Great song about nearly getting shot in a bar fight in southern Mississippi. Up there with Charlie Daniels first hit, Uneasy Rider. Back when Charlie Daniels was a long-haired country boy . . .
Wow, the angst over signing one of the few top safeties rages on. Whatever. It’s a solid move that will bridge the gap to the next guy we draft in May. I mean really. Bethea’s better than Craig Dahl and that’s what matters to the 49ers.
Other than that, crazy FA times. The Raiders try to sign Saffold only to watch him fail hi physical. OWrd is Prince Valaint put the kibosh on the deal, thus overriding Dennis McKenzie. Who knows? Who cares? Other than that, Denver is signing big-tickets guys (Talib, D Ware, and G Tate) with the loss of Champ Bailey and presumably Black N Decker. Ahhh. I see Decker signed with the Jets. Who will throw him passes? If they are lucky, it’ll be Todd Bridgewater. Or, I hear Tim Tebow is available. Anyhow, Philly has cornered the market on pass-catching RBs by signing Darrell Sproules. Him teaming with LeSean McCoy in the Chip Kelly Experience should be non-stop fun. Foles should get about 6,000 yards through the air just dumping the ball off to those guys.
Me? I’m still waiting to hear if we will sign Tarell Brown. The longer he lingers, the more likely he re-ups with the 49ers.
Forty Niners Forever 
Every time there’s a missed tackle in the secondary, or a blown coverage, I’m blaming Frank Gore’s 6 million in ’14. Can’t pay everyone? Or Baalke just can’t prioritize? Spin is one thing, Baalke fuckin’ up is another.
About a month ago, you guys were all talking about how Jim Tomsula would be a good replacement. You guys were on the wrong side the Harbaugh / Tomsula debate, now you guys are further company men, spinning a horrid off season free agent period by saying, “Can’t re-sign everyone” when the oldest starting running back in the NFL is due to make 6 million. You guys are company men, through and through.
Biggest 49ers homer bloggers on this blog in order of degree.
1.) NJ – If Trent Baalke took a shit and physically carried it out to practice and announced it our new starting cornerback, NJ would claim that shit was the best cornerback in the NFL. But (because he has no sense of humor) NJ’d still miss the best punchline: That shit’s the shit.
2.) Unca Chuck – You run a blog, you need to find the middle of the debate. However, regardless of acquisition, Chuck will applauded it, maybe because Chuck just doesn’t know any better and needs to take a wait and see approach. Chuck sits on the fence more than any blogger I know. But until the chips fall, Chuck might as well copy and paste the 49ers’ website.
3.) 12th – 12th has more stones than both NJ and Chuck. 12th will say, “This move sucks.” I disagree with 12th a lot, which doesn’t make him a homer in the sense that he’s a company man, but he makes my list because it’s my list, and we disagree. Just that simple.
4.) Rob – Maybe the blogosphere’s biggest all time homer, ever. He doesn’t blog here much because he’s out chasing man-tail in Daytona beach with an adopted squirrel on his shoulder. Rob, however, could like (and spin) the 49ers’ plane going down in Nebraska (God forbid …. and knock on wood). But the next day Rob would be telling us about compensation picks and how good several players in the CFL were.
Rob’s hundreds of miles from Daytona, in the Scientology Capital of the World. I’ve talked with him on the phone; he’s cool. More likely to be checking out manatees or going down to The ‘Glades to hope to see a jaguar. But if the Browns’ owner bought the Niners, he’d write something like, “The Niners got a new OWNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe we’ll get a Comp Pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love how if you’ve talked with someone on the phone they’re automatically cool. Del called me once. I wrote about how the only way Singletary could win was if he put the entire organization on his back and carried it across the goal line with the Yorks firing rocket propelled grenades at him and Denise flashing Singletary her boobs. Del got inspired, and tracked me down. I thought I had a stalker. I slept with my shotgun for week…. and the neighbor’s daughter for comfort.
