That is the day that the 49ers get together for the first this offseason. In essence, that is when the QB competition against Shaun Hill is scheduled to begin. At the end of that week, the 49ers will get on the field for their first minicamp. While Smith remains under contract for two seasons, there is no chance he will step on the field without a new deal, GM Scot McCloughan said just moments ago.
The reason, of course, is that if Smith were to get injured, the 49ers could be on the hook for his entire $9.625 million salary - the salary the 49ers refuse to pay Smith in 2009.
"The conversations have been positive through Alex and his agent," McCloughan said. "We'd love to have him back as a 49er. There's no set time line -- sooner would be better, if he wants an opportunity to be starting quarterback."
McCloughan said he is not heading into the free-agent signing period assuming Smith will re-sign with the club.
"I'm not comfortable enough until it's signed on the paper," McCloughan said. "I need to make sure we have quality depth. . . . For us to ask him to restructure is a shock. To take a pay cut, it's a blow to the ego. We're trying to do what's best for organization."
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McCloughan made his remarks during a 17-minute conference call with Bay Area reporters. There was no news from the conference call. Here are some of the other topics he addressed:
--McCloughan said they have not closed the door on any of their free agents. Even J.T. O'Sullivan you might ask? McCloughan said his return is 50-50. He was not asked about Jamie Martin.
--The club has not reached contract extensions with any of their players.
--McCloughan was asked about Jonas Jennings' status. In one of the great non-answers of all time, McCloughan said, "He's under contract until we trade him or cut him."
(By the way, there is no hurry to do anything with Jennings' contract because the 49ers do not need the cap room. He continues to rehab his shoulder. The 49ers seem to want to make sure he's healthy before doing what needs to be done.)
--He said the odds of Isaac Bruce's return is still 50-50. He added that either way, "We need to add two good players at the receiver position."
--McCloughan said the club is not going to make a big splash early in free agency, like they did the past couple years with Nate Clements and Justin Smith. But he said he would be on the phone at 9:01 p.m. (PT) to get in touch with agents, and possibly set up visits. He said the team will visit with everything they sign so they can look at the person's medical status.
--He said he wants to build through the draft. I asked if this was a change of philosophy. After all, the team has been very aggressive in free agency. He said the reason they've gone out and done some things in free agency was because Paraag Marathe has done a good job of managing the salary cap, so the team had room to operate.
--Speaking of cap room, McCloughan confirmed that the club has approximately $25 million in camp room. (That number would increase to about $29 million if the cap rises, as reported, to $127 million per team.)
--Defensive lineman Ronald Fields could be a hot commodity on the open market because of his size, durability and the feeling that the draft is not deep with defensive linemen.
--The 49ers have the flexibility of playing both Isaac Sopoaga and Kentwan Balmer at nose tackle, McCloughan said. However, he said he feels the best position for both players is left tackle end.
--Andy Lee makes about $1 million a year. Shane Lechler makes $4 million a year, after he signed his extension last week. McCloughan said the 49ers did a great job of signing Lee to a deal. He said Lee is a value for the organization for how well he has played and the money he is making. But, McCloughan added, "We're going to take care of our guys." That leads you to believe the 49ers will give Lee a pay raise before his contract expires in 2012.
--The 49ers also want to extend Patrick Willis, whose deal does not expire until after the 2011 season. But McCloughan said there is no urgency to get anything done.
--McCloughan places free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes' return at 50-50. He said it's important for the team to try to retain him.
--As for the philosophy in free agency, "We're going to add guys in free agency that make 53-man roster -- or the 80-man going into training camp - stronger." He said there is a value for every player free agency, and the team has assessed how much value every free agent has for the 49ers.
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Two good receivers. Does that mean they would make a run at T.J. and Washington out of Pittsburgh? The asnwer about Alex Smith leads me to believe that they might look at Garcia. I know that they said they don't know if he would make them better, but at least having him there for depth would make them better.
Was Eric Heitman just not so good or did the Niners got a good deal, considering that the contract extension he signed a couple of months ago was pretty low for a starting center?
Hmmm -- a press conference with no new to report and yet leaves new questions unanswered; for example --
1. why did they have the press conference call?
2. Where is the logic in saying we'll need to add 2 new receivers whether Bruce returns or not? It seems more logical that if he doesn't return you need to add one more than you do if he does return.
3. Has there been a change in philosophy about building through the draft or not? To say that they've focused on free agency because the guy with the funny name has done a good job managing the cap suggests that they will continue to build through free agency so long as Paraag does a good job with the cap. Then again, a dollar is a dollar and draft picks don't come cheap. Which is it; draft or fee agency?
