Bleacher Report - Articles by conan fontenot

49ers Log Jam at Wide Receiver

conan fontenot — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:38:33 -0400

When the 49ers selected WR Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech in this years draft they created a log jam at the receiver position.

Currently their are 10 receivers on the roster. They include Mark Bradford, Maurice Price, Michael Spurlock, Dominique Ziegler, Brandon Jones, Jason Hill, Josh Morgan, Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, and rookie Michael Crabtree.

Bradford, Price, and Spurlock are all undrafted rookie free agents with very little, if any NFL game expierence. They appear to headed for the practice squad again this year.

In the slot you have incumbent Jason Hill. Pressing him will be second year player Dominique Ziegler an undrafted rookie free agent. While Hill has the speed to stretch the field, Ziegler has a three inch height advantage and softer hands. But Hill was a third round draft choice and this is his third year.

Unless Hill has some sort of major collapse in his performance, he should retain his spot over Ziegler.

The X receiver is where the Niners are the deepest, and where the best and most competition will take place. Currently Isaac Bruce is penciled in as the starter with Arnaz Battle. Newly acquired free agent Brandon Jones will be competing for the back up roll and possibly next year's starter.

Who ever looses this positionn battle could be the odd man out and considering how much the Niners shelled out to get Jones. It looks like that just might be Battle.

Since the departure of Owens, Battle has been the Niners most consistent receiver. So if Battle is the odd man out he shouldn't be out of work for too long. Battle may not be flashy or put up huge numbers, but he does excel at being a possession receiver. He'll make that tough catch for the first down when you really need it. That skill alone will guarantee that he finds work right away—if he doesn't make the Niners roster this year.

To me, the most interesting battle should be between last years rookie standout Josh Morgan and rookie Michael Crabtree for the X receiver spot, opposite Isaac Bruce.

So far I would have to give the edge to Morgan. One, he has a year of expierence under his belt and two, he is completely healthy.

Crabtree may eventually become the starter, but with his recent foot surgery that may slow him down for the first half of the season. By seasons end the Niners should have a good idea of what they are gonna have in Crabtree.

I can't remember the last time the Niners had this much depth at the wide reciever position.

While Bruce is the only proven veteran at the position. The rest of the receivers are all young and bursting with talent. They should provide the Niners with a deep WR talent pool for years to come.

49ers Sign Marvel Smith, How Does This Effect Thier Draft?

conan fontenot — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:49:16 -0400

The 49ers are about to sign former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Marvel Smith.

Over the last two seasons Marvel has seen limited action due to a herniated disk in his back. He finished the 2008 season on injured reserve. According to his agent, Marvel was fully recovered from his back surgery in time to play in the Super Bowl, but couldn't due to his IR status.

This is good news for Niner fans.

With this signing the Niners were able to release oft injured Jonas Jennings. Jennings, when healthy, was a formidable offensive lineman.

So how does this effect the Niners draft?

It gives them the leeway to either draft an offensive tackle, or a pass rushing outside linebacker.

If Everette Brown of Florida or Aaron Maybin of Penn State fall to them at number 10, then I say pull the trigger on one of them. If neither of them are available, then Look at a game changing wide receiver the likes of Jeremy Maclin of Missouri, or Percy Harvin of Florida.

Any of these college prospects would instantly improve the Niners as a whole.

Now I am not saying the Niners should not draft a tackle of the future. In the second round of the draft there will still be some very good tackles left on the board when the Niners pick at #43.

For instance, Eben Britton of Arizona, Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma and William Beatty of Connecticut should still be there. Their is also Jamon Meredith of South Carolina, and Fenuki Tupo from Oregon.

Of these tackles, Beatty is the only one with a lack of size at 291 lbs.

Any of these linemen would be an upgrade over what the Niners have. Plus, with Marvel on the team, they wouldn't have to start right away.

Now with the two most two glaring needs filled, we can move on to the third round. Where if running back Shonn Greene from Iowa is still on the board, I say take him.

At 5'11" and 235 pounds, he is exactly the type of big back that Coach Singletary and new Offensive Cordinator Raye is looking for.

Not a flashy pick, but a solid one.

San Franciscos 49ers Dormant Free Agency

conan fontenot — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:21:59 -0500

GM Scot McCloughan and Coach Mike Singletary stated that the 49ers were going to take it slow in free agency this year. It seems like they have been sleeping.

During this slumber they had a dream. This dream was thinking they even had a chance of signing veteran quarterback Kurt Warner.

Their only other moves so far have been signing Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Jones and bringing back fullback Moran Norris.

The re-signing of Norris looks like a move to make Frank Gore happy. The deep friendship between the two has been well reported. The Niners probably could have drafted a younger fullback later in the draft and got him cheaper than Norris.

