HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Offseason In Review: San Francisco 49ers

July 21st, 2014 at 11:30pm CST by David Kipke

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Extensions and restructures:

Trades:

  • Acquired Jonathan Martin from the Dolphins in exchange for a conditional 2015 seventh-round pick. Pick changes hands if Martin makes 49ers’ opening day roster.
  • Acquired Blaine Gabbert from the Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 205) and a conditional 2015 draft pick. 2015 pick changes hands if Gabbert starts eight or more games in 2014.
  • Acquired Stevie Johnson from the Bills in exchange for a 2015 fourth-round pick which could become a third-rounder depending on Johnson’s performance.
  • Acquired a second-round pick (No. 63), a fifth-round pick (No. 171), and a 2015 fourth-round pick from the Broncos in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 56) and a seventh-round pick (No. 242).
  • Acquired a second-round pick (No. 57) from the Dolphins in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 63) and a fifth-round pick (No. 171).
  • Acquired a third-round pick (No. 70) and a fifth-round pick (No. 150) from the Jaguars in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 61).
  • Acquired a fourth-round pick (No. 106) and a sixth-round pick (No. 180) from the Browns in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 94).

Draft picks:

  • Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois (1.30): Signed
  • Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State (2.57): Signed
  • Marcus Martin, C, USC (3.70): Signed
  • Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin (3.77): Signed
  • Brandon Thomas, G, Clemson (3.100): Signed
  • Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina (4.106): Signed
  • Dontae Johnson, CB, North Carolina State (4.129): Signed
  • Aaron Lynch, DE/OLB, South Florida (5.150): Signed
  • Keith Reaser, CB, Florida Atlantic (5.170): Signed
  • Kenneth Acker, CB, SMU (6.180): Signed
  • Kaleb Ramsey, DL, Boston College (7.243): Signed
  • Trey Millard, FB, Oklahoma (7.245): Signed

Other:

The 2013 49ers were a team with very few holes. Few were surprised when Jim Harbaugh‘s squad progressed all the way to the NFC Championship Game before falling to the soon-to-be Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Although Colin Kaepernick was solid throughout the season, he was no longer the lightning rod he had been in 2012 when he led the team to Super Bowl XLVII before falling to the Ravens.

The offense received a major shot in the arm with the Week 13 return of Michael Crabtree from a long-term Achilles injury. The additional threat that Crabtree provided opposing defenses was enough to open up holes for the rushing attack, which was vital for the successful operation of Harbaugh’s run-first offense.

The defense, which boasted five 2013 Pro Bowlers, was one of the best units in the entire NFL. Former blue-chip flameout Glenn Dorsey appears to have found a home at the interior of Vic Fangio‘s 3-4 base defense. The linebacking corps, led by interior Pro Bowl duo NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, was as good as any in the league. In the secondary, Donte Whitner was the group’s largest contributor and leader. Heading into the offseason, the team had to confront the expiring contracts of several potentially expensive players, and the 2014 roster will have a slightly different look to it because of that.

Offensively, the 49ers made dramatic strides at the receiver position during the offseason. They retained Anquan Boldin, traded for Stevie Johnson, signed Brandon Lloyd, and drafted deep threat Bruce Ellington. Frank Gore, who has the second-most rushing attempts among all active running backs, has been surrounded with several intriguing talents to lighten this year’s load. Perennial spell back Kendall Hunter will be joined by second-round pick Carlos Hyde, LaMichael James, and former South Carolina standout Marcus Lattimore.

The team extended Kaepernick through 2020, giving the Nevada alum a six-year, $114MM deal. Along the line, the team re-structured the deal of stalwart left tackle Joe Staley, ensuring the protection of Kaepernick’s blind side for the foreseeable future. Daniel Kilgore, who spent two years learning the 49ers offense while backing up Jonathan Goodwin, will look to finally start at center. The team also traded for Jonathan Martin, a hometown Stanford alum, who possesses higher upside than most NFL swingmen. The absences of the team’s two holdouts, Vernon Davis and Alex Boone, would be significant blows to the entire offense should their messy contract situations carry into the regular season.

Defensively, the biggest transition will be made in the secondary — Eric Reid is the only projected returning starter heading into training camp. He will likely be joined by Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, who’s returning from an ACL injury, and former Colt Antoine Bethea. The club brought in Bethea to replace the veteran safety void left by Whitner, who departed to Cleveland. First-round draft pick Jimmie Ward is the favorite to line up as nickel back.