I’m sure everyone here’s cool to a certain degree. No question we all have good qualities. But the game is persuasion by any means possible, and right now those mean are chastising the opposition, which always leaves itself susceptible to Chuck claiming someone’s gone off the deep end. Painting me with the “unreasonable,” brush is so hurtful. I cry sometimes.
Me, I change opinions about the Niners’ fortunes more often than I change socks (OK, I’d better not go there). But I’ve trended sharply optimistic since the Day They Traded Alex
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Put me in this same boat, RT. The minute we got Harbaugh things got better. Then he dumped Alex and brought in Kaep and things got down-right terrific. But right now, with Frank Gore scheduled to make 6 million and us losing our secondary because of it, I’m not a happy camper. Baalke needs an amazing draft to redeem himself for this crap. And considering 2012’s draft, and AJ Jenkins, and now Frank Gore, I’m not optimistic.
I’m on your homer list for not being a homer? Classic Spitism.
That’s about right. You’re not a homer, but you’re on my homer list just for giggles. I’m giggling right now.
Disagree w/Spit = yer gonna make one of his lists. It’s just that simple.
Johnathan Martin, Blaine Gabbert, Antoine Bethea and Chris Cook? And Gore’s still making 6 million dollars a year? Unbelievable…….
~ Bill Walsh would never have allowed this to happen ~
Our cap space situ will improve after June 1 when Rogers comes off the books and we’ll pick up $6+M. But right now we’re running low. By then of course the CB pool will be empty.
Need Good Draft, need good draft- but a lot of these moves/signings are stopgap until the new players from our ’14 Good Draft get coached up
This off season reminds me of when Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark brought in Antonio Langhorne. Was it Langhorne? Samuel Langhorn Clemens? I can’t remember how to say or spell his name, but the hardcore Niner fans remember what I’m talking about. For me, that was the start of the end. Right now, because Baalke’s keeping Gore and losing his secondary, which by the way is a choice, and life is about choices, I think this is the start of the end of 49er runs at Super Bowls, and, ironically, it all starts with the decision to keep Gore. Fuck Trent Baalke.
Langham
If the Niners were out of cap space and couldn’t afford to pay Brown or Whitner you might have a point. But that’s not the case. They have a number at each position and the player agrees to it or walks.
I agree Frank is being overpaid this year, he should be getting about 3.5 mil not 6. I disagree that frank is washed up. He is not as effective anymore but went over 1,000 yds again last year and is valuable, just not as good as in his prime.
I really want to see him cut back on his carries and the team to transition to Lattimore or whoever stands out in camp. One things for sure, it won’t be Boobie Dixon, he went to the Bills.
Frank Gore is making 6 million against the cap, so I have a point. A damn good point.
BTW is there any connection between our $6M payment to Frank and the $6M+ cap savings post-Rogers? Dunno
No, because Rogers is toast. Gore gets his 10,000 yards ans his farewell tour this year. Whine all you want, Spitty, but losing Brown has nothing to do with Gore.
You know that, besides. You just like being the pretty girl on the dance floor, not the wall flower in the corner.
Damn…… Chuck the philosopher!
Gore counted for 25% of the offensive yardge and 30% of the offensive TDs. The only other player, besides the QB, coming close to that contribution was Boldin. How much was Boldin’s contract payout last year? How about Crabtree’s? What? Nobody crying about those guys making too much? Who do think CK7 wants to see picking up blitzers?
Spitblood, Rathman or any other coach, can’t coach effort. Frank puts in the time and the effort. Rathman’s been around long enough he has plenty of input on the quality and type of RB the team is looking for. He’s probably the resident position expert. If they blow, it’s on Rathman as much or more than Baalke.
So what you’re saying is, and have been saying is, that there simply are no other options for SF at the running back position. No other running backs out there would have the effort. They wouldn’t have the know how, and they wouldn’t have the ability Frank has. I disagree.
No, that’s not even close to what I’m saying, but I’ll take your trying to change my argument for me as your concession speech.
