Niner News Thread
- Thread starter Chree
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49ers Hire Fipp as Asst. Special Teams Coach
http://sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4138§ion=PR News
The San Francisco 49ers announced that they have hired Dave Fipp as Assistant Special Teams coach.
Fipp joins the 49ers after working with the San Jose Spartans for the past three seasons. He served as defensive coordinator during his final year and previously held the title of co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Spartans.
He joined the Spartan staff after spending the 2004 season at the University of Nevada as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Fipp also served as the co-defensive coordinator at Cal Poly in 2002 and 2003 after starting out as the Mustangs’ defensive backs coach in 2001.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Arizona, Fipp played for the Wildcats from 1994-97. He led Arizona’s special teams unit in tackles as a sophomore in 1995 and was the Wildcats’ starting free safety in 1996 and 1997. The 1997 Wildcats were the number-one defensive unit in the Pacific-10 Conference and ranked 12th nationally in rushing defense.
Fipp began his coaching career at Holy Cross College as a secondary coach and special teams coordinator in 1998. Prior to the 2000 season, Fipp returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant and coached the safeties. He and his wife, Jenny, have two daughters, Ashlee and Lilly.
http://sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4138§ion=PR News
The San Francisco 49ers announced that they have hired Dave Fipp as Assistant Special Teams coach.
Fipp joins the 49ers after working with the San Jose Spartans for the past three seasons. He served as defensive coordinator during his final year and previously held the title of co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Spartans.
He joined the Spartan staff after spending the 2004 season at the University of Nevada as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Fipp also served as the co-defensive coordinator at Cal Poly in 2002 and 2003 after starting out as the Mustangs’ defensive backs coach in 2001.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Arizona, Fipp played for the Wildcats from 1994-97. He led Arizona’s special teams unit in tackles as a sophomore in 1995 and was the Wildcats’ starting free safety in 1996 and 1997. The 1997 Wildcats were the number-one defensive unit in the Pacific-10 Conference and ranked 12th nationally in rushing defense.
Fipp began his coaching career at Holy Cross College as a secondary coach and special teams coordinator in 1998. Prior to the 2000 season, Fipp returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant and coached the safeties. He and his wife, Jenny, have two daughters, Ashlee and Lilly.
Niners create $7 mllion credit for '09 cap
Who do you suppose has the 49ers' highest salary-cap figure for 2008?
Alex Smith? Jonas Jennings? Nate Clements? Justin Smith? Frank Gore? Vernon Davis? Donald Strickland?
If you answered: g) Strickland, you'd be a winner.
The 49ers were some $18 million under the salary cap, and they had no intention of spending much more of it this season. So they decided to sock away a good chunk of that money for the 2009 season.
Therefore, the 49ers and Strickland, a reserve defensive back, teamed up to ensure the 49ers would be able to carry over their salary-cap cushion for next year. They agreed to an incentive clause in Strickland's contract of approximately $7 million that has no chance of being reached.
If Strickland blocks 15 punts and takes part in 90 percent of the 49ers' special-teams plays this season, he will earn that incentive. If he does not, the money will carry over as a credit on the 49ers' 2009 salary cap. (The 49ers used a similar incentive on Roderick Green's deal last year to carry $1.5 million into this year.)
There are two kinds of incentives in the NFL: Likely to be earned and not likely to be earned.
--Likely-to-be-earned incentives count against the current year's cap. If they aren't earned, that money is credited toward the next season's cap - in essence, raising a team's salary cap.
--Not-likely-to-be-earned incentives do not count in the current season. But if the incentive is earned, they count as a debit against the next year's cap, thus reducing the usable salary-cap space.
The reason Strickland's ridiculous incentive is "likely to be earned" is because all special-teams incentives count in that category. Don't ask why; that's just the way it is.
So the 49ers currently have $10.76 million in salary-cap space. Less than half of that amount will be earmarked for the rookie pool, so the 49ers still have far more cap room than they plan on spending in 2008.
The 49ers are hardly alone when it comes to manipulating the cap. They pushed forward a credit of just $2.3 million from last year, which is nothing compared to the Vikings ($18.4 million), Eagles ($14 million), Buccaneers ($13.3 million), Bills ($12.7 million) and Browns ($12.6 million).
By the way, this practice might become completely unnecessary after this year. If the owners opt out of the current CBA, as is widely expected, 2009 could become the last year of the NFL salary cap.
* * *
By the way, here are the scheduled salary cap figures for the other players mentioned in the opening: Alex Smith $6.826,666; Jonas Jennings $5,842,000; Nate Clements $5,550,000; Frank Gore $5,003,250; Vernon Davis $3,240,000; and Justin Smith $3,083,000.
Who do you suppose has the 49ers' highest salary-cap figure for 2008?
Alex Smith? Jonas Jennings? Nate Clements? Justin Smith? Frank Gore? Vernon Davis? Donald Strickland?
If you answered: g) Strickland, you'd be a winner.
The 49ers were some $18 million under the salary cap, and they had no intention of spending much more of it this season. So they decided to sock away a good chunk of that money for the 2009 season.
Therefore, the 49ers and Strickland, a reserve defensive back, teamed up to ensure the 49ers would be able to carry over their salary-cap cushion for next year. They agreed to an incentive clause in Strickland's contract of approximately $7 million that has no chance of being reached.
If Strickland blocks 15 punts and takes part in 90 percent of the 49ers' special-teams plays this season, he will earn that incentive. If he does not, the money will carry over as a credit on the 49ers' 2009 salary cap. (The 49ers used a similar incentive on Roderick Green's deal last year to carry $1.5 million into this year.)
There are two kinds of incentives in the NFL: Likely to be earned and not likely to be earned.
--Likely-to-be-earned incentives count against the current year's cap. If they aren't earned, that money is credited toward the next season's cap - in essence, raising a team's salary cap.
--Not-likely-to-be-earned incentives do not count in the current season. But if the incentive is earned, they count as a debit against the next year's cap, thus reducing the usable salary-cap space.
The reason Strickland's ridiculous incentive is "likely to be earned" is because all special-teams incentives count in that category. Don't ask why; that's just the way it is.
So the 49ers currently have $10.76 million in salary-cap space. Less than half of that amount will be earmarked for the rookie pool, so the 49ers still have far more cap room than they plan on spending in 2008.
The 49ers are hardly alone when it comes to manipulating the cap. They pushed forward a credit of just $2.3 million from last year, which is nothing compared to the Vikings ($18.4 million), Eagles ($14 million), Buccaneers ($13.3 million), Bills ($12.7 million) and Browns ($12.6 million).
By the way, this practice might become completely unnecessary after this year. If the owners opt out of the current CBA, as is widely expected, 2009 could become the last year of the NFL salary cap.
* * *
By the way, here are the scheduled salary cap figures for the other players mentioned in the opening: Alex Smith $6.826,666; Jonas Jennings $5,842,000; Nate Clements $5,550,000; Frank Gore $5,003,250; Vernon Davis $3,240,000; and Justin Smith $3,083,000.
What kind of record 49ers can expect this season?
Yes, I realize the absurdity of this exercise, but that's not going to stop me from giving it a shot. Let's take a look at the 49ers' 2008 schedule and try to come up with a realistic win-loss record.
When I look at these games - almost two weeks prior to the draft - I'll place all the games into one of four categories:
Decisive loss (DL): Think 33 percent or lower chance of victory.
Narrow loss (NL): Somewhere from 34 to 50 percent chance of victory.
Narrow victory (NV): Somewhere from 50 to 66 percent chance of victory.
Decisive victory (DV): 67 percent or higher chance of victory.
* * *
Week 1 vs. Cardinals: NV - Cards were darn-near a playoff team but lost twice to 49ers. This is no gimme.
Week 2 at Seahawks: DL - 'Hawks are still the kings of the NFC West. They're particularly difficult to beat up there.
