SB Nation - Jason Fabini

49ers Right Tackle options

Fooch — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:16:43 -0000

The retirement of Marvel Smith naturally brought a lot of consternation as to what the 49ers might do to shore up the now thin offensive line. The team has their 5 starters, but there are big questions at the backup offensive tackle position. Adam Snyder missed Saturday's game due to a knee injury, but is expected to be fine coming opening day. However, he has yet to prove himself as a consistent force at the right tackle position, so depth is certainly a necessity.

The 49ers currently sit with Barry Sims and Alex Boone as their primary offensive tackle backups. Beyond that they have guys like Jacob Bender, Joe Toledo and Matt Spanos. A week ago they had no prayer of making the roster. Today they've certainly got a chance, although I still don't see them making the roster. I'd imagine we've heard all we need to hear about Barry Sims. He's old and lost many steps in his game. He was pretty atrocious last year, but one has to wonder how much of that was due to his aging and how much was due to the Martz offense. Any thoughts on that?

The other man is of course fan favorite Alex Boone. Boone has shown some skills and could very well end up being a player in this league. One would imagine the retirement of Smith has come pretty close to locking up a spot on the roster for Boone. Many would argue that it's way too soon to expect much out of him other than as an emergency fill-in. I would tend to agree with that, although we all have heard his draft story. He has talent and would have been drafted if not for his off the field problems.

No matter who you take from the above mentioned offensive tackles, I wouldn't exactly call it an awe-inspiring group at this point. Certainly some upside, but a whole lot of "rough around the edges."

So where does that leave us? Well, potentially in need of another offensive tackle. Adam Caplan of Scout.com developed an updated list of best free agents still available on offense. After the jump we break down some of the more intriguing options from that list. We also utilize an older list from February.

Jon Runyan
This is definitely my favorite option at this point. Runyan had microfracture surgery at the end of January, which was expected to keep him out four to six months. Well, as of a few days ago, Runyan was cleared for full contact. Back in February Caplan had an interesting comment about Runyan:

This mauling type of lineman is nearing the end of a solid 13-year career. Despite playing in a passing offense, Runyan actually may be a better fit for a team that uses a power running game.

Well, ya don't say? Of course, before we get ahead of ourselves, both sides would have to want this to happen. Runyan was drafted by the Oilers/Titans, but spent the majority of his career in Philly. Would he be interesting in coming to the West Coast? Adam Snyder is currently the starter at right tackle, but we know that's not a sure thing. The team could ease Runyan back into things and if Snyder falters, Runyan could pounce on the job. I'm not holding my breath for this to happen, but I am definitely intrigued by the possibility.

Mark Tauscher
The big problem for Tauscher is his recovery from ACL surgery. There were reports that his knee was in pretty bad shape, but the last report I could find (end of July) indicated his rehab was running ahead of schedule, and he could be ready for game action in September. Obviously take that with a grain of salt, but again, this is a guy the 49ers could ease back into the swing of things.

Charles Spencer
Spencer generally was considered a solid talent before going down with what sounds like a pretty nasty compound leg fracture. He tried out for the Giants in May, but nothing ever came of that. Spencer recently signed with the UFL so he's certainly looking to make a comeback. As is the case with most everybody still available, plenty of injury baggage. At one point he was going to be Houston's left tackle of the future, so the talent level was certainly there at one point.

Jason Fabini
Fabini is generally considered a serviceable backup at this point in his career who can play 3 positions (right tackle and I think both guard positions). Of course, he's 35 years old so I wouldn't expect the 49ers would do much in terms of kicking the tires.

Levi Jones
The 49ers have denied interest in Jones, but I'll throw him on here anyways. Jones is certainly talented, but it sounds like he wants a starting job and that won't happen at this point in San Francisco.

I refuse to list the two former 49ers that are on Caplan's list.

There are numerous other offensive tackles on their last legs that I certainly could have included. For now though, I think this list includes the most pertinent options at the position.

In general, injuries are the overriding concern with any of the offensive tackles available. I'm curious how one views knee injuries as compared to back injuries. Do we have any old offensive linemen who would be able to provide us with some insight? I ask because people might complain about bringing in another injured free agent tackle, but maybe a knee injury can be worked around a little more than a back injury. Any thoughts?

Chiefs Connection Continues with Coaching Interns

Joel Thorman — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:13:55 -0000

Courtesy of Bob Gretz this morning, we've learned there are four coaching interns on the field with the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff in the first couple days of training camp.

