Oh my God...

Is this for real? If so, let the Mike Nolan/Scot McCloughan worshipping begin. The 49ers are primed to write a bright new chapter in their history books.

Simply put, we are set at WR. Andre Johnson sure is gonna look dope in 49er red and gold.

Inside sources from within the Houston Texans organization say the team is finalizing a deal to send fifth year wide receiver Andre Johnson to the San Francisco 49ers. In exchange for Johnson, the Texans will receive a number of draft picks including San Francisco's second, one of their thirds and an undisclosed 2008 early round selection. The Texans will also receive fifth year wide receiver Arnaz Battle in the deal. Battle, a converted quarterback from Notre Dame, had 59 catches for 686 yards and 3 touchdowns last season.

Rest of the article is here. If this deal falls through...I'm not even going to think about that.

Tidbitzzz

Thank God Gore was locked up long-term relatively quickly. I'm surprised Drew "The Agent from Hell" Rosenhaus didn't cause that big of a stink. Anyways, check the great article by Matt Maiocco here. It's pretty ironic how most "draft experts" hated on the pick and how SI supposedly felt he was "the most overrated back in the draft."
ESPN has more insight into the deal:

Pretty much under the radar by NFL standards, Gore ran for 1,695 yards and averaged 5.43 yards per carry during the 2006 season.

Don't just sail past those numbers; they're special. Only five other players in NFL history have enjoyed seasons in which they reached the Gore levels for both rushing yards and yards per carry: Jim Brown (1963), O.J. Simpson (1973 and 1975), Walter Payton (1977), Eric Dickerson (1984) and Barry Sanders (1994 and 1997).

Pretty good company huh?

Todd McShay from Scouts, Inc. has a new mock up at ESPN (posted 3/27). Many thanks to the Insider subscriber who posted it on the 49ersworld forum!

I honestly think it would be a godsend if DT Alan Branch dropped to us. Then again, would Nolan and Co. use a 1st round pick on a guy who's been described as looking lazy, out-of-shape and unmotivated during workouts? Doesn't really seem to fit the profile of players they want on the team, that's for sure.

***

ESPN has their new NBA Mock Draft Lottery Simulator up. It's fun to keep refreshing the lottery to see different scenarios pop up. After hitting "Play Lottery" three or four times, I see that the Warriors either end up drafting C Roy Hibbert of Georgetown or SF Thaddeus Young of Georgia Tech w/ the 14th pick...which makes me wonder - do we really need another C or SF? If I were the W's, I'd be more worried about trying to secure a low-post threat at the PF position, even if it would mean perhaps trading our 1st rounder this year along w/ one of our guys...I know trading within conferences is typically a no-no, but I read somewhere that PF Zach Randolph is looking more and more expendable w/ the improved play of F LaMarcus Aldridge. Can someone fiddle w/ the RealGM Trade Checker and work out a deal for him that includes J Rich? I'm sorry J Rich fans out there...it's just that I'm convinced that Monta is the future of this squad...

One more note about the Draft Sim...Memphis almost always gets the #1 overall pick (and if not that, then #2). Isn't it almost unfair that they get to pair either Oden or Durant w/ Pau next year? That frontcourt is gonna be sick.

"I’m still cuter, but they are bigger me."

Here's a funny blog post from Manny Lawson courtesy of 49ers.com.

I don't know about you, but I never knew Brandon Williams was that big. Dude looks like the Hulk in the picture above. Manny looks like a Kenyan long distance runner in comparison. I guess his weightlifting prowess, as described by Manny, is legit...

Amusing tidbits about Vernon Davis preening himself and Marcus Hudson working out in red and black goggles, as well.

Oh and on a side note - 49ers.com needs a proofreader for their content in a really bad way.

P.S. Dream League playoff updates/wrap-up coming later this afternoon. I'm finally getting over the sick feeling enough to attempt to write about it...

Lelie signs

Doesn't he look like he just rolled out of bed in that pic?

Anyways, SFGate coverage here and here. I'm glad he's coming to camp w/ a positive attitude - saying that he won't feel spited if the 9ers bring in other WR's to compete for the #1 spot.

