San Francisco 49ers: 5 Veterans the Team Moves on from Sooner Rather Than Later

As it stands, the majority of the 2012 San Francisco 49ers starting roster features players aged 28 or younger.

The team will retain most of these men, while some of those with the year 1982 or earlier displayed on their birth certificates should prepare to seek employment elsewhere, at the very least by 2014.

Kicker David Akers and long snapper Brian Jennings can consider themselves safe.

As significant and underrated as these positions are, we’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t think these 49ers would be playing north of the half-century mark.

Other starters and those filling out the depth chart, whether under contract or not, should put their days in a San Francisco 49ers uniform behind them.

Let’s take a gander at the five players the 49ers would be best served moving on from sooner rather than later.

FB Moran Norris (age: 33)

Fans lucid enough to observe the 49ers during the 2011 season should understand explicitly that fullback Moran Norris does not deserve a roster spot in 2012.

He was a shell of himself in his limited playing time before getting injured early on in this season. While paving the way for Frank Gore during the first two games, or, apparently trying to do so, Gore averaged a meager 2.5 yards per carry.

Once Jim Harbaugh inserted rookie fullback Bruce Miller in the starting lineup, Gore reeled off five straight 100-plus-yard outings after Week 3 against the Bengals.

The reason for letting Norris walk in free agency goes beyond his age and injury issues. He simply isn’t anywhere near his 2006 Pro Bowl-caliber self when he sprung Gore for a career-high of 1,695 yards and a 5.4 yard-per-carry average.

Miller possesses the athleticism and versatility the veteran Norris clearly lacks at this stage of his career.

Thank you for your valuable contributions, Mr. Norris. One B/R veteran featured columnist extends his gratitude as well, though he was not as effusive. 

Au revoir, Moran. We bid you adieu.

S Madieu Williams (age: 30)

This veteran free-agent acquisition last year was an absolute bust. While the team brought him in for depth purposes, he did not even perform well enough in that capacity.

Williams started three games in place of Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner during the first four games of the season. Thankfully, it was only three games. One could count his number of tackles on one hand.

He was thereafter relegated to special teams, where the likes of C.J. Spillman, Blake Costanzo and Tavares Gooden outperformed him.

Despite reports indicating the 49ers front office would like to bring Williams back at the “right price,” he really isn’t worth the veteran’s minimum.

Perhaps that’s a little harsh for the well-mannered 30-year-old. Point being, the 49ers should look in another direction.

CB Shawntae Spencer (age: 29)

No. 5 on the depth chart, $3.3 million and a malcontent demeanor all equate to Spencer’s impending release.

The former second-round pick out of Pittsburgh and starter of 32 consecutive games from 2009-2010 has found himself on the scrapheap. He fell well short of the starting lineup and watched from the bench as Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock occupied the nickel and dime roles.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reported that the team has allowed Spencer to seek a trade. Expect it to happen. The 49ers insider is money. 

Hopefully Spencer doesn’t have to see his lady with another guy in his next NFL city.

OLB Ahmad Brooks (age: 28 on March 14)

The starting left outside linebacker for the 49ers is a free agent and expects to command a substantial contract. He executed at a remarkable level throughout the season, setting the edge against the run and generating career-highs in tackles (50), sacks (seven) and deflected passes (three).

However, the 49ers have rookie sensation Aldon Smith ready for a starting role in 2012.

Parys Haralson (under contract through 2013) will man the other starting outside linebacker spot, while Larry Grant will provide the necessary depth.

It pains me to see Brooks leave, but I expect it to happen. Let’s hope Smith allows us to forget.

C Jonathan Goodwin (age: 33)

Let me make this abundantly clear: Goodwin should and will be the starting center for the 49ers in 2012.

This should then carry over into 2013, the year when his contract expires.

I propose that the Niners draft a young center that can learn under the veteran leadership of Goodwin for the next two seasons. Options in the later rounds include Ben Jones, Michael Brewster and fellow Michigan grad David Molk.

Goodwin was absolutely solid this past season, most notably as a run-blocker, but had some issues in pass protection.

The team will happily accept his contributions in the middle of the O-line, especially if it drafts a high-quality guard or tackle in the first three rounds of the draft to solidify the rest of the group.

This veteran center will enjoy two more years with the 49ers, but his tenure ends there.