5:49 a.m.: Today, the one-man staff here at "Instant 49ers" will provide minute-by-minute updates on the free-agent happenings with the club. It's doubtful today's events will come close to what happened the first two years.
Let's take a trip back in time . . . Ah, there was 2007 when the 49ers landed Nate Clements and Michael Lewis on the opening day of free agency. Last year was even more fun, as we provided the first report of Justin Smith's now-famed helicopter ride of the Bay Area.
* * *
Just like the two previous seasons, here is what we're going to do: If we learn it, we'll report it. To echo what was written in this space a year ago, we can save you all a lot of angst. You don't need to ask: "Hey, have the 49ers signed so-and-so?" Or, "Do the 49ers have interest in (insert player's name)." If we learn it, we'll report it.
Again, if we know it - or feel very comfortable with whomever is telling us something - we''ll report it.
That said, here's what we know from last night: The 49ers were not working on arranging a visit with free-agent receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. It does not look as if they're making any kind of push for him at this time. Also, agent Brad Blank tells me that
Rosenhaus also represents Washington defensive end Demetric Evans and 49ers nose tackle Ronald Fields, so I'm sure the 49ers are placing more than just 20-second phone calls to Rosenhaus this time.
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6:15 a.m.: Now that I think of it, it shouldn't be a surprise the 49ers are being linked to a couple free-agent defensive linemen. GM Scot McCloughan said at the combine that this is a really weak year in the draft for defensive linemen. He said there are a lot more hybrids, who can play rush linebacker in a 3-4, coming out of college this year.
6:24 a.m.: The Redskins have announced an agreement to contract terms with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The Redskins say Haynesworth will be introduced at a 5 p.m. (ET) press conference. The deal is being reported as a seven-year, $100 million contract, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the game.
7:40 a.m.: Stepped aside for a while to get the kids some breakfast. (Hey, kids, keep it down, I'm trying to do some research on Demetric Evans!)
While at the combine, I bounced around the names of a few prospective free agents the 49ers might consider. I tried to nose around about wide receivers . . . Devery Henderson? No. Nate Washington? No. I failed to ask about Brandon Jones, who started seven games for the Titans last season. Jones is reportedly drawing interest from the 49ers. The 49ers want somebody who can stretch the field a little. Jones ran a 4.42 at the combine in 2005.
8:01 a.m.: Ronald Fields, represented by Rosenhaus, has reportedly already received offers from the Rams and Broncos, according to Pro Football Talk. (The link is currently broken.) Generally, when a 49ers free agent hits the market - and he receives some attention -- he's not coming back.
8:06 a.m.: The Jets and Rams are looking at bringing in 49ers tight end Billy Bajema, we have learned. The 49ers want to retain Bajema, but they would probably ease out of any kind of bidding war for him.
8:21 a.m.: Brandon Jones is, indeed, scheduled to visit the 49ers. That has been confirmed. However, the 49ers have not (yet) arranged visits with Demetric Evans or Moran Norris.
8:28 a.m.: It should be added that Jones is visiting the 49ers today. This is, obviously, a sure sign the 49ers want to sign this guy. I don't think they've had a player in for a first-day visit and allowed him to leave without a contract.
8:51 a.m.: Hopefully, there won't be much news missed over the next hour-plus as I chauffeur the kids to school and then take a little drive to where I'm going to plant myself for the remainder of the day.
10:39 a.m.: The kids are at school, and I've arrived in
10:39 a.m.: The kids are at school, and I've arrived in
10:44 a.m.: Certainly no surprise that fullback Moran Norris appears to be back with the 49ers. Pro Football Talk, which obviously has a pretty good handle on all the Drew Rosenhaus clients, is reporting the 49ers and Norris have agreed to a three-year, $5 million contract with $1.5 million guaranteed. Rosenhaus also represents Demetric Evans and Ronald Fields.
10:46 a.m.: The deals for Rossum and Norris might be agreed upon, but they're not yet signed. When pen meets paper that's when the 49ers will confirm.
10:51 a.m.: The Rossum stuff was reported earlier this morning by Bee-rows.
MORE TO COME
MORE TO COME
As long as our voicemails to Drew don't cost us another draft pick. There doesn't seem to be a flurry of early signings this year. The 9ers should go after their targeted second tier guys now. Are they looking at Canty as a NT or DE?
per reports from NFLDraftbible, do you think there is any legitimacy to the niners looking at Sanchez
and possibly Cassell? I for one just dont see it and it seems like a writer pulling at straws
matt, why do you think the 49ers are going after demetric evans? Also shat on earth would be the point of signing Brandon Jones, I don't understand how either one of those guys would upgrade the 49ers roster?
