Veteran free agents happy where they are Brad Biggs
It should be pretty easy for the San Francisco 49ers to get a couple of their top free agents to return.
They’re not going to have trouble convincing them to stay, at least. Quarterback Alex Smith and cornerback Carlos Rogers are both set to become unrestricted free agents. Smith has made it clear he wants to return for an eighth season and Rogers flourished in his first season with the Niners and seems like a decent bet to be back.
"At this point I love it here," Smith said, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "Love what's going on. Love this team and coaching staff, everything about it. So no question I'd love to stay here."
Rogers reportedly will take a hometown discount to stick with the 49ers after spending six seasons in Washington.
"I like this from the owner to the general manager to everybody that's in this organization," he said. "I like everything about this organization - all the players, the trainers. This ain't about me coming out and saying, 'Now I'm free, let's get the check.' I'm thinking about this team, and this is where I want to be."
So, it just comes down to money for the 49ers after they assess their needs. Smith should be back. If the Niners want Rogers, it sounds like they’ll get him too.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
Maybe, maybe not but Cutler has done squat for you. Smith has at least made a conference championship.
Maybe, maybe not but Cutler has done squat for you. Smith has at least made a conference championship.
though this isn't about Cutler, I'd take him over Smith in a heartbeat. Had Cutler not gone down I believe the Bears would have made the playoffs and been dangerous. We'll never know, but the choice for me is obvious.
So that wasn't the Bears playing the Packers in last year's NFC championship?
Unless Smith can improve his game even more, I don't see him being the QB to lead the Niners any farther than he got this year.
Would the 49ers consider signing Peyton Manning [as soon as he is released by the Colts] for a couple of years? Looks to be a good fit to me. Manning can make the Niner WRs look better than they are, has a couple of good TEs to throw to, and will also make the mediocre pass blocking Niner O Line look good too. San Fran has their supposed QB of the future on the bench [Kaepernick] and with that defence and an above average run game should be a great fit for awhile.
What do you think?
Jan 24, 2012
06:50 PM
If I'm a Niners fan, I'm not too excited about Smith coming back. He's really a career backup. He's not the franchise guy that's going to get you to the promised land.