The 49ers are at least getting their newly drafted players into the fold. 8 of the 12 draft picks, including 1st rounder Jimmie Ward, have signed. Which means in the least that there will be a lot of fighting for roster spots. Sure, most of the available spots are for 2nd-3rd string, or special teams, but still, competition makes the team grow stronger. Hopefully.
Granted, Jimmie Ward has a golden ticket to the slot/nickel CB spot, much like Eric Reid last year being handed the keys to the free safety position. One can hope the transition is as seamless for Jimmie as it was for Eric. Other than that, Bethea takes over for Whitner, Ellington takes over for the remarkably-still-on-the-team-but-not-for-long LMJ (who showed up for OTAs today), Marcus Martin joins the battle for the center position with Looney and Kilgore Trout, Brtandon Thomas looks to replace Mike Iupati, and Carlos Hyde becomes the possible heir-apparent to Frank Gore. Marcus Lattimore may have something to say about that, though.
The rest, and the UDFAs, are scrambling for precious few spots. We’ll likely revamp the taxi squad as well. Harbaugh (or someone) said that the team will more than likely only carry 2 QBs on the roster. Which makes the fight between Beth-el, Gabbert, and Josh Johnson a fight to the death. UDFA Kory QB Falkner will more than likely go to the PS.
The one position I really thought they’d look to upgrade is WR. Although Ellington is a speed-burner, his value for now is as a kick/punt returner. He’d come in to the WR battle as 5th on the depth chart behind Boldin, Crabs, Stevie Wonder, and Quinton Patton. Oh, yeah, and Brandon Lloyd. Although I think the fight for the #3 WR will rub out one of either Johnson or Lloyd. Maybe he can pass QP and be the deep threat we so desperately need.
Other than that, it’s backup LB, backup CB and backup DE spots being determined. Let the fun begin . . .
Forty Niners Forever 
BLEEP!
WOOF!
Never gets old skippy.
Speaking of Jimmie James . . .
Brandon Lloyd has absolutely no chance of making this squad. None. But I’m hoping Jon Baldwin somehow makes the squad. Maybe with 2 qbs they carry an additional wide receiver this year? One can only hope. And don’t tell me we’ll keep more RBs. LMJ is gone. Boobie is gone, and Jewel Hampton has about as much of a chance to make the team as Oprah.
Running backs will be Hyde, Hunter, Lattimore and Gore.
Fullbacks will be Miller, with Millard either being PUP’d or on the practice squad at first. But I’m hoping he beats out Miller. Depends on where he’s at with his rehab.
I wish the RB’s would be used in that order.
Jewell and LMJ are as good as gone. And yeah, with Stevie Wonder here I don’t think Lloyd makes the grade. He certainly isn’t getting QP’s spot.
Change is good.
Gotta love Kawakami trying to piss off Harbaugh. What a little bitch Tim is. But Harbaugh’s comments last year re Seattle’s PED deal certainly have come back to bite him squarely in the ass. Tim of course had to shove it down Harbaugh’s throat.
He’s a shit disturber!
For people in the know, Tim Kawakami looks like an idiot after his recent Harbaugh ambush. It’s been widely implied that Aldon Smith in an alcoholic. It’s hard to label people in their twenties alcoholics or people in their forties and fifties “alcoholics” for that matter, but Aldon fits the bill. One DUI after his rookie year in Florida, another incident where he hit a tree, tried to change the license plates, and now there’s rumors he was drinking in the airport….. If he is an alcoholic, Kawakami looks really stupid because “it’s a disease,” and should be treated like one. Would you cut a player who had cancer, or subject him to the same standard of “beyond reproach?” Of course you wouldn’t. Problem is, society, and right now Kamikaze Tim, don’t always look at alcoholism as a disease. They look at alcoholism as a moral failing. This a common mistake. That’s exactly the way Kamikazei is looking at this Aldon Smith situation, and Kawakami is a flat-out POS for attacking Harbaugh in this way because Harbaugh can’t really defend Aldon Smith by saying, “You can’t compare Aldon to the Seahawks because alcoholism is a disease.” That gets into Aldon’s personal life. Harbaugh said the only thing he could – “We have some things to work on.”