Matt what is the truth behind Brandon Jones visiting the red and gold homeland today? What could the 49ers see in him?
Matt,
As I reported on your last article the NFL Network as reported that Haynesworth signed with the Redsking on a 100 Mil dollar contract. Personally I think Danny-boy again paid wayy too much money for 1 player who has yet to play a full season duo to injuries. Were'nt the Redskins just 8 Mil over the cap Matt?
Thanks Matt, but I think we can all be sure of a more silent FA unless a trade or a surprise happens. Thanks for the up to the minute info!
Matt- Isn't it a weak year for DL because colleges are playing the spread offense and the lighter, quicker DL are on the field more now? If that's true, wouldn't there be some sleeper picks out there? Bigger DL that have all the tools but didn't get on the field as much?
Question: Isn't it a weak year for DL because colleges are playing the spread offense and the lighter, quicker DL are on the field more now?
My response: I wrote about that at the combine:
http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/02/day-4-the-spreads-impact.html
Hey Matt, looking forward to reading your blog today. So do you think that the interest in DEs Canty and Evans mean that Scott McCloughan and the team view Balmer as more of a NT?
First of all I want to say that I'm new to your blog and I appreciate it very much for a reliable news source for the 49ers faithful! So thank you Matt for your work and dedication to the subject! The question I have is if they're not going after T.J. then who are these 2 talented WR's we are going for? Ecspecially if Bruce doesn't return! I don't see us going for 2 WR's in the draft do you? I have the feeling we are going with OT at ten. I don't think it will be Andre Smith. I just have a gut feeling that Oher is high on their board. I like the Canty move but It looks like they're saying "well if no one else wants you we do"!
Good luck Matt. I'll bet this can be a trying day. It struck me that no one is talking about the 49ers having any interest in Byron Leftwich. Isn't he a free agent? He would seem to fit the type of player that Singletary would be looking for.
Question: So do you think that the interest in DEs Canty and Evans mean that Scott McCloughan and the team view Balmer as more of a NT?
My response: As I wrote yesterday, there's the flexibility to play Sopoaga and Balmer at NT, but McCloughan believes both are better-suited at left end.
http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/02/mccloughan-not-comfortable-that-smith-will-return.html
Looks like our most notable aquisition will be someone who was already on the roster last year... with the silver lining being "now Gore has a bruiser who can hold his blocks and open up holes blah, blah, blah."
Canty only has a "tentative" visit planned and if we were really looking at a big name guy, I get the feeling by MM it would have already been reported. If we don't sign guys we can afford then we must have a monster draft or we're looking at another non-winning season.
Matt,
It looks like it's going to be a slow 1st day of FA in 9erland. So what do you do with the down time? Do you and Barrows shoot spit wads at Brown as he sleeps on his desk in the press trailer?
Came to bring a little humor to what will be a dry FA period for most NFL teams including our 9ers.
In one message board a guy said, "Is there any truth to the rumor that the Redskins are paying Haynesworth as part of the new stimulus package passed in Washington?"
Maybe I'm a cornball, but I found this absolutely hilarious. GL Washington coming in last in your division this season with your 54 million dollar CB and your 100 million dollar DT. INSANE!
I was thinking the same last night. Leftwich could be a perfect fit for us and provide a little more competition and experience to the QB corps, and also at a decent price.
Then we forget about all those Sanchez, Stafford options at Pick 10.
We could trade down or get an OT/OLB. We need someone to impact immediately from year one.
Hey have you seen the new sporting news draft rankings saying that Matt Stafford will fall to the 49ers at number 10 because mark dirty Sanchez had a great work out ! So I am pumped up if this is true! What did you see at the combine Matt? we could have a real gunslinger instead of wannabes from school that don't play tough schedules ( i.e. Alex Smith from Utah).
Matt, the last few years I seem to rememeber players getting to the facility at 12:02 (any facilit that is). Do you think what happened to the Niners had a big roll in the slower progress around the free ageny this year?
Funny how you keep referring to yourself as "we", but thanks for the updates! Keep up the great work! And thanks for adding me on facebook! :-P
Does any one know if there is a chance the 9ers go after Kenechi Udeze... i think he could provide the passrush we need if he's healthy.
