Sources say the 49ers are high on versatile Kansas junior Charles Gordon, a playmaker that San Francisco is projecting as a top prospect, in contrast to what some other teams feel.
Gordon is garnering a wide range of opinions from franchises with teams grading him anywhere from an early second-round choice all the way to a late second-day selection. The Niners are giving serious consideration to using their pick in round two on Gordon, then using him at cornerback, wide receiver and as a return specialist.
The redshirt junior isn’t big at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but he has skills to play all over the field. He led the nation with seven interceptions and was a third-team AP All-American at cornerback last year as a sophomore. He was a first-team freshman All-American at wide receiver in 2003. Gordon also holds the school record with 999 punt return yards and finished his three-year Kansas career with 106 catches for 1,232 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2005, Gordon’s time was too split between the offense and defense to rack up similar national awards. He intercepted two passes and caught 34 balls for 313 yards at receiver, but his statistics weren’t flashy enough to earn him anything outside of All-Big 12 Conference honors as an all-purpose performer. The big questions about Gordon are his size and lack of explosive speed. Some wonder if Gordon ever can develop into a full-time NFL cornerback, though his versatility to play on offense and return kicks will increase his value at the next level.
Source: [Scout.com]
Bears vs 49ers
49ers at Raiders
49ers at Dallas
Chargers vs 49ers
Dates and times have yet to be announced by the NFL.
It is being rumored that the Atlanta Falcons are showing interest in RT Kwame Harris. This according to Len Pasquerelli. Per our sources, they have not yet come to the 49ers in regards to acquiring Harris, but Pasquerelli knows people in the Falcon organization so there is some validity to the rumors.
Niners looking at Raonall Smith
Tom Silverstein, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the San Francisco 49ers are in the running to sign free agent LB Raonall Smith (Vikings). The Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals are also in the running.
- Hicks signs one year deal
- Niners play T.O. & the Cowboys in Dallas in Preseason
Update: It’s a two-year, $8.4 million contract with the 49ers last week. The deal includes a $4 million signing bonus, and $100,000 bonuses each of the next two seasons for taking part in the 49ers’ offseason workout program.
Here are the numbers for Larry Allen’s 2 year deal. Remember this is only base salary. No bonuses.
$1 mil (2006)
$2.6 mil (2007)
Recently we asked our source who is close to the Niners organization, if they would be making any more moves during free agency. Mainly any chance they’ll bring in another LB, due to the losses of Carter & Peterson, or any other big names. We were told:
They are not finished, but do not expect a flurry of moves and big-money deals. They’ll be on the lookout for “bargains.” After the draft, they’ll expect a few more veterans to become available, then there’s June.
According to the Associated Press, the 49ers are one of many teams interested in disgruntled Bills receiver Eric Moulds, who has vowed he won’t return to Buffalo.
Moulds has two years left on his contract and has the Bills’ permission to seek some sort of trade. The Bills have been trying, unsuccessfully, to get Moulds to take a pay cut. Seems the Bills are looking for a fourth-round pick or higher for the receiver.
Moulds is looking for a deal similar to the one Isaac Bruce received from the Rams (3 years, $15 million).
Greg Johnson, Moulds’ personal adviser, has spoken with the Houston Texans (who has emerged as a likely candidate to trade for Moulds), Philadelphia Eagles (who Moulds prefers to play with) and New England Patriots regarding a possible trade (unlikely due to playing in same division.) Johnson named Kansas City, Denver and Seattle, along with San Francisco, as teams that have expressed interest.
NFL announced the compensatory picks for the 2006 NFL Draft.
The Niners received a 7th round comp pick. It is the 46th pick in the 7th Round (#254 overall.) Niners now have a total of 11 picks. They aqcuired the other 3 additional picks from the trades of Jamie Winborn (7th), Tim Rattay (6th), and Brandon Lloyd (3rd).
News is that Johnson is back on his feet and reports that the plantar fascia tear is fully healed. The five-year veteran out of Yale is easing himself into the team’s voluntary conditioning program and said he hopes to be at full speed, including running pass routes, by the second week of April.
The upcoming draft is particularly deep at tight end, and the speculation is that the 49ers might tap Maryland tight end Vernon Davis with the sixth pick. Coach Mike Nolan said last week that he is encouraged by Johnson’s recovery but insisted his progress will have little bearing on the team’s draft selections.
“We’re going to take the best player available in the draft,” Nolan said. “We’re not going to target a position, because we’re not at that point.”
Johnson on the other hand said he couldn’t blame the 49ers if they took a tight end early.
“If I were an owner, I’d want depth,” he said. “I’d want depth at every position. If they draft a tight end early, I’m not going to be offended in any way. That’ll inspire me even more to pick up my game.”
