BPF

Any interest here?? I like him, nothing spectacular but a fundamentally sound LB. 33 yrs old, 6-2 237. Non-stop motor, physical, quick, smart, instinctive, disciplined, reads plays well and has good range. He made all the defensive calls for the 49ers. Adequate in coverage because he is slowing down with age but reads/reacts well to QB. Good blitzer and textbook tackler who wraps up, which was a little prob for us last year at some points of the season.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
POSTED 3:51 p.m. EST, February 19, 2008

49ERS CUT DEREK SMITH by Michael David Smith

The San Francisco 49ers announced today that they cut 11-year veteran linebacker Derek Smith.

"Decisions like this are a difficult part of a great business," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "Derek has been an important member of the 49ers, and you don't make these kinds of decisions without battling the emotion that is natural when you are dealing with a player that has done so much for your organization."

The 33-year-old Smith started 14 games for the 49ers in 2007, but as the season went on it became clear that the team would build its defense around younger players, especially Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis. Nolan said that youth movement was the primary reason for today's move.

"We made the decision because we have quality linebackers who we think are the future of the 49ers," Nolan said. "Derek was a model professional during his seven seasons with the 49ers, and he influenced a lot of the younger players with his work ethic."

Although Smith, who had one season left on his contract, had said he would have preferred to play out the duration of his deal, he indicated at the end of the 2007 season that he knew he could get cut and added, "It's a business, pure and simple."

patpatriot

He played in a 3-4 defense didn't he? It might not have been the pats style 3-4 but it could still help him integrate faster tahn many other aging vets.

MrBigglesWorth

He's too young!!

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

nabwong

LOL...that's the funniest post of the day

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

Some of you guys are not getting it. The Pats need to get younger on defense. What's the point of signing another old guy when the Pats have Bruschi and Seau? If the Pats continue to sign these old castoffs that some people suggest then you can bet that next season will end exactly like the previous two (with the defense gassed and can't come up with a stop at the end).

MrBigglesWorth

Thanks. Had to say it.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

MrBigglesWorth

I'm with you brother. I'd like to see them draft Ghoslton or Rivers at OLB. Move Vrabel inside with AD. and move those two at OLB on obvious passing downs.

Groom a young guy at OLB.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

Disco Volante

I think our defense needs to get older.

__________________

ctpatsfan77

I'm not being facetious when I say this--would you rather have N years of Vrabel playing outside, where he plays best, or N - 1 (or 2) years of Vrabel playing inside? Because, seriously, if he moves inside full time, it will shorten his career. (He's as much as said it takes a much greater toll on him playing inside than it does playing outside.)

__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

MrBigglesWorth

Move him inside. What's the deal with Seau then? He plays inside. Whose to say it will short his career? His pass rushing abilities slowed down in the last third of the season

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers