Mike Silver might have foreshadowed a possible big move from the 49ers in his Yahoo.com article on 49ers GM Scot McCloughan. Silver wrote about the Panthers trading up with the 49ers in the second round to select pass-rusher Everette Brown as a possible replacement for Julius Peppers.
Then, Silver wrote this about the 49ers after conducting interviews with McCloughan:
"With cap space and a pair of 2010 first-rounders, he (McCloughan) now has the ammunition to make a big move if he decides there's an impact player worth acquiring via trade, either during next April's draft or at any time before it."
There are no reports or rumors linking the 49ers to Peppers, but it is logical.
You can believe the 49ers have considered the pros and cons of what it would take to acquire Peppers. First, they'd have to work out the compensation with the Panthers; then, they'd have to hand over a huge contract to appease Peppers, whose original list of four preferred destinations did not include the 49ers.
The 49ers and Panthers have not discussed the possibilities of a trade, I've been told.
One of the other big-ticket guys who remains unsigned is Ravens' outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. He has yet to sign his franchise tender, but - unlike Peppers - he has not publicly demanded a trade.
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Former S.F. mayor Willie Brown famously trashed then-49ers quarterback Elvis Grbac in 1996, calling him a "disgrace to humankind" after a late-game interception against the Cowboys contributed to a 49ers loss.
(Shall we talk about how Grbac spent his nights in the two weeks leading up to that game at the hospital to be with his son who had been diagnosed with spina bifada? No, we won't mention that part of the story.)
Anyway, Brown managed to take a little dig at 49ers quarterback Alex Smith on Wednesday when he introduced former 49ers exec Terry Tumey as the new athletic director at
"We won't hold him accountable," Brown said of Tumey's role in awarding Smith his rookie contract. "But at the time, it seemed like a good idea."
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Wow, to think the 49ers could have had one of the many QBs on the market this season. Also, your mayor sounds like a real jackass who knows little about the team.
Willie Brown is the Manny of Mayors. That was just Willie being Willie.
Matt, on FB you mentioned that this was a large UDFA class this year. Was this a change in philosophy or a reflection on the talent level this year.
Hhahaahahaha I miss Willie Brown's commentary... oh wait, he's coming back to do radio/analyst work for us!
Question: on FB you mentioned that this was a large UDFA class this year. Was this a change in philosophy or a reflection on the talent level this year.
My response: It's not that the class was overly large. But -- without seeing the money doled out -- it looks to me like they went after more high-profile UDFAs than in the past. I would think there would have been some interest around the league in Sheets and Boone. --Matt M.
49ers are not going to waste trading for a high priced free agent QB and or trade a 1st round pick for over valued rookie QB --they don't need it.
By the the NATE "THE GREAT" DAVID is the real deal!!!
Matt,
Your boy Barrows brought the Peppers theory up last night on his blog. How would you think Peppers would do in the 49ers 3-4 defense since he's played in a 4-3 defense with the Panthers?
Matt: It doesn't surprise me that Peppers has not been moved up to this point. He has stated his desire to play the 3-4, but he has no experience in the defense. So, why would one of the teams on the list - playing a 3-4 take a chance of him versus a known quantity.
In terms of the 49ers, it would make no sense to accomodate Peppers and his "experiment."
My sense is the 49ers feel pretty comfortable with Lawson and Harralson, and just need someone to provide depth at those position.
Let's keep our two drats picks and wait until next draft. We will know better whether or not we have a real QB issue or not by then.
I don't know how he'd perform, but he wants to play rush OLB. He's said that he wants to go to a 3-4 team. Problem is that he's listed at 6'7" 283. Kinda large to cover, too small to play RDE in the 3-4 (and we have Smith). My concern is that you'd be paying a ton of money for a guy to play on third down. Nice problem to have though
The Peppers trade would only make sense if it could mean a Super Bowl. We're talking about giving away valuable draft pick(s) plus a fortune in money to Peppers. A young building team needs the draft ammo for next year when they have a better idea of team needs at QB, OL, pass rush, DB's etc. I would rather wait for the 49ers to do it right and avoid major mistakes by rushing.
Suggs makes more sense to me if you are shooting for the stars. He's younger (26 v 29) the perfect size for McC (6'3", 260) and has experience in the 3-4D. If we go large I would rather have Suggs than Peppers.
I agree Jon the price is too steep to aquire Peppers but since Peppers hasn't signed his tender with the Panthers it's a moot point isn't it?
Hey Matt, besides Peppers and Suggs, do you know of any other potential (and possibly less expensive) 3-4 pass rushing OLBs that the Niners may be able to acquire?
Here's what the 49ers need to do:
TRADE ONE OF THE FIRST ROUNDERS FOR 2010 FOR MATHIAS KIWANUKA DE FROM THE NEW YORK GIANTS.
