SB Nation Bay Area - San Francisco 49ers Grades, Free Agents: Just About Everyone Outperforming Expectationshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-02-17T05:15:12-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24944602012-02-17T05:15:12-08:002012-02-17T05:15:12-08:00Shawntae Spencer Potentially More Valuable To 49ers Than Given Credit For
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>On Thursday, news came out that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> would allow cornerback <span>Shawntae Spencer</span> and his agent to seek a trade away from the team before offseason activities and the like begins. San Francisco has historically done this for players they plan to cut, and rarely has it actually led to a player finding a trade destination. That being said, there could be a bit more to Spencer and his value.</p>
<p>The prevailing reason behind the 49ers parting ways with Spencer is the fact that he's set to make $3.2 million in 2012, while having been inactive for nine games including the playoffs. It makes perfect sense, and it's pretty easy to just say that Spencer will be released. It wouldn't make sense to carry him on the roster if he's going to miss half of the games and make that much money, especially with some high profile free agents this season.</p>
<p>But there's a couple things to consider in regards to the 49ers potentially <i>keeping</i> Spencer. For one, Spencer fell behind and was inactive for games he wasn't injured in. While there's definite injury concerns going forward (two hamstring injuries and turf toe in 2011 alone), it was the early injury that put him out of the quick training camp and set him behind. </p>
<p>It was an entirely new coaching staff and there was a big lockout. When Spencer had a chance to show the new coaches that he deserved to keep his starting job, he was hurt and passed by. Mid-season, it didn't make sense to devote time to Spencer. They had to go with what they were going with. So Spencer could conceivably be valuable to the team, just one season removed from a very stellar season.</p>
<p>On top of those things, <span>Carlos Rogers</span> is a free agent, and behind him there's not a lot to work with. Spencer is valuable against certain types of receivers, but his value to the 49ers shoots up if they somehow can't re-sign Rogers. At first, it seemed inevitable that they get a done with the Pro Bowl cornerback, but after some notes that the 49ers might be more interested in bringing back Dason Goldson, there hasn't been much news related to a potential deal with Rogers.</p>
<p>So Spencer could be a little bit more valuable than most are giving him credit for. Which may all be for naught, really, as that value simply means that Spencer could have some suitors for a late-round pick in a trade scenario. The more valuable Spencer is to the 49ers, the more valuable he could be to another team. Really, the best situation for them is that another team wants to give them a fifth- or sixth-round pick for him.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/17/2804220/shawntae-spencer-trade-san-francisco-49ers-carlos-rogersJames Brady2012-02-16T15:52:52-08:002012-02-16T15:52:52-08:00San Francisco 49ers Could Move CB Shawntae Spencer
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> don't have too many critical decisions to make this offseason regarding free agency. Many of their top players are coming back and should be able to make another go at a Super Bowl run with many of the same pieces intact.</p>
<p>But some players will have to be left go. Underused cornerback <span>Shawntae Spencer</span> of the San Francisco 49ers is one of those figures. <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/02/shawntae-spencer-switches-agents.html">Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee has more on the story</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Spencer speculated that his lack of use, coupled with the $3.2 million in base salary he is scheduled to earn in 2012, would prompt the 49ers to release him. "It's like dating the same girl all through junior high and high school and then come senior year, she's dating another guy. I've played right corner since I got here," he said last month. He said the best advice was from his brother, who picked up on the lady-with-another-man theme. "There's plenty of women out there," Spencer said.</p>
</blockquote>
<div class="body">If the 49ers are unable to move Spencer, they'll probably cut him.</div>
<div class="body"><br></div>
<div class="body">Spencer made $3.3 million and was inactive for most of the season. The 49ers are pretty well-set with their top three anyway. <span>Carlos Rogers</span> was dominant last year, <span>Tarell Brown</span> made progress as the #2 corner, and rookie CB <span>Chris Culliver</span> had a strong first year campaign and took over the nickel back role. San Francisco probably can find better value and offload Spencer's contract at the same time.<br>
