Niner News Thread
- Thread starter Chree
- Start date
Im not gonna front tho, Nolan will prolly get fired next year, cuz this still wont make us that good, the key additions were in FA, now, when Nolan is fired, i dont think Holmgren would take the job, i think he would take a parcells like job, SO, i think if Singletary or Martz isnt hired, i have a dark horse coaching candidate, Dick Vermeil, he lives in the north bay i believe, and is from the bay area.....
Not much glitter in 49ers' choices
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/27/SPVN10CSUG.DTL
If ever a team had an un-sexy NFL draft, it's the 49ers.
A mere six picks overall, starting way down at 29 in the first round, led to this:
-- A versatile defensive lineman who probably will become a starter.
-- An offensive guard who eventually could be a starter.
-- A cornerback who might not be good enough to play corner.
-- A backup center.
-- A wide receiver with an arrest on his record and an indelible memory of being pepper sprayed.
-- A linebacker chosen for his value on special teams and his ability to block kicks.
Legions of people rely on far less to put them to sleep every night.
Nevertheless, general manager Scot McCloughan, who made the call on each pick and naturally believes in his new guys, said they make the club better.
"We think we had a heck of a draft," he said. "Everybody we drafted we had on our board. I'm excited about it. I can't say they'll be starters but they're good players. We've got enough depth on the team, they've got to earn a (starting spot), like last year with Patrick (Willis) and Joe (Staley). They had to earn it."
Top pick Kentwan Balmer of North Carolina can play either nose tackle or defensive end in San Francisco's 3-4 alignment. Wherever he ends up playing, his talent and range at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds is presumably sufficient to keep those pesky offensive linemen from mauling Willis, who tackles anything that moves.
Balmer figures either to push nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin for a starting job or to replace the retired Bryant Young at left defensive end. Though Balmer might provide a balm in run defense, he is not a sack specialist, as he recorded seven in four seasons in Chapel Hill.
For those fans fretting over the lack of an outside pass rusher taken in the draft, consider free-agent acquisition Justin Smith from the Bengals as a No. 1 draft pick with seven years' experience in the NFL and 43 1/2 sacks on his resume.
Comparing Smith to Chris Long, taken second overall by the Rams, coach Mike Nolan said, "They remind me of one another because they both have very good motors," Nolan said. "I like the fact ours has played in the league six years (seven, actually) already."
On a less-than-thrilling second day, McCloughan went with the highest-rated players he had on his board at that particular time: cornerback Reggie Smith of Oklahoma in the third round, center Cody Wallace of Texas A&M in the fourth, wide receiver Josh Morgan of Virginia Tech in the sixth and inside linebacker Larry Grant, who went to City College of San Francisco before moving to Ohio State, in the seventh and final round.
Smith, who has good size at 6-1 and 197 pounds, was taken on the league-wide belief that a team cannot have enough cornerbacks for depth, various pass-defense alignments and special-teams duty.
Wallace was believed to be up and at 'em when the 49ers called and had this reaction later in a call with reporters: "This is actually earlier than I expected. I didn't think it would happen so soon."
Morgan was the only wide receiver taken by the 49ers. He had 46 receptions for 552 yards and five touchdowns in 2007, and has a 2006 arrest on his record for disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. Seems he punched out the driver's side window of a vehicle that reportedly came close to hitting him while he was a pedestrian. The police used pepper spray to subdue him.
"That was the only incident I've had in my life," he said. "I just made a mistake and learned from it. You can say it's unfair (to judge him because of it) but due to everything that's going on in the NFL with 'Pacman' Jones, it has to be addressed. It's bad timing to have any red flags on you."
McCloughan called the incident " 'Little.' Key word. Not a bad kid at all."
Morgan was in a building directly next to the one where the shooting massacre occurred at Virginia Tech a year ago.
"I heard the first couple of shots," he said. "It was a devastating time. It was kind of surreal. You didn't expect anything like that to happen. It was a normal day."
San Francisco's last pick was Grant, who grew up in Santa Rosa and Sacramento.
