The 49ers have made a splash in free agency for a second year in a row, albeit a smaller splash, but still enough to get soaked. The 49ers have signed six new players to their roster, adding welcome additions to the offense, special teams, and especially the defense.
The list includes Justin Smith (DE), Isaac Bruce (WR), Dontarrious Thomas (LB), Deshaun Foster (RB), J.T. O’Sullivan (QB), and Allen Rossum (WR). Obviously defensive end, Justin Smith, is the biggest and most discussed free agency acquisition this offseason for the ‘9ers, but I’ll get to him and the defense later. First I want to talk about the offensive pickups.
Deshaun Foster comes to us from the Carolina Panthers for cheap, especially considering he went to the super bowl just three seasons ago, and adds another dimension to the running game. He has been consistent the last three seasons averaging close to 900 yards a season and gives a nice one two punch with fellow running back Frank Gore. Instead of the up- and-down and tough yardage Gore gives us, Foster can give us more of a speed and burner type of play.
J.T. O’Sullivan is a quality backup quarterback and is familiar with Mike Martz’s offense which is very nice to have. He hasn’t played much but when he has, he’s done a good job of managing the team and game. He will never be the starter, barring injury, but is a nice security blanket to have. Although he may not be a starter, he might provide competition for Shaun Hill and
Alex Smith for the second quarterback position, which is a welcome change. For the last three years Nolan has been known to idly put in one of “his guys” at quarterback without even looking at other options. If it wasn’t for Dilfer’s injury last year we may never have found out the potential that Shaun Hill had or how good some of our wide receivers could be.
Isaac Bruce is a future hall of fame wide receiver who provides additional depth at the wide receiver position. Although we may be getting him in his twilight years he still has plenty of gas in him, and he will be instrumental in the growth of Vernon Davis, Jason Hill, and hopefully whatever early round receiver we get in this draft. He may not have the same speed as he once had but he will still be pushing for the number one receiving spot. Plus the length and price of his contract, two years for six million, is very cheap and manageable.
Allen Rossum will be used as a wide receiver as much as I will be used as the secretary of defense. Not at all. He has most likely been brought in to return kicks and punts to replace the recently departed Maurice Hicks and the aged Michael Lewis. 49er fans probably remember him from, early in the third game of last years’ season, he returned a kick- off for a touchdown against the 49ers.
Dontarrious Thomas is a linebacker who has the raw athleticism to become a major factor on defense. He has played in 59 games over the past four seasons and has racked up a total of 145 tackles, which is pretty good for a non- starting linebacker. He can obviously help right away on special teams but may also push to be Patrick Willis’s partner in crime as the other starting inside linebacker. His major flaw has been his lack of mental agility and natural football playing instincts, to play the position. He often gets caught going the wrong way and has to use his natural speed to catch up, turning what should be a three yard gain into a five or six. But the great thing of having two starting inside linebackers is the cutting in half of responsibilities. He may prove to be a good replacement for Derek Smith and could potentially be an outstanding player in this style of defense.
Finally for the big signing, Justin Smith defensive end from Cincinnati joins the 49ers, replacing the gaping hole of hall of fame hopeful, Bryant Young. His contract may be a little staggering with 20 million guaranteed and 45 million overall for six years, but this looks to be a very big boost for the defensive line. He is more athletic than Young and has great technique and speed, and in his last seven seasons he has accumulated 43.5 sacks and 470 tackles. Plus he has never missed a game because of injury, which helps a lot. But while this may not seem that big of an impact as I making it sound, imagine if we drafted a defensive end in the first or second round. That would be an amazing addition for the season, especially a Quentin Groves or a Pat Sims, and we can have a potentially monsterous D-line capable of applying great pressure on opposing offenses and finally solidify the defense.
While there are still big needs to fill at receiver and o-line, this seems to be a positive step in the right direction. The draft is still to come and many ideas have been tossed around about who to pick with the first two picks, whether a D-lineman, O-lineman, or a wide receiver, but whatever the case this free agency has been beneficial in adding depth, experience, and play makers to a team that hopes to make a legitimate playoff run.
