San Francico 49ers Fantasy Island: WWED?

WWED? 

What Would Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. Do coming into an uncapped year with players like Julius Peppers, Darren Sproles, Karlos Dansby, Neil Rackers, Dunta Robinson and Darren Sharper in UNrestricted free agency.

"Put them on my tab" is what he would do.  For our current owner, whose name I shall not speak in these hallowed grounds, this is his chance to spend his way to a championship. 

Let's be honest, the 49ers were a dynasty because they paid their players.  My godfather was lead trombone for Duke Ellington's band for seven years and when a reporter asked the Duke how he kept his band together for so long, the Godfather of Jazz replied, "I paid them." 

The only thing stopping the 49ers from doing that this year is our current owner's fear of losing all of his money, which he probably didn't even earn himself.  We 49er fans have suffered enough. 

If the current owner isn't willing to spend, then he should sell the team to George Gund III and go suck his thumb in the corner with the owner of the Warriors and the owner of the A's.  Some rich people, I swear to God, I just don't understand...

Here's what EJBJ would do.  Julius Peppers signs one year for $50M guaranteed.  Sproles for $15M. Dansby for $30M.  There could be repercussions to front-loaded multi-year contracts in terms of salary cap issues (hopefully someone can comment on this below).

What there can't be however are repercussions for way overpriced one year contracts.  Then you have a separate contract, signed one minute or one year later, that is salary-cap friendly and for more years. 

So you get Peppers in an uncapped year on a single year, $50M contract (woe to all those who didn't sign their franchise players), then Peppers gives you his word he'll sign on for 3 or 4 years after this year at $10M/yr. (sure you can get burned...what if you don't get burned though and this works?), a much more salary cap friendly number than the $20M he's commanding. 

Would Peppers do it?  $50M tomorrow...would you do it?  If you were Sproles would you take $15M this year and play the rest of your career out as a 49er for $2M/year?  Yeah, I would too.

Taking an approach like this can make us both a Super Bowl contender this year and set us up for the future with a process I call "Personnel Liquidity." 

This 2010 Draft feels like a pivotal year in drafting talent that can keep a franchise afloat for a long time. 

With all of these new stars coming in, and signing for long term, you have have a whole lot of trade bait for first- and second-round picks this year, and possibly next year.

Let's say the 49ers signed the following UNrestricted Free Agents in the manner above or otherwise:

DE

6

Julius Peppers

OLB

11

Karlos Dansby

CB

24

Dunta Robinson

WR

28

Terrell Owens

OG

33

Stephen Neal

RB

4

Darren Sproles

TE

2

Ben Watson

C

1

Kevin Mawae

S

8

Darren Sharper

QB

3

Chad Pennington

These signings represent superstars, stars, veteran leadership, and depth.

DUMPING DEAD WEIGHT

Now let's look at the dead weight that's been created by our new signings that we can dump that would have trade value:

QB Shaun Hill

RB Glen Coffee, Michael Robinson (I really like Thomas Clayton anyway)

WR Jason Hill

TE Delanie Walker (I like him too, with Ben Watson here now he's valuable trade bait)

OL David Bass (Chilo Rachal may learn a thing or two from the veterans and can stay)

DL Kentwan Balmer

LB Lawson, Haralson (with Dansby on the team now we stick with Brooks on the other end)

Going into the draft now we target the best available players throughout the first, second and third rounds

The goal is "Personnel Liquidity:" to have as many quality players coming in that cost you nothing while having as many players going out that you get a return for. 

There's no reason to be greedy with the the players going out, you target a player you want in the draft, you identify who you need to trade with to get that player, and you give the team you are trading with a good deal and everyone is happy. 

Everyone looks good and you, like Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. are at the head of another 49ers dynasty with three championships in the next four years, Julius Peppers entering the Hall of Fame as a 49er, and a veteran group from the 2010 draft class taking the reins and continuing the legacy.