</div>
<div class="body"><i><b><br></b></i></div>
<div class="body">
<i><b>To talk about the 49ers potentially moving Spencer,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com"> head on over to Niners Nation</a>. </b></i><br>
</div>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/16/2803337/shawnte-spencer-san-francisco-49ers-nfl-trade-rumors-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-02-14T04:30:01-08:002012-02-14T04:30:01-08:00Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman Among Best Linebackers In The League
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>We'll continue our look at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> and their various positional units today with a look at the inside linebackers. Effectively, the 49ers had three inside linebackers, as the other two on the roster were core special teamers, more than anything. Needless to say, the 49ers are set in this regard moving forward, though they may need another backup, as last year's option may be in line for a bigger contract and a bigger role elsewhere. Let's get to it.</p>
<p><b><span>Patrick Willis</span> </b>is, well, Patrick Willis, ya know? Great linebackers nowadays should always have the caveat "Well, they're no Patrick Willis, but ..." any time you're grading them out. Willis is just so good at everything on the football field, and is without a doubt the best inside linebacker in the NFL today. He's incredibly strong, fast enough to catch most players in the league and when he's not, will take the smartest angles of any other player to cover the distance. He's a hard-hitting tackler and he's great in coverage, suffering his only lapses in that regard when he was beaten by <span>Jimmy Graham</span> going for a jump ball when the 49ers played the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> in the playoffs. <b>A+</b></p>
<p><b><span>NaVorro Bowman</span> </b>can be mistaken for Patrick Willis at times, which is really enough to give him a very solid grade. After looking abysmal in his limited time his rookie season, Bowman was thrust into the starting role as <span>Takeo Spikes</span> left for free agency, and he performed better than most figured he could this quickly. He was a hard-hitter, which wasn't expected, and showed he potentially had better range than Willis. His angles weren't quite as refined, but there were multiple folks saying that they could't tell if it was Willis or Bowman that made a certain tackle. Not only do the 49ers have the best group of inside linebackers, they have the No. 1 and No. 2 inside linebackers in the league. <b>A+</b></p>
<p><b><span>Larry Grant</span> </b>surprised most people, but there were plenty who also knew that he could be great if given some playing time. It just so happens that Willis had to miss a few games, so Grant was pressed into action. There was almost no difference for the first couple games - Grant played out of his mind. He knocked down multiple passes and was mauling running backs in the backfield. He's not quite as fast as a lot of inside linebackers, but he's a sure tackler. As he got more and more time, he started making mistakes and it was clear he needed more time to really get into a groove, but isn't that what you want out of a backup? A guy who can come in and just play incredibly well? Unfortunately, it likely means Grant will get a good offer to potentially start somewhere else. Grading him relative to a backup. <b>A-</b></p>
<p><b><span>Blake Costanzo</span> </b>was a special teamer and nothing else, but he was possibly the best special teamer the 49ers have had in a very long time, which is saying something given some of the players they've had in recent years. He's fast, strong, a sure tackler and very smart - he could probably be a decent backup at inside linebacker if it all came down to it. But he's not going to get a grade as an inside linebacker.</p>
<p><b><span>Tavares Gooden</span> </b>did not see the field much on defense, but was a core special teamer. He got the hang of things in that regard as the season went on, but again, did not factor into things as an inside linebacker. No grade.</p>
<p><b>Overall: A+</b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/14/2796784/patrick-willis-navorro-bowman-49ers-grades-larry-grant-free-agentJames Brady2012-02-13T03:00:36-08:002012-02-13T03:00:36-08:00DeSean Jackson To San Francisco 49ers Not Likely To Happen
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Almost everyone everywhere knows that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> need to upgrade at wide receiver. Their performance wasn't good enough in the playoffs to get them to the Super Bowl, and the receivers the Niners currently have probably won't be enough to win games in the future.</p>
