The First and Last Picks

Michael Crabtree spoke briefly to the media Sunday. A man who enjoys haberdashery, Crabtree was clad in a khaki-colored suit with a rose colored tie and matching breast pocket handkerchief. It was the perfect suit for 49ers' backdrop he stood in front of. Crabtree said he didn't plan it that way and that he's had the suit for years.

Crabtree didn't have a large posse with him, only his dad, Michael Sr. and his best friend. Crabtree also said he honed his receiving skills because his older brother by six years, Keiron Stevenson fired footballs at his chest when he was a youngster. "I got tired of catching the ball with my chest," the younger Crabtree said. Crabtree also said he knows quarterback Nate Davis and said he likes him personally and likes his game. Crabtree also knows running back Glen Coffee.

Crabtree said the best part about playing football is interacting with his teammates on game day; he said he tried to stay away from the media at Tech because he didn't want to be known as a talker. Now he realizes he has a media obligation but probably won't be a big talker.

He also said he has talked to Jerry Rice, mostly about staying motivated.

SEVENTH AND LAST PICK: RICKY JEAN-FRANCOIS:

The troubled LSU defensive tackle was expected to be the replacement for Glenn Dorsey but then was sidelined by unfortunate comments about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and a groin injury. Jean-Francois was suspended for a year for cheating, academic problems and saying LSU defenders would "take out" Tebow if they had a chance. While coaches and teammates said Jean-Francois wasn't as talented as Dorsey, he was close. Could be a steal if the 49ers can get him to play.

Mike Singletary admitted Jean-Francois needed to get straightened out a little bit.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 26 2009 at 04:05 PM

Curtis Taylor Come On Down!

LSU safety Curtis Taylor (6-2, 207, 4.62 40) was taken with the 49ers first seventh-round selection. He had a better junior year (54 tackles and three interceptions) than a senior season (43 tackles and two interceptions) and was even sat so younger players could get a look. He showed up pretty well in East-West Shrine practices. He has eight brothers and sisters; he played quarterback and safety in high school. He had mixed combine with 37-and-a-inch vertical leap but coupled that with only 13 bench press reps at 225. But what do you expect from the dart throwing end of seventh round?

The team might have a little log jam particularly at free safety with starter Dashon Goldson, and then backups Reggie Smith, Jimmy Williams and now Taylor. Scot McCloughan said that Williams could play strong safety.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 26 2009 at 02:58 PM

Rumor Mill Gone Wild

The rumors, the innuendo, the intrigue in this weekend's draft is getting so intense, NFL Network should think about doing some reality television to cover it all. Everyone wants to trade back, which means no one will trade back more than likely. Then there are the latest rumors about individual players such as USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, who's supposedly vaulting up the draft charts and could possibly go as high as no. 4 to Seattle. In fact, if the Lions don't take Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first pick, it's possible he could drop below Sanchez and maybe even experience a Brady Quinn, Aaron Rodgers-like plummet.

Former Redskins and Texans general manager Charlie Casserly said Monday on NFL Network that Detroit hadn't talked to Stafford's agent for a week and that the team had sparked discussions with Wake Forrest linebacker Aaron Curry. So what does all this mean for the 49ers?

Accurately assessing the draft narrow the options on draft day and can make a team better prepared. The key with this draft is flexibility. Here's one prediction on how the top ten will fall.

1. Detroit: Matthew Stafford QB, Georgia: So what if the Lions haven't talked to the Stafford camp for a week, it doesn't mean you still can't draft the player you want.

2. St. Louis: Jason Smith, OT, Auburn: This seems to be the only pick in the top 10 where there's overwhelming consensus, which probably means the Rams will take Michael Crabtree. But really, the probability is the Rams will take Smith as a replacement for Orlando Pace, who was released this off-season. Pace signed with the Bears earlier this month.

3. Kansas City: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forrest: The smooth defender has a full tool box - pass rush, coverage, terrific tackling skills.

4. Seattle: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp would relish having a prototypical West Coast thrower as insurance against the current prototype, Matt Hasselbeck and his back problems.

5. Cleveland: B.J. Raji, NT Boston College: Somebody or something needs to animate the Browns' 3-4 defense and no better way to do it than right in the middle. Reports of a failed drug test proved false, meaning Raji won't escape the top five.

