Crucial Combine Coming
Crucial Combine Coming
By Chris Woeber (Guest Writer)
With just under a week until the 2006 NFL Draft Combine, Mike Nolan and the 49ers are staring at one the more important weeks in recent franchise history, ie the post Steve Young Era. With a deeper than average draft and a stockpile of picks, this is the year that will chart the course for football by the bay for years to come. Despite having the number one overall pick in the 2005 draft, this year's crop of fresh meat is considered by most experts to be more crucial to the so-called rebirth of this organization. New stadium deals aside, it's now or never, and the combine is the beginning of this process.
Here's a look at what's at stake:
The Coin Toss
We know by now the Niners will have either the 6th or 7th overall pick in the draft, the same goes for Raiders. Although it seems appropriate that bay area football face off in a duel of futility decided by nothing less than the flip of a coin, it would be quite a sight see Al in his finest valor suit grimacing at Dr John in his newest Sally Jessie specs. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely the NFL Network will carry such a scene. But it's had to imagine the 49ers wouldn't be willing to concede the number six pick in order relieve themselves of the burden of signing the higher salary. The difference between 6 and 7? 2001, #6 Richard Seymour NE, #7 Andre Carter SF.
Full Story...
The Players
The 49ers have been rumored to be interested in several players high in the draft. This is no surprise as just about every position could use some improvement. Of course there are the rumors that the Niners will trade down. Although this is a very real possibility, it is silly to try and predict as the possible scenarios are as puzzling as reading the headline "49ers Hire Oregon State Coach". So let's stick to what we know.
Offense
- Vernon Davis TE
Best TE in the draft, a smaller quicker Antonio Gates
- D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT
Solid tackle, great potential, not as praised as Robert Gallery
- DeAngelo Williams RB
Tremendous college career, many think he is underrated but faced weaker opponents at Memphis
- Santonio Holmes WR
Needs to be mentioned due to his position, more likely in a trade-down scenario
Defense
- A.J Hawk LB
Seau-like but bigger, great instincts and work ethic
- Michael Huff S
Leader of national championship defense, playmaker
- Mario Williams DE
Position of need, consistent, mix of size and speed
Of course these are just a few of the options the 49ers have with their first pick, but it will be a crucial decision. With so much talent at the top, it's important to avoid being the Tony Mandrich in the middle of the Aikmans, Sanders, and Thomas' (see 1989).
Football Guys
Still hanging over Candlestick Point like the filthy parking lot gulls is Mike Nolan's 'football guy' quandary. After the Reinfeldt deal fell through, the 49ers were left sitting on the front porch sobbing into their scarlet corsage. The hiring of a front office top dog needs to happen and happen soon, preferably before the combine. According to Nolan, and seemingly York, this move is imperative. This process has been particularly cloaked, so it will be difficult to read until we're sitting at the press conference, listening to this new fellow joke about asking his wife's permission to take the job. Stay tuned.
Free Agents
OK lets take a deep breath, one step at a time here. The free agent search will be a whole process among itself, and if sources are correct, free agency will be delayed until April 1, so long as the CBA negotiations continue to improve. So for now, let's wait and see.
So in the next 10 days or so, the process will have begun.The pivotal events of the beloved Niners will be set in motion, feel free to cover your eyes.
Relevance: 49ers - Free Agency - NFL Draft
By Chris Woeber (Guest Writer)
With just under a week until the 2006 NFL Draft Combine, Mike Nolan and the 49ers are staring at one the more important weeks in recent franchise history, ie the post Steve Young Era. With a deeper than average draft and a stockpile of picks, this is the year that will chart the course for football by the bay for years to come. Despite having the number one overall pick in the 2005 draft, this year's crop of fresh meat is considered by most experts to be more crucial to the so-called rebirth of this organization. New stadium deals aside, it's now or never, and the combine is the beginning of this process.
Here's a look at what's at stake:
The Coin Toss
We know by now the Niners will have either the 6th or 7th overall pick in the draft, the same goes for Raiders. Although it seems appropriate that bay area football face off in a duel of futility decided by nothing less than the flip of a coin, it would be quite a sight see Al in his finest valor suit grimacing at Dr John in his newest Sally Jessie specs. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely the NFL Network will carry such a scene. But it's had to imagine the 49ers wouldn't be willing to concede the number six pick in order relieve themselves of the burden of signing the higher salary. The difference between 6 and 7? 2001, #6 Richard Seymour NE, #7 Andre Carter SF.
Full Story...
The Players
The 49ers have been rumored to be interested in several players high in the draft. This is no surprise as just about every position could use some improvement. Of course there are the rumors that the Niners will trade down. Although this is a very real possibility, it is silly to try and predict as the possible scenarios are as puzzling as reading the headline "49ers Hire Oregon State Coach". So let's stick to what we know.
Offense
- Vernon Davis TE
Best TE in the draft, a smaller quicker Antonio Gates
- D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT
Solid tackle, great potential, not as praised as Robert Gallery
- DeAngelo Williams RB
Tremendous college career, many think he is underrated but faced weaker opponents at Memphis
- Santonio Holmes WR
Needs to be mentioned due to his position, more likely in a trade-down scenario
Defense
- A.J Hawk LB
Seau-like but bigger, great instincts and work ethic
- Michael Huff S
Leader of national championship defense, playmaker
- Mario Williams DE
Position of need, consistent, mix of size and speed
Of course these are just a few of the options the 49ers have with their first pick, but it will be a crucial decision. With so much talent at the top, it's important to avoid being the Tony Mandrich in the middle of the Aikmans, Sanders, and Thomas' (see 1989).
Football Guys
Still hanging over Candlestick Point like the filthy parking lot gulls is Mike Nolan's 'football guy' quandary. After the Reinfeldt deal fell through, the 49ers were left sitting on the front porch sobbing into their scarlet corsage. The hiring of a front office top dog needs to happen and happen soon, preferably before the combine. According to Nolan, and seemingly York, this move is imperative. This process has been particularly cloaked, so it will be difficult to read until we're sitting at the press conference, listening to this new fellow joke about asking his wife's permission to take the job. Stay tuned.
Free Agents
OK lets take a deep breath, one step at a time here. The free agent search will be a whole process among itself, and if sources are correct, free agency will be delayed until April 1, so long as the CBA negotiations continue to improve. So for now, let's wait and see.
So in the next 10 days or so, the process will have begun.The pivotal events of the beloved Niners will be set in motion, feel free to cover your eyes.
Relevance: 49ers - Free Agency - NFL Draft
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