He's still an elite tackle when he's healthy. If his physical checks out, bring him aboard! Staley-Baas-Heitmann-Rachel-Smith would be an above average line imo.

Btw matt, I've been wondering, do we have any interest in bringing in Jason Taylor?

I'm all for it, but hopefully not >1 yr deal.

Bring Smith aboard. i'm almost certain he will definitely be an UPGRADE from out current RT. (considering he is healthy).

If he passes the physical I would be very happy about the pick up. However, if a top tackle is there at the 10 spot I say take him. If there is a run on tackles at least we wont have to force a pick at OT. Maybe now we could go Passrusher at 10 and Tackle in the second. Heck, if we get Marvel, maybe we should consider trading back.

With all due respect Matt, You can say the samething about Jonas Jennings. When he's healthy he's great. I live in Pittsburgh and have access to all the local media. Steelers even though they won the Super Bowl that the offensive line wasn't by far their strength. They need offensive linemen bad and they're letting this guy go. That should tell you something. They don't believe he can stay healthy. I don't think bringing someone in that has been injury prone is a good idea. Ecspecially with back problems. IMO this would be a disastorous signing. I know he's a local boy to you guys and I also know you all love local talent. I'm not from S.F. so I'm not jaded by him and Since I don't get 9ers games here in Pittsburgh. I have to watch Steelers games and Their line almost got Ben killed all year. Pro bowl or not don't make this signing. You can't be in a pro bowl when you're hurt all the time just like that one OT we have what is his name??? Oh yeah Jonas Jenningg!!!

Just to fuel the Cutler fire:

Maybe the Niners are looking at a tackle now, a position I have long assumed to be targeted with the 10th pick, because they know they will have to trade it to the Broncos in any deal involving Jay Cutler.

Im with you on this one, rg131. An OL with a back problem doesn't sound like a great pickup. If the price is right, he could be a great signing. However, I don't think the signing of this guy should impact the draft plan whatsoever no matter what the physical turns up or doesn't turn up.

If he gets clear health this would be a good pick up. Kinda like trading Jonas Jennings for a slightly more durable (not saying much) version. Two rings also.

Best thing about this is it really opens up our draft. Gives us a little more flexibality to go BPA with our first pick.

I seriously think Beanie Wells will be a good choice. Gore has had durability issues and Wells is a big back that can get the short yards. I think he is a better overall prospect then Orackpo/Brown or Oher/Andre Smith and a second RB is a legit need. Pass rushers and RTs seem to have better depth for the mid rounds then RB also.

If Crabtree or Raji fall I think they should be our pick though.

Give him a 1 year deal with incentives (if he checks out) He will fill in nicely if he proves to stay healty. Like the move if it transpires.

Injury prone tackles are risky. Remember Jonas Jennings? Hard to forget him. He's still here. I dig Smith's pedigree, that he's a local guy, from a championship franchise, and has been to the Pro Bowl. But we shouldn't overextend to sign him.

Cutler also seems like a very risky proposition. He's a big-time prima donna, and I'm not sure he'd be a happy camper in a run-first offense. Ryan and Flacco came right out of last year's draft, and I'd prefer either of them to Cutler. If we're going to splurg to bring in a franchise quarterback, lets make sure he's a championship franchise quarterback. Otherwise, lets improve at right tackle, and give Hill the shot he's earned. Or, if Orakpo falls to us, lets pick him and hope Snyder improves.

Old Marvel?

The 10 year veteran?

Oft-injury prone, and often needed Alan Faneca to cover for his turnstile blocking?

This is just another body in camps boys. Andre Smith is beginning to look like Anthony Munoz compared to this guy.

talking about the RB issue, i really think the NINER give #35, Thomas Clayton (check on his name) a chance to share load with Gore. He proven in two preseason to be have a legit shot. so why not share the load, fresh LEG with gore. anyone?

whoa! Matt, you're saying if we sign Marvel, we might still take a tackle? whats that say about Joe Staley? is Staley not viewed as the answer at either tackle position, and/or is he projected as a guard?

