Are you gettin’ it?
Oh what a week that was. And it’s only Thursday. For all the angst around the players apparent mass exodus (Gore leaves, Willis retires, Iupati, Crabs, and Cox soon to follow) the only one I didn’t see coming was Willis. the rest? Meh. Gore took the money and ran. The 49ers certainly weren’t going to offer him 3 years. Cox? Don’t know. He says he’s amenable to staying here but he’ll ‘let this play out’. But as I’ve said either one of Cox or Cully would go. I thought it would be Cully and his legal woes, but that may be the factor that ends up keeping him here. Crabs and Iupati were known defectors as soon as the whistle blew against AZ. Stuka to Jax? Fine, a backup LB isn’t going to be that hard to find. Justin Smith still hasn’t made his announcement.
So all in all it isn’t like they (or we) didn’t see any of this coming. Brooks was surprisingly kept on. I guess he’s happy now that Harbaugh is gone. Maybe he even gives the team a cap-friendlier deal. Stranger things have happened. They filled RayMac’s spot with Darnell Dockett, they got a burner in Torrey Smith, and are looking around a a few more pieces, like Reggie Bush/CJ Spiller at RB.
In other news, DeVante Parker, one of the top 3 WRs in the draft, paid the Niners a visit. Hopefully a permanent situation come draft day. The Vegas booksters have sure soured on the team. Dropping them from 6:1 last year to 40:1 this year. But that had nothing to do with their dropping to 8-8 and missing the playoffs last year. And I have some beachfront property in Sparks to sell.
Tell you one thing, a solid draft will do wonders to move ahead this season. With the signing of Blabbert, I see a QB taken in the 4th round.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
DeVante Parker notwithstanding, I think they load up on the line for this draft.
Do you have property at the Sparks Marina? Many locals enjoy the beach there.
This roster is not as good as 2 years ago. It should be as good as last year’s injured roster. It definitely is not the same.
Well, getting Smith back would be nice. If only for vet presence. Spell him and let him work in the 4th quarters rested and ready.
Again though this team goes as far as the offense carries it.
Love the Def Leppard reference in the thread title, Chuck.
I figured someone would get it!
You kidding me? An old Def Leppard head like me? Hell yeah.
Losing Cowboy would be a downer, but I’m surprisingly optimistic about the current crop of young D linemen, plus whatever the team gets in the draft. Iapati leaving gets a big ‘meh’ from me. He was an integral part of the team when JH arrived due to his road-grading capabilities in the then run-heavy Niner offense, but his mediocre pass blocking had become too much of a liability. Time for him to go.
Brandon Thomas and Marcus Martin show promise, and ideally one will step up as a quality starting guard. Bottom line: Kap needs much better protection and Iapati was not going to be in that equation.
PW retiring was a shocker to me, but I’m glad he’s taking care of his health. Too many NFLers don’t and it costs them in the long run. Unless Borland significantly improves his coverage skills, PW leaving will also leave a big hole in that facet of ILB. I don’t what LB draft possibilities are out there, but maybe the Niners can pull a Bobby Wagner type out of their hat.
Niners looking to sign Reggie Bush. Good change-of-pace RB with good hands.
Niners can still cut Brooks by June 1st I believe and save 4.35 ml cap money.
So no big deal keeping him around right now, especially after PW’s retirement.
Yeah I don’t think Brooks sticks around without a big restructure.
All in all though, this knee-jerk panicking around the team is pretty funny.
Flying V is also back and posting his long-winded drivel. Almost makes me miss Spitty. Almost.
Weird some posts were in spam that didn’t need to be. I released ’em
Armageddon? When it occurs will Chuck a) head for the hills, b) whip out a long winded essay on the decline of the 49ers, c) play fetch with his favorite friend, d) escape into the wine cellar that he has secretly created.
Still not a peep about Crabs, curiouser and curiouser.
Nobody wants the dude, at least not for the dough he’s asking for. With Torrey Smith now on board, I dump Crabs if he’s still around come June.
Cully is talking to the Redskins bout a 4 year deal. Got to keep Cox.