Week 3 vs. Lions: NV - Lions lost six games on the road last season.
Week 4 at Saints: DL - Should bounce back after disappointing 7-9 record.
Week 5 vs. Patriots: DL - Other than the Super Bowl, Pats rarely lose games they should win.
Week 6 vs. Eagles: NV - They might have another good year left in them, but right now the Eagles don't look so formidable.
Week 7 at Giants: DL - Hey, they're the Super Bowl champs.
Week 8 vs. Seahawks: NV - Niners generally play them tough at Candlestick.
Week 9 bye week.
Week 10 at Cardinals: NL - There should a lot of energy in that dome for a Monday game.
Week 11 vs. Rams: NV - This probably would fit in the decisive category if it weren't for a short week.
Week 12 at Cowboys: DL - At this point, 'Boys look way too strong.
Week 13 at Bills: NL - Buffalo is a trendy playoff pick, but they need to get consistent QB play.
Week 14 vs. Jets: NV - Jets should be improved from a four-win team.
Week 15 at Dolphins: NV - Cross-country flight and early game are definite obstacles.
Week 16 at Rams: NL - Difficult for 49ers to pull off back-to-back road wins.
Week 17 vs. Redskins: NV - With new coach Jim Zorn, the 'Skins are going through a transition.
* * *
So here's the final count:
DL: 5.
NL: 3.
NV: 8.
DV: 0.
* * *
So this roughly projects to the 49ers being an 8-8 team. Surely, many will believe that is an overly optimistic win total. But, as you can see, there appear to be greater odds of projected wins turning into losses than the other way around at this stage.
I assigned the 49ers no projected "decisive victories." That's reasonable. After all, over the past four seasons, the 49ers have recorded just two victories of more than eight points. Their average margin of victory in their 18 victories since the 2004 season is 5.1 points. That shows nothing can really be considered a projected "decisive victory."
* * *
Former 49ers receiver Darrell Jackson signed a one-year deal with the Broncos. To make room for Jackson, the Broncos waived Derrick Hamilton, another former 49ers receiver. Hamilton, of course, was part of that 2004 draft class that featured first-round pick Rashaun Woods. Hamilton was chosen in the third round.
* * *
Based on the news of the earlier post about the 49ers creating $7 million of cap room in 2009, the question was asked whether this means Donald Strickland is a sure-bet to make the team. No, it's not a slam dunk but his odds are pretty good. The 49ers will probably give one more of those (not likely) likely-to-be-earned incentives to create more cap room for 2009. It won't be difficult for them with their relationship with agents to add another one to somebody's contract. Any incentive added to a contract during the season must be considered "likely-to-be-earned," so completing the paperwork on such a clause is not a big deal.
Yes, I realize the absurdity of this exercise, but that's not going to stop me from giving it a shot. Let's take a look at the 49ers' 2008 schedule and try to come up with a realistic win-loss record.
When I look at these games - almost two weeks prior to the draft - I'll place all the games into one of four categories:
Decisive loss (DL): Think 33 percent or lower chance of victory.
Narrow loss (NL): Somewhere from 34 to 50 percent chance of victory.
Narrow victory (NV): Somewhere from 50 to 66 percent chance of victory.
Decisive victory (DV): 67 percent or higher chance of victory.
* * *
Week 1 vs. Cardinals: NV - Cards were darn-near a playoff team but lost twice to 49ers. This is no gimme.
Week 2 at Seahawks: DL - 'Hawks are still the kings of the NFC West. They're particularly difficult to beat up there.
Week 3 vs. Lions: NV - Lions lost six games on the road last season.
Week 4 at Saints: DL - Should bounce back after disappointing 7-9 record.
Week 5 vs. Patriots: DL - Other than the Super Bowl, Pats rarely lose games they should win.
Week 6 vs. Eagles: NV - They might have another good year left in them, but right now the Eagles don't look so formidable.
Week 7 at Giants: DL - Hey, they're the Super Bowl champs.
Week 8 vs. Seahawks: NV - Niners generally play them tough at Candlestick.
Week 9 bye week.
Week 10 at Cardinals: NL - There should a lot of energy in that dome for a Monday game.
Week 11 vs. Rams: NV - This probably would fit in the decisive category if it weren't for a short week.
Week 12 at Cowboys: DL - At this point, 'Boys look way too strong.
Week 13 at Bills: NL - Buffalo is a trendy playoff pick, but they need to get consistent QB play.
Week 14 vs. Jets: NV - Jets should be improved from a four-win team.
Week 15 at Dolphins: NV - Cross-country flight and early game are definite obstacles.
Week 16 at Rams: NL - Difficult for 49ers to pull off back-to-back road wins.
Week 17 vs. Redskins: NV - With new coach Jim Zorn, the 'Skins are going through a transition.
* * *
So here's the final count:
DL: 5.
NL: 3.
NV: 8.
DV: 0.
* * *
So this roughly projects to the 49ers being an 8-8 team. Surely, many will believe that is an overly optimistic win total. But, as you can see, there appear to be greater odds of projected wins turning into losses than the other way around at this stage.
I assigned the 49ers no projected "decisive victories." That's reasonable. After all, over the past four seasons, the 49ers have recorded just two victories of more than eight points. Their average margin of victory in their 18 victories since the 2004 season is 5.1 points. That shows nothing can really be considered a projected "decisive victory."
* * *
Former 49ers receiver Darrell Jackson signed a one-year deal with the Broncos. To make room for Jackson, the Broncos waived Derrick Hamilton, another former 49ers receiver. Hamilton, of course, was part of that 2004 draft class that featured first-round pick Rashaun Woods. Hamilton was chosen in the third round.
* * *
Based on the news of the earlier post about the 49ers creating $7 million of cap room in 2009, the question was asked whether this means Donald Strickland is a sure-bet to make the team. No, it's not a slam dunk but his odds are pretty good. The 49ers will probably give one more of those (not likely) likely-to-be-earned incentives to create more cap room for 2009. It won't be difficult for them with their relationship with agents to add another one to somebody's contract. Any incentive added to a contract during the season must be considered "likely-to-be-earned," so completing the paperwork on such a clause is not a big deal.
More visits at 49ers local pro day
There were approximately 45 players today at the 49ers' facility in Santa Clara for the "local combine." Under NFL rules, teams are allowed to schedule only 30 visits with draft-eligible players. However, there is no limit to the number of local players who can make visits.
Among the players at today's 49ers pro day were Miami quarterback Kyle Wright and Stanford tight end Evan Moore.
According to NFLdraftscout.com, Wright, the No. 14 ranked QB, is slated to be a seventh-round selection. Wright (6-4, 218) was a high-school star at Monte Vista High in Danville. Moore (6-6, 233) is projected to go undrafted.
Among those whose visits have been confirmed are WR Lavelle Hawkins (Cal), WR Robert Jordan (Cal), WR DeSean Jackson (Cal), OL Brian de la Puente (Cal), S Thomas DeCoud (Cal), QB Dennis Dixon (Oregon), WR Cam Colvin (Oregon) and DB Dwight Lowery (San Jose State).
There have been non-local visits scheduled with WR Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma), DE Derrick Harvey (Florida), DE Phillip Merling (Clemson), LB Quentin Groves (Auburn), LB Shane Simmons (Western Washington) and C Ryan Wendell (Fresno State).
There'll be a little bit more tomorrow on Groves' visit.
* * *
There was a report that Hawaii receiver Davone Bess and Arizona defensive tackle Lionel Dotson were going to make visits to the 49ers. The 49ers say those players were, in fact, not scheduled to meet with team officials.
Also, San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson, an Oakland native, was not at the 49ers' facility. Neither was Nevada tight end Adam Bishop of Rohnert Park. Unfortunately, Rohnert Park is outside the 50-mile area for players to make visits to the 49ers' local pro day.
