by Eric Tellez
3/4/2010
Now is not the time to panic. In a world where free agency has gone mad the 49ers remain one of the lone bastions of sanity. Let the other teams throw their money around and get into high dollar contracts with players that may never show-up to work after signing, the 49ers have mastered the chaos.
From a division stand-point the Seattle Seahawks & St. Louis Rams are further behind in their rebuilding efforts and the Arizona Cardinals are on the decline. There is no need to play Eddie DeBartolo-Warbucks when the 49ers can win the division with what they have now and continue to rebuild through the draft. Sure, they could use some help on the offensive line and some depth at safety would be fantastic. But even though there are concerns, they are concerns that don't have to dealt with immediately.
If you want to win in the NFL you have to stop the run and Franchise tagging NT Aubrayo Franklin is a huge step in the right direction. The 49ers gave Franklin a 1-yr $7-million deal that allows them to negotiate a bigger contract during the season. It gives the 49ers one more year to evaulate Franklin and shows Franklin that the team IS willing to spend money if it's worth the return.
The 49ers have also kept linebackers Matt Wilhelm and Ahmad Brooks which should help a lot next year. Brooks, who hasn't signed but isn't going to be allowed to leave, is a talented up-and-comer and even though Wilhelm isn't a stat monster he is the kind of player that great teams build on. He reminds a lot of Mike Walter.
The line is going to benefit from the re-signing of David Baas as well. If we could draft him some help it'd be even better!
Let the Redskins spend $10 million for a long snapper and make the headlines. We'll be busy working on our foundation.
*contact me at cmnsportsnet@gmail.com to talk football or 49ers anytime!* Et
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Roger Craig - A Fan's Dilemma
by Eric Tellez at cmnpsportsnet@gmail.com
I'd like to start by declaring that Roger Craig was my favorite player growing-up. When you're young you hate to lose more than anything else and Roger Craig never lost. Three Super Bowl wins in 3 tries, 10 playoff appearances in 11 seasons, division title-after-division title. Even when he left the 49ers and went to the Raiders after negotiations fell threw he still seemed to be the one that came out on top.
So why was I not surprised when the Hall of Fame passed him over?
The numbers are there, he was first player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season, should of been a Super Bowl MVP, and was probably the reason why Marshall Faulk became Marshall Faulk and was not drafted as a defensive back. Pro Bowls, MVP, even led the league in receptions in 1985!
Jerry Rice is in, Joe Montana is in, Bill Walsh is in, Roger Craig is out. Oddly enough it makes sense in a way. Craig only had three 1,000 yard seasons and had some pretty mild years in the touchdown department. There was that fumble in the 1990 NFC Championship that ended the 3-peat. (Realistically, the Bills could of caused a lot of problems for the 49ers with Steve Young still being the run first quarterback he was in those days.) Was Roger Craig a good player on a great team that could of used any runningback to catch 3-yard passes? Ricky Watters thrived in the offense a couple of years later after the Dexter Carter project.
The best criteria for the Hall of Fame is this; if you were going to write a history of the league as a novel, could you exclude this player and still have a book? You'd have to have Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and Bill Walsh. Roger Craig doesn't have to be in the book for it to make sense. But would any of them of had the success they did if Roger Craig was not as good at his job as he was?
It's a fan's dilemma that I hope will be solved when Craig gets into the Hall of Fame. But I don't see it happening and for some reason, even though it doesn't make sense, I'm not angry.
*thanks for staying with me after the pneumonia and wisdom teeth thing! I'll be back on the regular in a few days - email me at cmnpsportsnet@mail.com to talk 49ers, football, and Hall of Fame!*
I'd like to start by declaring that Roger Craig was my favorite player growing-up. When you're young you hate to lose more than anything else and Roger Craig never lost. Three Super Bowl wins in 3 tries, 10 playoff appearances in 11 seasons, division title-after-division title. Even when he left the 49ers and went to the Raiders after negotiations fell threw he still seemed to be the one that came out on top.
So why was I not surprised when the Hall of Fame passed him over?
The numbers are there, he was first player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season, should of been a Super Bowl MVP, and was probably the reason why Marshall Faulk became Marshall Faulk and was not drafted as a defensive back. Pro Bowls, MVP, even led the league in receptions in 1985!
Jerry Rice is in, Joe Montana is in, Bill Walsh is in, Roger Craig is out. Oddly enough it makes sense in a way. Craig only had three 1,000 yard seasons and had some pretty mild years in the touchdown department. There was that fumble in the 1990 NFC Championship that ended the 3-peat. (Realistically, the Bills could of caused a lot of problems for the 49ers with Steve Young still being the run first quarterback he was in those days.) Was Roger Craig a good player on a great team that could of used any runningback to catch 3-yard passes? Ricky Watters thrived in the offense a couple of years later after the Dexter Carter project.
