All you read around the country - and I've been guilty of it myself - is that free agency begins Feb. 27. That is completely inaccurate. Free agency begins in exactly 12 hours. And according to my math, that makes it 9:01 p.m. here in the rainy Bay Area when the feeding frenzy begins.
Have not spoken to anyone with the 49ers since I was in Indy for the combine, but GM Scot McCloughan will address the local press corps (or what's left of it) around high noon today in a conference call.
--Will he announce a new deal with Alex Smith? It seems be to a foregone conclusion that Smith will be on the team. There's a reason the newlywed was faxed several pages of the team's playbook last week.
--Will he announce any contract extensions?
--Will he announce any departures?
Obviously, you'll be able to read all about it right here as quickly as I can turn it around.
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In conversations with folks around the NFL, there seems to be a belief the 49ers will take things slow in free agency - perhaps waiting for the first wave of free agency (when most of the big contracts are signed) before easing into the mix.
The 49ers went out aggressively to get guys the past couple years. They got some good players, but they paid a lot of money. Did it translate to more wins? I don't know. Seems as if the teams that fill needs with well-scouted second-tier free agents who fit the system is generally the way to go.
I've been told the 49ers have from 10 to 15 free agents they're targeting and they want to be patient. I wrote about that subject here, "49ers will take free-agent signing period slow and easy." Of course, this is the time of year in which you have to exhibit some level of skepticism with every morsel of information.
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One of the intriguing guys in the draft is
"I think he's a corner," McCloughan said. "Once he proves he can't do it, you make the switch."
That seems to be his philosophy. There is more of a premium on cornerbacks. So when you draft somebody who can play either position, you first try to see if it'll work at cornerback. That's what the 49ers did last year with Reggie Smith. Up to this point, they've kept Smith at cornerback.
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MM...Everyone knows the niners want to get a new OLB/pass rusher. Where does that leave Manny Lawson? Parys Haralson has been more productive than Lawson as a pass rusher so it would make sense to keep him on the field. Is there any chance Lawson could be moved to the inside if the niners do find the pass rusher they're looking for?
The East Coast bias definitely hurt West Coast teams last season. Looking forward to the FA and thanks for informing us of the correct time.
- BettorFan
Matt, the line between patience and oops too late is razor thin, how do the 49ers plan to balance this approach so they don't lose out on their man or men?
Just heard that Dunn (RB TB) and Ward (RB MY) ar available. They might fit the bill for change of pace for Frank.
I still think we should go after Haynesworth hard. If not try Houshnanzadeh. The rest of the positions can be filled with 2 tier players.
matt, if this sticks true that pretty much eliminates the possibility of the 49ers getting housh, I don't understand the 2nd tier thing though this team is not wnd tier players away, they need impact starters in free agency and the first 4 rounds of the draft what are your thoughts?
I don't have a problem with the Niners going after quantity over quality, just as long as there are roles for all of them to fill. I always thought the Patriots way of going about Free Agency in 2001 in obtaining 2nd tier players who fit the mold of the team was smart. Crazy thing is, they didn't go after any high profile, high potential FA's either, they got older guys that had years of playing under their belt.
Drunken: I think that Parys will become a situational PR if we draft an WOLB at 10. Manny is a better all around lb, and I think a fresh Parys coming off the bench in pass rushing situations would be beneficial. Either way, I think we will see heavy rotation among the front seven (except for Smith and Willis).
I have a feeling we pick up TJ, even though they say we'll take it slow. They said the same thing last year before picking up Smith. The rumors of a possible trade last year peeks my interest. Probably won't happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
Also, Manny doesn't have the big body or thumper style to survive a move to the TED position.
Question: I don't understand the 2nd tier thing though this team is not wnd tier players away, they need impact starters in free agency and the first 4 rounds of the draft what are your thoughts?
My response: Wow, gediojam completely stole my thunder on this one. In 2001, the Patriots had one of the best free-agent hauls of all-time. They picked up 20 free agents and did not spend much on any of them. But out of that class, they aquired Mike Vrabel, David Patten, Roman Phifer, Larry Izzo and Antowain Smith (among others). These were guys who fit what the Patriots were doing and made a HUGE impact on that team's success. The 49ers have signed big-money guys for several seasons. Yes, some of those guys are good players, but has it really mattered? The 49ers have not had a winning season since 2002. --Matt M.
Matt's dead-on, and I'm elated the front office seems to agree: 2nd tier guys who FIT THE SYSTEM is the place to invest. The Pats are a great example, but also look at what the Steelers do year after year, especially on defense. They refuse to break the bank and instead find guys that fit their system, a la NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. Coach Sing is doing all the right things...
=( Sorry Matt...
A playoff team getting better with 2nd tier FA's that are willing to sign for less money to get a shot at a championship is in no way comparable to the 2009 49ers.
In other words, sign a QB of the caliber of Brady and you don't need so much quality everywhere else.
I'd prefer the very best agents. If the system won't let them play to their strengths then change the freakin' system.
Matt, can the Niners restructure Smith's contract before the 27th or do they have to wait for the new league year?
Apology: Sorry Matt...
My response: I'm considering banning you from making logical, reasonable comments. That's just unacceptable. --Matt M.
Comment: A playoff team getting better with 2nd tier FA's that are willing to sign for less money to get a shot at a championship is in no way comparable to the 2009 49ers.
