San Francisco 49ers
2012 NFL Free Agents: Does Randy Moss to the San Francisco 49ers Make Sense?
Randy Moss rockin’ the Red and Gold, huh.
It’s safe to say I hear the boo birds of incredulity loud and clear.
49er fans recall all too well the failed experiment that was the corpse of Braylon Edwards. A one-year, incentive-laden deal for a wide receiver with delusions of grandeur, looking to showcase his self-purported viability as an elite NFL playmaker.
And, not so much.
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt regarding his knee issues, but the lack of effort and attitude problems he displayed were inexcusable. Case in point: he got straight up cut by the team with the least amount of depth at the receiver position in the league. (Brett Swain may have endorsed the move.)
Back to Randy Moss.
The former All-Pro wideout desires a return to the NFL, evidently to a “winning team.”
He uttered that desire in September of last year, and reiterated as much on a recent Ustream feed. Well, in the form of a, “Hopefully I [just] get on a team” sort of way.
And regarding said team, why not the San Francisco 49ers?
Let’s lay out the five-faceted scenario.
3 Reasons to Believe Colin Kaepernick Can Beat out Alex Smith in 2012
What if the old Alex shows up?
Thus reads one of the comments to my column last week about the San Francisco 49ers’ tougher schedule next season. It’s a question that’s probably hiding in the backs of the minds of many fans.
True, Alex Smith just led the Niners to the lip of the Super Bowl. But he did it by being, for the most part, solid and not spectacular.
Moreover, when it counted most—in the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants—Smith was subpar. In particular, the outcome might have been different had the 49ers, under Smith’s leadership, converted more than one of 13 third-down attempts during regulation. Or, when they had the ball inside the 10-yard line, if they had been able to score a touchdown instead of accepting yet another David Akers field goal.
I have believed in Alex Smith since he started turning his game around early last season. He wasn’t going to make anybody forget Johnny Unitas. But in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s simplified offensive scheme, he avoided mistakes and put up enough points to win with the help of a smothering defense. And he did it 14 times.
Even so, at times, he still sailed the ball, and at other times, made gophers dive for cover. His inconsistency has shown that, after seven years, he still has work to do.
Whereas I believe Smith will continue to improve, his uneven performance perhaps cracks open the door for backup Colin Kaepernick. Here are three ways that Kaepernick might challenge Smith in the 2012 season.
1. Red-Zone Blues
Did the 49ers stagnate in the red zone this year because of unimaginative play-calling, or did the conservative approach result from Smith’s inability to connect with receivers in the end zone?
It’s a question 49ers fans debated every time David Akers jogged onto the field after another drive came up short. If the answer is the latter, then the next question is, “What’s Smith doing out there?”
Quarterbacks need to finish what they start. The difference between two touchdowns and two field goals is the difference between a one-score game and a two-score game. Put another way, would you rather be leading 14-0 or 6-0?
Kaepernick showed against top college competition (an overtime win over third-ranked Boise State) that he could finish the job and do it in the clutch. As Mark Twain observed in a different context, the difference between college ball and the NFL is the difference between a lightning bolt and a June bug. Even so, Kaepernick has demonstrated he can get it done when it counts.
2. Passing (Not Too) Fancy
Smith has shown he can zing the ball right on the numbers, as he did with Vernon Davis for the winning touchdown in the playoffs against the New Orleans Saints. He’s also shown he can throw it halfway to Cleveland, as he did a few times against the Giants.
The inconsistency is maddening. Just as important, it’s a potential opportunity for Kaepernick. If he can connect regularly with receivers, especially on timing routes, then he may challenge Smith for the job.
The West Coast offense demands precision in the passing game. If Smith can deliver it, then he deserves to start. If not, then maybe it’s time to see what Kaepernick can do.
3. The Old Alex
Back to the original question: What if the old Alex shows up? By “the old Alex,” I mean decidedly not in command. Playing quarterback is almost like being a stage actor. You have to be larger than life and utterly, supremely confident in everything you do.
Smith made long strides this year, especially as the season progressed. To cite another line by another author, his grace under pressure against New Orleans would have made Hemingway proud.
But, as with his passing game, can he do it all the time? Or will he revert to being tentative at best and panicky at worst?
As the Niners enter mini-camp this spring, the job will certainly be Smith’s to lose. After this year’s results, he deserves as much.