I know we're just "looking" at this guy but it's like every few years we have to make a really bad FA OT signing. First it was Ron Stone in'02, then Jennings in'05 and now potentially this guy.

I was really hoping to select DL/w the 10th pick but with a FA like this who knows?

The 49ers were not going to bring in any tackles until Cutler became available. My guess is they were planning on picking a tackle with the 1st round pick, but now they're thinking they should set themselves up to pick up Cutler by trading their number one pick. What do you think?

Whoa. Matt is a journalist. All he has stated is the facts. When Smith is healthy (last time was 2005) he's an all pro.

Maybe we get a reverse Jennings. History of health problems and then nothing but health.

Frednyc: Staley's fine Smith would be nothing but a short term solution. We're not signing him to a long term deal. We'll need a tackle in a year or two. Resigning Snyder has to be questioned at this point.

Rg131: kinda agree with you. The Steelers resigned pretty much everyone except Smith. Gotta wonder if one man's trash is another's gold or just more trash

Hey Matt,
I thought the niners mught look at Kevin Shaffer?? Hope the medical works out for Smith, it would be nice to have a few options come draft day.

Thanks

Bring Marvel for depth. If you pick a tackle at 10, so be it.

Gee Matt,

Thanks for finally waking up & smelling the coffee on what I've been talking about for 3 WEEKS! I'm glad you finally got to the obvious about getting an OT in FA so the 49ers can have more flexibility in the draft. You're part of the living now, where have you been Mr. Instant 49er?

Finally FA interest in a tackle.This,alone,makes me very happy.Tackle is the only need that is not negotiable.Address this need and then we have BPA latitude in the draft and,ideally,can focus on a multi-threat playmaker.Percy Harvin,for example,whose pro day is tomorrow.IHarvin is money,and I guarantee he will rock the house.

Marvel Smith's health isn't much better than Jonas Jennings! We gain not much with this guy either! UNLESS you sign him for league minimum and load it up with playing time incentives! Jonas Jenniing could opt to do what Alex Smith did; that is restructure a pay cut contract for 1 year and big playing time bonus!

I am leery of replacing an often injured offensive tackle(Jennings) with another injury prone tackle. Can't they bring in someone without the back problems? Why bring in someone for the disabled list?

Hey Matt - Why are the niners taking their time in releasing Jonas Jennings? Is it basically to make other teams wait and look at other options before making him available to other teams?

So.....if they decide Mr Marvel is healthy and sign him up, I would imagine he'd be signed to immediately start at RT, then if they still go with that unmotivated slob Andre Smith(the next Reggie McGrew only not as motivated!)at #10 to play LT, what is that saying about the great Joe Staley??? All that manuevering to get him in the first round and now they'd replace him with what could easily be our next big 1st round mistake named Smith??!!! You gonna put Staley on the bench with his salary? I for one am hoping that if they sign this guy it's because he shows them he can play and be an immediate impact at RT so that we DON'T take Andre Wadsworth-OOPS-I mean Smith. I have a bad bad feeling about a guy who misses the Sugar bowl due to team violations, leaves the combine because he's a fat slob, then does his average workout with his shirt off and scares half the sports nation to death with his manboobs. This clown has BUST written all over him. You think he's unmotivated NOW?? Go ahead draft him at 10 and put about 25 million bucks in his pocket and see what happens!!!! If MCClueless drafts that slob he needs to be fired. I'd rather have Oher if they must go LT. At least the guy works hard and wants to be there, although it still wouldn't explain what they are doing with Staley!

Matt why have you not mentioned Torry Holt? Especially with Issac Bruce thinking of retirement.

If Smith passes the physical, he would be a better option than Sims or Snyder. If we sign him, then we probably bid Sims adios. We still take an OT in the draft! Why not? It may not need to be the 1st pick...but you still take a good OT.

As for Cutler...yeah, he's got the great arm. From a bud who's a diehard Broncos fan...he's also a whiny b*tch. Is that the kind of QB we really want? Besides, Denver's either going to want a QB in exchange and/or multiple draft picks to rebuild their offense. No thanks.