6. Cincinnati: Eugene Munroe, OT Virginia: The Bungles need help at right and left tackle, enter Monroe.

7. The Raidas: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: Why have a big-armed quarterback if you're not going have fleet receivers? The Raidas reach here and go with the explosive Maclin. He's not the fastest receiver in the draft, but he has return abilities and he could be the best player-maker at his position. Many a mockster have the Raiders going with Maryland's Darius Heyward-Bey; I'm not sure even the Raidas would reach that far.

8. Jacksonville: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: The Jags take Crabby despite his recent mini-drop draft stock. Not only did he undergo foot surgery, but his entourage is said to be huge and there's a rumor he's going to hire way Jerome and his accompanying full length mirror away from Morris Day and the Time.

9. Green Bay: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: It seems Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher once blocked for Jim Taylor. While they haven't been around that long, they are aging. Tauscher, in fact, is unsigned, and Clifton is in the last year of his deal. Mike McCarthy takes Smith, believing that it's tough to get in trouble in Green Bay.

10. YOUR SAN FRANCISCO 49ers: Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, DB: The 49ers take the best defensive back in the draft because Walt Harris is entering his 14th season and is coming off a down year, because the team's pass defense has ranked no better than 20th in the last four years and because Jenkins has the size to contend with big division foes such as Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and T.J. Housmanzedah. Also if Jenkins fails at corner, he could settle in at free safety to provide some competition for Dashon Goldson.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 21 2009 at 04:21 PM

It's Getting Drafty

With the draft nearly a week away, it's time to step up the draft preparation. Two schools with a raft of interesting players include Texas Tech and Ole Miss; the two teams clashed in this year's Cotton Bowl, a game always dear to 49ers fans because of Joe Montana. He brought the Fighting Irish back in the last minute against the University of Houston, which caught the attention of the 49ers in 1979. They drafted him in the third round that year.

Could this year's Cotton Bowl reveal a future 49ers star? Two players from the game, Ole Miss left tackle Michael Oher and Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, paid visits to the 49ers over the past month. Here's how those players and other prospects performed in that game, a 47-34 Ole Miss win.

Michael Oher: Absolutely dominated. This guy is the total package he has the feet of a ballerina and the strength of a power lifter and he put both on display. Oher showed the burst to quickly get out to block linebackers and often never touched pass rushers coming off the edge, because he mirrored their moves so well he didn't need to get a hand on them. Tech defensive end Brandon Williams did beat him once with an inside spin move and Williams tackled quarterback Jevan Snead just after he released a pass. Williams ranked fourth in the nation with 13 sacks and is expected to go anywhere from the third to fifth round in the draft. Oher is fairly new to football and he does make mistakes, he was called for one false start and he and Williams were called for double personal fouls early in the game. On one run play, he didn't know where the running back was and failed to make a block to get him extra yardage. But it's amazing how light-footed he is; he moves more like a linebacker. So why isn't he the first sure-fire tackle chosen? One scout told me his Mississippi coaches trashed him. Oher's an unusual person, who basically raised himself until junior high when a wealthy Memphis family took him in. He lacks some rather basic socialization and he's said to be tremendously quiet and shy. However, he's dedicated to being a football player and if a team knows how to handle him, this guy could be the next Orlando Pace.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 18 2009 at 01:15 AM

Left Out

After the draft, the NFL will be flooded with pass rushers in a league that's rapidly switching to 3-4 defenses. This could very well be known as the draft of the Pass Rusher when you consider prospects Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, Robert Ayers, Michael Johnson, Connor Barwin, Aaron Curry, Brian Orakpo, Larry English and Clint Sintim just to mention a few.

The 49ers should get in on this action at some point, or at least get a tackle who will be able to block these people. Teams have to be aware of trends and it could be that this plentiful pass-rushing class could have an impact on the future of the league. The 49ers shouldn't leave themselves out.

The team might believe they can get by with a beefed up Manny Lawson, the rising Parys Haralson and the enigmatic and constantly injured Jay Moore. But can Haralson jump from eight sacks to 12?, Haven't they already gone down the pass-rushing road with Lawson (one player believes he's too much of a long strider to be an effective pass rusher)? Moore would have likely been cut by the team if he wasn't placed on injured reserve for the second straight summer.

Many on this blog and in the league don't believe in expending a first-round choice on a part-time player. But a terrorizing pass rusher can save a franchise. When Lawrence Taylor arrived in New York, the Giants went through a decade of playoff appearances and won a couple of Super Bowls. The 49ers seminal 1981 season coincided with the acquisition of Hall of Famer Fred Dean.

Take a first-round, part-time performer every time if he gets you double-digit sacks every year.

