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49ers Sign Draft Pick Antony Dixon

Eric Melendez — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:51:32 +0000

Running back Anthony Dixon who was drafted out of Mississippi State signed a four-year deal with the 49ers. Dixon was drafted in the sixth-round at pick number 173 of this year’s draft. At 6-1, 235 pounds Dixon was one of the top power running backs available in the 2010 draft even though he slipped down to the sixth-round. He is expected to challenge current backup running back Glen Coffee who did not have an impressive year last season even when he started in replace of an injured Frank Gore. I envision Dixon being the short-yardage and goal-line running back as he beats defenders by running over them rather than making them miss. He does not have much speed as he posted 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine this year.

Other than his power running and size Dixon also has experience. He started 40 of his 48 college games while at Mississippi State averaging 998.5 rushing yards per year. In his senior year he set the Bulldog’s single-season rushing record with 1,391 yards which ranked second in the SEC last season.

Getting Dixon signed this early in the off-season is a positive for him as he can enter training camp without missing any time because of not signing a contract. He is the third of eight draft picks to be signed by the 49ers. Others include seventh-round draft choice CB Phillip Adams and sixth-round draft choice WR Kyle Williams who both signed a four-year deal.

NFC West Power Structure

Eric Melendez — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:46:42 +0000

The San Francisco 49ers had a good draft filling holes that upgraded the offense and defense. But what about the rest of the NFC West? Did any team do anything for this upcoming season to change the dynamics of the power structure in the division? Let’s take a team by team look:

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have reined atop of the NFC West the last two years however that was with Kurt Warner under center. With Warner retired and Matt Leinart now the starting quarterback the offensive side of the football has been downgraded. Throw-in the trade of WR Anquan Boldin the Cardinals do not look as strong as recent years. With their first pick in the draft the Cardinals went with defensive lineman Dan Williams who will be a great D-lineman and most likely torment the Niners for years. Even with the pick the Cardinals lost DB Antrel Rolle and LB Karlos Dansby to free agency which weakened the D but made up for it somewhat by trading for DB Kerry Rhodes. Overall the Cardinals did not do enough to make up for the lost of some key players and with Leinart unproven and entering his first season as the full-time starter the Cardinals are not the favorites going into the season.

Seattle Seahawks

New head coach Pete Carroll had a great first-round in the NFL draft. They did have the sixth and fourteenth picks in the draft so you really can’t go wrong with any player drafted unless you are the Oakland Raiders. The Seahawks drafted the best offensive tackle in the draft, Russell Okung, and selected the best safety Earl Thomas. A trade for RB LenDale White also helps with the offense but the Seahawks still have Matt Hasselbeck as their quarterback who has the skills to win games and lead his team to the division title but his body is aging, he is 34, and has been unable to hold up through a full season the last two seasons missing 9 games to injuries.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams were the most talked about team during the draft because they had the number one pick. Some say that is a blessing, some say it is not especially when you need a quarterback. However even with the selection of QB Sam Bradford the Rams will not be contending anytime soon. They did well in the second round by selecting offensive tackle Rodger Saffold but he and Bradford are not going to turn the Rams into winners next season. Unless your name is Steven Jackson there is not much to be excited about on the team. Bradford will most likely start at the beginning of the season because the options for the Rams at quarterback are short and will most likely be handing off to Jackson on a majority of plays.

NFC West power structure:

San Francisco 49ers: Not being a homer here but the 49ers are currently the team most equip to win the division. They have an on-the-rise defense that pound the opponents offense and an upgraded offensive line to protect QB Alex Smith and RB Frank Gore. The key for the 49ers is Smith and how well he plays. He is surround by talent so there are no excuses this season.
Seattle Seahawks: The potential is there for the Seahawks and they know how to win the division. They do however have Pete Carroll in his first year as the Seahawks coach but that may not be a bad thing for the team. The passion he brings might translate onto the field with the players. The key to the Seahawks winning the division is Hasselbeck’s health. If Hasselbeck goes down during the season so will the Seahawks in the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals: Too many key players from the last two seasons are now gone who helped the Cardinals win two straight division titles. The 49ers do not fear the Cardinals beating them twice last season and with Leinart as your quarterback the chances of winning the division are not great.
St. Louis Rams: The Rams are still the Lams even with Bradford. Bradford will not develop overnight which basically means the Rams have the same looking team as last year that finished 1-15.

