Draft Review

The 49ers selected players at many of their needs. But did they select the right players?

It's highly likely that the people who assign grades based on their own rankings and knee-jerk reactions will not assign a gold star to the 49ers' draft class.

But the only thing that matters is how the players perform, and if those selected are able to contribute to a rise in the 49ers' win totals over the next few seasons. So until those returns come in, it's just the 49ers' opinion vs. everyone else's.

OLB Aldon Smith Missouri (6-5, 260)

First round, No. 7 overall

He impressed the 49ers with his willingness to return after three weeks to play with a fractured fibula. He's young, having just turned 21, and still developing his pass-rush technique. He mostly played defensive end in college, so it's a projection to think he can be effective in the transition to outside linebacker, where he's slated to replace Manny Lawson. If he struggles with the new position, he should still be able to get on the field immediately on third downs when he'll line up at defensive end to get after the quarterback.



QB Colin Kaepernick Nevada (6-4 5/8; 230)

Second round, No. 36 overall

Yes, he's a project. But, as Harbaugh pointed out, all young quarterbacks are projects. Kaepernick comes from Nevada's "Pistol" offense and will have to learn how to take snaps under center and get out of the mindset of using his legs as much as his throwing arm. Harbaugh says Alex Smith is the favorite to be the 49ers' starting quarterback this season -- now that Smith has convinced Harbaugh that he'll re-sign once the NFL opens the door to free agency. Harbaugh has given Smith a copy of the new 49ers playbook. "There's some trust there," Harbaugh said.

CB Chris Culliver South Carolina (6-0 3/8; 199)

Third round, No. 80 overall

The 49ers began a run of cornerbacks in the middle of the third round. Within the next 10 pick, cornerbacks DeMarcus Van Dyke (Miami), Johnny Patrick (Louisville), Shareece Wright (USC) and Curtis Marsh (Utah State) went off the board. The 49ers drafted Culliver as a cornerback, where he played as a senior. He has experience at safety and has kick-return skills, too. Culliver adds speed and athleticism to the secondary. But is he a better option as a 2011 starter than veterans Nate Clements or Shawntae Spencer?

RB Kendall Hunter Oklahoma State (5-7 1/4, 199)

Fourth round, No. 115 overall

The 49ers brought in Hunter for a visit several weeks before the draft to gauge his ability to learn and adapt to an NFL offense. Obviously, Hunter left a strong enough impression. The club added the exciting runner as a player who should be able to take at least a handful of carries every game away from workhorse Frank Gore. Of the 10 players the 49ers selected in this draft, Hunter might be in line to have the greatest immediate production. His first task is to wrestle the backup job away from Anthony Dixon.

C-G Daniel Kilgore Appalachian State (6-3, 308)

Fifth round, No. 163 overall

The 49ers are set at both tackle positions and left guard. But there is uncertainty at center and right guard. Center David Baas is a free agent, and Eric Heitmann's future is in doubt after missing last season with a neck injury. Right guard Chilo Rachal has been inconsistent. The 49ers were high enough on Kilgore that they traded up 11 spots into the end of the fifth round to select him. Kilgore played both guard and tackle spots in college. He played center in a spread offense in high school. He also lined up there in the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game.

WR Ronald Johnson USC (5-10 3/4, 185)

Sixth round, No. 182 overall

The 49ers selected slot receiver/return man Kyle Williams in the sixth round last year. In Johnson, the 49ers got a similar player in about the same draft spot. Johnson got a glowing recommendation from 49ers receivers coach John Morton, who worked with Johnson the past four seasons as a USC position coach. "My ears and Trent's ears really perk up when you hear that," Harbaugh said. "The guy loves the game, loves practice. That's the best hours of his day is when he's out there on the practice field. Those things when they're coming from the position coach, and he's so passionate about it, that's the thing that really gets your attention." Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan are secure as the starters. Johnson will compete with Ted Ginn, Williams and Dominique Zeigler to get onto the field.

S Colin Jones TCU (5-11 1/2, 201)

Sixth round, No. 190 overall

Interestingly, Jones' best college game came on the biggest stage, when he put together a strong all-around performance against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Harbaugh was at TCU's pro day and chatting with quarterback Andy Dalton when Jones ran a great time in the 40. Dalton identified Jones for Harbaugh, who immediately took notice. "There's a guy," Harbaugh said, "that I cannot wait to watch him run down on a kickoff, full throttle, running his 4.3 with his mindset to get from point A to Point B and go hit somebody."

FB Bruce Miller Central Florida (6-1 5/8, 248)

Seventh round, No. 211 overall

This was the most curious pick of the 49ers' draft. At the combine, Miller was talking to 49ers linebackers coach Jim Leavitt. But in the days leading up to the draft, running backs coach Tom Rathman received the handoff. Miller was the Conference-USA defensive player of the year while recording 8.5 sacks as a defensive end. (That's three more sacks than Aldon Smith recorded during his injury-plagued final season.) The 49ers have Miller slated to be a fullback. But he's a guy Harbaugh said he just wanted on his team, period. "It's like a blinking light, 'I'm a football player, I'm a football player.'" Harbaugh said. "He may also be a pass rusher too. So, we're not closing the door on any options with that youngster. I think he is a football player."

C-G Mike Person Montana State (6-4 1/2, 299)

Seventh round, No. 239 overall

Person is in the same mold as Kilgore, whom the 49ers selected two rounds earlier. Both Person and Kilgore played left tackle during their senior seasons. "So, we looked at those guys, both Person and Kilgore, as guys that played the most difficult position on the offensive line," Baalke said. "(Both) had the athletic traits that we were looking for -- the toughness, the intelligence to develop and move inside." It was quite a day for Person. Later Saturday, he was named the winner of the Little Sullivan Award, as the outstanding amateur male athlete in the state of Montana.

CB Curtis Holcomb Florida A&M (5-10, 192)

Seventh round, No. 250 overall

The 49ers selected their second cornerback with their final pick. Holcomb was extremely grateful the 49ers and, specifically, defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, would take a chance on a small-college player. Holcomb was a starter throughout his college career with 12 interceptions. "I played on three out of four special teams," Holcomb said. "I'm a cornerback, a special-teams guy, an overall complete football player."

49ers QB Smith given playbook; coach expects him to return

By Matthew Barrows - mbarrows@sacbee.com

Published: Sunday, May. 1, 2011 - 12:00 am
Page 7C
SANTA CLARA – Coach Jim Harbaugh has said he wants, even expects, quarterback Alex Smith to return to the 49ers every time he has been asked in recent weeks, and he stuck to that theme Saturday.

"I strongly feel that Alex is going to come back here," he said.

But perhaps the coach's actions speak louder than his words. Harbaugh also said he has given Smith the team's offensive playbook even though Smith, a free agent, isn't on the team. In normal circumstances, coaches don't let their playbooks off the premises for fear of them falling into enemy hands. Giving one to a player who might wind up on another team is unheard of. All of which points strongly to Smith returning for his seventh season. Smith has a standing, one-year offer from the 49ers.

"He has not signed," Harbaugh said. "There's a leap of faith there."

On Friday, teams had a short window to meet with veteran players before the lockout was temporarily reinstated. Harbaugh said he met with Smith for 30 to 40 minutes, mostly to catch up on family matters. Smith and his wife, Elizabeth, are expecting their first baby any day, which is another reason to think Smith will remain with the 49ers. Smith has not returned several calls seeking comment. Having the playbook would allow Smith to orchestrate workouts if the lockout drags on during the offseason. Smith has been part of a group of a dozen or so 49ers who have been training together in the San Jose area.

On Friday, Harbaugh said second-round draft pick Colin Kaepernick would have a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job. But Saturday, Harbaugh gave the edge to Smith in a hypothetical competition.

"Alex is definitely going to have the head start," Harbaugh said. "He's played in the NFL. … If I'm a betting man, I'm betting on Alex Smith."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/01/3592416/49ers-qb-smith-given-playbook.html#ixzz1L8RFNtVW

Uncharted waters, and the 49ers are rudderless at QB

From Matt Barrows, The Sac Bee, April 5th


Dumbfounding fact of the day: The 49ers have an extra sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft that they received for perennial underachiever Kentwan Balmer and an extra seventh rounder they received for perennial overachiever Shaun Hill. The compensation for Balmer is 41 slots better than the compensation for Hill. Sigh.

