SACBEE: 49ers, Bryant hope for deal...(signs 4-yr 15m deal)

[WoodysGirl]

The free agent from Cleveland could help a thin receiving corps.

By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
http://www.sacbee.com/content/print_edition/#SPORTS

SANTA CLARA - The 49ers' top offensive coaches met for several hours Sunday with free-agent receiver Antonio Bryant, who left optimistic the two sides would agree to a deal.
"It's looking up, and everything seems to be heading in the right direction," said Bryant, who is coming off his best season, a 1,009-yard receiving effort in Cleveland.

After saying goodbye to Brandon Lloyd and Johnnie Morton in recent weeks, the 49ers suddenly are thin at receiver. Two of their free-agent targets, Antwaan Randle El and Joe Jurevicius, signed elsewhere, while another possible addition, David Givens, is being courted heavily by other teams.

Givens' agent, Bradley Blank, said Sunday that the 49ers inquired about Givens at the beginning of free agency but hadn't called back since. Givens was in Houston on Sunday. Barring a deal with the Texans, he planned to interview with San Diego and Tennessee, Blank said.

Nattily dressed in a dark blue suit, Bryant said he met with coach Mike Nolan, offensive coordinator Norv Turner and receivers coach Jerry Sullivan before leaving to get an MRI.

Bryant, 25, is immensely talented and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver when he was a sophomore at Pitt in 2000. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round in 2002. He caught 44 passes, averaged 16.7 yards a reception and scored six touchdowns as a rookie.

But he also has been plagued by questions about his maturity. He was suspended twice at Pitt, then famously drew the wrath of the Cowboys' Bill Parcells when he threw a sweaty towel in the coach's face in 2004. He was traded to the Browns two months after the incident.

Bryant said he tried to assure 49ers coaches the attitude issues were behind him.

"I want to show them that I can set an example for the other receivers if I do come here," he said.

Link

 

[CrazyCowboy]

If I am the 49ers ........with Bryant only 25......I am signing this WR and team with Smith

 

[Jarv]

"I want to show them that I can set an example for the other receivers if I do come here," he said.

Link

After TO Bryant might actually look good there

 

[TheHustler]

Fantastic talent. Have to wonder though, fresh off a 1,000 yard season, the Browns don't bother re-signing.....

 

[speedkilz88]

TO, Lloyd, Bryant; the 49ers are batting 1000 for Wrs with "tude". I do think Norv may be the best thing for Bryant though. With their lack of weapons, Norv should feed him all he wants like Irvin got.

 

[AtlCB]

Do the 49ers ever learn? They go from T.O. to Lloyd to Bryant. I guess they just have to have a major head case at WR.

 

[Alexander]

"I want to show them that I can set an example for the other receivers if I do come here," he said.

Link

I have to say Antonio is quite a role model.

 

[Rush 2112]

Savage took a not so subtle shot at Bryant on the way out the door.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I have to say Antonio is quite a role model.

He's my idol.

 

[AbeBeta]

Every year Bryant says the attitude issues are behind him. Every damn year.

Anyone wonder why such a talented guy is off to his 3rd team?

 

[Alexander]

Savage took a not so subtle shot at Bryant on the way out the door.

What did he say? I must have missed that.

 

[WoodysGirl]

What did he say? I must have missed that.

Something about needing more leadership or something along those lines in the lockerroom. I'd have to find it, but it was basically about adding some maturity to his WR corp.

I also read a scout report about how if they want Braylon Edwards to be in anything then they need to get him away from AB. Add that to the "The Soldier" mix and the Jurevicious signing looks like a masterful move...

 

[aznhalf]

What did he say? I must have missed that.

He said he wanted to bring a more professional attitude to the position.

 

[Alexander]

Something about needing more leadership or something along those lines in the lockerroom. I'd have to find it, but it was basically about adding some maturity to his WR corp.

I also read a scout report about how if they want Braylon Edwards to be in anything then they need to get him away from AB. Add that to the "The Soldier" mix and the Jurevicious signing looks like a masterful move...

He said he wanted to bring a more professional attitude to the position.

Many thanks for the update.

 

[Rush 2112]

BEREA - Letting Antonio Bryant go is a little odd. But not that odd.

Receiving seasons such as Bryant’s 1,009-yarder happen once in a Browns blue moon.

The franchise was in its 19th NFL season when Paul Warfield became its first 1,000-yard wide receiver, in 1968. It didn’t happen again for 21 years; Webster Slaughter racked up 1,236 yards in 1989. Then there was a 12-year gap before Kevin Johnson had a 1,097-yard 2001.