-- 49ers pick Cody Wallace overcomes family tragedies. C6
Larry Grant
Pick: 7th round, 214th overall
Position: Inside linebackerSchool: Ohio State
Height: 6-1Weight: 230
College career: A player who can claim San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and Oakland as his home. After finishing high school in Sacramento, he went to CCSF before transferring to Ohio State. Excelled on special teams and set California and national junior college records with 12 blocked kicks in two years. Played in 25 games at Ohio State and started 14, including 13 last season. Had 51 tackles, including 9 1/2 for losses, in 2007.
NFL outlook: Listed as an outside linebacker on draft charts but will be tried at inside linebacker, although he's unlikely to play from scrimmage as a rookie. Instead, Grant will earn his keep on special teams, where he has proven to be an outstanding player. At Ohio State, he blocked three kicks.
Reggie Smith
Pick: 3rd round, 75th overall
Position: CB/SSchool: Oklahoma
Height: 6-1Weight: 197
College career: Three-year starter for Sooners at both cornerback and strong safety. Also returned kickoffs (21.9-yard average) and punts (7.3). Had five interceptions and broke up 11 passes in first two years, with 88 tackles. Increased productivity as a junior with three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 78 tackles. Missed Fiesta Bowl last season with toe injury.
NFL outlook: Smith is the type of player found on all teams throughout the league - a versatile defensive back who plays on all special teams and helps when needed in a backup capacity. Fell to the third round primarily because 40-yard-dash time of 4.55 is comparatively plodding for a corner. The 49ers like his size as a "matchup" corner in their division with its big receivers.
Josh Morgan
Pick: 6th round, 174th overall
Position: WRSchool: Virginia Tech
Height: 6-0Weight: 219
College career: Had 46 receptions for 552 yards and 5 touchdowns in 14 games as a senior (11 starts) after compiling 76 catches for 1,265 yards and 11 TDs his first three years. One red flag came in 2006 when he was suspended for one game following an arrest for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice in which he had to be subdued by pepper spray. He returned kickoffs (17.3 average) and punts (10.6) and started 24 of 51 games.
NFL outlook: Has good size and decent speed (4.46 for the 40). Will compete for playing time in the 49ers' revamped receiver corps that includes Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie, Arnaz Battle and Jason Hill. Although wide receiver was a position of need, Morgan was the only one taken.
49ers' picks
Rd Player School
1. DT Kentwan Balmer (29) N. Carolina
2. G Chilo Rachal (38) USC
3. {utriangle} CB Reggie Smith (75) Oklahoma
4. C Cody Wallace (107) Texas A&M
6. WR Josh Morgan (174) Virginia Tech
7. LB Larry Grant (214) Ohio State
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/27/SPVN10CSUG.DTL
If ever a team had an un-sexy NFL draft, it's the 49ers.
A mere six picks overall, starting way down at 29 in the first round, led to this:
-- A versatile defensive lineman who probably will become a starter.
-- An offensive guard who eventually could be a starter.
-- A cornerback who might not be good enough to play corner.
-- A backup center.
-- A wide receiver with an arrest on his record and an indelible memory of being pepper sprayed.
-- A linebacker chosen for his value on special teams and his ability to block kicks.
Legions of people rely on far less to put them to sleep every night.
Nevertheless, general manager Scot McCloughan, who made the call on each pick and naturally believes in his new guys, said they make the club better.
"We think we had a heck of a draft," he said. "Everybody we drafted we had on our board. I'm excited about it. I can't say they'll be starters but they're good players. We've got enough depth on the team, they've got to earn a (starting spot), like last year with Patrick (Willis) and Joe (Staley). They had to earn it."
Top pick Kentwan Balmer of North Carolina can play either nose tackle or defensive end in San Francisco's 3-4 alignment. Wherever he ends up playing, his talent and range at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds is presumably sufficient to keep those pesky offensive linemen from mauling Willis, who tackles anything that moves.
