:::[Official] San Francisco 49ers 2024 Season Thread [1-1 @Rams 9/22 1:25PST]:::

[red81]

Jed balling out for UDFAs. A lot of the players we signed are amongst the highest paid UDFAs with KD Cannon as the priciest UDFA. There were likely a lot of teams interested in him.

jed wasn't lying when he said he'd give lynch and shanny every resource they needed. dude is sparing no expense. 

[h1]Undrafted ex-Nature Coast Tech RB Matt Breida gets free agent deal with 49ers  [/h1]
Thirteen hours into the biggest event of his life, Matt Breida began to accept what seemed inevitable.

He probably wasn't going to be drafted into the NFL. The former star running back at Brooksville's Nature Coast Tech High wasn't going to see his name on ESPN. The NFL Network wasn't going to play his highlights from Georgia Southern.

Breida had braced himself for this, and he didn't have time to dwell on it. The NFL was about to begin the free agent flurry that follows the draft. All 32 teams would rush to sign undrafted players and give them a chance to earn a spot on their roster. Seventeen had expressed interest in him.

"It was just a matter of what team," Breida said.

All it took to figure that out was 17 phone calls, a string of text messages and a long talk with his fiancee, all crammed into two hectic hours Saturday evening that would decide the future he has been working for his whole life.

Day 3 confidence

"Feeling good," Breida said as the third day of the draft began at noon Saturday.

The Jets had been calling four or five times a day. The Bears and Cowboys were interested, too.

Breida plopped down in the middle of the couch in front of the TV and propped his phone on the coffee table. For the next five hours, he hardly moved.

He clutched the hand of his fiancee, Silvana Paonessa. Her mother, Angela; father, Frank, and two siblings drifted in and out of their living room.

Two and a half hours in, San Francisco's running backs coach called. The 49ers hadn't seemed interested until Friday, when they grilled Breida about everything from his birth date to his injury history.

The Paonessas moved to the edge of the couch, and Frank whipped out his cellphone to catch the moment on video, just in case he was getting drafted.

He wasn't.

San Francisco just wanted more information about his production at Georgia Southern, how a back who ranked in the top five nationally in yards per carry in 2014 and 2015 rushed for only 646 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.

Breida didn't hide from the numbers or make up excuses. The 49ers appreciated that.

"Hopefully," they said, "we'll be calling you back in a little bit."

'I'm your man, Coach'

Eight minutes later, the Ravens texted him.

They had only one pick left, in the sixth round. If they didn't use it on him, they wanted him as a free agent.

"I don't know what to say," Breida said to the room. "What should I say?"

Angela answered: "I'm your man!"

"Hell, yeah!" Breida replied.

Breida texted back: "I'm your man, Coach. I'll get the job done."

The draft ticker rolled on until it was Baltimore's turn. The Ravens drafted Chuck Clark, a defensive back from Virginia Tech.

The wait continued.

Calls keep coming

The picks kept coming, and Breida's phone kept ringing. He nervously shoved chips in his mouth as he spoke.

A New York City number popped up. It was the 49ers. He paused that call to take another, from an Atlanta number. It was someone else from the 49ers.

"Are you guys not sitting in the same room?" Breida asked.

When Breida's agent called, Silvana had to call him back from her phone with an update.

Midway through the sixth round, San Francisco called again. Over 13 minutes — the longest call of the day — the 49ers made their pitch.

They told Breida about the two-back system the coaching staff previously used in Atlanta with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Even though they drafted Utah's Joe Williams in the fourth round, he's a bigger back. They needed a speedy one. They needed Breida. If another team offered a better signing bonus, they'd match it.

"I'm right there with you," Breida said. "I just want to go play."

But the draft wasn't over. The Ravens and Titans were still interested, too.

Information exchange

As the final picks came in, Breida went to the back patio and fielded a dozen more calls over an hour. His future father-in-law fired up the grill.

"Money is secondary to me," Breida told Baltimore. "What's the best situation for me long term?"

Breida and Silvana went back inside to talk privately. Fourteen minutes later — and 31 minutes after the final pick — they emerged with the answer.

"So I'm a 49er," Breida told his future in-laws. "I'm speechless."

He was beaming. He was relieved. He was in the NFL.

