Of course, that means there is a possibility the 49ers could trade the pick. That noted, McCloughan said the 49ers have not talked with Julius Peppers (or the Panthers) or Terrell Suggs (or the Ravens).
"There've been no discussions with any of those," McCloughan said. I'm assuming he means "any of those franchise players," including Rams safety O.J. Atogwe.
McCloughan said Peppers' name never came up a week ago when he and Panthers' GM Marty Hurney discussed the trade that sent the 49ers' second-round and fourth-round picks to the Panthers for their No. 1 next year.
When asked if he has contacted Peppers' agent, McCloughan said he hasn't even spoken to Hurney about it. Peppers is not an exclusive franchise player, thus the 49ers can negotiate with him. But McCloughan said he would "do it the right way" and keep everything above board with the Panthers.
* * *
The team is going through its rookie minicamp today. Very few of the veterans are in attendance, however, Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are on the field. The competition continues for the starting quarterback job.
When Singletary was asked if this minicamp means anything in the competition for the 49ers' starting job, he answered, "Oh, it matters every day." Singletary said he speaks every day with offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and QBs coach Mike Johnson to evaluate Smith and Hill.
There is a chance there could be a winner declared at the end of the offseason program, heading into training camp. Smith said that would be the best-case scenario for all involved.
* * *
Two undrafted rookies with a lot of potential are running back Kory Sheets (Purdue) and tackle Alex Boone (
Sheets ran the third-fastest time at the combine (4.39), yet he went undrafted. His agent told him that the Purdue "coaching staff screwed you." Obviously, Sheets did not leave Purdue on the best of terms. He said former Purdue coach Joe Tiller gave him "no help" throughout the process with NFL teams.
But Sheets said he's learned from it and he holds no grudges.
The problems stemmed from the aftermath of Purdue's loss to Northwestern when Sheets criticized the offensive game plan, as well as the play of QB Curtis Painter. He was then banned from speaking to the media, and he went undrafted.
Boone was arrested 3 ½ months ago in
"It's better now," Boone said. "Obviously, that happened a while ago and I'm trying to make the best out of it. I have a new look on life."
Boone seems contrite, adding that he realizes there are consequences for his actions. He said he's happy to be with the 49ers. He said as soon as the 49ers offered a free-agent contract, he accepted the opportunity to play for Singletary.
* * *
There were a lot of questions in recent weeks about Alex Smith's shoulder. Obviously, if he were having problems with his shoulder, he wouldn't be out there throwing. I asked him just a few minutes ago about how things are coming along.
"It's good," Smith said. "It's definitely better than where I was a month ago, which was better than where I was a month before that. I'm still making progress with it. I just think the continuation of me lifting and getting stronger, and continuing to throw and get those reps is just going to continue to get my arm in shape. I feel really good. Really close, I think. Totally putting this out of my mind. So, it's good news. I feel good."
On how it felt after the first mini-camp:
"It felt good. The one thing I felt a little bit of was just soreness. I think just getting back to kind of that endurance. Just throwing back to back-to-back days and multiple practices, and that kind of a pitch count. (I was) feeling some soreness and I think that's just one of those things with throwing more and continuing to strengthen it. I'm getting that back."
On how much he'll be throwing in mini-camp:
"Good question. I've got no restrictions. I'll be out there, so whenever they put me in I'll be out there. So, I don't know how much volume it'll actually be. I guess we'll see after today."
Nice, so more surprises could be coming. Who said the niners lost the chance to bring more players for 2009 and should not go for the future? Oh, I think that was the analysis at NFL Network for our draft grade. Always so plain and simple thought...
The season hasn't started yet and FA is not over.
Atleast the 49ers know how to not tamper. Lesson learned the dumb way!
Matt,
Watch closely at the player with the number 30 jersey. That's Kory Sheets!
Matt:
Assuming all the rookies attend the minicamp, what is the procedure for covering them against injury and paying them? These guys haven't signed a contract yet and I can't imagine that agents allow their clients to be exposed like that.
Sanchez gathered the other Jet rooks the other day and started installing the offense prior to minicamp
Scot: put a zipper on it. You done good getting that extra first rounder in 2010, now let it ripen on the vine and see how sweet it can get.
Matt,
I hope Alex Smith succeeds, it is impossible not to root for this kid. He is one of the HIGHEST CHARACTER guys I've ever seen for all of the scrutiny and situations he has been put in and never lashes out or points fingers. He has the "off the field" makings of a NFL Star, I just hope he can start to produce on the field like one.
Hey Matt,
Who would you pick between Suggs and Peppers? Are there any other possible free agents out there to keep an eye on besides those 2 that are worth a first round pick? Assuming that's what we would have to give up to get a top tier guy. Thanks!