* * *
The 49ers prohibit the local media from attending the workout, however the club's official website interviewed several of the participants.
There were approximately 45 players today at the 49ers' facility in Santa Clara for the "local combine." Under NFL rules, teams are allowed to schedule only 30 visits with draft-eligible players. However, there is no limit to the number of local players who can make visits.
Among the players at today's 49ers pro day were Miami quarterback Kyle Wright and Stanford tight end Evan Moore.
According to NFLdraftscout.com, Wright, the No. 14 ranked QB, is slated to be a seventh-round selection. Wright (6-4, 218) was a high-school star at Monte Vista High in Danville. Moore (6-6, 233) is projected to go undrafted.
Among those whose visits have been confirmed are WR Lavelle Hawkins (Cal), WR Robert Jordan (Cal), WR DeSean Jackson (Cal), OL Brian de la Puente (Cal), S Thomas DeCoud (Cal), QB Dennis Dixon (Oregon), WR Cam Colvin (Oregon) and DB Dwight Lowery (San Jose State).
There have been non-local visits scheduled with WR Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma), DE Derrick Harvey (Florida), DE Phillip Merling (Clemson), LB Quentin Groves (Auburn), LB Shane Simmons (Western Washington) and C Ryan Wendell (Fresno State).
There'll be a little bit more tomorrow on Groves' visit.
* * *
There was a report that Hawaii receiver Davone Bess and Arizona defensive tackle Lionel Dotson were going to make visits to the 49ers. The 49ers say those players were, in fact, not scheduled to meet with team officials.
Also, San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson, an Oakland native, was not at the 49ers' facility. Neither was Nevada tight end Adam Bishop of Rohnert Park. Unfortunately, Rohnert Park is outside the 50-mile area for players to make visits to the 49ers' local pro day.
* * *
The 49ers prohibit the local media from attending the workout, however the club's official website interviewed several of the participants.
49ers Hold Local Pro Day
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4144§ion=PR News
The 49ers took advantage of their league approved Local Pro Day on Friday, which allows for players who either grew up or attended college within a certain radius of each club’s city to come in for a workout at the team facility.
Oregon wide receiver Cameron Colvin and quarterback Dennis Dixon, Cal wide receivers Lavelle Hawkins, Stanford wide receiver Evan Moore and Miami quarterback Kyle Wright were some of the bigger names of the 40 or so players who the 49ers played host to this year.
“Being a lifelong fan of the 49ers growing up watching Joe Montana and Steve Young, it doesn’t get any better than to walk through the locker room and see their pictures on the wall,” said Wright, who played his high school career at Monte Vista High in Danville. “Today was great. I got to come out and throw it around with some Bay Area guys in front of the coaches so it was a great time.”
The 49ers scouting staff directed the group through an array of tests typical of the Combine or a university Pro Day – height and weight measurements, 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, and the short shuttle drill.
“These are the guys who we’ve studied for the past year plus and we know them best so we take them through the drills and see what they can do,” said area scout Justin Chabot. “It’s great to get these kids out here one last time and it was an efficient day. They gave good effort, we had good weather, and we got good results.”
Some of the players who had already tested well at the Combine and their own Pro Days skipped the tests and elected to take part in the workout portion only.
“To get one more chance to be a competitive situation was great because you don’t really get to go against guys at the Combine,” said Moore. “It was a good opportunity and I felt I got the most out of it, as a lot of these guys did. I’m pretty happy about it.”
For Dixon, a Heisman Trophy hopeful last year, it was yet another opportunity to show that his anterior cruciate ligament tear is behind him, and that’s he worthy of being selected in next weekend’s NFL Draft.
“It’s a chance to show everybody that my knee is not a problem and that I am ahead of schedule,” said Dixon. “I’m looking for a job, an opportunity to get to the next level. It’s mind boggling to think about what’s going to happen next week but it’s something you can’t control. All I can do is control what I did today and hopefully it was good enough.”
The local Pro Day also opens up the door for players who are either potential late-round picks or undrafted free agents. With the entire 49ers coaching and personnel staff either taking part in directing the drills or observing, these NFL hopefuls had an opportunity to show their talents.
“There are a lot of guys who are borderline free agent candidates and it’s one last time for them to come out and better their testing numbers, improve on their 40 time and try to turn somebody’s head at the last minute,” said area scout Ethan Waugh. “I think they did a great job.”
In addition to the 49ers coaches and scouts, a few other familiar faces observed the afternoon workout. For the second year in a row, 49ers running back Frank Gore came to watch the local workout, and was joined by teammates Marcus Hudson and Delanie Walker, as well as Cal standout wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Similar to 49ers wide receiver Jason Hill a year ago, Jackson didn’t take part in any of the tests or field work, but he did enjoy watching the workouts with the 49ers players.
“They were all very cool and it’s a great experience for me as a young guy coming from college to just talk to them,” said Jackson. “I’m trying to get to where they are right now, and so I enjoyed speaking with them.”
Jackson spent most of the day however visiting with the 49ers coaching staff.
“It’s gone pretty good,” said Jackson who flew up from Los Angeles this morning. “I’ve visited with four teams now and this was my last one and I’ve gotten a good vibe from all the interviews I’ve done. Everything is put together now and I feel like I did the best I could do and I wouldn’t change anything. Now, it’s just waiting patiently for Saturday to come and hopefully it goes well.”
The 49ers likewise hope that Friday’s Pro Day will help their draft efforts.
“This is always held about eight days before the draft and when we get out here and have a chance to do the Local Pro Day, it’s a signal that the draft is getting closer,” said Chabot. “As an organization, we are right where we need to be. There are some things we want to clean up and review next week, but once this is over, we are done for the most part in collecting our information and anxious for the draft to get here and to add some great players to our organization.”
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4144§ion=PR News
The 49ers took advantage of their league approved Local Pro Day on Friday, which allows for players who either grew up or attended college within a certain radius of each club’s city to come in for a workout at the team facility.
Oregon wide receiver Cameron Colvin and quarterback Dennis Dixon, Cal wide receivers Lavelle Hawkins, Stanford wide receiver Evan Moore and Miami quarterback Kyle Wright were some of the bigger names of the 40 or so players who the 49ers played host to this year.
“Being a lifelong fan of the 49ers growing up watching Joe Montana and Steve Young, it doesn’t get any better than to walk through the locker room and see their pictures on the wall,” said Wright, who played his high school career at Monte Vista High in Danville. “Today was great. I got to come out and throw it around with some Bay Area guys in front of the coaches so it was a great time.”
The 49ers scouting staff directed the group through an array of tests typical of the Combine or a university Pro Day – height and weight measurements, 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, and the short shuttle drill.
“These are the guys who we’ve studied for the past year plus and we know them best so we take them through the drills and see what they can do,” said area scout Justin Chabot. “It’s great to get these kids out here one last time and it was an efficient day. They gave good effort, we had good weather, and we got good results.”
Some of the players who had already tested well at the Combine and their own Pro Days skipped the tests and elected to take part in the workout portion only.
“To get one more chance to be a competitive situation was great because you don’t really get to go against guys at the Combine,” said Moore. “It was a good opportunity and I felt I got the most out of it, as a lot of these guys did. I’m pretty happy about it.”
For Dixon, a Heisman Trophy hopeful last year, it was yet another opportunity to show that his anterior cruciate ligament tear is behind him, and that’s he worthy of being selected in next weekend’s NFL Draft.
“It’s a chance to show everybody that my knee is not a problem and that I am ahead of schedule,” said Dixon. “I’m looking for a job, an opportunity to get to the next level. It’s mind boggling to think about what’s going to happen next week but it’s something you can’t control. All I can do is control what I did today and hopefully it was good enough.”
