Associated Press is reporting that the New England Patriots gave holdout wide receiver Deion Branch a week to seek a trade and negotiate a contract with another team.
We have calls out there trying to see if the Niners are showing any interest in Branch. We know they had some interest in Lelie, but didn’t want to part with what the Broncos were asking. Most likely landing Branch would cost more than what the Broncos were looking for, so with that the Niners may not be interested. Also the money Branch is looking for deal wise might be in the Niners best interest. If we hear anything we’ll pass that info along.
Update: 08.21.06 – Barlow has passed his physical and the 49ers will receive a 4th rounder for Barlow. No more, no less.
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Matt Maiocco is reporting that the 49ers have traded Kevan Barlow to the Jets.
Apparently, those talks with the Jets got serious in a hurry. The 49ers announced just minutes ago that RB Kevan Barlow has been traded to the Jets for an undisclosed 2007 draft pick. Coach Mike Nolan has already spoken with Barlow. He has to pass a physical for the trade to become official.
“This is a great opportunity for Kevan because of New York’s need at running back,” Nolan said in a statement released through the team. “Kevan has been committed to our program and done well. With the depth at running back we felt we could make this move.”
[Maiocco Link]
The Ashley Lelie trade talks will not die, well at least I will not let them. After the trade of Kevan Barlow to the Jets the Niners are in the position to have three fourth round picks next season. Take that and add in the comp picks coming from most likely the losses of Julian Peterson and Andre Carter. The Niners could end up with anywhere from four to five fourth round picks, with the comp pick for Peterson most likely bumping up to a third based on his performance this season.
Of course last week Nolan stated the team is not going to trade for Lelie, but at the same time he told Kevan Barlow he wasn’t going anywhere. And we know how that turned out. So my question is this what is taking the team so long on pulling the trigger. Take one of the picks you received from the Lloyd or Barlow deal and give that to the Broncos. Even if you have to give a third to get it done, you still have enough fours to move back up in the third come draft time. I’d be much more comfortable with a receiving corps of Bryant, Battle, Lelie, and fill in the blank, then Bryant, Battle, and fill in the blanks.
Matt Maiocco is reporting that cornerback Mike Rumph is no longer with the 49ers.
The 49ers on Monday announced a trade that sends Rumph to the Redskins for wide receiver Taylor Jacobs, a second-round draft pick in 2003. Jacobs caught 11 passes for 100 yards and no TDs last season for the Redskins in 15 games.
[Rumph Traded for Jacobs] – Matt Maiocco
Jacobs profile heading into the draft
Positives: Good route-runner with above-average speed and quickness … Shows no wasted motion in his release and uses his hands effectively to defeat the press … Runs precise routes, sinking his hips properly and showing a sudden burst through his routes … Can create space in his separation with his hip swerve and wiggle … Plucks the ball with his hands and has the agility and leg drive to punish defenders after the catch … Has an exceptional burst in and out of his breaks … Shows the toughness needed to combat for the ball in traffic … Has outstanding work ethic and is very quick to digest plays.
Negatives: Needs to do a better job coming back for the ball … Does not make proper body adjustments going up for the ball and appears more comfortable catching passes thrown right at him … Can pluck the ball away from his framework, but still tends to body catch … Will show willingness as a blocker, but lacks technique and power to consistently face up.
40 time: 4.42
Update: For those wanting something official: 49ers.com article
We are hearing that Cody Pickett has been traded to the Houston Texans. Reports are that the Niners will receive an undisclosed draft pick, most likely a 7th round pick.
Another unhappy wide receiver, another rumor the Niners are interested. Oakland Raider Jerry Porter is the latest wide receiver rumored to be drawing interest from the 49ers. Reports are Porter and Raider head coach Art Shell don’t see eye to eye, and that Porter has asked to be traded. No word on if the Raiders will accommodate Porter’s request, but of course if there is any receiver out there unhappy looking to be traded the Niners always seem to be tops on the list.
Niners still interested.
Adam Shefter reported on NFL Total access that Ashley Lelie refuses to play for Denver anymore and is demanding a trade. Interest has been mild so far, but it comes from Tampa Bay, KC, Philly and the Niners.
Denver wants a first day pick, or a player of equal value, and no offers have come close to that level yet.
The San Francisco 49ers announced Thursday they have traded Ken Dorsey and an undisclosed seventh-round selection in the 2007 draft to the Cleveland Browns for QB Trent Dilfer.
“Trent was a player we had interest in last season,” Head Coach Mike Nolan said. “We were looking for a veteran quarterback with experience that could help mentor Alex Smith. Trent fits the bill on both counts and we are excited to have him with the 49ers.”
Update: 04.27.06 – An NFL source said the Packers and Broncos recently discussed the availability of disgruntled Green Bay wide receiver Javon Walker. There is a chance Walker will be traded by this weekend’s draft, and the Broncos are one of several teams that have expressed interest in Walker, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
The Packers are believed to be asking for multiple draft picks for Walker. Denver and other interested teams, including Philadelphia and San Francisco, are expected to talk with Green Bay as the draft approaches. There is a chance Denver will try to involve wide receiver Ashley Lelie in a deal. Lelie wants to be traded, and his agents and the team are shopping him.
And Walker, we hear, wants $10 million to $12 million in guaranteed money.
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Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Green Bay Packers have begun fielding telephone calls, and offers, in terms of trying to decide whether it is worth it to trade disgruntled WR Javon Walker. The Packers made it clear they only will trade Walker for the right price, a high price. Teams at the top of the list include the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles, but there are at least three other confirmed teams that weighed in Monday, April 24. There is no shortage of suitors for Walker, meaning that it is looking more and more as if Green Bay will trade Walker.
Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers rejected a trade with the Denver Broncos that involved Broncos WR Ashley Lelie. The Broncos were shopping Lelie for a second-round pick. 49ers vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan said,
“He does have some talent. He’s more of a vertical guy, outside the numbers, and can stretch the field, but we had some issues with other things. (I’m) not saying he wouldn’t fit in, but … what kind of football player are we going to have when it’s said and done?”
He said the team would be interested if the Broncos’ asking price drops dramatically.
The Denver Broncos have announced the team has acquired a second round pick (No. 37 overall) and a third-round pick (No. 68) in the 2006 NFL Draft from the San Francisco 49ers. In exchange for the picks, Denver sends San Francisco one of their two first round picks (No. 22 overall).
Source: [KFFL]
Niners Trade for #22 – [ESPN]
This is from NFL Draft Almanac. Take it for what it is worth. We are trying to verify with our sources if there are any truths to these rumors.
We continue to hear news that disgruntled Packers WR Javon Walker will be traded before the April 29th NFL Draft. The 49ers, Eagles and Broncos have all surfaced as possible suitors. Our sources close to the 49ers say that the team has offered a 2007 2nd round pick, but the Packers are asking for a 2006 pick.
Update: 04.16.06 – Bill Williamson, of the Denver Post, reports there is speculation in Green Bay the Green Bay Packers will grant WR Javon Walker his wish and deal him. If Walker is traded, is it likely to happen draft week or during the NFL Draft. It appears the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers could be the front-runners for Walker. Green Bay has maintained it expects Walker to stay. But if a good enough offer comes along, including a draft pick, it might be tempting for the Packers to rid themselves of the distraction Walker is sure to create.
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03.28.06 – Adam Schefter, NFL Network, just reported on Total Access that Packers are listening to trade offers, though probably won’t get anything done until closer to the draft to drive up his price. Niners have shown interest, along with Denver and Philly.
Our view: [Trade for Walker]