Why? Because the 49ers would be getting a proven pass-rusher who has played with Micheal Strahan, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora. He has also learned to play OLB in the 4-3 early in his career, so a transition to 3-4 WOLB would be easy for him because he knows how to rush the passer and drop back in coverage. He is on a team that knows how to win. He has the size at 6'5 265 and the speed with a 4.7 40 time.
It may take more then just a first, but it would be worth it. He just turned 26 and will be entering his 4th year in the league. He is expendable to the Giants because they already have a ridiculously good DL rotation. What do you guys think?
Question: Hey Matt, besides Peppers and Suggs, do you know of any other potential (and possibly less expensive) 3-4 pass rushing OLBs that the Niners may be able to acquire?
My response: Yes, there is a strong chane they sign OLB Marques Harris (Chargers). --Matt M.
Hey Willie you need to chillax. It's a game so don't shame yourself with self serving comments. Be a role model not a diva (yes you overpaid for those Wilks B. suits ). Just what we need an aging Willie telling us what's wrong with the 49ers. Try not to shame yourswelf.....please!
CHARLOTTE - The Carolina Panthers will return to the practice field Friday for the first time since last year's disappointing playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but they will do so without a key member of their defense. According to two league sources, franchised defensive end Julius Peppers will be a no-show when the Panthers take the field for their mandatory three-day minicamp.
That's hardly a surprise, but still significant in some respects since it suggests Peppers -- at least at this point -- is still not gung-ho about rejoining the Panthers
Also Matt, thanks for getting the word out there. If any teams are still looking to wheel and deal, they'll now know the 49ers are ready to go! :)
so brown doesn't know politics AND football
"We won't hold him accountable," Brown said of Tumey's role in awarding Smith his rookie contract. "But at the time, it seemed like a good idea."
And we have him doing our post game show on Comcast Sports net this year, what a mistake. I can't believe that out of all the poeple we could have gotten to do the post game show we pick Willie Brown and Gary Radnich. I mean when have those two ever not criticized the team for every move they make. Radnich hates the Niners, and Brown can't say a good thing out of the Niners if he was paid to.
I can't explain why, but I have a bad feeling about them acquiring Peppers. Maybe it is because to do so would likely require a LOT. Somehow I just can't see the price worth it.
As much as I'd love to see the 49ers in the playoffs, (SB, who am I kidding), I just see it as a several years project. It sucks, because they have sucked for 6-7 years now, but if bad decisions are made several years running, then the rebuilding clock gets reset each time. I think they are finally starting to accumulate talent.
And good QB's are hard to find. Yes they need one -- but until they have an opportunity to land one (possibly next year), we have to sit with what we have and hope that Davis shows potential, and that Hill/Smith can be an improvement. My money is on Hill, not because of his arm, but because of his presence in the pocket. It ain't pretty, but it might be the best we have for 2009.
They have to continue to build the team. I think that this year will be an improvement, but that a solid draft next year could be the difference maker. And I can't see Peppers coming here without sacrificing that potential.
oh yeah, one more thing:
Who cares what Willie Brown thinks about the 49ers?
I agree with one of the previous comments. Peppers wouldn't be a good fit for the Niners at the price of a #1 pick/possibly players/money. Peppers is a win-now installment for an "on the cusp" team.
I don't think it's McC's intention to deal one of next years #1's for a current player or free agent (unless a deal comes up that he just can't refuse). One of those #1's will be traded down for additional picks next year. That's how you build through the draft.
How about Anquan Boldin? Only half joking here- Crabtree, Boldin, Morgan, Hill.
And the opposing defenses' head just exploded.
What would Peppers cost us in addition to our draft picks?
3 year 45 mil? Big bucks
Peppers hasn't moved because he hasn't signed his Franchise tender. Trades cannot be discussed (tampering, I believe) until he does. In regards to a 3-4 switch, Justin Smith had no experience in a 3-4 and has been one of our premier defensive players. I'm not saying we should or shouldn't get Peppers, I'm saying he hasn't moved because he's technically not available.
I would agree, though, that the 49ers holding two first rounders could get a top 5 QB (like Bradford), should they choose to go that route next year.
He won't show because if he gets hurt during practice without a contract, he doesn't get paid.
Hopefully they stay away from Peppers. That's a lot to give for a guy who's unproven at OLB.
I imagine that extra 2010 first rounder is burning a hole in ScottyMac's pocket.
Keep it cool, Scotty. Don't let that pick out of your sight until the 2010 draft, a.k.a. The Year of the Quarterback, arrives with as many as 4 topnotch QB talents taken in the first round alone.
Just in case Nate Davis doesn't turn out to be Donovan McNabb's twin brother separated at birth, and Alex doesn't suddenly turn into a playoff-caliber QB, the Niners just might want to grab one of them.
Even better, if they don't HAVE to get a QB, let's use those picks to draft tomorrow's stars, not trade for yesterday's.
what you talkin bout willis?....