Balmer figures either to push nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin for a starting job or to replace the retired Bryant Young at left defensive end. Though Balmer might provide a balm in run defense, he is not a sack specialist, as he recorded seven in four seasons in Chapel Hill.
For those fans fretting over the lack of an outside pass rusher taken in the draft, consider free-agent acquisition Justin Smith from the Bengals as a No. 1 draft pick with seven years' experience in the NFL and 43 1/2 sacks on his resume.
Comparing Smith to Chris Long, taken second overall by the Rams, coach Mike Nolan said, "They remind me of one another because they both have very good motors," Nolan said. "I like the fact ours has played in the league six years (seven, actually) already."
On a less-than-thrilling second day, McCloughan went with the highest-rated players he had on his board at that particular time: cornerback Reggie Smith of Oklahoma in the third round, center Cody Wallace of Texas A&M in the fourth, wide receiver Josh Morgan of Virginia Tech in the sixth and inside linebacker Larry Grant, who went to City College of San Francisco before moving to Ohio State, in the seventh and final round.
Smith, who has good size at 6-1 and 197 pounds, was taken on the league-wide belief that a team cannot have enough cornerbacks for depth, various pass-defense alignments and special-teams duty.
Wallace was believed to be up and at 'em when the 49ers called and had this reaction later in a call with reporters: "This is actually earlier than I expected. I didn't think it would happen so soon."
Morgan was the only wide receiver taken by the 49ers. He had 46 receptions for 552 yards and five touchdowns in 2007, and has a 2006 arrest on his record for disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. Seems he punched out the driver's side window of a vehicle that reportedly came close to hitting him while he was a pedestrian. The police used pepper spray to subdue him.
"That was the only incident I've had in my life," he said. "I just made a mistake and learned from it. You can say it's unfair (to judge him because of it) but due to everything that's going on in the NFL with 'Pacman' Jones, it has to be addressed. It's bad timing to have any red flags on you."
McCloughan called the incident " 'Little.' Key word. Not a bad kid at all."
Morgan was in a building directly next to the one where the shooting massacre occurred at Virginia Tech a year ago.
"I heard the first couple of shots," he said. "It was a devastating time. It was kind of surreal. You didn't expect anything like that to happen. It was a normal day."
San Francisco's last pick was Grant, who grew up in Santa Rosa and Sacramento.
-- 49ers pick Cody Wallace overcomes family tragedies. C6
Larry Grant
Pick: 7th round, 214th overall
Position: Inside linebackerSchool: Ohio State
Height: 6-1Weight: 230
College career: A player who can claim San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and Oakland as his home. After finishing high school in Sacramento, he went to CCSF before transferring to Ohio State. Excelled on special teams and set California and national junior college records with 12 blocked kicks in two years. Played in 25 games at Ohio State and started 14, including 13 last season. Had 51 tackles, including 9 1/2 for losses, in 2007.
NFL outlook: Listed as an outside linebacker on draft charts but will be tried at inside linebacker, although he's unlikely to play from scrimmage as a rookie. Instead, Grant will earn his keep on special teams, where he has proven to be an outstanding player. At Ohio State, he blocked three kicks.
Reggie Smith
Pick: 3rd round, 75th overall
Position: CB/SSchool: Oklahoma
Height: 6-1Weight: 197
College career: Three-year starter for Sooners at both cornerback and strong safety. Also returned kickoffs (21.9-yard average) and punts (7.3). Had five interceptions and broke up 11 passes in first two years, with 88 tackles. Increased productivity as a junior with three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 78 tackles. Missed Fiesta Bowl last season with toe injury.
NFL outlook: Smith is the type of player found on all teams throughout the league - a versatile defensive back who plays on all special teams and helps when needed in a backup capacity. Fell to the third round primarily because 40-yard-dash time of 4.55 is comparatively plodding for a corner. The 49ers like his size as a "matchup" corner in their division with its big receivers.
