Halfway point of season: Taking look at pending 49er free agents

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NinerCapHell.com | Halfway point of season: Taking look at pending 49er free agents


As the halfway point into the 2011 season has arrived, lets take a look at the 49ers pending 2012 free agents to be.

Offensively:

QB Alex Smith- Smith has really turned it around somewhat in most minds. While he hasn't thrown much, he has been effective in those that he has thrown. Only 1 interception thus far on this early season.

FB Moran Norris- Currently injured, and isn't likely back in 2012. I don't see much of a need for a traditional FB anymore now-a-days.

WR Braylon Edwards- Just came back from surgery, and looked real good in the victory over Cleveland. If he keeps it up look for an extension in the offseason.

WR Joshua Morgan- His season came to an abrupt end during the Buccaneers game, when he broke his leg. That withstanding, I fully expect the 49ers to bring Morgan back in 2012.

WR Brett Swain- Not much here, hasn't played much, if any at WR, so expect him to be expendable.

WR/RS Ted Ginn Jr.- After reducing his pay, and eliminating his 2012 season on his contract, Ginn has been on fire. Ginn had 2 amazing returns for touchdowns on opening day, including a 102-yard Kickoff Return. Ginn has proven he is worth keeping, now lets hope we don't have to get into a bidding war for his services.

TE Justin Peelle- Mainly a blocking TE, Peelle has shown some nice traits thus far. He has made some nice blocks that has opened holes for Frank Gore. I could see the 49ers giving him a 1-year deal with him competing with the returning Nate Byham for a spot on the roster.

RG Adam Snyder- Snyder has finally looked comfortable out there. He is worth a shot at bringing back, but we could see a bidding war for him. Thus I think if offered right he is gone.

RG Chilo Rachal- Hasn’t lived up to his 2nd-round pick back in 2008. He just can’t seem to block effectively on both passing and running plays.

OT Alex Boone- One of a few players who is virtually guaranteed to be back, as he is a exclusive rights free agent. Plus he has shown to be solid, and it is worth a possible 3-year deal.

Defensively:

DE Will Tukuafu- The only member on the Defensive Line who is a free agent to be. As like Boone, he is a exclusive rights free agent. He will be tendered a 1-year deal, with a shot at a backup DE roster spot.

OLB Ahmad Brooks- He has 4 sacks thus far on the early season, and should be a major priority to re-sign. It’s hard to imagine Brooks came from the Bengals, and was waived by the 49ers at one point. But he has shown he has the want to be a top notch OLB.

ILB Blake Costanzo- I can’t tell you great of a signing this has been. He is clearly a leader out there on special teams. He is on a 1-year minimum contract and is a must to be extended.

ILB Larry Grant- The former 2008 7th-round pick of the 49ers returned to the team in the offseason, and has played good. He is a scheduled restricted free agent, and I can see the team placing the lowest tender on him.

ILB Tavares Gooden- He hasn’t looked bad at all. He has been in there on special teams the entire season. As a unrestricted free agent to be I can see the team bringing Gooden back on a veteran minimum deal.

CB Carlos Rogers- Rogers should be our top priority heading into 2012 offseason. Heck we should extend him asap. He is the 49ers top Corner, and has played that way the whole season. The 49ers and Rogers need to get this done asap.

CB Tramaine Brock- Another exclusive rights free agent. Brock will be back, and given the chance to compete for a spot.

FS Dashon Goldson- I must say he has looked real good as of lately. He is making good tackles, and hitting hard out there. If for the right price, extend him.

FS Madieu Williams- At first I thought he would make a bigger impact than Goldson, but I was wrong. Williams has played special teams mostly, and isn’t likely back.

FS Reggie Smith- Smith isn’t playing much, which could be an indication he won’t return in 2012. He isn’t a priority.

SS C.J. Spillman- Spillman is a restricted free agent to be and should be tendered at the lowest. Spillman has been a special teams ace, always in on the tackles. Keep him around.

 

[Crimsoncrew]

To sum it up: we should re-sign everyone to a reasonable contract. Insightful.

On a serious note, it is nice to have the list.

 

[Flyingiguana]

i'm kinda blown away at the amount of cap space we have this year. should really have used it up on current players to give us more flexibility in the future.

