Matt, other than Jennings, A. Smith, Takeo Spikes, and Bryant Johnson(these players status appears to be uncertain), which players do you expect to see signing extentions this year? If they sign most of the players that need extentions, will they still have cap room for a quality FA or two?

Hey Matt,

Do you have any idea if the niners are going to offer Patrick Willis an extension? I certainly do not want to have another situation similar to the one with Julian Peterson!

Also, when do you expect any news on the A. Smith deal?

Question: which players do you expect to see signing extentions this year? If they sign most of the players that need extentions, will they still have cap room for a quality FA or two?

My response: I could definitely see them signing Jennings to an extension. Brian Jennings, that is. Certainly, Parys Haralson has to be high on the list. Also, I think they should try as early as possible to secure Patrick Willis for a long, long time.

Frank Gore has two more years remaining, and he's starting to get a little antsy. But I think they'll hold off on him. They might try to get something done with Aubrayo Franklin. It might be a little complex to get something done with David Baas, Manny Lawson and Vernon Davis. Let's see . . . am I missing anybody? --Matt M.

Matt, about how much of the $25 mil in cap space are the Niners saving for signing the draft picks?

Hey Matt. This is my first time commenting on your blog, but I love what you do for us 49er fans on the other coast. If you will from your inside sources, please give me a percentage of the chances you think SF has in signing Alex Smith and Takeo Spikes? I keep hearing Smith wants to come back, but Condon might have other plans for him? And Spikes wants to be a 49er next season, but nothing about the 9ers wanting him back? Thanks Matt.

-One lost and confused east coast 49er fan.

Question: Do you have any idea if the niners are going to offer Patrick Willis an extension? I certainly do not want to have another situation similar to the one with Julian Peterson! Also, when do you expect any news on the A. Smith deal?

My response: Their strategy has been to identify early the players they want to keep and lock them up as early as possible. I'd be surprised if they don't get a deal done with Willis in advance of his eligibility for free agency.

I'd expect news on Alex Smith in the next two weeks.

--Matt M.

Question: about how much of the $25 mil in cap space are the Niners saving for signing the draft picks?

My response: After the draft, the league will assign a rookie salary-cap pool for each team. It'll probably be in the neighborhood of $7 million for the 49ers. --Matt M.

They should pay Crystal (Jonas Jennings) 100k just to make sure he isn't even close to the Bay Area...hell they should put a restraining order on him for the crimes he committed against the 49ers. The crap you read about this guy...my goodness. I am sure that Jonas is a great guy and anybody who likes to fish can't be all bad, but how do you sleep at night big guy?

What is a realistic contract extension that would keep Willis with us for the remainder of his career?

--Dom

Question: Hey Matt. This is my first time commenting on your blog, but I love what you do for us 49er fans on the other coast. If you will from your inside sources, please give me a percentage of the chances you think SF has in signing Alex Smith and Takeo Spikes? I keep hearing Smith wants to come back, but Condon might have other plans for him? And Spikes wants to be a 49er next season, but nothing about the 9ers wanting him back?

My response: Thanks for checking in.

One 49ers "source" said he thought it was 50-50 on Alex Smith. I think it's better than that. Perhaps, it was just this person's way of saying, he's either coming back or he's not. I think the 49ers want Spikes back but they probably don't want to lock him up for a lot of money on a multi-year deal. I expect him to re-sign, too. But might the 49ers wait until after the draft? After all, if they take an inside linebacker on the first day, they might not feel the need to bring back Spikes. --Matt M.

Question: What is a realistic contract extension that would keep Willis with us for the remainder of his career?

My response: Perhaps we should wait to see what kind of deal Ray Lewis gets. --Matt M.

What is the "football" economy like when it comes to contracts? If Ray Lewis gets a 3yr 27 million dollar contract, does the next guy have to get more money? Does it ever stop?

--Dom

Matt: All we get about JJ is through the media and how much he is hurt and innuendo about his desire and/or willingness to play with pain. The innuendos seem most damaging and difficult to accept given his caliber. What is your take, being around the team so much?

It will be interesting to see how much money Ray Lewis commands. He's starting to look a lot more like a Ted linebacker than a Mike these days (he seems heavier than he was in his prime).

It could never happen but Willis (mike) and Lewis (ted) together would be scary.

