Niner News Thread
- Thread starter Chree
- Start date
YEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
February 26, 2008
49ers-Sopoaga agree to terms
The 49ers and defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga have agreed to terms on a five-year deal that will keep the big, 325 pounder off the free-agent market, his agent said. "Negotiations had been ongoing for a while. There had been a lot of back and forth," agent Kenny Zuckerman said this afternoon. "As it got down to the wire, the deal started to come together."
The two sides had been negotiating since the start of the season. The team's chief negotiator, Paraag Marathe, called Zuckerman yesterday and the final pieces were put together today. Zuckerman declined to give the specifics of the contract, but rest assured it's a hefty one. Dallas signed NT Jay Ratliff last season to a five-year deal worth $20.5 million with $8 million guaranteed. With Green Bay DT Corey Williams and Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth getting the franchise tag last week, Sopoaga would have been the most desireable interior lineman on the market if he had made it to free agency. Williams and Haynesworth both will earn at least $6.36 million this season because they were franchised.
Sopoaga has said all along that he wanted to remain in San Francisco, and that likely helped the two sides reach a deal as well. The 26-year-old Sopoaga mainly played behind Aubrayo Franklin at nose tackle last season but can play any of the defensive line positions in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme. There is a good chance he will take over Bryant Young's left defensive end position this season.
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One of the 49ers’ finest offseason moves ever was highlighted yet again this afternoon. The Redskins parted ways with receiver Brandon Lloyd, who was a colossal disappointment in the nation’s capital. As the Post’s Jason La Canfora writes on his blog: “The final stats: 25 receptions, zero touchdowns. For $10 million in guaranteed money.” La Canfora also could add the two draft picks the 49ers received in exchange for Lloyd, whose amazing acrobatics were overshadowed by a frustrating temerity when it came to catches passes over the middle of the field. The 49ers used those picks, a third and fourth rounder, to select WR Brandon Williams and LB Jay Moore.
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The two cornerbacks who looked especially good at the Senior Bowl, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Leodis McKelvin, didn’t disappoint at the combine today. Rodgers-Cromartie put up some freakishly impressive numbers, including a 4.33 40 time and a 38.5-inch vertical jump. Rodgers-Cromartie turned in several leaping, acrobatic interceptions in Mobile in which he used his long arms to reach up and snag the ball. That’s why his 17 reps of 225 pounds is pretty impressive, too. Long-armed guys typically don’t do as well in that drill. McKelvin is built more low to the ground. He ran a 4.38 40 and had a 33.5-inch vertical. San Jose State CB Dwight Lowery didn’t help himself by running a 4.62 40. Cal safety Thomas DeCoud looked good with a 4.48.
-- Matt Barrows
February 26, 2008
49ers-Sopoaga agree to terms
The 49ers and defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga have agreed to terms on a five-year deal that will keep the big, 325 pounder off the free-agent market, his agent said. "Negotiations had been ongoing for a while. There had been a lot of back and forth," agent Kenny Zuckerman said this afternoon. "As it got down to the wire, the deal started to come together."
The two sides had been negotiating since the start of the season. The team's chief negotiator, Paraag Marathe, called Zuckerman yesterday and the final pieces were put together today. Zuckerman declined to give the specifics of the contract, but rest assured it's a hefty one. Dallas signed NT Jay Ratliff last season to a five-year deal worth $20.5 million with $8 million guaranteed. With Green Bay DT Corey Williams and Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth getting the franchise tag last week, Sopoaga would have been the most desireable interior lineman on the market if he had made it to free agency. Williams and Haynesworth both will earn at least $6.36 million this season because they were franchised.
Sopoaga has said all along that he wanted to remain in San Francisco, and that likely helped the two sides reach a deal as well. The 26-year-old Sopoaga mainly played behind Aubrayo Franklin at nose tackle last season but can play any of the defensive line positions in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme. There is a good chance he will take over Bryant Young's left defensive end position this season.
****
One of the 49ers’ finest offseason moves ever was highlighted yet again this afternoon. The Redskins parted ways with receiver Brandon Lloyd, who was a colossal disappointment in the nation’s capital. As the Post’s Jason La Canfora writes on his blog: “The final stats: 25 receptions, zero touchdowns. For $10 million in guaranteed money.” La Canfora also could add the two draft picks the 49ers received in exchange for Lloyd, whose amazing acrobatics were overshadowed by a frustrating temerity when it came to catches passes over the middle of the field. The 49ers used those picks, a third and fourth rounder, to select WR Brandon Williams and LB Jay Moore.
****
The two cornerbacks who looked especially good at the Senior Bowl, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Leodis McKelvin, didn’t disappoint at the combine today. Rodgers-Cromartie put up some freakishly impressive numbers, including a 4.33 40 time and a 38.5-inch vertical jump. Rodgers-Cromartie turned in several leaping, acrobatic interceptions in Mobile in which he used his long arms to reach up and snag the ball. That’s why his 17 reps of 225 pounds is pretty impressive, too. Long-armed guys typically don’t do as well in that drill. McKelvin is built more low to the ground. He ran a 4.38 40 and had a 33.5-inch vertical. San Jose State CB Dwight Lowery didn’t help himself by running a 4.62 40. Cal safety Thomas DeCoud looked good with a 4.48.
-- Matt Barrows
Report: Moss to sign multiyear deal with Pats
Citing two NFL sources, AOL Sports' Sean Jensen reports Randy Moss is expected to sign a "multi-year deal" to stay in New England.
There was never much doubt Moss would stay with the Super Bowl runner-ups. Moss' deal, which can't become official until Friday at 12AM, figures to make him the NFL's richest wideout, though it may be surpassed by Larry Fitzgerald's deal later in the offseason. The contract is expected to be for three years, $30 million with $12-15 million guaranteed. Jensen adds that impending free agent Lance Briggs is slated to sign with San Francisco. Feb. 27 - 1:15 am et
Citing two NFL sources, AOL Sports' Sean Jensen reports Randy Moss is expected to sign a "multi-year deal" to stay in New England.
There was never much doubt Moss would stay with the Super Bowl runner-ups. Moss' deal, which can't become official until Friday at 12AM, figures to make him the NFL's richest wideout, though it may be surpassed by Larry Fitzgerald's deal later in the offseason. The contract is expected to be for three years, $30 million with $12-15 million guaranteed. Jensen adds that impending free agent Lance Briggs is slated to sign with San Francisco. Feb. 27 - 1:15 am et
Yesterday, Sean Jensen of AOL Sports said that linebacker Lance Briggs has been pegged to land in San Francisco. Sean Jensen's accuracy is unknown when it comes to rumors.
However, this morning, ProFootballTalk.com stated that a source close to the situation tells them that the 49ers currently aren't even among the teams that are interested in Briggs' services.
Last year, there were many rumors flying around about linebacker Adalius Thomas. Some rumors even had him staying in Santa Clara the night free agency started. Not only was Thomas not in the Bay Area, but he never visited with the 49ers and signed with the Patriots.
However, this morning, ProFootballTalk.com stated that a source close to the situation tells them that the 49ers currently aren't even among the teams that are interested in Briggs' services.
Last year, there were many rumors flying around about linebacker Adalius Thomas. Some rumors even had him staying in Santa Clara the night free agency started. Not only was Thomas not in the Bay Area, but he never visited with the 49ers and signed with the Patriots.