<p>So what about <span>DeSean Jackson</span>? Jackson seemed to be coming off a tumultuous season with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> where he struggled with inconsistency, a tough contract situation, and character concerns.</p>
<p>However, DeSean becoming a 49er in 2012 seems to be very unlikely at this point. <a target="_blank" href="http://mobile.philly.com/sports/eagles/?wss=/philly/sports/eagles&id=139191259&deliver=iphone&viewAll=y#more">Jeff McLane has this report</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Eagles are going to franchise DeSean Jackson, count on it.</p>
<p>They will not let their Pro Bowl receiver - whose contract is set to expire - walk without getting something in return, according to NFL sources.</p>
<p>So that means the Eagles will do one of three things before March 5:</p>
<p>They will franchise Jackson and keep him for the 2012 season.</p>
<p>They will franchise and then trade him.</p>
<p><a name="more"></a></p>
<p>Or they will agree to a contract extension with the 25-year-old, an unlikely proposition at this point.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It makes sense that the Eagles aren't willing to part with their asset for nothing. DeSean is too much of a gamechanger to let him go and hope he doesn't end up burning you in the long-run. Jackson should be retained if at all possible.</p>
<p>Besides, there's no guarantee San Francisco would want DeSean even if he was available.</p>
<p><i><b>To talk about DeSean and the 49ers, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">head on over to Niners Nation</a>. To discuss DeSean and the Eagles,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bleedinggreennation.com"> check out Bleeding Green Nation</a>. </b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/13/2794367/desean-jackson-san-francisco-49ers-philadelphia-eaglesAvinash Kunnath2012-02-12T04:30:06-08:002012-02-12T04:30:06-08:00San Francisco 49ers Grades: Alex Smith And The Other Quarterbacks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> have received high marks for their tight ends, offensive line, running backs and defensive line. For the offense, only one position remains, and it's going to be a controversial one, to be sure. We're next going to take a look at the quarterback position, led by Alex Smith, with backup <span>Colin Kaepernick</span> and third-stringer <span>Scott Tolzien</span>. Let's just get right into the grades.</p>
<p><b>Alex Smith </b>had a very solid season by anybody's standards, which wasn't altogether unexpected. Smith has generally been that quarterback that doesn't make mistakes, but who can't necessarily win you a football game on his own. Up until this season, he's fallen short of every expectation had of him, and has been labeled a huge bust, despite solid numbers the past few seasons. Still, even with the positive signs, there wasn't much expectation for Smith heading into this season by realists.</p>
<p>As it turns out, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman were able to do exactly what they said they were going to: maximize his skill-set and use him the best way they possibly can. They did that, with Smith completing the fewest turnovers by all quarterbacks not named <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>, and coming just short of setting a franchise record for passing attempts without an interception at the end of the season. Smith rallied the 49ers to six fourth-quarter comebacks and led them on two huge 85-yard drives to beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.</p>
<p>Of course, there's a lot he can improve upon. His awareness is not totally there, and if it his, he's still reluctant to pull the trigger. Smith threw some very pretty passes this season, but he often waited far too long and never threw his receivers open. There were plenty of times when Smith had a receiver open enough to pull the trigger and he hesitated or went underneath. It's an issue that he needs to correct. Maybe Jim Harbaugh can work with him on that.</p>
<p>In all, Smith had a very good season, his best to date, and earned the starting role heading into next season. He's not a leash-less franchise quarterback who can throw together four or five bad games and expect to be secure in his job in 2012, but he's the guy who should get the full amount of work in the offseason and start in week one, barring some huge setbacks. <b>B+</b></p>
<p><b>Colin Kaepernick </b>is progressing, but didn't see the field more than a couple times this past season. He was drafted early and might be the quarterback of the future, but we won't know much about him or what the 49ers really have in him until he gets a full offseason of work with Harbaugh and all of the coaching staff. Expect Kaepernick to not officially compete with Smith in training camp and preseason, but the best thing he can do is show the coaches that he <i>can</i> compete, and be ready in the event of a Smith injury or slip-up.</p>