The moral failing isn’t the disease of alcoholism. The moral failing is the Seattle Seahawks cheating to win a Super Bowl, something the NFL increasingly shows they don’t care much about. Spygate? PED scandal? Not a big deal. This is the moral failing at the team and league-level Kawakami should be concerned about – not attacking the team he covers, trying and make a name for himself. There is no comparison or connection between Aldon Smith and the Seattle Seahawks. Now Chris Culliver? That’s a different story, and that’s where Kamikaze Tim should have floated his Chrysanthemum.
If alcoholism truly is a disease, then somebody better call me a doctor.
I have to be the sickest person in the world.
Read two books, Del – It Will Never Happen to Me, and Love First. Both are informative books on the disease of alcoholism. They might change your life.
Haven’t read either of those, but I have read Terry. It’s the story of George McGovern’s daughter’s life-and-death struggle with alcoholism written by the former senator himself. It didn’t change my life, but it evoked a sense of pathos that had me and every Greek since Socrates was born crying in their beer. Just a truly sad and tragic story.
I found the book. I’ll read you the personal inscription on the inside cover.
7/12/96
Dear Dennis,
Dear — Hope this brightens the path to your personal liberation.
Love you,
Robin
That girl truly cared and tried. But here we are nearly 18 years later and I’m typing this in between sips of my screwdriver. Maybe if I stumble out of a bar and into a snowbank, pass out and freeze to death like Terry someone will write a book about me.
Those two books I referenced aren’t stories. They’re more psychology. Alcoholism’s interesting in that it’s a disease that affects the physical, but it’s driven by the brain. If you can unlock the quilt and the sadness, which I’ve done, you can free yourself from the disease. I didn’t start out in search of a cure for myself. I started out just trying to understand the disease better. What I found was a cure – and really, those two books were the foundation. But nobody did that for me. And Del, I’m not trying to do if for you either, partner.
We’ll have the best RB combination in the league. If Lattimore’s knee holds up, we may just end up having one of the best ever.
I believe Alcoholism is a disease too, I come from a long line of people who drank like fishes. All of them hard working and good people who used the stuff for whatever reason, I am not sure. I am just glad that the DUI laws were more lenient during those years otherwise I would have a lot of ex-convict family members. I was the only one that got really stupid , I never got a DUI but ran into trees, fences, mailboxes, and lots of parked cars. That was during my 20’s, it took me till my mid-thirty’s to figure out this wasn’t working. Now when I have a glass of wine that’s just what I have 1 glass.
Anyway, back to football. I think this years draft has made us much stronger, and I think if our coaching staff prepares better we should be right in the mix again. It would be nice to see us take over a game in the first quarter and then keep plunging in the knife.
Nice post, Winder. Lattimore, Hunter and Hyde could be awesome in the years to come. I’m hoping Millard beats out Miller and we have an actual FB running option. That could be an amazing backfield if it all comes together and develops well.
We get our backfield going and watch-out play action…. and watch-out passing attack now that Kaep has a year under his belt. I look for the 49ers to start putting teams away early, and demoralize teams so they quit. If we can do that, creating easier wins, we’ll stay on top longer.
My favorite DUI story was getting pulled over by a female cop with tons of drugs in my system, a 12 pack in the seat next to me. When I pulled over, I pulled up onto the curb….It was a little awkward when she came to my window. I don’t know how in the world she didn’t give me a DUI. She knew I was wasted. Might have been because I was close to home.
Yeah, for some reason I got lucky like that a few times. Very,very thankful.
I wrote a much more incendiary attack on Kawafucknut on his thread. I wonder if it posted.
It didn’t. Little Timmy doesn’t like criticism.
I feel like renaming this blog Tim Kawakami is an asshole.
Lot’s of sports writers have that holier-than-thou attitude and they subject the reader to their personal agenda’s. That’s why I don’t read them. See how they’d run if their personal life was to be put under a microscope.
Just heard Jimmie Ward has a stress fracture in his foot?
They found it at the combine. He didn’t even know about it. Already had a screw inserted. Poor pick by Baalke. That kid’s body won’t hold up unless he learns, like Carlos Rogers, to get the hell outta the way.
He missed the combine, but ran a 4.47 at his pro day in March. Then he had surgery March 11? I think this is a new break of his metatarsal.
I think they found the break at the combine, he said “screw it,” and ran at this pro day, then had the surgery after. I could be wrong.
chuck- I can’t seem to find any information on Ward’s new injury, hopefully it is not serious.
Yeah, I heard a blurb on Comcast last night. I thought they said there was a new injury, but I hadn’t even heard of the surgery on the 11th. He isn’t taking part in practice any time soon. I just hope he doesn’t fall behind too far.