The combination of former players and current coaches making up the Chiefs interns are Anthony Pleasant, Richie Anderson, Jamar Cain and Chip Taylor. Three of the four have obvious connections to the Chiefs coaching staff.

Jason Fabini interned with the team during the June OTAs. It's not currently known if he's still in that capacity.

Click through to learn a little more about each of these men and what their connection is to the Chiefs.

Anthony Pleasant

Fourteen year veteran who ended his career with the New England Patriots in 2003. He played on the defensive line, both defensive end (in a 3-4) and defensive tackle. He's appeared in 202 games so experience, particularly in the 3-4, is the biggest thing he has going for him.

Chiefs Connection: Scott Pioli (CLE 92-95, BAL 96, NYJ 98-99), Todd Haley (NYJ 98-99), Pioli (NE 01-03)

Richie Anderson

A 12 year vet who played 10 years with the Jets and ended the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Bill Parcells and Co. drafted him in 2003, which means he's a 'Parcells guy', which means Haley and Pioli are high on him (at least that's been the perception so far).

Chiefs Connection: Scott Pioli (NYJ 97-00), Todd Haley (NYJ 95-00, DAL 04)

Jamar Cain

Currently a defensive line coach at Cal Poly but spent the last three seasons at Missouri State (formerly SMS). He was the video coordinator and NFL liaison while with the Missouri State Bears. Previously worked under Frank Solich

Chiefs Connection: Currently unknown (MO State-NFL liaison?)

Chip Taylor

Currently the defensive backs coach for Valparaiso.

Chiefs Connection: Cardinals intern last year

Former NFL Player to Intern with Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line Coaches

Joel Thorman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:25:09 -0000

Former NFL offensive lineman Jason Fabini will be taking an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs this summer (Photo source).

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Jason Fabini, former fourth round draft pick by the New York Jets, is heading to Kansas City to intern with the Chiefs offensive line staff. The 111th pick out of the University of Cincinnati in the 1998 draft, Fabini played in the NFL for 11 seasons including eight with the Jets, one with the Dallas Cowboys and two with the Washington Redskins before recently announcing his retirement.

Fabini figures to reunite with Bill Muir, the offensive line coach for his first four seasons with the Jets.

Scott Springer of the Bearcat Lair recently caught up with Fabini.

"I've got four boys, I've got a lot of work," Fabini said. "I don't know. Starting this summer I'm going to do an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm going to go out there and work with my offensive line coach I had with the Jets my first four years. I'm going to do that and see how I like it."

Coaching in the NFL is no side gig. The hours are very, very long according to several current and former coaches. There are even reports out there that the Browns coaches under new head honcho Eric Mangini have been in the office until midnight...and it's only June.

Thus, the internship for Fabini just to get his feet wet and determine if this is his cup of tea.

"Coaches are amazing, they put a lot of time into their craft and I don't know if I'm willing to make that commitment at this time. But, I'm going to go out there and see if I like it and see if it's something I might want to do in the future."

The majority of Fabini's NFL experience came playing at either tackle position. He also played some guard while with the Redskins.

Anyone had a better summer job than this?

That's What I'm Talkin 'Bout (Ray) Willis!

Ken Meringolo — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:22:12 -0000

Ray Willis visits the Skins today.

You know we have been banging this drum for a few weeks. I like the idea of signing two offensive linemen in their mid-20's (okay, Dockery is 28, but close enough). If he can beat out Heyer and Jansen right away at right tackle we would be sitting on a younger, fresher O-line, with some serious depth. Heyer, Jansen and Rinehart strike me as an awesome battery of backups...much better than the Todd Wade/Jason Fabini/Jim Molinaro kind of depth we have had in recent years.

Getting Jon Jansen to buy into being a backup is going to be hard. He has battled for a number of years to stay on the field and deserves his money and spot on the roster. I think Willis could come in and play solid enough for Bugel to be able to have that conversation with Jansen. Besides, if anything is certain, it is that we will be playing with backup linemen before we get halfway through the season. Having guys like Jansen and Heyer on the bench is a huge feather in our cap.

If we couldn't pay Evans more than the chump change contract he got from San Fran (which is understandable I guess given the money we have spent on D-line already), we need to step up and spend it on some young offensive line talent. Then we can use the high draft pick to go get a pass rushing LB if available. Says here that signing Ray Willis would be the smartest free agency money we spent this offseason.