“If I’m the 49ers, I Would…”: Steps to Rebuild San Francisco in 2016
By Peter Panacy
If I were the 49ers, I would cut players 30 years old or older
Well, maybe not every one. Kicker Phil Dawson might have to stay. And maybe left tackle Joe Staley as well.
On a positive note, San Francisco is already moving towards a youth movement. Take a look at the team’s roster, courtesy of 49ers.com, and see just how many players over 30 years old are on the roster.
But if you’re too lazy, here they are:
- Kicker Phil Dawson, 41
- Tackle/Guard Erik Pears, 33
- Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, 32
- Safety Antoine Bethea, 31
- Tackle Joe Staley, 31
- Defensive Tackle Glenn Dorsey, 30
- Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson, 30
Aside from Staley and, arguably, Dawson and linebacker Ahmad Brooks, the remaining players are reserves at best. And while the NFL-ready experience is all-too valuable, these player are also taking up roster spots, which could be utilized by more promising players and, at least, guys who might be worth keeping around when the 53-man roster is formulated.
Even Brooks might be worth cutting. Yes, there are contract issues at hand here — and the Niners would have likely cut Brooks by now if they wanted to do so — but Brooks is clearly not the player he once was when he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2013.
One could make a similar argument for veteran safety Antoine Bethea. While nowhere near the level of decline as Brooks, the safety has to be feeling the pressure from other defensive backs like Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward and, to a lesser extent, L.J. McCray.
Baalke noted Jimmie Ward will eventually transition to safety. Not sure how that impacts Eric Reid. Not good for Bethea's future.
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) April 30, 2016
Open up the competition for younger players, let them develop together and take the best options from a young group.
Next: Stop the ACL-Injury Experiments