Correction Cully signed the deal with Waah. Cox is still a FA. Crabs is rusting away.
John, Crabs is a free agent right now. He’s already off the team.
I’d throw him a bone in a couple weeks if he’s still available.
Gotcha. I’m still trying to catch my breath after learning Culliver is worth 4 years to somebody. Must be a lean market for DB’s.
He’ll be gone.
No shit, eh? Cully is good when he’s good, but awful when he’s bad. It was our luck his worst day as a pro was the Super Bowl.
Comp pick credit to Baalke for Culliver.
Deep class of DBs coming this year too.
We get younger on Dline and Secondary this year.
Clemson LB Stephone Anthony would be an ideal replacement for Patrick.
Maybe RD2 ?
Berger one of my guys on the wish list several years ago is on the market.
DT Kenrick Ellis from NYJ.
You and I were both big on Ellis. I remember he had some legal issues.
I don’t think a team gets a comp pick until the following year. Example; any comp for Culliver would be for the 2016 draft.
Correct.
Comp Picks are calculated by losses/gains the following year.
Harvin follows Rex to Buffalo.
Iupati claims he played with a broken foot last year ?
How does that fly under the radar?
Contract year cover up ?
HC knew nothing ?
GM knew nothing ?
Bullsh!t…
Well, if he ain’t saying anything and playing through it, who’s to know?
In other words, it does no good to the team to hide that. It only hurts Iupati’s chances of deal this year if he hits the IR.
Cully gets paid:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/14/culliver-gets-16-million-fully-guaranteed-at-signing/
Cully is a good CB but a bit of a headcase. Not worth risking that kind of money on.
The Niners just signed Reggie Bush and per league rules, had to list him as “Doubtful” for Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
One joke move after another. 4-12
Hahahaha omg rotfl
Hahahaha omg rotfl
Reggie Bush just signed, not sure of the deal.
Could be ok if used right.Hyde,the bruiser, Bush& Hunter speed backs.
No excuse not for Kap to throws some Screen passes either, a top weapon for Bush to utilize. If he stays healthy, a good pickup, same with Hunter for sure coming off his ACL injury…
What’s a “screen pass”?…
Yeah Lol Snarkk,
Not really sure why I mentioned that word.
Guess I heard it used in other teams games before, seemed liked it works for them a lot.
By season’s end Reggie had fallen to third on the Lion’s depth chart behind both Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. But I’m sure San Francisco is so thrilled to acquire Reggie that they’ll throw a Bush parade downtown.
That’ll be a switch. San Franciscans honoring bush in a parade.
If you need two yards, Reggie Bush will get you two yards.
If you need three yards, Reggie Bush will get you two yards.
He also ran for 1000 yards in 2013. Injuries derailed his 2014 season. Like Alleykat said, if used correctly he could be a weapon.
Sorry Rob, no more Cox for you.
Cook yes, Cox no. Bush is fine as A situational guy.
Logan is my hope that these guys learn a quick passing game.
Let me get this right.We sign the 104th rated CB out of 108 Sharecee Wright? To a 1 year 4 mil contract with 1 career pick, and a shitload of pass interferences penalties, and let a ball-hawk in your face Perrish Cox walk?
And if anything wouldn’t Browner who plays with a mean aggressive edge, been a better fit to go after?
1 year deals don’t scare me too much Alleykat.
More of rental IMO.
He’s a good tackler if nothing else.
Bank on Baalke getting some additional DBs next month.
No guarantees he survives Camp either I guess?
Dug up a little info on him that might provide some insight?
Former USC Trojan.
Would he have played under Pete?
http://tinyurl.com/q72blkv
Tell ya one thing, we get injured like last year it’ll be bad. We sure don’t have much depth anymore. O line especially. Though there is time , , ,
I thought they’d bring one of Cox or Cully back. Brock Ward and Reid need to stay upright all season. Cook should be OK. Johnson as well.
The hens are in full cluck mode. Dennis, you’d be right at home with them.
Youth movement Chuck.
Our window occurred under Harbaugh.
