When people ask me why I am not a big college sports fan, I usually reply that it is too hard to keep up with the turnover. You watch a player grow for four years (if lucky) and when they get really good - they are gone.
Well I guess pro sports isn't any different. Look at the team that Jim Harbaugh went 13-3 with in 2011
QB - Alex Smith LE - Justin Smith
RB - Frank Gore NT - Isaac Sopoaga
FB - Bruce Miller RE - Ray McDonald
WR - Micheal Crabtree OLB - Aldon Smith
WR - Tedd Ginn MLB - Patrick Willis
TE - Vernon Davis MLB - Navarro Bowman
LT - Joe Staley OLB - Ahmed Brooks
LG - Mike Iupati CB - Carlos Rogers
C - Jonathon Goodwin CB - Tarrell Brown / Chris Culliver
RG - Alex Bone FS - Dashon Goldsen
RT - Anthony Davis SS - Donte Whitner
This was a young team! On the cusp of a championship, and really, better than the Giants that year - it seemed like we were about to enter a 5-10 year championship window with play-makers on defense and a great offensive line. Flash Forward to this off season. 4 years later. Reports are the 49ers are anywhere from 4-8 million dollars over the cap. Even after cutting Ahmed Brooks, the Niners are about even on the cap. Assuming most of their high profile Free Agents leave and Justin Smith retires, look at what we may be rooting for next season:
QB - Colin Kapernik LE - Tony Jerrod-Eddie
RB - Carlos Hyde NT - Ian Williams/Glenn Dorsey
FB - Bruce Miller RE - Tank Carradine
WR - Anquan Bolden OLB - Aldon Smith
WR - Stevie Johnson MLB - Patrick Willis
TE - Vernon Davis MLB - Navarro Bowman / Chris Borland
LT - Joe Staley OLB - Aaron Lynch
LG - Brandon Thomas CB - Tramaine Brock
C - Marcus Martin CB - Dontae Johnson
RG - Alex Bone FS - Eric Reid
RT - Anthony Davis SS - Antione Bethea
What happened? How is this roster taking up the cap?? I am sure some players will be approached to restructure - Kap, Johnson, Davis, Willis all feel like candidates for restructuring their contracts to free up some space - but even if everyone is ready and willing, this likely means just freeing up enough money to perhaps bring back Frank Gore or one of our other free agents.
Jim Tomsula said he wont try and talk Justin Smith out of retirement - well fans should hope he does, because without him that defensive front looks a little light. Despite the draft picks spent in recent years, it seems like another large DE to eventually replace Smith should be a 2nd-3rd round focus. Every team has a blue print, and Trent Baalke's seems to be that pass rush can eliminate the need for a ten million dollar corner-back - so With Chris Culliver set to get paid and Perrish Cox also coming off a strong year, the 49ers will need to revamp the pass rush and their corner depth.
I look at that roster and think it is still a talented team, but it will take one hell of a draft for us to match up with the top teams in the league. The team is also a year away from discussing getting rid of Bowman or Willis for cap reasons and to let Borland play. Veron Davis is coming off a down yer and is a year away from free agency. The NFL is a cruel Mistress - I miss the days where you saw a great unit of players play together for the majority of their careers. I might as well just get into college - I know I'll get to watch those players for at least 3 years.
Thank god I am not an A's fan!
