Yesterday, we took a look at how the Carlos Rogers signing is a step in the right direction for the 49ers. He will be the team's number one corner and he should, by most accounts, do well in the role. At least one other believes that Rogers-to-San Francisco is a good thing, going as far as to say that he's better than Nate Clements, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals for two years. Clements was released by the 49ers after his $15 million cap hit this season was identified as being far too much for the returns.
Well, by proxy of Matt Maiocco, Greg Cosell, a senior producer at NFL Films, believes that the 49ers got a good tradeoff when it comes to Rogers-Clements. He said that Rogers had a lot of ability, but no confidence, and that's something we agree upon. Rogers is not a sure-handed guy, and you can't expect someone without confidence to be. But sure-handedness is not where it starts and ends, because like Clements, Rogers can disappear from games.
If he gets beat, he'll probably get beat again. That's just how he functions. Which, as an aside, is another reason the 49ers need to bring back Dashon Goldson, but that's a post for another time. Here's some quotes:
Cosell added, "His skill set is not exactly Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but he could be a top-10 corner in this league. You wouldn't nickname him, 'Toast,' but he's not as good or consistent as he could be. Now when it comes down to different coaching staffs, I'm sure a lot of them would watch him and say, 'He's pretty good.'"
Be sure to read what else Maiocco has to say about Cosell's words, but the gist of it is that the 49ers got themselves a pretty decent player. Rogers will have a lot of expectations, especially from a fanbase who was teased with the likes of Nnamdi Asomugha, if only for a day. That in of itself is reason enough to put pressure on Rogers. Clements wilted under that pressure, where is Rogers? We'll have to wait and see. With any luck, the new CBA will have all its wrinkles worked out and free agents will be able to report to camp to the teams they sign with.