Wow. That Mike Silver article makes McLoughan look like a genius. What a rockin draft. =P
Matt, do you know if Willie Brown ever apologized to Grbac for saying that?
Moot it is. I don't understand why he doesn't sign. If he really wants out, he's preventing them making a trade. Don't think they should trade for Peppers at all. If they are going to trade, Suggs is a better fit. For the first time in a long time, I feel relatively comfortable about the roster and about the future. I can't wait to see how the players develop.
We still don't have a proven elite pass rusher. Most of the year the 49ers were terrible at it. Harrelson looks good but he was kinda under the radar and without another threat defenses would likely be able to mostly stop him. Manny is really unproven. So we really, really need a big time sack artist. I vote for Peppers, but Suggs would be pretty sweet as well. A real pass rush makes the defensive backfield so much more effective, so don't assume that without it we can be a better defense.
He apologized the same week he made the comments, Water under the bridge.
Negative on Peppers, btw. We're not a "cusp" team and he's not a good fit. J. Smith's acclimation to the 3-4 had to do with his disposition (his motor's non-stop)
Pepper's is clearly not that, whether we scrificed a fortune to get him or not. And we'd have to.
Mayor Brown has been hired as a "personality" I have a problem with his priggishness (not to mention the silly faux pas). Radnich's patina is distinctly working class and a sports aficionado with an irreverent twist ... I can live with him.(just a side note met him at a gas station in The City and he was a great guy -down to earth and gracious enough to introduce me to his family after we struck up a brief conversation!).
Justin Smith did not do that well with the 49ers until they moved him primarily to RDE; he did not do particularly well as an OLB or hybrid. And if Smith is the RDE, that only leaves the OLB spot for Peppers, a position foreign to him.
I still don't know why some of you keep saying we might use one of those #1 picks next year on a top QB in the draft. Don't you realize that we got the steal of the draft in Nate "the great" Davis in the 5th round. People will be talking about how guys like Brady and Davis fell all the way to the 6h and 5th rounds in years to come. Davis is almost certainly the starting QB for the Niners for at least the next 10 years (after he sits a year or two behind S. Hill ).
Use those 2 #1's on something we need next year,two more stud starters,not a top tier QB ,because we already have one of those NOW. (Wait until you see this guy play some in preseason !).
And Willie Brown is a well known crooked politician. He should be in jail,several times over.
What a low life !!!
It seems that most of the fans that want to pull the trigger on Peppers really don't know the ramifications of what could happen after it happens in relation to the future of the 49ers. The simpletons just want to leap regardless of where they land type of mentality. The moto is "Ya just do it! & the hell what ever happens as long as we get in the Playoffs!" Sorry but it's taken so long to get it right especially after McC finally did his own draft without NoWin (Nolan) looking over his back at the draft table and now you just want piss away the future of the 49ers now with 1 player? NO FRICKIN' WAY!
Hi Matt, Your Twitter blog has become second on my favorites list, of course your PD blog is #1. After the draft I ask the question, will we ever see a running back picked in the top 5 again? PS it's 111 degrees here in India.
Here's my take on the Peppers angle...
Given that Peppers isn't going to attend the mandatory minicamp, it's clear he wants out so that issue obviously isn't on the cusp of being resolved.
With the drafting of Everette Brown (my god I hope we didn't blow it by not drafting him there), I think the Panthers want to look at him in minicamp. If they feel he can make an impact come the start of the season, I think they will strongly consider shipping Peppers because they can't be happy with the cap hit of $16M. As good as Peppers is, they aren't excited about having a ticked off player who is crippling their cap.
So I think the chances of Peppers getting traded is pretty good, maybe a bit better than 50/50.
The next question becomes, would he be a good fit in SF's 3-4? It's a fair question because Peppers has been dominant as a 4-3 DE. But I also see how well Justin Smith did in making that transition (some OLB, some DE) and given Peppers freakish athleticism, I'd have to think he will produce no matter where he lines up.
Do I think the Niners should take a stab here? Absolutely. Peppers is no flash in the pan gamble...on the contrary, he is in the top 3 best pass rushers in the league and has been for his entire career.
I have to think he's got 3-5 good years left in him. As long as the Niners can work the numbers where his guarantees are paid off within 3 years, it's worth pulling the trigger.
Peppers would make us almost a lock for a top 10 defense, if not sniffing top 5.
IF this happened (which I will clarify now, I do not believe it will), the irony would be so surreal, given that it was the Panthers who traded into our spot for a player as his possible replacement.
Matt: Really good stuff throughout the 2009 draft. You are on it! Willie Brown? I'd rather listen to Grbac.
Brown is typical of the San Francisco political establishment. What he says has no basis in common sense or class, nor does he show any interest in acquiring any knowledge before saying something offensive or just plain idiotic.
No athlete is worth paying $16 million a year. Get out of here!