ESPN Dallas: No franchise tag on Miles Austin, for now

[Hoofbite]

lol I like Miles but no one is worth 18m a season.

If there is no cap, what does it matter?

 

[JVita17]

yea they would.

people tend to flock to the latest shiney object and pretend it will always be shiney.

lock him up and sign him long term.

I think that's just Jerrah

 

[Idgit]

It's a backdoor dig on Miles Austin.

Monster Heel is quite a backdoor digger. If you know what I mean.

 

[Randy White]

If there is no cap, what does it matter?

I'll let you know when the next CBA is agreed upon.

If there's no " grandfathered in " contracts, then no, it wouldn't matter. However, if they are, then it does.. big time.

 

[DeaconBlues]

They already have their 2nd WR in Josh Morgan who's, technically, their 3rd option behind Crabtree and Vernon Davis. Bringing a high cost WR like Austin would be waste of resources and draft pick because all they'd be doing is cutting down Crabtree's attempts, in an offense that's geared towards running the football first.

It goes back to the point I've been making for the past few years in here: there's only so much passes an offense throws in a game. Unlike a popular believe amongst the younger generation, the NFL is not Madden Football where you throw the ball 70 times per game and 3 receivers go for 150 yards every week. Even the most passing offenses ( which the 49ers O is far from being one ) might throw the ball in the upper 30's, lower 40's per game ( shootouts notwithstanding ) which is enough to involve your top 3, maybe 4 receivers at the most. And when I say " receivers ", I'm not necessarily talking about wide receivers either. It includes TEs, and RBs.

In their case, if they draft a WR, it will probably be in 2nd or 3rd round and it will be a speedy guy who can play the slot, but it's primeraly a P or KO returner.

First, Morgan, while promising, hasn't caught up to speed as quickly as the 9ers would like. He spent most of the year behind Bruce as the #3 receiver; even when giving opportunities, he failed to take the spot as his own. He moved up more due to Bruce's nagging injuries than to stellar play.

Second, SF was a running team because of the (lack of) QB play, not as a conscious choice. SF hasn't had anyone the could depend on throwing the ball, and while Smith finally made steps, they still are a bit iffy on him. Smith and Crabtree started to click in the second half; while they are not going to turn into the Indy O, they do see what threat two good WRs did for Arizona, and would like to develop the same.

Third, SF has two first round draft picks. The resources will be spent, whether the pick is traded or kept. There will not be a great difference in salary or cap room for a 1st and 3rd v. Austin.

Fourth, SF wants a kick returner, but not necessarily as a starting WR. They are trying to weasel Josh Cribbs out of Cleveland. If they succeed, then the necessary first for Austin would no longer exist. But Morgan was returning kicks for SF last year; they may weigh Cribbs returning v. Austin w/Morgan returning v. drafting a OL that won't immediately start.

I'm not saying it would happen, but I listen to SF sports radio alot. There was alot of buzz about acquiring Marshall from Denver. SF management squashed that, but because Marshall was a headache, not because he wouldn't upgrade the WR corps.

Nothing I heard indicates Morgan is untouchable or wouldn't be moved for an upgrade.

Everyone believes Arizona is due for a blah year with Leimert taking over at QB. SF is going to make moves to get the division title and perhaps additional home field playoff games. If they believe acquiring Austin would add 2 or 3 more wins outside of division . . .

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'd just franchise him unless we can get a long-term deal before the FA signing season starts. I don't want some team with a low-first rounder to try and steal Austin with a poison-pill contract knowing they only have to give up a first and a third for a young pro bowl WR who averages 100 yds/game and 1 TD/game in a starting role. By giving him the franchise tag, now other teams have to give up two first rounders and the math is much different and the incentive to go fooling around with "funny contracts" is much less.

I think it would be a good idea to let Austin play out the year for the $10M and then in the middle of the season try and work out a reasonable long-term deal for both sides based on his level of production during the year.

I can easily see Miles being a $9-10M/yr player. I really wouldn't have any major qualms with 5 years, $50M.

wasn't that practice banned?

personally, I show good faith and start working on a contract extension before I slap the franchise tag on Austin

 

[Eskimo]

wasn't that practice banned?

personally, I show good faith and start working on a contract extension before I slap the franchise tag on Austin

Yes, this is the best course of action but time is running short here. If it comes down to it I'd rather use the franchise tag and then negotiate a new contract rather than slap the 1st & 3rd tender because it works to both sides advantage in slightly different ways right now.

I think in the end we do a 5-year deal with Miles but I wouldn't risk someone swooping in to steal him for just a 1st and 3rd. I'd rather they pay two 1sts if they are going to outbid us. The concept is actually quite simple to grasp.