In 48 hours, San Francisco went from off his radar to his ultimate destination. He appreciated how six team officials called him Saturday. The 49ers offered a $30,000 signing bonus, the best chance to make the final roster (and earn the rookie minimum $465,000) and a familiar face. Breida grew up watching running back DuJuan Harris star at Central High. Now they'll be teammates, potentially fighting for the same roster spot.

As Breida and the Paonessas called friends and family, the uncertainty of the draft turned into the uncertainty of what comes next.

They didn't know when Breida would leave for San Francisco or how long he would stay once he got there. Silvana skimmed the 49ers' schedule online and noticed that they don't play anywhere close to Florida this year. Not all of his family members fly; how will they watch him play? No one mentioned the fear: What if he didn't make the team?

But those worries could wait. Saturday was about celebrating.

The six of them gathered around the table. Someone popped the champagne. And as the sun began to set, they toasted — not to the future, but to the moment.

"I'm happy," Breida said. "We made it."

 

[moe200069]

i think all the empty seats at Levi's is motivating Jed this off season. even though he was still making profit hand over fist from ad revenue, you gotta figure this dude has too much ego to be associated with a product that was as embarrassing as the niners the last two seasons.

Such a good article. Its cool to get an insight of what the front office was thinking.

i'm glad the age of thinking has returned to the 49ers'

just yesterday this organization was in a perpetual state of being mouthbreathers

*cue all the jim tomsula gifs*

 

[red81]

for the first time in a long time, we feel like a functional football organization, and it feels damn good.

it's been a long, arduous road, but there's light on the horizon, my niner brethren. our numbers have twindled, but the few of us that stood our ground never wavered, our fandom never weakened. we're like spartans in this *****.

 

[Fozz]

I'm hoping some of the draft picks and UDFA's make an impact on this roster and produce this season. 

 

[red81]

the WR camp battles are going to be interesting. 

 garcon is the only lock. trent taylor coming for kerley's spot. 

 
4. K.D. Cannon, WR, San Francisco 49ers

He’s heralded for his deep speed but after watching Cannon on tape, the thing that really stood out to me was how fast he gets on top of corners off the snap. His speed isn’t build-up, as Cannon is able to access his burst immediately, forcing corners to open  up and creating separation on comebacks and curls. His route-running needs a lot of work and development, but there is typically a premium placed on vertical ability like Cannon’s.

After Pierre Garcon, every receiver spot in San Francisco is up for grabs. There’s a glut of average talent behind the veteran receiver, and if Cannon can prove himself in camp, he might even go from undrafted free agent to wearing a hat on game days.

 
1. Cole Hikutini, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Two factors contribute to Hikutini making this list. First, he was an early fourth round grade on my board, and he fell due to a recent knee injury that left him unable to impress scouts at his workout, which was just a week after he started running again.

NFL teams didn’t think the uncertainty was worth a flier, so Hikutini is an undrafted free agent. But Hikutini impresses on tape, showing clean routes and enough speed to threaten the seams of a defense. He’s not an overwhelmingly powerful blocker but he is effective and run behind heavily at Louisville. Hikutini’s ability to play in-line, as a wing or flex will add to his value, as he battles for a spot amidst a crowded but unimpressive group behind Vance McDonald.

Garrett Celek and Blake Bell will be his top competitors, as fellow rookie George Kittle is likely a lock to make the final roster after being a fifth-round pick.

 

[bentrill]

Theres some serious speed at the WR position. Cant wait to see how kyle utilizes them

 

[red81]

I saw this poll on twitter....

[h1]BRYANT YOUNG or JUSTIN SMITH????[/h1]

 

[22stylez]

For the years he put in Ima have to go with Bryant Young

 

[bentrill]

Yea, tough one can go with either but Bryant was drafted and all he knew was the niners over his career. So just because he spent more time with the niners i would go with Bryant but cant go wrong with picking either.