The local Pro Day also opens up the door for players who are either potential late-round picks or undrafted free agents. With the entire 49ers coaching and personnel staff either taking part in directing the drills or observing, these NFL hopefuls had an opportunity to show their talents.
“There are a lot of guys who are borderline free agent candidates and it’s one last time for them to come out and better their testing numbers, improve on their 40 time and try to turn somebody’s head at the last minute,” said area scout Ethan Waugh. “I think they did a great job.”
In addition to the 49ers coaches and scouts, a few other familiar faces observed the afternoon workout. For the second year in a row, 49ers running back Frank Gore came to watch the local workout, and was joined by teammates Marcus Hudson and Delanie Walker, as well as Cal standout wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Similar to 49ers wide receiver Jason Hill a year ago, Jackson didn’t take part in any of the tests or field work, but he did enjoy watching the workouts with the 49ers players.
“They were all very cool and it’s a great experience for me as a young guy coming from college to just talk to them,” said Jackson. “I’m trying to get to where they are right now, and so I enjoyed speaking with them.”
Jackson spent most of the day however visiting with the 49ers coaching staff.
“It’s gone pretty good,” said Jackson who flew up from Los Angeles this morning. “I’ve visited with four teams now and this was my last one and I’ve gotten a good vibe from all the interviews I’ve done. Everything is put together now and I feel like I did the best I could do and I wouldn’t change anything. Now, it’s just waiting patiently for Saturday to come and hopefully it goes well.”
The 49ers likewise hope that Friday’s Pro Day will help their draft efforts.
“This is always held about eight days before the draft and when we get out here and have a chance to do the Local Pro Day, it’s a signal that the draft is getting closer,” said Chabot. “As an organization, we are right where we need to be. There are some things we want to clean up and review next week, but once this is over, we are done for the most part in collecting our information and anxious for the draft to get here and to add some great players to our organization.”
If not gone by 28, Groves 'praying' 49ers take him
A week from now, all the torture will be over. Twenty-eight teams will have chosen and the 49ers will finally provide the answer of what they plan to do at No. 29. Certainly, when a team's next move can be determined only after 28 others make their selections, a lot of stuff can happen.
Auburn outside linebacker Quentin Groves seems to be among at least a handful of players whom could be available when the 49ers go on the clock. There is no concrete evidence of the 49ers' intentions. But we know the 49ers have done their homework on him. GM Scot McCloughan personally scouted Groves' pro day workout at Auburn five weeks ago. The 49ers also invited Groves for a face-to-face meeting at their Santa Clara practice facility on Friday.
Today, I spoke with Groves on the phone. At the end of our 15-minute conversation, I asked the big question:
Let's say after 28 picks your name has not gone off the board. The 49ers are on the clock with the 29th pick. Who do you expect them to take?
"I'm praying they take me -- I'm praying they take me," Groves answered. "If I'm not gone by 28, then I pray the 49ers take me at 29. And if I'm not gone at 29, then, whatever team that takes me is going to take me. I'm not going to cry about it. I'm not going to moan that I should've gone here or I should've gone there. I'm going to be in the National Football League and I'm going to make you pay. The teams that passed on me are the teams that are going to pay."
Groves has also visited the Bengals, Steelers, Browns, Dolphins, Giants, Jets and Patriots, he said. Groves spoke today on the phone from San Diego, where he is enjoying the weekend with his wife, Treska, a former Auburn track athlete from Trinidad & Tobago.
* * *
INSTANT 49ERS: What about the 49ers visit yesterday was different than what you experienced in the other places?
GROVES: "I think it was more of a relaxed atmosphere."
INSTANT 49ERS: What did they do?
GROVES: "They didn't do anything. I came in and we talked. I sat down and talked to the linebackers coach. I talked to coach Nolan. Everything was just so laid back. Nothing was formal."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you talk to Mike Singletary or Jason Tarver?
GROVES: "Coach Tarver."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you meet Singletary?
GROVES: "I met him at the combine."
INSTANT 49ERS: What are your impressions of the 49ers as an organization?
GROVES: "They're a great organization with a storied history. Of course, they've had a couple bad years, but a couple of their key guys got hurt. I think they'll bounce back. I think they'll be back this year and ready to compete."
INSTANT 49ERS: A lot of what's been written about you is that you're a good fit for a 3-4 team. Do you see it that way, too?
GROVES: "I think I'm a good fit for every defense. I'm a football player. If I go to a 3-4 team or a 4-3 team, I'm there to play football. That's what I pride myself on. I don't try to label myself and say I'm this kind of player. I like to label myself as a football player, so I play any kind of defense."
INSTANT 49ERS: You had a trip a couple weeks ago to the Steelers. You spoke about wanting to be a Steeler. How would you feel if you don't go to the Steelers at No. 23?
GROVES: "I don't want to go to the Steelers. I just want to get that correct. It would be nice if I go to the Steelers because they're a great franchise and a great organization. But if I don't go, it won't be the end of my football career. Wherever I go, I'm going to give my 110-percent all. I'm going to be the best at what I do when I get there. I was a Steeler fan growing up."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you go into this with any expectations of where you expect to go? Or do you keep an open mind and say whoever gets me is going to be a heck of a football player?
GROVES: "That's what I say, 'Whoever gets me is going to get a heck of a football player.' And whoever doesn't get me, I feel for them when I play against them."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you need that kind of motivation? Do you thrive off of that?
GROVES: "I do, especially this time around. It's the NFL, and you had a chance to pick me and you didn't. So I feel that's a slap in the face."
INSTANT 49ERS: What did you use to motivate you in college?
GROVES: "I was a self-motivator. I motivated myself to be the best. That's what I wanted to do in college. If I was shooting marbles, I wanted to be the best marble-shooter around. I try to be the best at anything I do."
INSTANT 49ERS: You show a lot of emotion on the field. Obviously, it shows a passion for the game. . .
GROVES: "That's all it is. When you see me play, you see passion in my eyes. And when a guy lines up across from me, he knows he's going to get my best on every play. When I make a tackle and when I celebrate, the guys across me say, 'We got to stop this guy or he's going to be celebrating all night.' It's a mental thing as well as a physical thing."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you line up on both sides last season more than you had in the past?
GROVES: "Yeah, I did."
INSTANT 49ERS: How did you like that?
GROVES: "It was OK. I mean, it's something my defensive coordinator (Will Muschamp) called for me to do, and I just did it. It was not a problem."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you think at the next level, that's something that would carry over?
GROVES: "I think it will."
INSTANT 49ERS: What was it like to be a married man playing college football?
GROVES: "It was an added incentive. When you ask what motivated me, that's what motivated me more than anything. I had to provide for her. If I took off a play in college, then the NFL is going to see that and we can't take him because he takes plays off. That's taking food out of my wife's mouth. I have a family now so that's what motivates me to be the best I can be. I have to provide for my wife."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you have any kids?
GROVES: "No, sir."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you plan to start a family?
GROVES: "Every man wants to start a family. We plan on having two: a boy and a girl, if everything goes the way we want it to go."
* * *
Some publications have painted a picture of Groves as a character risk. Groves said the questions about his past only came to light last spring when he divulged information to Blesto scouts.
INSTANT 49ERS: There's been some question about character. Is that an issue with teams?
GROVES: "I know it's not a question any more. Because if you look at the issues - when they say character - there were three incidents where they haven't found anything and I've never been arrested in my life. It's just something when the Blesto scouts came in in the spring, I told them me and my wife had a little argument, that's about it. What else? I got caught stealing a BB gun when I was 10 years old; and the other one was I had a car wreck without having insurance. It's not any bone-jarring things like me going out and beating up a woman or me trying to rob somebody or getting caught with marijuana or anything like that."
INSTANT 49ERS: Nothing was ever reported at the time, it was only because you divulged it on your own?
GROVES: "Yes, sir."
* * *
Groves underwent a procedure March 27 to correct a heart condition known as WPW Syndrome. He believes news of the procedure can only help his draft status.
