Grading the San Francisco 49ers Offseason Thus Far

It's been a pretty stable and positive offseason for the San Francisco 49ers thus far.

They have re-signed virtually their entire defense from a year ago and picked up a few free agents to fill in some offensive holes.

Here are my grades up to now:

Moss Splash

It was and it wasn't.  It wasn't and it was.  The exciting thing about it was the fact that it really did come out of nowhere.  And I, like Carlos Rogers, agree that just the name "Randy Moss" would make defenses think twice.  They say he's lost a step.  They also say that the year off might have saved a few more.  Time will tell.  But for now, while he's still on the roster and without controversy, playing on a risk-free contract, this move grades big.

A

Snyder to the Birds

There was some uproar about letting Adam Snyder get his payday in Arizona as he was a versatile fan favorite.  Yes, those players are fun on some level.  I'm glad he got his payday but I'm glad the 49ers aren't paying him.  He's a solid backup, utility player at best.  The second-year man, Kilgore, is the penciled starter at the moment and the 49ers could still bolster through the draft of free agency for more competition there.

A-

The Quest for Manning

While fans went back and forth about more receivers, the 49ers swooped in and got busy with one of the greatest free-agent chases—if not the free-agent chase—of all time.  Throughout the history of the NFL, the Niners will be remembered as "one of the three" to apparently have a shot at Peyton Manning.  In the end, Manning went for a king of the castle situation in Denver and the 49ers effortlessly welcomed back their ex-girlfriend, Alex Smith.  The excitement alone was a lot of handle for the few days that it lasted.  On pure suspense alone, this one ranked pretty high for me.

B+

Mario Comes West

The 49ers bolstered their infamous wide receiving corps when they signed Mario Manningham to a two-year contract worth about $7.3 million.  Manningham, contingent on the production of Randy Moss, would be an ideal slot receiver.  If Moss flounders, it would stand to reason that Manningham would see more playing time.  Regardless, it's a safe move on a young receiver that has made some clutch plays in his career.

B

Jacobs Joins Gore

This was an interesting move.  One that I don't fully quite understand yet.  It makes sense but it doesn't.  I guess I should say it doesn't because, in my eyes, there would be a cheaper and possibly better alternative to fill this "non-Hunter-Gore-Spell" role.  Then again, as much as I like to play the game of professional football scout from my couch, I'm not one and maybe I don't know anything about the running backs that I would project to be better and more dynamic than Jacobs.  Sure, Jacobs is big and will be a nice sledgehammer to bring in every once and awhile but I just feel like something more charismatic could've been done here rather than snagging another ex-New York Giant.

C

Kyle Isn't Cut

There were some who were stunned that Kyle Williams wasn't let go right after the Giants game.  Then there were others who felt he should have been given a hug parade down Market Street.  In the end, the reason Kyle Williams is still on the roster is the reason why Kyle Williams was even in that game to begin with.  The 49ers...wide receivers...yes we know the story.  Now with Manningham, Moss and Crabtree in front of him, where, oh where will Kyle Williams be?  Well, I'm sure we can say with supreme confidence one place he'll never be again: return man.

D

Rogers Stays Put

Both sides truly seemed to want to get a deal done and it actually happened.  Carlos Rogers fits nicely with what the 49ers do on defense, he's physical and a solid locker room guy.  Let's hope no rust gets on his wheels and his comeback player of the year worthy performance in 2011 doesn't fizzle in 2012.  If he plays as well as he did last year, the 49ers will look like geniuses.

B

The 49ers Break Ground

Let's not forget that in this day of economic turmoil, the San Francisco 49ers managed to pass and start building their new Santa Clara Stadium which is scheduled to open for the 2014 season.  This was a tremendous accomplishment, whether you care for the move or not.  Of course, I think most fans wish the team played in San Francisco and a Hunter's Point option could have developed but the bottom line is that the Niners are staying in the Bay Area and keeping the name "San Francisco."  And it doesn't look like they'll be sharing the venue with the Raiders.

A+

Overall:  A

Sure it's still early and the roster won't really be shaping up until training camp but the personnel moves that the 49ers have made thus far have been really solid for the most part, complimenting what their motto is: "Build through the draft, supplement through free agency".  

And the new stadium will put the stamp on the Renascence of the 49ers.