So you’d draft a running back who can do it all in this year’s draft?
The point remains if they run the offense through Gore they will not get far. Not with Gore being 30+. Lattirmore will get phased in, and they will hopefully adjust their formations to get more favorable matchups.
Walsh was dealing with Plan B free agency. A failed attempt to level the playing field due to Eddie’s spending habits.
I knew you’d try to muddy the water with different cap structures. Doesn’t make any difference. The same philosophy on older players would still apply with Walsh regardless of cap or no cap. You know this.
Spitty, you forgot your bio. A pretty pretty princess who spends all day admiring itself in the mirror. You flip flop on issues as the wind blows and tend to come unglued late at night.
You pick a move to beat to death, and you commence to do just that. Gore is the issue now. Just as the Tomsula deal was a couple weeks ago. You freak out over Martin when there is ZERO risk for the move. The Niners don’t lose that coveted 7th round pick if Martin isn’t on the opening day roster. Basically a freebie for a guy who has versatility across the entire line. But in your book that’s a stupid move. As far as Gabbert and Bethea go, are they better than the guys on the team? Yes. see? Easy. Brilliant moves? Hardly. But they aren’t bad because you stamp your feet about it. they are the kinds of moves that give the team depth.
Me, I like Bethea over Dahl. I like Gabbert over Pea Shooter. Cry all you want about Whitner leaving, but the Niners didn’t want to go $7 mill. They got a guy nearly as good for $6 mill less. They draft his replacement this year or next. As they would have done anyway had Whitner re-signed. Gabbert? He’s the next Alex Smith. A guy that Harbaugh can create value around, and thus trade. We’ll draft a QB this year as well.
Don’t like the Cook for Brown move at all, but there was obviously some bad blood around Brown pissing away his $2 million last year. Otherwise why go to the Raiders for a shittier deal? That ain’t on the Niners, but it came to pass, so they got another body. Cook. CB’s going to be dealt with in the draft anyway, as it would have had Brown signed, so the situation is basically the same.
Regardless of you hyperbolic preening.
Fight? I’m stomping my feet……..
Chuck,
Damn…. I couldn’t get to sleep last night and early this morning I found the culprit – a pea under my mattress. I’m black and blue.
I don’t remember flip flopping on issues at all. Frank Gore is old and should be cut. I’ve been writing that since January. Last year I thought the issue was Greg Roman, but you learn better or come to realizations. Gore limits Roman. I started the charge against Roman that Berger jumped onto early (read Skeeber’s blog archives) but since have come to believe it’s more Gore and the front office’s fault of keeping Gore that leads to Roman’s hands being tied. That’s not a flip flop. I’ve always been a strong supporter of Jim Harbaugh. I hated Alex Smith since the days of Norv Turner yelling at Smith to be more decisive. I thought Singletary was a horrible coaching selection based on the idea that he was “a master motivator,” and wrote tirelessly that players at this level don’t need motivation, they need X’s and O’s guys who run smart schemes and know how to acquire players that fit into those schemes. I’ve always said Kaep needs to learn how to be a pocket passer. My basic principals to blogging have always been there. They are…
Coaching is the most important aspect of the football team. It’s more important than the players or the front office. Football is a young man’s game. You don’t rely on older players for sentimental reasons (like we’re doing with Gore). Qbs need to have poise in big games to win Super Bowls, and they need the intangibles Walsh always talked about. And last but not least, the idea that defenses win championships, even though Seattle just won, is now no longer true because the refs and their ambiguous penalties make passing attacks more potent (anyone can point to Peyton losing to the Seattle, but Seattle was a far superior team in all aspects so the case in point doesn’t hold up as a counter argument).