Josh Morgan
Pick: 6th round, 174th overall
Position: WRSchool: Virginia Tech
Height: 6-0Weight: 219
College career: Had 46 receptions for 552 yards and 5 touchdowns in 14 games as a senior (11 starts) after compiling 76 catches for 1,265 yards and 11 TDs his first three years. One red flag came in 2006 when he was suspended for one game following an arrest for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice in which he had to be subdued by pepper spray. He returned kickoffs (17.3 average) and punts (10.6) and started 24 of 51 games.
NFL outlook: Has good size and decent speed (4.46 for the 40). Will compete for playing time in the 49ers' revamped receiver corps that includes Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie, Arnaz Battle and Jason Hill. Although wide receiver was a position of need, Morgan was the only one taken.
49ers' picks
Rd Player School
1. DT Kentwan Balmer (29) N. Carolina
2. G Chilo Rachal (38) USC
3. {utriangle} CB Reggie Smith (75) Oklahoma
4. C Cody Wallace (107) Texas A&M
6. WR Josh Morgan (174) Virginia Tech
7. LB Larry Grant (214) Ohio State
Balmer wearing No. 67 ... for now
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/012183.html
***Update*** The 49ers also have a verbal agreement with UFA OL Brian de la Puente of Cal.
Just spoke on a conference call with Kentwan Balmer, who seemed like he was on Cloud 9 (49?) after being drafted on Saturday. We were supposed to have had met him at a press conference yeterday but he missed his original flight, then ran into delays in Texas. The first thing he did when he got on the phone was apologize for missing the press conference yesterday.
It was clear from talking to Balmer that he has always had a defensive mentality. When he and his older brothers and cousins would play tag, Balmer wouldn't just tag his playmates. He would tackle them. "And I got a lot of whuppings for it," he recalled with a laugh. He also remembered the time he and a cousin, who was seven years older than him, ran into each other while playing outside. The collision left the older boy with a bump on his head that Balmer described as a "unicorn horn." Balmer said he and that cousin, Shaun Stevenson, were fondly recounting the incident on Saturday when he was drafted.
As far as what position he would play, Balmer said he didn't know yet. He said he currently weighed 311 pounds but wasn't sure whether the 49ers would want him to get heavier to play nose tackle or lighter to play defensive end. He's also not sure which number he will wear. For now, he's been saddled with ugly No. 67. Asked if he would be happy with that as his permanent number, a laughing Balmer said, "No comment. That's the number they wanted me to have. ... As long as I have a 49ers logo on my helmet, I'm content."
Balmer said he was picked up at the airport by defensive line coach Jim Tomsula and has been meeting various 49ers this morning. He even got an autograph from Nate Clements "because I'm still a fan of this game." Balmer also got his first-ever autograph request outside of his San Jose hotel. He said he didn't know how to react, so he scribbled "Go 49ers" instead of his name. "I was a little embarassed," he said.
On Sunday, Mike Nolan compared center Cody Wallace to former 49er Jeremy Newberry. But it will be Chilo Rchal, not Wallace, who wears Newberry's old No. 62.
Chilo Rachal: No. 62
Cody Wallace: No. 65
Reggie Smith: No. 31
Josh Morgan: No. 84
Larry Grant: No. 57
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/012183.html
***Update*** The 49ers also have a verbal agreement with UFA OL Brian de la Puente of Cal.
Just spoke on a conference call with Kentwan Balmer, who seemed like he was on Cloud 9 (49?) after being drafted on Saturday. We were supposed to have had met him at a press conference yeterday but he missed his original flight, then ran into delays in Texas. The first thing he did when he got on the phone was apologize for missing the press conference yesterday.
It was clear from talking to Balmer that he has always had a defensive mentality. When he and his older brothers and cousins would play tag, Balmer wouldn't just tag his playmates. He would tackle them. "And I got a lot of whuppings for it," he recalled with a laugh. He also remembered the time he and a cousin, who was seven years older than him, ran into each other while playing outside. The collision left the older boy with a bump on his head that Balmer described as a "unicorn horn." Balmer said he and that cousin, Shaun Stevenson, were fondly recounting the incident on Saturday when he was drafted.