Jones brings great speed to the wide receiver position, but not a lot of production. In his three years in the league he has averaged only 460 yards a year to go along with his three touchdowns a year. Arnaz Battle put up better numbers than that.

What ever happen to the 4-6 players the Niners wanted to bring in via free agency?

Now the news coming out of Niner land is they are about to sign quarterback Damon Huard formerly of Kansas City. This is another mid-30's guy at the tail end of his career.

You think the Niners would have had enough of bringing in old quarterbacks by now. Do I have to remind you about Trent Dilfer. What a gem there.

Realistically, the Niners only have one quarterback on the roster right now with no news of a reworked contract for Alex Smith.

On Tuesday, the Niners couldn't even sign Washington Redskins back up defensive end Demetric Evans to a contract.

Jim Trotter's article over at SI.com, "Court Warner? QB chase magnifies ineptitude of the Niners front office," says it all.

So far, no help has been brought in to help the Niners at their two most glaring needs—right tackle and a pass rushing outside linebacker or defensive end. I would also list free safety, but I believe that Dashon Goldson should get a chance to prove himself there.

Recently-released Jason Taylor might be a good fit for the short term to play opposite of Justin Smith, but who am I kidding. The Niners front office hasn't given any of us reason to believe they can sign anyone outside of the franchise.

With the lack of activity in free agency this year so far, either the Niners have a trick up their sleeve or their is some serious draft day drama coming. Once again all we can do is wait and see.

Super Bowl 43 How I Celebrated, How About You?

conan fontenot — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:29:04 -0500

For the last five years my good friend James Vincent has hired me to cater his annual super bowl party. It's one of the few opportunities that I get to enjoy the double F's(food and football). This year as in the last few years it has been quite the mix of people from around the world. This year featured people from the United States, the UK, and Gremany. Last year the French were also represented. Each year the party grows as does the diversity of the guests. What your looking at is the buffet that I put out for James and his guests this year. It include some chicken wings, popcorn, appetizers, mushrooms, guacamole, and roasted tomatoe salsa. It doesn't include any pictures of the super bowl because I want to know how you celebrated the Super Bowl. So please share your party with me and everyone else here who reads this. Go Niners in 09!!!!!!!

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San Francisco 49ers And Free Agency

conan fontenot — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:42:59 -0500

According to Matt Maiocco over at the Press Democrat, his sources are saying that the 49ers are possibly interested in filling right tackle, safety, and wide receiver through free agency.

This would make sense seeing how the 49ers need an immediate upgrade at all three positions. Getting proven veterans at these three key positions would give the 49ers time to draft and groom some young talent to eventually take over as starters.

So let's start with the right offensive tackle position. In 2006, the 49ers drafted Joe Staley with their second pick of the first round. At the time it appeared that the Niners had their offensive line set with Staley at right tackle and Jennings at left tackle.

But due to Jennings inability to stay healthy and sudden drop off in performance Staley was moved to left tackle for the 2007 season and Jennings was switched to right tackle.

Once again, Jennings had issues staying healthy. So in steps former Oakland Raider Barry Simms. Watching Simms play reminded me of Kwamie Harris. An imposing figure with below average NFL performance.Then Coach Singletary makes another change and inserts Adam Snyder. A good linemen but not the bookend they were looking for.

Vernon Carey of the Miami Dolphins, Jon Stinchcomb of the New Orleans Saints, and Mark Tauscher of the Green Bay Packers. All three are right tackles and all three are scheduled to be free agents. Of the three Stinchcomb would be the priciest. Vernon Cary would be more in the price range the 49ers would be willing to pay. Tauscher would more than likely come even cheaper than Cary and Tauscher is still rehabbing from knee surgery.

Picking up a saftey through free agency makes total sense. In the 49ers defensive scheme the saftey has the helmet communicator and makes the defensive adjustments before the snap. Putting that kind of pressure on a young player is just to much to ask. Mark Roman is a serviceable safety but lacks some serious ball hawking skills.

Can anyone even remember the last time Roman had an interception?

O.J. Atogwe (St.Louis), Brian Dawkins( Philadelphia), Dawan Landry (New England), James Sanders (Baltimore), and Darren Sharper (Minnesota) are all safteys set to be free agents.

Of this group Dawkins is the most unlikely to be signed by anyone other than the Eagles. O.J. Atogwe might be the easiest to sign, with the change of defensive scheme about to happen in St Louis. Not to mention, 49er quarterbacks won't have to worry about being picked off by him.