 

[Crimsoncrew]

i'm kinda blown away at the amount of cap space we have this year. should really have used it up on current players to give us more flexibility in the future.

I'd imagine they were reluctant to do so before Harbaugh had a chance to work with the guys and figure out who he likes and who he doesn't.

 

[Flyingiguana]

well guys like vernon or willis. give them a higher salary, roster bonus, whatever this year and lower salaries in the future.

 

[Rathman44]

well guys like vernon or willis. give them a higher salary, roster bonus, whatever this year and lower salaries in the future.

not a bad idea. is it too late to restructure?

 

[threelittleturds]

Offensively, if they don't bring back Norris, Rachal, Swain, Peele, or Ginn it won't have much of an affect on the offense. Rachal will get picked up, he has size, strength, and decent enough quickness for a guard, so teams will believe they can coach him up in a different scheme that better fits his ability... Ginn may draw interest as a return specialist, but I don't see anyone making a big push for him at WR. I'd like to see Ginn back, but the 49ers will be fine without him... everyone else I hope the 49ers can bring back.

Defensively, I hope they can bring back Brooks, Costanzo, Gooden and Grant. I don't think losing Brooks will be a devastating loss though, I get the feeling that Parys will just move to that position, or maybe Parys will stay where he is and Aldon will take over on that side. I like Costanzo, Gooden and Grant on special teams, but, I'm sure they are replaceable too. Rogers is the biggest priority on defense, and I hope they can get Dashon back... but I think he's just going to be too expensive... so the 49ers might end up settling for Reggie Smith

 

[dredinis21]

Offensively, if they don't bring back Norris, Rachal, Swain, Peele, or Ginn it won't have much of an affect on the offense. Rachal will get picked up, he has size, strength, and decent enough quickness for a guard, so teams will believe they can coach him up in a different scheme that better fits his ability... Ginn may draw interest as a return specialist, but I don't see anyone making a big push for him at WR. I'd like to see Ginn back, but the 49ers will be fine without him... everyone else I hope the 49ers can bring back.

Defensively, I hope they can bring back Brooks, Costanzo, Gooden and Grant. I don't think losing Brooks will be a devastating loss though, I get the feeling that Parys will just move to that position, or maybe Parys will stay where he is and Aldon will take over on that side. I like Costanzo, Gooden and Grant on special teams, but, I'm sure they are replaceable too. Rogers is the biggest priority on defense, and I hope they can get Dashon back... but I think he's just going to be too expensive... so the 49ers might end up settling for Reggie Smith

I respectfully disagree with the bolded statement. I feel as if Brooks has been an upgrade from Parys, someone who is a legitimate threat to get to the QB. I don't have specs to support this claim at all, but in watching the games, Brooks seems to be getting more pressure on the QB more often this season then Parys has done in seasons past. Maybe it is scheme but ultimately I find Brooks to be much more effective. The only way we shouldn't re-sign Brooks IMO is if we are upgrading the position with someone who can get to the QB more often then Brooks, something that I don't believe Parys to be....or else he would be playing more snaps.

 

[threelittleturds]

I respectfully disagree with the bolded statement. I feel as if Brooks has been an upgrade from Parys, someone who is a legitimate threat to get to the QB. I don't have specs to support this claim at all, but in watching the games, Brooks seems to be getting more pressure on the QB more often this season then Parys has done in seasons past. Maybe it is scheme but ultimately I find Brooks to be much more effective. The only way we shouldn't re-sign Brooks IMO is if we are upgrading the position with someone who can get to the QB more often then Brooks, something that I don't believe Parys to be....or else he would be playing more snaps.

I wasn't saying the 49ers shouldn't bring him back, I was just saying that I don't think the defense would be devastated if the team lost a bidding war for him from other teams interested in his pass rushing ability. I'd completely agree that he is significantly better than Parys, I was just thinking that if the 49ers can't bring him back.. then they should be OK with Aldon moving over there and Parys staying where he is... ideally I'd like to keep Brooks on that side and have Aldon take Parys' place in the starting lineup, but if Brooks gets up to 10+ sacks as a starter.. it may be difficult for the 49ers to get him back.