San Francisco 49ers franchise-tagged nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin has yet to report to the team since leaving for the offseason following the 2009 campaign. While much had been made of this hold out drama, things took an even more interesting turn on Monday morning, less than one week prior to the team's opening preseason game this Sunday against the AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts.
The 49ers had an uncharacteristically undisciplined practice in which starting center Eric Heitmann was lost for six to eight weeks with a broken left fibula. Defensive end Kentwan Balmer also left the team on what was at the time an excused leave of absence for "personal matters."
By Wednesday, the absence had become unexcused as rumors surfaced that the "personal matters" were related to yet unconfirmed allegations that Balmer had purchased tickets for former University of North Carolina teammates to join the 49ers for a conditioning camp in 2009. Speculation continues to maintain that head coach Mike Singletary is furious with Balmer and his days in San Francisco are numbered.
Finally on Friday morning, back-up second-year running back Glen Coffee announced to Coach Sing, his teammates, and the NFL world that he was stepping away from the game of football and retiring from the NFL, having played just one professional season. This strange news came just one day after Coffee had told 49ers.com's Taylor Price "Getting in to the game is what we live for, so I'm ready for it."
Coffee's retirement is shocking and his motivation for leaving the game is about as clear as Brett Favre's plans for the 2010 season as of today. All that aside, where does this latest twist the 49ers offseason epic leave the team just hours before they kick off the exhibition season?
If you believe the local media, this is a tremendous blow to the red and gold. They contend this puts unrealistic pressure on rookie back Anthony Dixon, who has shown promise but not polish thus far in camp. Such a perspective is strange, however, in light of the fact that many were predicting Dixon would supplant Coffee this season since the moment the former Mississippi State standout was selected in the sixth round of April's draft.
Coffee was said to be having a strong camp, growing into the role of the primary backup and possible eventual heir to Pro Bowler Frank Gore. With heavy emphasis expected to be placed on the running game this year, the team had expressed desire to limit Frank Gore's reps more than in previous years.
All this points to Coffee being an important piece of the 49er success puzzle in 2010, but how much could he truly have been expected to contribute?
Coffee saw action in 14 games last year, including two starts when Frank Gore went down with an injury after the first play from scrimmage in a Week Three battle in Minnesota. However, the rookie struggled to produce, amassing only 228 total yards and one touchdown. His best performance came at home against the dismal St. Louis Rams, where he gained only 76 yards. He failed to break triple digits in rushing yards in all 14 contests and several times failed to even break double digits.
Could he really be expected to serve that large of a role, just one year later?
In actuality, the loss of Glen Coffee, like the seemingly probable loss of Kentwan Balmer, will likely have minor on-the-field ramifications for a 49ers team with big expectations in 2010. It is most likely they will progressively increase Dixon's touches in the preseason, make an assessment of what they have in the rookie, and use this information to determine whether they need to bring in another running back from the outside.
However, reports contend that Dixon is not yet developed and versed enough in his understanding of pass-blocking techniques to play with the first team offense. With much expected from quarterback Alex Smith and much invested in a revamped offensive line, the 49ers do not want to jeopardize what should be major progress in the passing game by placing Dixon back in pass protection.
This too may be a blessing in disguise as it will likely force the much-maligned co-captain Michael Robinson to accept a larger role in the 49ers offense. Robinson is the most likely candidate to spell Frank Gore on the first team offense while Dixon develops the skills he needs to be a complete back. This could finally help the 49ers learn what they truly have in Robinson, and whether the former special teams specialist can actually begin to contribute offensively enough to fully justify a roster spot.
Whether he proves himself or the 49ers decide to part ways with the former Penn State QB, the team will wind up improving the depth and versatility of all 53 men on the final roster.
There is still a possibility that the 49ers will look to the outside to replace Coffee before the season starts, but as Matt Maiocco pointed out on Comcast Sports Net's Sportsnet Central on Friday night, it is likely they will wait until the 53-man roster cuts are made around the league on September 4 to maximize their options.
Friday the 13th may have been shocking day for the 49ers, but it was not necessarily unlucky in its outcome. Through all this supposed turbulence, Coach Sing maintains that the team has had their best week of practice yet. That includes a Monday session where he was admittedly disappointed.
The team must go on, the season must go on, and with Coach Sing at the helm, these obstacles can be overcome.
Keep the Faith!
Posts Tagged ‘Anthony’
Glen Coffee’s Surprising Retirement Caps Odd Week for the 49ers
August 15th, 2010NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony To the New Jersey Nets?
August 15th, 2010In the aftermath of Wednesday's four team deal, which saw the New Jersey Nets send Courtney Lee to Houston, only to receive Troy Murphy and his $12 million expiring contract, NBA.com has reported that the Nets sought Murphy not only to shore up their frontcourt, but to increase their salary cap flexibility for next offseason, allowing them to pursue Carmelo Anthony.
In the summer of 2011, with Murphy's contract off of the books, the Nets will have about $20 million in cap space, along with a load of young talent.