For Miles, the advantage is that he gets guaranteed $9-10M instead of $3M and change so he is better off being franchised then tendered from a monetary perspective as well.

 

[tomson75]

I think

That's debatable.

 

[Randy White]

First, Morgan, while promising, hasn't caught up to speed as quickly as the 9ers would like. He spent most of the year behind Bruce as the #3 receiver; even when giving opportunities, he failed to take the spot as his own. He moved up more due to Bruce's nagging injuries than to stellar play.

First: Wrong.

Morgan STARTED at the begining of the season while Crabtree was holding out and was the starter all the way through the Houston game. When Crabtree finally signed, he was switched to the slot receiver, leaving Bruce on the outside. That's when the 49ers went to more of a spread offense in order to accomodate Alex Smith's abilities when they passed the ball. As a slot receiver, Morgan still put up better stats than Bruce, who basically disappeared right after that move. He finished the year slow because Bruce was injured and he ( Morgan ) was then switched to that spot as a starter again, which, coincidently, is when Vernon Davis started going on his run..

Second, SF was a running team because of the (lack of) QB play, not as a conscious choice. SF hasn't had anyone the could depend on throwing the ball, and while Smith finally made steps, they still are a bit iffy on him. Smith and Crabtree started to click in the second half; while they are not going to turn into the Indy O, they do see what threat two good WRs did for Arizona, and would like to develop the same.

Second: SF will still remain a running team. The change that they made was WHEN they were going to pass the ball, instead of the conventional 2 or 3 receiver plus a TE at the line of scrimage with Smith lining up under the center offense, they'd stand up Davis and line him up as a receiver and put Alex Smith in the shot gun formation where he's more confortable reading defenses. What happened was that then Frank Gore started having problems running from the shotgun formation ( when they try to run the ball more from the spread ) so they used the spread on obvious passing downs and try to limit it on other downs. But they will remain a running team, which is what Mike Singletary wants them to be.

Third, SF has two first round draft picks. The resources will be spent, whether the pick is traded or kept. There will not be a great difference in salary or cap room for a 1st and 3rd v. Austin.

Third: The pick will be spent on a position that's a need: 1) Offensive line help, 2) Cornerback help, 3) Pass ruhing help. The cap room is not a factor IF they were interested in Austin ( which they wouldn't be ) because there's not going to be a cap. The wasted resources remark is targeted at spending the pick AND the money ( cap or no cap, teams still have budgets ) on a player that's not even a secondary need for them.

Fourth, SF wants a kick returner, but not necessarily as a starting WR.

Fourth: That was EXACTLY my point on why they would NOT be interested in Miles Austin.

I'm not saying it would happen, but I listen to SF sports radio alot. There was alot of buzz about acquiring Marshall from Denver. SF management squashed that, but because Marshall was a headache, not because he wouldn't upgrade the WR corps.

There's " a lot of buzz " about Brandon Marshall in just about every NFL city in this country, 99.9% of it coming from fans. Brandon Marshall would do the same thing that Miles Austin would: take away passes from Crabtree who, pretty much, established that he's the future on that team.

Nothing I heard indicates Morgan is untouchable or wouldn't be moved for an upgrade.

Nobody said he was " untouchable " or " wouldn't be moved ". What I said is that he's their starter going into next season as of right now.

IF/when SF address their receiving core it would be either through secondary FA or after the 1st, most likely even the 2nd, round of the draft. It is not a top priority for them, which means they would NOT go after Austin.

 

[Randy White]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

I'd just franchise him unless we can get a long-term deal before the FA signing season starts. I don't want some team with a low-first rounder to try and steal Austin with a poison-pill contract knowing they only have to give up a first and a third for a young pro bowl WR who averages 100 yds/game and 1 TD/game in a starting role.

If there's not going to be any salary cap, what possible " poison pill " contract can another team offer him ?

Part ownership of the team ? Dates with the owner's daughter(s) ?

 

[Hoofbite]

If there's not going to be any salary cap, what possible " poison pill " contract can another team offer him ?

Part ownership of the team ? Dates with the owner's daughter(s) ?

Just because there is no cap doesn't mean there isn't a limit to what a team would pay.

Some team could put a pill in there guaranteeing some crazy amount.

 

[Eskimo]

If there's not going to be any salary cap, what possible " poison pill " contract can another team offer him ?

Part ownership of the team ? Dates with the owner's daughter(s) ?

Who knows? Before the first poison pill deal no one expected such a maneuver. Seattle's mistake was putting the transition tag instead of the franchise tag on Hutchinson so they could save $1M/yr. Instead, they lost their best player and ended up with nothing when they couldn't match the terms of the contract.

