The 49ers signed center Eric Heitmann on Sept. 29 to a contract extension through 2011.
Heitmann's contract was set to expire at the end of this season. Three years were added to his contract. The 49ers did not announce the contract extension, but paperwork filed through the NFL Players Association revealed the new deal.
Heitmann's long-term future with the 49ers appeared in doubt with the club spent a fourth-round draft pick on Cody Wallace. So why would the 49ers sign Heitmann to a new deal when the team made that investment in his presumptive replacement?
Heitmann's contract extension does not tie up a bunch of cap room in future seasons, so the 49ers can easily keep both players around. In 2010 and 2011, Heitmann can receive $600,000 in per-game bonuses over two seasons for being on the 45-man game-day roster. That adds up to $18,750 for every game he suits up.
Heitmann received a $1.25 million signing bonus. He is scheduled to earn base salaries of $800,000 in 2009, $1.4 million in 2010, and $1.95 milllion in 2011. When his contract expires, Heitmann will be 31 years old. He also has the versatility to shift to guard, where he played his first three-and-a-half seasons.
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Random contract. 600K per game bonuses? So if he gets hurt, he doesn't get paid. Who the heck is his agent. We'll have to see the final contract wording. Even if Wallace takes over at center in a year or two, Heitmann can move to guard. Our new Ol next year is going to be VD (bulk up and play OLT), Wragge, Wallace, Heitmann and Staley. Woo Hoo
I think its a good singing, showing your O-Line that you seriously want to achieve continuity in the most important unit (the O-Line) on the team.
Can Wallace play guard?
Now that Warhop is gone we should get a good read on the O line. Has it been poor player talent or poor coaching. You shouldn't have to spend 1st and 2nd round draft choices to get decent lineman. At some point you need to develope young players with good coaching.
$600,000 per game plus minimum base salary, that's motre than $10,000,000 each year. I don't think we will actually pay that much for a C. Expect the contract to be terminated early.
No, $600,000 total to be earned. So, it would be $18,750 per game over two seasons. --Matt M.
What???!!! This is a ridiculous signing! Heitmann is a great guy and a great interview, but he is horrible! How many times will we have to see him get pushed back? Heitmann, Wragge, Snyder, and Sims make up the worst line in football. Staley is solid, but that's it.
If we didn't have a great running back with exceptionally powerful legs, our yard/carry average would be about 2.3.
What are the York's watching?
At this point, I am getting to be embarrassed to be a 49er fan.
"Let's lock up our worst lineman, even though we just drafted his replacement in the draft!"
Got to be kidding me..
Heitmann is not very good. Our o-line misses assignments all the time and has given up more sacks than any team in the league. I understand the sack total is partially due to JTO's poor play but jeez why reward one of these losers.
On a different note, ESPN just had Marcus Breton on about the Nolan firing. That dude is a freaking tool. Matt, how did you lose out on that gig?
Did you watch the lions game? How many times do you see a Center both pull AND pancake a guy on the same play? Heitmann may not be an all-pro, but he's one of the better centers in the league. Stop watching JT dance and actually look at the trenches.
I still say it's a good signing. E.H. is a piece of the same o-line that got Frankie G. the single season rushing record in '06. I agree, not an all-pro, but a reliable vet that can help anchor and solidify a somewhat struggling unit. And, JTO has skills, no doubt, but he needs to know when to THROW THE BALL AWAAAYYY.
This signing shows the effect of competition. Draft Cody Wallace and it puts pressure on Heitmann to sign easily. Now the pressure is on Wallace. If you can't beat out Heitmann, you won't play and you might not even be around.