Furthermore, Anthony has still not signed the $65 million contract extension put forth by the Nuggets about a month ago.
Initially, it was thought that the New York Knicks would be the preferred destination of Melo, who was born in New York City and played his collegiate ball upstate at Syracuse.
However, the Nets may now prove to be a more attractive option.
With Brook Lopez, one of the best young centers in the league, a solid young point guard in Devin Harris, and a number of other promising young pieces (Terrence Williams, third overall pick Derrick Favors, Travis Outlaw, and Anthony Morrow), this Nets squad projects to have a promising future.
Furthermore, with all of this young talent, as well as two first round picks in 2012, they could possibly make a play for Chris Paul. Such a deal would likely involve Devin Harris, packaged with any variety of players and/or picks.
Moreover, Paul may still not be satisfied with the moves made by the Hornets. Trading promising point guard prospect Darren Collison and veteran wing James Posey for Trevor Ariza, a player who only managed to put up a stat line of 14.9 PPG, on 39.4 percent shooting, along with 5.6 RPG, and 3.8 APG, as a focal point of the Houston Rocket's offense, may not have appeased Paul's demand for the Hornets to make significant and competitive moves.
Paul recently spoke with the Hornets' new general manager, Dell Demps, but it hasn't been reported as to whether or not he is satisfied by the four-team trade, or the other deal, in which NO sent Julian Wright to the Toronto Raptors for Marco Belinelli.
Therefore, Paul and Anthony could potentially team in New Jersey, rather than in New York.
Nevertheless, Anthony has not made his decision as to whether or not to leave Denver at this point.
However, Anthony's Nugget teammate, Chauncey Billups, revealed to the New York Post that he may have received some hints as to what Melo will do. But he's not sharing though, instead stating, "It's between me and my guy. If y'all have a close personal friend, and they're going through something and the media asks, you're not going to expose that. Y'all find out when he wants y'all to know."
Regardless, Billups also added that he is, "100 percent hopeful," about Anthony's future.
But now, with the means to sign Melo in 2011, Nets fans have a reason to be hopeful too.
Anthony Davis Commits to Kentucky Wildcats in 2011
August 14th, 2010On Friday, 6'10" forward Anthony Davis announced his intention to play for the University of Kentucky in 2011. The commitment is the third in what is shaping up to be a historic recruiting class.
The Wildcats had already received commitments from Michael Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, ranked number one and number five respectively in the Rivals Top 150 prospects for 2011. With the commitment of the eighth-ranked player in the nation, the Wildcats are now virtually assured of having the third straight number one recruiting class in the nation.
Davis was largely an unknown a year ago, but burst onto the recruiting scene this past spring due to his size and athleticism. He garnered interest from almost all of the nation's powerhouses before finally selecting Kentucky over DePaul, Ohio State, and Syracuse.
If any player is currently on the rise in college basketball, it is Davis. Although he is already a consensus top 10 prospect, some have proposed that he may actually be the best player in the nation.
Scout.com's Evan Daniels describes him as "the best prospect in the 2011 class" from a long-term standpoint and most expect him to continue to climb up the rankings as the year progresses.
Anthony Davis became an especially intriguing prospect after he reportedly grew almost six inches in one year. Scouts now consider him the total package. He can play and defend in the post because of his size, but also has the versatility to spot up and shoot from mid-range.
Davis is a welcomed addition to Kentucky's 2011 recruiting class, but don't expect them to stop here. The Wildcats would still like to add a couple more players and are heavily pursuing third-ranked Austin Rivers and 26th-ranked Tony Wroten, among others.
Anthony Davis Commits to Kentucky Wildcats in 2011
August 14th, 2010On Friday, 6'10" forward Anthony Davis announced his intention to play for the University of Kentucky in 2011. The commitment is the third in what is shaping up to be a historic recruiting class.
The Wildcats had already received commitments from Michael Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, ranked number one and number five respectively in the Rivals Top 150 prospects for 2011. With the commitment of the eighth-ranked player in the nation, the Wildcats are now virtually assured of having the third straight number one recruiting class in the nation.
Davis was largely an unknown a year ago, but burst onto the recruiting scene this past spring due to his size and athleticism. He garnered interest from almost all of the nation's powerhouses before finally selecting Kentucky over DePaul, Ohio State, and Syracuse.
If any player is currently on the rise in college basketball, it is Davis. Although he is already a consensus top 10 prospect, some have proposed that he may actually be the best player in the nation.
Scout.com's Evan Daniels describes him as "the best prospect in the 2011 class" from a long-term standpoint and most expect him to continue to climb up the rankings as the year progresses.
Anthony Davis became an especially intriguing prospect after he reportedly grew almost six inches in one year. Scouts now consider him the total package. He can play and defend in the post because of his size, but also has the versatility to spot up and shoot from mid-range.
Davis is a welcomed addition to Kentucky's 2011 recruiting class, but don't expect them to stop here. The Wildcats would still like to add a couple more players and are heavily pursuing third-ranked Austin Rivers and 26th-ranked Tony Wroten, among others.