Close, but, no Lombardi.
Wright is a stop-gap, Pears, hopefully, becomes an upgrade over JMart.
He’s a better OT than OG but, again, I’d look at it as an insurance plan, like Bush.
These moves are pretty much setup steps for the Draft valuation process I’d bet.
As he’s done since he started, Baalke fills in with FAs.
Torrey was the big swing move.
He traded away a slow Crabtree for a proven deep threat.
If any of us are thinking SB right now, I’d like a toke on whatever it is you’re smoking.
This is all about wait and see right now.
I ain’t holding my breath.
I shouldn’t say ‘traded away’, he swapped out Crabtree for TSmith.
Well Chuck,
Don’t forget the other big pickup for the line today:
Erik Pears 6’8 316 from the Bills& previously the Raiders. Ranked dead last ,44th among 44 OG’s, gotta hand it to Baakle when he looks for bottom feeders, he goes all in…
As of right now, I’m going either Schreff that big tackle from Wisconsin,Praying for my shutdown corner Trae Wayne’s,or that high octane motor Cowboy Jr., Armestead, or Wtf, Malcolm Brown,or another speed reciever which would have to be Beckham Green, since the rest will be long gone..
Any other suggestions? Since we all know Baakle and none of these studs will be that pick.
I’m guessing Baalke is moving away from a WR selection at 15 with these Off-season moves too.
Bud Dupree and Stephone Anthony with the 1st 2 Picks wouldn’t be a bad way to go.
WRs in RDs 3/4 could still net some developmental talent.
WRs Breshad Perriman and Chris Conley would be nice additions too.
We have to be looking at Defense early IMO.
Once again, I see these FA moves as Pre-Draft setup moves, nothing more.
Torrey is proven. He’ll work well with Anquan.
Gotta hope for a better showing from the TE position this year.
Torrey’s speed should help that production.
My Man Dupree is getting closer and closer to the top of Draft Boards –
I’d post the link Chuck but, it’s subscription based so, my apologies for the length –
I’ll bust it up a little….
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Every other drill to that point had been rather mundane.
The defensive ends and linebackers, charged with showcasing heavy, quick and (to use football lingo) violent hands, had been pushing around weighted dummies while a circle of coaches, scouts, reporters and former college teammates looked on.
Drill after drill, they pounded the bags and ran on to the next exercise. The last one involved included going against Cincinnati Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayes in an individual drill that tested rush-move technique.
That’s when Bud Dupree changed the tone of the proceedings, and rather quickly.
An audible gasp rang out late Thursday morning inside the University of Kentucky’s Nutter Field House just ahead of an eruption of laughter. Not only had Dupree, the Wildcats’ prized hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker, exploded perfectly out of his pass-rushing crouch, but he completely knocked Hayes, the man who could eventually be his position coach, 5 or 6 yards backward.
“He got a workout going against me,” Dupree later said, laughing…..
Continued –
The awe-inspiring bull rush was the highlight of a pro day workout that was dominated by Dupree, the likely first-round draft pick who could go virtually anywhere in the top 32.
“It was important for me to showcase my ability and the change-of-direction ability and dropping in space,” Dupree said. “I wanted to show that I could flip and change directions on my own like that.”
Dupree didn’t participate in any position drills at the NFL combine three weeks ago because he was slightly hobbled by a groin injury. He did go through three on-field drills, though, finishing with times and measurements that ranked among the top five at his position. His 138-inch broad jump was the third longest of any player at the combine.
Still, he wanted to show the 26 teams and three head coaches who showed up Thursday (Marvin Lewis, Mike Zimmer and Mike Tomlin) he could come off the line well and drop back in coverage.
“He’s very instinctual and very versatile,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I know people use that loosely, sometimes but he really is. For us, he could have played either end in the 4-3. And if we were in 3-4, he could play Sam, Mike, Will or Jack. He’s that kind of player. Instinctual. He can pick it all up, he’s so versatile, he’s explosive and he’s got great size.”