That press conference seems reminiscent of some of the BS that Nolan used to shovel.
Matt, Any chance we can trade for disgruntled DT Shaun Rogers from the Browns? He would be a huge upgrade at a position of need. Thanks for all of your work.
Question:; a press conference with no new to report and yet leaves new questions unanswered; for example -- 1. why did they have the press conference call?
My response: Free agency begins this evening and all the reporters probably made requests to speak with McCloughan to write articles for tomorrow's papers. --Matt M.
Why would Cleveland trade Shaun Rogers? Mangini/Kokinis knows he's the perfect 3-4 NT.
I don't think they go after 2 WR's in FA. I say 1 FA and 1 draft. 1 FA will be either Houshmandzadeh or Washington, in my opinion.
And why exactly would McCloughan tip his hand on FA's or the draft to a bunch of journo's??
I suspect he showed a great deal of patience dealing with a set of dumb questions:
"what's the status on Jennings?" - he's under contract
"do you want to build through the draft?" - yes just like every other GM in the league
"are you going to pay Andy Lee more?" - maybe
Rogers has DEMANDED his release yesterday....if they release him its a 6-8 million dollar cap hit....why not swoop in and get him?
Rogers has DEMANDED his release yesterday....if they release him its a 6-8 million dollar cap hit....why not swoop in and get him?
It's great to see that McCloughan's press conference skills are the same from the Nolan era. There is a middle ground between saying less then nothing like McCloughan just did, and talking about specific guys in free agency.
What are the chances McCloughan gets fired if we have a poor draft class and finish below .500? 50-50.
Hmmm, Where to start on this. Who are these quality WR's that they're going to get. Does that mean draft? If that means FA, Whose this good valuble WR! Not Washington out of Pittsburgh. I live in Pittsburgh and he couldn't catch a cold. Are we maybe looking for a release of Torry Holt and combine them? I don't think Galloway is worth it unless we don't get any help and Bruce doesn't return. Maybe a Brian Robiske in the draft? any insight on any of this?
Matt also what did you mean when you said that Scott thinks both Balmer and Sopagana are better at left tackle? did you mean left at tackle or did you mean left end?
Hey Realfan49 -
McCloughan made it clear what the team was going to do with Smith by saying "there is no chance he will step on the field without a new deal." So why couldn't he say something like that for Jennings? The truth is that Jennings has played well when healthy, but that amount of time has been very limited and it's not financially sound to pay a guy who spends more time on IR then on the OL. But McC came up with his lame comment.
As for Lee, why can't McC say, I wish the Raiders would stop spending like drunkin' sailors. Their recklessness is what hurts the NFL.
I know he'll never tip his hand re: FA or the draft, but provide the fans something.
McCloughan may be a decent talent guy, maybe, but he and the 49ers continue to demonstrate their lack of NFL management experience. Why would they consistently communicate and act like it is a given that Smith would be back (prior to this call)? It makes them look bad if it does not happen, but more importantly it empowers Smith's agent to expect more. This comes after a long list of junior management mistakes - tampering, many instances of un-composed interactions with the media, etc.. There is a decent amount to be excited about with this team, but it really seems like they do not think through the off the field stuff. Why is Jed and the Yorks so resistant to getting some experience in there?
Hmmm, Where to start on this. Who are these quality WR's that they're going to get. Does that mean draft? If that means FA, Whose this good valuble WR! Not Washington out of Pittsburgh. I live in Pittsburgh and he couldn't catch a cold. Are we maybe looking for a release of Torry Holt and combine them? I don't think Galloway is worth it unless we don't get any help and Bruce doesn't return. Maybe a Brian Robiske in the draft? any insight on any of this?
Matt also what did you mean when you said that Scott thinks both Balmer and Sopagana are better at left tackle? did you mean left at tackle or did you mean left end?
Matt,
All of the questions about the Niner draft seem to focus on who they are looking at for the #10 pick but I am interested to see if they trade down with someone like Philly (2 first rd picks at #22 and #28)and get a few more bullits for the draft. It seems to be a deep draft with few "sure things" so dropping down a few slots and stocking up on picks in the second and third round seem to be the best thing for a team with needs at so many positions. Hakeem Nicks (receiver), Larry English (OLB), Clay Matthews(OLB), Phil Loadholdt(Tackle) William Moore(Safety) are some of the names that would be available from picks #22 to #50. Getting someone like Aaron Maybin, Orakpo or Andre Smith if he falls to #10 would be great, but wouldn't it be smart to get a few more young talented guys to go with Sing's new mentality?
