Niner News Thread

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DubbC415

Mickey Fallon
Sep 10, 2002
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Beat writer Matt Maiocco says that Vernon Davis' numbers can definitely get better.
Maiocco points out that this was Davis' first year in a new offense and he'll be more comfortable in the scheme next season. That could lead to a higher percentage of passes that come his way being completed. Davis was the No. 1 scoring tight end in 2009 thanks to his 13 touchdowns, but he can clearly improve on his 965 yards. There's upside here.


49ers signed ILB Darry Beckwith to a reserve/future contract.
Beckwith was on San Diego's practice squad last year after going undrafted out of LSU. He has special teams upside, but is backup material on defense.



Beat writer Matt Barrows says there's a "solid chance" that impending unrestricted free agent S Mark Roman will be back with the Niners in 2010.
Roman will be 33 next month and will find that there's not much of a market out there for him. Michael Lewis struggled with concussions and the Niners could use Roman as cheap insurance.


All signs point toward free agent OT Tony Pashos playing for the Redskins next season, according to 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows.
Pashos' former position coach, Chris Foerster, is now with the Redskins and in desperate need of linemen. Owner Dan Snyder can outbid/overpay anyone, and the Skins need Pashos more than the Niners do. Pashos, 30, would be an immediate upgrade over Stephon Heyer, at least in terms of run blocking.


Beat writer Matt Barrows expects the Niners to retain NT Aubrayo Franklin with the franchise tag.
No surprise here. Franklin is one of the game's more underrated defensive linemen, helping to free up Patrick Willis for all those tackles. Ideally, the 49ers would lock up Franklin with a three- or four-year deal sometime after the draft. He turns 30 in August, but nose tackles have plenty of shelf life.


Beat writer Matt Barrows doesn't expect impending unrestricted free agent Arnaz Battle to be back with the Niners in 2010.
Even Battle himself has already admitted that he thinks he's moving on. The Niners top four receivers (Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Brandon Jones, Jason Hill) are set and the fifth receiver would ideally be someone with explosive returning skills.
 

DubbC415

Mickey Fallon
Sep 10, 2002
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Updating a previous item, ILB Darry Beckwith has signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers.
NFL.com's transactions page claimed earlier in the week that Beckwith had signed with the 49ers, who are in need of inside linebacker depth. Niners beat reporter Matt Maiocco, however, has confirmed that Beckwith will join San Diego's roster. He will compete for a roster spot this summer.
 

DubbC415

Mickey Fallon
Sep 10, 2002
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The 49ers are hopeful that Kentwan Balmer (shoulder surgery) will be cleared for on-field work in June.
Balmer, the 29th overall pick in the 2008 draft, tore his labrum in December. He was still only playing about a third of the snaps on base downs and there's question as to if he'll ever be a major contributor.

The Niners want to see NT Aubrayo Franklin put together back-to-back solid seasons before they sign him to a long-term deal, according to beat writer Matt Maiocco.
The Niners are set on putting the franchise tag on Franklin and paying him $7.003M in 2010. Maiocco says that part of the reason the Niners are hesitant to give him a long-term deal is because he's only 6'1/317, which is a little small for a true 3-4 nose tackle.
 

VanD

Sicc OG
Feb 8, 2004
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This is the last big NFL draft primer before the scene really shifts for good. That's because with the NFL combine next week, it's not just about those remarkable 40 times, it's about NFL personnel people finding out whether a guy really is who they believe he is. It's amazing how many times NFL personnel folks come away shocked that a player is 5-foot-11, not 6-1, or 230 pounds as opposed to the 248 he'd been listed at. Remember that my Big Board and position group rankings really help in understanding overall draft value.

Some things that stand out in this second mock draft are a jump for quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who I think will emerge strong from the workout and interview process; eight new names; multiple shifts in draft choices and the degree to which defense dominates. Twenty picks fall on that side of the ball.

San Francisco 49ers

Record: 8-8
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

In Spiller, the 49ers can add a player who complements Frank Gore in a way I don't think Glen Coffee can. Spiller is a home run threat and should spell Gore and diversify the offense. He also provides an upgrade in the return game.


San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)

Record: 8-8
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Considering how good Williams is, even at a position that normally doesn't draw high-to-mid first-round picks, getting him here would be of solid value. Williams could step in immediately at right tackle, and the 49ers would upgrade up front.

DO WANT!
 

DubbC415

Mickey Fallon
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49ers T/G Adam Snyder gave up more sacks than any of the team's offensive linemen in 2009, allowing nine in 16 starts.
Guards David Baas and Chilo Rachal tied for the second most with four. Snyder spent most of his time last year at right tackle, which will be a priority for San Francisco to upgrade this offseason. The Niners are commonly linked to Oklahoma OT Trent Williams in mock drafts at No. 13 or 17 overall.

The feeling in the 49ers' organization is that Shaun Hill does not throw a good enough ball to be a long-term option at quarterback.
Hill's season-high for passing yards in five starts last season was 209. He has the perfect intangibles and game management skills to be a backup, and that's exactly what he'll be in 2010.

49ers beat writer Matt Maicco says Alex Smith "has not convinced anybody he can be a reliable quarterback in the league."
In 10 starts last season, Smith showed flashes and ended up averaging 215.5 passing yards and 1.5 touchdown passes per game. There's reason to think he can take a step forward in 2010. He's in the same system for consecutive seasons for the first time in his career, the Niners' offense is talented as a whole, and Smith isn't looking over his shoulder at Shaun Hill.
 

DubbC415

Mickey Fallon
Sep 10, 2002
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niners have an extra first round pick, unless im mistaken, and thats what the eagles want, so it could fit. And the eagles have gone back and forth saying they're trading McNabb, theyre not trading him, theyd rather trade vick, so who knows