<p><b>Scott Tolzien </b>did not dress, but was chosen over <span>Josh McCown</span> to be the third-string quarterback. He had a solid preseason with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> and will have a full offseason with the 49ers to show his stuff. There's actually quite a bit of upside there.</p>
<p><b>Overall: B+ </b>Since there's only one quarterback to really go by, it has to be a B+</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/12/2783977/san-francisco-49ers-grades-alex-smith-colin-kaepernickJames Brady2012-02-09T10:29:30-08:002012-02-09T10:29:30-08:00Dashon Goldson Would Be Surprised If He Was Not Back With 49ers In 2012
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> free safety <span>Dashon Goldson</span> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.957thegame.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5679945">chatted with The Rise Guys on 95.7 The GAME</a> Thursday morning and discussed a variety of topics including the closing drive against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a>, his thoughts on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> winning the Super Bowl and how Jim Harbaugh changed the environment in San Francisco. His most intriguing comments were about free agency and potentially returning to the 49ers.</p>↵<p>Goldson told The GAME that the 49ers have told him they want him back and he also indicated that he would be surprised if he was not back with the 49ers this season. On the one hand, he might be looking to raise his own market value by showing other teams how much he is wanted. On the other hand, he likely knows the 49ers might very well elect to use the franchise tag on him, which just about assures he would return. He struggled to get a multi-year deal in free agency last year and will look for something similar in 2012.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/9/2787318/dashon-goldson-would-be-surprised-if-he-was-not-back-with-49ers-inDavid Fucillo2012-02-04T05:30:26-08:002012-02-04T05:30:26-08:0049ers Grades: Bright Spots Few And Far Between With 49ers Wide Receivers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Continuing our offseason grades of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> position-by-position, we'll next take a look at the wide receiver position. Unfortunately, it was one of the weakest positions on the team and didn't inspire anything close to confidence on offense. It's pretty clear that the 49ers need to pursue some options in the 2012 NFL Draft or free agency, because these guys won't get it done. It's not all bad, though - so let's get to the grades.</p>
<p><b><span>Michael Crabtree</span> </b>performed well, and finally looked like a positive contribution to the offense. He was a force with the ball in his hands and did all he could to make the catch. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Crabtree is going to be a No. 1 receiver in the future. He struggles with top-level corners and is prone to disappear for long periods of time. Still, he had over 800 yards on the season and in an offense that's more confident in its own ability, Crabtree could flourish. <b>B</b></p>
<p><b><span>Josh Morgan</span> </b>looked like he was on his way to a 1,000-yard season before going down with an injury. The most frustrating part about the injury was that it came late in a game that was well in-hand. Either way, Morgan looked really good, especially running slants, and if the 49ers bring him back, he could be a big factor in the offense in 2012. It's hard to grade him based on limited time. <b>B</b></p>
<p><b><span>Ted Ginn Jr.</span> </b>was a valuable return man, so much so that the 49ers fell apart in the postseason when Ginn was out with an injury. Still, he didn't do much on offense throughout the season. The 49ers can't claim to have a great group of receivers when Ginn can be the No. 2 guy. In all fairness to him, he's improved his hands by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately, he's unable to run crisp routes and really get open. <b>D</b></p>
<p><b>Kyle Williams </b>will draw the ire of 49ers fans for a long time. There's no way to avoid that. That being said, if the postseason showed us anything, it's that Williams takes too many risks to play on special teams. But those same risks don't exist on offense, and Williams is a fast, agile receiver with good hands and solid potential. He was limited in his playing time, but aside from two good performances, he was largely invisible. He was good, but he'll need to step it up big time in 2011. <b>C+</b></p>
<p><b>Brett Swain </b>doesn't strike fear into defenses. He had two receptions, and in his defense, he was held badly on a play that would have went for big yardage. Still, Swain is not that great and did not do anything well in 2011, in his limited time on the field. <b>D-</b></p>
<p><b><span>Joe Hastings</span> did not have any stats.</b></p>