Matt Maiocco reports that former Patriots (and Cal product) LB Tully Banta-Cain is close to signing.

Niner Free Agency thoughts

Jeffri Chadiha is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers on SI.com. In his latest article, he elaborates on a group of free agents who found success (primarily) because they were in the right system. This snippet softens the blow of losing Adalius to the Pats:

Adalius Thomas, OLB, Baltimore: Despite Thomas' versatility, here's the one thing people need to realize about this seven-year veteran: He didn't make any kind of impact until Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan started using him as a jack-of-all-trades player over the last two seasons. If that doesn't say "system" player, I don't know what does. In fact, the odds of Thomas finding another coordinator who will be as creative in utilizing him as Ryan was are slim. What is guaranteed is that he won't find another defense that surrounds him with Pro Bowlers like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Chris McAlister and Terrell Suggs. So while Thomas may find a big payday, his next employer probably won't find the same player he was in Baltimore.

Hope he doesn't bust w/ double-digit sack totals and make this article look silly.

On a related note, in his Monday Morning QB column, Peter King breaks down what ultimately went down in the fight for Adalius' services:

The only other serious contender for Thomas' services was San Francisco. Everything about the 49ers interested Thomas, except the locale. "If it was all about money,'' San Francisco coach Mike Nolan told me Saturday, "I don't think we would have been outbid. But in the process of interviewing him Friday and him talking to me, I could see that some of the things I wanted to see happen weren't going to happen. I think geography had something to do with it.''

It was clear what he meant. If the 49ers were going to pay Thomas $8 or $9 million a year -- which the 49ers may have been willing to do if, like Clements, Thomas was willing to move lock, stock and barrel to the Bay Area -- it shouldn't be too much to ask that the player becomes a member of the community. Nolan likes his players to be in the area for the 14-week offseason strength and conditioning program, beginning March 19. He can't make it mandatory, but if a free agent tells him it's a problem, that's going to be a factor.

Thomas couldn't lie to Nolan, his former Baltimore defensive coordinator. He didn't want to move West, nor did he want to leave his family 3,000 miles away for four months. Thomas, from rural Mississippi, has grown to love the energy of the East, as has his family, and Foxboro was infinitely more preferable than Santa Clara.

That's completely understandable, no?

***

In other news, WR Ashley Lelie is set to sign today. He apparently has a verbal agreement in place already.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. His career hasn't been that spectacular. He has one standout year where he had 54 receptions for 1084 yds. and 7 TD's. Other than that...pretty mediocre. Was that one year a fluke?

At least dude has the physical tools - he's 6-3, 200 and from what I've read, he has the rep of being a deep threat, burner-type. Here's hoping our reknowned WR coach Jerry Sullivan can work his magic on him.

It begins

We're officially on the rise in the NFL:

The San Francisco 49ers signed cornerback Nate Clements and safety Michael Lewis on Friday, making two bold moves in the opening hours of free agency.

Clements, the star cornerback from the Buffalo Bills, agreed to an eight-year, $80 million contract. The six-year veteran was considered one of the top prizes in free agency, and the up-and-coming 49ers rewarded him accordingly with what's believed to be one of the richest contracts for a defensive back in NFL history.

My cousin Matt put it best: "If we get both Clements and Thomas my head is going to explode."

***
(Update 3/3)
Here's SFGate's story on the signings.

And in other news, it looks like we missed out on A.T. I can't blame him wanting to play for the Pats.

I guess there's always Aubrayo Franklin and Donnie Spragan. I know, I know...relative no-names, but I trust the Nolan regime's player evaluation skills. You've got to hand it to them - they know what types of players will fit best for their system.

Franklin is a prototypical Nose Tackle for the 3-4 at 6-1, 320 while Spragan is the ideal 'big' LB in the 3-4 scheme at 6-3, 242.

The bright side from these initial FA signings is that the 9ers might take a decidedly different approach in the draft. Numerous reports and draftniks have previously held that they would emphasize defense. Maybe now they will think twice when a legit offensive threat is on the board when they pick.