INSTANT 49ERS: When you went to the 49ers, did the subject of your heart procedure come up? Was that a big topic?
GROVES: "It wasn't. The trainer saw me downstairs eating lunch, and he came to me and said, 'Quentin, congratulations on getting your heart procedure done. That's one less thing we have to worry about.' So, I mean, that's all I've been getting from the teams is just positive feedback for me and my agent coming together and getting the heart procedure done."
INSTANT 49ERS: So from what you've gathered from the feedback, it'll have no impact whatsoever on where you go in the draft?
GROVES: "No, I think it should help me. Because now when Quentin Groves' name comes up, they don't have a health concern or a red flag. I think it should help me."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did the 49ers have you take a physical?
GROVES: "No, sir."
* * *
NFLdraftscout.com makes a comparison on every draft-eligible player. The site compares Groves to Dallas' DeMarcus Ware. "Much like the Chargers' Shawne Merriman and Ware, Groves has that explosive quickness and outstanding suddenness to wreak havoc in the backfield. He is a perfect fit for a hybrid outside linebacker/rush end position in a 3-4 defensive scheme and like Merriman and Ware, he could thrive if allowed to play in a stand-up position."
INSTANT 49ERS: Is there a guy playing in the league that you think you compare with?
GROVES: "I'd probably say I compare well to DeMarcus Ware. He's a stout guy who plays the run and the pass as well as anyone, and Dwight Freeney, the way he gets off the ball."
INSTANT 49ERS: I looked up some numbers on Ware. Coming out of college, you're eight pounds heavier, a little bit faster and bench press more than he did. When you look at those numbers, do you think you can make that kind of impact in the NFL?
GROVES: "I think I can. All I need is a shot, and if a team gives me a shot, they're going to be glad they did."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you read scouting reports from the (so-called) draft experts?
GROVES: "I do, but I don't pay attention to it. It's their job. They get paid to analyze and criticize people. They're just doing their jobs."
INSTANT 49ERS: Just wondering if there's any knock on you that you've read about that you think is far off base?
GROVES: "I'd probably say that I'm not strong at the point of attack. I read that in one scouting report. They said I wasn't strong at the point of attack. If you look at any game I've played in, I knocked 340-pound tackles 3 yards in the backfield on a reach block. So if that's not strong at the point of attack, I don't know what is."
* * *
INSTANT 49ERS: You were off to a great start last season at Auburn, and then you had three dislocated toes? How did that happen?
GROVES: "I was getting up off the ground. I just made a tackle on the goal line and an offensive tackle fell on my foot."
INSTANT 49ERS: What did it feel like to have three dislocated toes?
GROVES: "I wish that pain on no man, I'll tell you what, I wish that pain on no man. I thought my foot was broken when I heard the crack. When they told me it was only three dislocated toes, I said, 'Thank you, Jesus.' "
INSTANT 49ERS: Did they pop back into place?
GROVES: "They popped them back in on site. That's all that happened with that."
INSTANT 49ERS: Is that the reason you didn't participate in the Senior Bowl?
GROVES: "No, I partially tore the AC joint in my right shoulder. That's why I didn't participate in the Senior Bowl."
INSTANT 49ERS: Is that something that was a disappointment to not go through that process of being coached by an NFL team?
GROVES: "I wanted to compete against the best in the country, and that's the best senior talent in the nation. I couldn't do it. I'm a competitor and I was mad when I couldn't do it."
INSTANT 49ERS: The 49ers coached in that game. They would've had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with you. But what do you think they learned about you yesterday?
GROVES: "He's a regular guy; he's a great guy. I think they learned that I'm smarter than most people think I am, football-wise as well as just regular smarts. I think they found that I can be a guy who can be a face for the franchise."
A week from now, all the torture will be over. Twenty-eight teams will have chosen and the 49ers will finally provide the answer of what they plan to do at No. 29. Certainly, when a team's next move can be determined only after 28 others make their selections, a lot of stuff can happen.
Auburn outside linebacker Quentin Groves seems to be among at least a handful of players whom could be available when the 49ers go on the clock. There is no concrete evidence of the 49ers' intentions. But we know the 49ers have done their homework on him. GM Scot McCloughan personally scouted Groves' pro day workout at Auburn five weeks ago. The 49ers also invited Groves for a face-to-face meeting at their Santa Clara practice facility on Friday.
Today, I spoke with Groves on the phone. At the end of our 15-minute conversation, I asked the big question:
Let's say after 28 picks your name has not gone off the board. The 49ers are on the clock with the 29th pick. Who do you expect them to take?
"I'm praying they take me -- I'm praying they take me," Groves answered. "If I'm not gone by 28, then I pray the 49ers take me at 29. And if I'm not gone at 29, then, whatever team that takes me is going to take me. I'm not going to cry about it. I'm not going to moan that I should've gone here or I should've gone there. I'm going to be in the National Football League and I'm going to make you pay. The teams that passed on me are the teams that are going to pay."
Groves has also visited the Bengals, Steelers, Browns, Dolphins, Giants, Jets and Patriots, he said. Groves spoke today on the phone from San Diego, where he is enjoying the weekend with his wife, Treska, a former Auburn track athlete from Trinidad & Tobago.
* * *
INSTANT 49ERS: What about the 49ers visit yesterday was different than what you experienced in the other places?
GROVES: "I think it was more of a relaxed atmosphere."
INSTANT 49ERS: What did they do?
GROVES: "They didn't do anything. I came in and we talked. I sat down and talked to the linebackers coach. I talked to coach Nolan. Everything was just so laid back. Nothing was formal."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you talk to Mike Singletary or Jason Tarver?
GROVES: "Coach Tarver."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you meet Singletary?
GROVES: "I met him at the combine."
INSTANT 49ERS: What are your impressions of the 49ers as an organization?
GROVES: "They're a great organization with a storied history. Of course, they've had a couple bad years, but a couple of their key guys got hurt. I think they'll bounce back. I think they'll be back this year and ready to compete."
INSTANT 49ERS: A lot of what's been written about you is that you're a good fit for a 3-4 team. Do you see it that way, too?
GROVES: "I think I'm a good fit for every defense. I'm a football player. If I go to a 3-4 team or a 4-3 team, I'm there to play football. That's what I pride myself on. I don't try to label myself and say I'm this kind of player. I like to label myself as a football player, so I play any kind of defense."
INSTANT 49ERS: You had a trip a couple weeks ago to the Steelers. You spoke about wanting to be a Steeler. How would you feel if you don't go to the Steelers at No. 23?
GROVES: "I don't want to go to the Steelers. I just want to get that correct. It would be nice if I go to the Steelers because they're a great franchise and a great organization. But if I don't go, it won't be the end of my football career. Wherever I go, I'm going to give my 110-percent all. I'm going to be the best at what I do when I get there. I was a Steeler fan growing up."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you go into this with any expectations of where you expect to go? Or do you keep an open mind and say whoever gets me is going to be a heck of a football player?
GROVES: "That's what I say, 'Whoever gets me is going to get a heck of a football player.' And whoever doesn't get me, I feel for them when I play against them."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you need that kind of motivation? Do you thrive off of that?
GROVES: "I do, especially this time around. It's the NFL, and you had a chance to pick me and you didn't. So I feel that's a slap in the face."
INSTANT 49ERS: What did you use to motivate you in college?
GROVES: "I was a self-motivator. I motivated myself to be the best. That's what I wanted to do in college. If I was shooting marbles, I wanted to be the best marble-shooter around. I try to be the best at anything I do."
INSTANT 49ERS: You show a lot of emotion on the field. Obviously, it shows a passion for the game. . .
