NT Isaac Sapoaga is an UFA

[PonyExpress]

6'2'' 340. NT for 3-4 49er defense.

 

[bruinator]

And your point is?????

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Pats considered drafting him. I must say I haven't followed his career much to this point. San Fran is so bad I have trouble watching them at all. How good is he?

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Pats considered drafting him. I must say I haven't followed his career much to this point. San Fran is so bad I have trouble watching them at all. How good is he?

I probably watched 8 or 9 quarters combined of the 49ers this year and don't ever remember hearing his name called. His stats say he played in 16 games with 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Pretty underwhelming.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I probably watched 8 or 9 quarters combined of the 49ers this year and don't ever remember hearing his name called. His stats say he played in 16 games with 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Pretty underwhelming.

A good NT in a 3-4 does not get stats, he gets double-teams and his teammates get stats.

 

[PonyExpress]

Will end up with the Jets, Phins, Browns or Cowboys. A good run stuffer, underrated. Not elite but very solid. Would love for the Pats to pick him as a Wilfork backup but will command too much cash probably. Could really help the Browns. Should be their #1 priority.

 

[Fencer]

Do the Pats have enough NT reps to keep a starter-class guy interested? I'm guessing no.

I'm also guessing he's at the point of his career where he'll go for maximum payday anyway.

 

[One-Week Trial Jag Troll]

From his Wikipedia page: "[Sopoaga] was one of the strongest players in the draft, performing 42 bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds, bested only by Igor Olshansky's 43 in NFL testing history."

Judging from his measurables, I'd say his career isn't over. Potentially a gem for someone else. Probably wishful thinking, but the Jaguars could use a guy like this; Stroud's been hurt, Henderson isn't getting younger, and Jackson is only on a one-year deal. Could bring him in, let Jackson go, and see what Stroud has left in the tank.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

A good NT in a 3-4 does not get stats, he gets double-teams and his teammates get stats.

This is true, but I hear Wilfork's name quite a lot whereas, like I said, I never heard of this guy. Of course, Willis gets so much attention on that team, Nate Clements too.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

From his Wikipedia page: "[Sopoaga] was one of the strongest players in the draft, performing 42 bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds, bested only by Igor Olshansky's 43 in NFL testing history."

Judging from his measurables, I'd say his career isn't over. Potentially a gem for someone else. Probably wishful thinking, but the Jaguars could use a guy like this; Stroud's been hurt, Henderson isn't getting younger, and Jackson is only on a one-year deal. Could bring him in, let Jackson go, and see what Stroud has left in the tank.

I remember that part. And the Pats interviewed him. I liked him at the time and thought it would be cool to draft him in the later rounds.

Just haven't heard much since.

 

[RayClay]

Sounds like the 3-4 teams would be on this guy like white on rice.

Wilfork doesn't have much stats either, you hear about him because he's got a great personality and we have knowledgeable fans.

48 tackles and 2 sacks and that's a pro bowl year.

Willis has a ton of tackles and that's what a NT does, clog and direct traffic.

 

[xmarkd400x]

This is true, but I hear Wilfork's name quite a lot whereas, like I said, I never heard of this guy. Of course, Willis gets so much attention on that team, Nate Clements too.

Don't forget, you are talking about a decent NT from an opposing city vs. a very good NT from your home team. Wilfork is certainly better and gets more press, but that doesn't mean the fact that you never hear about Sapoaga means he stinks.

 

[JoePats]

Mike Nolan brought him to SF from Baltimore and loved him. I would think they're going to try to re-sign him.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Do the Pats have enough NT reps to keep a starter-class guy interested? I'm guessing no.

I'm also guessing he's at the point of his career where he'll go for maximum payday anyway.

Maybe or maybe not. Go down to any high school football field and ask them what their ultimate dream is. I bet 99 out of 100 say hoisting the the Lombardi over their head and at most one says get a huge NFL contract.

I bet there are a lot of of players out their just like Moss, willing to take less money to be on a winning team.

 

[PonyExpress]

Mike Nolan brought him to SF from Baltimore and loved him. I would think they're going to try to re-sign him.

That was Marques Douglas. SF drafted Sopoaga in 2004 in the 4th rd.

 

[Oswlek]

Maybe or maybe not. Go down to any high school football field and ask them what their ultimate dream is. I bet 99 out of 100 say hoisting the the Lombardi over their head and at most one says get a huge NFL contract.

I bet there are a lot of of players out their just like Moss, willing to take less money to be on a winning team.

It depends on the difference in pay.

NE isn't the only place that they can win a Lombardi.