I'll have a lot more on these two men later, including transcripts, but I wanted to quickly hit on some of their key points:
--McCloughan said he believes it is 50-50 whether Isaac Bruce will opt to play again in 2009. Singletary said Bruce already brought a lot to the 49ers in his one year, so he told him go ahead and take his time. But, Singletary said, he would like to hear an answer sooner than later.
--The 49ers are looking to go to more of a two-back system with a young, big back sharing time with Frank Gore. McCloughan said there are a lot of those kinds of backs - in the 215-plus-pound range - who will be available in the mid-rounds of the draft.
--The 49ers will also be looking to add a fullback, possibly during free agency. They want to get back to the offense of 2006, in which they have a strong lead-blocker. Moran Norris filled that roll. (Coincidentally, he is scheduled to become a free agent.)
--Jimmy Williams, the former second-round draft pick of the Falcons, is not a cornerback, McCloughan said. The team signed him this offseason and he will be competing for a job at safety.
--McCloughan said there a "really good" chance that the 49ers' starting free safety in 2009 is already on the team. Check out Mike Sando's NFC West blog for the humorous exchange on that subject matter.
--The 49ers are flexible whether Joe Staley plays left or right tackle. Singletary and McCloughan both said that if the club signs or drafts a better left tackle, then they'll have no hesitation about moving Staley back to right tackle.
--The 49ers remain in contact with linebacker Takeo Spikes and wish to bring him back. Talks are going in a positive direction.
--As for two other free-agents-to-be, receiver Bryant Johnson and running back DeShaun Foster, the 49ers are in no hurry to get anything done. The 49ers like both guys, but they're trying to get younger there. If they linger on the market and the 49ers do not fill those needs, it's conceivable the 49ers could show interest in re-signing them.
--Alex Smith did not invite Singletary to his wedding, which is scheduled for tomorrow. Singletary said, "That's good. It shows me he's being fair." There is no timetable on getting a new contract with Smith because the 49ers have plenty of cap room. He is under contract, so the team can wait to get something done.
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I like Singeletary a lot. This franchise is turning around under his leadership. Stay out of his way Jed & Scot, do what the Man wants.
Is Williams competing for both S and FS or just S?
There is no such thing as a "S". There is a FS (Free Safety) or a SS (Strong Safety)
With the Staley comment and the Saftey comment I wonder how much of what the Niners say is just posturing for the draft?
Staley to right tackle? I thought he was on track to be a very good to pro bowl type player.
Free saftey on our roster? If Roman is starting by the beginning of the season, I will boycott this team.
Maiocco: Is Jimmy Williams a safety?
McCloughan: Yes. He can be free or strong. He is up to 230 pounds. It'll be interesting how he moves around.
Maiocco: Is that good?
McCloughan: It's bigger than he has been but he is a unique athlete at 230 pounds.
Hopefully, they will improve the pass rush, giving the free saftey the ability to make more plays since they are implying that the starter is on their roster already. If it doesn't improve, they'll have no choice next year but to improve the saftey position.
Matt, with the 49ers stating that bruce is only 50-50, and bryant johnson being a free agent, that leaves only morgan, battle, and hill as viable options, adding to that they want to get younger at that position, is the hope of possibly signing housh unrealistic? Is it more likely the 49ers will pursue nate washington, or michael clayton neither of which bring to the table what housh would
I think the FS who may already be on the roster is either Goldson or Jimmy Williams. Both guys are playmakers...so it'll be interesting to see how that develops. If a guy like Jason Smith or Michael Oher would fall to us, I think Coach and Mac would have a hard time passing on them. However, they could sign a FA...and then wouldn't have to draft an OL 'til later in the draft. That way, Coach can get his pass rusher to get things going.
When the 49ers first mentioned trying to improve at safety, lack of range was the expressed concern. Although many took that to mean FS, that has not been the rap on Roman, so I asked you if perhaps we meant the SS spot.
You didn't think so then, but are you re-considering after the McCloughan interview? Lewis has been solid as a traditional SS in the box, but more limited in coverage. Picking up an ex-CB who's blown up to 230 also suggests that we may be looking for a more versatile player.
I'll be the first to admit that I have no clue who McC thinks the starting fs will be. Goldson is injury prone and has only been so so when he's been on the field. Jimmy Williams is a reclamation project who's been a complete bust so far in the NFL. Roman has been terrible. Reggie Smith is still a cb as far as I know as is Walt Harris. It's anyone's guess at this time...Rashad Johnson or Louis Delmas in the 2nd round would clear things up a bit.
...And do you, Mrs. Smith, take these 'small hands' to help guide you through good times and bad?
Doesn't Roman play SS too? He might be a better fit there for more "range"...He and Lewis can rotate depending on the situation. They are both still very decent players, one-dimensional, but solid.
A Phillips 3-4 uses an SS in the box a lot more than other defenses do...M.Lewis is plenty qualified at SS. FS is the problem spot.
I'm just trying to interpret the interview responses. I don't know McCloughan; maybe he's just playing word games. If you didn't read the Sando blog, here's a bit of it:
Sando: What are the chances your starting free safety is on your team already?
McCloughan: Our starting free? Really good. Really good.
Maiocco, in a stunned tone: Really?