With 12 total picks, the 49ers will head into the draft with more selections than any other team. And, yes, the picks they received in exchange for Hill and Balmer potentially could be packaged with others so that the 49ers can move up and target specific players.
Still, the 49ers would have been much better off if they had kept Hill.

They shipped him to Detroit for a seventh-round selection, and for far more money signed David Carr as the team's primary backup. Carr, of course, ended up being leapfrogged by Mike Singletary-favorite Troy Smith and falling to No. 3 in the quarterback pecking order. The new regime has opted to move on from Smith and may not be too enamored of Carr, either. As previously reported, Harbaugh gave Carr a low grade when Carr, the eventual No. 1 pick, was entering the draft in 2002.

Hill, meanwhile, showed the same kind of leadership and moxie in Detroit when starter Matthew Stafford suffered a separated shoulder last year as he did in San Francisco when Alex Smith dealt with shoulder injuries in 2007 and 2008. It's a safe guess that Hill is one of the veteran Lions players organizing workouts and practices during the lockout especially since Stafford is still recovering from his injury.

The 49ers, meanwhile, could use such a player. There's a modest contingent working out together in the South Bay, but it's an offensive lineman, Joe Staley, and a defensive lineman, Justin Smith, who are the primary organizers. Hill might not have the physical attributes Harbaugh is seeking in a future starter, but he is everything a head coach wants in a locker-room leader and he would have been an ideal "bridge" quarterback for 2011 while Harbaugh developed a youngster.

Smith wants to stay with the Niners

From the Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Alex Smith believes he isn't finished with the San Francisco 49ers, and he seems willing to take a big pay cut to prove it. After two months of silence on his future, the former No. 1 draft pick expressed his eagerness Wednesday to stay with the 49ers next season, even if it means restructuring his contract. "I came here to be a great player," Smith said. "Obviously, I've had some setbacks and things have gotten in my way, and I'm working my way around them. I want to get back out here, and that's something that really inspires me. I think it's easy to look at some alternative choices ... but I really feel the right thing to do is to do it the right way." Former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan chose the Utah quarterback with the top pick in 2005 — and then pretty much ruined him during four tumultuous seasons of injuries and inconsistency amid a revolving cast of teammates and offensive coordinators.

Smith, who has missed this season on injured reserve with shoulder woes, realizes his lucrative contract would have to be altered to prevent the 49ers (5-9) from being forced to cut him for salary-cap purposes. He said he's "absolutely" willing to do so. "It'll be difficult, (but) I think it is something that gets me going," Smith added. "You start to get that chip on your shoulder, trying to prove everybody wrong." Smith took every snap of his second NFL season in 2006, but his career went sideways when he separated his shoulder on a sack by Seattle's Rocky Bernard in September 2007. He tried to return too soon from the injury, and his poor play caused a schism between the quarterback and Nolan. While he won't overtly blame Nolan for his struggles, Smith probably doesn't miss the fired coach, who has repeatedly found subtle ways to criticize Smith. The quarterback has no problems with Mike Singletary, formerly Nolan's right-hand man, who took over the club in late October and could return next season.

"I think coach Singletary has done a great job from the sense of eliminating gray," Smith said. "The players have a better understanding of what they're being asked (to do) and what they're responsible for, and what's expected of them. I think in that sense, there's less gray. He's made it more black and white." Smith's career numbers — 4,679 yards passing in 32 games, along with 19 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions — are nothing special, but he's still just 24. Smith also threw to one of the NFL's worst groups of receivers in each of his three campaigns, missing out of this year's arrival of Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson alongside emerging youngsters Jason Hill and Josh Morgan. Smith injured his shoulder again during training camp this year, undergoing his latest surgery in late October. He hasn't begun throwing the ball again, but plans to do so in January after several months of careful rehabilitation.

Rather than leave the Bay Area for rehab, as many injured players often do, Smith stayed in town and participated in regular study sessions with quarterbacks Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan and Jamie Martin. He has attended meetings and games throughout the season, trying to remain a part of the team during its sixth consecutive losing season. Smith and Hill are good friends who attended a San Jose Sharks game together last week, and he's pleased by Hill's success as the 49ers' starter during the second half of this season. Smith doesn't know what Hill's accomplishments will mean for his chances to stick around — and he also realizes there's no guarantee the 49ers want him back, although general manager Scot McCloughan has been unwavering in his support for Smith.

"Obviously, I've got some more time on my hands now and I'm left to think about things," Smith said. "It's all speculation at this point. I've tried to stay focused on doing what I can, and that's getting healthy. That time will come soon enough when I have to deal with that stuff."

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Hill and Pennington have something in common

By Matt Miaocco, The Press Democrat

MIAMI — Quarterback Shaun Hill has not done much wrong in his seven NFL starts. Over the past two seasons, Hill’s record as a starting quarterback with the 49ers is 5-2. The 49ers’ record during that period when Hill was not starting is 5-17. His 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions, to go along with a 97.3 passer rating, is further proof Hill is playing well. But there is one negative — perhaps the only negative — that continues to be associated with Hill. Let’s face it, the man does not possess the strongest arm in the NFL. When the 49ers play the Miami Dolphins this morning, it will match two quarterbacks who have heard the same critique over and over and over.

“It’s perception versus reality,” Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington said. “The reality of it is I don’t think a coach is going to put any quarterback on the field that can’t make the throws necessary to allow the offense to be successful, including the down-the-field throws. “In this league, you have to be able to throw the ball down the field. How hard it is, is meaningless. I think timing, accuracy, understanding when to take a shot, when not to take a shot, and being able to move your football team — that’s more important.” Pennington was run out of the New York Jets organization during training camp in favor of Brett Favre. Pennington went to a team that compiled a league-worst 1-15 record last season, and the Dolphins are now 8-5 and in a tie for first place in the AFC East.

Pennington is the fifth-leading passer in the league with a rating of 93.7. He has thrown 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is doing a great job taking care of the football. Pennington has been sacked 22 times and has fumbled twice. He has not lost a fumble this season. Compare that with J.T. O’Sullivan, who began the season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback. In 7½ games, O’Sullivan threw 11 interceptions and lost six of 11 fumbles, not including another fumble that resulted in a safety. So did the Jets gain anything when they discarded Pennington for Favre? The big-armed Favre has an 88.2 rating with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
“I’ve said time and time again that more games are lost in this league than are actually won based upon the turnover ratio and things like that,” Pennington said. Not surprisingly, Hill has long-admired Pennington’s style.

J.T. O’Sullivan won the 49ers’ starting job in training camp, as Hill’s strength is not his ability to get the ball down the field — a favored element in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s scheme.
But after O’Sullivan’s turnovers continued to pile up, interim coach Mike Singletary made the call to Hill, who brings stability and good decision-making to the field. “He’s always been one of my favorite guys to watch,” Hill said of Pennington. “He’s always been kind of underappreciated and underestimated, and the guy just goes in and wins. “I just like his demeanor out there. Obviously, the guys play for him. He’s not the flashiest guy, that’s for sure. But he gets the job done and he gets it done really well. No matter what, it just seems like his teams are winning.”

So far, the same can be said of Hill.

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Should Shaun Hill Get More Love?

By Scott Dryden, 49ers World

Niner fans wonder what off-season moves the team can make. Can they trade for Donovan McNabb or Derek Anderson? How about signing Matt Cassel or even bringing home Jeff Garcia? Some fans might think the 49ers should spend their money elsewhere particularly if Shaun Hill continues to play the he has. This guy is good, but is he "Franchise QB" good? Who knows where he'll finish in passer rating and touchdown to interception ratio or completion percentage, but if it's anywhere close to where it is now (94.3, 7 td's, 3 int's, 60.3 completion percentage) I would expect many to call for him to be the team's starter for 2009.

