The first week of NFL free agency is almost in the books.
Numerous teams have already made significant upgrades at positions of need.
Unfortunately, the San Francisco 49ers are not one of them.
Despite having multiple starting positions in need of an upgrade, the 49ers have made only one minor signing so far this season. By signing quarterback David Carr to back up Alex Smith, San Francisco's lone free agent pickup thus far has come at a position quite low on the needs list.
In fact, quarterback wasn't really a need at all considering the direction the 49ers are heading in with continuity being of the utmost importance.
Now fans and analysts may argue the order of the top four biggest needs for the 49ers, but there really is no arguing against what [...]
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Are the San Francisco 49ers copying the management style of the San Francisco Giants? Say it ain't so!
The San Francisco 49ers have made their first free agent signing on Monday by agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with quarterback David Carr.
Signing a veteran player with a mediocre track record is all too familiar to San Francisco fans, but usually these moves aren't announced by their football team.
However, despite already having three quarterbacks worthy of returning to the roster this upcoming season, the 49ers felt it necessary to sign a fourth.
Why you may ask? Well, nobody really knows at this point.
All anyone can really say is that the signing can be best described by 49er linebacker Patrick Willis who stated his opinion on the [...]
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The San Francisco 49ers head into the 2010 season as the front runners to win the NFC West. With Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner retiring this offseason, the 49ers have become the default choice to win the division in the upcoming season.
Even before San Francisco selects two potential impact players in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, they have already had these playoff expectations thrust upon them by fans and analysts around the league.
Without question, the 49ers will have the on-field talent to reach these expectations. The 49ers already have play-makers on both sides of the ball with Dashon Goldson, Justin Smith, and Patrick Willis on defense and Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree on offense. Add in the draft choices and free agent pickups and [...]
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Less than six months ago, Alex Smith, San Francisco's first overall draft choice from 2005, had been beaten out for the 49ers' starting quarterback spot by career journeyman Shaun Hill.
After two straight injury filled seasons, Smith's future as an NFL starter seemed incredibly bleak after losing the quarterback competition in training camp.
Heading into the 2009 season the 49ers were looking to play a hard-hitting defensive style while eating up the clock on offense with star running back Frank Gore.
Fortunately for Smith, this type of football stopped working five games into the season when San Francisco was [...]
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The San Francisco 49ers have two first round draft choices heading into April's draft, as well as up and coming young talent at numerous positions on the field. But since the prime years of 49er great Bryant Young came to an end a few years ago, the 49ers have lacked a true pass rushing threat.
While defensive end Justin Smith more than earned his Pro Bowl appearance this season, his best asset comes in the ground game and being able to play every single down. Smith has been an absolute stud for San Francisco but he can't generate a consistent pass rush by himself. And unfortunately, the remaining 49er defensive lineman leave much to be desired.
Now by looking at the numbers fans might think that San Francisco was more than able to generate a consistent pass rush as they [...]
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Charles Haley. Man, what can I say about this guy.
When you think of success, in terms of football, one of the first images that should pop into anyone's mind is Charles Haley. No player had more success than he did.
To be on five Super Bowl teams and have five Super Bowl rings is an accomplishment that no one has been able to match, and I doubt if anyone else will really.
The addition of free agency and salary caps have prevented dynasties from surviving in the NFL. "The teams that do stay intact, like the Patriots, are unusual," to paraphrase my idol, Paul Zimmerman.
Therefore, it is almost [...]
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As the final touches are being made on Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll's coaching
staff there are two more names being added on.
Former Seahawk and USC Trojan DB coach Kris Richard will join Carroll as the assistant defensive backs coach to Jerry Gray (Seahawks DB coach).
Also joining the staff is former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich who will serve as the teams assistant special teams coach to Brian Scheider.
As of now here is the current coaching staff under Pete Carroll.
Offense:
Offensive coordinator: Jeremy Bates
Quarterbacks coach: Jedd Fisch
Running backs coach: Sherman Smith
Wide receivers coach: Kippy [...]
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Another San Francisco 49er nemesis has retired. The 49er faithful hope this one stays retired.
If he does, the NFC West will be wide open in 2010.
Early Friday afternoon, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner officially hung up his cleats after a 12-year career that includes two MVPs and three Super Bowl appearances including one Super Bowl ring.
Two of the three teams (and the two that saw him lead them to the Super Bowl) Warner played for were division foes of the 49ers.
Warner first torched the 49ers as a member of the St. Louis Rams and the "Greatest Show on Turf" and then after a dismal stint with the New York Giants, returned to the NFC West as a member of the Cardinals and decimated the [...]
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The San Francisco 49ers will be sending a fifth Pro Bowler to Miami this weekend with the news that defensive end Justin Smith has been named to his first career Pro Bowl appearance in his nine year career. Smith will be replacing Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams who has bowed out of the game due to injury.
Regardless of the fact that Smith has been selected to the game on account of injury, there are few other defensive lineman in football who deserve this accolade of being named to the NFL's All-Star game more than Smith. In his short time with 49ers, (signing as a free agent prior to the 2008 season) Smith has proved to be one of the key leaders on the San Francisco defense. All-pro middle linebacker Patrick Willis aside, Smith is the hardest worker on the entire [...]
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The Raiders have a lot of questions and even more needs. The Raiders have a lot of options for the #8 pick in the April draft. Even though we haven't even hit the scouting combine (a month away) it is never to early to evaluate the teams needs and options for who they should select when they are on the clock.
Taylor Mays-Safety-USC: In an ESPN mock draft, Taylor Mays goes to Oakland because Al Davis loves his size. This mock draft pick is based on Heyward-Bey being drafted last year because of his speed. The "experts" think that Al Davis will draft because of size and speed and not needs. Heyward-Bey was drafted with a need at WR which is being taken care of by Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy. If Al Davis drafts another safety he has truly gone off [...]
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