The best criteria for the Hall of Fame is this; if you were going to write a history of the league as a novel, could you exclude this player and still have a book? You'd have to have Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and Bill Walsh. Roger Craig doesn't have to be in the book for it to make sense. But would any of them of had the success they did if Roger Craig was not as good at his job as he was?
It's a fan's dilemma that I hope will be solved when Craig gets into the Hall of Fame. But I don't see it happening and for some reason, even though it doesn't make sense, I'm not angry.
*thanks for staying with me after the pneumonia and wisdom teeth thing! I'll be back on the regular in a few days - email me at cmnpsportsnet@mail.com to talk 49ers, football, and Hall of Fame!*
Labels:
bill walsh,
hall of fame,
jerry rice,
roger craig
Justin Smith Is Finally On The Radar
by Eric Tellez ***31 Jan 2010*** nflpressbox@gmail.com
Defensive lineman Justin Smith was added to the NFC PRO-BOWL Roster as a late replacement for Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings. Smith had 6 sacks, 90 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries for the 'Niners this season.
Smith has been with the 49ers since 2008 when he signed a 6-year contract after playing with the Cincinnati Bengals since 2001. Last season, Smith contributed 7 sacks, 73 tackles, and one interception. He has also started every game since 2002.
OK, those are the numbers. But here's what has me excited about the selection.
It's a well-known fact that when the awards and accolades are given it is the teams that are winning that get the lions share. There will always be players that go unnoticed and unrewarded because their team doesn't attract the same attention. I was afraid that Justin Smith was going to be one of those guys.
Ever since Smith arrived in San Francisco he has been a dominate anchor on the defensive line making the key tackle, tying-up multiple blockers, and tracking down running plays from behind. The television commentator says "Justin Smith on the tackle" and then continues to praise Patrick Willis or compare the play to something Dana Stubblefield would have done in the past. Meanwhile, where's Justin Smith? Knocking down a pass and forcing a punt on 3rd-and-long.
Having Justin Smith named to the Pro Bowl is showing that the league is paying attention even if you couldn't tell by reading the news releases. I don't even know if a Justin Smith football card even exists at the moment! (Note to TOPPS, I expect 2 next year; 1 regular, 1 All-Star.)
Having 5 'Niners in the Pro Bowl is outstanding for an 8 win team. But look at the names; Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, Andy Lee. All young players, all the future of this team. The 49er's are getting respect nationally and it's only going to get better.
***Sorry for the delay, had to sit-out a week after surgery. I'll be back with regular updates as I get back to normal. Email me at nflpressbpx@gmail.com to talk sports anytime! Et
Defensive lineman Justin Smith was added to the NFC PRO-BOWL Roster as a late replacement for Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings. Smith had 6 sacks, 90 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries for the 'Niners this season.
Smith has been with the 49ers since 2008 when he signed a 6-year contract after playing with the Cincinnati Bengals since 2001. Last season, Smith contributed 7 sacks, 73 tackles, and one interception. He has also started every game since 2002.
OK, those are the numbers. But here's what has me excited about the selection.
It's a well-known fact that when the awards and accolades are given it is the teams that are winning that get the lions share. There will always be players that go unnoticed and unrewarded because their team doesn't attract the same attention. I was afraid that Justin Smith was going to be one of those guys.
Ever since Smith arrived in San Francisco he has been a dominate anchor on the defensive line making the key tackle, tying-up multiple blockers, and tracking down running plays from behind. The television commentator says "Justin Smith on the tackle" and then continues to praise Patrick Willis or compare the play to something Dana Stubblefield would have done in the past. Meanwhile, where's Justin Smith? Knocking down a pass and forcing a punt on 3rd-and-long.
Having Justin Smith named to the Pro Bowl is showing that the league is paying attention even if you couldn't tell by reading the news releases. I don't even know if a Justin Smith football card even exists at the moment! (Note to TOPPS, I expect 2 next year; 1 regular, 1 All-Star.)
Having 5 'Niners in the Pro Bowl is outstanding for an 8 win team. But look at the names; Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, Andy Lee. All young players, all the future of this team. The 49er's are getting respect nationally and it's only going to get better.
***Sorry for the delay, had to sit-out a week after surgery. I'll be back with regular updates as I get back to normal. Email me at nflpressbpx@gmail.com to talk sports anytime! Et
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