I will say this much for him. Shaun Hill COULD be the QB the 49ers want. How many quarterbacks in the league could post a passer rating that high with an offensive line that doesn't protect well and a receiving corps that lacks a impact player? If Hill played for the Cowboys he'd probably be a MVP candidate. In the second half against Dallas, Hill looked a lot like Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Both excel at moving in the pocket, both can make the impromptu play and both have the confidence of their teammates. In leading the 49ers to two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Dallas, Hill had one stretch where he completed five straight passes for 87 yards, including the two scores. On three of those passes, he was pressured, but was able to either move out of the pocket, or slide away from pressure and throw. He had completions of 22, 30 and 18 yards against a defense that was warding against the long pass. With more seasoning and time as a starter, he's the type of quarterback who could get better. Also consider that in five of his seven appearances, he has compiled a rating of over 100, and in his first start, his completion percentage of .815 set an NFL record.

If Shaun Hill was Alex Smith, given the expectations there were for him, fans would be hailing the coronation of another proficient 49ers quarterback. It is a tough situation to be in for Hill, and I'm not discounting what he has accomplished with yet another garbage 49ers squad; he's 3-2 playing for this year's mess. I still firmly believe rather than signing or trading for a QB, that the future is in a 2009 draft pick, but as a fill in til that guy to be named later is ready, Hill might be a perfect fit.

His humble beginnings, (six of his first seven seasons spent mostly as a third quarterback), less than artistic style (even running back Frank Gore says Hill plays ugly) and lack of support from offensive coordinator Mike Martz (he remains enamored with O'Sullivan) has conspired against Hill. But if Hill continues to play well, the 49ers should concentrate their off-season spending energy on getting talent to surround him - but focus future QB needs on a smartly used '09 draft pick.

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Camp Preview: Offensive Line

From 49ers.com, July 14th

OFFENSIVE LINE (14) New: G Brian De La Puente (Rookie), T Chilo Rachal (Rookie), T Alan Reuber (2nd Year), G/T Barry Sims (10th Year), G Jeb Terry (4th Year), T Joe Toldeo (3rd Year), C Cody Wallace (Rookie)Returners: G David Baas (4th Year), T Damane Duckett (4th Year), C Eric Heitmann (7th Year), T Jonas Jennings (8th Year), T/G Adam Snyder (4th Year), T Joe Staley (2nd Year), G Tony Wragge (4th Year)

Departed: G Larry Allen, T Kwame Harris, G Justin Smiley

The importance of the offensive line has been a focus of Nolan and McCloughan since their arrival in 2005. The 49ers feel they have improved the offensive line and are excited about the starting group. Center Eric Heitmann will be joined by Adam Snyder at left guard, David Baas at right guard, Joe Staley at left tackle and Jonas Jennings at right tackle. Nolan knows the importance of keeping this core group together. “The continuity from this point forward is instrumental in us being successful on the offensive line,” Nolan commented. Baas, Heitmann, Jennings and Snyder have all been part of an offensive line that made excellent progress in 2005 and 2006. Staley joined the group in 2007 and responded with an outstanding rookie season. “The offensive line is the heart and soul of any football team,” offered Martz. “If you have a really good offensive line it allows you to do what you want.” Although San Francisco will have many of the same faces in 2008, several players will shuffle positions around Heitmann at center. “We’ve done this to get our best five offensive linemen on the field at the same time,” explained Nolan. “In a perfect world, they all stay put at their positions, and I would like to think that’s what we have created right now.” Heitmann, who is in his seventh year out of Stanford, was named by his fellow players as the Bobb McKittrick Award winner given to the team’s top offensive lineman each of the past two seasons. He played every snap as the starting center in 2007 and was also the Ed Block Courage Award recipient after his courageous return from a broken left leg suffered late in the 2006 campaign. Baas started all eight of the club’s contests in the second half of 2007 at right guard after last year’s starter Justin Smiley went down with a shoulder injury and will begin the year as the starter at that spot in 2008.

Jennings, Snyder and Staley are all moving positions from last season. Jennings, who has proven to be an excellent player when healthy, will move from left tackle to right tackle. He played some at right tackle as a rookie with Buffalo in 2001, but has spent the majority of his career at left tackle. Snyder is a versatile lineman that has experience at both tackle and guard during his three seasons with San Francisco. He started 11 games at left tackle in 2007 after Jennings was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Staley is slated to move over to the left tackle position after a sensational campaign a year ago at right tackle when he became the first rookie in club history to start all 16 games. “The reason I think Joe will be a good left tackle is his mental toughness,” commented Nolan. “Last year, we traded up to get Joe in the draft, and it was probably one of the best moves we’ve ever made.” Tony Wragge is another versatile offensive lineman that can play any position on the line. Wragge saw action in five games as a reserve for the 49ers last season, while converted defensive lineman Damane Duckett spent most of the 2007 campaign as a practice squad player learning his new position. San Francisco used the draft again in 2008 to add depth by selecting tackle Chilo Rachal (USC) and center Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) in the second and fourth rounds, respectively. Rachal played guard in college but has been converted to tackle with the 49ers. The 49ers also signed 10th-year NFL veteran Barry Sims and three players with NFL experience – Alan Reuber, Jeb Terry and Joe Toledo – to boost its depth. Undrafted free agent Brian De La Puente (California) will also battle for a roster spot.

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Johnson hopes to prove worthy of long-term gig

Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat

Bryant Johnson picked an unlikely spot for a receiver to try to build up his career. He chose a team that has ranked 32nd, 29th and 32nd in passing yards the past three seasons. "I'm fired up to be part of this offense," Johnson said before packing his bags and leaving town recently at the end of the 49ers' organized-team activities.

Johnson was looking for a fresh start after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He took a quick visit at the start of free agency to meet with the Buffalo Bills. There were reports out of Buffalo that Johnson and the Bills agreed to terms. But after being available on the market for another couple weeks, Johnson had to face the facts. He was not going to receive the kind of lucrative contract he sought.

"In the situation I was in (with the Cardinals), I wasn't a starter," Johnson said. "I feel I'm in a great situation to prove myself here and sign a long-term deal and finish my career here." When asked about his thoughts on eventually signing a long-term deal with the 49ers, Johnson said, "I think there's a possibility. It's all predicated on how I perform this year. Everything so far is positive." Johnson signed a one-year deal, $2 million deal with the 49ers on March 17. He received a $750,000 signing bonus, a base salary of $1 million and $250,000 in workout bonuses. Johnson said he felt comfortable signing with the 49ers because he is rejoining his former receivers coach, Jerry Sullivan, and also because of the Mike Martz factor. Receivers want to play in this pass-happy offense.

Johnson, 27, was a first-round pick of the Cardinals out of Penn State in 2003. Johnson (6-3, 213) has good size and speed. He averaged 18.5 yards per reception in his second NFL season. Johnson was always around 40 receptions with the Cardinals. Based on his role in the offseason program, Johnson looks to have a chance to be the 49ers' top wideout this season. He said he is looking forward to taking the lessons he learned playing behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and applying them as potentially the No. 1 receiver with the 49ers. Johnson is slated to start at split end for the 49ers. "This is my first chance of being able to step in and not be overshadowed by Larry and Anquan," Johnson said. "Everybody wants to have the chance to be the go-to guy. But in the position I was in, I thought I did a good job when I was called upon to come in and not lose a beat. It was a learning experience to play behind two Pro Bowl receivers. Also, playing with Kurt Warner was great. He helped me tremendously." Johnson ranked third on the Cardinals last season with 46 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns. Combined, Fitzgerald and Boldin caught 171 passes for more than 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns.

"I'm just going to have a lot more opportunity here, as opposed to just coming in on third downs or certain situations," Johnson said.

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Position By Position Battles - Quarterbacks

With the training camp count down to 24 days, we thought we'd evaluate the positions going into camp, starting with everyone's favorite, quarterback.

