This from Foxsports.com:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9615050/Cowboys-release-LB-Ellis

What is your opinion on Greg Ellis, now that he is not a Cowboy? I mean, the 49ers do need a proven pass rusher just in case Manny Lawson remains to fizzle. With 77 career sacks, that would make him the most experience pass rusher, in terms of numbers, in the market. He would certainly be a welcome addition to the defense, creating mayhem on the field (hopefully, on the field only).   

He could also play either DE or OLB.

Does anyone remember TE John Frank at all? Decent TE with good receiving skills and good enough blocking skills. He followed his dream and never looked back. He could have played even after getting his MD license but decided that being a doctor was more important. He didn't want to ruin his hands and not be able to perform surgery, thus left the game with a pretty good legacy on and off the football field.

Good luck to Rolle. I hope he does well in whatever he decides to do.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-rollerhodes052609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

the Detroit Lions. Not good for Julian.

Former SF 49er LB and Pro Bowler, Julian Peterson has been reportedly traded to the Detroit Lions for DT Cory Redding and a 5th round draft pick. The 49ers could have had him, I guess. But, for salary cap purposes,I don't think it was a good fit.

Here's the link (Thanks to FoxSports.com):

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9335192/Source:-Seahawks-trade-LB-Peterson-to-Lions?MSNHPHMA

FOOCH'S NOTE 1:03PM: Aside from not having Julian Peterson in the same division, this could affect the 49ers draft options. Adam Schefter pointed out that this could mean the Seahawks would not reach for B.J. Raji.  Maybe he still doesn't fall to the 49ers, but you never can tell.

Last year's draft produced some interesting picks. Some were good picks and some were very intriguing. Chilo Rachal could be a starter at some point this coming season, Josh Morgan could be the starting WR if he has a good training camp, Cody Wallace could be Heitmann's replacement at C in two years. Balmer is a diiferent story. I am not sure he could become a decent NFL player. Larry Grant could have been a good player but I think the numbers at LB was against him being a 7th Rounder.

Reggie Smith, from college football powerhouse Oklahoma, could be a very good safety for the team. He has experience at strong safety and CB in college and that could be enough for the team to throw him in the battle for the starting FS position. He has good size at 6' and 196 lbs. He was also a 5 star player coming out of HS (Santa Fe HS Edmond, OK). His 40 yard time at the workouts last year might have affected his draft status as one of the top prospects at CB, coming in at 4.68 and 4.65. He could be an ideal FS, like a Merton Hanks or even a Ronnie Lott. Not a lot of speed but a lot of football instincts.

This is not an anti Dashon Goldson post. It is merely an opinion to somehow make a team with a need in a position to look at other options. Besides, soon, someone has to take over Michael Lewis at the other safety spot. I think having Smith do an OJT this coming season could be very benificial, not only for Smith but also for the team.

Here are some Reggie Smith highlights from the 2007 season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTnKM1fGP6w

For all intents and purposes, the 49ers need to upgrade in just about every position on both sides of the ball. The only sure things that the team have are the kicker, punter, MLB's (Willis and Spikes), DE Justin Smith, and RB's in Gore and Norris. I agree with some that Shaun Hill should be given all the opportunity to shine as the starting QB since he did an admirable job last season. I have had enough of the "Alex Smith had different coordinators every year" BS because that can be said of the whole offense. Yet, Shaun Hill have shown a much better record as the starting QB of the team.

Most Niners Nation fans think that the team should draft a DL (or a pass rushing OLB) and I agree with that, too. It would be nice to have an Everette Brown, Brian Orakpo, Michael Johnson or an Aaron Maybin available at the 10 spot. Let us hypothetically say that the 49ers announces that Dashon Goldson is going to be the starting FS next season, that could have the team draft an OL (particularly RT) in round two.

In round three, I really believe that the 49ers should invest in a RB. Javon Ringer, Shonn Greene, and Rashad Jennings of Liberty,  may be available. Another player to look out for is Ian Johnson of Boise State. He was under the radar for all of last year but is a good RB. I think that not playing a lot last season actually helped him, preventing him from getting banged up too much.

If the team is going that route in the first three rounds, barring any trades or FA signings, do you think that the team will be set for this coming season, in terms of playing good defense and decent offense? Possibly making the playoffs, too?

The second day of drafting, I believe the team should pick the proverbial "best available athlete" course of action. I really believe that the team is heading the right direction. After all the mess that Terry Donahue (the worst Bill Walsh move) had made, I think the team is now in line to be in the playoffs once again.

No, this is not a mini mock draft. It's an opinion that some of you may agree or disagree with. Thanks for reading this.

Note: no caps lock.

If the Giants want to be really competitive, they really need to sign these players and invite them to spring training.

Boonitez--- career .0loser hitter.

Natto ---  okay, then. N/A.  

MarceLL-ow --- career batboy

I hear they are really good. They play PS3 or whatever and think they are better than what the Giants have. Besides, Natto is like unemployed for the last two years or whatever. Won't hurt to try.

I live in Arizona and can't wait to see them in Scottsdale.

And,  I am begging you, gaytown415, please be at spring training.

According to ProFootballweekly.com, these are the top-10 player rankings by position( these are all seniors):

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Player+Rankings/2008/08top101220.htm

What do you think? Who are the top underclassmen who might and who needs to go pro (before they have a bad season)?

I am surprised that Zack Follett of CAL was not on the top 10 OLB's. He could be the steal of the draft.

Deke Mutombo is coming to town? That would be a big defensive presence for the team. Not only would they be able to play Eddie House at the 2, that will allow Big Baby and Leon to move to the 4. If Eddie plays the 2, they could switch to a zone.

This would be the shot blocking the C's need down the stretch. When was the last time the C's had a shot blocking presence? I think it was McHale.