But by all estimations, Kaepernick’s talent is one to be reckoned with. That’s good; in confident, competitive people, challenge elevates performance.
Assuming Smith responds, he will in all likelihood keep his job. But if he stumbles, Kaepernick is standing by. And that could be a good thing, too.
Read more San Francisco 49ers news on BleacherReport.com
2012 NFL Draft: 5 Unknowns the San Francisco 49ers Must Watch at the Combine
What: NFL Scouting Combine
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: Feb 22-28, 2012 (click here for day-to-day schedule)
The NFL combine allows top prospects, through a series of workouts and drills, to solidify their draft status. A strong performance can help players climb up several spots—a bad one has the reverse effect, even sliding some all the way out of the draft.
For other participants, however, the combine is exposure that few have ever received at this point in their young careers. A mere 88 of the 300-plus total invitees to this year’s event are from non-BCS schools, with an even smaller amount hailing from NAIA and FSC programs. Even those from acclaimed universities are often overshadowed by their blue-chip teammates.
For these lesser known athletes, their futures hinge on what occurs this upcoming week inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Scouts from each NFL team will be in attendance ready to scrutinize, dissect and peruse every facet of every prospect. Not a single inch will escape the microscope they are to perform under.
Here are five relatively unknown prospects destined to fade out of obscurity and into the San Francisco 49ers‘ radar.
NFL Rumors: San Francisco 49ers Must Spend Big on an Elite WR
The San Francisco 49ers surprised everyone last year by going 13-3 and winning a playoff game, but if they want to show that it wasn’t a fluke and advance further, the 49ers have to land a top-notch wide receiver during the offseason.
It’s possible they could get one in the 2012 NFL draft, but their best bet is to pick up an elite wideout via free agency.
Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee writes how the 49ers will be patient in their search for a wideout and that they likely won’t over pay for anyone.
ESPN senior writer John Clayton believes the 49ers shouldn’t even pursue a No. 1 receiver, but rather the second-tier players since they have decent contributors already.
Sure, they’d save money that way, but it wouldn’t put the 49ers over the top and significantly increase their chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
Signing one of the best free-agent wide receivers will benefit them more, so shelling out more money is something they have to do.
Barrows’ thoughts are spot on in the sense that the 49ers should keep trying for all until they get one.
The 49ers might show interest initially in, say, Dwayne Bowe. If Bowe’s market value goes beyond what the 49ers want to pay, they’ll move to their next target, say, Vincent Jackson. If Jackson’s price tag gets unwieldy, they’ll move to Marques Colston, etc., etc.
There’s a difference between overpaying and spending big. The 49ers are going to have to drop big dollars if they really want to improve, but by no means do they have to spend more than a player is worth.
Still, San Francisco must do whatever it takes to get a player like Bowe, Jackson or Colston. Those three will generate the most buzz during free agency, so others like Steve Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Reggie Wayne, Mario Manningham or even Plaxico Burress would be solid options for the 49ers.
Some of these guys are likely to stay with their current team either through a big extension or being given the franchise tag. This means the 49ers have to sit back and see which elite guys are available, and then they must attack vigorously in their pursuit.
If it means spending just a little over than what they really wanted to, then so be it. The only way the 49ers will become a serious contender that strikes fear in all opponents is by having a more prolific offense.
Yes, the 49ers offense looked extremely good at times this past season. However, by getting a true No. 1 wideout this offseason, the 49ers offense can start to be consistently scary and also be able put the ball in the end zone more often.
Finding that top-notch receiver in the coming month is a must, or else the 49ers won’t be getting past the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers of the NFC.
Read more San Francisco 49ers news on BleacherReport.com
12 Dream Free Agents for the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are fresh off a stellar 2011 season, where they went 13-3 and were within a play or two from going to the Super Bowl. Looking forward, the 49ers are roughly $30 million under the salary cap.
The 49ers have several of their own free agents they want to sign. Included in this list are Alex Smith, Carlos Rogers, Dashon Goldson, Ahmad Brooks and Adam Snyder.
A large chunk of the $30 million will be dedicated to these players. There should be some cap space available for the 49ers to go after some additional free agents, but it won’t come anywhere near $30 million.
For the purposes of this report on “dream” free agents, I am focusing only on offensive players.
