Niner Noise » trade

49ers: Alex Smith Traded To Kansas City Chiefs

Ryan Sakamoto — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:22:49 +0000

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) and head coach Jim Harbaugh against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After much anticipation the wait is finally over for QB Alex Smith, as he is now an official member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The news comes as no surprise, as the San Francisco 49ers have been diligently trying to find trade partners for the former number one overall pick. Smith lost his starting job midway through the 2012 season due to being concussed in a game against the St. Louis Rams, backup QB Colin Kaepernick took over the starting role and never relinquished it, leading the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1994 season.

The trade benefited both sides as the 49ers received a second-round pick (33rd overall) as compensation for Smith’s services, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It is no coincidence the trade was made after the NFL’s scouting combine, as the Kansas City Chiefs wanted to get a better feel of QB Geno Smith (West Virginia) and Matt Barkley (USC) before eventually pulling the trigger on the nine-year veteran.

The move is bittersweet for 49ers fans, as Smith has ironically become a fan favorite. Smith was loved in the locker room and will surely be missed. He handled the demotion with an unfound level of professionalism, while showing his true character as not only a player but as a person. The trade brings closure to any quarterback controversy moving forward, as the 49ers have clearly put all their faith in Kaepernick.

Now with the quarterback controversy behind them, the 49ers can now turn their focus on the NFL Draft as they now have three picks in the first two rounds, including the (31st), (34th), and (63rd) selection.

Fun fact: Alex Smith becomes the 5th Niners quarterback to start for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last 25 years. The others were QB Joe Montana, QB Steve DeBerg, QB Steve Bono, and QB Elvis Grbac.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

NFL Draft: Early Trades To Expect

Michael Hart — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:18:07 +0000

With us nearing D-day some things are a given. Luck and RG III will go 1-2 and from there on teams will be working the phones for trade up and trade down scenarios. While there could be a dozen trades in the first round here are some that are already getting whispers and could make sense for both teams involved.

Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

(more…)

Shawntae Spencer Allowed By 49ers to Seek Trade

Eric Melendez — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:19:00 +0000

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The San Francisco 49ers are allowing CB Shawntae Spencer to seek a trade. Should the 49ers keep Spencer he is due $3.3 million in 2012 and a workout bonus worth $100K.

At the beginning of training camp Spencer was expected to be the starting cornerback. However at the end of the season he was the No. 5 cornerback on the depth chart and he was inactive for the 49ers two playoff games. Injuries doomed Spencer last season with hamstring injuries in training camp and the preseason, along with a hyperextended toe during the season that caused him to miss several weeks. Spencer only played in nine games recording 5 tackles.

It’s wise to let Spencer seek a trade because the 49ers have Carlos Rogers (assuming he re-signs), Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver and Traimaine Brock at cornerback. All are better than Spencer.

Spencer was picked by the 49ers in the second round of the 2004 draft. He had his best season with the 49ers in 2005 with career highs in tackles (83) and interceptions (four), one of which was returned for a touchdown. With so many other options at cornerback for the 49ers, Spencer is not worth $3.3 million to be a backup. Hopefully the 49ers can get at least a fifth round draft pick for Spencer.