Evans? Isn't he 6'4" 285 lbs? Why are we bringing him in to play LDE? Shouldn't that player be a bit bigger than that? Smith is 6'4" 285 lbs....that is RDE size in a 3-4. I'd love to know why we spent the money we did on Issac Sopaoga and a first round draft pick on Kentwan Balmer. Both of them should be used in a rotation at LDE. We should be concentrating on bringing in a NT to back up Franklin and replace Fields. Tank Johnson is available and although he does not have ideal size, he clogs up the lanes well with his motor. I know they need another DL, but they should be looking towards bringing in a Nose. Maybe Raji in the draft? Also, I like the Brandon Jones visit. He is solid with some potential. If Issac Bruce retires, we need some insurance. If he stays, than Jones can play the slot with Hill being a 4th wideout. I'd like to see them sign a RT so that we don't have to draft one at #10. I'd like to fill the DE/OLB or DB need there. Lastly, Moran Norris makes sense and Takeo Spikes would be a great re-sign as well.
Eagles sign Stacy Andrews. So much for that.
Hey Matt, PFT had listed an alternate site this week, in case they had problems again. Do you know what site that is?
New England signs Fred Taylor
How about Derrick Ward as change of pace for us, maybe at 2.5M
Matt,
Non-niners related, sort of, but I havent heard anything about the Rams cutting ties with Holt, even though that had been rumored for a while. Any news to this and do you think the niners would be interested in him if he were to become available.
Thanks.
Mr Matt will the niners try and make the secondary stronger with an older CB during the free agency? I think it seems smarter with Walt Harris was a huge help and he has some mileadge. I still think that they should trade out of that #10 spot if Jenkins is already swiped and try and pull a couple round 2's to bring in a more staple depth that could be potential starters. How would you feel about a situation like that?
Sage traded to the vikings
Question: PFT had listed an alternate site this week, in case they had problems again. Do you know what site that is?
My response: I do not. --Matt M.
Seahawks have scheduled a visit with Housh...
I'd rather he signs with someone else on the east coast. Dont want him around in the NFC west.
Would Brandon Jones be brought in to start at SE if Bruce doesn't come back (Morgan would move to flanker, Hill stays in the slot)? Talent wise you'd think both Morgan and Hill rank ahead of Jones...trying to figure out how he fits into the plans.
Matt why bring in a deep threat, Brandon Jones, if QB Hill can't throw the long ball, don't we need possession recievers? Does this mean Bryant Johnson won't be resigned?
Matt, didn't the Redskins pay big bucks for Dana Stubbfield, only to see his production fall off the table?
With the almost certain release of Jennings why not bring in Tra Thomas from Philly, do you think thats a legit move?
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/real_scouts/
or
http://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk
Malcom Jenkins is being moved to safety and maybe we could sign drayton florence as a CB and he might work out.
And now just reading that Chris Canty is tentativaly agreeing to meet with SF, would this be a right fit? His productivity isn't substantially all that high although his size and potential are an upside for being somewhat young. I know he's familiar with the OLB/DE which fits in perfect with SF scheme. But he has not been a solitified pass rusher so far do u think it might be easier for him to get to the QB with #52 lined up next to him?
Didn't Brandon Jones get arrested last year for trying to board a flight with a gun in his bag?
We NEED pass rushers!! Not another #2 or #3 WR. Brandon Jones = Bryant Johnson = Ashley Lelie = Johnie Morton = Non impact player! Pass rushers pass rushers please !!!
I agree 100%
Pass Rushers, absolutely, our number one need, free agent or draft, we need to shut teams down on 3rd down.
We need a pack of crazed dogs to devour the opposing QB's.
Totally agree boys. I would be shocked if our #10 pick is not Orakapo, Brown, or Maybin (In that order of preference). Now if Seattle sings TJ Hoosh, does that put Cabtree back into play for us at #10? Should be interesting.
That’s interesting that Nolan is chasing Fields. He obviously thinks highly of him as a back up nose.
Demetric Evans, are you kidding me? The guy weighs 287 pounds. Are they planning on putting him in as an OLB? He's never had more than 33 tackles in his 7 years in the NFL and not more than 3.5 sacks. The 49ers are a team that is obviously lacking talent. Does McLoughlan have orders not to spend money that is available under the cap?
