Head scratcher: 49ers lose Lloyd for two draft picks
By Bryan Hersh
03/12/06
One thing is for certain this offseason. The San Francisco 49ers will have a gaping hole at wide receiver to address. On Saturday night the Washington Redskins acquired the team’s top wide receiver, Brandon Lloyd, a player who is known for acrobatic catches and flashy style of play. Lloyd was tendered as a first round restricted free agent for the 49ers, but inexplicably, the team only received the Redskins third round pick this year and fourth round pick next year. The compensation appealed to 49ers head coach Mike Nolan but many are wondering if the franchise received enough for this talented young player.
Although Lloyd was a starter for the 49ers, and a king of the highlight reel, his time with the team was not exactly pleasant. Locker room rumors iterated that Lloyd was a distraction and not a team player. He had also shown inconsistency when on the field. Nevertheless, Lloyd was one San Francisco’s top receiver and was scheduled to return as a starter to a club whose receiving core has no other clear threats to the opposition.
Earlier this off-season the 49ers re-signed receiver Arnaz Battle. Battle is an extremely athletic player but has yet to show that he has the durability or big play ability to be the team’s true number one guy. That means the 49ers will be looking hard at the other available free agent receivers and possibly the draft to fill out a position that in the past three years has lost Terrell Owens, Cedrick Wilson, and now Brandon Lloyd – all three of which were starters for the club. Aside from Battle, the team’s notable receivers include Derek Hamilton who has spent most of his career injured or on the bench, but did impress the coaches during preseason last year, and Rashaun Woods, a former first round pick who has seen very little action due to injury and overall ineffectiveness.
It is believed that the San Francisco 49ers will pursue Antonio Bryant of Cleveland, Antwaan Randle-El of Pittsburgh, and possibly New England receiver David Givens. Other names being tossed around include Eric Moulds of Buffalo and Javon Walker of the Packers. Each of these receivers could probably equal Lloyd’s past production, but the question is whether the 49ers will be missing out on the potential Lloyd has to become a great player.
REDSKINS ALSO INTERESTED IN CARTER
The Washington Redskins are also heavily recruiting 49ers linebacker and defensive end Andre Carter. Carter had his most productive season with the 49ers last year and is an unrestricted free agent. The Redskins would like him to fill the hole left by LaVar Arrington. In addition, Carter’s father Rubin is a former coach for Washington. The 49ers have had a tough year at linebacker with many free agents, but have been able to hold onto Brandon Moore, Jeff Ulbrich, and Derek Smith. Julian Peterson is the other big name free agent from the club, but he is still on the market.
49ERS SIGN NEDNEY
The 49ers signed their co-MVP of last season Kicker Joe Nedney to a long term deal on Saturday. Nedney brought stability to the 49ers place kicker position for the first time in many years this past season. As a former journeyman free agent and native of California Nedney was eager to re-up with the club rather than trying to pursue a deal elsewhere and test the market in free agency. The fans and the club are certainly appreciative of his and Derek Smith’s (who acted similarly last week) attitude towards rebuilding a successful team in San Francisco.
03/12/06
One thing is for certain this offseason. The San Francisco 49ers will have a gaping hole at wide receiver to address. On Saturday night the Washington Redskins acquired the team’s top wide receiver, Brandon Lloyd, a player who is known for acrobatic catches and flashy style of play. Lloyd was tendered as a first round restricted free agent for the 49ers, but inexplicably, the team only received the Redskins third round pick this year and fourth round pick next year. The compensation appealed to 49ers head coach Mike Nolan but many are wondering if the franchise received enough for this talented young player.
Although Lloyd was a starter for the 49ers, and a king of the highlight reel, his time with the team was not exactly pleasant. Locker room rumors iterated that Lloyd was a distraction and not a team player. He had also shown inconsistency when on the field. Nevertheless, Lloyd was one San Francisco’s top receiver and was scheduled to return as a starter to a club whose receiving core has no other clear threats to the opposition.
Earlier this off-season the 49ers re-signed receiver Arnaz Battle. Battle is an extremely athletic player but has yet to show that he has the durability or big play ability to be the team’s true number one guy. That means the 49ers will be looking hard at the other available free agent receivers and possibly the draft to fill out a position that in the past three years has lost Terrell Owens, Cedrick Wilson, and now Brandon Lloyd – all three of which were starters for the club. Aside from Battle, the team’s notable receivers include Derek Hamilton who has spent most of his career injured or on the bench, but did impress the coaches during preseason last year, and Rashaun Woods, a former first round pick who has seen very little action due to injury and overall ineffectiveness.
It is believed that the San Francisco 49ers will pursue Antonio Bryant of Cleveland, Antwaan Randle-El of Pittsburgh, and possibly New England receiver David Givens. Other names being tossed around include Eric Moulds of Buffalo and Javon Walker of the Packers. Each of these receivers could probably equal Lloyd’s past production, but the question is whether the 49ers will be missing out on the potential Lloyd has to become a great player.
REDSKINS ALSO INTERESTED IN CARTER
The Washington Redskins are also heavily recruiting 49ers linebacker and defensive end Andre Carter. Carter had his most productive season with the 49ers last year and is an unrestricted free agent. The Redskins would like him to fill the hole left by LaVar Arrington. In addition, Carter’s father Rubin is a former coach for Washington. The 49ers have had a tough year at linebacker with many free agents, but have been able to hold onto Brandon Moore, Jeff Ulbrich, and Derek Smith. Julian Peterson is the other big name free agent from the club, but he is still on the market.
49ERS SIGN NEDNEY
The 49ers signed their co-MVP of last season Kicker Joe Nedney to a long term deal on Saturday. Nedney brought stability to the 49ers place kicker position for the first time in many years this past season. As a former journeyman free agent and native of California Nedney was eager to re-up with the club rather than trying to pursue a deal elsewhere and test the market in free agency. The fans and the club are certainly appreciative of his and Derek Smith’s (who acted similarly last week) attitude towards rebuilding a successful team in San Francisco.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:45 AM
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