GROVES: "That's all it is. When you see me play, you see passion in my eyes. And when a guy lines up across from me, he knows he's going to get my best on every play. When I make a tackle and when I celebrate, the guys across me say, 'We got to stop this guy or he's going to be celebrating all night.' It's a mental thing as well as a physical thing."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you line up on both sides last season more than you had in the past?
GROVES: "Yeah, I did."
INSTANT 49ERS: How did you like that?
GROVES: "It was OK. I mean, it's something my defensive coordinator (Will Muschamp) called for me to do, and I just did it. It was not a problem."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you think at the next level, that's something that would carry over?
GROVES: "I think it will."
INSTANT 49ERS: What was it like to be a married man playing college football?
GROVES: "It was an added incentive. When you ask what motivated me, that's what motivated me more than anything. I had to provide for her. If I took off a play in college, then the NFL is going to see that and we can't take him because he takes plays off. That's taking food out of my wife's mouth. I have a family now so that's what motivates me to be the best I can be. I have to provide for my wife."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you have any kids?
GROVES: "No, sir."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you plan to start a family?
GROVES: "Every man wants to start a family. We plan on having two: a boy and a girl, if everything goes the way we want it to go."
* * *
Some publications have painted a picture of Groves as a character risk. Groves said the questions about his past only came to light last spring when he divulged information to Blesto scouts.
INSTANT 49ERS: There's been some question about character. Is that an issue with teams?
GROVES: "I know it's not a question any more. Because if you look at the issues - when they say character - there were three incidents where they haven't found anything and I've never been arrested in my life. It's just something when the Blesto scouts came in in the spring, I told them me and my wife had a little argument, that's about it. What else? I got caught stealing a BB gun when I was 10 years old; and the other one was I had a car wreck without having insurance. It's not any bone-jarring things like me going out and beating up a woman or me trying to rob somebody or getting caught with marijuana or anything like that."
INSTANT 49ERS: Nothing was ever reported at the time, it was only because you divulged it on your own?
GROVES: "Yes, sir."
* * *
Groves underwent a procedure March 27 to correct a heart condition known as WPW Syndrome. He believes news of the procedure can only help his draft status.
INSTANT 49ERS: When you went to the 49ers, did the subject of your heart procedure come up? Was that a big topic?
GROVES: "It wasn't. The trainer saw me downstairs eating lunch, and he came to me and said, 'Quentin, congratulations on getting your heart procedure done. That's one less thing we have to worry about.' So, I mean, that's all I've been getting from the teams is just positive feedback for me and my agent coming together and getting the heart procedure done."
INSTANT 49ERS: So from what you've gathered from the feedback, it'll have no impact whatsoever on where you go in the draft?
GROVES: "No, I think it should help me. Because now when Quentin Groves' name comes up, they don't have a health concern or a red flag. I think it should help me."
INSTANT 49ERS: Did the 49ers have you take a physical?
GROVES: "No, sir."
* * *
NFLdraftscout.com makes a comparison on every draft-eligible player. The site compares Groves to Dallas' DeMarcus Ware. "Much like the Chargers' Shawne Merriman and Ware, Groves has that explosive quickness and outstanding suddenness to wreak havoc in the backfield. He is a perfect fit for a hybrid outside linebacker/rush end position in a 3-4 defensive scheme and like Merriman and Ware, he could thrive if allowed to play in a stand-up position."
INSTANT 49ERS: Is there a guy playing in the league that you think you compare with?
GROVES: "I'd probably say I compare well to DeMarcus Ware. He's a stout guy who plays the run and the pass as well as anyone, and Dwight Freeney, the way he gets off the ball."
INSTANT 49ERS: I looked up some numbers on Ware. Coming out of college, you're eight pounds heavier, a little bit faster and bench press more than he did. When you look at those numbers, do you think you can make that kind of impact in the NFL?
GROVES: "I think I can. All I need is a shot, and if a team gives me a shot, they're going to be glad they did."
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you read scouting reports from the (so-called) draft experts?
GROVES: "I do, but I don't pay attention to it. It's their job. They get paid to analyze and criticize people. They're just doing their jobs."
INSTANT 49ERS: Just wondering if there's any knock on you that you've read about that you think is far off base?
GROVES: "I'd probably say that I'm not strong at the point of attack. I read that in one scouting report. They said I wasn't strong at the point of attack. If you look at any game I've played in, I knocked 340-pound tackles 3 yards in the backfield on a reach block. So if that's not strong at the point of attack, I don't know what is."
* * *
INSTANT 49ERS: You were off to a great start last season at Auburn, and then you had three dislocated toes? How did that happen?
GROVES: "I was getting up off the ground. I just made a tackle on the goal line and an offensive tackle fell on my foot."
INSTANT 49ERS: What did it feel like to have three dislocated toes?
GROVES: "I wish that pain on no man, I'll tell you what, I wish that pain on no man. I thought my foot was broken when I heard the crack. When they told me it was only three dislocated toes, I said, 'Thank you, Jesus.' "
INSTANT 49ERS: Did they pop back into place?
GROVES: "They popped them back in on site. That's all that happened with that."
INSTANT 49ERS: Is that the reason you didn't participate in the Senior Bowl?
GROVES: "No, I partially tore the AC joint in my right shoulder. That's why I didn't participate in the Senior Bowl."
INSTANT 49ERS: Is that something that was a disappointment to not go through that process of being coached by an NFL team?
GROVES: "I wanted to compete against the best in the country, and that's the best senior talent in the nation. I couldn't do it. I'm a competitor and I was mad when I couldn't do it."
INSTANT 49ERS: The 49ers coached in that game. They would've had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with you. But what do you think they learned about you yesterday?
GROVES: "He's a regular guy; he's a great guy. I think they learned that I'm smarter than most people think I am, football-wise as well as just regular smarts. I think they found that I can be a guy who can be a face for the franchise."
49ers preparing for the draft: WR
http://sfo.scout.com/2/747722.html
As the 49ers prepare for the April 26-27 NFL Draft, here's an analysis of the team at the wide receiver position, looking at San Francisco's draft needs and why the Niners may or may not use one of their six selections at this position, what rounds in which the team should think about a wide receiver and some of the prospects available that the team may consider.
Current players: Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie, Jason Hill
State of the position: The 49ers will have a makeover at wide receiver for the third consecutive year, and once again they’ll be hoping for much better results than the year before. The addition of veterans Lelie and Darrell Jackson in March of 2007 looked good on the surface, but Jackson bombed big-time in his expected role as the team’s No. 1 receiver, finishing with paltry numbers (46 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns), and Lelie was practically a non-factor, finishing with just 10 catches for 115 yards in a reserve role that saw him hardly get on the field during the first third of the season. The lack of impact and production from those two expected playmakers contributed to the overall demise of the offense, not that they were to blame for it. But they shared part of the blame, and that’s certainly part of the reason Jackson – who cost the team a fourth-round draft pick last year – was unceremoniously jettisoned in March, a casualty of this unit’s poor performance. The way Jackson played in 2007, he's probably addition by subtraction. Arnaz Battle, starting for the third consecutive season in 2007, once again proved to be the team’s most reliable and consistent wide receiver, finishing as San Francisco’s leader among wideouts for the second consecutive year with 50 receptions for 600 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. Battle is decent receiver, but the 2007 season showed once and for all that he’s a limited player who probably has reached the ceiling of his potential and would be best suited for a complementary role at receiver. He’s best suited to be a No. 3 receiver, a role where he could become even more effective than as a starter, and that’s what the 49ers seem to have in mind for him in 2008 after bringing in Bruce and Johnson and essentially handing both starting roles to lose. Bruce, one of the most productive receivers in NFL history who has the numbers to prove it, turns 36 during the upcoming season and his wheels carry the wear and tear of 14 NFL season. But his performance of the past two seasons shows no indication that he is noticeably slowing down, and several analysts say he’s still got it and can be effective for another year or two, which is all the 49ers are hoping for or expecting. Bruce’s exit from the Rams, the only NFL team for which he has played, was more a product of St. Louis not honoring a contractual promise to Bruce rather than the Rams not wanting him anymore. He brings tons of experience in Mike Martz’s offense, and the importance of that cannot be minimized as the 49ers once again get accustomed to a new offensive system and new coordinator. Johnson, after playing third fiddle in Arizona to Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, did not get the kind of attention on the open market that he and some others thought he would, so this is a big year for him to prove that he’s of NFL starting caliber. The Bruce/Johnson/Battle threesome has potential, but the 49ers have been saying that each of the past two seasons about Battle and the veteran free agents that were brought in to play alongside him. The 49ers wouldn’t mind finding someone good enough to break into that top three, which obviously would make the team better, and that could come from within or possibly with a draft pick, though the 49ers might be drafting too low in the first round to select a true impact receiver who could make a difference in his rookie season. But there is potential for Lelie, who is talented but needs to find his niche in San Francisco, to make his presence felt in the final year of his contract with the team, and the 49ers also will give another long look to 2007 third-round draft pick Hill, who had a disappointing rookie season in which he finished with one reception for six yards. Hill has a lot to prove this year, but doesn’t everyone in this group? And hasn’t that been the case with the 49ers at receiver for, oh, about five years running?
