The San Francisco 49ers signed the most coveted defensive players available this off season with an 8 year $80 million deal making Cornerback Nate Clements the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.
Mike Nolan signed Nate Clements from Buffalo on Friday beginning his quest to fulfill his promise to add depth and skill to a 49ers defense that ranked as one of the worst in the league. Not only did the 49ers sign Clements, they also signed Safety Michael Lewis from Philadelphia and Defensive Tackle Aubrayo Franklin.
Clements was hoping to sign a contract that was bigger than fellow Cornerback, Champ Bailey, who signed a 6 year $63 Million deal last season with Denver.
Clements said the 49ers "not only showed the most interest, but I felt that they were moving in the right direction...This is Year Seven for me, and I've never even had a taste of the playoffs," he said. "I'm a competitor by nature, and I just want to get a taste at that next level."
After 4 disappointing losing seasons, the 49ers now have been at the bottom long enough to accumulate $30 million in cap space that will allow them to sign free agents to help their young core of players get back to their winning ways.
"Free agency is about adding good players with character to our team," Nolan said. "I am confident that Nate and Michael will help make us better. Players have a choice in free agency. It is a compliment to our players and fans that Nate and Michael wanted to be with the 49ers."
The 49ers are hoping to build a strong and young 3-4 defense that will help keep their young offense in games. The niners defense last season gave up scores of 29, 31 and 41. Obviously there is work to be done, but it now seems that there is a plan in place and it is being executed.
Info from the Associated Press was Used in this Article
4 comments:
Clements was a good sign. He was the best shut down corner available in free agency. But damn, 22.6 million in guarenteed money is a big commitment. But I guess you have to do that these days because football players have no rights so to speak of. A team can just release you whenever they want.
I am a little more shaky on my confidence about Safety Micheal Lewis. On the positive side he won a championship with the Ravens and played under Nolan already when he was the defensive coordinator there.
On the negative side he lost his starting job in the middle of last season and the chronicle quoted today that some NFL executives describing Lewis as "slow, can't cover and can't run."
So with this under consideration 10 million in guarenteed money is an even bigger commitment than the 22.6 guarenteed to Clement.
The release of defensive tackle Anthony Adams surprised me but last season we heard grumbles of him "not fitting." So the signing of bigger, Aubrayo Franklin off set that release.
A seemingly minor signing now of linebacker Tully Banta-Cain may fill some sub positions behind Brandon Moore and Derek Smith, and of course Manny Lawson. Although I imagine he will at least compete for a starting job. He played 9 games in 2003 for the New England Patriots as well as 16 games in 04, 13 in 05, and 16 again in 06. I believe 2003 and 2004 were championship years. He will probably prove to be a good edition.
All this bulking of the defense seemingly at the expense of the offense (see the release of wide receiver Antonio Bryant) may pay off during the season if the defense can come up with turnovers and big stops after the offense stalls or Alex Smith turns the ball over.
We will look like the Steelers of the 70's and the their latest championship team. No quarterback.
Alright Davos, I've got some bad news. This just in March 8th in the Sf Chronicle.
TE Johnson Leaves For Saints
Damn, damn, damn. He was the 49ers leading receiver Alex Smith's first year in the league, 2004. With the drafting of Vernon Davis I can imagine his role slowly diminishing but I think he would have been worth keeping. Especially with the release of Antonio Bryant. Who is going to go over the middle now? Especially since the Saint only paid him 2 million for a one year deal. The 49ers easily could have matched that, so my guess is they didn't want to sign him and are going to put all their eggs in the Davis basket. Besides having both of them in on some running plays, i think was key to taking some of the heat off the o-line. Which was much improved last season. Proven by Frank Gore making the pro Bowl.
I can tie this into my previous post, all our money and concern seems to be lodged deep in the defense. We just hired a new o coordinator and have already lost two offensive weapons the last few season. Lelie is an alright wide receiver but the potential for Johnson and Bryant was higher overall.
I hope it works, besides Defense does win championships
Davos, not too bad. Your commentary is good, knowledge very good and readabilty is excellent.
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