The Southeast is Matt Malaspina's territory, so he was there. The 49ers have six area scouts that blanket the country. Each scout has a region.
David McCloughan is the director of college scouting, and Trent Baalke is the director of player personnel, so he oversees the pro and college scouting departments. And, of course, Scot McCloughan is the general manager and he makes the call on draft day.
The whole staff has a voice in evaluating all the players as the draft approaches. After the NFL season concludes, the coaches get heavily involved in looking at draft-eligible players. But the always-important initial reports come from the regional scouts.
Here is a closer look at the 49ers' regional scouts:
West: Roylin Bradley. This is his fourth year with club. He was a linebacker at Texas A&M from 1997 to 2001. He spent 2004 as a summer intern in the Seahawks' scouting department under Scot McCloughan. Just prior to his arrival with the 49ers, he worked for AltairStrickland, a mechanical contracting company in
Northeast: Todd Brunner. He is in his ninth season with the 49ers, so he has proved his value to several different regimes with the organization. He spent two seasons as a scout with the Browns before coming to the 49ers. He was born into a football family. His father, John, coached at
Southwest: Justin Chabot. He is in his fifth season with the 49ers. He spent five seasons as director of football operations at Northwestern. In that capacity, he served as a liaison to NFL scouts when they visited campus. He was an offensive lineman at Northwestern during their championship teams in the mid-1990s.
Southeast: Matt Malaspina. This is his fourth season with the 49ers after spending five years as an area scout with the Seahawks. He was part of Scot McCloughan's staff with the Seahawks. Malaspina spent 1999 with the Panthers, where he evaluated players in the southwest region. He also worked for National Football Scouting for one year. He was an assistant offensive line coach at
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I just checked a 49ers media guide from 1990 to see how many regional scouts the organization had then under Eddie DeBartolo and Bill Walsh. The answer: six.
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Interesting to see how the Scouts V. Pro-day V. Combine calcultion is made. Also, wondering if the scouts get bonuses for accurate projections. Matt, could you interview one for the life of a scout and a player on the current roster he scouted? I have the image of a guy driving everywhere, living out of his car, hoping to find "the next one".
Matt, what kind of report did Matt give and how relevant is it considering the game tape on this kid which is compelling?
Andre Smith would be a steal at #10...still doubt he'll be there though.
So I guess, Matt Malaspina gets "credit" for Kentwan Balmer? I'm wondering exactly what the thinking was there.
I think thats more of something that a baseball scout or college scout would do, but I know the image, think of the movie "The Scout" with Al Brooks and Brendan Frasier. But with college football being as huge as it is, it seems like everyone knows everything about everyone, we have people doing legit draft boards/blogs and they are still in high school. I think the scouts are really valuable in finding or suggesting the later round picks, guys who aren't the Mannings or A. Peterson or Reggie Bush' of the world. But I would love to know what scouts do, it sounds like a pretty interesting career, watching and dissecting college football, could it get any better?
Matt, do you know if the 9ers made an offer to Paymah?
and "credit" for Patrick Willis.
I am hoping we trade down and get an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick. Looking at the potential vs risk. I think the potential is negligible. If we were to pick up Phil Loadholt in the 2nd round vs A. Smith at the 10th we would be getting almost equal potential, but A. Smith looks more like we will be watching him as a contestant on the Biggest Looser than seeing him as a successful player on Sundays.
He is just too iffy to be #10 IMHO.
I don't know if you've watched the two players much but there is a very big difference between the two...Smith plays with more power and is far quicker. He basically has the advantage in every category over Phil...and I'm a Loadholt fan. Smith is a rare talent at the position...Loadholt isn't in his league.
And Frankie G.
You need to look at the game tape. The kid is a football player/mauler in the toughest conference in college football. Just because his workouts are less than stellar/body fat(genetics) does'nt mean he can't produce on the field. Example: Nate Newton
Good call. I'll take a Balmer for Every Gore and Willis. Jury is still out on Balmer anyway.
So, with a huge need at tackle, and a guy who will probably be available, but who has many question marks, we send 1 scout? And it's the scout who has been covering the prior years. No fresh perspective? No one to discuss the workout with? This scout has probably already made up his mind on the guy. It seems you'd want more eyes on such a possible investment at #10.