Matt,
The other day you said we would have around 26 million in cap room, did that figure include money we would get after releasing Jennings and restructuring or releasing Alex Smith? If not, could you speculate on anyone else who might get cut and how much we would end up with. And when does the NFL announce the supplemental draft picks. Thanks.

it was reported by john clayton the 49ers have released banta cain and keith lewis to save around 3 million. the banta cain release didnt surprise me but the lewis one did. i really felt that he was a bona fied special teamer and with a team that has really excelled at special teams i think they felt they can fill his void with a rookie or a rookie FA which is a cheaper alternative.

Who did you miss? David Baas should be a priority at this point as his contract expires after next season. I'm guessing they won't move into too many unnecessary extensions until the capped/uncapped picture becomes clearer. That means Baas, Haralson, Jennings and Franklin.

Of the others, Lawson or Davis wouldn't surprise me as they haven't played at a level where they can expect a major contract and we could lock them up for a reasonable price. The FO has been shrewd about this.

There isn't much to gain from extending guys like Willis or Gore now and ownership will need to keep the cash under control. Too may readers expect us to use all of the cap every year and that just isn't realistic in a down economy. That's why I don't expect to see any major FA contracts.

Question: What is the "football" economy like when it comes to contracts? If Ray Lewis gets a 3yr 27 million dollar contract, does the next guy have to get more money? Does it ever stop?

My response: The football economy is a lot like real estate. Teams come up with "comps." And that is the basis for contracts. --Matt M.

Off topic a bit, but why don't the Niners move Lawson to strong safety? He's bigger, taller, and faster than michael lewis. He might be awesome at that spot with those long arms and leaping ability and safety blitz potential.

Interesting moves MM, thanks for the scoop. TBC - no big surprise. I like K Lewis on Special Teams, but something happened to him this past season. He missed a number of tackles that he would have normally made in seasons past. Similar to what happened to Brandon Moore. Is it a loss of desire???

why not....tickets prices aren't going down.

damn....my main man K.Lewis is gone. He definately was one player that provided instant energy on the field.......maybe he comes back.

Great Chilo quote from the team's website:

“Next year, I’m going to play my heart out and give it everything I have. I really want you to put that in the story and tell the fans thank you for believing in me too. Next season, I’m going to show them something –my worth.”

JENNINGS PREVAILS -- How sad, Jonas Jennings was not waived. He was a massive disappointment throughout his time with the 49ers, injured often and when playing was often seen waving good-bye at a defensive player zipping past him. We can only hope the team finds some other way to cut loose this deadwood.

matt does the release of k. lewis mean that goldson will switch to SS next season (which i think fits him better than FS) and that reggie smith will make the move to from CB to FS (which also seems to be more suitable since he is said to be a bit slow for the CB position)?
thanks

Matt - John Clayton is reporting that the Niners tried to claim Bruce Gradkowski off of waivers but the Raiders got him instead, can you confirm that? If so does this mean they were hoping to get him instead of a higher priced player or draft a QB? And Raffaele, I believe the Niners can still cut Jennings at any point.

Uh-oh. Does this mean the bubble is going burst now that they opted out of the CBA?

Good riddance to the human turnstile also known as Jonas Jennings. On the other hand, I'm sorry to see ST ace, Killa Keith go. I would have rather seen Hudson cut. Oh well, can't wait to get FA started :)

I'm pretty sure J Jennings hasn't been released yet. I hope it happens, but with this franchise, you can't say good riddance until the eggs have hatched.

He hasn't been released yet, you're right. But I guarantee you he will be :)

Precisely- that move crossed my mind recently as well( particularly if we wind up picking E.Brown at 10 !) Manny would be awesome back there...while we are at it move VD to FB...(none of this will happen but ofcourse but interesting ideas nonetheless!)-still think if we get Raji at Nose or one of the big four OT's-we get closer IT!

Come on Skeebers!!! That wasn't really a question about Lawson, was it? Tell me that it was a joke! Give me the LOL sign!
buzzt!!! You can't be serious!? Tell me you're on Psych meds! Maybe shrooms! This is Matt's Blog isn't it? This isn't Jibb Jabb? This isn't the Comic Section?
COME ON GUYS!!??

Matt:
1st time writer. Your work is excellent. If SF targets one guy in FA, could it be CAR OT Jordan Gross? He's a beast who's started each of his 6 years in the league, been to the Pro Bowl at right tackle and moved to left just this last year. If he were moved back to the right and have Staley on the left? I'm just saying... plus you'd check a huge need off the lsit and focus on a top defensive talent.