 

[dogunwo]

Monster Heel is quite a backdoor digger. If you know what I mean.

:laugh2:

 

[DeaconBlues]

First: Wrong.

Morgan STARTED at the begining of the season while Crabtree was holding out and was the starter all the way through the Houston game.

Yes, he started, and promptly went to the bench when Crabtree signed. Morgan did such a great job that he trailed both a rookie that had not taken a single step in preseason, and WR that was being covered by linebackers. He was given the chance to shine, and did not. He only started once Bruce was unable to physically play.

Second: SF will still remain a running team.

Singletary has stated in several post season interviews that he wants to rely on the running game in the fourth quarter. He brought in a new OL coach to teach better pass blocking techniques. He is also installing new shotgun formations, both to pass and to run out of.

Third: The pick will be spent on a position that's a need: 1) Offensive line help, 2) Cornerback help, 3) Pass ruhing help. The cap room is not a factor IF they were interested in Austin ( which they wouldn't be ) because there's not going to be a cap. The wasted resources remark is targeted at spending the pick AND the money ( cap or no cap, teams still have budgets ) on a player that's not even a secondary need for them.

Please remember that SF has two first round picks. If they were interested in Austin, they still have a first and second round pick to meet their "needs."

Regarding resources: either the resources remark is for the cap, which likely won’t exist for 2010, and makes your concerns meaningless, or your remark referred to the $$ for the position. Repeat - Austin would likely cost less than a 1 round and 3rd round combination; again rendering your concerns meaningless.

SF wants to imitate Arizona’s blueprint. That requires two excellent WRs. As of this moment, they do not have that.

Fourth: That was EXACTLY my point on why they would NOT be interested in Miles Austin.

There's " a lot of buzz " about Brandon Marshall in just about every NFL city in this country, 99.9% of it coming from fans. Brandon Marshall would do the same thing that Miles Austin would: take away passes from Crabtree who, pretty much, established that he's the future on that team.

This buzz came from Singletary and the SF GM, regarding upgrading the offense. Both have mentioned admiring and being troubled by the need to cover Arizona’s dual WR threat, when both were healthy. What was denied was specific interest in Marshall, due to his character issues. What has not been denied is interest in either developing or acquiring a strong #2 WR. Morgan may still develop, but has not as of yet.

Nobody said he was " untochable " or " wouldn't be moved ". What I said is that he's their starter going into next season as of right now.

Then you state the obvious. My point is they may not want to remain with the obvious.

I believe you underestimate the thinking of SF. Maybe Singletary is blowing smoke. Maybe the GM isn't serious when he state he wants to upgrade the passing offense. But the hiring of the new OL coach indicates change is coming.

SF has a window now. Seattle is bad. St. Louis is bad. Arizona is in flux. SF can win now.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Get er' done Jerra!

 

[Randy White]

Yes, he started, and promptly went to the bench when Crabtree signed.

Which made your statement about him being behind Bruce all year, wrong.

Morgan did such a great job that he trailed both a rookie that had not taken a single step in preseason, and WR that was being covered by linebackers. He was given the chance to shine, and did not. He only started once Bruce was unable to physically play.

Wrong, AGAIN.

He started WITH Bruce until Crabtree signed. He was moved to the slot, where he put up BETTER stats that Bruce did. Bruce got hurt, he was inserted back to the starting line up and ended up the starter for the remainder of the year. He became the 3rd option, once Crabtree signed, behind Crab and Davis. Nobody said he did a great job but he did a good enough job to remain a starter and for the 49ers NOT to have a WR as top priority.

Singletary has stated in several post season interviews that he wants to rely on the running game in the fourth quarter. He brought in a new OL coach to teach better pass blocking techniques. He is also installing new shotgun formations, both to pass and to run out of.

Mike Solari is no " O-line passing " guru. He made his career in KC, where the offense was primarely a running offense:

Following his initial stint with the 49ers, Solari spent nine seasons as offensive line coach for Kansas City (1997-2005), three of which came under current 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye (1998-2000), who held the same position for the Chiefs at the time. With Solari directing the Kansas City offensive line, the team averaged 126.8 rushing yards per game, ranking fourth in the NFL during that time span.

The Daly City, CA, native was promoted by the Chiefs to offensive coordinator in 2006. During his 11-year tenure in Kansas City, the team finished in the top 10 in rushing on seven occasions, in the top five four times, and ranked 6th in the NFL in total offense (359.2 yards per game) over that span. Solari was one of just six assistant coaches in team history to record more than a decade of service with the franchise.