Matt: Vary interesting and uncommon information. How does the team evaluate the performance of their scouts? How do they evaluate their own performance in drafting? Do they track their highly rated draft-eligibles who were drafted by other teams?
Oh no doubt, I don't even think we can put Balmer on trial. Not drawing a comparison between players at all, but did Mario Williams, the Texans #1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft pan out right away? Nah, but I sure would rather have him over R. Bush at this point. Time and development is the key.
Matt,
Nice article. Good to know who is covering what area of the country for scouting purposes.
That cuts both ways: made up their minds he's a dud or that he's a keeper or that he will be long gone at 10.
I'd pass. Taking a risk is for teams with rosters with good depth. Niners aren't there yet. Plenty of other potentially great players at #10.
Matt,any words on private workouts for the 49ers? The only name I have heard is Reily from Central Washigton. Anybody else have a plan workout with the 49ers?
Exactly! Time will tell. It has been said that Soap is on his way back to the middle, leaving Balmer to battle it out with Evans. We'll find out in the next two seasons if Balmer is the real deal.
faith71,
I'm wondering if you know anything about pro fooball at all, specifically #1 draft picks. The percentage of #1 draft picks making an impact much less contributing to any extent is very low in their 1st year. As soon to be HOF'er Rod Woodson said it took him 3 years to feel comfortable & confident in what he was doing. Let's not call Balmer a bust just yet.
Off topic I know, but Torry Holt is officially a FA. I doubt it happens, but I would LOVE to see him sign with us.
F49er:
Ummm, I know a little. Re-read the post. I asked about the thinking behind the pick- with an obvious need for a wide-out and Jackson, Sweed, and D Avery all available.
Granted Malaspina didn't cover the aforementioned receivers which speaks to the point that PatW raised about having only 1 set of eyes to base player information on-kinda like what you're doing?
Except you missing the point about about my post is far and away less important than a pro-scout missing the point on a player. Did the fact that Balmer moved from end to tackle as a junior play a part in Matt's decision-making process or did Nolan see another opportunity for a seemingly versatile player, ignoring the need for a wideout, relying too much on Martz, and once again showing his dearth of knowledge on the offensive side of the ball? I never called anyone a bust.
Before you begin calling out posters and questioning their intelligence it may behoove you to get your facts straight. Otherwise you just come off as the legion of posters here who judge/attack first and ask questions later.
Chris McAllister might be released by the Raves. Might SF be interested?
I thought he was released several weeks ago. Either way I wish they would bring him in. He is old, 31, I think. I doubt they will show any interest.
WOW!
Faith71...hey I'm only going by the 2 sentence comment you posted so I don't know how you could inerject everything else we can assume you menat in those 2 sentences. As for having only 1 scout covering a college player that might be true but he alone & his scouting report of that player is NOT going to be the deciding factor in the 49ers drafting him. There's a more concrete facet in deciding that, it's called game films of all that player's college games. The film never lies.
ESPN says Holt was just released.
Oh ok, my bad. I thought they were on the verge of releasing him. I think he could bring a nice veteran presence to the young crop of CB's. He might have some history w/ Sing. It wouldn't hurt to bring him in with the Niners shopping for corners and all.
see this is what ticks me off about the lack of knowledge or intelligence on this site by most of its fans....."I think he could bring a nice veteran presence to the young crop of CB's. " - Dude we have clements(9yrs) and harris(14 yrs), spencer(6yrs) how much veteran experience do you need in a position?...and not to do any research (mccallister has been struggling with injuries the last 3yrs).....i mean doesn't common sense dictates what we should write all the times if not sometimes......everytime someone is released most of you are quiock to jump (we should sign him) - can you guys please think first before you comment and understand this is not yahoo messenger where you just type stuff just to fill in space....