Now to the current 49er moves… There’s no risk to Martin on the surface, but there is one underneath, and it’s becoming a theme. Sometimes an acquisition in itself isn’t threatening but it indicates a threat. To me, Martin indicates the 49ers are taking their eyes off the ball. I don’t think Martin will make the team, and I’m betting the 49er know he won’t make the team. I think they’re doing this to help Martin rehab his career because Harbaugh knows Martin. I think it’s good that Harbaugh is working on his character and relationships with players, but I’d rather he be working on it with current guys on the team, guys like T. Brown who I believe just walked partly out of spite because Harbaugh said he’d make it right but only ponied up $300,000. The Martin move indicates Harbaugh is wasting his time in areas that don’t really matter, and missing the point still in areas that do matter. This is what angers me, and if you put Martin together with Cook and the decision to acquire an older DB when the draft could give us a much better and cheaper safety with more long-term future for us, I think our front office is doing a horrible job this off season considering that Bill Walsh would have cut Frank Gore and had 6 million to spend on T Brown (not all of it), and subsequently created both a better backfield and a better secondary. But instead, the 49ers are making sentimental moves like Martin and Gore, and getting addicted to older players like Gore and Bethea, and they’re getting further, in my opinion, away from competing for Super Bowls.
Who doesn’t like Bethea over Dahl? That’s like saying you’d like to eat a firm turd over drinking diarrhea. I like firm turds. Calvin Prior or Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix or even Jimmy Ward will all be starters in the league for a long time barring injury, and that was the move. That was what Baalke should have done. You have this idea we should go wide receiver in the first round but we can’t draft or develop wide receiver talent and we have talented wide receivers on this team in guys like Jon Baldwin who Harbaugh and his coaches have wasting away on the sidelines. Our passing attack sucks, and if you go back and read up top, coaching is more important to me than players. So regardless if we draft a great player, if the coaches don’t know how to use them, it’s a waste, and we’ve proven we waste our wide receiver selections – Richardo, Kyle, Jenkins and now Baldwin is stuck on the bench.
A young safety like Prior, Clinton-Dix or Ward would be infinitely more valuable to their teams than Bethea is to the 49ers. It’s almost as if Baalke is incorrectly saying, “I have Gore one more year, and Cowboy one more year, and Harbaugh and Kaep’s contracts are up, I need to win now so let’s mortgage the future.” You wrote earlier, Chuck, that going the route of a Prior or Clinton Dix would be a huge mistake. Really? How would you like to make a wager? I’ll bet you that out of Prior, Clinton-Dix and Jimmy Ward, two safeties are eventual Pro Bowlers, (or All Pro), and that at least one makes the rookie all pro team or is even nominated for rookie of the year. And I’m hedging a little because I think all three will no only be starters early, but all three will be great players in the league no matter how you slice it, regardless of awards. If that’s the case, and we’ll find out soon enough, Antonie Bethea was a huge mistake because he’s more expensive, less talented with a much shorter shelf life.
Trent Baalke and the 49er front office are making huge mistakes right now, and those mistakes are going to cost this football team dearly.
Eat a firm turd? Chuck has to answer this……
Spit i have to ask a question.
You honestly believe the Niners should draft a FS and put him in the SS position next to a one year starter who was injured twice in Reid with 2 corners that have very limited starting experience in Culliver and Brock and Culliver is coming off a serious injury or perhaps sub a rookie for Culliver?
I know you like to take a contrarian position then create argument for why it would work but this is thin even for you.
12th – I would draft either Clinton-Dix or Pryor in the first round and I’d work them into the starting lineup behind both Reid and Bethea – with the ultimate goal being Reid and Clinton-Dix starting, two FSs. I wouldn’t worry for a second about the secondary’s relative inexperience because young guys coming together as a unit create energy and ownership, especially if all members are good, have a tremendous amount of pride and care about the unit, team and their collective success. Let their personalities shine fast, and let them all build confidence quick knowing they’re good and can dominate – shutting down opponents. This is what happened in ’81. It paid dividends for years after. Brock, Culliver and Wright will be okay. Cook won’t last. I’d also draft another CB. Reid needs to protect his head. I think Pryor’s a SS in the NFL, but I think Clinton-Dix is a FS in the NFL. But I wouldn’t hesitate to draft either because, like it’s been widely stated, the 49ers prefer their two safeties to be “interchangeable.” I think there’s more value in drafting a safety in the first than there is a wide receiver. Few first round safeties bust. Lots of first round wide receivers bust.
