Word on the street is that the 49ers are very interested in Ezekiel Ansah, FA DE who played for the Lions, amassed 12 sacks last year, and 14.5 the year before. More than enough for a team that ranked 26th in sacks with 30. He’ll cost, but one thing the Niners have is a shit-ton of cap space. Somewhere in the $100 million range.
Seeing as this is the brain trust’s 2nd go-round in free agency, it’s fairly easy to see their previous track record. They got (minus a couple no-names):
- QBs (Hoyer and Hot Tub Mat) – Nice try but pfffffffft. The draft of BeatHard and the steal of Garoppolo made these guys moot and expendable.
- WRs Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin and Aldrick Robinson – Garcon was playing well before he got hurt, Goodwin became Jimmy G’s go-to guy once he got in there, and Aldrick Robinson showed some decent play after struggling through a lot of the season. Robinson looks to be odd man out if we improve this position
- FB Kyle Jusczyk – A very solid pickup as he made some nice catches coming out of the backfield on sideline routes.
- OLB Malcolm Smith – Hard to say, but he’ll hopefully be ready when this season starts. May be relegated to backup depending on the draft and other FA moves.
- TE Logan Paulsen – Blocking TE that made some big drops this year. Surley we can do better.
- K Robbie Gould – Huge success. 39-41 is flat fantastic. 4-4 from 50+.
ILB Brock Coyle – Good backup who was exposed in coverage early on. Should stick for ST role and depth.
So, four of these guys were big successes, and M Smith very well could be a keeper. Not bad for their first try. Thing is, the Niners still have holes to fill at guard, CB, WR, possibly RB, OLB, and ILB. How much of this goes to free agency?
OLB – Well, I like this guy Ansah. Dee Ford of KC is young but coming off a back injury, and Anthony Hitchens of the Cowboys is also a young guy who is available.
WR – There are a lot of intriguing guys available. Notably Jarvis Landry of the Phins, and Sammy Watkins of the Bills and Rams. They are all 25 so there’s a good chance one of these guys would be a great addition to the team. Then there is Josh (hold my joint) Gordon. He of the spectacular play, and equally spectacular penchant for getting into trouble. Terelle Pryor thrived in Cleveland, but failed in Washington. Cameron Meredith (da Bearsss) could be great but he’s also coming off a big injury.
TE – We should focus on Zach Ertz’s backup Trey Burton, who shined when Ertz went down with a concussion. Fuck Jimmy Graham.
CB – Well, there’s Malcolm Butler, though NE likely keeps him, Rashaan Melvin of the Bills, Trumaine Johnson of the Rams, and Patrick Robinson of the Iggles. All these guys are young and have enough years left.
I think Landry is gettable. As is Ansah and Ford. Burton would be a great addition to the TE ranks. Patrick Robinson as well. Those thrfoure would be a great start to free agency.
I don’t know who’s available at guard in FA, but I’m tired of typing so, have at it. I think we are in a MUCH better place than last year, but who do you think we should sign?
Forty Niners Forever 
Very odd stats for Hyde here WINDER ! https://www.google.com/search?q=carlos+hyde+season+stats&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMqsL4nvbYAhXEtFMKHUQWDQkQMQi4ATAY&biw=1680&bih=935
ignore this one … see below
His career avg. is 4.2 but last year he had the strangest year I think I’ve ever seen stat wise last year
http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/16777/carlos-hyde
Okay it’s time to fess up……..who plans to watch the Pro-Bowl?
Never have, why start now?
I might go !
They’ll have Hyde’s status figured out by the time the draft rolls around, so we’ll know what they are thinking. I’m of a mind to keep him as he did well enough behind a shitty line. He’s a solid pass catcher out of the backfield as well.
I’m more curious about Joe Williams. He looked real good till he went down.
Not me, Nip. Warriors Celtics tonight though.
Nip- don’t think I have watched a pro-bowl in over 20 years, not planning to watch this one either.
chuck- I am real curious about Williams too. I might be that shanny got this one wrong since I think Bredia had him beat out before the IR list.
Williams is bigger and stronger, so a different kind of back. Looking forward to seeing what he can do. KS was certainly high on him last season.
I’ve never been one for all star games. I used to watch most of the baseball games, but since dumbass Selig did his thing I haven’t paid much attention. The NBA games are a joke, with 190 points a side, and the NFL guys barely tackle. What’s the point? It’s just a big circle jerk.
Joe Williams had a bad ankle since college. I thought he did pretty well for having a bad wheel. The team decided to sit him the season to get him to 100%. Joe says he’ll be 100% by the first practice. I’m really looking forward to see what he can do this year. He is a legitimate home run hitter.
https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/12/29/16831438/joe-williams-ankle-injury-rehab-49ers-2018
I could pass on Hyde in favor of this kid.
Watched him throughout the week in Moblie (Sr Bowl) –
Excellent size/speed/production –
Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona St. Height: 6-3 Weight: 230 40-Time: 4.55
450 ATT / 1,984 YDs / 27 TDs
Mobile that is – Alabama…..
This kid looked good as well –
Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego St. Height: 5-11 Weight: 224 40-Time: 4.55
488 ATT / 3,656 TDs / 38 TDs
3,656 YDs that is – Not TDs…
I was gonna say, Shit that’s a hell of a career.
This kid was a stud also – Crazy College stats as well –
59 Games / 329 TKLs / 9.5 SAcks / 10 PBUs / 7 INTs
Nick DeLuca, ILB, North Dakota St.
https://www.seniorbowl.com/player-view.php?p=2259&squad=North
Here’s a guy I’d put on the radar in FA –
Andrew Norwell, G, Panthers. Age: 26
Another Sr Bowl player I’ve added to The List – Never quit on his blocks. Moved very well IMO –
Brian O’Neill, OT, Pittsburgh Height: 6-6 Weight: 305 40-Time: 5.05
NJ- It sounds like the Niners had full crew at the senior bowl. There were some real interesting players there. I agree about the RB’s you mentioned, and there were a couple of WR’s, and LB’s that looked pretty good too, for the first time I even paid attention to what was going on there. I guess I haven’t been this excited about an offseason for a long time
Don’t forget the Pro-Bowl, Winder!
I forgot to mention a couple of O-line guys that looked real good also, I just can’t remember their names, One of em was from Alabama,
Mobile is one of the premier places for Scouting prior to the Combines Winder.
Players are actually Coached and, of course, wearing pads and playing football.
I came away with several ‘favorites’ myself, while awaiting the Combine measurables, to separate the ‘close calls’.
I give plenty of credit to these kids, because it shows a desire to succeed.
Combines is a data collection/meet and greet opportunity for all the Clubs, to get some face time and, interview the prospects.
Here’s the Sr Bowl Squad list if you care to partake 😀
https://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2018.php
I added this kid to my List after seeing him in Mobile –
Little shorter than I originally went ‘shopping’ for but, he looked good.
Hoping to get some honest 40s for him if he gets to the Combines.
I had originally seen him listed at 6’4″/198 running a 4.4-40
https://www.seniorbowl.com/player-view.php?p=2287&squad=South
I think the best RB in this years draft is Rashaad Penny. I wouldn’t take a RB with our first pick but if they took this guy I would not be upset.
Liked this RB as well –
Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon Height: 6-0 Weight: 238 40-Time: 4.55
GP 51
ATT 947
YDS 5,621
AVG 5.9
TD 60
REC 79
YDS 814
TD 4
New thread is up.