Clayton? Maybe...again, though, Singletary drafts a power RB...a bigger body who can not only spell Gore, but be the guy who can get those tough 1st downs, and be able to grind it out near the goal line. Best case scenario for Clayton: 3rd string, then Coach has to figure out what to do w/MRob.

You've got to be kidding, frednyc. Think before you post. The 49ers see Staley as a future all-pro. I assume they see Marvel Smith as a former all-pro with a lingering back problem. Hence the possible investment in a future replacement, or injury stand-in for both Smith and Staley.

I don't like this idea for the same reasons and line of thought mentioned in the previous post(s).

Jennings is on the way out ,Sims play was iffy and Snyder is not the starter at right tackle -so we check out a vet backup who maybe starts a few games until we season a new OT. Maybe A Smith or Oher(this is my guess too) but we could still go another direction in first round- depends on the lay of the land at that point-wouldn't be surprised if we picked E Brown or M Jenkins or if we trade down a late round 1rst could be Connor Barwin(tho he'll probably be a high 2nd rounder) -if we don't go OT first ...looking at F Topou, Lydon Murtha,S. Vollmer later as possibles.

9er1,

Who said anything about moving Staley? based on what?signing Marvel Smith then drafting Andre Smith? That's ALOT of presumption on your part. If that's what you really believe is going to happen then keep it to yourself. That's like me saying "The world is going to end tomorrow!" It's ridiculous.

I agree with Rg131 and some of the other posters. The back is risky after a few injuries. It sort of smells of desperation. The Niners could still draft tackle at #10 or even trade down in first round to pick up a tackle in Rd2. Everyone focuses on the top LT's but not much has been made about the RT's in the draft. We still need 2 tackles in the draft, one starting RT and one backup. That and 1 or 2 good NT's.

Niners should keep Adam Snyder as backup for now and also re-sign Strickland who did well as nickel DB. Start Terell Brown and put Walt Harris on backup role.

This move like many McClueless has made makes no sense whatsoever!Surgery in 2007 and missed 11 games last season, what does that tell you? Unsuccessfull surgery! Even if he checks out with team doctor its still risky. Somebody was asking what does this say about Joe Staley? You have got to be kidding me! Joe is one of our anchors as well as Chilo and Baas. This position should have been taking care of with Stacey Andrews or Kalif Barnes but their gone. This is risky!

"This move like many McClueless has made makes no sense whatsoever!"
-
What move? They're just having him in for an interview and, most importantly, a physical. Save your negative screeching for when they sign him (if they do). And if you ever want any credibility from other posters, knock off the "McClueless" baloney that's so fashionable with posters who just like to throw rocks and really have nothing to say.

i really really really appreciate your comment on this subject - this is similar to what i thought bout mccallister -----

good comeback......you making more sense this days

I don't think Marvel smith is being viewed by anyone in the organization as the complete answer at RT. His signing would be insurance in case the draft doesn't work out (like last year). I think we need a bruising, punishing run blocker at RT, one who also has the quick feet and athleticism to match up on the outside. By all means, we should try to draft this RT, but it would be stupid to reach. If we can't find the right guy at #10, we should hold back and get Johnson or Duke Robinson at G and kick Chilo over to RT. I know it wouldn't make McC happy, but Chilo is a freakish athlete, he is cheap (Rookie G contract), and RT is more valuable than G. Gotta do what's best for the team. That way, we still have a right side with monster power, and we get the best value at #10. If that value is RT, cool. Chilo stays at guard.

As far as Cultler ... "Can't coach 'em! Can't win with 'em! I WANT WINNERS!"

I will screech all I want, thats the whole idea of this forum, to voice ideas or opinions, so if you dont like it or McClueless, I feel real bad for you! Do you have any good ideas or are you just on here to defend McClueless!

Exactly Skeebers,

As I said in my last post people like 9er1 & faithful niner are making ALOT of assumptions that haven't even become reality yet. It says alot about their knowledge or lack of based on things that haven't even happened yet.

It is an assumption that they are bringing him in for an interview? It is an assumption that they are interested? Lack of knowledge? You my friend, are off base!