49ers Draft Recap

Eric Melendez — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:43:36 +0000

Draft general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Mike Singletary had a great draft filling many holes with talented draft picks that have huge upside. The draft had Singletary written all over it because of the toughness and physical aspects the drafted players displayed in college. It was in the end Baalke’s decision as to whom the 49ers would draft and so far I think he drafted his way into being the official GM of the Niners. That would be the smart thing to do but then again the 49ers front office have stricken the word smart from basically all decisions recently made (raising ticket prices, firing of Scot McCloughan and the silence that followed, Santa Clara ballot measure, etc.) But that is the business side of the NFL whether or not we the 49er Faithful agree with does not matter to the front office. What does matter is your 2010 San Francisco 49ers are even better on both sides of the football. Not selecting a quarterback and picking offensive linemen with their first two picks the 49ers sent a huge message that Alex Smith is the quarterback going forward. This year is a make or break year for Smith. Singletary is trying to surround Smith with talented players at every position on offense. In upgrading the offensive line the 49ers also sent a huge message that Frank Gore is the main running back and they have not been scared off by his injuries and durability questions as he has missed significant time the last two seasons. An upgraded offensive line means less pressure on Smith to make plays and will limit the amount of hits Gore will take. Let’s take a look at the newest 49ers who hope to be on the roster on kickoff weekend:

Offensive tackle Anthony Davis-Rutgers

Round one, pick number 11

Anthony Davis skipped his pro-day workout and increased concerns about his weight when he did not stand on a scale for the teams that came to watch him workout. As big as Davis is, 323 pounds, he is also athletic and has quick feet which you need to defend against defensive tackles. With Davis’ weight problem he has been given the tag of being lazy however with Singletary as your coach he will not let you use the word lazy at practice. Davis was not the best offensive tackle in the draft but he was in the top five available and the 49ers did a great job of shoring up the right tackle position opposite Joe Staley.

Davis highlight video

Offensive guard Mike Iupati-University of Idaho

Round one, pick number 17

The 49ers surprised me with picking another offensive lineman with their 17th pick in the draft. I was certain the 49ers would go after some secondary help with the second pick in the first round. Instead they made a good surprise move in drafting the best offensive guard in the draft. I had not heard of Iupati before he was selected by the Niners but have read how physical he plays and watching his highlight reels from college Iupati could start right away. The biggest knock on Iupati is his ability to learn the 49ers offense. I think Iupati will be fine learning the playbook as offensive line coach Mike Solari has done a great job of getting young linemen ready for the NFL.

Iupati highlight video

Saftey Taylor Mays-USC

Round 2, pick number 49

The 49ers steal of the draft was selecting USC safety Taylor Mays. He was considered one of the top safety’s in the draft and was under the impression that new Seahawks coach, and former USC coach, Pete Carroll would select him with their second pick in the first round. The best safety in the draft however, Earl Thomas, was available at pick number 14 and Mays was passed up. Needless to say Mays will be playing with a chip on his shoulder twice a year when the 49ers face-off against the Seahawks. But the fact that a player as talented as Mays was still available in the second round was good news for the 49ers. While at USC Mays was compared to and tried to play like former USC and 49er legend Ronnie Lott. At 230 pounds Mays is a hard hitter like Lott and could play either free or strong safety on defense. A big concern is his open-field tackling, he is not known to take proper angles when going in for the tackle, but he makes up for it with his speed.

Mays highlight video

Inside linebacker Navorro Bowman-Penn State

Round 3, pick 91

Navorro Bowman was selected twice to the first-team All-Big Ten and a second-team All-American while at Penn State. There is some concern with his character as he was on probation in 2007 for an on-campus fight which was extended after he said he used marijuana. Bowman fits the rest of the 2010 Niner draft picks with his physical play and great open-field tackling abilities much like new teammate Patrick Willis. With Willis and Singletary as your linebacker coach he should develop into a great inside linebacker.

Bowman highlight video

Rest of the 49er draft picks:

Running back Anthony Dixon- Mississippi State (Round 6, pick 173): Dixon lacks speed but makes up for that with his power running. He ran for a school-record 1,391 yards last season. I am not sure how he will fill in on the offense this season but if backup Glenn Coffee does not have a good training camp Dixon could move up on the depth chart.

Tight end Nate Byham- Pittsburgh (Round 6, pick 182): Byham was selected for his blocking abilities rather than his receiving abilities. He should be a good addition to Vernon Davis on running downs this season.

Wide receiver Kyle Williams-Arizona State (Round 6, pick 206): Although drafted as a wide receiver Williams made a name for himself in college as a return specialist averaging 10.4 yards on punts and 22.9 yards on kickoffs. He has tremendous speed much like new Niner Ted Ginn Jr.

Cornerback Phillip Adams-South Carolina State (Round 7, pick 224): Adams can play both the corner and safety positions but lacks speed.