When speaking about Spikes, linebacker Patrick Willis said, "He's been playing for 11 years and he's never been in the playoffs. If he comes back for one more year, we'll go to the playoffs."
Spikes and wide receiver Bryant Johnson are the only 49ers starters who are scheduled for unrestricted free agency. Johnson probably would not return as a starter with Josh Morgan ready to emerge. However, Spikes proved he has another year or two in him as a starter.
Spikes began lobbying on Monday, the day after the 49ers' season ended with a 27-24 victory over the Redskins.
"It's not like we need a lot," Spikes said. Then he added a few words directed to general manager Scot McCloughan: "Bring me back."
"I feel like this is home," Spikes said. "And I feel there is unfinished business."
Spikes said he has never regretted leaving a team in his career. He has played with the Bengals, Bills and Eagles. But, he said, this is different.
"I would have regrets about leaving this team," he said.
He said he hopes something can happen quickly now that Mike Singletary is the head coach and things are in place for next season.
* * *
The big unanswered question is the fate of offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Here is what several players had to say about the situation:
Shaun Hill - He said he's had to learn new systems plenty of times in his career, so he'll just do the same if Martz does not return. As for the relationship between, Hill and Martz, Hill said, "It evolved, definitely."
"There were some ups and downs in there, but it's a lot better now than it was in training camp," Hill said. "Maybe I had to make a believer out of him."
Frank Gore - "If it happens, I guess we just have to do what we did last offseason and pick up a new offense. I like coach Martz. I think he did a pretty good job."
Josh Morgan - "If somebody new comes in, we'll just have to learn it the same way we did this year and execute."
* * *
Today was checkout day for players. Here are some tidbits from the players as they packed their belongings and left town:
--Morgan said he will take about three weeks of rest to allow his torn groin muscle to heal. When asked if believes he's capable of being the No. 1 receiver next season, Morgan said, "They told me if I hadn't gotten injured, I would've been the No. 1 receiver this year."
And who told him that?
"Everybody," he said.
--Vernon Davis saw his production drop from 52 receptions in 2007 to 31 catches this season. But he said he feels satisfied that he did what was asked of him. After all, he asked to do a lot more blocking than in the past.
"I'm pretty much happy with what I did,"
--Does
"I expect him to be, yes,"
--On the rough start Davis and Singletary experienced together,
--Hill said he hopes to head into the offseason as the starter, but he does not know exactly where he stands.
"I don't know what the perception is," he said. "I feel like I definitely played hard."
When it was suggested to Hill that maybe the team does not want Hill to get too comfortable by naming him the starter, he disputed that logic.
"If you have to have that psychology, you've got the wrong person," Hill said.
--On the final drive, Hill said there was a calm in the huddle.
"Overall, the feeling was that the game was ours," Hill said.
He said the team's tight finishes at
--Willis reported to the 49ers' team complex this morning and went through a standard workout. After all, he has one game remaining in his season. He is the 49ers' lone representative in the Pro Bowl on Feb. 8. "I rest when I sleep," Willis said.
--Spikes said the loss to
"If we could've closed that game in
--Gore will return to
* * *
I'd be shocked if Sing takes a pass on Takeo. He's a Sing type of player and affords us the chance to draft for an LB in the later rounds instead of early.
I hope for sure McCloughan can get a deal done with Takeo. He is perfect for the Niners.
Matt, is Mike Singletary doing any sort of press con. today?
Q: Matt, is Mike Singletary doing any sort of press con. today?
My response: No, he will do his press conference Tuesday or Wednesday -- probably depending on the timing of what he decides to do with his offensive coordinator. --Matt M.
I'm sure Spikes will be back, he played well and he wants to be here. They have a need at that position if he goes so it looks like a no-brainer.
Matt- You'll have to let us know the differences between the end of year press conference and everything leading up to it last year versus this year. Obviously things are very different. The Yorks seem to have learned from last year by making a decision well ahead of time.
Takeo is one of the few vocal leaders of our young team. Are there any more?? I can't think of any. We have more quiet leaders by example...Gore, Willis, Bruce. That plus he's been productive & now knows our system. Right now we both need each other. Who else would start at TED? It took us the whole offseason & we never found anyone. Ulbrich seems injury prone when he's playing there full time. We still have so many needs this buys us time for a year (MAYBE 2) to fill our other positions. He should be resigned along with Haralson. It's a positive that he wants to stay. Sign of a solid HC & locker room...that should also attract FA's that we're looking to go after.
