TSSSSSSSSSSSS HAAAAAAAA WHAT SHOULD THE NINERS DO?
- Thread starter LEE-ZILLA 69
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49ers: What they need, why then need it and who can fill it
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_5730908
1. Wide receiver
Even before Antonio Bryant's departure, Alex Smith was lacking a bona fide No. 1 threat.
Draft prospects: Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech), Robert Meachem (Tennessee), Dwayne Bowe (LSU), Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) and Dwayne Jarrett (USC).
2. Defensive end
Bryant Young is returning for a 14th season. The 49ers need to get serious about replacing him.
Draft prospects: Gaines Adams (Clemson), Adam Carriker (Nebraska), Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas), Charles Johnson (Georgia) and Victor Abiamiri (Notre Dame).
3. Linebacker
Shoddy tackling was one of team's biggest problems last season.
Draft prospects: Patrick Willis (Mississippi), Brandon Siler (Florida), David Harris (Michigan), Justin Durant (Hampton) and H.B. Blades (Pittsburgh).
4. Offensive tackle
Depth is a concern because Jonas Jennings has struggled with injuries, and Kwame Harris has just struggled.
Draft prospects: Joe Thomas (Wisconsin), Levi Brown (Penn State), Joe Staley (Central Michigan) Tony Ugoh (Arkansas) and Marshal Yanda (Iowa).
5. Running back
Frank Gore can do it all, but he can't do it all alone.
Draft prospects: Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma), Marshawn Lynch (Cal), Antonio Pittman (Ohio State), Tony Hunt (Penn State) and Brian Leonard (Rutgers).
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_5730908
1. Wide receiver
Even before Antonio Bryant's departure, Alex Smith was lacking a bona fide No. 1 threat.
Draft prospects: Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech), Robert Meachem (Tennessee), Dwayne Bowe (LSU), Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) and Dwayne Jarrett (USC).
2. Defensive end
Bryant Young is returning for a 14th season. The 49ers need to get serious about replacing him.
Draft prospects: Gaines Adams (Clemson), Adam Carriker (Nebraska), Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas), Charles Johnson (Georgia) and Victor Abiamiri (Notre Dame).
3. Linebacker
Shoddy tackling was one of team's biggest problems last season.
Draft prospects: Patrick Willis (Mississippi), Brandon Siler (Florida), David Harris (Michigan), Justin Durant (Hampton) and H.B. Blades (Pittsburgh).
4. Offensive tackle
Depth is a concern because Jonas Jennings has struggled with injuries, and Kwame Harris has just struggled.
Draft prospects: Joe Thomas (Wisconsin), Levi Brown (Penn State), Joe Staley (Central Michigan) Tony Ugoh (Arkansas) and Marshal Yanda (Iowa).
5. Running back
Frank Gore can do it all, but he can't do it all alone.
Draft prospects: Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma), Marshawn Lynch (Cal), Antonio Pittman (Ohio State), Tony Hunt (Penn State) and Brian Leonard (Rutgers).
What will Nolan & the 49ers do with the No. 11 overall pick?
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070424/NEWS/70423016/1010/SPT
SANTA CLARA — Coach Mike Nolan said it would be nice if the 49ers had one glaring need entering the NFL draft.
The 49ers own the No. 11 overall pick, and what happens with the top 10 selections will determine the 49ers’ first selection Saturday in the draft. They could conceivably select an offensive lineman, wide receiver, defensive lineman, linebacker or defensive back with their first selection.
With 10 overall picks, the 49ers can grab a player at most of their top need positions. Also, the 49ers have the option to package a couple selections to move up in the draft to select someone of particular interest.
Nolan said he believes it’s a mistake to draft a player high in the draft just because he plays a position that the team considers a need. He would rather take the best player, even if it’s at a position where there’s already an established starter.
“What you end up having is a lot of backup players on your roster,” Nolan said. “I would rather pick out a current starter with a starter at the same position and get better than to create two backups at a position where I don’t have any depth. I still have no starter.”
Here is a look at the 49ers’ position-by-position needs:
QUARTERBACK
Who’s Here:Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer, Shaun Hill.
Draft Needs:There is really no need here, but it’s conceivable the 49ers could take a quarterback in the late rounds to compete with Hill for the No. 3 job.
RUNNING BACK
Who’s Here: RB Frank Gore, FB Moran Norris, RB Michael Robinson, RB Maurice Hicks, FB Zak Keasey.
Draft Needs: The 49ers would like to give Gore a few more rest breaks during the season, so his body does not endure an unnecessary pounding. The team might want to promote more competition at the backup spot with the addition of a draft pick. They could also bring in a backup fullback.
