Possible FA's

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Every team this time of year is buzzing with one rumor or another particularly during Senior Bowl week, which will then be followed by Super Bowl week.

For the 49ers the rumored interest in Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs persists. Reports out of Chicago said the 49ers tried to trade for Briggs before the trade deadline, which 49ers coach Mike Nolan would neither confirm nor deny.

The 49ers recognize that they do have more important needs in free agency, namely wide receiver, pass rusher, offensive tackle, and possibly inside linebacker depending upon the fate of Derek Smith. The 49ers met with Smith's agent Frank Bauer in Mobile, but there's no word on what was discussed. Smith is due to make $3.3 million in salary next year and the 49ers might ask him to reduce that figure.

If Briggs is signed he could play Smith's Ted linebacker role, which is the strong inside linebacker spot, but he might not be suited for it. Briggs is similar to Patrick Willis, a tackling run-type player, who's best playing in space. The Ted is often asked to bang with guards and fullbacks. If Briggs were to be signed, the team could consider a move back to a 4-3 defense to get both Willis and Briggs into a tackling mode.

Other news includes the rumor that Lions wide receiver Roy Williams is on the trading block, and one report said Detroit would look for a second-round pick in return. Williams played for two seasons under former Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who's now with the 49ers, so would the 49ers look to make a deal for Williams?

It's unlikely, particularly at that price. Williams caught 63 passes for 836 yards and five touchdowns this year. But at 6-5, 212 pounds, he's not your typical speedy Martz receiver, and he also has been known to speak his mind. Briggs has a better shot at being on the 49ers' roster than Williams.

One post asked about the 49ers this year in free agency. The 49ers are expected to be about $20 million under the cap, but aren't expected to be big players in free agency like they were last year.

Superfan Matt asked about the fate of Senior Bowl team captains and how they've fared in the NFL. While I couldn't find that information, here's a list of Senior Bowl MVP's since 2000 and how they've fared. The 49ers' staff is coaching the Senior Bowl for a third straight season this week.

2000 MVP - Chad Pennington (18th overall pick New York Jets). Injuries hampered a promising career for Pennington, but he nevertheless was a pretty fair pick for the middle of the first round.

2001 MVP - LaDainian Tomlinson (5th overall, Chargers). Who could argue with this pick, despite the knee injury that help spoil the Chargers' chances in the AFC title game?

2002 MVP - Antwaan Randle-El (2nd round, Steelers). A pretty good find for the Steelers. Randle-El is now with Washington.

2003 MVP - Larry Johnson (27th overall Chiefs). He didn't live up to his big contract this year, but overall, he was a good pick.

2004 MVP - Philip Rivers (4th overall Giants, traded to Chargers). Showed his toughness playing through a torn knee ligament in the playoffs. Regressed a little this year, but still has respectable career passer rating over 80.

2005 MVP - Charlie Frye (3rd round, Browns) He never panned out in Cleveland despite his local ties. He was traded to Seattle for a 6th round pick before the season and hardly played. However, If anyone can revive a quarterback's career, it's Mike Holmgren.

2006 MVP - Sinorice Moss (2nd round, Giants) Caught 21 passes for 225 yards this year, but hasn't been part of the team's passing-game revival at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He hasn't caught a pass in the last five games.

2007 MVP - Tony Hunt (3rd round Eagles) He was inactive for most of the season, and finished gaining 16 yards rushing.

Of course, the defensive MVP was Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis. Whatever happened to him?

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 24 2008 at 08:54 PM

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