
If Baalke is handing Harbaugh qbs, Harbaugh’s rejecting them – Daniels and McCoy. Harbaugh went out in search of starting qbs, like Kaep and Manning. But there’s no evidence to show that Harbaugh is giving input on the selection of backups.
Last year the 49ers bet they could do more with Colt McCoy than the Browns. They couldn’t. McCoy’s done, maybe in the league, certainly as a starter. Gabbert will be interesting to follow, but if the 49ers swing and miss with Gabbert, they have to abandon the model and start drafting and developing a rookie qb. I’ve been advocating this for a while now.
If the 49ers are trying to rehabilitate quarterbacks off the scrap heap
Wasn’t like McCoy got a lot of playing time so who’s to know. Surely we didn’t get him to start. Think the same w/ BG = backup material and to light a fire under Kaps butt. This #10 in the 1st Round will motivate Kap regardless. He’s admitted he follows him and all the QBs drafted ahead of him in ’11. Now he can watch him in practice.
Right now we’re taking a lot of rehab projects and seeing if we can get some value there. QBs, RBs, DL, OL (Martin). Balky’s been purdy good at the FA market so…let’s see. Carradine, Lattimore, Dial if they perform Balky will be a genius. Or at least doing a good job.
I’ve read that Harbaugh has full control on the QB position.
I’d hope that he and Baalke are working together.
That has been the crux of great debate, since the Cleveland trade leaks developed.
I think we’ve driven over that topic from every direction already.
You could also suggest that Gabbert is an insurance policy, if Kaep opts to move on, rather then re-up too.
No guarantees in this business.
Gabbert got the snot knocked out of him in Jax.
Like Alex, or David Carr in Houston, no OLines to speak of, when they got thrown to the wolves as a Rookies.
Agree, Harbaugh should have much better results with him.
We’ll see…..
Yeah NJ it’s a concern when GM + HC aren’t on same page but is it really the case w/ us? Don’t think so. Sticking with the earlier supposition this is a cover story spread by Jed through Maiocco to media to knock Jimi down in contract negotiations. Also to a lesser degree by Maiocco to ‘even the score’ by press with the HC who will not be controlled. Beauty of this is when it’s identified, as now our eyes are open, it loses effectiveness- and diminishes.
BTW the J Martin signing looks to be another collaboration between HC+GM
Another team that was hurting in the Secondary and, was rumored to be shopping for S help was Philly.
They settled for Malcom Jenkins.
Thought that was a curious signing.
But, they’ve got a good shot at Calvin Pryor in May too.
Wanted to correct myself too.
Think I posted that Martin was a 1st RD Pick?
He was a 2 –
Rumors were circulating that we attempted to land RB Toby Gerhart, former Harbaugh guy from Stanford.
If they’re looking for the thumper RB to replace Boobie, there’s an interesting option from BC.
Andre Williams – 5’11” 230 – turned in a 4.56 40 and an impressive 38″ Vert.
Put up almost 3800 yds in College too.
Compares favorably with Toby in terms of size.
He’s projecting in the Mid RD area.
Don’t forget that Whitner looked shitty in 2012 and we were all ready to run him out of town on a rail.
Last year it was different – he had Reid next to him, not Goldson.
Defensive play is about the unit. Individual stats have to be parsed very carefully.
I’m willing to wait and see how Bethea looks with Reid playing alongside of him before I panic.
As for Martin, it’s a *conditional* 7th round pick in 2015. If he does not impress in TC, he’s gone and we owe nothing. If he does show something, we have an option besides Snyder if someone gets hurt or if Davis continues to struggle on the inside.
Gabbert is worth and flyer. He’s probably more solid than anything we’d find in the 6th round, and he can’t be worse than Colt McCoy looked in his few opportunities last year.
We still had better have a good draft, though. None of these guys is really an impact guy as I see it. Its working on the bottom of the roster, not the top.
