Earlier today 49ers coach Mike Singletary declined to confirm that Kelly would be in for a visit - just one day after the club announced presumptive starter Walt Harris sustained a torn ACL in his right knee. Harris is expected to miss the upcoming season.
Kelly, 33, is an 11-year veteran who played his first 10 NFL seasons with the Buccaneers. The Lions released him before he completed one season in his three-year contract.
Singletary said he is looking to sign a veteran player to come in and compete for a job. But he added that most of the veteran free agents who are available do not fit what he's envisioning.
"There are a lot of guys out there that I'm not excited about that I don't think fit with what we're trying to do," Singletary said.
Singletary spoke highly of Tarell Brown and Shawntae Spencer. Those players will provide stiff competition for anyone the team might acquire. Singletary said Spencer will be ready to practice at the start of training camp after missing most of last season with a torn ACL.
When asked if Harris' injury has given the 49ers any thought about moving second-year player Reggie Smith back to cornerback, Singletary said, "Absolutely not."
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I'd rather have Bly he had 8 Passes Defended and Asomugha had 9 I know stats aren't everything but I don't think Bly is done. Found this on ESPN
Comment: Bly plays the left cornerback position for Denver and the 10-year veteran still has some years left in his body. He is an excellent athlete with good foot quickness, agility and excellent speed. He is fluid and smooth in his hip turn and can mirror most receivers all over the field. He has good route awareness when in off coverage, but has a tendency to gamble and jump on routes at the wrong time, which can cost him. He is not a big cornerback and struggles against some of the larger receivers in the league. The Broncos generally try to match him up with the inside, smaller receivers when in the red zone. He has awareness and good ball skills when in position to make a play on the ball. He is not very physical and not much of a force in run support. He lets himself get blocked too easily. He would probably be a better fit as a nickel back, if the Broncos were able to find a top level cornerback in the near future, but can still play effectively even as a starter.
Matt, are there any CBs that may be on the trading block? In addition to our 2 1st round picks, do we have all our other picks in 2010? Thanks!!!
I agree Danny I would rather sign Bly but I guess signing any veteran CB for depth would be better than nothing.
Moving Reggie Smith back to corner would be a statement that the corner position, minus Harris, is in worse shape than the safety position, which of course is definitely not the case. IMO safety is the weakest position on the team. R.Smith has a chance to be a capable safety and very little chance to be even a mediocre corner.
If most of the corners out there "don't fit what we're trying to do," then bringing in Bly and Kelly, should be a hint as to what Singletary is looking for in a corner. Neither guy is considered physical. Must be looking for cover corners. Or is experience and a resume of good health the main factor? It will be interesting to see whom they do eventually sign.
Bly has my vote so far.
While were at it might as well bring in O'neal and Surtain as well.
Bly isn't a great fit. We play against big receivers that he doesn't match up well against. As for him as a nickelback, his lack of ability to play zone is what led the Lions to trade him for so little.
Also, it's clear Singletary wants a big physical guy. That's his outlook at every position. It's Mike Singletary. He wants to run the ball, intimidate offenses and all around smash the other team in the mouth.
The question is, can the 49ers afford to be choosy at this point?
I say bring Jimmy Williams back and make him get down to his college playing weight of 215 and have him try corner again.
Choosy Kids Choose Bly!
ESPN Reports:
The 49ers wasted no time finding a replacement for injured cornerback Walt Harris because they reached a one-year deal with cornerback Dre Bly, according to a source.
Here's hoping Brown locks down the #2 spot and Bly covers the small, quick inside guy.