CORRECTION: I got a message from Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter who made a correction on my blog from yesterday when I said coaches weren't consulted before the team signed free agent wide receiver Brandon Jones. They were consulted, but they weren't overwhelmed by him; then they weren't told when he was signed. Trotter went on to say coaches weren't consulted before veteran quarterback Damon Huard signed. Jim's a good man and appreciate that he reads the blog.

RESPONSES: Chuck, if I don't read your missives, why would I know about your constant agitating for a draft contest? I've asked and it doesn't look good, but I should know for sure this week. Tls2e4u6g6 gave me a good laugh when he wrote, "Who says Kevin knows how to read?" Good natured ribbing is always welcome, particularly from someone with the most non-sensical and illiterate blog handle on the world wide web.

Speaking of which, what's the consensus on Jeff Garcia's signing? I know it's a 49ers blog, but Garcia is a former 49er and in fact, the team has never recovered from his departure. He was the last 49ers quarterback to go to the Pro Bowl and the last QB to lead the team to the playoffs. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted so long on the free-agent market. Who cares if he's 39, he has a lifetime quarterback rating of 87.5, he's a tough hombre and a tremendous competitor, not to mention a twice-decorated Pro Bowler. I don't think he fits with the 49ers because they're not going to get anywhere with a stopgap at quarterback, and even though he plays a vastly different game from Shaun Hill, their results are similar despite the obvious differences in sample sizes. Hill's a tough competitor as well and his passer rating should hover around 90 when he's done.

But why the Vikings, Redskins, Panthers, Broncos or many other teams didn't jump all over Garcia is a mystery. Pro Bowl quarterbacks with fine leadership skills are hard to find.

PARTING SHOT: I know this a 49ers' blog, but Tyler Hansbrough is the biggest weanie to win a national championship since Christian Laettner. Sorry, I just had to get that out. I feel better now.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 07 2009 at 09:31 PM

1, 2 and 3

Many of you were mildly surprised when the team failed to address their most ardent needs in the NFL draft with their first three choices. Instead of selecting pass rusher, wide receiver, offensive tackle, the team went defensive tackle (Kentwan Balmer) guard (Chilo Rachal) and cornerback/safety (Reggie Smith). The sin of ignoring needs could be made up by selecting the best player available and then having those players contribute quickly and significantly. But that's not likely to happen this year.

The 49ers first three picks are more likely to appear on the inactive list on autumnal Sundays rather than the field. The 49ers say that Balmer is right where they want him to be in his development, which is code for "don't expect much from him this year." Balmer's been a 315-pound invisible man this summer.

Rachal hasn't been much different. Because of family issues he left USC a year early and it's clear he would have benefitted from staying in school. While he does display strength at times, he's raw and will need development to be a starter.

Smith flashed at times but mostly didn't do much in training camp or exhibitions. He's another who will have to scale a learning curve if he's going to be a contributor. Fourth-rounder Cody Wallace has looked better than all of them, but he's not likely to get much time playing behind offensive line leader Eric Heitmann at center.

The savior of the group, sixth-round choice Josh Morgan, might be the best late-round pick in the entire draft. Can you name another second-day choice who could possibly start for an NFL team this year?

Lastly, seventh-round linebacker Larry Grant hasn't shown much and might get the boot. So with the sublime exception of Morgan, the 5-win 49ers probably will get little or no help from their six-member draft class.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 26 2008 at 04:54 PM

Balmer In

The 49ers announced the signing of Kentwan Balmer, meaning their six-member draft class will be present when the team opens training camp Friday morning. According to ESPN, the 49ers' first-round pick signed a six-year, $11.5 million deal with $6 million in guarantees.

Last year's 29th pick, Baltimore guard Ben Grubbs, signed an five-year $8 million deal with $5.2 in guaranteed cash. Balmer will begin his 49ers' career at left end, where he'll compete with Isaac Sopoaga and possibly Ronald Fields for playing time. The team might also try the 308-pound (his weight at the combine) at nose tackle down the line.

The 49ers had their rookies signed in time for camp for the sixth straight year, a credit to director of football operations Paraag Marathe.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | July 24 2008 at 02:36 PM

Rooke Free Agents

At first blush, 11 rookie free agents signed by the 49ers might be more intriguing than the six-player draft class. They are: LB Lewis Baker (Oklahoma), G John Booker (San Jose State), LB Lance Brandenburgh (Nebraska), LB Ezra Butler (Nevada), WR Cam Colvin (Oregon), G Brian De La Puente (California), TE J.J. Finley (Oklahoma), DE Louis Holmes (Arizona), WR Robert Jordan (California), S D.J. Parker (Virginia Tech), LB Shaun Richardson (Tennessee State).

