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Chree

Chree

Medicated
#1
Dec 7, 2005
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#1
49ers Waive LB Smith
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February 19, 2008

The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday that LB Derek Smith has been waived. Smith originally signed with the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent from the Washington Redskins in 2000.

“Decisions like this are a difficult part of a great business," said head coach Mike Nolan. "Derek has been an important member of the 49ers, and you don’t make these kinds of decisions without battling the emotion that is natural when you are dealing with a player that has done so much for your organization.

“We made the decision because we have quality linebackers who we think are the future of the 49ers. Derek was a model professional during his seven seasons with the 49ers, and he influenced a lot of the younger players with his work ethic.”

Smith (6-2, 240) is a 12-year veteran who was originally a third-round pick by the Redskins in 1997.

In 2007, Smith started 14 of 15 games and finished fifth on the team with 98 tackles to go along with one interception and one fumble recovery.

In his career, Smith has accumulated 1,493 career tackles and 13.5 sacks. He was named the 2005 Co-Recipient of the Bill Walsh Award, which honors the team’s most valuable player and is voted on by the coaches. Smith also posted 100 or more tackles in his first nine NFL seasons.

 
Chree

Chree

Medicated
#2
Dec 7, 2005
32,404
13,935
113
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#2
And another great reason.


He was scheduled to earn $3.28 million in base salary. With the move, the 49ers create an additional $3.28 million in salary-cap space.
 
Chree

Chree

Medicated
#4
Dec 7, 2005
32,404
13,935
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#4
lol come on trajik, u been watchin him play the past 2 years? almost every tackle he would "make" he would get dragged 5 yards down field then finally have help lol
 
G

GetSome406

Sicc OG
#13
Feb 17, 2008
608
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0
38
#13
gonna have to agree with this move, we have some good young linebackers that should get some more experience, i think this is a good move. and yes we do need some handed recievers...
 
Chree

Chree

Medicated
#17
Dec 7, 2005
32,404
13,935
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#17
Linebacker Derek Smith, 33, whom the 49ers waived earlier today, made a comment about the end of his days with the organization.

"I enjoyed my time with the 49ers over the last seven years," Smith said. "It is unfortunate that we did not accomplish what we wanted to during that time. I wish the team the best of luck, and I hope they get to where they want to be soon. In the meantime, it is time for me to move on and find another team in the NFL."

Clearly, Smith wants to play one more season in the league. When he signed the three-year deal with the 49ers in 2006, he said he wanted to play through the 2008 season and then call it quits.

* * *

Smith is not expected to be the only veteran to depart the 49ers this offseason.

The club is waiting to hear official word from guard Larry Allen about his plans. Allen, scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, is contemplating retirement. The 49ers would be willing to bring him back next season only if he plays at a price considerably less than his $4.2 million average of the past two seasons.

Veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer will not return to the 49ers, league sources said. The 49ers expect Dilfer to retire after he sat out the final 3 1/2 games of the season with a concussion.

Dilfer, who turns 36 in March, worked for the NFL Network during the Senior Bowl and Super Bowl. Quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill are scheduled to compete for the starting job this year, thus making Dilfer expendable.
 
Chree

Chree

Medicated
#19
Dec 7, 2005
32,404
13,935
113
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#19
^ maybe a backup in the later rounds.....




The San Francisco 49ers made official this week what became clear throughout last season: They are going young at linebacker.

That means 33-year-old Derek Smith is out and 26-year-old Lance Briggs could well be in.

Smith started 14 games for the 49ers last season, but Patrick Willis was the leader of the unit -- even as a rookie. And with youngsters like Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson and Tully Banta-Cain, Smith became the old man out.

"Decisions like this are a difficult part of a great business," coach Mike Nolan told reporters after the 49ers cut Smith on Tuesday. "Derek has been an important member of the 49ers, and you don't make these kinds of decisions without battling the emotion that is natural when you are dealing with a player that has done so much for your organization.

"We made the decision because we have quality linebackers who we think are the future of the 49ers," Nolan said. "Derek was a model professional during his seven seasons with the 49ers, and he influenced a lot of the younger players with his work ethic."

Smith still finished as the team's fourth-leading tackler last season; his 78 stops were 36 more than Haralson had. But Jeff Ulbrich had replaced Smith in the nickel defense, and Lawson will be back this year after he missed most of the 2007 season with torn ACL. The 49ers also have Brandon Moore and Roderick Green.

The 49ers figure to find another inside linebacker somewhere, and it could be Briggs, the Chicago Bears' No. 2 linebacker who will be a free agent on Feb. 29. Ulbrich is not the long-term answer, while Briggs and Willis -- the 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year -- would make an excellent tandem.

Smith had one season left on his contract, but $3.28 million is too much for an aging player. The 49ers instead will try to use that money to sign Briggs.

Meanwhile, Smith will look for work elsewhere. The New England Patriots are always looking for 30-something linebackers, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him join Zach Thomas, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel.

"I enjoyed my time with the 49ers over the last seven years," said Smith, who was the team's leading tackler for most of those seasons. "It is unfortunate that we did not accomplish what we wanted to during that time. I wish the team the best of luck, and I hope they get to where they want to be soon. In the meantime, it is time for me to move on and find another team in the NFL."
 
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