It's been well documented the 49ers trouble with landing a top flight wide receiver. Need I remind you of Darrel Jackson, Antonio Braynt, and Ashley Lelie just to name a few. I didn't include Bryant Johnson because the 49ers in my opinion should give him another shot.

Plus, he might come cheap. Also, with the emergence of youngsters Jason Hill and Josh Morgan, the need for a real top flight free agent receiver might be lessened.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati), Lance Moore (New Orleans), and Reggie Williams (Jacksonville) are all possibly set to test the free-agent market. T.J. is the least likely to sign with the 49ers as is Lance Moore. T.J. is supposedly interested in Chicago and Philadelphia.

My money is on the Eagles. Moore should get a big pay day from the Saints to keep his services. Williams is a big target but then again so is Johnson and he's already on the roster. We just don't know how long he might keep that roster spot.

So my take on the wide receivers is lets give the youngsters a shot and see what they do with it. This might come back to bite me in the !!! one day but you wont know what you have if you don't let them play.

The one receiver I forgot to mention accidentally on purpose is Anquan Boldin. I mean seriously, does anyone even think the 49ers have a shot at him?

Jimmy Raye: San Francisco 49ers New Offensive Coordinator

conan fontenot — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:30:10 -0500

Four weeks, one rejection, and 10 interviews later, the San Francisco 49ers finally have their next offensive coordinator, one Jimmy Raye II.

Raye comes to the Niners after last serving as the Jets Running Back Coach. He has 12 seasons of offensive coordinator experience with six different teams.

In that time not one of his offensive units ever finished in the top five of the four areas that count—total offense, rushing offense, passing offense, and points scored.

Raye's best performance as an offensive coordinator came in 2000 with the Kansas City Chiefs when they finished eighth overall in total offense. His overall career average in total offense is 19th.

His rushing offense as a coordinator isn't much better. In 1984 as offensive coordinator of the then Los Angeles Rams, Raye's offense finished second in the league in rushing. This was accomplished with one of the all-time great running backs, Erick Dickerson.

But a career average of finishing 18th overall in rush offense is mediocre at best.

Raye's pass offense only gets marginally better.

In 2000, the Kansas City Chiefs finished fifth overall in passing offense with Raye at the helm as offensive coordinator. But on average, Raye's offense's are 17th in total pass offense.

Hardly anything to write home about.

As for points scored in a season, Raye's best season for that was while he was with the Kansas City Chiefs when they finished eighth overall in points scored in 1999. For the rest of his career his offenses have averaged a pedestrian 19th overall in points scored.

Still nothing to brag about.

Is Jimmy Raye the best man for the job?

Only time will tell that.

When I first heard of his hiring I was really not thrilled at all. Even now I am not totally sold on his hiring.

It almost feels like a step backwards.

On further review, though, his good years with the Chiefs included designing plays for Anthony Gonzalez to help make him the leagues' best tight end. And that was done with an only slightly above average quarterback in Elvis Grbac.

Maybe he is the one that will finally help Vernon Davis become the tight end he should be.

49ers and Singletary Get Ready For Next Season

conan fontenot — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:25:29 -0500

Congratulations to Mike Singletary on being named the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for the next four years. For having limited experience he did one hell of a job.

Hopefully tomorrow, as reported by NFL.com, Mike Martz will be released by the Niners as offense coordinator. Martz did a good job of resurrecting what was a truly horrible offense to some kind of respectability. But his offensive philosophy just did not fit with the personnel that the Niners have. Best of luck to him in his next job.

As for next season, expectations once again are high and for moderately good reasons. So once again lets take a look at what it will take for the Niners to return to postseason play.

Daniel Brown of the Mercury News wrote yesterday five steps the Niners should take to return to the playoffs. Three of the five we're right on and the other two make me wonder if he was watching the football games that everybody else was.

Pick up Matt Cassell in free agency? Don't think so. He is a product of the New England offensive system, not a true starter. Just look at Tully Banta-Cain. He was suppose to be a true pass rusher for the Niners but has never fulfilled that role. In fact, he was reduced to spot play and special teams.

Finding an offensive coordinator that is well versed in the west coast offense would better fit the players the Niners have. Shaun Hill would benefit the most, seeing how his style of play is more suited to the short and intermediate passing emphasized by the west coast offense.

Matt Barrows stated in an article that the Niners should draft WR Percy Harvin of Florida. While ESPN has the Niners taking CB Malcom Jenkins of Ohio State in their mock draft. Were they watching the same games as the rest of us? The Niners have way more pressing needs than a wide receiver or cornerback.

Solidifying the right side of the offensive line, finding someone to rush the passer, a true nose tackle for their base 3-4 defense, and a play-making safety should all take precedence over a receiver or defensive back.