As far as what position he would play, Balmer said he didn't know yet. He said he currently weighed 311 pounds but wasn't sure whether the 49ers would want him to get heavier to play nose tackle or lighter to play defensive end. He's also not sure which number he will wear. For now, he's been saddled with ugly No. 67. Asked if he would be happy with that as his permanent number, a laughing Balmer said, "No comment. That's the number they wanted me to have. ... As long as I have a 49ers logo on my helmet, I'm content."
Balmer said he was picked up at the airport by defensive line coach Jim Tomsula and has been meeting various 49ers this morning. He even got an autograph from Nate Clements "because I'm still a fan of this game." Balmer also got his first-ever autograph request outside of his San Jose hotel. He said he didn't know how to react, so he scribbled "Go 49ers" instead of his name. "I was a little embarassed," he said.
On Sunday, Mike Nolan compared center Cody Wallace to former 49er Jeremy Newberry. But it will be Chilo Rchal, not Wallace, who wears Newberry's old No. 62.
Chilo Rachal: No. 62
Cody Wallace: No. 65
Reggie Smith: No. 31
Josh Morgan: No. 84
Larry Grant: No. 57
Top Pick Balmer Arrives in San Francisco
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4188§ion=PR News
The 49ers chose defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer with their first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft because of his size, strength and athleticism, so it’s a good thing the tape wasn’t rolling when they contacted the North Carolina standout on Saturday.
“It was real hard to grasp…I actually fell out of my chair,” said Balmer. “I was laughing and had a few tears coming down because this has been my family’s team for a long time, as long as I can remember. I think it’s real fitting for me to be here.”
Balmer arrived late on Sunday night after experiencing flight delays in Dallas, but his first visit to the Bay Area and the 49ers facility was worth the wait.
“I’m still soaking it in but when I saw those five Super Bowls I was kind of overwhelmed,” said Balmer at his mid-morning press conference. “Seeing the rings and the guys who are in those photos (on the walls), it’s humbling. You just want to work as hard as you can to get where those guys were and we want to get this organization back to that point.”
Balmer met head coach Mike Nolan over an early morning breakfast before making his way over to the facility where he then met his new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
“He’s a handful and I love him to death,” said Balmer of Tomsula. “We have the same intensity in mind. He’s going to coach me hard to get the best out of me and I want the best out of myself.”
Balmer also enjoyed seeing his locker for the first time, and the opportunity to meet a few of his new 49ers teammates including Nate Clements, Manny Lawson and Patrick Willis.
“Those are guys who I watched get drafted and watched them play and now I’m about to play with them,” said Balmer. “It’s so unreal right now. You’ve got the big brothers there, you are the new kid on the block, small change and I’m enjoying it. They seem like they want me here and I’m just going to follow them and learn from them.”
Over the weekend, Nolan and general manager Scot McCloughan both discussed the importance of having a player like Balmer in the 3-4 defense who can keep guys off of their Pro Bowler, as well as the rest of the linebackers.
“I don’t mind,” said Balmer of taking on that role. “I don’t mind at all. He’s going to be the guy. He’s a Pro Bowler and I’m going to give it up for the team Whatever I have to do – like I said if I have to bite someone’s leg off I’m going to do that. This is what it is about. Whenever I put my hand down, whatever my coaches ask me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. We have good players on the defense like Patrick Willis and Nate Clements and I’m going to do whatever I can to help those guys. It’s not about me, it’s about us. That’s how I’m going into this situation.”
Balmer will soon get a chance to take the field and show his teammates what he brings to the table at the team’s mandatory mini camp this Friday, but he’s already ready to make them and the 49ers Faithful like himself a promise.
“If they want me to kick, long snap, run down on the kickoff – I’ll do it and do it faithfully,” said Balmer. “I just am so proud to be here and I’m going to give everything I’ve got to this organization and this team.”
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4188§ion=PR News
The 49ers chose defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer with their first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft because of his size, strength and athleticism, so it’s a good thing the tape wasn’t rolling when they contacted the North Carolina standout on Saturday.