We'll have to wait until the draft for that. I'd love to see Orakpo at #10. He could be deadly lined up across from Haralson at OLB :)
You mean to tell me we could'nt find a better WR then Brandon Jones??? He isn't better then anyone we currently have on our roster we were better of resigning Bryant Johnson! Are we just being cheap at this point? How is that an upgrade at the position. it seems to me that after the signing of Brandon Jones were going to go into the draft with the same team needs that we started with before free agent period started, which are QB,WR,OLB,FS, and OT. I hope the Niners know something that we don't know cause right now i just don't see too much progression in the moves were making.
Calm down - we are not even 12 hours into free agency and you have already decided who we are and are not getting? It was 3 weeks deep last year when we landed B Johnson and D Foster.
And Brandon Jones a speed burner? A Field stretcher? The longest reception of his career was 28 yards.
fullback moran norris signs with the niners . . . 3 years, $5 million, $1.5 million to sign
That should FIRE UP Frank Gore!!!!
And another: The 49ers just agreed to terms to bring Allen Rossum back
I guarantee even if crabtree misses seatle, no way in hell do the raiders pass him up at 7 or the jags at 8....please everyone get crabtree out of your minds...we need a daym freak on the edge to get to the QB, and at 10 we will have our choice between a few guys...
Matt you're slipping, Beerows is trumping you with all the latest info!
Mike where are you getting your info? I am on NFL Networks site and Adam (Know it all) Schefter doesn't even have that info on his blog.
Matt - your kids need to be grounded. They caused you to miss two semi-important announcements!
B-Rows reported the Rossum signing and PFT/Sportingnews.com reported the Morris sigining (with the financial terms). See the links above from Randy in Santa Rosa for those two sites.
I love Shefter, but he only gives his own first hand scoop. PFT scoops all the scoopers (Glazer, Shefter, Mort) in addition to having their own inside info.
Thanks Mike, I missed those links above!
jeesh what a defunct organazation. i mean completely failing to address the needs of having the top rated guys who will be overpaid and under-motivated. i mean we should have been able to close at least a dozen deals by now right?
i mean i think we all have simulated on madden 09 what would happen to the niners if we signed guys like housh, hansworth, thomas, dawkins, and warner. plus we could have hocked away this years draft picks for peppers, and our 2010 & 2011 picks for jacobs and asomwaga.
i mean after all we all have WATCHED football and played the VIDEO GAMES for years now so we totally know whats best for this franchise........
how dare they do EXACTLY what they said they were gonna do...
thats what some of these posts sound like. i couldnt imagine be trapped in a foxhole with some of you. last year at this time there were like 20 free agents already inked deal league wide. this year there has been about half that. the whole league is taking this approach save a few number of teams known for spending way too much and yeilding little results {redskins and jets}. i trust the team, coach sing and scotty know just a tad more than we do.
The frustration for me is that we have been trying to move to a 3-4 defense and we have not spent any money specifically to help us become this defense. Justin Smith isn't a great 3-4 guy, would have rather had Calvin Pace. We get busted for tampering for Lance Briggs, not a 3-4 fit, but we don't even pursue Bart Scott. He and Willis would be dominating for years. We spend money on Clements, but he can excel as a corner without a good pass rush. As stated by Lombardi on NFLN last night, free agency is for acquiring pass rushers, these guys are hard to find and acquire, gotta get them when you can. An average WR is easy to acquire.
Baltimore has cut defensive end Marques Douglas. I wonder if Nolan makes a play for him in Denver
Karma Police: we live in an era of complaint... let them indulge themselves in the rightousness that only victims can carry out proudly...
SB
p.s. I do think we need Housh though... or a WR like him...
4949 Centennial? Not a bad place to "plant yourself." ;D
Pat...
Justin Smith is an ideal rde in the Phillips-esque 3-4 we're running. The guy had 73 tackles and 7 sacks last year...what more were you hoping for from that position??
NEWS ALERT!
9ers closing in on trading Lawson to Broncos for Champ Bailey and 6th Rd pick ................................ just kidding.
Fair enough, he is a good football player and has adapted well. The fact that they brought him in for pass rush and tried standing him up first is what I find odd. Why are there now reports we have a tentative meeting with Canty? We have 2 LDE, and Smith at RDE, and Franklin at NT. What role would Canty play? We'd have to pay him big time, starters money, I don't understand that at all.
reports say niners just inked Moran Norris
What role would Canty play? Starting LDE, I would imagine. He's head-and-shoulders better than the other two stiffs we've got there now.
matt, regarding your comment about Pro Football Talk, does Rosenhaus own this site? What is his connection?