San Francisco 49ers Free Agency: Which Players Top the Team's 2011 Wish List?
The San Francisco 49ers look at free agency with a different approach than 15 years ago. Then, they were the deep-pocket team whose owner, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., took a Woody Hayes approach to free agents: Sign them even if it’s not a top need, if only so the other team (read: Cowboys) don’t sign them.
Example: Deion Sanders and Rickey Jackson (to name two) in 1994.
At the same time, it seems that if new coach Jim Harbaugh can improve the team’s play at quarterback, the 49ers will immediately become serious playoff contenders in the wide-open NFC West. But second-round pick Colin Kaepernick won’t be ready in 2011 in terms of playing full-time. Backup David Carr might be overpaid at just over $2 million.
It is the nature of the free-agent system that free agents get premium contracts. Even though the player may not rank as “elite” at the position, the contracts tend to be above the norm due to the competitive bidding.
That said, perhaps the best 49er free-agent signing was not Sanders, who played only one year, but Jeff Garcia. Garcia was under-appreciated (but a star in the Canadian Football League) who proved effective when in the right system, namely the 49ers offense in the late 1990s. More to the point, Garcia didn’t require a large contract to sign.
That’s why, behind many of the team’s recent moves, there seems to be a concern about finances. The guaranteed sell-outs aren’t so guaranteed these days (thanks to a long run of poor-to-mediocre seasons).
Also, the team is trying to build a new stadium in Santa Clara. That means coming up with large amounts of cash, and locking down high-priced players for long contracts puts a limit in how much money gets put into building a new stadium.
With that perspective, here’s an overview of some of the positions and the players the 49ers might consider.
Wide Receiver
1 of 6
Why: Nothing helps a team win more than getting an easy touchdown—an over-the-top pass play or a receiver making a defender miss to turn a short gain into a big one. Big plays on offense that bring a fast seven points keep a defense an edge, and that helps increase the efficiency of the West Coast offense.
Dream On: Vincent Jackson, Chargers.
He’s 6’ 5” and he can run. But he also played only five games in 2010. Does that make him damaged goods or someone with fresh legs? Jackson’s an All-Pro talent who scored 16 pass TDs in 2008-09. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2009. Moreover, he averages 17.2 yards per reception. That stat alone makes defenses back up.
But he’s been named the Chargers' non-exclusive franchise player, meaning that if the 49ers offer a contract, the Chargers can match the offer and keep Jackson. That means to get the six-year vet to come north is going to take something along the lines of $15 million a year for three years guaranteed, and I don’t see the Niners forking over that kind of deal.
Another in the same category: Sidney Rice, Vikings. He might be Minnesota’s best player outside of Adrian Peterson. But again, the financial hit seems too high.
Realistically: Steve Breaston, Cardinals. He’s not a giant like Jackson, but he can play on the outside or in the slot. He may not represent great big-play specs, but he does have the capability to bring more speed, if only to clear out the zones for crossing patterns to Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.
Breaston is a role-player who can occasionally become the main target. What makes him more attractive than the likes of Steve Smith of Carolina, Braylon Edwards of the Jets and Mike Sims-Walker of the Jaguars is that Breaston would be just as effective in that jack-of-all-trades role but considerably cheaper.
Bonus: Signing Breaston would hurt a division rival.
Quarterback
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Why: Alex Smith may return, but veteran leadership and improved play are needed.
Dream On: The No. 1 guy in the game at this position is considered a free agent, though no one expects Peyton Manning to leave the Colts.
That leaves Matt Hasselbeck as a viable alternative. He’s 36, coming off a so-so year in Seattle, and has a body that’s put together with tape and a staple gun. Tough, resilient and a good leader? Yes. Worth the money (in the $5-$6 million range for a year)? No.
Realistically: None. The real solution here, if the Niners want to get aggressive, is to trade for Carson Palmer. He’s younger than Hasselbeck, has much more experience than Kevin Kolb of the Eagles (and a stronger arm) and he is dying to get out of Cincinnati.