ALEX SMITH

Alex Smith rolled right in a game last year against the Saints at Candlestick and then he glared at an open receiver 7 yards away. A voice rang out from above the 49ers' press box as Smith continued to cling to the ball and stare. "THROW IT! (BLEEPING) THROW IT!" He eventually did, completing the pass. But with Smith's inexplicable delay, the play went for 2 yards instead of 8 or 10. The voice may have belonged to a fan. More likely, it was one of the 49ers coaches. Their booth is upstairs from where the media sits and at times, their voices can be heard through the open window, particularly when they yell. Can Mike Martz tap Alex Smith's talent?
The story illustrates Smith's major challenge as he attempts to retain his job against challengers Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan - the ability to think and act quickly. If one quote illuminates Smith's checkered four-year career, it's the oft-mentioned one his former coach at Utah issued. Urban Meyer, who now coaches the Florida Gators, said the day Smith was drafted that unless Smith knows exactly what the offense and defense is doing, he'll be "non-functional." Last year, offensive coordinator Jim Hostler put too much on Smith. Hostler expanded the playbook and forced the quarterback to rifle through a series of reads on every play and made him responsible, at times, for recognizing blitzes. It compounded Smith's perfectionist tendencies and froze him. One 49ers defender complained privately that in drills without a pass rush, Smith would sit back and stare at the patterns instead of throwing.

So can Smith know his own offense and the opposing defense enough to unlock his abundant talent when a defensive staff works 500 hours in a given week trying to confound him? And on offense, Smith himself said it's impossible to know the entire Mike Martz scheme, making it sound as if Martz's offense was "The blob," - a breathing, moving and ever-expanding organism?

Martz, nevertheless, may save him. He recognized what Norv Turner saw two years ago - that he must unclutter Smith's mind. Give him one or two reads and then instruct him to either throw it away or take off all the while making Smith process everything faster - the huddle, his drop, his recognition, his delivery. Turner constantly hounded Smith to hurry in practice, sometimes doing it while he dropped to throw. When 49ers.com slapped a mic on Martz during one of the June OTA practices, Martz was captured imploring Smith to hurry three times. I thought of a story I did on him in the Chronicle a few weeks after he was drafted while watching Smith this spring in OTA's easily out-perform his challengers.

Smith and his family graciously allowed a photographer and me to go to his parents' home in San Diego for a profile. With his Dad, Doug, a former prep football coach and now a high school principal, Smith watched his game tapes. I asked the Smiths to pop in a tape and talk about what they saw. We watched parts of different games while father and son broke down the plays. Smith looked and sounded like football's version of a young Jason Kidd. He was a step ahead on everything and he exuded confidence, even a cockiness. On the screen, Smith digested the defense in an instant and fired the ball to an open receiver despite having five of them in the pattern on nearly every play. In Smith, there's something special. But can it be tapped or is there too much baggage after disappointments, injuries, a once-poisoned relationship with his head coach and four coordinators in four years? Can Smith remove all of that plus his own immense, play-stopping intellect to get to the pool of talent below? In training camp and the season the answer will un-spool.

SHAUN HILL

Hill is the anti-Alex. While Smith was tossed into the lineup as a 21-year-old rookie, Hill threw one incomplete pass in his first five seasons in the league. Smith was a first overall pick, Hill was undrafted. Smith was looked upon as the franchise quarterback, Hill needed to beat out Jesse Palmer and then former University of Akron player Luke Getsy the last two seasons just to claim his roster spot.

Shaun Hill is a gamer.

While Smith can look impressive in practice, coach Mike Nolan said Hill saves his best for games. Hill also "throws through" or throws to an area before a receiver breaks, something that Smith struggles with. But like Smith, last year, Hill also had a defining play. It came in the third quarter of his first start against the Bengals at home. Faced with a third down in a tight game, Hill settled in a shotgun formation. At the snap, tight end Vernon Davis didn't move, seemingly forgetting the snap count. It allowed defensive end Robert Geathers a free pass at Hill. But he avoided Geathers with two quick steps, one towards the line of scrimmage and the other to his right. As Geathers flew past, a composed Hill continued to run right and threw a completion to running back Maurice Hicks for the first down. Hill executed the play so adroitly, you had to look at the replay a few times to see what happened. But can Hill maintain this excellence of play? He tore up the Bengals completing 21 of 28 passes for 197 yards. While subbing for the concussed Trent Dilfer a week earlier against the Vikings, he completed 22 of 28 passes for 181 yards. Minnesota gave up more passing yards than any other team in the league last year. Cincinnati ranked 26th in that category.

When Hill faced Tampa Bay, which owned the stingiest pass defense in the league, he was 11 of 24 for 123 yards. In all of his appearances except Tampa Bay, his completion percentage was high and his yardage was low, which confirms his lack of arm strength. The overriding questions for Hill: Is he athletic enough and is his arm strong enough to overthrow Smith for the starting job? He faces another challenge. The 49ers paid Smith about $7 million this offseason to continue his contract, meaning Smith has strong advocates within the organization.

J.T. O'SULLIVAN

The former UC Davis player deserves some sort of award. Who can name a quarterback who has existed on the fringes of nine NFL rosters in seven seasons? It's an unusual feat. Martz has an abiding belief in O'Sullivan and seemingly insists that he be part of the competition for the starting job.

Sims seems like a sound signing

The 49ers' signing of former Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Barry Sims may not stir up as many waves as recent additions like Justin Smith and Nate Clements, but fans shouldn’t underestimate what Sims brings to the fold.Sims is perhaps best remembered for his false start fiascoes in Oakland (he actually led all NFL offensive linemen in that category last year), but judging him simply on that standard would be quite unfair. Sims has started 118 games in the last nine years, demonstrating both durability and a high enough level of play to remain in Oakland's weekly lineup. That's not to say he is a Pro Bowler at the position, but Sims is certainly a capable player at the right tackle spot, which is, coincidentally, a huge area of concern for the 49ers.Besides the obvious -- veteran leadership -- what does Sims add to the 49ers? Examining the signing in a worst-case scenario, Sims simply brings some quality depth along an offensive line which sorely needs it. The 49ers should field a line of Joe Staley, David Baas or Chilo Rachal, Eric Heitmann, Adam Snyder and Jonas Jennings (assuming he's healthy). Sims fits neatly as the primary backup at tackle and allows the 49ers to move several players around to their natural positions.

If the Sims signing should serve notice to any member of San Francisco's O-line, it is undoubtedly Jennings. It’s hard to fault the talented Jennings for his injury-filled history, but the Sims signing is clearly an indication that Jennings' job is on the line. Sims will push Jennings, and the camp battle should be ferocious for the No. 1 right tackle spot. Jennings should work hard to be in the top shape of his life, and Sims should push him to play the best football of his career. Furthermore, competition such as this should not be overlooked because it generally incites a higher level of play from each combatant associated. Beyond simply pushing Jennings, Sims will allow the 49ers to slide Snyder inside to his more natural guard position along with Rachal, a rookie second-round pick from USC. Thanks to the lack of depth, Rachal had been working at the right tackle spot, but adding Sims should facilitate Rachal's move back to guard, where he could be exceptional for the 49ers.

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Niner Notes

Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee, May 29, 2008

Quarterback race is more like a marathon

In a perfect world, the 49ers will emerge from OTAs on June 20 with a distinct pecking order at quarterback. The player at the top of that order will head into training camp July 24 as the No. 1 quarterback. He'll get most of the first-team reps, he'll look fantastic in preseason games and he'll enter the season as the unquestioned leader of the team. "At this point I'm hopeful," Mike Nolan said of having a clear-cut No. 1 on June 20. "But I won't hold myself to it." Nolan knows the reality will be messier. The question is whether we're talking Barack-vs.-Hillary messy. The 49ers quarterback competition certainly has the potential to drag on and on and on like the Democratic nomination process.

Consider this not farfetched scenario. I figure Alex Smith will take the early lead in the coaches' minds. After all, he looks great on a practice field. He's tall. He can scramble. And he has the best arm in the 49ers' quarterback stable. Nolan already has commented that Smith added seven pounds of muscle following the 2007 season and looked as physically impressive as he has seen the young passer.

