Dear 49ers, Go and Get Me Terrence Cody!

If Terrence Cody has a fan club, I want to be the president. If Terrence Cody has a horn, I am tooting it. If Terrence Cody is drafted by the 49ers in the draft this year, I will personally lead the charge to make his jersey the highest selling DT jersey in the league.

Whenever anyone has asked me who I want to see the 49ers draft this year my reply has been the same, Terrence Cody. The response I have received has often been the same. "What about Aubrayo Franklin? He has been good for the Niners this year?"

I like Aubrayo Franklin, he is a solid player and if San Francisco kept him as the starting defensive tackle I am sure that he would be more than servicable. The problem I have is that to have a top notch 3-4 defense you need a DT who is better than just good and I hope by the end of this article I will convince you of that.

All of the top three defenses in the NFL this year (Jets, Packers, Ravens) run the 3-4 like the 49ers. Here are their starting nose tackles: Jets - Kris Jenkins (360lbs), Packers - Ryan Pickett (345lbs) and Ravens - Haloti Ngata (345lbs). What is the common trait? Size, and lots of it. An ideal NT in a 3-4 defense will weigh in at between 340-360lbs.

Now, if you look up the Jets current roster it will tell you that their starting DT is Sione Pouha, who has started for Kris Jenkins since he went on injured reserve and weighs in at a meager 325 pounds. That is a mere eight pounds more than Franklin who weighs in at 317. You may also argue that the Patriots have done well with Vince Wilfork who also weighs in at 325lbs. I believe that the 49ers can win with Franklin at the nose but if you can find a prototypical player to fit this position then why not draft him?

Having a big, talented defensive tackle in the middle helps free up everyone in the front seven of a 3-4 defense. Terrence Cody would force the offense to make tough decisions. Do they double team him or Justin Smith? Do they try and double team both guys and leave themselves open to Manny Lawson or Ahmed Brooks coming in from the outside linebacker spot? Franklin is a good player but does not demand that kind of attention.

There is one person I know would agree with me, Ray Lewis. After the 2005 season Ray Lewis pleaded with the Ravens to draft Haloti Ngata, convinced that he would make a difference in the defense. Can you guess who played 15 games at DT for the Ravens in 2005? That is right, Aubrayo Franklin.

Even if the 49ers resign Franklin I think they should draft Cody. He can play on special teams, he blocked two kicks against Tennessee this year, and he played on offense at Alabama in their short yardage package as a fullback. Plus, is there such a thing as too much depth on the defensive line? I am sure that Franklin could step in for a few snaps at DE and the two of them could see the field at the same time.

Most of all the thing that makes me want Terrence Cody is his desire to play the game. This year he cut his weight down to between 250-260, it was rumored that at one point it was close to 400, because that is what Nick Saban told him it would take to get on the field. Also, he raced Saban every week because the coach told him that if he beat him in a race that he would let him carry the football from the fullback position in a game.

That is what I want in a football player. I want someone who wants the ball, who wants to get on the field on offense, defense and special teams. In short, 49ers, please go get me Terrence Cody!