Signing Holt would make sense. We've needed a true #1 receiver for how many years now? He's not that old, he has plenty left in the tank and can still be a #1 guy for years to come. We can definitely afford him
This coming from the most blindly loyal Alex Smith fan in the history of fandom? First of all, pump ya brakes w/ the intelligence talk, cus I'll roast you. Second, we also have: T. Brown, R. Smith, D. Strickland, and J. Williams; i.e. crop of young CB's. Third, I love W. Harris, but 14 years, really??? Walt has one foot out the door. And Shawnte was injured all of last season (or almost all), but then agian, who doesn't struggle from injuries? Thus I do not count McAllister out. Lastly, my overall point, is that you can never have enough depth at CB.
Your right, this is not yahoo messanger, I'm very aware of that...this is also not the A. Smith fan club page. So please keep biased, unfocused opinions to a minimum before you decide to type stuff just to fill in space.
(woooo saaaaahhhhhh)
McAllister was already released... They are now considering releaseing Rolle, that's my understanding.
Didn't we already have a WR from the "Greatest Show on Turf"? Holt or Bruce, Who really cares? Neither are a true #1, they WERE, but are now a #3 at best. We should do nothing to impede the progress of Morgan and Hill. They'll grow into their positions.
I got pretty excited about the release of McCalister because it makes sense for the niners to take a look at him. Dude can definatly ball still! He has serious ball skills, which is something our secondary lacks. We don't get many turnovers, and he is the type of player that can add anywhere from 4-8 or more additional turnovers in a season. I was kinda hoping they would bring him in and experiment with him at free saftey. That would give us a ball hawk rangy player back deep for a couple of years.
Rolle would be a great pick up for the Niners as well.
Sorry just a fan but Ray Charles could have told you Willis was a great prospect.Thats like me calling you a genius for picking Michael Jordan to be on your basketball team.Mc Cluless and his gang of floosie scouts get a d- if you ask me.
Too bad 10 other teams let slip away. The only clear cut player I would say is equal to 52 form that class is Adrian Peterson. Oh, M.J. was picked after Sam Bowie and Hakeem Olajuwon by the way. Terrible argument. Nice try though:)
Forget about Paymah or Green ..... Samari Rolle will soon be available -- claim him off waivers!
Any news on the Torry Holt Front? I heard the Rams released him today?
In case you haven't heard, Singletary did not want to draft Willis - McC had to sell him hard on the guy. Of course, Sing ain't blind, so maybe that was his problem.
Curious, but where did you hear that?
Singletary said so in one of his "after the season" press conference.
plz roast me - if that helps increase your IQ....currently we hav 7-8 cb's on roster - yes common sense does dictate you can enough depth at any position....just because it sounds good to say "you can't enough depth a cb" does not mean its always true or its a sensible thing to write.........i am pretty sure i am more aware of McAllister career due to my location compared to your knowledge of him (unless of course you r my neighbour).....the guy is done....its that simple.....i am not saying you shouldn't suggest players you like for your team (niners) but be realistic if all you know about a player is his last name....think first and do sum research before you say sign him......research how many games he has played the last 3 yrs...........if you do that then i bet you will apply your same criticm of jennings to McAllister ......i have watched McAllister since he got drsfted from college almost every sunday.....i know a old-tired-CB when i see one....
DW,
Just heard on NFL Network that Holt was released this afternoon & that prior to that the Rams were poised to trading him to the Titans but the Titans balked at keeping Holt's existing contract so the trade was off the table. It still looks like the Titans have the inside track in getting him because they were the only team that was willing to make a trade for him.
He did say that. Matt can you post the link of Sing saying he was not sold on Willis, and that McC had to sell him on it.
Somewhere towards the end
Thank you.
Jon in SoCal --- Why specifically do you say Holt is not a #1. He may be on the downside of his career but performed well last year on a lousy team. Agreed that Morgan and Hill are the long term future, but having Holt & Bruce working together for the next year or two could be very interesting.
i can confirm seeing / hearing Coach Singletary saying he wasn't sold on Willis immediately- not sure about it being at a press conference -i seem to recall him talking about it on the NfL Network sometime around the combine(could have been both tho!)