“It was real hard to grasp…I actually fell out of my chair,” said Balmer. “I was laughing and had a few tears coming down because this has been my family’s team for a long time, as long as I can remember. I think it’s real fitting for me to be here.”
Balmer arrived late on Sunday night after experiencing flight delays in Dallas, but his first visit to the Bay Area and the 49ers facility was worth the wait.
“I’m still soaking it in but when I saw those five Super Bowls I was kind of overwhelmed,” said Balmer at his mid-morning press conference. “Seeing the rings and the guys who are in those photos (on the walls), it’s humbling. You just want to work as hard as you can to get where those guys were and we want to get this organization back to that point.”
Balmer met head coach Mike Nolan over an early morning breakfast before making his way over to the facility where he then met his new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
“He’s a handful and I love him to death,” said Balmer of Tomsula. “We have the same intensity in mind. He’s going to coach me hard to get the best out of me and I want the best out of myself.”
Balmer also enjoyed seeing his locker for the first time, and the opportunity to meet a few of his new 49ers teammates including Nate Clements, Manny Lawson and Patrick Willis.
“Those are guys who I watched get drafted and watched them play and now I’m about to play with them,” said Balmer. “It’s so unreal right now. You’ve got the big brothers there, you are the new kid on the block, small change and I’m enjoying it. They seem like they want me here and I’m just going to follow them and learn from them.”
Over the weekend, Nolan and general manager Scot McCloughan both discussed the importance of having a player like Balmer in the 3-4 defense who can keep guys off of their Pro Bowler, as well as the rest of the linebackers.
“I don’t mind,” said Balmer of taking on that role. “I don’t mind at all. He’s going to be the guy. He’s a Pro Bowler and I’m going to give it up for the team Whatever I have to do – like I said if I have to bite someone’s leg off I’m going to do that. This is what it is about. Whenever I put my hand down, whatever my coaches ask me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. We have good players on the defense like Patrick Willis and Nate Clements and I’m going to do whatever I can to help those guys. It’s not about me, it’s about us. That’s how I’m going into this situation.”
Balmer will soon get a chance to take the field and show his teammates what he brings to the table at the team’s mandatory mini camp this Friday, but he’s already ready to make them and the 49ers Faithful like himself a promise.
“If they want me to kick, long snap, run down on the kickoff – I’ll do it and do it faithfully,” said Balmer. “I just am so proud to be here and I’m going to give everything I’ve got to this organization and this team.”
I kinda agree with that Lee, i think outta all them all we got is 1 starter @ the beginning of the season, the rachal pick adds OL depth along with that center, and the CB pick wasnt too bad, but he seems way better suited for playing safety, it seems like they werent really drafting for the future, just addressing a few needs this year, we didnt need a WR for this year...
49ers | Team signs L. Holmes
Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:21:17 -0700
Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports the San Francisco 49ers signed undrafted rookie free-agent DL Louis Holmes (Arizona). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
^ that could be the best UDFA signing for us, hes a good pass rusher, he will compete for olb
Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:21:17 -0700
Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports the San Francisco 49ers signed undrafted rookie free-agent DL Louis Holmes (Arizona). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
^ that could be the best UDFA signing for us, hes a good pass rusher, he will compete for olb
Naw none yet homie, Mcloughan said its 50-50 right now, but id hope we at least bring him in for competition, at the least, it would increase the comp @ mlb and olb, since lawson and willis got their spots, in the mix for the other 2 is dontarrius thomas and jeff ulbrich, and @ olb is parys harylson and Tully Banta Cain and Roderick Green. Brandon Moore is P Willies backup.
if Spikes signs and gets a starting job, the lineup could be either
Lawson, Willis, Thomas, Spikes
or
Lawson, Willis, Spikes, TBC/Roderick Green depending on what down it is
if Spikes signs and gets a starting job, the lineup could be either
Lawson, Willis, Thomas, Spikes
or
Lawson, Willis, Spikes, TBC/Roderick Green depending on what down it is