Good points there Grumpy. Nice to hear yer reasonable voice
And yes we do need a good draft to keep plugging holes at WR, S and CB
Whitner looked terrible compensating for Goldson, and was better with Reid back there. There’s no reason to think Bethea can’t do a similar job. Whitner wanted the money and the hometown factor. Good for him. He got it.
Bethea may not be as flashy as Whitner, but Reid certainly wasn’t as flashy was Goldson. Reid got the job done without the needless penalties, or blown coverages. Bethea is solid in coverage and tackles well. Pretty much what you want in a strong safety.
Going hyperbolic over it is ludicrous. They got a guy who can play for a couple years while he teaches his replacement.
Now Bethea is only solid in coverage. What happened to him being better in coverage then Whitner? I wonder why you backtracked on that one post haste. Don’t stop now. Keep making up these ridiculous rationalizations so it appears we have the better safety now. The hysteria is so rampant over here that I’m close to falling off my chair for a second time. Keep it coming.
He was better in 2013 than Whitner was in 2012. Where each of them will fall in 2014 is a better question – and I don’t see a huge difference, when you allow for the quality of their teammates on defense.
I’m more concerned about the CB position, myself, with Brown maybe leaving, Rogers gone, Culliver trying to come back after a year off and Brock still not a fully known commodity. I think we have to get a CB with one of our 1st or 2nd round picks.
And yeah, we need a WR, but also yeah, we should not take one unless we can figure out how to fucking use him.
Jump, Dennis. Your shit is tiresome. He is better in coverage than Whitner based on the numbers. Is he? No way to know until he hits the field. For all intents and purposes, they are pretty much the same. Whitner is a big hitter, but so was Goldson. We did fine without him. If they had waited, no one would be available, and Craig Dahl would be starting.
But that’s what you want. You want the team to struggle so you can whine about it.
Evidently the Broncos didn’t spend all the money on Peyton. Just look at “Big Deal” Elway go. Buying defense now. Banking on future cap increases, too.
Right, Grump. I hope they keep Brown, as he’s very good. Finding a replacement in the draft will be very tricky. There are guys out there, who we’ve gone over, but Brown is a known entity. They should still draft a high CB though.
WR? Gaaaawd. I hope they get Beckham. How they use him is another issue entirely.
Which we’ve gone over!
If the game is won on paper, NoFear, Denver is already better than they were last year.
Frankly,. I’m impressed so far with what they’ve done. What it means remains to be seen . . .
I starting Happy Hour early.
Patriots cut Sopoaga.
Seattle’s lost Clinton McDonald, Red Bryant, and Cris Clemons on their D line. It ain’t going easy for them at all.
Put Jared Allen on the D-line for two or three years. With the Smith Bros, our safeties will be tops.
No more Golden Tate – till next year with the Pussycats, anyway.
NoFear, Allen is a 4-3 guy though. I think he’s also lost a step so *I think* he could not beat out Aldon or Brooks at OLB, and he cannot hold his own in a 3-4 against the run.
*If* we sign a big time FA I’d rather be help for our passing game. But, I’d much rather build through the draft and put off Cap Hell for another year or two.
Im with you on this Grump. I would rather psay for a FA WR, like they did with Boldin than waste another high round pick trying to find a college WR that can play well in the pro’s
Yeah but I don’t want to pay at all if we aren’t going to use him.
The problem with FA WRs is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Shit, Soap was a pretty good plug in the middle. He certainly didn’t get tons of penetration, but he did hold his ground well. Get him back on the cheap.
I have no idea how he did in Philly/NE but Philly obviously didn’t like him. Different system? The Eagles ran a 3-4 last year, but they ran a 4-3 for years prior to that. Maybe he just didn’t fit.
NE? 4-3. Wrong peg for the hole they were filling.
I think Odell’s worth the gamble to trade up for if he’s there ~20. He’s big, tall, and fast. He runs routes well and has great hands. Davante something out of Fresneck looks good as well. Maybe they can get him in the 2nd and get a CB/SS in the 1st.
These things are cornball, but this shows Beckham’s ability to go after the ball, and not let it come to him in traffic. He positions himself real well to shield defenders.