WIDE RECEIVER
Who’s Here: Ashley Lelie, Arnaz Battle, Bryan Gilmore, Brandon Williams, Taylor Jacobs, Marcus Maxwell, C.J. Brewer.
Draft Needs: Lelie takes over for Antonio Bryant, who was released in the offseason. Battle has gotten better every season, but is probably best-suited to be a No. 3 wideout. The 49ers are expected to take advantage of the deep draft class to add a playmaker. It’s even possible the 49ers could use a first-round pick on Robert Meachem (Tennessee).
TIGHT END
Who’s Here: Vernon Davis, Billy Bajema, Delanie Walker.
Draft Needs:The 49ers wanted to retain veteran Eric Johnson for his influence, but he signed with the Saints. There is not a great need to add another young player.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Who’s Here: LT Jonas Jennings, LG Larry Allen, C Eric Heitmann, RG Justin Smiley, RT Kwame Harris, T-G Adam Snyder, G-C David Baas, G-C Tony Wragge, T Harvey Dahl, T Patrick Estes, G Nick Steitz, T Tavares Washington, T Damane Duckett.
Draft Needs: Allen, Smiley and Harris are all entering the final years of their contracts, so the 49ers must look ahead to ‘08. If tackle Levi Brown (Penn State) is not chosen within the top 10 picks, the 49ers would gladly select him. Because of the uncertainty for the ’08 season, the 49ers might invest a first-day pick on a player who has a chance to make an immediate impact. They have a lot of options from which to choose among the players they coached at the Senior Bowl, including tackle/guards Arron Sears (Tennessee) and Tony Ugoh (Arkansas).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Who’s Here: DE Bryant Young, NT Aubrayo Franklin, DE Ronald Fields, DE Marques Douglas, DE Melvin Oliver, NT Isaac Sopoaga, DE John Syptak.
Draft Needs:The team doesn’t need anyone flashy at this spot. They want big bodies to occupy space and do the dirty work that comes along with playing in a 3-4 scheme. A player to fill that role might not be the answer with the No. 11 pick. If they trade back in the first round, Adam Carriker (Nebraska) could look inviting. The 49ers are expected to address this need in the first four rounds, with Ikaika Alama-Francis (Hawaii) being one player in whom the team has shown interest.
LINEBACKER
Who’s Here: OLB Tully Banta-Cain, ILB Brandon Moore, ILB Derek Smith, OLB Manny Lawson, OLB Parys Haralson, OLB Roderick Green, ILB Colby Bockwoldt, ILB Jeff Ulbrich, OLB Hannibal Navies.
Draft Needs: This is an area that will be under consideration as early as the No. 11 overall pick. Inside linebacker Patrick Willis (Mississippi) is a serious option after the strong impression he left on the coaching staff at the Senior Bowl. The 49ers feel relatively good about pass-rushers Banta-Cain, Green, Haralson and Lawson, but they wouldn’t mind adding another impact player.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Who’s Here: CB Nate Clements, CB Walt Harris, FS Mark Roman, SS Michael Lewis, CB Shawntae Spencer, S Keith Lewis, CB B.J. Tucker, CB Donald Strickland, CB Marcus Hudson, S Vickiel Vaughn, S Jermaine Hardy.
Draft Needs: The 49ers paid big money to acquire Clements and Michael Lewis in free agency, but there is always a need to build depth in the secondary. The 49ers might want to add another corner they can groom to take over in a year or two. There’s not a pressing need at safety, but it would be almost impossible to pass up LaRon Landry (LSU) if he landed in their laps with the No. 11 pick.
SPECIALISTS
Who’s Here: K Joe Nedney, P Andy Lee, LS Brian Jennings.
Draft Needs: These spots have been pretty solid for a couple years, so there’s no reason to waste a pick here.
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070424/NEWS/70423016/1010/SPT
SANTA CLARA — Coach Mike Nolan said it would be nice if the 49ers had one glaring need entering the NFL draft.
The 49ers own the No. 11 overall pick, and what happens with the top 10 selections will determine the 49ers’ first selection Saturday in the draft. They could conceivably select an offensive lineman, wide receiver, defensive lineman, linebacker or defensive back with their first selection.
With 10 overall picks, the 49ers can grab a player at most of their top need positions. Also, the 49ers have the option to package a couple selections to move up in the draft to select someone of particular interest.
Nolan said he believes it’s a mistake to draft a player high in the draft just because he plays a position that the team considers a need. He would rather take the best player, even if it’s at a position where there’s already an established starter.