I have reservations on the possibility of signing Marvel Smith - this has all the makings of a Jonas Jennings .... Part 2. Matt, if we are now looking at Smith, why do you think the 9ers did not look at Khalif Barnes. And since they are bringing in Smith, why not bring in Orlando Pace too.

You make a good point. Stacey Andrews was another one they could have brought in early on.

Matt, the best years for the niners were the uncapped era. If the salary cap goes away, would you expect the niners to benefit from it?

Not a chance. It's like comparing Apples to Oranges. Eddie D, Carmen Policy, and Bill Walsh - great football minds. Jed, McC, and Sing - fhogettaboutit (putting it mildly).

F49er - I think I must have missed Matt’s post on this blog where you were nominated the new sheriff in town riding your high horse and calling everyone out on their opinion. Please post a link to YOUR 49ers blog and if anyone cares to read your garbage we will all know where to go. Unlike you, I actually respect different opinions and enjoy reading all the fans positive and negative feedback as it relates to OUR team. Oh – and for the record: Scot Mccloughan himself said if things line up properly with free agency and the draft he would happily move Joe Staley back to the right side. So no, I don’t get your analogy to the world ending tomorrow quote. I’m going to take our GM’s word on this one but would be curious to see your 49ers blog.

I generally agree with you Aaron. The key question to me is whehter Marvel Smith is an upgrade over Jennings? I think so. If healthy, Smith has a Pro Bowl in his recent past, Jennings doesn't and he has been told he is gone. Thus, the Niners would have an insurance policy and not be left with a starting position hole they have to fill on the first day of the draft. I don't think this changes the draft strategy one bit. If an OT they like - that is worthy of the 10th pick is there, take him. If another player higher on their board is also available - Crabtree or a pass rusher - take him and get an OT later. This is smart. The market for OT's has cooled off and here is a chance to improve your pre-draft team at a position of need. If Smith is healthy, sign him to an incentive contract and the Niners are a better team today.

Matt,

Is anyone concerned that we are now the fourth oldest team in the league despite the fact that the team says they want to build through the draft?

Holy smoke! I didn't realize that was the case. I wonder if it is skewed though. I mean the core guys are relatively young, but then you have outliers like Holt, Harris and a couple of others that really boost the "average" age. Damn you statistics!

I'm not surprised at all. NoWin and McClueless preached "buliding through the draft" the entire time, yet signed FA after FA. The draft picks are mostly busts, the FA's aren't superstars, so where does that leave us? Old and mediocre. We got rid of NoWin, the next step is to ride McClueless out of town. We need a real talent evaluator in here. Too bad Jed didn't make a big play for Pioli like the Chiefs did. Chiefs - headed in the right direction (Pioli, Cassel). Niners - not so much.

Gerald Cadogan might be an OT(Penn St.) we look at in the 2nd round if top 3 are gone when we pick at 10.

Matt, I know you are a big First Take watcher. So you've probably seen Jim Trotter's report about serious discord among 49ers management and the coaching staff. Maybe it's just me, but this seems to be coming out of left field. Do you have any angle on the story?

What is up with Jason Taylor? Is he pulling a Spikes and waiting until training camp is over to sign with a team?

"Mostly busts?" A. Smith, V. Davis, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, Manny Lawson, K. Balmer; those are "mostly" busts?

i wanna see those numbers....its hard to believe that...

I would rather have Michael Oher or Andre Smith.

Marvel Smith was good but his back is a serious problem. Isn't Kevin Schafer still out there? I'd rather have him too.

A. Smith, Davis, Lawson, and Balmer are in that wrong path so far. I guess Lawson isn't as bad because he's become a special teams ace but I think the 49ers are disappointed in his pass rush abilities at the pro level.

Frank,
I'll take the "whiny b*tch", his 4,500 yards and 25 TD's, and his 26 years of age whenever he is ready to come.

"I will screech all I want, thats the whole idea of this forum, to voice ideas or opinions,"

Couldn't agree with you more. There's no disclaimer on the blog that reads "wait until the deals are made before arguing, discussing or pontificating on them."

