SB Nation - Lewis Baker

49ers sign QB Nate Davis to 4-year deal; waive S Lewis Baker

Fooch — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:33:31 -0000

The 49ers announced today that they have signed their 5th round draft choice, Ball State QB Nate Davis, to a four year contract. That signing brings to five the number of picks to sign. All that's left are WR Michael Crabtree and RB Glen Coffee, the two highest draft choices. We'll have some more later to say about Davis and the signing, but for now, a quick reminder on Davis's background from the 49ers.

Davis (6-2, 217) was a two-time MAC Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2007-08), becoming the first player in school history to throw for 3,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He was a finalist for the 2008 Manning Award, given annually to the nation’s top passer, throwing for 3,591 yards and 26 touchdowns, while running for 312 yards and five touchdowns.

In his career, Davis set school career records for touchdown passes (74), passing yards (9,233), passing attempts (1,124), pass completions (678), 250-yard passing games (20) and 300-yard passing games (9). His 74 career touchdown passes rank fifth in MAC history behind Chad Pennington and Ben Roethlisberger. Davis also compiled 499 rushing yards for 10 TDs while at Ball State.

Davis had a career year in 2007, being named the team’s MVP after throwing for 3,667 yards and 30 touchdowns. He finished second in the MAC and 15th nationally, averaging 300.3 yards of total offense per game. As a true freshman in 2006, he ranked fifth among MAC freshmen all-time as he threw for 1,975 yards and tied the school record with 18 touchdown passes in a single season.

As the title of this post indicates, safety Lewis Baker was waived. Baker never really had a shot at a roster spot so it's not exactly a shocking transaction. One less "camp body."

2009 Roster Projections: Safeties

Fooch — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:00:31 -0000

The safety position has seen a fair amount of turmoil this offseason ranging from the waiving of Jimmy Williams to the injury issues already arising, most notably Reggie Smith. Smith was drafted as a cornerback but has officially made the switch to the safety, even with the injury to Walt Harris. The 49ers secondary has numerous depth issues, but there is a good chance they could be resolved by Week 1. Of course, things could get especially ugly too, so can't get too high or too low I suppose. Up to this point we've discussed wide receivers, cornerbacks, offensive line, running backs, defensive line, and quarterbacks.

Locks
Dashon Goldson, Michael Lewis, Reggie Smith

Bubble
Mark Roman, Curtis Taylor, Lewis Baker

I've bounced back and forth on Mark Roman. I started with him on the bubble, moved him to locks and just moved him back to the bubble. I took a look at some late 2008 depth charts and it could make for a very interesting decision in a couple months. Although players bounce back and forth, the general rule of thumb was 6 corners and 4 safeties on the roster. After injuries, the six corners were usually Clements, Harris, Hudson, Strickland, T. Brown and R. Smith. The four safeties were usually Roman, M. Lewis, K. Lewis and Goldson when healthy.

Right now, if you look at the cornerback picture (replacing Harris with Bly), Smith might end up getting utilized all over the place given his "relative" versatility. If that were the case, it would make sense to keep a fifth safety. Looking at the CBs for a brief moment, barring a signing in the coming months (always a possibility), it seems like this might be the most realistic option for the 49ers. Then they keep Roman and Taylor and that's that.

However, if the team decides to have Reggie Smith only play safety, and assuming everyone stays healthy (a big if), then it seems like Mark Roman and Curtis Taylor will end up battling for a single 53-man roster spot, doesn't it? Taylor can go on the practice squad, so there is an option available to keep both within the organization. However, in regards to the 53-man, is there much wiggle room there?

In regards to the poll, I'm not asking who will end up with more first team playing time. Just who will be on the field with the defense more, not including special teams play.

Poll

By the end of the season, who will have seen more playing time with the defense (NOT including special teams)?

Mark Roman

278 votes

Curtis Taylor

351 votes

629 votes | Poll has closed

49ers Sign S Lewis Baker and LB Mark Washington

ProfessorBigelow — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:59:18 -0000

Not major news, but the 2009 roster is beginning to take more and more of a defined shape. I don't believe that either of these players will be stealing much time from the usual starters, but quality bodies on the practice squad with enough skill to challenge our starters during the week is very important. Terms of the contracts were not announced.

Safety Lewis Baker (6-2, 202 lbs) rejoins San Francisco after being signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the 49ers out of Oklahoma in 2008. He spent training camp with San Francisco and was released prior to the start of the 2008 regular season. Baker played in 50 career games with 19 starts at Oklahoma, seeing action at both safety and linebacker.

Linebacker Mark Washington (6-3, 245 lbs) was originally signed as a free agent by the 49ers following the 2007 supplemental draft out of Texas State-San Marcos. He spent 12 weeks on San Francisco’s practice squad that year before being signed to the active roster by the Miami Dolphins. Washington went on to play in three games in 2007 for the Dolphins.