“What you end up having is a lot of backup players on your roster,” Nolan said. “I would rather pick out a current starter with a starter at the same position and get better than to create two backups at a position where I don’t have any depth. I still have no starter.”
Here is a look at the 49ers’ position-by-position needs:
QUARTERBACK
Who’s Here:Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer, Shaun Hill.
Draft Needs:There is really no need here, but it’s conceivable the 49ers could take a quarterback in the late rounds to compete with Hill for the No. 3 job.
RUNNING BACK
Who’s Here: RB Frank Gore, FB Moran Norris, RB Michael Robinson, RB Maurice Hicks, FB Zak Keasey.
Draft Needs: The 49ers would like to give Gore a few more rest breaks during the season, so his body does not endure an unnecessary pounding. The team might want to promote more competition at the backup spot with the addition of a draft pick. They could also bring in a backup fullback.
WIDE RECEIVER
Who’s Here: Ashley Lelie, Arnaz Battle, Bryan Gilmore, Brandon Williams, Taylor Jacobs, Marcus Maxwell, C.J. Brewer.
Draft Needs: Lelie takes over for Antonio Bryant, who was released in the offseason. Battle has gotten better every season, but is probably best-suited to be a No. 3 wideout. The 49ers are expected to take advantage of the deep draft class to add a playmaker. It’s even possible the 49ers could use a first-round pick on Robert Meachem (Tennessee).
TIGHT END
Who’s Here: Vernon Davis, Billy Bajema, Delanie Walker.
Draft Needs:The 49ers wanted to retain veteran Eric Johnson for his influence, but he signed with the Saints. There is not a great need to add another young player.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Who’s Here: LT Jonas Jennings, LG Larry Allen, C Eric Heitmann, RG Justin Smiley, RT Kwame Harris, T-G Adam Snyder, G-C David Baas, G-C Tony Wragge, T Harvey Dahl, T Patrick Estes, G Nick Steitz, T Tavares Washington, T Damane Duckett.
Draft Needs: Allen, Smiley and Harris are all entering the final years of their contracts, so the 49ers must look ahead to ‘08. If tackle Levi Brown (Penn State) is not chosen within the top 10 picks, the 49ers would gladly select him. Because of the uncertainty for the ’08 season, the 49ers might invest a first-day pick on a player who has a chance to make an immediate impact. They have a lot of options from which to choose among the players they coached at the Senior Bowl, including tackle/guards Arron Sears (Tennessee) and Tony Ugoh (Arkansas).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Who’s Here: DE Bryant Young, NT Aubrayo Franklin, DE Ronald Fields, DE Marques Douglas, DE Melvin Oliver, NT Isaac Sopoaga, DE John Syptak.
Draft Needs:The team doesn’t need anyone flashy at this spot. They want big bodies to occupy space and do the dirty work that comes along with playing in a 3-4 scheme. A player to fill that role might not be the answer with the No. 11 pick. If they trade back in the first round, Adam Carriker (Nebraska) could look inviting. The 49ers are expected to address this need in the first four rounds, with Ikaika Alama-Francis (Hawaii) being one player in whom the team has shown interest.
LINEBACKER
Who’s Here: OLB Tully Banta-Cain, ILB Brandon Moore, ILB Derek Smith, OLB Manny Lawson, OLB Parys Haralson, OLB Roderick Green, ILB Colby Bockwoldt, ILB Jeff Ulbrich, OLB Hannibal Navies.
Draft Needs: This is an area that will be under consideration as early as the No. 11 overall pick. Inside linebacker Patrick Willis (Mississippi) is a serious option after the strong impression he left on the coaching staff at the Senior Bowl. The 49ers feel relatively good about pass-rushers Banta-Cain, Green, Haralson and Lawson, but they wouldn’t mind adding another impact player.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Who’s Here: CB Nate Clements, CB Walt Harris, FS Mark Roman, SS Michael Lewis, CB Shawntae Spencer, S Keith Lewis, CB B.J. Tucker, CB Donald Strickland, CB Marcus Hudson, S Vickiel Vaughn, S Jermaine Hardy.
Draft Needs: The 49ers paid big money to acquire Clements and Michael Lewis in free agency, but there is always a need to build depth in the secondary. The 49ers might want to add another corner they can groom to take over in a year or two. There’s not a pressing need at safety, but it would be almost impossible to pass up LaRon Landry (LSU) if he landed in their laps with the No. 11 pick.
SPECIALISTS
Who’s Here: K Joe Nedney, P Andy Lee, LS Brian Jennings.