Continued –
Even at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, Dupree has a body frame that could handle putting on more weight, Stoops added. That could be important for some 4-3 teams that would like to cast him as a true, on-the-line end. The Bengals, for example, have been trying to bulk up their 2014 third-round pick, defensive end Will Clarke, to closer to 290 pounds.
With his pro day done, Dupree has private time with individual team representatives coming. He said he will be spending his spring break next week —
Dupree trains at Kentucky and is still attending classes ahead of a May 9 graduation — traveling for visits.
The Bengals, Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons are among the teams he’ll be meeting.
Once the visits end, his focus will turn to draft night.
“By now all the jitterbugs are gone. All the hard parts are out of the way,” Dupree said. “Now it’s about being myself and who I am. I’ll just continue to work hard in the weight room and on the field, and just take this process in the best way I can and just embrace it.”
Yeah embrace that fat contract. Some embrace!
Would love to see him learning behind Dockett too.
Aldon and Alvin would be a pretty MEAN tandem down the road 😀
Yeah, I’m off a WR in the first 3 rounds as well. I wonder if they are going to draft a QB. They could do worse than Kappy’s replacement at UNR in Cody Fajardo. Late round guy though. The ones down at this level, (Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty) show shit, but also lack consistency.
Garrett Grayson (Colo St) could slip down to the 4th and would be worth a shot, I’d think.
Dupree vertaily sounds good, NJ. With Aldon bookending him, that would be something.
Pass rush is important this year.
Lots of chatter about the Niners situation at CB. Baalke would not have let both Cox and Cully go without a plan. My guess is the coaches think Johnson is ready for a starting role and that one or more of the guys who didn’t play are good for starter/depth. He also signed a couple of vets as insurance and likely will take a CB in the draft.
“The sky is falling” brigade were saying the exact same things when they last rotated out the old guys for younger and the team stats were better. Niners lost both starting corners and a starting safety and got better. Getting wrapped up in name recognition guys is not the be all and end all.
As Chuck wrote a while ago, none of the losses were unexpected except for Willis and he was lost for a lot of last season too.
Rosters turn over 25% to 30% often and Baalke had very capable backups in place as well as signing Dockett and T. Smith as quality starters and 4 vets as insurance/role players, oh, and did I mention there is a draft coming and Baalke got a number of excellent starters last year despite a stacked roster.
As Berger said, the roster 2 years ago was probably the best in the league, and 3 of Harbaughs 4 years he had the top 3 roster to work with. Tomsula is beginning with less in the toolbox but this team still has a ton of talent and about to draft more.
With an all new coaching staff and some big stars moving on it is a time of uncertainty for sure, but lets have a little backbone about it.
GO 49ers!
Do you draft gurus think Dupree will be there at 15? Sounds like a lot of teams have interest.
I dunno, last time i got it right was Willis.
Lurker John, Dupree was originally slated for the latter part of RD1 by most of the Web Pundits early on.
He’s helped himself immensely since the Pre-Draft festivities began.
I like our chances nonetheless.
The top 15 will have 2 QBs in the mix in the Top 10.
Add to that, several more popular Pass Rushers.
I’m concerned that Chicago, MN or the NYG could screw us with Dupree however, we’ll see what comes.
Either way, the upside is, WRs will slide as a result.
MN just grabbed Mike Wallace from Miami via Trade the other day.
They could now be looking Defense, which is a core value for Zimmer.
All things considered, we’ll likely have a shot at a very good player.
I’m on-board for Bud, obviously 😀
12th, I agree with the CB position being an area of need as well.
Baalke will get a good piece at that position too, I’m sure.
With the unexpected loss of Patrick, I’ve moved ILB Stephone Anthony from Clemson into a more important need slot too.
Might consider him as an option in RD2, depending on the way things fall.
The CB I’d hoped would fly under the radar, Byron Jones from UCONN, lit it up in Indy.
He’s not invisible anymore.
With the Pats losing Revis and Browner now, Jones could be a very big option for them now at the bottom of RD1.
I’d figured they’d look for Wilfork’s replacement there but, they did retain DT Alan Branch so, that need may take a back seat in favor of a CB?
