Is Larry Allen coming back?

I’m wondering if the great warrior is going to try and come back for year 16, in 2008? Do the Niners want him to? Maybe last year was indeed his swan song, and it’s time for him to stretch out on the couch, and wait for the call from Canton. 

So, if the Niners hit the field tomorrow without #71, I guess journeyman Tony Wragge, or newly acquired FA Jeb Terry from Tampa Bay would line up at left guard? Terry is a big dude at 6′5″, 311 lbs (the Niners have him listed on their website at 511 pounds, but I’m pretty sure that’s a typo).  He (Terry) has been an on and off starter for the Buccaneers after being drafted by them in the 5th round of the 2004 draft out of North Carolina. I think it would be just dandy if the Niners could find another Joe Staley in this draft, but it seems all the touted OT’s (Michigan’s Jake Long, Pitt’s Jeff Otah, Bosie State’s Ryan Clady, and Vandy’s Chris Williams) will be history when the Niners pick at number 29. 

My esteemed colleague Mitch Juricich likes OT Gosder Cherilus from Boston College, but is he a first rounder, and will he drop to the bottom of round one? Some mock drafts say yes. Personally, I would pick him just for his name! At some point in time it’s gonna be advisable to get Adam Sndyer at Guard, as this is where his skills are probably more aligned at the NFL level. Will this be the year? We’ll have to wait and see what happens to Mr. Allen, and what the upcoming draft holds in store.  

MN 

What the heck?

To lose a 5th round draft choice and to have to trade places in the 3rd round with Chicago isn’t going to kill the Niners’ 2008 draft . . . but “what the heck?”

Who did the Niners wrong?  Was it Drew Rosenhaus . . . Lance Briggs . . . or both?  Who else could possibly know what went on between San Francisco & the Rosenhaus/Briggs faction?

I mean . . . What the heck? 

– JayDub

NFL Network . . .

To steal a phrase from Dickie V - “It’s awesome baby, just awesome . . . “  I’m sure any football fan anywhere already knows about (and/or has personally experienced) the NFL Network . . . but, WOW, what a destination . . . can you ever get your fill of the NFL . . . and recently, the draft . . . heck, they have more information available on the upcoming draft in one sitting than used to be available in weeks leading up to the big April day back when I was in Public Relations with the club . . . it’s just amazing . . . if you’ve been off the planet or otherwise out of touch and haven’t checked it out, you really owe it to the ‘draft-nik’ in you to tune it sometime!

– JayDub

Addios Senor Jackson

The recent acquisitions of Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson was a clear sign that changes in the Niner WR corps were coming, and that happened when Darrell Jackson was released. Even though the Niner QB game wasn’t exactly “Brady-esque” last year, Jackson dropped way too many passes thrown his way, and seldom came up with a tough catch. Right now the Niners would probably line up with Bruce and Johnson as their starting wide outs. I think Mike Martz will find ways to get Bruce open, as was so often the case in St. Louis, even though he’s probably lost a step. I like Johnson a lot. He’s played under the shadow of Anquan Bolden and Larry Fitzgerald with the Cardinals, but this former 2003 number one draft pick (#17 overall), from Penn State, can catch the ball, and is a big target at 6′3″, 216 lbs.  If Martz can get Ashley Lelie’s attention, which is a big question mark to say the least (I was going to say question martz, but that would have been too easy), and Arnaz Battle can be an effective third receiver, who knows, maybe the Niners will  be able to put some pressure on opposing defenses in the passing game, something that was 100% non existant in 2007. Oh, but then there’s the issue of who is going to consistently get the ball short and deep to these guys? That’s another story altogether………….

MN 

And with the 29th selection in the draft, the San Francisco 49ers pick . . .

Wide Receiver Early Doucet of LSU . . . wouldn’t that be sweet . . . or Mario Manningham of Michigan . . . or Lavelle Hawkins of Cal . . . I’d take any one of them . . . just PICK a receiver . . . someone that fits AND helps Mike Martz Madness-style attack . . . someone for Alex or Shaun to throw to!

– JayDub

McCloughan is harvesting fertile fields

Give the young GM respect…he’s finally found where true defenders come from!  The SEC baby!  No more Derek Smith, Ulbrich is on punt coverage or something, Brandon Moore is a ghost, etc….Patrick Willis…beast!  Dontarrious Thomas…gazelle with a bad attitude.  Takeo Spikes…no neck and no mercy for the weak! Keep it up Scotty, you just might have a defense that punishes the opponents instead of welcoming them.

PC

Isaac Bruce will look good in any number . . .

I, for one, am glad Isaac Bruce will not be wearing No. 80 at “The Stick” this fall . . . Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that he’ll be in a Niners uniform, but I’m just happy it won’t be No. 80 . . . No. 80 should be retired, just like the numbers of all those other great Niners of “yesteryear” are retired . . . San Fran has retired 10 numbers in all over the years — led by Nos. 16, 42 & 87 . . . now all the club has to do is add No. 80 . . . AND . . . No. 8 . . . and then they can put the brakes on retiring jersey numbers for awhile . . . just as Joe Montana made No. 19 his own when he moved on to Kansas City . . . I think just about any number will look good on Isaac this fall . . . just NOT Jerry’s!  

– JayDub

Welcome to the Hooked on the Niners Blog!!!!

Welcome to our Blog!!!! The entire Hooked on the Niners team, Mitch Juricich, Bob Marks, Jerry Walker, Mark Naismith, and Patrick Connor, will be “blogging” here. We would enjoy your particpation by commenting on our comments, and telling us what you think! We can have some “spiritied debate”, but mostly some fun.  There’s much to talk about with the Niners, and to that end we’ll be putting our blogs in categoires like “Free Agency” or “Niner Coaching Staff.” Thus, if you are just interested in reading our thoughts and commenting on a particular area, you can do that as well. So please jump in and join us in the Hooked on the Niners blog.

MN