I would love to get Tom Rathman back here in some capacity... Another great guy to help instill Singletary's smash-mouth philosophy =)

Do you think Singletary has Rathman on his list? One reason he could possibly be holding back from talking about Rathman is to stay away from tampering allegations. I'll bet Crazy Al would love to get something on us, especially if we're poaching his staff.

Hasn't this franchise learned anything from the past couple of years? We've been dinged so many times for BS tampering charges that We should take a page from the Pats and keep quiet until we announce the OC

I think this was actually a very smart move by Singletary. He didn't call the Raiders or Rathman's agent but he's announced publicly that he's interested in talking with Rathman. Hopefully the waters ripple & he's able to hear this. I'm sure he will with the Bay Area media always looking for the hot story. There's no league violation here. Hopefully this strikes a nerve with Rathman & he gets a vision that he has a chance to come home to his team. I hope that's what he wants. If that's on the money he can feel good that his old team WANTS him back. This lets him know ahead of time before his contracts up where Oakland might be offering him more money to stay. Smart move by Singletary IMO.

I'm sure if Singletary wants him, Rathman is well aware, and has been for quite some time as Singletary likely talked with him about it as he assembled a prospective staff while preparing for HC interviews. Just my thought.

I think it's funny how the jumpy/dramacidal Mercury News columnists were saying how Singletary is walking all over McCloughan and it's still not clear who has the trigger, when it is totally obvious these two are trying to work together on everything. It shows in Singletary and McCloughan discussing offensive coaches.

Hey Matt - The mention of Rathman brings up a tangential question I was thinking of this weekend. Do you know what accounts for the death of the running/receiving FB? I thought that was one of Walsh's huge innovations and gave his offenses a decided advantage. Remember Roger Craig was a FB the first few years of his 49er career and Rathman, even as a big, bruising blocker, still caught 70 passes one year. It seems to add such a huge threat the D must account for. I know a lot of teams have eschewed the FB altogether, but many still use one and none of those are anywhere near the threat that Rathman, much less Craig were. In short, I see a lot of WC offenses but no real WC fullbacks.

What do you guys think of signing Suggs and Derek Anderson and possible right tackle in free agency. Drafting the free safety from USC that is supposed to be like Ed Reed JR 2nd round get a running back so our new smash mouth offense can pound the rock without wearing down Gore 3rd QB to develop and then best avaible players

Hey Matt,

I think if Coah Sing is interested in Rathman it would be for the OC position, because if he comes herr for RB coach, wouldn't that be a lateral move? Also, if Rathman is hired, and has the say who brings in as QB coach don't be suprised he brings either these two guys Paul Hackett who is from the Bill Walsh tree, and was QB coach for Montana and OC with KC when Montana was QB there, or another Walsh protege Terry Shea who was OC for Walsh in Stanford when Walsh was HC the 2nd time around. What do u think Matt?

I really hope Singletary is looking at Rathman as our RB coach. I can't imagine he'd be a candidate for the OC job, he just doesn't have the experience.

But I'd love to have him as an RB coach.

As intriguing as Rathman is, it seems unlikely Singletary would hire an OC with no experience in that job.

As for Suggs, most definitely. I'm not sold on Anderson...he had one season where he looked good. I don't think he's a FA, either. It's pretty slim pickings for FA QB's...Warner and K. Collins are the best of the lot, and I'd be very surprised if their teams let them get away. There are some pretty good FA OT's, though. Jordan Gross is the best...but he'll command a big salary. There are some younger guys like Willie Colon & Max Starks of the Steelers, Vernon Cary of Miami, and Khalif Barns from the Jags who might be worth signing. Still need to draft best one avail...and VA's Carl Monroe should be on the board at #10.

I like Taylor Mays a lot...he has the tools to become a feared FS in the NFL.

Rathman can't/won't/shouldn't get the OC job but I would also like to see him back on the 9er sideline in some capacity.

I'm definitely on the Taylor Mays bandwagon. I've only seen 2 USC games this year but that dude was a total beast in both games. Hopefully, the 9ers can find a RT in free agency and draft Mays. If they can't find a RT in FA I'd say we need to draft an offensive lineman in the 1st round. Either that or Chilo needs to imrpove dramatically over the offseason so he can be plugged into the RT position.

Would Russ Grimm be a possible candidate for OC?

I heard the comments about Rathman on the radio. The voice inflection said to me Sing did not want to disrespect Ratman but the OC job is for someone else. Rathman may get some assistant coach interest but I would be shocked if he even gets a legit interview for OC. Am I off base?

Taylor Mays for sure Frank.

ladies and gents - i think we just found ourselves a rb - Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno

I like Knowshon's athleticism and breakaway speed, but maybe a later round pick. Shonne Greene is the more complete RB prospect that deserves #15 attention.

The new two RB model from NFL team's this year will make the Niner's #10 selection intriguing. Green could be there at #10 to spell Gore and provide that balanced two-pronged backfield attack. Or make it three way with Michael Robinson as our Brandon Jacobs for goal line punching.

I think the consensus is that Taylor Mays is our man if he's still there at #10.

Matt, Everette Brown just declared for the draft and is the top speed rusher rated #9 overall in the draft by one draft ranking service. He may be available at the 10 spot for us. What do you know about this kid? He sounds like the type of player who could make an impact. Anyone seen him play?

I think under the circumstances you can't give Rathman the OC job. I feel the best way to play it is to bring him in as RB coach/Asst Head coach/Offensive quality control or some other lofty title and groom him for the job. Bring in a OC w/ experience and training in the WC system and give Rathman increased input and duties. Let him call a few series in preason games or, blow outs for practice. In a few years when that OC leaves we will have had Rathman as an inter OC with more exposure to calling plays in games and hopefully the input he had will have translated into added confidence and experience for his new OC job.

As for the draft (1) Taylor Mays, (2) OG/OT, (3) OT/OG, (4) Ron Brace (DT), KR specialist, etc... I think pass rush will be address via fre agency. I would also like to see Reggie converted back to his original Safety position.

Overall the Niners are in good shape on the D and just need to strengthen the play in front of and behind the inside backers, and add the rush backer (Suggs). The offense needs a strong right tackle and a long term solution a LG. If Cody Wallace is ready we could move Heitman over there and just draft for depth on the line. Bring in a real QB to push Hill...