If that were the case, there would be very little to postand MM would be the guiltiest party for blogging the Cutler entry that had 216 comments to it? In fact, I applaud MM for taking the Niner brethren into account and posting something that is 100% blog-worthy, if not news-worthy.

Hi Matt,

Please give us an update on Jay Cutler and if the 49ers have any interest in him.

I am sick of the 49ers management sitting on their butts and doing nothing. Mr. Cutler is a "franchise" type of QB and I think the 49ers can get him with a trade of our #1 pick of the draft amd maybe a 3rd round pick, plus another player.

I think we need to clarify the definition of "bust." No disrespect fan12, but I can't buy what you're sellin'. You would seriously say that Lawson, Davis and Balmer (esp. Balmer), are on the path to bustedom (I made that word up)? I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Mario Williams was a bust b/c he didn't set the world on fire in his rookie year...but I'd rather have him than Reggie B. at this point. Gotta give these fellas a chance.

Right on faith71! Hey Matt, any word on Marvel, has he arrived in the bay area yet?

Some of the comments on here are ridiculous and uneducated. Please be aware, defensive line is widely acknowledged as the most difficult position for a rookie to learn, and become successful at immediately. There is no way anyone can claim Balmer as a bust. If you think you can call him a bust, and you aren't employed by an NFL team, you are making statement that are over your head.

Manny Lawson was a much different player in 06 then after he suffered the knee injury. In no way can you call him a bust until after this season, his 2nd following the surgery. We already know he is good in coverage, he showed good ability at times to hold the point and seal the edge, the only question is his pass rush. He may not have regained his burst, and thus we must allow him this year to fully gauge his ability. Far from a bust at this point.

Matt Maiocco, please shed some light on this:

Watching First Take right now, and Jim Trotter (a SI writer) said that there's a bit of a schism developing between the coaches and the front office types.

Apparently, the coaches didn't even know Jones was being signed until after he was signed. Trotter said Singletary was meeting with the GM to try and sort it out, but he said there definitely is some growing tension between the two camps.

Please shed some light on what this possibly means/might mean?

Read the article on nfl.com by Kirwin, he states that a former GM would put the value of Cutler as 2 1st round picks and a player. Thats a steep price to pay.

They said that Singletary and McCloughan are on the same page but apparently the two didn't inform the rest of the coaches of the signings.

All I have to say is, who gives a flying flip! As long as the HC and GM are on the same page, that's all that really matters. Trotters the same guy that wrote that article bashing the 49ers for pursuing Warner so he's been spewing the hateraide for a while now.

I'm definitely in agreeance with your statements, I don't think they're mostly busts at all.

For those of you who think Curry doesn't have a shot to be #1 overall, think again.

Reminds me of a young PWillie – I'm impressed with his character, let alone having the time to write these entries with his crazy schedule.

Look out Matt. You may have some competition soon. ;)

faithful niner,

Maybe you need to go back & read your own comments (7:29am today) before you come back talking out of both sides of your mouth. "This move like many McClueless has made makes no sense whatsoever!" Sounds to me if I know the English language that this...as you say "move" has already happened. Move on now.

Depends on how yodefine move.Bringing him in is a move isnt it?

unc #1 - johnny flynnn is dangerous - dammit no niner news!!!!!

lol....cmon - don't insult us - you did say "move" and meant "move"

You have no idea what I meant. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out they havent signed him yet, we all know that! I dont get your point. My point is why not show interest early on in guys who were healthy who are now gone instead of showing interest in a big risk, just like Jennings.Cheap! cheap! cheap!

am not going to get into a back and forth about this since you know exactly what kind of ideas are in my head....i apologize for buttin in ..plz continue with F49er

Because they didn't like any of the other free agents at the cost. Smith fits the body type, player they are looking for, and is hometown guy, who maybe would like to finish up his career locally, at a decent salary. It's not a bad move until we see the contract. This doesn't mean he will be our RT for the future, its depth, a guy who can play both RT and LT. Jennings was a risk because of the contract he received. Now if we give Marvel Smith 6 mil a year with 12 guaranteed, thats a dumb move, if we give him league minimum, with incentives, thats a good move. We had to bring him in to get the medical.