I agree as to drafting a safety and a CB. I’d *like* a WR, too, but I fear we would not know what to do with him anyway – at least not enough to justify using a first round pick.
What we’ll probably do, of course, is take the BPA. The good news is, with the number of good DBs available this year, that might just end up being S, then CB.
And if / when the rookie beats out Bethea, let him play. If it’s Reid all over again, from week one of 2014… if it takes longer, it takes longer. But if the younger player is ready to play, and there is no substantial benefit to going with the vet, then play the kid. Same thing at CB.
Maybe if we take three WRs in the middle rounds, we can get ONE who can play. ANd then of course, we can ignore him and play McDonald in the slot.
People on this blog who think going wide receiver in the first round is a good option have to believe that players are more important than a coaching system, and therefore can outshine a coaching scheme. Those who believe coaching schemes trump the player’s talent, don’t want a first round wide receiver. To further my lack of a desire for a first round wide receiver, I’d say this: we have a ton of wide receiver talent. I like Jon Baldwin, although I’m in the minority. Patton and McDonald will see their careers take off because, like everyone says, the greatest improvement is always in year two. That leaves the 49ers with Crabtree, Boldin, Patton, Vernon, McDonald and Baldwin. In my opinion, all the 49ers really need is a speed receiver who’s more top-end speed fast than quick. I think we can find a fast receiver to take the top off the defense in the later rounds.
Yeah. It does not matter if we have the Second Coming of Bob Hayes out there, if we never use him. I don’t want to use another first rounder on a guy who is not even on the field every down by year three. I’d rather draft a center, or even another DL / LB, than a WR in round one. And if we do, he’d better be a Pro Bowl type guy and we’d better use him.
I’d be cool with a NT. I don’t think LB. Trust me, Nick Moody will be a player. Might be an eventual replacement for Willis.
There’s the rub = even if we acquire the best players will they be played? I don’t think Brown would have signed w/us period = too much water under that bridge but the point is well taken. A lot of money tied up in Gore limiting others. I’m praying fer a good draft w/ CB, FS, WRs galore for us.
Spit what I suggest here in terms of Draft options comes with the assumption that Baalke is picking at 30.
To your insinuation that I’m a company man, its a direct result of what I’m predicting the Company Man to do.
You and I can debate the options until the cows come home, that’s fine, that’s what I come here to do, talk 9ers.
I attempt to predict what Baalke has up his sleeve.
Last year Eric Reid was my top S.
I could not have predicted that Baalke would make the trade to get him.
Glad he did, it was a great move, one even you’d be hard-pressed to disparage.
You like Pryor, so do I, he runs well, tackles and plays the pass very well.
I don’t see him making it close to Pick 30.
If Baalke makes a similar move up the Board, as he did with Reid, I’d have no complaints.
We can’t begin to know what his strategy is because it takes a willing partner to trade up the Board.
CDix is overrated IMO, not very physical.
For that reason, I’d look toward Deone Bucannon, who could be had later.
It’s about slotting for value, something the Pro Scouts and GMs get paid to do.
We can have our opinions, make our predictions, whatever.
It comes down to what Baalke will do.
He’s the Official Company Man.
I choose to accept that he’s being paid very well to do his job.
Until he’s not.
You continually malign the AJJ Pick, while failing to appreciate moves like getting Reid.
It’s not a perfect world when Drafting College players.
Most Mock Drafts don’t have Pryor getting past the Eagles.
Personally I’d be surprised if he goes that far down the Board.
No one knows what happens until it happens.
I’d be happy to add value at Pick 30.
I’m sure that’s how most GMs shop, if there isn’t a specific position of necessity.
It wouldn’t shock me if StL chose him at 13.
We’ll see.