Oneniner seems to be on fire today. I am personally tired of retreads my myself. Nolan's plug and play didn't work. I want that nucleus of players that insists on wins. I want that Ronnie Lott enforcer in the locker room. I want players being physically sick after a loss. Maybe that is not possible with today's players. However if you have somebody like Coach Sing on you day in and day out, it just might be the difference the team needs that makes the players go beyond what they thought they could ever do.
If there is a "Mr Pencil" out there than bring him in. Jack "hacksaw" Reynolds would show up to the first day of training camp class room sessions fully dressed for a game. He wore his frigin uni into meetings to let the younger guys know, this is the Pro's kiddies. Ronnie Lott laughs so hard when he tells this story he can hardly finish it. Mr Pencil is the retread I would be into. Anybody else at this point and time would be a waste of time and money.
ONE OLD RAM IS ENOUGH. Whether it's Holt or Bruce. Not both. The young 49er receivers looked very good last year and need to play and develop their potential.
If the 49ers take all the old players many of you are drooling over, they will NEVER get to a Super Bowl.
This reminds me of when the great 49ers started to get old, and Walsh let them go, and the Raiders and other teams snatched them up to please their fans and hope for miracles.
The only good use of old, expensive free agents is when a team needs a missing piece to get a shot at a championship.
Til then, let's concentrate on the draft and YOUNG free agents.
Oneliner is on fire today ? With searing logic and grammar like"I am pretty sure I am more aware of McAllister career due to my location compared to your knowledge of him(unless ofcourse you r my neighbor)", one can indeed feel the heat.
grammar...Hightop, common, it's the internet and his posts today make some sense. Yeah he get's a little upitty at times, flames the host and thinks he is a know it all sometimes. Beating a guy up on grammar on the internet?? Whatever, but i leave you with this Hightop, a broken clock is still right 2 times a day.
I hope you didn't construe my post as an attempt to disparage you -that was not my intent. I am just fed up with this guy lording judgement on my fellow bloggers and begging /itching for confrontation...i dare say I am not alone in this sentiment. My response would not be leveled at a typical post (we all make errors in language) but his arrogance belies his true critical capacity and that was my target-if you found offense you have my apology!
digital high five, hightop! It's all good here..
Back to you -looking forward to sharing the blog with you!
You wrote: "I want that nucleus of players that insists on wins. I want that Ronnie Lott enforcer in the locker room. I want players being physically sick after a loss."
Mike Singletary will have those kind of players on his team. (as much as possible). The "problem" is that it takes a few years to make that happen.
The best example of that comes from Singletary's own background. After his rookie season, his HC was fired. Ditka was hired the next year (in 1982). The players brought in in the 82 and 83 drafts (McMahon, Gault, Covert, Dent, etc) COUPLED with the dead weight Ditka got rid of in those two years laid the groundwork for their upcoming SB.
MS sat back and had a birds eye view of the entire transformation.
Unfortunately, this process takes a little patience. Something most Niner fans (understandably) are kind of short of by now.
I concur wholeheartedly.
I actually went to high school, and was friends, with Scott Brunner's son and niece. Had no idea his brother was a niners scout.
First of all, Bruce and Holt aren't even in the same league anymore. Bruce has definitely lost a step, Holt not so much. Bruce is on the brink of retirement, and Holt (who is five years younger) still has at least three more quality years in him as a go-to guy. Holt, Jones, Morgan, and Hill 1-2-3-4. Bruce can retire for all I care, and Battle should've been gone years ago. He's just a slow version of Tai Streets or Cedrick Wilson.
Thanks for the post and just a fan for facilitating. Must have missed that one... and I don't miss many on this blog!
This is why Singletary should stick to doing what he does best - coaching. As for McGM, hopefully it will continue to be scouting. For every 4 or 5 lumps of coal (eg: Alex Smith, David Baas, Ronald Fields, Brandon Williams), there is one diamond in the pile (eg: Patrick Willis). Give credit where credit is due. Everyone should be thankful that the Texans that draft year decided to take the adolescent NT with the 10th pick.
Curious about the tidbit from Buffalo regarding the jersey number for T.O.?
Hardy had no say?
Thinking perhaps Hardy is wearing a BUST tag?
So a few things.
1: Why the hate on Balmer? Guy only has 1 year under his belt and he was learning a completely new scheme.
