49ers Blog and Q&A

Question: If SF selects Raji and stays with 6 DLmen, do you agree Franklin is most vulnerable since Sopoaga (and Balmer in a pinch) can play NT + DE, and Smith, Evans and McDonald are likely to stick?
Mike, Montclair, NJ

Answer: No, I think Franklin is safe. Remember, Raji was part of a platoon system at Boston College. Because his forte is his burst off the line, the 49ers would want to keep him fresh. In that way, Raji and Franklin would help each other. If they selected Raji, I see the two-deep on opening day like this: LDE: Evans and Balmer; NT Raji and Franklin; RDE Smith and McDonald.
- Matt

Question: Matt, the argument goes that the Niners should draft a tackle at 10 because they gave up 55 sacks each of the past two seasons, but could the 35 sacks given up in 2006 be more representative of the talent on the OL? 55 sacks is about par for any Martz offense, and 2007 can be written off as an aberration due to the historically bad coordinating effort by Hostler. Doesn't an improvement in scheme, cohesion and technique help the OL more than a top 10 pick? Isn't the cost of drafting a RT at 10 too much?
Terry, Davis

Answer: Terry is right. The 55 sacks over the last two seasons probably is skewed because of the respective offensive coordinators in 2007 and 2008. Still, 35 sacks is nothing to write home about. Moreover, Singletary wants a running game that can take over games when need be. To me, that more than anything else - Singletary's insistence on a certain attitude -- points to an OT at pick no. 10 ... if Smith or Oher are still on the board. And that's a big if ...
- Matt

Question: Hey Matt, Love the blog. I was wondering where Michael Crabtree's health is at, since I haven't heard any news about it since he made the decision to have the surgery pre-pro-day. Has he had surgery? How is his recovery? Is his visit a meet and greet (and interview) or what else is involved or could be involved at this stage of his rehab?
Also, do you think Isaac Bruce's return would effect whether the Niners would take him at #10?
Grant, Hamilton, Ontario

Answer: Hi, Grant. MM said he saw Crabtree walk out of the team's facility without a limp. However, he is not yet running around and his 49ers visit was just that - a sit down with team officials. The 49ers have another minicamp the weekend after the draft. I'm not sure Crabtree would be available for that, but he should be ready for OTAs in June.
- Matt

Question: Hey Matt. I was wondering what you thought about a 49er-Denver trade. If Sanchez fell and Denver didn't want to take any chances, what's the realistic possibility that they move up two spots? Say the #10 for the #12 and a third rounder? That seems like the right value right?
Carlos, Hayward

Answer: I think if Sanchez falls to No. 10, there were be several teams - including Denver - calling the 49ers. That might mean the 49ers would have plenty of bargaining ability with that pick.
- Matt

Question: Hi Matt, I was wondering why you don't think Everette Brown would be on Niners list. At almost 6'2" and weighing in the 255-260 range, he has a very similar size to our best pass rusher, Parys Haralson, and he is more explosive and athletic.
Dave, Thousand Oaks

Answer: Well, in the silly pre-draft season their apparent lack of interest could mean that the 49ers are VERY interested in Brown. However, my read is that Brown was sort of a one-trick pony at Florida State, someone who only rushed the passer. If the 49ers took him at No. 10, he would have to be able to stop the run and occasionally drop into coverage. Brown is an interesting guy. There is a LOT of mixed opinions about him ...
- Matt

Question: Hi Matt, love your blog. Matt, I'm becoming more and more enamored with the idea that the 49ers should draft NT Ron Brace with the second round pick (# 43). Do you think 49ers might consider Brace at # 43?
Cody, Lafayette

Answer: Sure - if they think he can be a NT ...
- Matt

Question: Do you think that Mike Singletary could be just the right guy to mentor the new Michael Vick? What is his status and is he NFL ready?
Will, Camarillo

Answer: I wonder about that, too. The 49ers, through a spokesman, have said that they are not interested in Vick. Singletary, however, seemed to be more open to the possibility. From a social standpoint, I think there's a good debate about whether someone like Vick deserves a second chance. From a football standpoint, Vick certainly wouldn't be ready to come in play quarterback. But he could help a team in other ways while he learns a team's system. Vick's first step, of course, will be petitioning the league to allow him to play again. My guess is that his first job out of prison will be in the newly formed UFL. If he plays well and minds his ps and qs, the next step is the NFL ... Will be an intriguing story line.
- Matt

Question: What's the scoop? There hasn't been a new 49ers headline in like 3 days. Do I need to get my 49ers news elsewhere? Or is there really nothing going on? I mean didn't Sanchez visit or anything? One new headline every 5-6 days is not going to cut it.
Tom, Bend OR

Answer: Wow! Not too long ago, readers would go months without any football news. And that's when they actually paid $$$ for the content. Now I go two days without blogging and you start breaking out in hives?
- Matt