Center Jeremy Newberry, who missed six games and rarely practiced because of a right knee problem, is making good progress in rehabilitation after delicate surgery, his agent said.
“Jeremy is doing great,” said agent Doug Hendrickson, who represents Newberry. “His rehab is going great. He expects to play two more seasons. With no setbacks, he should be 100 percent for training camp.”
Salary Cap Status:The 49ers were $18.4 million under the salary cap before agreeing to terms with Allen, so they have plenty of money to remain active in the free-agent market.
Source: [Press Democrat]
Update: 6:27 – (03.24.06) The 49ers are on the verge of signing former Cowboys All-Pro offensive lineman Larry Allen, according to an NFL source. A 12-year veteran, Allen might not be the player he was six years ago, but he remains a physical power at guard.
ESPN.com reported Thursday night that Allen and the 49ers had agreed on a two-year deal. But 49ers spokesman Aaron Salkin said that wasn’t the case.
“While there is interest in Larry Allen, there is no deal in place,’’ Salkin said. He said Allen had taken a physical, but its results were not known yet.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that the amount of the contract is $4 million and $5 million per year. (2 years)
Update: 3:46 – Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with free agent OG Larry Allen (Cowboys), pending a physical. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Update: 2:26 – Spoke with one of our sources. The Niners are very interested in Allen and are going to make a strong push for him. Still no visit scheduled, they should know more later this evening.
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Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat is reporting the Niners are expressing interest in former pro-bowl Cowboys lineman Larry Allen.
Allen, 34, is free to sign with any team after the Cowboys cut him in a move that saves the club $3.5 million on the salary cap. The 49ers and Raiders, possibly along with Seattle and Detroit, are likely to pursue him.
“He’s lost a little in the legs but he still has great arm strength,” one NFL scout told The Press Democrat on Wednesday. “He’s the type of guy who’ll get signed as a starter and no doubt be effective.”
It is not known whether they have scheduled a visit.
Source: [Matt Maiocco]
Thought this was fitting with the recent announcement of Larry Allen signing with the 49ers. Also doesn’t hurt the kicker was Jose Cortez. Joe Nedney better watch out.
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Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports the Miami Dolphins have signed free agent FB Fred Beasley (49ers) to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
And in other none related news:
Rashaun Woods is stripped of #81 jersey. The team has given Bryant, Woods’ #81 and given Woods #84. This according to 49ers.com roster page.
The Packers opened their offseason workout program this week, but Walker was missing in action. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Walker has hired a real-estate agent and will have his home up for sale very soon.
Walker has made it clear he has no desire to ever play for the Packers again. He would not consider returning no matter what.
“If I had to go back there, I’d retire,” Walker told ESPN.com’s Michael Smith. “I don’t have to play. I really have no interest in being in a Green Bay Packers uniform or playing for Green Bay again.”
However the Packers have denied his trade request, stating that Walker is still under contract, and they expect him to honor that contract.
ESPN is reporting that because Walker is damaged goods, the Packers might be fortunate to get even a mid- to late-round pick in return.
So Nolan regardless of what Green Bay says about not trading Walker, call them up and offer the 3rd from the Redskins or maybe a 4th rounder and make a trade for Walker. Take a risk. They have nothing to lose. A trio of Bryant, Walker, & Battle doesn’t look all that bad.
Greg Lee is poised to potentially be one of the steals of the 2006 NFL Draft. Lee is generally regarded as one of the top 20 receiver prospects available in April, and the 49ers will be interested with one of their 10 picks if he slips into the later rounds.
That might not happen for the lean 6-foot-2, 180-pounder, who appears to be gaining interest on draft boards as the April college lottery approaches.
As a freshman at Pittsburgh, Lee saw little playing time. However, Lee watched and learned from Larry Fitzgerald, one of the best college receivers in the land.
“I learned a lot of my skills from Larry as far as using my body and shielding defenders off to catch the ball,” Lee said.
Lee’s good size, ability to make tough catches over the middle and big-play ability should make him a steal in the fourth round, where the NFL has projected him to be drafted. He is definitely on San Francisco’s radar, but the 49ers probably would consider other prospects ahead of him if they were to select a receiver that high.
But if he lasts much longer, Lee could be brought in to join what is expected to be wide-open competition among several young receivers for a few backup spots on the San Francisco roster.
Additionally, Lee’s easy-going demeanor and work ethic could prove to be contagious in an NFL locker room.
“I’m a laid back kind of person, one that you won’t have to worry about any off-the-field trouble,” Lee said. “I’m a player that plays the game with a passion, really likes to have a lot of fun and I like to generate that kind of energy in other people as well.”
In those regards, he’d fit right in with the 49ers.
Source: [Scout.com]