My response: The Patriots were 5-11 in 2000. They added 20 bargain free agents that contributed to their turnaround in 2001 to Super Bowl champs. --Matt M.
You pounced on that one, Matt. All that was missing was a little polite snerking.
So you're sayin there's a chance....
for the love of god what is taking the jonas jennings release so long?!? Matt, didn't you say he's scheduled to make more than the rest of the oline COMBINED?
As far as 2nd tier FA's go...im cool with that as long as one of those is a tackle and NOT a WR. Housh is too expensive and he's in his 30's plus he's always been a #2...all the rest of the WR are sub par and not worth a look imo.
get bruce to come back for one more year to mentor Morgan and Hill...then use that 2nd round pick on a WR...Britt from rutger?...kid looks a big fast target.
1st- de/olb orakpo/brown
2nd- WR or Pat White if he's there
3rd- big fast RB andre brown?/shonne green
4th- Biggest greasiest NT available
5th- Safety or BPA
6th- Guard or Tackle or a tweener who can do both
7th- Tom Brady's stunt double...
Comment: The Patriots were 5-11 in 2000. They added 20 bargain free agents that contributed to their turnaround in 2001 to Super Bowl champs.
My Response: sorry pal but Brady had more to do with that than all of your 20 2nd raters put together.
It's always, always, best to hire the best. Can't always do it but that doesn't mean it isn't the best policy.
Okay Realfan49,
What elite FA's out there could make an immediate impact for the 49ers? And I don't mean that in a "Eddie Haskel" kind of way. I would really like to know what you can come up with because in my opinion I don't see 1 top tier FA without breaking the bank mind you.
I understand the comparison to the Pats, but what's the harm in signing one really good player (TJ) and then using the rest of FA to fill holes? Especially when we have the cap space...
Realfan, Matt was responding to your statement that "a playoff team" getting etc., which was an erroneous remark. And that they "contributed", not that they were the only reason. Nor clearly was Brady the only reason. No one player is. Plus Matt was civilized in pointing out your error and you are being snotty while misquoting his comment.
Matt, I don't agree with your questioning whether the past niner free agent signings have mattered. With Bryant Young retiring, exactly who would've been playing DE if we didn't get Smith? Who would've been covering Fitzgerald/Boldin if we didn't get Clements? How can you question whether these changes mattered?
Question: Matt, I don't agree with your questioning whether the past niner free agent signings have mattered. How can you question whether these changes mattered?
My response: I know what you're saying. As I stated, Clements and Smith are good players. But the 49ers also swung-and-missed with Jonas Jennings, another high-priced free agent. So while they've gotten some good players in free agency, you still can't ignore the fact that they have finished with a sub-.500 record every season since 2002. So, really, how much good has it done for them so far? Maybe this is the season those signings pay off. --Matt M.
Mr Matt i do somewhat agree with the GM on the ease into the free agent market. I dont really see the need for a TJ in the lineup considering there is a huge depth of WR in the 09 draft. Do u see them going for one of these guys and if so who would they like to land? With this said does this leave an open window for them to possibly make trades in the war room on draft day for another round 2 or 3 to add depth?
here's what i'll say about free agents and whether first tier expensive players or 2nd tier players are the way to go. The situation with the 9ers is we did a bucaneers in '05. We had no franchise players. The patriots comparison doesn't fit because they have Tom Brady. but here's my take on it:
free agency is need, draft is building for the future. You look at the steelers draft, as well as the Giants and Pats past drafts, and you'll see why they've won championships.
In our situation, we need more depth on the o-line, a #1 reciever, a good to great pass rusher, a QB for the future, a solid Nose, and a safety. These should be filled with 1st tier players. But "all" players should fit the system. the problem is we keep changing our philosophies, and i blame Mcloughlin for that.
I say we make a run at Housh, even if he is a little overpriced. He has 3 good years left. As far as the other needs, there's no 1st tier players available. I wouldn't go after Haynesworth because of durability. After Housh, we should stalk our roster with players that fit our vision. We may look at fred taylor to spell gore, and we def need a safety. the problem is all the players we needed to look at got franchised!
Bummer, but let's do something this free agency. We got cap room, let's make a run. i am afraid the Nolan era hasn't ended with Mcloughlin in charge. He is on the hot seat as far as i'm concerned. He admits he can't properly evaluate qb's, and he works for historically the most qb rich organization there is! Let's do something!
Pats signing 2nd tier FA's appeared to work when they had Brady at QB. Last year with no Brady their approach gave them the same playoff record as the Niners. 0 for 0.
So the logic that says copy the Pats seems to be a tad flawed unless the plan involves drafting the next Joe Montana in the 6th round.
To be blunter, to advocate hiring 2nd best is pretty stupid. Who would willingly hire a second rate surgeon for their next surgery? or a 2nd rate lawyer to get them out of jail? or a 2nd rate bodyguard to attend a Raiders game?
Question: To be blunter, to advocate hiring 2nd best is pretty stupid. Who would willingly hire a second rate surgeon for their next surgery?
My response: I doubt you could find too many folks in the New England area who consider Mike Vrabel a second-rate talent. Smith rushed for more than 1,100 yards that season; Patten caught 51 passes for 749 yards, and Izzo went to Pro Bowls as a special-teamer. The distinction is the Patriots paid second-rate prices for first-rate players. That way they were able to acquire a bunch of players to fit their system and if they missed on somebody, it didn't make a difference. --Matt M.