Lord knows we need WR help in a baaaaad way w/ the release of Antonio Bryant. While solid all-around, hardnosed Arnaz Battle is definitely not a #1 receiver.

New Nolan's Notebook up on 49ers.com

Yep...Nolan's copious interview notes (as usual).

I wish they would have someone edit this down into a digestible chunk. And increase the font size while they're at it. Eyestrain central.

We need this man...

...and according to "an industry source," the 9ers already have a deal in place for him.

I highly suggest anyone w/ serious doubts about Adalius' skills read the following:

Ryan keeps a copy of the DVD in his office at the Ravens' practice facility, and from time to time, he'll pop it in. For football fanatics, it's better than porn. The tape begins with Thomas' playing nose tackle and ends with his walking out past the hash mark to line up as a corner on Chad Johnson. Press coverage. Pro Bowl receiver. By a 270-pound man. "Man, get your big, fat ass back inside before I embarrass you," Johnson yelled with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Watch this," Ryan giggles. At the snap, Thomas jams Johnson at the line of scrimmage and drives him backward all the way to the Gatorade table. Ryan freezes the frame, and the room falls dark and silent for a few seconds. Then Ryan adds: "In 10 years, when this kind of physically versatile player is a full-blown phenomenon, people will be wondering who started the whole trend. And you'll be able to point back to this moment and say, 'Hey, I know who it was.'

Check the complete article from ESPN.com here.

Oh and while you're at it, peep this YouTube video where poor Charlie Frye gets utterly annihilated by him. Just sick.

Damn Norv...

You had a good thing going in SF. Your dreams of being an effective head coach are delusions of grandeur. I mean, a combined record of 58-82-1? That's not even close to being mediocre.

Jeffri Chadiha puts it best in this SI.com cover story aptly titled "Mr. Wrong":

Simply put, Turner is a wingman by nature. His best role on any team is that of offensive coordinator. He's more gifted at crafting plays than rallying a team. He's better at relating to a quarterback than communicating with a roster of 53 players. Put him next to a dynamic, cutthroat personality, such as his former boss in Dallas, Jimmy Johnson, and the man will shine. It's within that role that his true gifts reveal themselves, his ability to become a dependable confidant who can wrangle every last bit of potential out of a talented athlete. I saw that with the way Turner handled 49ers quarterback Alex Smith last season. After one offseason with Turner, Smith transformed from a quarterback who had no clue of how to succeed in the NFL to a confident, effective signal-caller. That's what a Norv Turner can do for a team.

I wonder who the 9ers will sign to replace him. From this article on 49ers.com, it seems like a hiring will be made internally to maintain some semblance of offensive consistency.

Man...all those sports talk shows like Cold Pizza, SportsCenter, etc. lead me to believe that San Diego was looking at hiring a defensive-minded guy to coach their team. Shows how much they know....or how incompetent SD's management really is.

49ers ramblings

Don Banks from SI.com has us taking DT Amobi Okoye w/ our first round pick (11th overall) in his latest mock (2/16). I have to agree - he does seem like a very intriguing prospect. He's got youth (he's only 19), ability, character (from what I heard on a KNBR interview, he's mature beyond his years and very personable) and smarts (again, he's graduating college at age 19).

My only concern is his fit in Nolan's defensive scheme. It's well-known that he wants to run the 3-4 since he saw success w/ it from his Ravens days. I mean, he even hired Greg Manusky from the Chargers to be D-Coordinator because of his experience running it. Anyways, Okoye's measurements (6-1, 315) aren't those of a typical nose tackle in the 3-4. From what I know, you need a strong, stout-ass dude to take on a double team from the O-line (the ideal guy would be Haloti Ngata of the Ravens who goes 6-4, 340). In a 3-4, the DT and two DE's main purpose would be to 'occupy' the blockers rather than straight pass rush, leaving the linebackers to do their thing.

But who knows...the 9ers may be forced to run the 4-3 until the 'ideal' nose tackle is found. Nolan won't force the change and will set up the D to our strengths. So maybe Okoye will be the best fit. This much is certain: Nolan and McCloughan will take the best football player available regardless of need to shore up our young talent.