Shaun Hill, meanwhile, is not going to win many best-body competitions. He doesn't have Smith's arm strength, and he has a funny throwing motion. (Though, not as funny as Mariah Carey's). That's why up until last season, Hill has been a career No. 3 quarterback. He simply hasn't been an impressive enough practice player to warrant a closer look.

A Closer Look At the Newest 49ers

As coaches and GMs love to say on cutdown day, it's a numbers game. There are only 53 roster spots available per team at the start of the regular season. The 49ers added six draft picks. Some draftees - Kentwan Balmer, Chilo Rachal, Reggie Smith and Cody Wallace - are virtually assured roster spots. Josh Morgan and Larry Grant have work to do to stick on the final roster.
Here is the breakdown of what each new addition means to the team:

Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer
What it means for him: Chosen in the first round, Balmer must make an immediate contribution. The 49ers are keeping an open mind. They plan to use him at nose tackle and left end before settling on a spot for him. Either way, he figures to get a lot of playing time as a rookie.
What it means for others: Aubrayo Franklin enters the second year of a three-year, $6.1 million contract. Isaac Sopoaga, who was Franklin's back up last season, recently signed a five-year, $20 million deal. Sopoaga will make twice as much as Franklin, which might be a clue which player's starting job is the most tenuous. The plan is to move Sopoaga to left end. Justin Smith, Sopoaga, Balmer, Franklin, Ronald Fields and Ray McDonald figure to be on the team. Guys such as Joe Cohen, Atiyyah Ellison and Melvin Oliver have to battle to stick around.

Guard Chilo Rachal
What it means for him: When minicamp opens on Friday, Tony Wragge will line up at right guard with the first-team offense. But the door will be open in training camp for Rachal (second-round pick) to get in there. If he shows he can handle the move up to the NFL, Rachal has a good chance to be an opening-week starter.
What it means for others: David Baas will miss a portion of training camp. It's a lot like his rookie season. He was projected as a starter as a rookie, but a hamstring injury kept him sidelined most of camp. He could not recover from missing so much time in training camp. Baas did not move into the starting lineup until injuries forced the issue late his rookie season. Again, he was scheduled to be a starter. Now, he has a long road in front of him to get back on the field after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle last week. After being cleared, he still has to regain his upper-body strength and win his way back into the starting lineup.

Defensive back Reggie Smith
What it means for him: Some view the third-round pick as a Cover 2 corrner. Others see him as a safety. The 49ers envision Smith as a physical, in-your-face cornerback. Because Nate Clements takes the opponents' best receiver and does not get much help, the 49ers want the corner on the other side to be physical at the line of scrimmage. The other corner generally has safety help over the top. If, over a period of time, Smith proves he can't cover NFL receivers, the 49ers have the option to move him to free safety.
What it means for others: Walt Harris is a 13-year vet who eventually must be replaced. The 49ers want to make sure they have some candidates ready to take over. Shawntae Spencer signed a reasonable contract extension in 2006 and has a deal in place through 2012. He has experienced difficulty staying healthy. When healthy, Spencer has not been the most consistent performer, either. Tarell Brown, whom many believed was a second-round value found in the fifth round, is not fully recovered from a partially torn ACL from the final game of the season. The injury did not require surgery. The club expects him to be ready for the start of training camp. After 2005, when the 49ers were picking up free-agent corners off the street and sticking them in the starting lineup, the club has at least built some depth at this spot. A decent player will probably be let go after camp. Marcus Hudson and Donald Strickland, along with Smith, Brown and Spencer will duke it out for backup spots.

Center Cody Wallace
What it means for him: The fourth-round selection comes to the 49ers as a backup to Eric Heitmann. It would be very difficult for a rookie to win a starting job at center over a guy who has been around like Heitmann. So much of the center position is having a grasp for the team's protections and a concept of what the defense is doing.
What it means for others: Heitmann is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. Perhaps, they're lining up their contingency plan. Or, Nolan mentioned that Heitmann is capable of moving to guard, too. With Wallace on the team, obviously the 49ers are not projecting Baas as the next center. This is a big season for Baas, who is signed through 2009. If he has yet to establish himself as a starter, the club might decide he does not fit into their future plans. The 49ers want Adam Snyder to play guard, but I can't help but think the 49ers have the makings of a good long-term offensive line with Joe Staley and Snyder at the tackles, Baas and Rachal at the guards and Wallace at center.

Receiver Josh Morgan
What it means for him: There is not a bona fide No. 1 receiver on the team, so the door is wide open for this sixth-rounder to prove he can be of value to the 49ers. Playing time will be difficult to find as a rookie. He'll have to adjust to Mike Martz's offense and Jerry Sullivan's detailed coaching. He will have to battle through the frustration of learning things that are completely new to him. But Morgan definitely has a chance to stick around. If he takes advantage of some chances, he could work into a significant role. He better come to training camp in great shape. Rookies have never worked like they will during their first NFL training camp. And rookie receivers, in particular, are susceptible to leg injuries.
What it means for others: Jason Hill and Ashley Lelie must get off to a great starts to work their way into positions to get more practice reps. Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle don't seem to be going anywhere. Morgan, conceivably, could push Hill or Lelie back a notch.

Linebacker Larry Grant
What it means for him: The good news for this seventh-round pick is that he projects at a position where the starting job is up for grabs. He'll have an opportunity to compete for the starting "ted' linebacker job. Although it's unlikely he'll win the starting job, Grant can still make a major impact on special teams as a rookie. But the 49ers might keep only four inside linebackers, which means that while he has an outside chance to win a starting job, he is also fighting for a roster spot.
What it means for others: If the 49ers had grabbed Curtis Lofton in the first round, Dontarrious Thomas would have been replaced as a starter before ever starting a game. Grant's acquisition appears to mean that Brandon Moore is, again, pushed to the background. Nolan said Thomas, Jeff Ulbrich and Grant would line up and compete at the "ted," while Brandon Moore will be Patrick Willis' backup at the "mike." The "ted" is the strong inside linebacker position. The team is obviously not convinced Moore has the ability to get off blocks effectively enough to play on the strong side. The door remains open for the 49ers to pursue veteran Takeo Spikes, who is returning from season-ending surgery on his rotator cuff. The Eagles released him (failed physical) earlier this offseason. Because Spikes would play the strong inside position, he would be taking on more blockers, thus exposing himself to more collisions.
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Nolan's Final Draft: A Master Piece of Wasted Opportunities

The 49ers totally screwed the pooch again on the most crucial day of Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan's careers respectively. Draft day. If Nolan doesn't get the Niners off to a good start this season, he will undoubtedly be given his pink slip and McCloughan, Nolan's former assistant and now his "boss", (yeah, right, you really laid down the law, Dr. York) will be shown the door with him....and they did nothing this weekend to help keep that from being a reality.

Start with needs -- a wide receiver would be nice. With apologies to Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill, newcomers Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce, or any wide receiver. "Any" were there. Better than any, in fact. Devin Thomas was there for the picking and he was a first-round pick until pickers began plucking. So was James Hardy. And what about DeSean Jackson? Sorry. Niners pass, even though coach Mike Nolan said it: We need offense.

What else? Another linebacker -- one of those hybrids known as a "rushbacker" would be just the ticket. Or a versatile inside/outside linebacker who can move around and fill spots next time Manny Lawson blows out a knee.

This isn't their fault. They actually had one in mind and not the one I figured they'd look at in Quentin Groves but rather -- Penn State's Dan Connor, who went to Carolina one pick before the 49ers could nab him in the 3rd round, if you're wondering. Instead, they had their eye on Oklahoma's blockier, slower version of Connor, Curtis Lofton. They figured they'd wait until Round 2 to take care of the position. Two picks before their Round 2 shot came up, the Falcons stole him out from under their noses. So they took guard Chilo Rachal, another reasonable need given the injury status of David Baas and the who-knows-where-he-even-is status of Larry Allen, the free-est of free agents.

But what the Niners really needed was a defensive lineman. One of those nice pass-rushing kinds of guys , to play opposite Justin Smith, who will stop at nothing until he's shaken hands with a quarterback and told him how much his stuff stinks.