The one that jumps out is Jordan, the Cal receiver who's listed as a scant 5-11, 162 pounds and ran a pedestrian 4.62 40-yard dash. But he plays faster and stronger. He's tough; he likes to block and has no qualms going over the middle. But durability is an issue. He broke his ankle as a senior in high school and shattered a collar bone his sophomore season.

He worked the shorter zones while flashy teammate DeSean Jackson ran the deeper routes. Jordan, like Jackson, was also suspended for a game after a bizarre arrest by campus police on a concealed weapons charge. Jordan was wearing an ornamental dagger around his neck.

The other locals include Booker, who started at left guard, right guard and right tackle in 2006 and then right tackle, left tackle and right guard as a senior. He was also the first San Jose State player to start as a true freshman since 1972. At 6-3, 313, he fills two key requirements: size and versatility.

The most intriguing of the free agents might well be Arizona pass-rush linebacker Louis Holmes. He's a ripped 6-6, 270 pounds and might have had been more of a presence as a Wildcat but he didn't get along with coach Mike Stoops, who needed a capacious dog house to fit everyone in.

Very unofficially, Holmes ran a 4.72 40-yard dash. He's also had brushes with the law and has been order to take anger-management classes twice. It said that he's quiet and had issues trying to support his family while still playing football.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | May 01 2008 at 11:25 PM

Balmer Shines

Based on Kentwan Balmer's conference call with the media today, the 49ers just drafted an All-Pro. Of course, Balmer has to prove his worth on the field. Nevertheless, in this, my 20th year of covering 49ers' drafts, I've never heard a more impressive athlete than Balmer.

He was humble, gracious, funny and entertaining. In short, he was a winner. Balmer was supposed to land Sunday and be brought in for a media meet-and-greet. But apparently, someone he was flying with was late arriving for the airport in North Carolina and they missed the flight. Due in at 3 on Sunday, it was switched to 7.

Reporters were willing to wait, but then Balmer got caught in Dallas and didn't arrive until after 9, so the 49ers put him on a conference call this morning. He began his remarks today with this:

"Sorry, I missed you all yesterday. I wanted to apologize and let you all know I appreciate you all for being patient with me,” Balmer said. He then went on to say he met cornerback Nate Clements at the 49ers Monday and asked him for his autograph. He did the same thing with coach Mike Nolan.

"I guess they were a little surprised, but this is still a game and I'm still a fan of this game," Balmer said. "I've been watching Coach Nolan wear those suits and looking sharp on the sidelines. He's setting a good image for the youth and people around him. That is real respectable. He's a very good person and a damn good coach. Just to meet him, to be in his presence and to have him give me an opportunity to be on his team, I couldn't be more grateful. Like I said, I'm still a fan, so I had to ask him."

But when asked for his autograph outside his hotel by a fan, Balmer couldn't initially deliver. But after 10 minutes, Balmer complied.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 28 2008 at 10:57 PM

Larry Grant Come on Down

Ohio State outside linebacker and former City College of San Francisco star Larry Grant was the 49ers' 7th and final pick. Grant was the former California defensive juco player of the year in 2005.

At Ohio State last year, Grant played all three linebacker positions and blocked three kicks. In 2006 at City College, he blocked six. Between Grant, Keith Lewis and Manny Lawson, the opposition shouldn't get a kick off.

He started one game as a junior at Ohio State against Bowling Green in which he made 18 tackles and blocked a kick, assisted on a sack, picked off a pass and had a 9-yard return on the kick he blocked.

As a senior he started at outside linebacker, notched five sacks and had 9.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Grant is listed as being born in San Francisco, but he says he was born in Santa Rosa. He lived in Sacramento and attended Foothill High there as a freshman and senior and, in between, went to school in Georgia, while he stayed with his older brother.

Coach Mike Nolan envisions Grant playing special teams and competing with Jeff Ulbrich and Dontarrious Thomas at "ted" linebacker.

When Grant was asked about being a 49er, he said, "It's a real blessing, man, I'm happy. I was a diehard, life-long 49ers' fan. So this is the best situation I've ever been in."

Coming out of high school, Grant was a tremendous running back, averaging over 10 yards a carry, but once he got to City College, that changed.

"I told coach (George) Rush, 'I'm a running back.' I knew it in my heart I was a running back. But after the first day, Coach had different plans for me."

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 27 2008 at 02:05 PM