See what happens…
Berger your boy Red Bryant is looking for work too.
A released guy is the way to go for Baalke too.
Doesn’t impact the potential Comp Picks for next year.
Don’t think we need him, with the crop of young DTs coming out but, he could cover up the pending retirement uncertainty with Justin.
And let’s not forget the ultimate ‘Fat Man in the Middle’, His Largeness…
Mt Wilfork 😀
A minor upside with Vince, he’s a Mangini guy.
Yeah I doubt we make a play for Wilfork. He’ll cost too much in years and cap. Not rallybaalj’s style. He’s a lot like Sabean’s of the Giants and rArely goes after the high-ticket guys. They prefer the make-good and vet deals.
Funny, NJ, we agree on some stuff but if I post it inskeeberland they come out of the walls to attack it. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised but it still makes me laugh.
Don’t get the Skeebs! Stay strong!
Good to agree at times Chuck, better to agree to disagree at times too.
Nothing is etched in stone when discussing our 9ers.
We all love to hate them at times, we even hate to love them at times.
All comes to down to getting along I guess?
I appreciate the exchange of ideas and opinions regarding our team.
Do my best to keep it respectable.
Better to make friends in my world.
Enemies aren’t any fun, why bother?
To each, his own. Makes us who we are.
Now we have Chris Borland retiring?
WTF is going on in SF?
Move ILB to the upper reaches of the Draft Board now.
Problem is, the ILB Group, by and large, isn’t very prominent this year.
Stephone Anthony, come on down.
Yeah NJ, just read the story, Borland is retiring due to past concussions issues,HS,College. It’s just been no fun at all for Niner fans this off-season!! Like you said :Unbelievable!!!
I can respect his decision though,painful as it is, and it seems like more players now are thinking long term health (future with their family) and possibly not drinking thru a straw with help.
Just recently, Jake Locker, Wordlis? And a few others have hung em up as well.
Well it certainly makes the position that much more important come Draft Weekend Alleykat.
I’m becoming more and more concerned about whether Santa Clara was a religious burial ground of some kind in the past.
We’ve desecrated something important and, those spirits aren’t very happy, by the looks of it.
I’m liking your guy Bud Dupree even more right now NJ!!
Probably a hybrid fit, LB/ DE and were gonna need it now.
Question Marks galore popping up at LB’s now.
What are we gonna get out of Lynch?Lemioner? Skov? Wilhote? And of Course Bowman????? Coming back or not???Better restock some LB’s in the draft.
I’m just hoping Dupree is an option at Pick 15 now.
Gotta wonder if NOLA has a bead on him too?
They appear to be in full Defensive makeover mode of late.
And the hits just keep on coming. Willis, then Borland? What next?
Due to the folks on this blog, avoiding the haters at places like SFGate, I’ve managed ro keep an upbeat attitude about the 2015 49ers and I’m really looking forward to the draft and the next chapter in 49er history. But as a die-hard Niners fan, the past 8 months have been a damn nightmare, no matter how you spin it. It’s been just one thing after another.
I wish Borland the best moving forward and I know he has to take the decisions that affect his health and life seriously. Good on him for having the strength to give up the game. But the dude was a star in the making and there are now TWO huge holes to fill at the ILB position. The draft is great but how often do you get a guy in the third round who shoots out of the gate and dominates his position in half a season? Not often.
How about some bloody good news!!
The good news is, Borland made a decision that allows Baalke time to make up for it at least.
Defense has to be almost the sole focus in the draft now, with a receiver still in the mix and OL depth as well.
Draft Weekend just keeps getting more bizarre by the hour in SF.
Here’s what I’ve got so far on the ILB work-list.
Might need to focus on it a little more closely now?
ILB –
Stephone Anthony – Clemson 6’2″/245
Benardrick McKinney – MS State 6’4″ 245
Bryce Hager – Baylor – 6’1″/234
Eric Kendricks – UCLA – 6’0″/232
Ben Heeney – KS – 6’0″/231
Taiwan Jones – MI St – 6’3″/252
New thread is up.