2: Boy you guys are just quick to put the bust label on players before they even get a chance. I mean you guys are so fond of the word bust I have heard other 49ers fans call 6th round picks busts before. I shouldn't hear the word bust connected to a player until they have been released from the team or at least 3-4 years later.
3: This wasn't talked about in this story but some fans seem to want us to all of a sudden become the Redskins when it comes to free agency spending. Chill out damn free agency is only one part of the off-season puzzle. Complain about this off-season if the team has another bad season.
First, thanks for wanting to discuss my comment instead of just calling me an idiot. I appreciate that, shows you're a true fan.
Holt and Bruce are certainly on the way down. Even though both led the 9ers and Rams in recieving, I am looking at numbers and cost. Both of the have 1-3 years max left in the league, with a declining presence. Both will be a little more expensive than a younger player. So we are going to pay a premium for a player that is going downhill. If we needed a wily veteran to get us over the top, then go ahead be sign him. I think that with the guy we just signed, Battle, Hill, Morgan, Zeigler and maybe a draftee (still think we should call Jordan to see what's up) we're pretty much set at WR for our run-centric offense. Morgan caught as many TD's as Holt in about half as many catches. Morgan should start or play a ton. Hill should play a ton. Bruce is still under contract. I just don't see Holt as a big enough upgrade to give up on our prospect guys or take the cap hit to release a veteran. Just a thought though.
Matt if the following information is true...do you think the Niners will make a move???!! I would love to have Peterson back on in the red and gold!
Per PFT:
The purge of high-priced veterans that began roughly a month ago still continues.
KJR-AM in Seattle reported Friday that the Seahawks soon will release linebacker Julian Peterson.
Signed through 2012, Peterson is due to earn $6.5 million in base salary this year, $7.5 million in 2010, $8 million in 2011, and $8.5 million in the final year of the deal.
Per Mike Sando of ESPN.com, Peterson has declined to reduce his salary.
The team’s alternative offer isn’t known, but Peterson’s agents would be wise to find out whether someone else would pay Peterson more than that before telling the Seahawks to stick it.
So, basically, that seven-year, $54 million contract that Peterson signed amid much fanfare three years ago is, in the end, a three-year, $23.5 million deal.
And that’s precisely why league insiders typically focus on the three-year payout when assessing the real value of a contract.
Doubt it. I'm sure T.O. threw a truckload of money at him for the #. My guess? Probably a quarter mil... I would've held out longer.
Lombardi on NFL Network has us taking Ayers at #10. Seems like quite a reach for a need position. Is he really a top 10 talent? It seems most experts think we're picking for need rather then taking the BPA. Do any of these guys really know what they're talking about?
Yes, you can have enough depth. But for teams that like to use, oh i don't know, more than one CB in certain defensive packages (e.g. nickel, prevent), it wouldn't hurt to have a capable, experienced CB in the scheme, esp. if he's coming for the right price.
And you should be the last person talking about "true or sensible things to write."
Ok ok ok, I'm done.
I respect Mike Lombardi but really this really does seem like a bit of a reach -most boards place Ayers as a second round pick( the 2005 aggravated assault charge and questions about work habits factor in-although he seems to have made a concerted effort to remedy those questions )!
Mayok has Ayers at 15-check his game tape, he schooled Andre Smith, one of only 2 to do so.
Nice topic Matt, I've often wondered why our scouting process has been sub-par over the last 7-8 years. It never ceases to amaze me how we were able to find great talent in the eighties and early nineties when we were drafting towards the end of each round. What a far cry from the last 7 years when we've only managed to 'hit' on only a few quality players though drafting high. Our scouts do need to be called to account on their methods and process of 'scouting' talent. Only J.Morgan seemed to establish himself from last years draftees and he came in a later round. I will say once again, real players perform on game day and not in combines and pro-day's. Thank God, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, were judged on their college game day performances and not their combine numbers.
Hey Matt, It's real quiet right now in 49er land. Do you have any juicy bones you can throw us to wet our appetites? How about the rumor coming from John Crumpacker that we're interested in signing Holt. Any truth to that?