San Francisco 49ers: 5 Biggest Potential Offseason Mistakes

The issue sprouted to the top through Profootballtalk.com. That’s what happens when the NFL power axis settles in Indianapolis, where the prevailing issue for Colts fans every day now settles on one thing: if Peyton Manning were to change teams, where should be go?

Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com thinks Manning's best chance wouldn’t be in Miami or with any team other than the 49ers.

Why? With San Francisco’s strong defense and great special teams as a foundation, Manning wouldn’t have to do much to guide the team to another Super Bowl.

Such is the nature of the January-February wedge of the NFL timeline. This is the period to look back, assess and prognosticate. It’s too easy to say, “If we only had…”

In that line, here are five big mistakes the Niners could make during the upcoming offseason.

Sign Peyton

Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com put it this way in a January 25 post: “The 49ers have the defense, the running game, and the fiery head coach to help Manning add to his one ring.

“But here’s where it gets tricky for the 49ers. With starting quarterback Alex Smith due to be a free agent on March 13 and the Colts not forced to make a decision on Manning until March 8, the 49ers could lose Smith if they don’t move quickly on Manning, who may not be fully healthy at that point.”

There’s no doubt that a 2009 Peyton Manning taking snaps behind that offensive line would be a big boost for the 49ers, or so it appears. The issue though is that the more Manning’s name comes up the more reports indicate that he’s not making enough progress healing from neck surgery.

More seriously is the fact that Manning, even if he does play, could be one hit away from a life in a wheelchair. And that makes me believe he’ll never play again.

But if he does get healthy there’s the issue of his salary—$18 million due in 2012. That’s so out of whack with the team’s salary structure for a player who will turn 36 that it could seriously bind the team’s finances for years.

Alex Smith seems primed to return, and his demands will be something like $18 for three years. That makes much more sense for a player who’s just 27, and there’s still money left over to go get a respectable free-agent receiver.

Have Brad Seely Go

Among the Niner coaches, it was assumed that there had to be turnover due to the team’s unexpected success, and with offensive coordinator Greg Roman getting some attention from Penn State the exodus appeared set.

Except that it isn’t. Of all the units, I’d say that Vic Fangio did the best job with the defense, and letting him slip away would be a huge mistake. But not as big as letting Brad Seely (red jacket) get away.

The fact that Seely got a glance from the Indianapolis as a head coach should be a warning sign.

Harbaugh mentioned early in the season how valuable Seely was as a coach. His knowledge of the game has earned him the nickname "Professor."

Seely’s touch improved the 49ers' special teams into the best unit in the league. His fake punts, onside kicks and fake field goals all worked, save for the former against the Cardinals due to a late red flag from Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Seely’s contract should be doubled in length and pay. The Niners should do everything they can to keep him in San Francisco longer.

Let Goldson, Rogers Get Away

The Niners had 43 takeaways in their 18 games, the most of any team. Cornerback Carlos Rogers and safety Dashon Goldson combined for 13 of those 43 turnovers. 

Both are in prime of their careers, so three-year deals that pay them $3-to-4 million a year, or $11-to-13 million over the course of their contracts, would not be a stretch. More importantly, it would provide stability on a great defense.

In that vein, though, Ahmad Brooks had a great year, and outside linebackers tend to be popular targets during the free-agent season. It will be interesting to see how other teams go after him. Other teams will go after Rogers and Goldson as well, but they are bigger priorities.

Let Alex Smith Get Away

I can’t think of a team that would offer Alex Smith enough money to make him change teams.

Smith’s strengths were seen in the New Orleans playoff game. He’s great in short or intermediate throws over the middle. He’s also very adept on his feet. He is very good at making fast reads in a West-Coast style, in which his checkdowns come quickly and correctly.

What he is not is a stand-in-the-pocket quarterback who has to deliver the ball from sideline to sideline, a-la Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers.

At the same time, he would not be the best quarterback for a team like the Raiders, whose receivers are best running downfield. Smith’s long-range throws are not his strength.

Nonetheless, there might be a team or two who might want to offer him $6-to-7 million a year to change.

Seattle, maybe. Minnesota? Cleveland, perhaps? (No, check that. That’s got to be a nightmare, but then again it is Mike Holmgren ultimately calling the shots.)

 The more one thinks about it, the more Smith seems to fit best in San Francisco.

Sign DeSean Jackson

The former Cal standout complained about his contract in 2011, which is understandable as a former Pro-Bowl star was making less than $800,000 in his fourth year when comparably-drafted receivers with worse statistics were making three times that amount.

Jackson let that bother his play and it hurt both him and his team. But if there is anyone who appears to provide lots and lots of solutions to the 49ers' offensive issues–deep threat, big-play capability on every touch–Jackson still remains radioactive.

Remember, this is a player who doesn’t mention his alma mater in pregame introductions, preferring to mention Long Beach Poly, his high school. This is a guy who quit on the Cal Bears and just shut it down for the NFL.

For Harbaugh and his staff to take a gamble on him would run contrary to everything that He has touted all year.