SF 49ers

San Francisco 49ers

49ers Win Coin Toss; Will Pick Sixth

Although the draft is approximately two months away, the 49ers have solidified their initial position in the upcoming event. Tied with Oakland for the sixth or seventh overall pick in the draft, the two teams faced off with a coin flip to determine the seeding Friday morning at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. The old adage “tails never fails” rang true as Scot McCloughan successfully called the correct side of the coin which will enable the 49ers to pick sixth overall in the draft which will take place April 29-30, in New York City.

“It was just gut feeling I had.” McCloughan said on the successful call.

Other participants included Joel Bussert and Ken Fiore from the NFL and the Oakland Raiders Michael Lombardi. Fiore flipped the coin.

McCloughan said the victorious flip will definitely pay dividends for 49ers fans in the draft process.

“Winning the coin toss gives us a great opportunity to focus on getting the best possible player at any position to help our team.” McCloughan said. “It puts us one slot ahead of where we might have been and we can take a player we have our eye on.”

The successful coin flip not only has an impact in the first round, but its echoes will reverberate throughout the draft. San Francisco will get the fifth overall pick in the second round, fourth overall pick in the third round and third overall pick in the fourth round. In the fifth round, the 49ers will pick seventh overall, sixth overall in the sixth round and fifth overall in the seventh round barring trades.

Head Coach Mike Nolan recognizes the importance of the successful flip as well.

“This puts us in even a better light in the second and future rounds which is very important,” Nolan said. “It gives us a better spot to find more quality football players.”

Nolan quipped McCloughan has continued to show his worth in player evaluation and in other areas since he joined the team.

“Scot continues to show he has more talent every day,” Nolan joked. “He is more than just a personnel guy.”

by: 49blog at 18:52 | link | comments

49ers Release Three Players

The San Francisco 49ers announced that they have released cornerback Ahmed Plummer, wide receiver Johnnie Morton and defensive end Chris Cooper.

Plummer, a former first-round draft pick of the 49ers, played seven seasons in San Francisco. In 2001, Plummer enjoyed his best season with the 49ers, recording seven interceptions in 15 games. The 29-year-old only participated in nine games over the last two seasons due to injury.

Morton, acquired before last season, started in 10 of 13 games, catching 21 passes for 288 yards but didn't record a touchdown. Morton has spent 13 years in the NFL with Detroit, Kansas City and San Francisco.

Cooper, originally a sixth-round draft pick by the Raiders in 2001, spent last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury suffered in training camp.

by: 49blog at 18:41 | link | comments

49ers Hire Lynn as Secondary Coach

The San Francisco 49ers hired Johnnie Lynn to help coach their defensive backs.

Lynn, who was secondary coach in San Francisco in 1996, will share the duties with Vance Joseph on coach Mike Nolan's staff. Lynn replaces A.J. Christoff, who was hired as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach by Stanford.

"When you obtain the services of quality NFL football people to your coaching staff it raises the performances of the people around you," Nolan said. "Johnnie is a solid NFL coach with a high energy level. He is extremely well respected around the league and I am excited to bring him on board. I know he feels we are headed in the right direction and is excited to help us improve this season."

Lynn spent the last two seasons coaching the secondary in Baltimore, including in 2004 when Nolan was the Ravens' defensive coordinator.

Lynn also spent seven seasons with the New York Giants, serving for five seasons (1997-01) as secondary coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

Lynn also was the secondary coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1994 and 1995.

He played eight seasons with the New York Jets, finishing with 17 career interceptions.

by: 49blog at 18:38 | link | comments (1)