Harbaugh signs with 49ers, who plays quarterback next?
The San Francisco 49ers finally signed their man, former Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, but the first order of business needs to be who is going to play quarterback for the 49ers in 2011? Alex Smith has hinted that he is not coming back, even if he was offered a new contract. Troy Smith might be coaxed into signing for another season. But I have a dark horse in the race.
Of course all of the usual names of potential free agents will be floated around. Vince Young, Matt Hasselbeck, perhaps a trade for Kyle Orton will all be among the names thrown out. There is a very strong possibility that the 49ers will address the quarterback position in this year’s draft. San Francisco has the 7th overall pick in the first round.
However, if the Niners do not manage to re-sign Troy Smith next season, they are going to need a veteran quarterback on the roster. There is a player which might be under the radar right now. QB Josh Johnson, who is a backup quarterback on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster right now.
Josh Johnson played for Jim Harbaugh while at the University of San Diego, while Harbaugh was the coach there. Johnson is a very accurate passer with good mobility but he is buried behind impressive second year quarterback Josh Freeman for the Buccaneers. Johnson had a most impressive season in his final season with the Toreros, passing for 46 touchdowns and only one interceptions. That interception was a result of a ball which bounced off a player’s shoulder pads.
I am unaware if the Buccaneers would be willing to part with Josh Johnson, he runs a version of the Wildcat offense for the Buccaneers. But with Johnson in the NFL, I wonder if the Niners were to draft a rookie, if Harbaugh might want to try to trade for one of his former players to join San Francisco.
Various sources report Jim Harbaugh will join the 49ers
There are various reports on the internet and Twitter this afternoon stating that Stanfrod head coach Jim Harbaugh will join the 49ers for the 2011 season and beyond. Adam Schefter is reporting that the Niners have inked the Cardinal’s coach to a five year deal, I reported the same news yesterday that Harbaugh had been signed, sealed and delivered to the Miami Dolphins, so I am going to exercise a bit of restraint here and I’ll believe Harbaugh becomes the head coach of the Niners when he is announced by the team.
Harbaugh’s journey over the last week has been unreal, an Orange Bowl victory and a seemingly endless parade of teams interested in his services.
Jim Harbaugh declines Miami job, 49ers still in the mix
The San Francisco 49ers are still in the mix for Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh bowed out of negotiations with the Miami Dolphins last night after it was reported at 4pm EST that he had already signed a contract worth between $7-8 million dollars. ESPN is reporting this morning that the 49ers have increased their offer to Harbaugh to $6 million.
The Denver Broncos have announced this morning that they are not bringing Harbaugh in for any interviews, the Broncos were one of the teams rumored to be interested in his coaching duties next season.
The decision now appears to be down to two choices for Harbaugh. Stay at Stanford or jump to the NFL. The decision of Stanford QB Andrew Luck to stay in school might now complicate matters. Harbaugh could very well decide that he wants to return to Stanford with Andrew Luck and try to see if they could win a National Championship next season after having a 12-1 season in 2010.
If Harbaugh decides to return to college, that will leave the 49ers back at square one. The Niners did interview Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, but it is believed that he will have the inside track on getting the Raiders head coaching position.
My gut feeling is that Harbaugh returns to Stanford. But then again, this has been such a strange turn of events with him, anything at this point is possible.
49ers next head coach, Josh McDaniels? Really?
A possible deal for Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh appears to be on hold for right now after the Miami Dolphis appear to have jumped into the mix, meanwhile as a backup plan, the San Francisco 49ers have had discussions with former Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. Josh McDaniels? Are you kidding me?
According to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, the Dolphins have reportedly offered Harbaugh a contract in the $7-8 million dollar range, a pricetag the 49ers wont match. So, if Harbaugh jumps to the Dolphins, it will be time for Plan B. If Plan B includes signing Josh McDaniels, 49ers fans should hope there is a Plan C.
McDaniels burst on the scene last season with the Denver Broncos and raced out to a 6-0 start to the season, but it was all downhill from there as he went on two win five of his next 22 games. The coach that fancies himself as the second coming of Bill Belichick (complete with the hoodie) made several controversial moves with the Broncos. He got rid of WR Brandon Marshall. He traded Peyton Hillis to the Browns in exchange for QB Brady Quinn. Quinn never played a snap and Hillis ran wild for the Browns this season totally 1654 all purpose yards and scoring 14 touchdowns. He selected Demaryius Thomas over Dez Bryant as a wide receiver in the first round. Thomas contributed precious little for Denver this season.
And perhaps the last straw for the Broncos management, McDaniels was found to have been taping a walk through of the 49ers prior to their game in London this season. The Broncos finished the season with one of the league’s worst defenses.
This should be a move the 49ers should stay away from. The Niners are in need of a quarterback and McDaniels should not be given the ability to chose players in this years draft that will shape the future of the organization for years to come. If they select McDaniels as head coach, I fear it will be more of the same for the 49ers for seasons to come.
Trent Baalke will be awarded the 49ers GM job
According to several reports this evening, the San Francisco 49ers are going to sign Trent Baalke the general manager job as expected. It had been reported this evening that the 49ers were also entertaining the possibility of hiring Michael Lombardi, who has a friendly relationship with Jim Harbaugh, the general manager position.
Sources told Mercurynews.com, that Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh said he would be fine with either Baalke or Lombardi named as the 49ers general manager.
Baalke was the Vice President of Player Personnel for the 49ers after being promoted to that position in May of 2010. He was originally hired by the 49ers in 2005 as a regional player scout.