Just a thought,
Dave
Question: what did you mean when you said that Scott thinks both Balmer and Sopagana are better at left tackle?
My response: I meant, left end. Thanks. --Matt M.
"patience dealing with a set of dumb questions"
You could show a little more respect, especially considering you are saying this on the page of one of these journalists - and a darn fine one if I may say so.
The Steelers non-tendered FS Anthony Smith making him a free agent. I wanted the team to draft him back in'06. Apparently the Niners were going to draft him but the Steelers beat us by getting him right before us. We got Brandon Williams instead. Ouch.
Do we go after him?
Are some of you guys serious? I mean that. Some of you baffle me sometimes. Do you want Scot to come out and tell you every FA they are going to target and while he is at it, show you their draft board rounds 1-7? This isn't fantasy football boys. Its the NFL. This team was docked a 5th round draft choice for tampering last year. I like that McSing are running a tight ship now. Loose lips sink ships!!!!
Matt, what's your opinion on Spikes returning? He was a nice compliment to Willis and he seemed poised to return for 09. Now it's 50-50
Here's hoping the 9ers sign JTO and let Alex Smith go. I know everyone hates JTO, but maybe if coached to lower his risk-taking, the guy could be really good. He's shown a strong arm, a quick release, and good accuracy. Bad decision-making yes, but hard to tell how much of that is the system vs. something that can't be coached. Smith has shown he's a good guy and a hard worker, but in terms of quarterbacking I haven't really seen anything NFL-ready.
Quick Question: Do the 49ers actually still use fax machines to send things around? I really hope they're more advanced than that. I dont know a single company that regularly faxes. Am I out of touch? Does anyone out there actually use these things?
Welcome back to my better half. Its been awhile #1.
Well said.
Laveranues Coles
Matt - I'm working strictly off previous relationships but any chance they go after Igor Olshansky (Manusky) or Laverneus Coles (Raye)?
Well Matt, i truly think this is the end for Alex Smith in San Francisco cos clearly Smith and Condon are stalling and i would not hesitate to cut him soon. I have been an Alex Smith supporter from day 1 but this is it. Cut him now and lets draft Mark Sanchez with the 10th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
To add to what MM has always reported, here is another compelling case to support McCloughan’s attitude towards overpaying guards:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-8-236/Beware-the--7-million-guard-in-free-agency.html
Out of curiosity, what makes Balmer and Sopoaga best suited for left end but not right?
Also, given the comment about WRs, are Morgan and Hill the only 2 from last year's team guaranteed a spot on the 2009 roster?
Jon Stinchcomb! He's started 48 straight games over the past three seasons at right tackle for the Saints on one of the best pass-blocking lines in the NFL. Pretty good run-blocker, too. He's just now entering his prime, and he's available.
What the heck, Virus, my fingers need exercise, so I'll address your questions. I wondered the same thing about Balmer and Soap, but I guess Smith is locked in at RE so LE is the only association made with them. As for WRs, Battle and Ziegler are also still on the team. Normally there's six WRs, either all of them on the 53 man roster or one pushed off to the practice squad like Zielger spent most of his time on last year.
Bringing back Moran Norris would be a good start to FA.
Questions: Out of curiosity, what makes Balmer and Sopoaga best suited for left end but not right? Also, given the comment about WRs, are Morgan and Hill the only 2 from last year's team guaranteed a spot on the 2009 roster?
My response: Most offenses are designed to have more run plays go to the right side. Therefore, a lineman on the left side needs to be more stout to hold the point against run plays. To answer your second questions, yes, I believe that's fair to say. --Matt M.
Every company uses faxes when signatures are required. They're legally as binding as the originals.
respectfully, RF49
Hey Matt why wouldnt they try hard to sign Housh? The only Wr we have on r team with experience is Battle and he has had his chance in the past. We are really lacking a playmaking WR and if we are going to be a running team we still need someone so every defense doesnt put 8 or 9 in the box every down.
Question: why wouldnt they try hard to sign Housh?
My response: Ten million dollars a year for a possession receiver is probably too much for the 49ers. --Matt M.
Everette Brown is the key. Take him at # 10 and call it a successful draft.
Another ? for you Matt since you are not a fan of the 49ers what do you think about them changing there uniforms maybe back to the old ones? Dont you think the newer looking uniforms were one of the best looking uniforms in the league?