The linebacking corps will take on a fairly new dynamic with the absence of Bowman and possibly Aldon Smith, whose legal woes could result in suspensions. Given their intriguing collection of linebackers, including Michael Wilhoite and Nick Moody and rookies Chris Borland and Shayne Skov, another Stanford alum, the 49ers will have many solid options. The line will again feature Justin Smith, with Ray McDonald playing opposite Smith and Dorsey lined up at nose tackle.

The 2013 49ers came a few plays away from back-to-back Super Bowl berths. That team managed to improve dramatically on offense and more or less hold the line defensively this past offseason, which makes the Niners a serious Super Bowl contender heading into 2014. The team’s regular season matchups against the Seahawks will be two of the season’s most anticipated games, and for good reason — one could reasonably expect the NFC West rivals to meet again in the NFC Championship.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.

NFC Notes: Austin, Wilson, Conte

July 21st, 2014 at 8:07pm CST by Matt Feminis

Tavon Austin did not provide the degree of immediate impact the Rams were hoping for when they chose him eighth overall last year. In an AP story, Austin was bluntly honest about why he didn’t play as fast as he’s capable: he struggled with the complexities of his first NFL playbook. “I didn’t really know what was going on,” Austin said. “Everything looked like Spanish and sounded like Spanish to me.”

Here’s some NFC links:

Minor Moves: Caussin, Adams, McCray

July 21st, 2014 at 7:21pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Redskins have signed tight end Mike Caussin, recently released by the Bills, and waived long-snapper Kyle Nelson, per Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Caussin (6-5, 243) entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played in six games, catching five balls for 41 yards for the Bills in 2011, the last time he appeared in a game. He missed the 2012 season because of a torn ACL and was sidelined by a hip injury in 2013.

In other transactions…

  • The Giants waived Kris Adams (failed physical) from the PUP list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • The Saints have cut defensive tackle Moses McCray, per ESPN’s Mike Triplett (via Twitter). McCray had signed an undrafted free agent out of Akron.

AFC Notes: Watt, Glenn, Gordon

July 21st, 2014 at 6:14pm CST by Matt Feminis

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who will make approximately $3.6MM this year, should be in line for a four-year deal worth nearly $58MM in the opinion of Jason Fitzgerald at OverTheCap.com. Fitzgerald supplements his proposed contract with a thorough evaluation of all the factors involved.

Here’s some AFC news and notes:

  • With the waiving of Brennan Williams, the Texans will get nothing out of two 2013 third-round picks, notes Brian T. Smith in the Houston Chronicle.
  • Bills fans hoping for encouraging news about Cordy Glenn didn’t get any on Monday, as head coach Doug Marrone merely told the media he’s not allowed to go into specifics about the illness keeping his starting left tackle on the Active/Non-Football Illness list. “It’s a medical condition,” Marrone told WGR 550’s Joe Buscaglia. “I’m preparing to go on as if he’s not playing, which he’s not. I’m just waiting for the doctors, and I can’t speak about the condition because it’s something that happened outside of football.”
  • A disciplinary hearing looms for Browns receiver Josh Gordon, and the team does not seem intent on releasing the troubled receiver at this time, writes ESPN’s Pat McManamon.
  • The Titans defensive line is previewed by the Tennessean’s John Glennon, who tabbed defensive lineman Jurrell Casey as the unit’s “offseason star”: “After racking up a career-best 10.5 sacks at defensive tackle in the 4-3, Casey certainly could have been upset about the shift to a 3-4 defensive end – especially in a contract year. But he seems genuinely enthusiastic about the new scheme and new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.” Meanwhile, Jim Wyatt, Glennon’s Tennessean colleague, tweets that the team and Casey are in negotiations for a new deal.
  • Patriots second-year linebacker Jamie Collins “clearly added muscle mass as he prepared for 2014, though he wouldn’t admit how much, and he looks much more the part of an NFL linebacker,” reports Boston.com’s Jeff Howe.

49ers Notes: Boone, Lipford, Staley

July 21st, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

The extension agreed upon by the 49ers and Joe Staley may have been sending a message to players like Vernon Davis and Alex Boone, with the team rewarding a player who showed up at spring workouts despite being underpaid. However, that doesn’t mean the Staley deal will persuade Boone to attending training camp — Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com “wouldn’t be surprised if Boone is the rare player to skip much if not all of camp.” While the Niners have most of the leverage in this scenario, La Canfora suggests that, given the high expectations for the veteran squad heading into 2014, the club may be wise to reach a compromise with the disgruntled guard.