If the Niners cannot re-sign Alex Smith, this would be where much of the focus should go.
Bonus: Carson Palmer’s wife, a former soccer player at USC, is dying to get back to California. That helps dispel the notion that Palmer, unlike another former Trojan QB, Matt Leinart, would team up with former USC head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle.
Cornerback
3 of 6
Why: The Niners feel they helped address their pass-rush needs with the selection of outside linebacker Aldon Smith in last month’s draft. But memories of quarterbacks like Matt Ryan of Atlanta and Aaron Rodgers of the Packers picking apart the SF secondary still cause 49er fans to rush to the medicine cabinet.
A cover cornerback allows for options. It frees up other players to rush, double-team, snoop, guess and hunt. In short, it can make it easier to confuse the offense, and that helps a defense win the play.
Dream On: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders. Darrell Revis of the Jets is considered the best at the position, but there are many in the game who consider Asomugha, the former Cal standout, to be just as good.
He’s tall, can run and doesn’t fall for double-moves. He also plays with a quiet confidence that brings league-wide respect. It also makes for a player who will require big money, and that’s where the issue comes to a rest.
If the Niners forked over $12 million or $14 million a year for Asomugha, even for a short-term deal a la Deion Sanders in 1994, it might be worth it. Remember, they’re due to pay a fading Nate Clements $7.2 million, and there’s a good chance Clements won’t make the roster.
Realistically: Brent Grimes, Falcons. The fourth-year player out of Shippenberg made the Pro Bowl last year. At 5’10”, he’s not that big but he can cover. He would be a signing that would make most casual fans would say, “Who?” Most in-the-know fans would say, “Wow.” For $30 million over four years, would he be worth it? That’s why GM Trent Baalke makes the big bucks.
Bonus: The loss of Grimes would put at least some thumb-tacks in the path of the Falcons, who might be considered the NFC preseason favorites.
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Nose Tackle
4 of 6
Why: Aubrayo Franklin is leaving, or so it seems in that he’s looking for that big contract. The Niners have Isaac Sapoago, who seems fine in the middle. But is that enough?
Dream On: Franklin. Would the Niners pay to keep him when they have a decent alternative in Sopoaga and needs in the secondary? More decisions for Baalke.
Realistically: Brandon Mebane, Seahawks. Another former Cal player who has done extremely well in Seattle. He has started 47 out of the last 48 games for the Seahawks, proving his ability and durability.
Better than Tommie Harris of Chicago, better than Brent Cofield of the Giants, Mebane had 10 sacks in three years. At first glance, that doesn’t seem like much but it is pretty good for someone whose priority is clogging the middle, bringing down ball carriers and keeping offensive linemen off linebackers.
The thing is, the Seahawks know how valuable he is; getting him back to the Bay Area might mean serious bucks. How much and for how long is the question.
Bonus: Again, it would hurt a division rival.
Safety
5 of 6
Why: Taylor Mays hasn’t developed. Also, new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio might want to make a statement out of this team, and bringing in lots of new players for the secondary is a start.
Dream On: There is no one great player like Ed Reed available.
Realistically: Eric Weddle of the Chargers has developed into a solid player who supports the run but offers good pass covering skills. But is that reason to find yourself in a possible bidding war and paying more than he might be worth, especially if Taylor Mays is earning second-round money from his 2010 contract?
Bonus: Might not be one.
Overall
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If the Niners do anything that really stands out in this post-draft-lockout phase of the NFL season, it’s to target the quarterback position. Second-round pick Colin Kaepernick won’t be ready in 2011 in terms of playing full-time. Backup David Carr might be overpaid at just over $2 million.
That leaves Alex Smith as the best of the bunch, but someone like Palmer might cost a little more in salary and require a little more in trade (second-round picks in ’12 and ’13?). But he also has the experience and the savvy to take over an aspiring team and help it reach its potential.
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