Matt,
Now that the season is over will the 49ers be drafting 10th or 11th? Their record is tied with the Buffalo Bills. Thanks for the clarification in advance.
Just a couple thoughts:
- I would expect Shaun Hill to start, just as Steve DeBerg started while Montana was getting ready once upon a time. If Singletary/OC does it right, they'll have a young QB learn whatever system is in place and how to play at an NFL level, and bring him in as he becomes capable. I don't think they'll pick up any Matt Ryans in this draft, and even a FA QB won't have Hill's advantages at the start of next season.
- Spikes will be a valuable team player for the next couple of years if the Niners are smart enough to re-sign him. He and Singletary/Willis are made for each other.
- Finally, good coaches/coordinators know how to work with the mix of talent they have on their squads. Bill Belichick, John Madden, and many other familar names were great at this, getting the most out of the collections of castoffs they had to work with. If Mike Singletary is smart, he'll begin asking prospective OCs (Linehan, etc. -- and including Martz) what they would do with the Niners' talent to do their part to win games, and what pieces are needed to improve on that.
I'd bet that the offense Sing admires most is the one John Fox has put together in Carolina, since it's the one defenses fear most, with a dominant line, two tough running backs whose play opens up the pass, and an overall scheme that makes an underrated but scrappy QB -- who's certainly not the most talented in the league -- look pretty good most weekends. They use the clock, wear down the opponent, score points, and put their defense in an advantageous position.
The Niners do not currently have all the ingredients for that particular offense, but any prospective OC should be able to articulate how he'll accomplish the same goals with their squad: use the clock, score points, assist the defense, help win games. And maybe strike fear in the opponent's defense.
Spikes has to be re signed.. He is not only one of our defensive MVPs (besides Smith and Willis) he is a team leader. Given the fact at how quickly a NFL player can age, Id hesitate at anything more that a one year deal.
"Overall, the feeling was that the game was ours," Hill said.
-Seriously, when was the last time you heard that? That's awesome.
"I rest when I sleep," Willis said.
-yes!
Hey Matt - Who was Martz second in command during the season, assistant OC?...... why can't he keep the offense?.......Is WR coach Sullivan safe?.....the offensive players don't seem econraged about learning a new offense, except "i think" A.Smith which means next season everyone on offense is going to be starting fresh from day one. This is a great opportunity for A.Smith.........
If Hill doesn't start the season as a starter there's something seriously wrong. He went 7-2 on teams that were 5-16 with anyone but him starting. What more does the man have to do to earn the job?
Plus I have to imagine someone in the Niners organization has to have learned something by comparing Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers and their situations.
Here's what I would do: Bring back Smith if he'll agree to a minimum contract with incentives if he becomes starter. Declare Hill starter next year right now. Draft someone in the third or fourth round, since there's not a decent third QB on the team even if Hill and Smith are successful. Give Hill every opportunity, keep him as the starter while the rookie develops. If he doesn't live up to his record give Smith one last chance. Only put in the rookie if all else fails.
Let's start the discussions on what the Niners need and what's out there in free agency and the draft. One clear need is a better pass rush, preferably from the DL. Julius Peppers shows up on various sites as being an UFA. So does Haynesworth, but who wants that much baggage?
The problem with pursuing a pass rusher this offseason is that the Broncos also need a pass rusher very badly. And it is also known that the Broncos are no laughing-stocks when it comes to acquiring players they want.
If anything, the Broncos will drive up the price of any pass rusher on the market.
Can Spikes be resigned soon or is there a date at which those things can start happening?
So Matt, let me get this straight. Since the Raiders won at Tampa yesterday, does that mean the only two teams that won 1 PM East Coast games were the 49ers and Raiders?
BIG mistake if Martz is fired. He comes through with the bottom line of every fine coach - he maximizes the talent he has. He has coached a market checkout guy (to two MVPs), a 6th round draft choice (Bulger) and two journeymen (Kitna and Hill) and they all did FAR better than anyone ever thought they could. And he HAS coached two thousand yard runners. He's the best QB coach in the business today. Now, maybe he doesn't want to coach with Sing. Maybe Martz (as befits someone of his talents) only wants to be OC if he can do it ALL his way. Well, that's his right, and in that case he's probably gone. BUT, man, I would hate to have to root for a "Bears" offense for years - GEEZ! - what a bore. In today's NFL (like for the past almost 30 years) you need a great passing game to compete consistently. So, who, if not Martz? Whoever, let's get an older guy who probably won't be a HC (Martz may start fitting this bill soon). Sam Wyche still interested in coaching? I do have to add that I would really hate Martz going over to the Raiders and juicing up that offense big time (which you KNOW he would do). Or to Seattle. Or any number of teams. Here's my advice to the 49ers - KEEP MIKE MARTZ - it's working!