Instead, they took Balmer. Defensive tackle who will be asked to replace Bryant Young (like anybody could do that) at left end or maybe play a little nosetackle in the 3-4 ... where Isaac Sopoaga would seem to be in a blood feud with Aubrayo Franklin to start. Only Sopoaga is now being billed as a left end. It boggles the mind. Balmer presumably is a burr under the disappointing Franklin's saddle and asked to play . . . At end. At tackle. At discombobulation? Oh, and did I mention this? If it's end, as a sack guy Balmer collected exactly 3.5 last year when he had his one really superior year at North Carolina. That to go along with $45 million dollar man Justin Smith's whopping 2 sacks last year for the Bengals.

Later on, Reggie Smith, in the 3rd from Oklahoma is a solid project corner. Center Cody Wallace in the 4th was a good choice, but that's about it. Josh Morgan, WR from Virginia Tech, the only offensive skill player taken, has off field issues that smell like Thomas Clayton Part II. Nolan finished off with what I say will be his final 49er draft choice by selecting......wait for it.....oh shucks.....another Linebacker!!!!, Larry Grant from Ohio St. in the 7th, to add to the already deepest position on the team.

In summation, they did little to desuade me from expecting the worst. This final act for Nolan, Alex Smith and "GM" Scot McCloughan is in the hands largely of the self-proclaimed "genius" offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz. While Nolan keeps focusing on defense, with the worst offense in the league, Martz will have to make chicken salad out of chicken s@#t to give them any hope of .500. Defense is great Coach Nolan, but you have to score to win.

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Gore-less future spells trouble for Martz's offense

Having sought strength in numbers by acquiring a small army of targets for Alex Smith's sometimes errant passes, 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan must now turn his attention back to the running game in light of reports that Frank Gore, the team's most dangerous offensive weapon, will be sidelined indefinitely with a degenerative condition in his right hip. Although team doctors have yet to determine the severity of Gore's medical woes, the news is devastating to a young team in the midst of a rebuilding process. Initially diagnosed as an inflamed bursa sac in his right hip, the condition is eerily similar to that which abbreviated the career of baseball star Albert Belle, and though immediate treatment may help to prolong Gore's young career, his days as an elite NFL running back appear to be numbered. For his part, Gore remains cautiously optimistic.

"Obviously, this came as a shock to me," he told reporters during a Tuesday press conference. "As a player, you're conditioned to work through the pain. I knew something was wrong, but I never thought it was too serious. At this point, I'm just going to concentrate on working with the doctors and getting back on the field."

But when? Should Gore miss the upcoming season -- an increasingly likely prospect -- offensive coordinator Mike Martz will be forced to build his rushing attack around DeShaun Foster, the Carolina Panthers castoff who has yet to emerge as an every-down back in the NFL. And while McCloughan has done his best to bolster a receiving corps that proved a serious liability last season, it is hard to imagine the 49ers contending in the NFC West without a credible running game.

The Niners will undoubtedly address the situation in the draft, and though they may not land the cream of this year's crop -- Arkansas back Darren McFadden -- there will be plenty of viable options when they make their selection with the 29th pick of the first round. Even so, it would be hard to overestimate the crushing impact of Gore's loss. For a team already struggling to recover from a wasted season and scrambling to fill out a roster riddled with question marks, this is one setback even the most pessimistic 49ers fans could never have envisioned.

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Spikes Not Spiked Yet

Kevin Lynch, San Francisco Chronicle

There's a wee bit of news on the Takeo Spikes front. The team is unconcerned about the middle linebacker's ability to recover from shoulder surgery and the 49ers believe he'd be ready by training camp. When Spikes did visit, the parameters of a deal were discussed and Spikes believes he might get a richer contract elsewhere. Two teams have shown interest and one of them is New England. If no team steps up with a better offer, Spikes would likely sign with San Francisco and be the team's "ted" linebacker next season.

The 49ers also have their eye on a "ted" linebacker in the draft. The team has been bent on getting one since Patrick Willis pounced on the scene last year. Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton could probably be available to them in the second round. Lofton shares Willis's passion for the game. The Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year notched double-digit tackles in each of his games last year. However, Lofton ran a 4.77 40-yard dash at the combine and a 4.67 40 at his pro day. He supposedly plays much faster on the field. Also, he doesn't pass the eyeball test in shorts and a tee-shirt. Great catch by Marcos, noticing on NFLdraftscout.com that 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan attended Auburn defensive end/linebacker's Quinten Groves's pro day. Imagine if the 49ers plucked Groves in the first round and Lofton in the second and signed Takeo Spikes with Mike Nolan and the well-regarded Mike Manusky putting all the pieces together.

Renoberger could be right and Isaac Sopoaga could start as the left defensive end in the 3-4, but if they played a game tomorrow it would be Ronald Fields. Both are likely to get plenty of playing time. By the way, Manny Lawson typically plays on the strong side, with Tully Banta-Cain rushing over the open side. That changed somewhat last year after Lawson tore a knee ligament in September. Many bloggers seem impressed with 40-yard dash times and wonderlic numbers. Both metrics are unreliable predictors of NFL success. Frank Gore and Julian Peterson all had low wonderlics and have become terrific players.

The highest wonderlic scores for recent 49ers include Alex Smith and converted tight end to tackle Patrick Estes. Smith hasn't reached stardom for a variety of reasons, and Estes is clinging to the NFL with all his might. I recently did an running back analysis for another publication and many of the combine studs fizzled in the NFL. Derrick Blaylock, Tatum Bell and particularly Michael Bennett should be amassing Hall of Fame credentials by now. Bennett even clocked a 4.13 at his pro day in Wisconsin, supposedly the fastest time ever for an NFL player. He went over 1,200 yards as a rookie and has bounced around the league since.

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Niners Have Dropped The Ball In Desperate Quest For Wideouts

Matt Maiacco, The Press Democrat


The 49ers continue to search for answers at wide receiver. It is one area of the 49ers' roster in which Scot McCloughan and Mike Nolan have really struggled since coming on board in 2005.
With their release of Darrell Jackson today, the 49ers officially admitted their failure in giving up a fourth-round draft pick to acquire his services a year ago. Jackson was inconsistent last season. He had several critical dropped passes, including one in the end zone against the Rams that could've won a game. Jackson did not fare well for much of the season, as the 49ers received all-around lousy play the passing game. Still, just last week, McCloughan said he expected Jackson and Isaac Bruce to be the starting receivers. In the meantime, the 49ers added receiver Bryant Johnson. Based on what McCloughan said, that means Jackson was no worse than the No. 3 receiver on the team.

Nolan last night called Jackson to inform him he was released. The 49ers aren't doing much talking to the local media these days, so we can only assume why this move was made now.
Perhaps, they figured Jackson was not worth $4 million in salary. That's a reasonable assessment.

The 49ers have no salary-cap issues, but the basic economics of the game dictate that you can't pay a guy that kind of money if you believe his production will not justify his salary. After all, Bryant Johnson is scheduled to make $2 million on his one-year contract. If he was going to be starting ahead of Jackson, that wouldn't have made sense. A year ago, the 49ers traded for Jackson. They coughed up a fourth-round draft pick to the division-rival Seahawks. Obviously, the Seahawks got the better end of that deal. The Seahawks, who have ruled the NFC West for a while, knew what they were doing.

