I just got done looking at the *#&*@ Niners roster.
First of all, they're luck as hell to always be healthy.
But look at their guys they obtained NOT thru the draft.
DE Justin Smith -a former #4 overall pick of Bengals
WR Anquan Boldin -Super Bowl MVP this year
CB Carlos Rogers -a former #9 overall pick in Rodgers draft
S Donte Whitner -former 8th overall pick of the Bills
DT Glen Dorsey -former 5th overall pick of the Chiefs
OLB Ahmad Brooks -former Bengals Pro Bowler
These guys are A) extremely talented players, hence being drafted so high, B) all starters, C) that adds depth to the overall roster as the draft picks aren't banked on being starters.... the younger guys can be the depth guys and learn and grow and improve behind these experienced studs.
There above are
5 of 11 starters on defense (who were obtained via free agency), along with draft picks like Novorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith, and this year's #1 pick safety Eric Reid.
You all know Ted HATES bringing in players who have played on other NFL rosters.
That stat this year they showed in October blew me away. He only had 3 guys on the WHOLE roster who had ever played on another NFL team: Pickett, Kuhn, and Seneca Wallace.
The ultra-conservative
Bob McGinn wrote a piece this week saying he thinks Ted Thompson
should, and
will, make some moves finally this off-season in free agency to bring in some players. Better late than never I guess.
Too late for a talent like Hughes, or a safety like LaRon Landry who we could have had 2 years ago fairly cheap, but there will be some guys available who can provide better play than the young guys like MD Jennings, and there should be an ILB who can replace Brad Jones and give us a real middle linebacker who can sniff out the holes better.
I believe our
ILB play is bottom-10 in the NFL easily.
And we know our
safeties have a total combined ZERO interceptions on this whole season.
That's tough to beat right there, ZERO.
If Teddy can find some vets to just those 2 positions, I think our defense can improve a lot next year.
I also think if we can get Gregg Williams or Rex Ryan as DC, that will do wonders. But that's a Christmas dream probably, unless the Bears light us up for 40 embarrassing points Sunday.
Who here knows where to find next year's NFL free agents to be?
I want to see the ILB and S who might become available.
OK I
found some lists myself. http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/
Of course, TT never will be a buyer of the top talent.
Safeties
- Jairus Byrd, Buffalo
- TJ Ward, Browns (the thug who broke Gronkowski's knee.. I hate tackling like that, but better on our team than to our team)
- Chris Clemons, Miami
- Donte Whitner, San Francisco
- Antoine Bethea, Colts
- Ryan Clark, Steelers too old
- Malcolm Jenkins, Saints -former top-10 pick, this is someone the 49ers would sign to replace the older Whitner, who they gave a huge contract to about 4 years ago. This would be my ideal one signing right here.
Inside Linebackers
- Brandon Spikes, NE
- Karlos Dansby, Arizona too old
- Jonathan Vilma, Saints, too old