Apology accepted.

What is this guys body type, because I have been thinking its about the money?

You can find the info on the 49ers fourth oldest team in the league on Mike Sando's blog at http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-8-325/NFC-West-free-agency-scorecard--updated-.html.

F49er - "who said anything about moving Staley"?? HUH? My argument was based on them still drafting A.Smith at 10 even with the signing of M.Smith.....so get your crayon out and read along...if they sign M.Smith to START at RT replacing Sims and/or Snyder, and then they draft Andre Smith at #10 and pay him BIG BUCKS over x/years, THIS JUST IN: they aren't taking him at 10 to backup Staley at LT!!(at least they better not be!) And since apparently the right side would be a wrap with M.Smith starting there, what else are you going to do with Staley??!! They AREN'T going to sign M.Smith to a hefty contract to not START at RT, and they AREN'T going to draft A.Smith at 10 and pay him multi-millions to sit and groom behind Staley!! So YOU do the math! With A.Smith at LT, and M.Smith at RT, can you now figure out??? The only other possibility here at all is that they are signing M.Smith only for depth and plan on starting Staley at RT, but there is no way I can see M.Smith signing a nice big FA contract to be a backup RT! I seriously doubt it! I sure hope you're at least starting to see my point! Tommorrow we work on colors....good thing the world isn't going to end!!

And I was wrong about the 49ers having the fourth oldest roster in the league. After signing Damon Huard, they now have the third oldest roster in the league.

What is it with you people who post things then forget what you posted when somebody challenges your argument if you can call an "assumption" an argument? 9er1 go back to your original post (March 17 / 11:01pm) My point to you is you had 2 BIG IF'S there buddy in order for your scenario of somehow Staley being benched? to even come to fruition. IF the 49ers sign Marvel Smith, then IF the 49ers draft Andre Smith #10. The odds of those 2 things happening are like me hitting a "hole in one" which = NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Now YOU can go back the drawing board on coming with another kooky scenario.

I found the safety we need - Wake Forest safety Chip Vaughn - this is my main pick for the draft - i hope we get him in the second round or draft up to the late 1st round to pick him up.....

This is GREAT news about Smith coming in for a physical !
He is willing to sign a waiver stating that he doesn't get paid IF his back injury causes him to miss games !
So,IF the Niners check him out and find he is healty and able to resume his former status as a Pro Bowl caliber Tackle there is absolutly NO downside to this deal being done .

IF he does not check out healthy then at least we know that McGloughan is thinking properly and doing his due dillagence etc. Smith seems like probably the best option so far in free agency at the position (if he checks out healthy). Who would have dreamed that we could possibly get a former Pro Bowl Left Tackle signed to fix our Right Tackle problem and for chump change to boot ! Great work McGloughan !!!
If it doesn't work out at least it shows that Scotty McGloughan is doing his job very well,to find a possible gem like this ! He found Staley and Rachel and Baas and now maybe will complete the line with Smith. Too bad I don't think Heitmann is a top flight Center but we do have a few on the roster that can play there if Heitmann doesn't keep improving.

Scotty seems to be a pretty darn good talent evaluator and if Balmer and a few of the other youngsters(Goldson,Brown,Harylson,Hudson,R. Smith,Morgan,J. Hill,Rachal) work out and become something in the next couple of years then Scotty will be looked uppon as a Great GM in the long view of history. (not to mention Willis and Gore and picking up Spikes and the DE Smith and Clements and Harris etc etc ).
The only real black mark on McGloughan might be drafting A. Smith #1 in 2005 (and who knows,that might turn out to be less than the disaster it seems now,he might turn into a very good backup QB in future years ? Or not. Either way ,NO GM makes every pick count ).

I have no idea what his back surgery was but playing in the NFL after a back surgery? Forget about it! The last thing you should be doing is playing football.

"By the time they have been retired for two years, 78% of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of joblessness or divorce." SI March 23, 2009 - PABLO S. TORRE

Why ruin your lifetime health for that?