- Joined
- Feb 9, 2014
- Messages
- 20,922
- Name
- Peter
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/...s-most-improved-in-nfc-west-after-free-agency
49ers most improved in NFC West after free agency
ESPN.com
Which team in the division improved itself the most through free agency?
Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals:
The San Francisco 49ers improved the most in the NFC West, but mostly by default. They’ve signed 12 players, all but instantly bolstering their roster in the process. The Niners signed quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, although it remains to be seen whether either will be the starter.
San Francisco also added two of the quickest wide receivers in the NFL in Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. If the Niners can find someone to get them the ball, then the offense could develop rather quickly.
Alden Gonzalez, Los Angeles Rams:
This is a division that generally didn’t really wow in free agency, so in that case, you have to go with the 49ers. They were busy, at least. They had to be. The Niners began with a lot of vacancies on their roster and a lot of salary-cap space in their payroll, so they went about adding players who would fit the scheme and culture Kyle Shanahan wants to implement as a first-year head coach. And they did it without necessarily sacrificing financial flexibility.
The 49ers added a premier receiver (Garcon), signed a stopgap quarterback (Hoyer), splurged on a versatile fullback (Kyle Juszczyk), landed a speedy No. 2 receiver (Goodwin), then filled in a blocking tight end (Logan Paulsen), another linebacker (Malcolm Smith) and a replacement for Phil Dawson (Robbie Gould). Yes, the Niners still have a long, long way to go. But going from two wins to five qualifies as significant improvement, doesn’t it?
Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers:
I'm not sure any of the four teams did anything that will make a substantial difference in their record in 2017, but the 49ers made the most changes and upgraded at more spots than the other teams. If nothing else, the Niners almost can't be any worse than they were a year ago -- and with players that Shanahan knows and trusts to run his system, it's fair to expect at least some uptick in performance from last season.
Perhaps best of all, San Francisco's free-agent crop will help without breaking the bank, allowing it to keep some powder dry for next year when it could be in better position to land a franchise quarterback.
Sheil Kapadia, Seattle Seahawks:
The San Francisco 49ers. To be honest, it’s smart to go with the 2-14 option with questions like this. There’s nowhere to go but up. The 49ers handed out some big-money contracts, but the goal in Year 1 under Shanahan should be to start to get the personnel in place who can execute his system. Even though the signings were costly, San Francisco at least began to do that with the additions of guys such as Garcon and Juszczyk.
And the 49ers were wise to hold off on making a drastic move at quarterback. They are not built to win now, so why panic and pour valuable resources into the position? Instead, Hoyer can serve as a bridge option until Shanahan finds more of a long-term solution. The 49ers were outscored by 171 points a year ago, the widest margin in the conference. They have a long way to go to be competitive, but the roster looks far more professional than it did going into 2016.
49ers most improved in NFC West after free agency
ESPN.com
Which team in the division improved itself the most through free agency?
Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals:
The San Francisco 49ers improved the most in the NFC West, but mostly by default. They’ve signed 12 players, all but instantly bolstering their roster in the process. The Niners signed quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, although it remains to be seen whether either will be the starter.
San Francisco also added two of the quickest wide receivers in the NFL in Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. If the Niners can find someone to get them the ball, then the offense could develop rather quickly.
Alden Gonzalez, Los Angeles Rams:
This is a division that generally didn’t really wow in free agency, so in that case, you have to go with the 49ers. They were busy, at least. They had to be. The Niners began with a lot of vacancies on their roster and a lot of salary-cap space in their payroll, so they went about adding players who would fit the scheme and culture Kyle Shanahan wants to implement as a first-year head coach. And they did it without necessarily sacrificing financial flexibility.
The 49ers added a premier receiver (Garcon), signed a stopgap quarterback (Hoyer), splurged on a versatile fullback (Kyle Juszczyk), landed a speedy No. 2 receiver (Goodwin), then filled in a blocking tight end (Logan Paulsen), another linebacker (Malcolm Smith) and a replacement for Phil Dawson (Robbie Gould). Yes, the Niners still have a long, long way to go. But going from two wins to five qualifies as significant improvement, doesn’t it?
Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers:
I'm not sure any of the four teams did anything that will make a substantial difference in their record in 2017, but the 49ers made the most changes and upgraded at more spots than the other teams. If nothing else, the Niners almost can't be any worse than they were a year ago -- and with players that Shanahan knows and trusts to run his system, it's fair to expect at least some uptick in performance from last season.
Perhaps best of all, San Francisco's free-agent crop will help without breaking the bank, allowing it to keep some powder dry for next year when it could be in better position to land a franchise quarterback.
Sheil Kapadia, Seattle Seahawks:
The San Francisco 49ers. To be honest, it’s smart to go with the 2-14 option with questions like this. There’s nowhere to go but up. The 49ers handed out some big-money contracts, but the goal in Year 1 under Shanahan should be to start to get the personnel in place who can execute his system. Even though the signings were costly, San Francisco at least began to do that with the additions of guys such as Garcon and Juszczyk.
And the 49ers were wise to hold off on making a drastic move at quarterback. They are not built to win now, so why panic and pour valuable resources into the position? Instead, Hoyer can serve as a bridge option until Shanahan finds more of a long-term solution. The 49ers were outscored by 171 points a year ago, the widest margin in the conference. They have a long way to go to be competitive, but the roster looks far more professional than it did going into 2016.