<p><b>Overall: C-</b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/4/2770304/49ers-grades-wide-receivers-michael-crabtree-kyle-williamsJames Brady2012-02-02T06:30:08-08:002012-02-02T06:30:08-08:0049ers Grades: Joe Staley, Mike Iupati Play Well Down The Stretch For Strong O-Line
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>We'll continue our grades of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>' various positions today with a look at the performance of the offensive line. As a whole unit, they struggled earlier on in the season, but got stronger as the season went on. The thing about the 49ers' offensive line is that, where they struggled in one aspect (pass protection), they excelled in the other.</p>
<p>In other words, when the offensive line started to toughen up against pass rushers later on in the season, they stopped blocking for <span>Frank Gore</span> and <span>Kendall Hunter</span>. But you take the bad with the good, and the 49ers relied on Alex Smith and the passing game late in the season, and they came just short of their ultimate goal. Let's get on with the grades.</p>
<p><b><span>Joe Staley</span> </b>started off the season in much the same way as he finished the last: solid, but with plenty of mistakes. Staley was prone to making all manner of mistakes at the start of the 2011 campaign, from false starts to missed assignments. It was very frustrating for the team and its fans, considering Staley's contract and the fact that he's a seasoned veteran at this point. He makes immature mistakes, and that's the bad that comes with the good. Fortunately, Staley improved an awful lot as the season went along, becoming a rock at the left tackle spot, something that is often overlooked. It's true that, when he went down with an injury, that his replacement played well, but Staley isn't on thin ice at this point. Playing well down the stretch earns him a <b>B+.</b></p>
<p><b><span>Mike Iupati</span> </b>actually had a bad game or two, for what seems like the first time in his career. That being said, Iupati played out of his mind more often than naught. It's hard to explain how Staley earned a Pro Berth in lieu of Iupati, but either way, Iupati most certainly deserved a berth. He is a mauler in the run game and, though he made the occasional mental error, he was absolutely solid in pass protection. The only time he faltered was when, hilariously, the right side of the line suffered injuries. <b>A</b></p>
<p><b><span>Jonathan Goodwin</span> </b>came in and struggled early on. In fact, Goodwin had some very bad games over the first couple weeks, and then suddenly he was a rock. Goodwin played at a very high level from about week four on, and there's not much else to say about him. It's clear he doesn't have a ton of time left to play, but for now, his best moments were pretty darn good. Still, he wasn't as consistent as many expected, given that he's a former Pro Bowler. <b>B-</b></p>
<p><b><span>Adam Snyder</span></b> did just as I always thought he would, and played very well at right guard. He did have issues with some of the power guys and dealing with Anthony Davis messing up to his right, but he played hard and was a force in the run game. Snyder made a lot of athletic plays, too, and was great in the middle double-teaming guys with Goodwin. In short, Snyder should definitely be the guy going forward at right guard unless the 49ers are presented with someone can't-miss. <b>A-</b></p>
<p><b>Anthony Davis </b>was beat soundly by certain kinds of rushers. The monster edge rushers like <span>Jason Babin</span> absolutely abused him from start to finish. That was Davis' biggest problem in both of his seasons thus far: once he got beat, it spiraled out of control and he continued to get beat. He's not a bad player by any means and he's still ridiculously young, but the guy has to get more consistent and he needs to not fall behind so much. He can go a game without relenting one bit and then get beat 15 different times the next week. Consistency is the problem. <b>C</b></p>
<p><b><span>Alex Boone</span> </b>is someone that is hard to evaluate, given the fact that he's so impressive looking in practice and as a physical specimen overall, but he hasn't seen the field much. When he did see the field, he played well, but he failed to do anything spectacular with his playing time, something that is disappointing given the lacking play from Davis. Some 49ers fans hoped that Boone would have worked his way into the lineup, however improbable that would have been. <b>B</b></p>
<p><b><span>Chilo Rachal</span> </b>played well. He came in for relief a couple of times and didn't screw up. That's as nice as we're going to get. He's not great in pass protection, but he's not a bad blocker. He didn't inspire much confidence, either way. <b>C</b></p>
<p><b>Overall: B+</b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/2/2/2765084/49ers-grades-season-review-joe-staley-mike-iupatiJames Brady