Rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic - NFC West Edition

ESPN is reporting that the perennial NFC West disappointment 49ers have signed Isaac Bruce, the recently cut WR from the perennial NFC West disappointment Rams. Bruce's contract is 2 years, $6m (plus Social Security benefits). Does this count as yet another hit against DJ? I don't really think so, as Bruce is Martz' guy and would likely have paid whatever it would take to get him into the red and gold. Still, its another WR spot being filled without so much as an interview for Mr. Hackett. This might not really help the Hawks in getting DJ back, but he's got to be feeling a little left out right now and might need a nice place to curl up and sign some papers. Might as well be under Ruskell's desk, eh?

Also, the whiners have locked up former Bengal DE Justin Smith. The deal is worth $45m over 6 years including 20m in guarantees. Smith is a former first round pick (4th overall) who spent the last seven years in Cincinatti. The 28 year old is 6'4" and 275 lbs, and was the recipient of the Bengals' franchise tag for the 2007 season. In 7 seasons he has only missed one game. Smith is a pass rush specialist, but has never put up numbers like those of Patrick Kerney. His best year was his rookie year (2001), where he put up 8.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 2 interceptions, which I'm pretty sure Kerney did against two or three teams last year.

This strengthens their D line, but probably shouldn't concern Hawk fans--especially since last year was his worst by far, posting only 2 sacks. Also, they haven't done anything to address their offensive line, which last year was abysmal. END OF POST.