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.
Hey Mike - reader from the UK here. Love the blog and the effort you put in. Wonder if the timing of Ashworth being cut is relevant. After all - we kept hold of him until after free agency started and cut him shortly after a supposed "close deal" for Alge Crumpler stalled. Perhaps we're clearing some room to get the man signed up?
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants to see a British perspective to the free agency, draft period, check out the URL I listed.
www.footballdiner.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob. I do think that the release of Ashworth may have had something to do with trying to sign Alge, but his release was inevitable. He was the 4th tackle and was counting 2.6 mil against the cap. Something appeared to happen midstream yesterday. Crumpler's agent told his hometown paper the deal was close, then hours later he said that was premature. 1 of 2 things happened. The Hawks didn't like his medical results, or Crump didn't like the salary. Either way, the agent had to let everybody know Alge was still available. I will check out that site. Thanks for pointing it out!
ReplyDeleteHey mike, I curious about your theory on Crumpler, because if there was something wrong with his knee, you'd figure he would have signed with Tennessee. Just a hunch, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteAlso, wondering if the Hawks look at Utecht from Indy. I like Will Heller and all but it wouldn't hurt to have a TE line up like Heller, Utecht/Crumpler, and a Davis/Bennett/Keller.
Michael, you're quoting Frank Hughes from the Seahawks Insider blog on your theory about Crumpler. A little attribution would be in order.
ReplyDeleteThe 49ers have been a mess since Eddie DeBartolo had to relinquish control and his idiot brother-in-law John York gained control. Mike Nolan got the GM duties taken away at the end of last season, so I don't know who's idea it was to hire Mike Martz as OC; his, GM Scot McCloughan or York. I'm pretty sure it wasn't Mike Nolan's idea. Alex Smith is now on his 3rd Offensive Co-Ordinator in 3 years, that will do wonders for your QB's play (NOT). They re-signed Shaun Hill and brought in J.T. O'Sullivan who was with Martz in Detroit, so now Smith gets to look over his shoulder.
Martz's offense is notorious for getting QB's clobbered with the 4 wideouts and sending a back out in a pattern, so Smith's injuries are likely to continue. Signing Bruce to a 2 yr deal isn't hard to figure out since he knows Martz's offense. If you're going to make cracks about his age, Engram is 35 too.