I remember I posted that a good OC will adapt to the players on hand when Hill was first name the QB starter. I think Martz proved that he can do it. The question is... what does he want to do? Is Martz a team player? Martz is no doubt a brilliant OC in this game but he need to put down his ego and do the right thing to win.
WHAT NINERS NEED - Draft Everette Brown (if not available draft Michael Oher), get back in the bottom of the 1st round or the top of the 2nd round and draft Terrence Cody......we need at least 2 of this players to solidify both the o-line and d-line, this is the final stage of the re-building.......after reading Coach Sing locker room speech, I have no doubt this franchised just turned the corner.
KezarMike - The problem with Martz is we were the worst team in the league is sacks allowed and we increased our turnovers over last season where we had a simpleton OC and Trent Dilfer at the helm. Turnover ratio is one of the best indicators to tell whether a team wins or loses a game.
Also, Martz would not be a stable fit for the position. Sure, he might come back next season. But what happens if he's offered a college job? He will be headed out the door right around the time we're heading into the playoffs (hopefully). The fact that Singletary will rely on the OC more than defense, you can't have someone who will jump at the chance for a HC position at the college level. Especially if you expect to be in the playoffs.
Those reasons coupled with the fact that Mike Martz runs an offense that does not play to the 49ers strengths, I fail to see how it would be such a BIG MISTAKE to take the team in another direction.
I'm in complete agreement with JBG and oneniner. To run that Carolina-style, power running game we need a mauler at RT (Otah would have been perfect had he slipped)...Monroe from UVA or Oher would be ideal. Taylor Mays would be tempting as well, particularly after watching Roman play so badly this year.
i'd love to keep martz. i don't know what the deal is with all this "let's make sure we're good two years from now" talk. let's be good one year and work on that. this team (which wasn't that far from winning the division) could be the dolphins/ravens/falcons of 2009.
another year year with martz only makes this team better.
I really like Everette Brown & have been scouting him the past week. He had 1 sack & I believe 1 forced fumble in the last bowl game (Champ Sports Bowl. They mostly ran away from him.) In 9 games he has 15 TFL's & 9 sacks. HE'S NEVER MISSED A GAME IN COLLEGE. He has 3 nice pass rush moves..outside speed rush, bull you over, & fake right then spin inside. Orapko should be gone by our pick. So will Oher & Andre Smith.
The BPA that's lining up for us is another ILB...Rey Maualuga. I know it's not a high need (problem for Spikes) but mark my words I predict he will be a star in this league & is a thunder version of Willis. At 6-2 260 lbs he will try & KNOCK YOU OUT. Big big hitter where Willis mostly covers territory & gets the tackle. Maualuga along with Willis (his play will infect Willis & vice-versa) will cause FEAR to opposing players in the middle. Another thing that makes him more of a sure pick. I see him as the stud TED but Berger pointed out he could be a very good pass rushing SAM OLB & I agree if he didn't work out at the TED. But I doubt it, he'll succeed at any LB spot. He plays FASTER than his clocked speed of 4.68/40. (Watched lots of youtube vids + some games.)
Taylor Mays will probably be the more likely NEED + BPA pick. If he turns out anywhere near Sean Taylor I would be psyched. I'd also be happy with this pick. Just throwing this out there but reading about & watching Malcolm Jenkins...he can play corner or Safety. We know he can cover & make plays vs the pass but he also is a very good open field tackler. I think he would be a great Free Safety if we miss on Mays or believe he rates higher. I want to research Loadholt & it's looking like he should fit the bill for a dominating mauling run blocker (RT next to Rachal) but will need work & eventually should catch up on his pass pro. I think we would have to trade up in the 2nd to snag him. We should have 1 to give since we're gaining 2 comp picks.
I personally think Martz has to stay and Hill needs to be named the starter for next season. I understand not naming him in cse we pick up a good one in Free Agency, but we cannot tell him all he has earned is to compete once again, because we all know how that competition will turn out.
i would like to see Bryant Johnson return as the #2 receiver starting opposite of Morgan and allow Battle , Hill, and Zieglar to work the insides
In addition, Matt can you provide some of your vast inside knowledge to assess why Clayton was not allowed on the field. Also, hear anything about using Reggie Smith as a safety instead of a CB? This info. could influence who to draft in April.