Position draft need priority: High
Last wide receiver drafted: Jason Hill, 2007 third round, 76th player selected overall
Why the 49ers will draft a wide receiver: Are you kidding? The answer is obvious, and there is some depth at the position in this year’s draft where a potential playmaker could be found in the second or third round after the top prospects are scooped up earlier. Most teams find their top receivers through the draft, then develop them and attempt to keep them around with long-term contracts. The 49ers know this is the best way to do it, but they won’t reach in the first round. But they’ll be looking – and maybe reaching – at every draft slot after that. And Martz has a history of selecting receivers with mid- and late-round draft picks and then turning them into productive receivers in his system.
Why the 49ers won't draft a wide receiver: The team probably won’t find a can’t-miss, sure-fire impact receiver with the No. 29 pick in the first round, and besides, San Francisco appears set at the position at least for this season after bringing in Bruce and Johnson to combine with Battle and Lelie. Hill, after a lost rookie season that was hampered by injury, could essentially serve as the team’s draft pick at receiver this year.
When to address: First, second, third or fourth round
Who's out there: The draft declaration of several top juniors greatly improved the talent here and could push down a top prospect to the 49ers with their first two picks. There are a lot of good-looking wideouts lumped together in that late first-round/early second round area that the 49ers could have a shot at, including Michigan's Mario Manningham, Florida's Andre Caldwell, Texas' Limas Sweed, LSU's Early Doucet and maybe even hometown favorite DeSean Jackson of Cal if he falls that far. There's no real point in the 49ers taking a flyer on a receiver this year, so they'll focus on getting players who can come in and contribute now and certainly later, which likely means they'll have to find a guy on the draft's opening day unless Martz sees a prospect that he likes for his scheme fall into the fourth round. Speedsters Harry Douglas of Louisville, Donnie Avery of Houston and Eddie Royal of Virginia Tech each are possibilities, and the 49ers also could find prospects such as Indiana's James Hardy, Wake Forest's Kenny Moore, Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman, Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett and Cal's Lavelle Hawkins at a position of value in the second or third round. There are wildly fluctuating opinions on Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly, of whom some say is one of the very top receivers in the draft and others say is too slow and unpolished to make any kind of immediate impact. Kelly, who did not do a lot to impress NFL personnel types at his recent pro day, is one of the prospects the 49ers have had in for a pre-draft visit, and the team certainly would be interested if he falls to the bottom of the first round. Ditto for Jackson, who also has had a visit with the team.
General manager Scot McCloughan says: “We’ve added some receivers who are, in my opinion, good football players. I think we were lucky enough to draft Jason Hill last year in the third round. I think he’s going to be a damn good player. We’re lucky enough to have Arnaz (Battle) on the field when we got here. It’s a position that I feel, if a player falls to you, then you take him in the draft. I also think you can build your offense around not just great offensive receivers, but you can get good receivers and still win games. I think our receiver corps is good enough to win a lot of games. Do we have a superstar on the team? No. But I think we have good football players that can make us a better football team. Isaac Bruce is not the answer for the future, but he makes us better this year. Hopefully, we can get a really good player in the draft at the receiver position. If not, I think with the corps we have … They’re not difference-makers, but they’re dang good football players and I’m excited about that.”
http://sfo.scout.com/2/747722.html
As the 49ers prepare for the April 26-27 NFL Draft, here's an analysis of the team at the wide receiver position, looking at San Francisco's draft needs and why the Niners may or may not use one of their six selections at this position, what rounds in which the team should think about a wide receiver and some of the prospects available that the team may consider.
Current players: Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie, Jason Hill
State of the position: The 49ers will have a makeover at wide receiver for the third consecutive year, and once again they’ll be hoping for much better results than the year before. The addition of veterans Lelie and Darrell Jackson in March of 2007 looked good on the surface, but Jackson bombed big-time in his expected role as the team’s No. 1 receiver, finishing with paltry numbers (46 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns), and Lelie was practically a non-factor, finishing with just 10 catches for 115 yards in a reserve role that saw him hardly get on the field during the first third of the season. The lack of impact and production from those two expected playmakers contributed to the overall demise of the offense, not that they were to blame for it. But they shared part of the blame, and that’s certainly part of the reason Jackson – who cost the team a fourth-round draft pick last year – was unceremoniously jettisoned in March, a casualty of this unit’s poor performance. The way Jackson played in 2007, he's probably addition by subtraction. Arnaz Battle, starting for the third consecutive season in 2007, once again proved to be the team’s most reliable and consistent wide receiver, finishing as San Francisco’s leader among wideouts for the second consecutive year with 50 receptions for 600 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. Battle is decent receiver, but the 2007 season showed once and for all that he’s a limited player who probably has reached the ceiling of his potential and would be best suited for a complementary role at receiver. He’s best suited to be a No. 3 receiver, a role where he could become even more effective than as a starter, and that’s what the 49ers seem to have in mind for him in 2008 after bringing in Bruce and Johnson and essentially handing both starting roles to lose. Bruce, one of the most productive receivers in NFL history who has the numbers to prove it, turns 36 during the upcoming season and his wheels carry the wear and tear of 14 NFL season. But his performance of the past two seasons shows no indication that he is noticeably slowing down, and several analysts say he’s still got it and can be effective for another year or two, which is all the 49ers are hoping for or expecting. Bruce’s exit from the Rams, the only NFL team for which he has played, was more a product of St. Louis not honoring a contractual promise to Bruce rather than the Rams not wanting him anymore. He brings tons of experience in Mike Martz’s offense, and the importance of that cannot be minimized as the 49ers once again get accustomed to a new offensive system and new coordinator. Johnson, after playing third fiddle in Arizona to Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, did not get the kind of attention on the open market that he and some others thought he would, so this is a big year for him to prove that he’s of NFL starting caliber. The Bruce/Johnson/Battle threesome has potential, but the 49ers have been saying that each of the past two seasons about Battle and the veteran free agents that were brought in to play alongside him. The 49ers wouldn’t mind finding someone good enough to break into that top three, which obviously would make the team better, and that could come from within or possibly with a draft pick, though the 49ers might be drafting too low in the first round to select a true impact receiver who could make a difference in his rookie season. But there is potential for Lelie, who is talented but needs to find his niche in San Francisco, to make his presence felt in the final year of his contract with the team, and the 49ers also will give another long look to 2007 third-round draft pick Hill, who had a disappointing rookie season in which he finished with one reception for six yards. Hill has a lot to prove this year, but doesn’t everyone in this group? And hasn’t that been the case with the 49ers at receiver for, oh, about five years running?
