Here's a list of 2009 free agents the 49ers should look at signing:
The first position the 49ers need help with is wide receiver. It's been a problem for many years.
1. Antonio Bryant
This may be wishful thinking but bringing back Bryant could be a start. He could replace Isaac Bruce, if the 49ers chose not to resign him.
Bryant really made a name for himself as the best weapon at receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year, he caught 83 passes for 1248 yards and seven touchdowns.
The plus side, for Bryant, is he will only be 28 years old.
2. T.J. Houshmanzadeh
It's pretty self explanatory as to why the 49ers should go after him.
I believe he'll be leaving the Bengals, while Chad Johnson stays on. He's the best wide receiver option out there. The only problem is he may cost too much.
Last year was considered a down year for him, considering the Bengals had an injury to Carson Palmer and there was no other quarterback with any starting experience.
He's also about four years older than Bryant.
Houshmanzadeh did catch 92 passes but for only 904 yards and four touchdowns.
3. Bobby Engram
He's the oldest one to look at—almost 36 years old.
He's a veteran who could help out the younger receivers like Jason Hill and Josh Morgan. He's coming off a down year due to injuries. But, the previous year, he did catch 94 passes.
He would more than likely be third receiver for the 49ers—not a number one like Bryant or Houshmanzadeh. Engram caught 47 passes for 489 yards, and he didn't have a touchdown.
4. Bryant Johnson
The only other option would be bringing back Johnson, who was with 49ers last year. He will be 28 next year, so he is younger, and caught 45 passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns.
5. Shaun McDonald
The 49ers might show interest in McDonald.
He had a down year in comparison to his previous year, but that can be explained when you're on the Detroit Lions. He only caught 33 passes for 332 yards and scored one touchdown.
The 49ers, more than likely, will look to the draft, if they are unable to sign a free agent wide receiver. They could always bring back Isaac Bruce, who had the most receiving yards in a season since Terrell Owens.
The next position is offensive line, which has been a disaster for as long as the receivers have been missing.
1. Eric Heitmann
The first option on the list would be to re-sign Heitmann, who's been playing center recently, and move him back to his natural position of left guard and draft a player like Alex Mack in the first round to play center.
2. Jon Stinchcomb
Stinchcomb is a 6'5", 302 pound, right tackle who the 49ers could look at signing. He's an unrestricted free agent from the New Orleans Saints.
3. Kirk Chambers
Chambers, who's a 6'7", 307 pound, tackle. He could be signed as a back up and could move into the starting line-up. He's also a local product, after being drafted out of Stanford in 2004. So, he's relatively young.
4. Willie Colon
Colon will only be 26 and has starting experience with the Steelers. He would be a good fit at guard for the 49ers as well. He's 6'3" and 320 pounds—definitely would add size to the line.
5. Fred Geary
Geary could also be added as a free agent. He's going to be 32 but has starting experience at right guard for the Houston Texans. He measures in at 6'4" and 308 pounds.
The other option, of course, is the draft.
The 49ers are thin at safety.
The problem is that they don't have any playmakers in the position.
Marc Roman, who was a defensive captain, hasn't had an interception since the 2006 season.
1. Mike Brown
Yes, he's coming back from injury, but he did play in 15 games last year had 63 tackles and two interceptions.
He's a solid player and would definitely be a fit for the strong safety position.
2. Jermaine Phillips
The former Buccaneer could definitely find a home in the 49ers' secondary.
He'll be 30 in the upcoming season, and he had three interceptions, one fumble recovery for a 38 yard touchdown, and finished the season with 59 tackles as a free safety.
We're going to send you the most entertaining San Francisco 49ers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
5 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete