The Niners have a lot of big names entering free agency within the
Next two years and this contract will hurt them some in trying to
Resign everyone.
Crabtree
A. Smith
Iupati
Gore
V. Davis
A. Boone
R. McDonald
G. Dorsey
I think the plan is to let most of those guys walk. The niners have developed a fair amount of young talent behind these guys, and they definitely have no qualms about letting talent walk out the door if they don't agree to "their price."
Crabtree - will want top dollar, and I doubt the niners will pay it. They have Boldin for the next two seasons (old I know), and they basically got a very cheap Stevie Johnson for a 7th round pick ( the Bills are on the hook for his guaranteed money on his contract). After that, Patton and Ellington will have to step up.
A. Smith - just impossible to replace this guy. The niners have good depth in the pass rusher department (Lemonier was the highest rated PR among the 2013 rookie class). Still he doesn't hold a candle to A Smith. Unfortunately, Smith is a bad drunk. I would rather see him suspended for the season if that means he can get his head right, but I have my doubts.
Iupati - Let him walk. Looney has developed behind him, Brandon Thomas should be healthy next year, and J Martin will get a lot of looks at LG
Gore - Unfortunately, this will be the last year with Gore. Hyde, Lattimore, and Hunter will duke it out for carries.
V. Davis - no reason to touch his contract for the next two years. Then they will probably resign him, but who knows what he will look like at that age. I'm not really worried about this one.
A. Boone - Not often that you take a natural 6'8" OT and move him to guard where he excels. The niners will want to resign him because of his versatility (he was our backup at LT/RT the last couple of years) but he will probably want to start as a OT on some other team. Looney, Thomas, J Martin, and the OC/ OG players Kilgore and M Martin will compete for the guard positions. The niners have a very deep Oline.
R. McDonald - If the niners resign him, it won't be to an expensive contract. They have let so many Dlinemen go, only to have the next 5th round draftee come in and play well. Tomsula is far and away the best position coach the niners have. Plus they have guys like Carradine (probably replaces J Smith in 2015), TJE, Dobbs, and the Brit Okoye competing for this spot, along with whoever else they draft.
G. Dorsey - let him walk. Dorsey played great last year, but Ian Williams was the starter who went down in week 2.