Position draft need priority: High
Last wide receiver drafted: Jason Hill, 2007 third round, 76th player selected overall
Why the 49ers will draft a wide receiver: Are you kidding? The answer is obvious, and there is some depth at the position in this year’s draft where a potential playmaker could be found in the second or third round after the top prospects are scooped up earlier. Most teams find their top receivers through the draft, then develop them and attempt to keep them around with long-term contracts. The 49ers know this is the best way to do it, but they won’t reach in the first round. But they’ll be looking – and maybe reaching – at every draft slot after that. And Martz has a history of selecting receivers with mid- and late-round draft picks and then turning them into productive receivers in his system.
Why the 49ers won't draft a wide receiver: The team probably won’t find a can’t-miss, sure-fire impact receiver with the No. 29 pick in the first round, and besides, San Francisco appears set at the position at least for this season after bringing in Bruce and Johnson to combine with Battle and Lelie. Hill, after a lost rookie season that was hampered by injury, could essentially serve as the team’s draft pick at receiver this year.
When to address: First, second, third or fourth round
Who's out there: The draft declaration of several top juniors greatly improved the talent here and could push down a top prospect to the 49ers with their first two picks. There are a lot of good-looking wideouts lumped together in that late first-round/early second round area that the 49ers could have a shot at, including Michigan's Mario Manningham, Florida's Andre Caldwell, Texas' Limas Sweed, LSU's Early Doucet and maybe even hometown favorite DeSean Jackson of Cal if he falls that far. There's no real point in the 49ers taking a flyer on a receiver this year, so they'll focus on getting players who can come in and contribute now and certainly later, which likely means they'll have to find a guy on the draft's opening day unless Martz sees a prospect that he likes for his scheme fall into the fourth round. Speedsters Harry Douglas of Louisville, Donnie Avery of Houston and Eddie Royal of Virginia Tech each are possibilities, and the 49ers also could find prospects such as Indiana's James Hardy, Wake Forest's Kenny Moore, Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman, Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett and Cal's Lavelle Hawkins at a position of value in the second or third round. There are wildly fluctuating opinions on Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly, of whom some say is one of the very top receivers in the draft and others say is too slow and unpolished to make any kind of immediate impact. Kelly, who did not do a lot to impress NFL personnel types at his recent pro day, is one of the prospects the 49ers have had in for a pre-draft visit, and the team certainly would be interested if he falls to the bottom of the first round. Ditto for Jackson, who also has had a visit with the team.
General manager Scot McCloughan says: “We’ve added some receivers who are, in my opinion, good football players. I think we were lucky enough to draft Jason Hill last year in the third round. I think he’s going to be a damn good player. We’re lucky enough to have Arnaz (Battle) on the field when we got here. It’s a position that I feel, if a player falls to you, then you take him in the draft. I also think you can build your offense around not just great offensive receivers, but you can get good receivers and still win games. I think our receiver corps is good enough to win a lot of games. Do we have a superstar on the team? No. But I think we have good football players that can make us a better football team. Isaac Bruce is not the answer for the future, but he makes us better this year. Hopefully, we can get a really good player in the draft at the receiver position. If not, I think with the corps we have … They’re not difference-makers, but they’re dang good football players and I’m excited about that.”
Similar to 49ers wide receiver Jason Hill a year ago, Jackson didn’t take part in any of the tests or field work, but he did enjoy watching the workouts with the 49ers players.
“They were all very cool and it’s a great experience for me as a young guy coming from college to just talk to them,” said Jackson. “I’m trying to get to where they are right now, and so I enjoyed speaking with them.”
Jackson spent most of the day however visiting with the 49ers coaching staff.
“It’s gone pretty good,” said Jackson who flew up from Los Angeles this morning. “I’ve visited with four teams now and this was my last one and I’ve gotten a good vibe from all the interviews I’ve done. Everything is put together now and I feel like I did the best I could do and I wouldn’t change anything. Now, it’s just waiting patiently for Saturday to come and hopefully it goes well.”
49ERS DRAFT DeSEAN JACKSON
“They were all very cool and it’s a great experience for me as a young guy coming from college to just talk to them,” said Jackson. “I’m trying to get to where they are right now, and so I enjoyed speaking with them.”
Jackson spent most of the day however visiting with the 49ers coaching staff.
“It’s gone pretty good,” said Jackson who flew up from Los Angeles this morning. “I’ve visited with four teams now and this was my last one and I’ve gotten a good vibe from all the interviews I’ve done. Everything is put together now and I feel like I did the best I could do and I wouldn’t change anything. Now, it’s just waiting patiently for Saturday to come and hopefully it goes well.”
49ERS DRAFT DeSEAN JACKSON
MAN AFTER LAST YEAR ITS HARD TO PREDICT WIT THEM, IMMA PUT IT LIKE THIS ARE SCHD. IS NOT EASY, BUT ITS NOT HARD. IF WE CAN PLAY GOOD OFFENSE AND ATLEAST AVERAGE 17 PTS A GAME WELL WILL AND WELL BE COMPETITVE. I'M WILLING TO SAY THIS ALEX SMITH WILL HAVE HIS BEST YEAR AS A NINER.(I KNOW I HAVE DOUBTERS BUT HE WILL)
IF THE NINERS CAN TIGHTEN UP THE DEFENSE A LIL BIT WE'LL BE 11-5 AT BEST AND 9-7 AT WORST, WHERE NOT FINISHING BELOW .500<<<REMEBER I SAID THAT
IF THE NINERS CAN TIGHTEN UP THE DEFENSE A LIL BIT WE'LL BE 11-5 AT BEST AND 9-7 AT WORST, WHERE NOT FINISHING BELOW .500<<<REMEBER I SAID THAT
THIS DUDE IS THE TRUTH 2 LOOK OUT FOR HIM
13. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Height: 6-2 Weight: 217
College stats: 206 receptions, 19 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.51 40-yard dash, 4.35 short shuttle, 31-inch vertical
People who watched Nelson play in 2007 believe he's a first-round receiver and are very frustrated about where he sits heading into the draft. He has the size, production and speed to excel in the NFL. He had a few fine moments when I watched him at the Senior bowl practices. He is fast enough to be an effective seam-route runner. His numbers were off the charts last year when he caught 122 passes and got to the end zone 11 times. Three years from now when he's still in the NFL and more productive than some of the above mentioned players, he will get the last laugh. Draft projection: Rounds 3-4.
13. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Height: 6-2 Weight: 217
College stats: 206 receptions, 19 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.51 40-yard dash, 4.35 short shuttle, 31-inch vertical
People who watched Nelson play in 2007 believe he's a first-round receiver and are very frustrated about where he sits heading into the draft. He has the size, production and speed to excel in the NFL. He had a few fine moments when I watched him at the Senior bowl practices. He is fast enough to be an effective seam-route runner. His numbers were off the charts last year when he caught 122 passes and got to the end zone 11 times. Three years from now when he's still in the NFL and more productive than some of the above mentioned players, he will get the last laugh. Draft projection: Rounds 3-4.
if he is still on the board, buffalo is gonna draft him. once again, barber shop talks. i get my hair cut at the same shop as his uncle in richmond. and he told us that buffalo enjoyed marshawn lynch so much this past year, that they believe in cal's plan for there players entering in the draft. so look for buffalo to get DeSEAN JACKSON. although i wouldnt mind a speedy play maker. i just think he is a little small.
but none the less, auburns linebacker is a pimp. for some reason i think the niners will move up some how and get a 2nd pick in the first round. shit to be honest i wouldnt be mad at giving up or 29th pick to cincy for ocho cinco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but none the less, auburns linebacker is a pimp. for some reason i think the niners will move up some how and get a 2nd pick in the first round. shit to be honest i wouldnt be mad at giving up or 29th pick to cincy for ocho cinco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!