Here’s more on the Niners:

  • Within the same piece, La Canfora also touches on recent comments by commissioner Roger Goodell suggesting that perhaps the Raiders could share Levi’s Stadium with the 49ers, but notes that owner Mark Davis is even less interested in that idea than his father was.
  • While the 49ers are unlikely to sign Boone to a new contract with a large signing bonus, an agreement that includes other forms of roster bonuses and incentives could be doable for the team, writes Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Lynch is less enthusiastic about the idea of Davis getting a new contract.
  • Linebacker Darius Lipford, who went unselected in the supplemental draft and worked out for the Niners last week, is drawing interest from three other teams, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap has the specifics on Staley’s new contract, which he describes as virtually an all-new deal, rather than simply an extension. The total value on the pact, which includes two option years, is six years, $44.65MM.
  • Earlier today, I asked which team will win the NFC West in 2014. So far, PFR readers like the Seahawks, who have grabbed about 47% of the vote, over the Niners, who have earned about 39%.

Minor Moves: Hagg, Giants, Pats, Cowboys

July 21st, 2014 at 4:39pm CST by Luke Adams

After a quiet few weeks, roster moves around the NFL are picking up again, with most training camps just around the corner. We’ll track today’s minor moves here, including signings and cuts of players with no or little NFL experience. Here are the latest moves, with additional transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • Safety Eric Hagg has informed the Broncos he intends to retire, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Hagg, who appeared in 23 total games in two season with the Browns in 2011-12, had signed a futures contract with Denver earlier this year.
  • According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Giants have acted quickly to fill Chris Snee‘s roster spot, signing offensive lineman John Sullen, who auditioned for the team last month.
  • Former BYU defensive tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna, who was cut by the Giants last month has signed with the Patriots, according to a team release. The club waived Seali’i Epenesa to clear room on the 90-man roster for Manumaleuna.

Earlier updates:

  • Free agent wideout Dezmon Briscoe has signed with the Cowboys, according to agent Erik Burkhardt (via Twitter). Briscoe, who caught 35 passes for the Buccaneers in 2011, was waived-injured by the Redskins prior to the 2013 regular season. In order to sign Briscoe, the team waived defensive tackle Chris Whaley with a non-football injury designation, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.
  • The Bengals have maintained an opening on their 90-man roster, waiving rookie wideout Alex Neutz today, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link).
  • The Chargers have waived center Nick McDonald, the team announced today (via Twitter). The offensive lineman had inked a reserve/futures contract with the club back in January.
  • With the newly-open roster spot, the Chargers will bring aboard Khalil Wilkes, a Stanford product who participated in the club’s minicamp in May. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter) that the team has agreed to terms with the undrafted center.
  • One of the players who went unselected in this month’s supplemental draft has found a home, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, who reports that defensive tackle LaKendrick Ross is signing with the Bengals. Ross, who tried out for the Bengals today, had 11 teams attend his workout prior to that supplemental draft, though Cincinnati wasn’t among that list. The Bengals had an open roster spot already, so no corresponding move will be necessary to bring Ross aboard.

Texans Waive Brennan Williams

July 21st, 2014 at 4:36pm CST by Luke Adams

The Texans have waived 2013 third-round pick Brennan Williams with a failed physical designation, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Assuming Williams passes through waivers unclaimed, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team.

Still, while Williams should become a free agent, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to continue his NFL career, which was derailed by knee injuries before it really began. Williams, 23, battled a knee injury last summer and then underwent microfracture surgery on his other knee. The North Carolina alum was unable to participate in OTAs this spring as he continued to recover from the procedure, and the fact that the Texans are willing to part ways with him at this point suggests the team isn’t confident he’ll get healthy enough to contribute.

Cutting Williams opens up a roster spot for the Texans, so the club will likely sign someone to fill that opening soon.

Giants Not Looking To Add Veteran OL

July 21st, 2014 at 4:17pm CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of Chris Snee‘s retirement, the Giants find themselves a bit thinner on the interior of their offensive line, and will likely head into the season with three new starters at center, left guard, and right guard. Still, at the moment, the team isn’t looking to add any offensive linemen via free agency or trade, according to Giants president, CEO, and co-owner John Mara (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com).