The Eagles picked up Malcom Jenkins to play safety in free agency.
Well aware of that.
Still wouldn’t dismiss Philly from making a Secondary Pick at 22.
He’s not all that terrific in Coverage, nor is he a spring chicken age-wise.
So the Eagles can pickup a safety in free agency and draft one in the first round? Sounds crazy.
You’re proposing that for us aren’t you?
Why the contradiction?
If they value Pryor highly, it could certainly happen.
What seems odd to me is, they snagged Malcom and followed it up with Chris Maragos.
Your sarcasm meter’s so far up your ass it’s not detecting anything.
Maybe because you’ve chosen to get up my A$$ for having anything constructive to say, about the topics you’ve chosen to discuss?
Perhaps we should all just standby and get ridiculed for having anything constructive to add to the conversation?
Grow the eff up.
I don’t think you know what “constructive” means. Constructive does not mean to follow people, blindly. I’m certain of it.
Having my own opinion isn’t following anyone blindly Spit.
That’s your definition, for whatever reason you’ve chosen it.
All you do is play the party line. You’re the world’s biggest 49er homer. If Baalke does it, you love it. You have opinions like the SS had opinions of Hitler.
Schefter from ESPN says Broncos likely to sign Sanders. Sanders was due to go to SF tonight.
Maybe the Broncos will do us a favor….
NJ – Baalke sucks. Quit ridin’ his wanker.
To the rest of you, here are four wide receivers who I think could take the top off the defense without speed. Ginn took the top off the defense with speed alone, but because Alex couldn’t throw a deep ball, and Kaep had Moss, Ginn wasn’t much of a deep threat but he still successfully took the top off the defense with his speed. Unlike Ginn, if a receiver has average speed but good size and can high point the ball, and he’s a deep threat, he takes the top off the defense because safeties have to respect his big play ability from the outside (not the slot). Here are three guys I think the 49ers could draft in the later rounds to give the 49ers a deep threat. Remember, Alshon Jeffrey ran a 4.48 at the combine. Speed is definitely important, but after looking at 15 later round receivers, the 49er could find a deep threat receiver who takes the top off the defense in the later round, without speed. Ideally, there’d be a rough project type with size and speed in the later rounds, but I couldn’t find one. I’ll post highlights for all three guys, and NJ will inevitably say he likes ’em all.
1.) Devin Street, 6’3″, 4.55 / 40 (5th round projection)
2.) Brandon Coleman, 6’6″ 4.56 / 40 (5th round projection)
3.) Martavis Bryant 6’4″ 4.42 / 40 (3rd round projection)
4.5 guys don’t typically take the top off Defenses Spit.
I do like Martavis.
Coleman is a big target. Like him for our inept Red Zone attack though.
Take a look at Donte Moncrief while you’re at it.
I have him rated higher then all of these options.
So Alshon Jeffrey didn’t take the top off the defense this year with his 4.48? Shut up, please.
They’re all big targets, you hack. That’s the point.
All good options Spit –
I’ll have a Draft Board completed as I do every year.
I would have Jordan Matthews on that list of 6’2″+ WRs right now too.
What takes the top off the defense? One thing, and one thing only – big plays down field. You fly by someone, defensive coordinators notice and bring a safety over the top to help. But you consistently out-jump someone with a big body, and defensive coordinators really notice that bring a safety over to help, thus taking the top off the defense without speed. The key is you have to catch the ball, and beat the corner.
Guys like Bryant and Beckham had excellent Verts as well.
Davante Adams, a bit shorter also leaps well.
Fact is, there are numerous options that could help us from this Class.
I’m sure we’ll do well.
Have you checked out Donte Moncrief?
He posted a 4.4 and a 39.5″ Vert also.
Allen Robinson from PSU also put up a 39″ Vert.
I just didn’t like his 4.6 40 in Indy.
Cal Poly (10-19, 6-10 regular season) is GOING DANCING! LOLOL
Anybody for expanding the NFL playoffs?
Not much