Draft Needs: These spots have been pretty solid for a couple years, so there’s no reason to waste a pick here.
I dont knwo if many know this, but Okoye is only 20 years old. He is a fuckin genius AND a monster on the field.
http://uoflsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/okoye_amobi00.html
Has grown up in the Cardinals' football program... signed with Louisville when he was 15... big, strong athlete who'll bolster the defensive line... has gotten better each season... runs well for his size... run-stopper the Cardinals' need to keep their steady improvement on defense.
Career Notes: Has played in 35 games, including 11 as a starter... burst on the scene in 2003 as the youngest player in the NCAA at 16 years of age.
2005: Registered 23 tackles and four tackles for loss... recorded four tackles against West Virginia... returned to action versus North Carolina and recorded one tackle... didn't play against Florida Atlantic because of a foot sprain... notched three tackles against South Florida... registered two tackles and recovered a fumble versus Kentucky.
2004: Appeared in 11 of 12 games... recorded 26 total tackles and a sack... didn't play versus ECU because of a shoulder injury... made only collegiate start versus Army and responded with a career-high seven tackles... recorded one tackle in the season opener against Kentucky.
2003: The youngest player in college football at 16 years old... one of eight true freshman to earn time... played in all 13 games at defensive tackle... credited with 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack... recorded a career-best four tackles against Tulane... registered three tackles versus Army and Memphis... notched first career sack versus UTEP.
Lee High School: Originally hails from Anambra, Nigeria ... extremely bright ... size, speed and work ethic are pluses ... tested into the ninth grade as a 12-year-old when his family moved to Huntsville from Nigeria ... played three years of prep football ... took up the sport as a sophomore, knowing next to nothing about the game ... started 13 games on the defensive line as a 13-year-old ... played both ways, earning honorable mention all-state honors as a junior ... logged 60 tackles and nine sacks, earning first-team All-State honors on both sides of the ball as a senior.
Personal Profile: Son of Augustine and Edna Okoye... born 6/10/87... Psychology major.
Defense
Year GP U A T TFL Sacks FR FF Int PB
2003 13-0 9 8 17 2-3 1-2 0-0 0 0-0 0
2004 11-1 11 15 26 2-4 1-2 0-0 0 0-0 0
2005 11-10 10 13 23 4-17 0.5-4 3-0 0 0-0 0
Totals 35-11 30 36 66 8-24 2.5-8 3-0 0 0-0 0
http://uoflsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/okoye_amobi00.html
Has grown up in the Cardinals' football program... signed with Louisville when he was 15... big, strong athlete who'll bolster the defensive line... has gotten better each season... runs well for his size... run-stopper the Cardinals' need to keep their steady improvement on defense.
Career Notes: Has played in 35 games, including 11 as a starter... burst on the scene in 2003 as the youngest player in the NCAA at 16 years of age.
2005: Registered 23 tackles and four tackles for loss... recorded four tackles against West Virginia... returned to action versus North Carolina and recorded one tackle... didn't play against Florida Atlantic because of a foot sprain... notched three tackles against South Florida... registered two tackles and recovered a fumble versus Kentucky.
2004: Appeared in 11 of 12 games... recorded 26 total tackles and a sack... didn't play versus ECU because of a shoulder injury... made only collegiate start versus Army and responded with a career-high seven tackles... recorded one tackle in the season opener against Kentucky.
2003: The youngest player in college football at 16 years old... one of eight true freshman to earn time... played in all 13 games at defensive tackle... credited with 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack... recorded a career-best four tackles against Tulane... registered three tackles versus Army and Memphis... notched first career sack versus UTEP.
Lee High School: Originally hails from Anambra, Nigeria ... extremely bright ... size, speed and work ethic are pluses ... tested into the ninth grade as a 12-year-old when his family moved to Huntsville from Nigeria ... played three years of prep football ... took up the sport as a sophomore, knowing next to nothing about the game ... started 13 games on the defensive line as a 13-year-old ... played both ways, earning honorable mention all-state honors as a junior ... logged 60 tackles and nine sacks, earning first-team All-State honors on both sides of the ball as a senior.
Personal Profile: Son of Augustine and Edna Okoye... born 6/10/87... Psychology major.
Defense
Year GP U A T TFL Sacks FR FF Int PB
2003 13-0 9 8 17 2-3 1-2 0-0 0 0-0 0
2004 11-1 11 15 26 2-4 1-2 0-0 0 0-0 0
2005 11-10 10 13 23 4-17 0.5-4 3-0 0 0-0 0
Totals 35-11 30 36 66 8-24 2.5-8 3-0 0 0-0 0