Adam Schefter of NFL Network – One of the busiest teams of the offseason struck again when the Seattle Seahawks reached agreement with former San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson on a blockbuster seven-year, $54 million deal.
The deal, which the Seahawks and agent Kevin Poston spent today finalizing, includes $18.5 million worth of guarantees, including $10 million this season.
A Seahawks official confirmed the agreement in principle with the linebacker the San Francisco 49ers designated their franchise player one year ago.
Update: 8:50 – We are hearing that the Chronicle was wrong in the reports that the coaches were going to meet with Evans today. He did have his physical on Saturday but did not meet with coaches, as reported. We are being told that there is a strong chance the club will sign him, though. (03.20.06)
Update: 1:00 – The San Francisco Chronicle, reports free agent DE Demetric Evans (Redskins) was given a physical by the San Francisco 49ers Saturday, March 18, and likely will visit with coaches Monday, March 20. (03.19.06)
Jason LaCanfora, of the Washington Post, reports free agent DE Demetric Evans (Redskins) visited the San Francisco 49ers Friday, March 17, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, and has two more visits planned next week.
Grade 56
Evans is an undersize defensive end who has average athletic ability, speed and quickness. He has decent upper strength and initial quickness off the ball. He will flash leverage and uses of hands at times. However, Evans lacks good explosion and suddenness off the ball. He plays too high; he has a narrow base and he has very average change of direction skills. He has poor use of hands, he can not disengage and he lets blockers get into his body. He lacks lower body strength to hold the point of attack when teams run at him. He does not have down the line closing speed and he has a difficulty, at times, locating the ball. He lacks good foot quickness and he is a step slow from making plays. As a pass rusher, he does not have edge rushing ability. He lacks the speed to turn the corner. He does not have a variety of pass rush moves. He is a bull rusher who gets engulfed by bigger and stronger offensive lineman. Overall, Evans is a try hard guy. He has an excellent work ethic but he does not have the specifics you are looking for at the position. He does not have a lot of upside to him and he is not special.
Guest Writer – James Jones
03.20.06 – The NFL off season is without a doubt the longest 8 months of my life… every, single, year. Needless to say, being as close as I am to the San Francisco 49ers makes that 8 months every year seem even longer than it really is. I have ventured on many attempts to conclude why this is the case however there seems to be no clear cut answer. Than I begin to speculate as to how a football, a game that is played by kids worldwide, could be such an enormous aspect of my life. How does one quantify the importance of football or any sport for that matter. The point is that there are many things in life that mean more to some then others.
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It seems the Niners are taking a hard look at Oklahoma’s athletic offensive lineman Chris Chester. Last month the 49ers had a formal face-to-face interview at the NFL Combine with the Oklahoma product. Chester has emerged as one of the top three prospects at center in the April draft after his impressive performance at the combine. Chester, a converted tight end who also can play guard, is one of several versatile linemen on the Niners’ board that the team will be tracking on draft day.
Scouting Report:
Height: 6-3 3/8 | Weight: 303 | 40-Time: 4.88
Strengths:
An outstanding athlete…Has good size and the frame to bulk up further…Very mobile and moves well in space…Versatile player with the ability to play multiple positions…A hard worker…Smart and picked up the position well…Lots of upside.
Weaknesses:
Has only one year of starting experience…Very raw and needs a lot of technique work…Is not very strong or powerful…Is not overly dominant in the running game…Has some durability concerns…Will not be ready to contribute right away.
Notes:
Could also project to guard…A former tight end who just moved to the offensive line in 2004 and didn’t really play much until 2005…Certainly has some intriguing physical tools to work with and is an interesting long-term developmental guy.
Coach Mike Nolan believes the 49ers not only upgraded at their starting receiver position but they also got two draft picks in the exchange.
The 49ers signed free-agent receiver Antonio Bryant to a four-year, $15 million contract to replace Brandon Lloyd, who was traded to the Redskins for a third-round draft pick this year and a fourth-round pick in 2007.
“I think we’ve gotten better,” Nolan said. “We got someone who is more of a proven player than Brandon. I’m not taking anything away from Brandon, but those are the facts as far as the numbers they’ve put up.”
Harris feels he is a starter
“I always see myself as a starter coming in and definitely contributing and helping the team get to where it needs to be,” said Harris, who signed a two-year contract. “Anything less just wouldn’t be up to par for me.”
Bryant on Smith
“I know he’s an, eager young man. He’s a gym rat. I haven’t met him. Hopefully, if I’m there and open, he’ll find me”