Here are some of the other things that have gone wrong for the 49ers at the wideout spots since 2005:
--Brandon Lloyd was the 49ers' leading receiver in 2005, but he was universally disliked. He made incredible catches but was terrified to go across the middle or block. Any mention of Lloyd has to be regarded as this regime's best move when it comes to wideouts. After all, the 49ers traded him the Redskins in 2006 for two draft picks.
--Rasheed Marshall was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 draft. The 49ers tried to convert the former West Virginia quarterback to wide receiver/return man. He didn't fare well in either duty. His 49ers career consisted on one reception for negative-1 yard.
--Johnnie Morton was at the end of his career when the 49ers signed him in 2005. He caught 21 passes, and was generally a non-factor. The 49ers released him following the season, and he went on to get his butt kicked as an ultimate fighter.
--Brandon Williams was selected with the 84th overall pick. The 49ers envisioned him as a slot receiver/return specialist. He never caught a pass and was ultra-boring as a return man. After just three games of his second season, the 49ers released him to bring in ancient returnman Michael Lewis.
--Antonio Bryant is the most talented receiver the 49ers have had since the departure of Terrell Owens, but his off-the-field issues resulted in a four-game suspension at the end of the 2006 season. This came after Nolan met individually with an unsigned Bryant and felt assured that he had matured enough to be given a chance to join the 49ers. But after Bryant's suspension, the 49ers arrived at the conclusion that he could not be counted on. He was dumped after one season.
--Taylor Jacobs was acquired in a trade with the Redskins for Mike Rumph. There was nothing wrong with that trade because Rumph was going to get cut, anyway. Jacobs had a great offseason last year but never carried it over to the games. He began last season as the No. 3 receiver, but he had a few drops and ran a wrong route against the Steelers that resulted in an interception return for a touchdown.
--Bryan Gilmore is a favorite of receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, who fought hard for him to make the team out of camp last summer. Gilmore was cut. But after Jacobs faltered, the 49ers re-signed Gilmore for the fifth game of the season. Despite being out of work for the first month of the season, Gilmore immediately stepped in to become the No. 3 receiver. Gilmore played 26 games with the 49ers mostly as the No. 3 receiver (he also started three games), yet he caught only 15 passes.
--Ashley Lelie was signed a year ago to a two-year, $4.2 million contract. Lelie was signed as a deep threat. Yet, he rarely got on the practice field during training camp and had zero impact during the season. After a loss to the Ravens, Mike Nolan admitted he had a conversation with opposing defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who said the Ravens were prepared to double-team Lelie because of his speed. However, Lelie rarely got on the field that game. Lelie finished the season with 10 catches for 115 yards.
--Jason McAddley was another player Sullivan really liked after coaching him with the Cardinals. McAddley caught seven passes in 2005 and never played another down for the club.
--LeRon McCoy stole 10 game checks from the 49ers, who placed him on their 53-man roster after five games. He never suited up for a game. And when the 49ers released him prior to the final game of the season to make room for QB Drew Olson, he left the organization for good.
--Jason Hill was a third-round draft pick with a lot of potential. He was hampered by injuries as a rookie. When he was healthy, he was never really given a chance to show what he could do. Hill saw action in just five games and caught just one pass.
--Marcus Maxwell was worth a seventh-round draft pick. Big and fast, Maxwell was seen as a guy who had a chance to develop. He spent just four games on the 49ers' active roster his first two seasons. (He was kept on the practice squad most of that time.) He tore it up in NFL Europe, but did not get much of a chance last year in 49ers training camp. The club released him and he's now with the Bengals.
* * *
It should also be noted, on the positive side, that the current regime renegotiated Arnaz Battle's contract in March 2007. He is signed through 2009 at a very reasonable price. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Battle were the most reliable wideout on the team again this season.
* * *
So that brings us to the moves the 49ers have made this offseason. The club has signed Johnson and Bruce.

The 49ers were not at all interested in Johnson at the start of free agency because they figured he would get more money than he's worth. As it turns out, there were no takers. Johnson fell into the 49ers' lap at $2 million for one year. That's not a bad price for a one-year test drive.
Bruce is near the end of his career, but he has one thing going for him: He's the only receiver on the roster who knows Mike Martz's offense. The 49ers signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract.

You gotta believe these moves will work out better than the other moves the 49ers have made in recent seasons. But, seriously, how could they turn out worse?
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Niners Lose Defensive End, Reportedly Adding Receiver

Tom FitzGerald, San Francisco Chronicle

The 49ers said goodbye Friday to defensive end Marques Douglas, but they are reportedly saying hello to former Arizona Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson. Douglas, an unrestricted free agent who became expendable when the 49ers signed Justin Smith, agreed to a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Douglas, 30, started for the 49ers for three years after leaving the Baltimore Ravens in 2005.

ESPN. com reported that Johnson had agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Johnson, 27, made 210 catches for 2,675 yards and nine touchdowns in five years with the Cardinals, who drafted him in the first round (the 17th overall pick) in the 2003 draft out of Penn State. The 6-foot-3 receiver had 46 catches last year for 528 yards and two touchdowns. He has played third fiddle to Pro Bowlers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and was looking for a team where he could play a larger role.

The 49ers brought in free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes on Thursday but have not signed the former member of the Bengals and Bills.

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On The Subject Of Briggs, Wide Receivers, Etc...

Contrary to my comments last night lamenting that the Niners should still be seeking out able hands to fill out the receiving corps, a team insider had this opinion.

From Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat,

"...don't expect the 49ers to sign another wide receiver in free agency. When the signing period began, the 49ers did not see many players capable of being No. 1 receivers. But there were a whole bunch of receivers who were going to get paid like No. 1 receivers. According to reports: Bernard Berrian got a six-year, $42 million contract with $16 million guaranteed from the Vikings; Jerry Porter got six years, $30 mil with $10 mil guaranteed from the Jaguars; Donte' Stallworth got seven years, $35 mil with $10 mil guaranteed from the Browns.

The 49ers apparently don't have any interest in oft-injured Javon Walker, whom the Broncos released, or D.J. Hackett, despite rumors to the contrary.

It doesn't seem to make much sense to bring in another No. 2 or No. 3-type receiver. The 49ers already have Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson. WR coach Jerry Sullivan talked late in the season as if he thought Ashley Lelie was ready to excel. Then, there's also youngster Jason Hill. You can also expect the 49ers to spend a first-day draft pick on a wideout."

* * *
On the subject of often rumored LB Lance Briggs, he has reportedly resigned with the Bears. Terms have not yet been announced.
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Don't Stop At Bruce

So far in free-agency, the 49ers have addressed the most pressing need - at wide receiver, with the addition of 15 year veteran and future hall-of-famer Isaac Bruce. While this is a quick fix which may yield a year or at most 2 years of help to a struggling unit, it won't be enough. Upon review of the U.F.A. (Unrestricted Free Agent) list, there are several viable options for the Niners to beef up the wide-out position. Since this team has never drafted a legitimate target in the 1st round (with the one notable exception being the greatest receiver ever), I don't have a lot of faith in their ability to find one this April's draft.

Many of these guys would be a considerable upgrade on Brian Gilmore, Ashley Lelie, Darrell Jackson, and even Arnaz Battle. If they stop targeting improvement with the Bruce signing, they will be simply continuing the recent trend, (since T.O.'s departure in 2003), of stocking leftovers and table scraps as "playmakers". Here are some bonifide playmakers to keep an eye out for, including the recently rumored Javon Walker.

- Bryant Johnson (WR) UFA - 6'3"/213 - 5th Season (Cardinals)

- Javon Walker (WR) UFA - 6'3"/ 215 - 6th Season (Broncos)

- Jabar Gaffney (WR) UFA - 6'1"/200 - 6th Season (Patriots)

- Nate Washington (WR) RFA - 6'1"/185 - 3rd Season (Steelers)

- D.J. Hackett (WR) UFA - 6'2"/208 - 3rd Season (Seahawks)

- Randy Moss (WR) UFA - 6'4"/210 - 10th Season (Patriots) (They don't have a hope in hell, but it's fun to dream, isn't it?)