The way the Niners draft won't be decided for some time. It will all depend on what hole the Niners are able to fill with top-flight free agents. Terrell Suggs and Albert Haynesworth are scheduled to be free agents. They just so happen to also be at the top of my wish list for next season, as is Brian Dawkins of the Eagles.

DeShaun Foster filled in adequately for Frank Gore, but he is not the long term answer. Isn't it time to see what we have in Thomas Clayton? Not to mention a fullback to lead the way for both of them.

The bottom line is Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat had it right: With the number 10 pick in the the draft the San Francisco 49ers take the best player available. Now lets wait and see what the Niners will actually do.

San Francisco 49ers: It Was Ugly, But it Was Still a Win

conan fontenot — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:13:31 -0500

I would like to start this article off by dedicating it to fellow sports enthusiast my grandfather Bill "Papa" Turner.

The throws looked bad and the consistency we're used to seeing from QB Shaun Hill wasn't there. What happened?

A few passes were dropped. Some were over thrown and others were like what were you thinking. But was all of it Hill"s fault? I don"t think so.

Once again the offensive line looked horrible for most of the game giving up three sacks again. Hill's three interceptions were the direct result of poor protection. Plus, let's not forget about the one fumble by Hill too.

The penalties and lack of consistent pressure from the defensive line once again shows up for most of the game. Looks like a 4-3 line up might work a little better for the Niners right now instead of 3-4. That way you get one more of those athletic D-Linemen on the field.

DeShaun Foster had another unremarkable day for the Niners. He has filled in well for Gore, but why not go with the youth movement even more and let's see what Thomas Clayton can do.

The linebackers played well and the secondary played well except for a few plays.

But the real underlying problem here wasn't just the lack of execution by the players, but the bad play calling of Mike Martz.

It looked like he was trying to prove something to his old team with all those really pass plays that Hill does not excel at. Short to intermediate passes with a power run game is where Hill"s bread and butter are. So how many times does Martz have to be reminded of this? Fire him now!

Ultimately, this win does belong to Coach Singletary and the entire Niner team minus OC Mike Martz. They stuck together and believed in each other to do their jobs. Not for some years have Niner fans been treated to such a come back after looking so bad for so long in a game.

To close, whether it's pretty or ugly a win is a win!

Five Things the 49ers Must Address to Return to Respectability

conan fontenot — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:48:09 -0500

Since Singletary has taken over the Niners, they have made significant progress. But a complete turnaround they have not.

In order for the Niners to be seriously competitive deep into the playoffs, there are five areas they must get better at. Those five areas are offensive line (right tackle), defensive line (nose tackle), pass rush (defensive end or outside linebacker), safety, and a real fullback.

The offensive line has been playing better lately, but it must become more physical, and protection from the right side has been anything but spectacular. Snyder is good but is not the long-term answer. Made even more apparent against Miami, Barry Sims may not have a future in San Francisco next year.

The defensive line is small, quick, and athletic but lacks a true nose tackle to keep those big offensive linemen off the linebackers. Someone like B.J. Raji out of Boston College would be great.

The defense's ability to pressure the quarterback has dramatically improved as of late, but the defense still hasn't been able to sack the quarterback. A pass rushing defensive end would be ideal because he could stay in on rushing downs also. If the Niners can't get a pass rushing end, then they should settle for an outside linebacker that can rush the passer.

The outside linebackers that the Niners have are good but don't get much help from the interior line play. Putting a monster pass rushing defensive end opposite Justin Smith would also help Smith from attracting so much attention. Bottom line is a true every down defensive end that also excels at pass rushing would make everybody around him better.

Mind you, the play of the secondary has been OK, but it could be better. Mark Roman is a decent safety but lacks playmaking ability. Next year's free agent market might be able to fill that void, but if not, let's look to the draft.

Frank Gore enjoyed his best year as a Niner when he had a bruising fullback in front of him. Since Martz has taken over as OC, the fullback position has morphed into more of a receiving threat than a lead blocker for the Niners' best offensive player.

Micheal Robinson: Where Has he Gone ?

conan fontenot — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:25:56 -0500

Not since the preseason have we heard much about Micheal Robinson. Where has he gone?

What made me think of this was the 49ers recent signing of TE Sean Ryan, a veteran of four teams since being drafted in 2004 by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round.

Since being converted to a running back after playing quarterback in college, all we've heard about is just how physical he can be.

Any doubts about that: just look at his special teams play. He can run, block, and catch passes better than Zack Keasy. Yet we have only seen him play sparingly this year.

Which brings me to my next point. When are the Niners going to start using the talent they have correctly? That my friend is a whole other topic for another day.