Maiocco has the story posted as being the Combine related injury which is expected to keep him on the cautious approach until they open Camp in July Chuck –
http://tinyurl.com/lxq24ol
Basically boils down to not pushing him along I’d guess?
He’s not going anywhere with Bethea ahead of him anyway perhaps?
This entire Draft class appears to be depth first, needed starters second.
Baalke cashed in last year with Reid for Goldson.
No need to rush Ward IMO.
Total bullshit, Baalke lover. Ward was drafted to play the slot. He’s not drafted to play safety. He’s a nickle corner, something the 49ers play like 70% of the time. The position is considered a starting position. And I don’t know what planet you’re on, NJ, but we just lost 3/5th of our secondary in free agency. Our first round draft pick is no god damn backup under those circumstances. This Ward kid better produce, and he better produce now. We can’t afford anymore Baalke AJ Jenkins or LMJ picks. Baalke can’t wiff on this year’s draft like he did in 2012.
And Carlos Hyde wasn’t drafted as a backup. Are you kidding? Lattimore is a project and Frank Gore is ancient. Hyde better produce immediately as well.
Same with Marcus Martin. Who really thinks Kilgore’s going to be a world beater? Martin better be prepared to step and produce.
Your angle as a Baalke apologist is pathetic.
Can’t forget about CJ Spillman being ahead of him on the depth chart either.
Gotta figure the battle for Ward will take place with guys like Ventrone and Dahl for ST replacements before they even think about game action anytime soon.
Time will tell.
The Secondary is about to take a substantial youth movement between this Season and next.
Baalke added quite a few pieces this year.
Culliver will get tested on that knee repair right quick, with Dontae Johnson, I’ll bet.
Chris Cook and Eric Wright aren’t guaranteed anything either, along with Cox.
As will Kilgore going against Marcus Martin for the Center position.
My guess is Martin takes this year to get acclimated since he’s seeing time at the Center and Guard positions.
I’m with Spit regarding ‘Bling’ Lloyd too.
He’s no lock either.
Spit the starters are Reid and Bethea.
Spillman, Morris and perhaps one of the Rookies could see time as a slot option.
Trust me, a first RD pick has expectations certainly.
For me, I’m not sold that he’s expected to contribute heavily right out of the gate, we’ll see.
Baalke has created a pretty heavy competition for someone to step up.
I’m not making any apologies whatsoever.
Be nice if Ward shines in Camp, no argument.
What we got with Ward is an option.
I don’t put him in the same position as Reid simply because he played in a smaller school program.
Baalke hater.
Frank is done after this year.
LMJ is likely Trade bait when Camp breaks, if not sooner.
The future at RB is Lattimore and Hyde.
No question there for me.
There is no clear future for Kendall Hunter either.
I believe he’s coming to the end of his Rookie deal too.
Very possible Jewel Hampton could steal Kendall Hunters’ job as the swing back too.
We’ll see?
Seems pretty clear cut that Lattimore and Hyde will be given the job to handle the heavy lifting portion of the RB duties.
Right, I don’t think Ward’s here to back up Bethea, He’s here to replace what Rogers became. And that’s slot CB. Near as I can tell Ward was hurt before the combine and missed it. Then he ran in his pro day 2 weeks later, and THEN had his Jones surgery. I guess he gets props for still running a 4.;47 in need of foot surgery, but I hadn’t heard about surgeries until yesterday. I didn’t hear anyone else talking about it either,
From everything I’ve read, Daryl Morris is the burner of the group, as it stands right now.
Fangio interchanges his Secondary guys, especially at the S positions.
Ward and Johnson are both CB/S-types.
It’ll be an interesting situation to watch as they get into the Camp battles.
Ward is here and was drafted to replace Carlos Rogers. Period.
NJ – These pipe dreams of yours that Baalke’s players don’t need to produce for several years is a joke. And further more, his wounded warriors need to produce now. Ray McDonald, Justin Smith and Patrick Willis are getting older. This is Gore and Justin Smith’s last years. Bowman is injured. Iupati will hit the open market. There is HUGE potential for rookies starting, and in fact, Harbaugh needs Baalke’s draft picks to start producing. In the last two years, only three of Baalke’s 20 picks are contributing: Cory Lemonier, Eric Reid and Quinton Patton, and Lemonier and Patton are contributing sparingly.