"Smith said that would be the best-case scenario for all involved".........i can feel the confidence in my QB.....yes he his back
did anybody notice the Patriots trade for Alex Smith story ......
I LOVE AMERICA - "PETA is apparently in talks with disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick to be a spokesperson" - I GUESS ALL IS FORGIVEN, CAN HE JOIN THE NINERS NOW?
1,9er So bottom line you have no confidence in Alex Smith and would prefer a dog murderer? Maybe we should call you K9er. I thought your loyalty would run deeper than that.
Matt,
Tampering question. Earlier this offseason I heard Bill Belichick address the trade rumors for Peppers. He said that franchise players are unavailable for trade until they sign their tender and that it would be tampering to talk about them before hand. Is that correct? Also, what about offering a franchise player a contract after the draft? I thought that had to be done prior.
Thanks!
Yeah, they can't trade him until he sign the tender offer. I don't know why he isn't doing it so he can get shopped around.
I don't care what anyone says...we're IDIOTS if we don't AT LEAST talk to these teams and discuss their expectations for moving their guy.
It's one thing for a deal to be out of our reach (Cutler)....it's another to sit on your hands and not even ask.
Get 'er done, Scotty!
I read about it. I even teased my friend with it in an e-mail I sent him last night.
If we could get peppers that would be great for our defense in every way. It would make our secondary and d-line better. If we not get peppers I think we should make a run at jason taylor hes an outstanding pass rusher and a great veteran leader that can show our youngsters the right way 2 do things.
I agree with the Taylor thought. He may be on the decline of his career, but he is a free agent. He would only cost money, no picks. I will say this though: kudos to McCloughan and Singletary for going offense in this years draft. We've had a fairly stout defense the last two years; it's been our offense that's held us back. I know I'm in the minority, but I'm drafting the 49ers Defense early in my fantasy league this year! Go Niners!
"When asked if he has contacted Peppers' agent, McCloughan said he hasn't even spoken to Hurney about it. Peppers is not an exclusive franchise player, thus the 49ers can negotiate with him. But McCloughan said he would "do it the right way" and keep everything above board with the Panthers."
From this quote it seems like you're saying McCloughlan is going to be contacting Peppers and the Panthers about possibly acquiring him. Did I mis-read this?
Hey Matt are you as confused about how Alex Smiths shoulder is as I am? I think Kory Sheets has a real good chance to make this team, we dont have a burner RB so he could fill that role great. Oh LOL about Boone jumping on cars.
Peppers is a 29 year old 4-3 DE with absolutely no experience as a 3-4 OLB which is what he says he wants to play. We tried that with Justin Smith and quickly had to move him back to RDE. I think Jason Taylor is much the same problem, except he is older and coming off an unproductive year with Washington.Another problem with Peppers is he's about 290 lbs.; how's he going to do dropping into coverage? If we want a 3-4 OLB we need to go get one and quit trying to convert DE's.
Yeah, right, the niners have been building for the future for the past 6 years.
Strange how Alex seems to be saying all the same things about how good he feels and how everything is going good etc etc ,as he was saying last year just before his shoulder gave out again.
I noticed in some of the commentary of the first practice today that Alex showed zip on a pass up the middle (a pass where even Hill shows zip most of the time) BUT then on a pass towards the side lines the ball floated stayed in the air a long time and was easily picked off by one of the FA defensive backs who probably won't even make the NFL. Even healthy Alex may only be the 4th most talented (or untalented) QB on the roster behind Hill and Huard and Davis (with Davis to easily pass all the others up in a year or two at most).
I hope you are correct Oneniner and Alex is traded to the Pats. But why would they give up anything of value for an injured QB who at his best ever and when healthy was rather mediocre at best?
I think Scot would be an idiot (absolute idiot?) to trade that #1 pick (OR give Peppers that ridiculous amount of money - see Zito, B.). I like Shaun Hill and I'd like to see what he can do for a whole season (would have loved to have seen him under Martz though), but I can't envision him being a great QB, the kind we need to be a SB team again. We will need TWO No. 1s to be able to manuveur in next year's draft if we want to have a chance at Bradford/McCoy/Tebow, and you can be SURE Seattle will be doing that with their two No. 1s, now that Hasselbeck is getting toward his mid 30s AND injury plagued. We cannot let Seattle get a hot young QB (and/or St. Louis) while we have an ordinary one (even if Hill proves to be a "good" ordinary QB).
No way do you trade the extra #1 pick you acquired for Peppers. Not even for Suggs. Keep that baby nice and safe for the draft next year to get that franchise QB. Don't be foolish. That pick sets us up perfectly.