Bryant became the fourth in Cleveland’s NFL era with a 1,000-yard receiving year. Yet, with Joe Jurevicius, Reggie Wayne, Keenan McCardell, David Givens, Antwaan Randle El and others headed for free agency, Browns General Manager Phil Savage has invited Bryant to test the market.

“Maybe Antonio doesn’t want to, but he certainly has that opportunity,” Savage said. “We feel like we want to explore some opportunities as well.

“If they don’t exist, we would certainly consider bringing Antonio back.”

Bryant, who will turn 25 next month, has good size and athleticism, runs precise routes, and is a fiery competitor. On the flip side, he dropped too many key passes, and seemed to lose focus when not involved early in game plans.

If Bryant comes back, he must adjust to an offense whose vision is a big two of tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and Braylon Edwards, expected back from knee surgeries by October.

“Our No. 1 goal on offense is to get K2 and Braylon out there healthy,” Savage said.

Edwards turned 23 on Tuesday. Winslow won’t be 23 until July 21.

“I do think we need a veteran receiver,” Savage said. “At the same time, there’s no guarantee we’ll be able to get one.”

Savage wants to “bring a more professional demeanor and professional quality into that room,” meaning the room where the wideouts meet.
Jurevicius, 31, caught 10 touchdown passes for Seattle in 2005. Bryant led the Browns with four TD catches.

The 6-foot-5 Jurevicius is a former Mentor Lake Catholic star who grew up in a family of staunch Browns fans.

McCardell is coming off a 70-catch, 917-yard year with the Chargers. He’s old enough to have played for Bill Belichick’s Browns in 1995 (56 catches, 709 yards). He turned 36 last month and would like to build on his 10,680 career yards.

Another available veteran is Ricky Proehl, who will turn 38 next month but has good speed. He averaged 17.6 yards on 25 catches with Carolina in 2005.

A younger free agent receiver under consideration is David Givens, who has spent four years with the Patriots, three when Romeo Crennel was defensive coordinator.

In New England’s most recent Super Bowl season, Givens averaged 15.6 yards on 56 catches. He had 59 catches in 2005.

NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan rates another young receiver, Super Bowl XL standout Antwaan Randle El, as the second-best player headed for free agency. Signing the versatile Randle El could weaken the Steelers and help the Browns.

Savage is in Indianapolis to scout draft prospects at the Combine. The receiver crop appears to be weak. There is no chance Savage will spend a first-round pick on a wideout, and little chance he will take a shot in Round 2.

“A lot of times, your second-round (receivers) were marginal first-round picks,” Savage said. “They were in the second round for a reason.

“Either they run real fast and can’t catch, or they can catch, but run slow. Or there was some medical issue or character issue.”
Three former Browns second-round picks will be on the free-agent market next week: Kevin Johnson (17 catches for 160 yards with the Lions in 2005), Quincy Morgan (nine, 150 with the Steelers) and André Davis (nine, 190 with the Patriots).

Meanwhile, the Browns want to reduce running back Reuben Droughns’ workload and get big plays out of a third-down back, possibly Lee Suggs. Only nine backs had more than Droughns’ 309 carries in 2005.

“Any kind of change-up to Reuben ... would help,” Savage said.

There’s a good chance the Browns will draft a blocker in Round 1 or Round 2.

“Looking at offensive linemen in a general sense,” Savage said, “I’d love to draft someone of significance.”

In the last seven drafts, the only blockers drafted by Cleveland on the first day were centers Jeff Faine (Round 1, 2003) and Melvin Fowler (Round 3, 2002).

Offensive line prospects Savage will monitor at the Combine include USC tackle Winston Justice, Georgia guard Max Jean-Gilles, Miami (Fla.) tackle Eric Winston, Oklahoma guard Davin Joseph, Auburn tackle Marcus McNeill, Cal tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, Ohio State guard Rob Sims and USC guard Lutui Taitusi.

 

[DeepBleu]

whatever happened to quincy morgan, the guy we traded bryant for?

 

[Rush 2112]

He's getting fitted for his SB ring.

 

[WoodysGirl]

49ers | Bryant lands four-year deal
Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:54:46 -0800

ESPNews reports the San Francisco 49ers have signed free agent WR Antonio Bryant (Browns) to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.


49ers | Contract update: A. Bryant
Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:59:57 -0800

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports San Francisco 49ers WR Antonio Bryant agreed to a four-year, $15 million deal with the 49ers that included a signing bonus in excess of $5 million.

 

[JakeCamp12]

I wish AB luck, I hope he matures and plays well. I just wished it had been here. Would have been nice to see AB, Crayton and Witten play together.

 

[gbrittain]

Very interesting 49ers replaced Lloyd with Antonio Bryant.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2366769