 

[red81]

peace out

 The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed center Tim Barnes and offensive lineman Brandon Fusco to one-year deals and have released the following 13 players:[table][tr][td]
Name
[/td][td]
Position
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Alex Balducci
[/td][td]
OL
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Marcus Ball
[/td][td]
S
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Carl Bradford
[/td][td]
LB
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Jayson DiManche
[/td][td]
LB
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Je’Ron Hamm
[/td][td]
TE
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Chris Harper
[/td][td]
WR
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Wynton McManis
[/td][td]
LB
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Brock Miller
[/td][td]
P
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Zach Moore
[/td][td]
DL
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Mike Purcell
[/td][td]
NT
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Eric Rogers
[/td][td]
WR
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
JaCorey Shepherd
[/td][td]
CB
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
Shayne Skov
[/td][td]
LB
[/td][/tr][/table]

 

[Fozz]

Eric Rogers was cut. Bummer. I thought he was going to get a chance.

Honestly surprised Ellington is still on the team

 

[red81]

Honestly surprised Ellington is still on the team

not for long.

 

[Fozz]

 
not for long.

 

[Deleted member 185039]

i think all the empty seats at Levi's is motivating Jed this off season. even though he was still making profit hand over fist from ad revenue, you gotta figure this dude has too much ego to be associated with a product that was as embarrassing as the niners the last two seasons.
i'm glad the age of thinking has returned to the 49ers'

just yesterday this organization was in a perpetual state of being mouthbreathers

*cue all the jim tomsula gifs*

You have to understand that the 49ers went through a unique cycle that coincided a bit within the region as well.

2007-2013 was interesting, but 2014 was very much a turning point in the boom cycle where we started seeing some busts happening on the field and off the field. Appreciate those years for what they were (I do) and see that they resulted in what we see today; a new identity.  

Lynch and Kyle can, should, and will clean house and anyone from the previous regime(s) who has value will stay and the rest who don't, well, is history. 

 

[townbidness]

Everyone can kick rocks for all i care, Bow being the only exception

 

[moe200069]

[thread="580987"]Quote:[/thread]

i think all the empty seats at Levi's is motivating Jed this off season. even though he was still making profit hand over fist from ad revenue, you gotta figure this dude has too much ego to be associated with a product that was as embarrassing as the niners the last two seasons.

i'm glad the age of thinking has returned to the 49ers'


just yesterday this organization was in a perpetual state of being mouthbreathers


*cue all the jim tomsula gifs*

You have to understand that the 49ers went through a unique cycle that coincided a bit within the region as well.
2007-2013 was interesting, but 2014 was very much a turning point in the boom cycle where we started seeing some busts happening on the field and off the field. Appreciate those years for what they were (I do) and see that they resulted in what we see today; a new identity.  


Lynch and Kyle can, should, and will clean house and anyone from the previous regime(s) who has value will stay and the rest who don't, well, is history. 

the niners recent boom years happened to coincide with Harbaugh's (and Fangio) tenure here. it's incredible how quickly and sharply this team declined immediately after Jed fired him...Jed and this organization had to reap what it sowed and now it's righting its wrongs

I saw this poll on twitter....

[h1]BRYANT YOUNG or JUSTIN SMITH????[/h1]

B.Y. damn near gave up his leg for this team. rollin with him

 

[heatseeker23]

Pretty glad Balducci, Purcell, & Skov are gone they were pretty bad anyway. Skov looked ok in preseason but that was it! 

Je'Ronn Ham I guess I hoped would turn into something given the bad luck we've had at TE lately (VD decline and traded, Vance Stone Hands, Celek & Beldozer never really pan out, Bruce Miller arrested before he even get a chance) 

Rest are basically scrubs Rogers had his chance *cue Swizz Beatz* "on to the next one" 

 

[bentrill]

I have no idea who some of those players are. Didnt even know they were on the team.

 

[thasoleful1]

DiManche was signed in April and they cut him just like that

 

[lightweight champion]

I'm a huge BY fan but I have to go with Cowboy by a slight margin. Unstoppable unless double teamed, and even then that's not a guarantee. Relentless motor that, on many occasions, were momentum turning plays. It's a shame he never won DPOY.

 

[red81]

 

 

[tsamshox]

Justin Smith's minuscule shoulder pads are appreciated

 

[red81]

 

[22stylez]

Justin Smith's minuscule shoulder pads are appreciated

Michael Bennett too. Dude plays with what looks like ZERO pads

 

[jonwin]

 

Man, P-Willy being sorely missed has been in my conscious but have shamefully forgotten or have understated how great Cowboy was for us as well.

That bad mutha defense we were rolling out not too long ago