Santa Clara, CA The San Francisco 49ers just completed a busy week 1 of the regular season. The team performed well on the field during their week 1 victory over the Detroit Lions 27-3. It was a hard fought well earned victory, however the big news for the 49ers occurred off the field.
After finishing the 2014 season with a 9-7 record and missing the playoffs, the 49ers front office didn't want to make any rush decisions. In an offseason where not too many moves were made to change the personnel of the team: The team traded it's 1st rd #19 pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Miami's #31 pick and the #24 pick in the 3rd round. That was the only move made in the offseason, some critics questioned the direction of the franchise.
Team owner Coach Wildcat was highly criticized publicly for not putting the pressure on for more personnel moves in order to shake up this highly, talented yet low motivated team. Some have even suggested that Coach Harbaugh should be let go, stating that he isn't the coach to lead this team to the playoffs and that ever elusive Super Bowl title. Critics continue to raise the question how can a team so talent laden not make the playoffs.
Coach Harbaugh yet another coach on the "hot seat"
After the preseason was over the 49ers began to make personnel moves, starting slowly. The first move was cutting CB Cortland Finnegan. Finnegan had a great season for the 49ers in 2014 after being acquired from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for ROLB Cory Lemonier. Finnegan came into camp overweight and had a terrible preseason forcing the 49ers to release him. The 49ers were able to get CB Brandon Carr from the Dallas Cowboys for a 3rd rd 2016 Draft pick. The Cowboys were looking to free up some cap space which made Carr expendable and the 49ers were looking for a replacement for Finnegan. The 2nd move was to free up some of the cap space they took on getting Carr. They decided after drafting two rookie WRs to let WR Stevie Johnson go. The New England Patriots expressed interest in Johnson so the 49ers moved him to New England for a 4th rd draft pick in 2016.
Brandon Carr looking to lead San Francisco's secondary in INTs in 2015
The 49ers weren't done in a move that shook the 49ers training facility up. The 49ers sent Aldon Smith packing. A key member of the defense coming of a season ending injury. Aldon worked feverishly in the offseason to be ready for training camp and the start of the 2015 season. His teammates were excited to see how fast he rehabbed and how he was in great shape to perform well this season after how disappointed he felt when the team doctor told him that his season was over. None of this mattered when it came to the business of the NFL, Smith's contract was expiring at the end of the season and it was well known that the 49ers would not be able to re sign him at his value. The decision was made to find a place to trade Aldon to, so instead of getting absolutely nothing for him and just watching him walk out of the 49ers facility, the 49ers would get something. The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins were both extremely interested in acquiring Smith. The rumor mill began to leak that Smith was heading to Miami to join his former teammate Cory Lemonier, however these rumors turned out to be not true. Aldon Smith was dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs, he was going home. The 49ers received ROLB Dee Ford, a promising 1 yr pro with a ton of potential. Some have compared him to the late Derrick Thomas. The 49ers also received KC's 1st, 2nd, and 4th rd picks in the 2016 NFL draft.
ROLB Dee Ford's 8 tackles week 1 lead the 49ers
After the game the 49ers front office decided it would get all its work done early and avoid having to make any trade deadline deals. The 49ers had two more deals to make. The 1st trade was with the New England Patriots, yes the same Patriots who had just acquired WR Stevie Johnson. The 49ers have for years tried to upgrade their DT position. The Patriots had recently been shopping veteran DT Vince Wilfork. The 49ers decided to take on the salary that Wilfork had and traded a 3rd rd pick which was acquired from the St. Louis Rams to the Patriots for the massive DT. The 2nd move was with the Cleveland Browns. The 49ers were originally looking to obtain LOLB Barkevious Mingo, however Cleveland didn't want to part with the young linebacker despite the 49ers offer of multiple picks. The Browns offered up ROLB Jabaal Sheard a 6'3" 264 4 yr pro out of Pitt. (That's for gwaffle) A young promising linebacker, the 49ers sent the 2nd rd pick acquired in the Aldon Smith deal from KC for the services of Sheard.
Sheard looking to start at LOLB for the 49ers week 2 vs the champs
Only time will tell if the 49ers have "all the right moves" but it should be a very entertaining trip. One thing is for sure, with the draft and these moves the team speed has surely improved; except for that "Fork" dude, enjoy the ride 49er fans.
Restaurants in the "bay area" beware!!! "Fork" is coming