Just having a little fun...before the thorazine kicks in...not to worry!

Question: Matt: 1st time writer. Your work is excellent. If SF targets one guy in FA, could it be CAR OT Jordan Gross?

My response: Thanks for joining the fun. If Gross hits the market, he'll command big, big money. He might get around $60 million. That's probably more than the 49ers would be willing to spend. I think they can get a very good right tackle for about half that amount. --Matt M.

I am not so sure the NFL is about to pass out the big bucks in free agency this year. I heard the SF Giants GM Sabean talk about the difference the last few months have made in MLB during free agency. Teams are staring to cut costs as the economy tanked. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues over to the NFL. Professional sports have always been the last one to cut payrolls. Who knows what the 49ers will do? I certainly wouldn't give Ray Lewis a big contract at his age in a new defense.

Jennings will likely be next...and there are probably more to follow him. For Singletary to really put his stamp on his team, he's going to bring in some tougher, better players.
It'll give him the cap space to sign a few FA's, re-sign some like Spikes, and extend some selected contracts (plus reserve the rookie signing space). I'm getting the feeling this off-season's going to be interesting, to say the least. Love it.

Matt, if and when Jennings is released shouldn't we have $30+ millon in cap space? Also, do you see anymore players being released besides Jennings?

Carolina will more than likely be using the franchise tag on Jordan Gross

Matt:
Here's an interesting question. Would they move Staley back to RT? Here's the hypothetical There are 3 "elite" OT's in the draft. Assuming Oher or one of the others drops to 10, would the 9ers draft an OT and have him fight it out with Staley for LOT? Staley I know is more comfortable on the left. Or would the 9ers look to draft a different position and look to get value for RT later.

Interesting question, however, I would go for a RT later in the draft. Also not to pay so much money with a 1st round with a RT. Ciron Black from LSU and others who will be available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
On the first round I would go for a Pass Rusher or a Safety. I think defense go first.
That is my personal opinion...

We are far more likely to go for an aging Tra Thomas or Mark Tauscher at RT to replace Snyder/Sims than the hideously expensive Gross. Then draft a kid in round two or three to groom as the eventual successor - Tupou from Oregon is a possibility.

Hey Matt first time leaving a comment long time 9er fan from Washington DC. I just wanted to know if you see us releaseing any other players in the next few days besides jennings?

Jonas Jennings is like Alex Smith. Given the history, way too expensive at his contract rate, but still a somewhat desirable commodity at the right price. So cut Jonas, but then negotiate a new contract at $1M. When healthy, he's a good tackle. If he can get more elsewhere, sayonara.

No problem. Then the Niners will go after Peppers.

Tragically for the Panthers, it will be Sophie's Choice for them when it comes to keeping Gross or Peppers.

You are right. They know Peppers wants out of there, so it makes no sense to use the franchise tag on him (unless they want to get huge compensation for him, but probably have Gross gone by doing that)
I know we have the cap space, but I wouldn't use that much money on just that one player.
I know he is a huge impact player, but just don't make sense to me to throw that much money on him.
We signed Justin Smith for big bucks last year on the DLine, I would rather throw some money in the FA at Safety or on the Offense.
This is getting really interesting how we will address FA and draft. I am sure we will find good opportunities on FA.

"A representative for Jennings' agent." You mean Jennings' agent has an agent? How many people do you have to go through to talk to this guy?

Any chance the niners make a run at Albert Haynesworth? Imagine him in front of Willis and Spikes!!!

Last year the Niners learned that if you want to draft an OT, you need a high draft pick because they go fast. They go fast for good reasons: they are a low risk bet and they are worth the money, especially over a likely long career. So, my guess is that if we are still looking for the solution at RT on draft day, we will take one with the #10 pick. There should be one or two of the top 4 still available. By the time we get to pick #43 in the second round, even the "second tier" OTs could be gone. We may not draft this early again for a long time. Also, its hard to find defensive linemen or pass rushers who have much impact as rookies. Can they risk another first round pick on someone who makes almost no impact (Balmer) his first year?

Matt, where do you advise we look for reliable FA information?
I grabbed a link yesterday that shows Igor Olshansky UFA?
Given his history with Manusky, and my desire to Draft him when he came out, I'd like to see him on our FA shopping list.

Hey Marc-I'm sure Matt knows some good sources -have checked out the KFFL Draft Tracker section-Olshansky would be a good p/u Coach Singletary could light a fire there!