Solari’s line produced a trio of Pro Bowl offensive linemen in 2004 and 2005, in guards Will Shields and Brian Waters, as well as tackle Willie Roaf. Kansas City became the first club to accomplish that feat since Dallas from 1993-96. Thanks in part to his strong line, the Chiefs offense led the league in total offense in 2004 (franchise-record 418.4 ypg) and 2005 (387.0 ypg).

Singlatery also stated that they WILL remain a running offense first because he wants a " physical football team that can smash you in the mouth. " He's made NO promises to Alex Smith about becoming the long term starter, which is what's led to speculations about them " possibly " drafting a QB with one of the 1st round pick they have.

Please remember that SF has two first round picks. If they were interested in Austin, they still have a first and second round pick to meet their "needs."

Please remember that SF other areas where their need is more pressing than WR. O-line, pass rushing, and CB, are their top needs. They will NOT spend one of those 1st rounders, plus the contract that it would take, on a WR like Miles.

Regarding resources: either the resources remark is for the cap, which likely won’t exist for 2010, and makes your concerns meaningless, or your remark referred to the $$ for the position. Repeat - Austin would likely cost less than a 1 round and 3rd round combination; again rendering your concerns meaningless.

That's completely and utterly REDICULOUS..

To begin with, IF the 49ers sign Miles, they'd have to give up their own #1 pick, which is the 13th pick of the draft. That pick, last year, signed for:

Five-year, $20 million deal, including $12.1 million guaranteed.

The 3rd round pick in the same order was ( Kevin Barnes ) and he signed for:

four-year, $2.533 million contract, $800K bonus.

Miles Austin signing bonus/guranteed money ALONE could be 20 million dollars.

SF wants to imitate Arizona’s blueprint. That requires two excellent WRs. As of this moment, they do not have that.

" immitate AZ " ??? ppplluuuassseee.. AZ is a passing offense who barely ran the ball. If they wanted to " immitate AZ " they would have rehired Martz.

The rest of your post is a merry-go-round, repeating the same thing, over and over again.

The bottom line is that the 49ers aren't going to change much of their offense for next year. On passing downs they'll go to the spread, on running downs they'll use conventional. Singlatery set out a plan for how he wants his team to look like, and that doesn't include a passing heavy offense, which is what it would take for them to make such a huge investment on a WR like Austin.

 

[Randy White]

Just because there is no cap doesn't mean there isn't a limit to what a team would pay. Some team could put a pill in there guaranteeing some crazy amount.

Sure, that IS possible. Is it " probable " ? Incredibly highly doubtful. If anything, most teams are going to be in a cutting cost mode and it would take a " really crazy " amount to outbid Jerrah.

Looking at the list of possible destinations, NY Jets would be the best financially positioned team to make him an offer that make Jerrah raise an eye brow, but why would they ? They don't need to go that crazy when there are other fish in the sea, begining with a big one down in AZ.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I'd take the Raiders' 1st and 3rd for Austin in a heartbeat.

Hello, Dez Bryant.

Don't think it would happen, though.

 

[Eskimo]

I'd take the Raiders' 1st and 3rd for Austin in a heartbeat.

Hello, Dez Bryant.

Don't think it would happen, though.

So you would trade Miles Austin for Dez Braynt + 3rd round pick?

We have a football team ready to win right now. Even if Bryant ends up being as good as Miles (very unlikely, btw), that is probably 3 years away minimum.

I'd listen for two highish first rounders but I wouldn't consider moving Miles for a 1st and 3rd when we are a team on the verge of a SB and he is our most potent offensive skill player on a team that has trouble scoring points.

The only way I'd consider trading Miles if RW went back in a time machine and became RW circa 2006 again.

 

[Hoofbite]

Sure, that IS possible. Is it " probable " ? Incredibly highly doubtful. If anything, most teams are going to be in a cutting cost mode and it would take a " really crazy " amount to outbid Jerrah.

Looking at the list of possible destinations, NY Jets would be the best financially positioned team to make him an offer that make Jerrah raise an eye brow, but why would they ? They don't need to go that crazy when there are other fish in the sea, begining with a big one down in AZ.

The whole point of a poison pill is to basically screw the other guy into paying an amount that no one would pay or watch his guy go.

If some team gave him one of those inflated contracts that nobody ever finishes and then put a poison pill into it, they don't have to pay nearly as much as Jerry would.

Look at Haynesworth's deal. Its over 100 million but the contract will never finish out. If someone was given that deal with a poison pill that would guarantee all of it, who would pay it?

At least thats how I understand them. I'm sure Adam has more info on it.