Well not 2 hours had passed before my suggestions in my last post blew up right in my face. The 49ers released Nate Clements and Jonathan Joseph became a Houston Texan. Now the 49ers need to rethink what they will do and try to, you know, improve the team? The Free Agency period so far has been a disaster for the 49ers, they have lost or in the process of losing 5-6 starters on a defense that is underrated and actually performed well. While the offense is missing its most important player in Frank Gore to a holdout. In other "shocking" news, Michael Crabtree is out with, yes, you guessed it, a foot injury.
In recent years the 49ers have gone from Steve Young and Eddie DeBartolo, to Alex Smith and bad HC's.
So what exactly have the 49ers done so far? Well Kicker Joe Nedney retired and they replaced him with the very professional long time Eagle, David Akers. One thing which is concerning are Akers numbers in Candlestick where he is only 4-8 in FG Attempts beyond 30 yards. Also QB Bethel-Thompson who was a backup for the AFL San Jose Sabercats. That pretty much sums up the 49ers activity. Leaves a lot to be desired.
So REALISTICALLY moving forward, what can I expect the 49ers to do? Well for one, I feel we really lack a tall red zone target, apparently the 49ers are interested in both Plaxico Burress and Malcolm Floyd. Personally I prefer Floyd, no baggage and you know, has played football the last 2 years. That solves 1 issue.
2nd, if I'm the 49ers I'm still going after either Olin Kreutz or Shaun O'Hara. The Offensive Line needs a veteran leader. Joe Staley is too much of a joker to be a real leader. Guys like Anthony Davis, Chilo Rachal and Mike Iupati need a leader to look up to, and a strong presence to learn what it takes to be a good professional.
3rd, 49ers need secondary help, big time, however, the 49ers Front Office ineptitude has led to them missing out on any impact players. I look for solid band-aid signings in either Richard Marshall or Carlos Rogers, maybe a Safety like Brodney Pool. Again nothing special, but band aid fixes.
4th and most important, the 49ers must re-sign Aubrayo Franklin and try and get Manny Lawson back too. Both were integral parts of a defense that has performed very well the last 2-3 years.
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| YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF JIM HARBAUGH (HC) AND TRENT BAALKE (GM) DO ACTUALLY HAVE A PLAN. |
Overall there isn't much I can do or say to fill myself or fellow 49er fans with much optimism of the upcoming season. Essentially a completely new coaching staff, still have Alex Smith at QB, lost quality starters on defense, have not replaced them, offense has its best player angry with contract and holding out, while the top WR has yet another foot injury to possibly keep him out until the regular season starts. Sometimes you have to look and wonder at how far down this once proud franchise has become. For all intents and purposes a laughing stock in the NFL and a place where free agents avoid like the plague.
Thats it for now for the 49ers. Promise I will get cracking on reactions around the NFL.
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