Oh, and while they're at it, why not take a flyer on local (Fresno St. product) former 1st overall QB David Carr. Why you ask? A couple of reasons:
1. A better 3rd QB option that J.T. O'Sullivan (sounds like an Irish Pub, not a QB)
2. Maybe 3rd team's a charm for Carr
3. Already one 1st overall bust on the team, there's room for another

But seriously, he showed enough in Houston, maybe not Carolina, that had he had help, they may have amounted to something. Wouldn't hurt to at least bring him in for O.T.A.'s and camp.
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Free Agent Friday - Day One Recap

A recap of the first day of free-agency chronologically by Matt Maiocco , The Press Democrat

9:41 a.m.: I asked (via text message) Justin Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, if his client will visit the Vikings after meeting with the 49ers today. His answer: "That's our intent!"
10:58 a.m.: This has nothing to do with free agency, but the 49ers have announced that Candlestick Park will be Candlestick Park once again in June after the naming-rights contract with Monster runs out. Did anyone really call it Monster, anyway?
10:59 a.m.: The 49ers' first official signing is in the books. The club has signed return specialist Allen Rossum, whom the Steelers cut eight days ago. Rossum's deal is one year for the veteran minimum.
11:36 a.m.: I've heard the 49ers have started serious talks with recently released Rams receiver Isaac Bruce. Mike Martz, understandably, really wants him.
11:52 a.m.: OK, I arrived at the 49ers' team complex in Santa Clara a few minutes ago after my hour-plus drive from home. It's my understanding that Justin Smith has not yet arrived. The 49ers obviously do not want Smith to leave today without a contract. But how high are they willing to go to sign him. I've been told the club is prepared to spend in the neighborhood of $8 million annually.
12:12 p.m.: Don't hold your breath waiting for an Alan Faneca signing with the 49ers. Although it's true that the 49ers made initial contact, it does not appear they are real serious players. The word is that Faneca is going to the Jets for $20 million guaranteed, which is what was reported here on Wednesday.
12:17 p.m.: Frankly, I'm surprised the talk of Faneca has gotten this far. That's a heck of a lot of money to pay at a position that GM Scot McCloughan is on record as saying should not get big, big bucks. Right now, the 49ers have David Baas, Adam Snyder and Tony Wragge as potential starting guards. Also, you can be sure they'll add another couple players -- think second tier free agent and/or the draft.
12:20 p.m.: If the early reports about Kwame Harris are true (five years, $27.5 million with $10 million to sign from the Raiders), it makes that Joe Staley acquisition look really, really good. After all, Harris was Staley's backup. If Harris can command that kind of money, how much is Staley worth right now?
12:35 p.m.: Just another confirmation of a confirmation. LB Dontarrious Thomas, I'm told,"It's a done deal."
12:59 a.m.: While there's a lull, I thought I'd pass along a link to the latest Cohn vs. Cohn, in which they relive the experience of Steve Young meeting the young Cohn a few years back.
1:11 p.m.: To my knowledge, Isaac Bruce is the only receiver the 49ers are pursuing. McCloughan said yesterday that there are a dearth of No. 1 receivers in free agency, and that is a position that is not a lot of value for the buck. Martz's offense is complex, especially for receivers. Bruce would be the only receiver with prior knowledge of the system. This draft got a lot deeper with the influx of junior WRs. Martz has been darn good about finding guys to fit his system in the draft.
1:21 p.m.: There is a report Lance Briggs will visit with the Buccaneers. I can't confirm that. But, for the 1,000th time, I can say that the 49ers aren't in the mix.
1:45 p.m.: Still waiting to confirm the presence of Justin Smith and Isaac Bruce in the building. Hopefully, official word will be coming shortly.
1:49 p.m.: The 49ers have locked the back gate, just outside the media trailer. Apparently, the entrance/exit to be used is through the back. I can't get back there now. There is also word that the club does not plan to let the media have any contact with any free agent(s) who might be in the building.
1:52 p.m. Justin Smith is HERE. It's been confirmed.
2:30 p.m.: The waiting game continues . . . in the meantime, some have wondered about the end of NFL Europe. Just ran into Fitz Ollison, who formerly worked for the 49ers. He is joining the All American Football League, which kicks off April 14 in college towns. It is seen as a league that will cater to a bunch of the players who might have found themselves on NFL Europe rosters in the past. Teams are located in Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Michigan.
2:42 p.m.: The NFL Network is on in the background. They're running old stuff from the combine. They're showing the linebacker drills and, man, Jason Tarver is getting some major face time on TV. Tarver is on the 49ers' coaching staff as defensive assistant/outside linebackers.
3:14 p.m.: Isaac Bruce is not here. (Never was here today.) And Justin Smith has left the building (without being detected.
3:15 p.m.: I can only presume at this point that Smith has left without a contract agreement and his free-agency tour continues. As for Bruce, I believe there is still a strong possibility that he ends up in a 49ers uniform this season.
3:24 p.m.: The guys at the Star Tribune write that Smith is tentatively scheduled to visit the Vikings on Saturday. Earlier today when I communicated with Smith's agent, he said it was their "intent" to visit the Vikings. He hasn't returned my text messages or calls since.
3:54 p.m.: OK, it's official but not official. QB J.T. O'Sullivan has agreed to terms with the 49ers, said his agent Steve Baker. The contract will be signed in the coming days.
3:58 p.m.: Here comes word from Jim Steiner, Justin Smith's agent: "Nothing to report (with the 49ers). He is scheduled to go to (Minnesota) tomorrow."
4:13 p.m.: Don't think the 49ers are going to over-extend on Smith. They're willing to pay him a very nice contract, but I'm told their ceiling is about $8 million a year.
4:25 p.m.: OK, so let's take a look at the 49ers' own free agents. Obviously, the O'Sullivan agreement closes the door on Trent Dilfer's return; the additions of Rossum and Foster mean Maurice Hicks won't be back; the attention Kwame Harris is receiving means there is no way he'll be returning to the 49ers. (Word last night was that Harris was going to get a lucrative deal with the Raiders, but he will make additional visits.) The 49ers remain interested in Marques Douglas, but unless he settles for something around $2 million a year, he'll be playing elsewhere. (The Buccaneers are a possibility.)
4:35 p.m.: Is it still Friday?
4:38 p.m.: Saw Jed York through the fence a little while ago. I asked if his team has signed Isaac Bruce, yet. He just smiled and said he'd be reading this blog to find out. Nice.
4:44 p.m.: When Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer were struggling, and before Shaun Hill became Shaun Hill, I thought the 49ers might be tempted to go after free-agent QB Billy Volek. Today, he re-upped with the Chargers.
4:59 p.m.: Just received word that Isaac Bruce has not agreed to terms with the 49ers, but the sides are pretty darn close. They're trying to find a dollar amount on a two-year deal that works for both sides. The deal is expected to be agreed upon tonight or tomorrow.
5:06 p.m.: Little-known fact about Isaac Bruce: He ranks No. 3 all time in NFL receiving yards behind Jerry Rice and Tim Brown.
5:09 p.m.: An hour-and-a-half ago, I was on with the Razor and Mr. T. Click here and then scroll down to hear our little chat.
5:12 p.m.: So, right now, the only free agents I'm aware of the 49ers pursuing are Justin Smith and Isaac Bruce. I'd be a little surprised if they're still involved in the Alan Faneca race. Smith left the building without a contract and appears to be on his way to Minnesota. Bruce is very close to a deal with the 49ers -- just a few dollars apart on an expected two-year deal.
5:44 p.m.: My apologies for not answering any questions over the past two days. I've been a little busy. I think I've covered most of the questions somewhere here during the minute-by-minute recap.
5:46 p.m.: I might have jumped the gun last night when I reported O'Sullivan agreed to a deal. Later, I was told that although O'Sullivan's joining the 49ers has been a safe bet for more than a month (since Martz was hired), he did not officially agree to terms until today. The same goes for the report of Bruce's signing. There is little doubt Bruce will sign with the 49ers, but it is a tiny bit premature at this point. They're still a few dollars apart. It certainly won't be a deal-breaker.
5:56 p.m.: Finally, a little news: Justin Smith is still in the Bay Area. He took a helicopter tour of the South Bay this afternoon with Mike Nolan. He will have dinner tonight with Nolan and, perhaps, a few coaches. I just spoke with Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, who confirmed the helicopter ride and dinner tonight. He said he was not sure who would be joining Smith and Nolan for dinner. Steiner said Smith is still "scheduled" to go to Minnesota tomorrow. But it's pretty clear the 49ers are going to pull out all the stops to sign Smith before he has a chance to leave the Bay Area.
6:19 p.m.: The NFL Network report has now been confirmed. Isaac Bruce agrees to a two-year, $6 million deal.
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