It’s time for Baalke’s boys to start contributing, and it’s time for you, NJ, to quit apologizing.
Spit I’m simply attempting to analyze the strategy Baalke employs when he’s making these selections.
I had Reid as my top replacement for Goldson last year. It was a bonus that he was able to earn the starting role.
Lemonier was also a guy I thought was in a similar category to Aldon.
Tank was likely brought in on the injury discount to spell Justin, Dial as well for Ray McD.
When I look at the expiring Contracts, I see a pattern with Baalke looking ahead.
You’ve seen my opinions regarding Iupati, Crabtree and others over time as well.
Keep in mind that Cap money has to be factored into the mix as well.
By taking a ‘red-shirt’ approach with guys like Lattimore, Tank and this year with Brandon Thomas, and the DBs, the Team has medical supervision at their disposal, while also keeping the Cap hit in check.
I’m with you about getting early contributions from any and all of the Picks.
It’s a bonus if these competitions produce starters.
I also think Baalke is looking ahead to those like Patrick and Staley too.
Jonathan Martin is a freebie look-see, who could replace Looney and or Snyder.
He’s familiar with the system and has a chance to resurrect his recent past.
No biggie if he flops, a late RD Pick next year if he sticks.
Gabbert has starting experience. The bulk of his 1st RD money paid.
Would you consider him an upgrade over McCoy?
I would.
AJ was a whiff, we can agree on that.
I also see the WR position as one of the most difficult positions for any GM to project into the NFL.
Like QBs, the bust rate is enormously high.
Ward is likely to see his best shot at slot/nickel duties but, I’d suggest the ultimate target is to replace Bethea at SS.
That won’t happen in year 1, that’s all I’m suggesting.
The NEED for him to start isn’t urgent, at least at the SS position.
Bonus if he earns the slot duties? Of course.
I think Ward has tons of potential.
I’m simply tempering my expectations until we see where the Camp battles take them.
Northern Illinois didn’t see the sort of competition Reid saw coming from LSU.
As he’s the top Pick this year, he’s carrying higher expectations.
No argument there.
His job to earn his place in the pecking order.
Gentlemen no need to get testy. After all there’s plenty of insults to be freely exchanged later when the action heats up a bit. BLEEP!
I reserve the right to insult anyone at any given time. Why wait ’til the regular season to set someone straight? After all…. I’m perfect.
Well, that’s the rub, NJ. I don’t think Ward has the size to be a strong safety. As a slot CB I’m fine with him. I think we draft bethea’s replacement next year.
One thing I’ve noticed with Baalke Chuck, his position guys seem to follow a pretty consistant pattern.
Bethea and Ward are very similar in size/weight.
Coincidence? Maybe.
But, Whitner was actually a pretty small-sized guy too. Ward is a better cover guy IMO than Whitner however.
Few teams have the Kam Chancellor model, roaming the Secondary.
We’ll see where this ultimately goes for Ward.
One thing each of these Drafted DBs has in common are productive tackle numbers.
As many of us have noticed, Willis and Bowman are clones.
Baalke has a very specific type of guy in mind when he Drafts at any given position I think.
Like everyone here, I’m hoping hit another gem like Reid vs. a deer in the headlights like AJ.
That’s why the Borland Pick surprised me.
He’s got short arms and a crappy stat line in general.
4.83 with a 31″ Vert ain’t too impressive.
Baalke made no secret about his love of long-armed guys, ala Aldon, Willis and Bowman for example.
But, when you look at Borlands’ ability to get to the ball and make plays, he’s a gamer.
“Make today the first day of the rest of your life.”
What self-important preaching pompous son of a mook gets credit for that line?
It sounds like something Harbaugh would say. Asshole. Go lose another SB.
And Jimmie Ward should have consulted with yours truly first. I had surgery to repair my Jones fracture (and a few other things) on March 4. And I’m not planning to cover any WRs in the slot anytime soon.
Another Baalke M*A*S*H unit beauty.
I hope Ward didn’t break his foot like you did…. I found the clip of how your break happened. You’re a pretty tough guy walkin’ away from that.
He walks like Dennis. He falls like Dennis. It must be Dennis!
You caught me. But I didn’t let that little misstep keep me from heading to the liquor store to buy my next 12-Pack of Bud.
My favorite part is when he gets hit by the car at the very end. Always good for a chuckle.