John Jerry, Brandon Mosley, J.D. Walton, and Weston Richburg are among the candidates to take over at right guard, though all the members of that group are either inexperienced or weren’t overly effective in 2013. Either Walton or Richburg will also likely begin the season as the starting center.

The lack of experienced options at right guard prompted multiple writers to speculate earlier today that the Giants could pursue outside help. Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link) speculated that disgruntled 49ers guard Alex Boone could be a potential trade target, while Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) named veteran free agent Mike Brisiel as a possible fit. For now though, it seems the club is happy with its internal options, though of course that’s subject to change if no one stands out in training camp or if the injury bug strikes.

The Giants did replace Snee on the roster with an offensive lineman today, but guard John Sullen has no regular-season NFL experience and is a long shot to make the roster.

Poll: Who Will Win The NFC West?

July 21st, 2014 at 2:23pm CST by Luke Adams

It was only a few years ago – in 2010 – that the 7-9 Seahawks won the NFC West, earning a playoff spot by virtue of a tiebreaker with the 7-9 Rams. The division may have been a punchline at that point, but much has changed since then. In 2013, the NFC West’s four teams combined for an impressive 42-22 record, while no other division in the conference even had a .500 overall record.

The Seahawks took advantage of a division win and a first-round bye, en route to a Super Bowl victory, and they’ll head into 2014 as the favorites to repeat. Having re-signed a handful of key contributors, including defensive end Michael Bennett, the club looks poised for another great season. But there are plenty of notable departures to consider as well – wide receiver Golden Tate, defensive end Chris Clemons, tackle Breno Giacomini, and cornerback Walter Thurmond were among the free agents who signed elsewhere, which could open the door for another team to take the division crown away from Seattle.

The top contender is likely San Francisco, a team that won 12 games of its own in the 2013 season and gave the Seahawks everything they could handle in the NFC Championship Game. Like their division rivals, the 49ers didn’t undergo a major roster overhaul in the offseason, with Antoine Bethea representing the club’s only real significant free agent addition. But there’s so much talent on both sides of the ball that the Niners enter the season as a legit Super Bowl contender without having made any major changes.

One of last year’s most surprising teams, the 11-win Cardinals, were unlucky to miss out on the playoffs, but turned plenty of heads by nearly keeping pace with the Seahawks and Niners all year long. While Arizona may be a candidate for regression in 2014, another strong season from Carson Palmer should keep the team competitive, and newly-signed tackle Jared Veldheer should help ensure that Palmer has the time he needs to find Larry Fitzgerald and co.

The dark horse in the West is St. Louis, the division’s only sub-.500 team last season. Because they’d acquired Washington’s first-round pick for the 2014 draft, the Rams were able to add potential stars on both sides of the ball, selecting offensive tackle Greg Robinson and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. In the NFL’s toughest division, the Rams will have an uphill battle to leapfrog the three clubs above them. However, the amount of talent on the roster, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, will make St. Louis a tough team to play in 2014.

What do you think? Are the Seahawks headed for another division title, or can another NFC West club unseat them?

Previously:
Who will win the AFC North?
Who will win the AFC West?
Who will win the AFC South?
Who will win the AFC East?
Who will win the NFC North?

Chris Snee Announces Retirement

July 21st, 2014 at 12:33pm CST by Luke Adams

12:33pm: The Giants and Snee have officially announced his retirement in a press release.

“Chris is a pro’s pro,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “He played the game right. He was as tough and prideful as they come. We will miss him.”

11:11am: After we heard yesterday that veteran offensive lineman Chris Snee was considering the possibility of retirement, it appears he has made his decision, opting to end his playing career. A tweet from his agency and an Instagram update from teammate Antrel Rolle both indicate that Snee has decided to retire.

Snee, 32, was a second-round pick in 2004, and has spent his entire career in New York. The longtime Giant started a total of 141 games over his 10-year career, earning four Pro Bowl berths and being named an All-Pro following the 2008 season. Snee also won two Super Bowls with the club.

Hip injuries sidelined Snee for a good chunk of the 2013 season, and although he agreed to take a pay cut for the 2014 season in the hopes of returning to the field, he has been unable to get healthy. The guard has also been dealing with complications to his surgically-repaired elbow, which caused him to miss spring practices.

With Snee no longer in the mix, John Jerry and Brandon Mosley are candidates to play right guard on an offensive line that will feature multiple new starters in 2014. The club could also consider moving J.D. Walton or second-round pick Weston Richburg over from center.

Load More Posts