What happens to Borland?

[CrimsonCrew]

That sounds like a tampering charge waiting to be filed.

Agents are allowed to seek out potential trade partners for their client's team. It actually is a pretty efficient method for the general managers to have someone do the initial leg work for them.

No, they aren't. A team can't talk to an agent about a player under contract with another team unless that team gives its explicit blessing to do so.

[jackwindham]

No, they aren't. A team can't talk to an agent about a player under contract with another team unless that team gives its explicit blessing to do so.

I never said for the agent to go behind the team's back and do this. I mentioned the process being in conjunction with the front office.

[CrimsonCrew]

No, they aren't. A team can't talk to an agent about a player under contract with another team unless that team gives its explicit blessing to do so.

I never said for the agent to go behind the team's back and do this. I mentioned the process being in conjunction with the front office.

No, you didn't. But you also didn't say what the Niners might get for Borland, or why they would consider trading a very affordable, very capable, leadership type of player at a position where we may very well have a need in two or three years. The team has very little incentive to try to trade him.

[NinerSickness]

Most people have Miami's Denzel Perryman as the top-rated ILB in the draft, and he's projected to go in the mid to high 2nd.

How does Borland measure up to him?

[RedneckNiner]

Slow your roll. Borland looked good but this will be his second year I am sure he will get some snaps. Neither he nor his agent would be stupid enough to even consider trying to force a trade nor would any team be stupid enough to trade anything worthwhile for him. He seems like a smart guy so I'm sure hell earn his snaps, learn from Willis and Bow and grow into the replacement for one of them.

[NinerSickness]

Slow your roll. Borland looked good but this will be his second year I am sure he will get some snaps. Neither he nor his agent would be stupid enough to even consider trying to force a trade nor would any team be stupid enough to trade anything worthwhile for him. He seems like a smart guy so I'm sure hell earn his snaps, learn from Willis and Bow and grow into the replacement for one of them.

If the Niners hire Dan Quinn and switch to a 4-3, I could see 'em putting Borland at MLB. Only question is could Tank play DT? Maybe he could be the Niners' Red Bryant kind of LDE rotational guy. They'd need a at least 1 really good DT to make it work though.

[RedneckNiner]

He could work in that scenario but I don't believe Quinn is married to the 3-4 or the 4-3 he seems good at adapting to what he has. Borland will be a good player in years to come. I think Tank could play dt in a 4-3 my concern though is if the Cowboy retires I really don't like the Niners going to the 4-3 I don't think Aldon would transition well to having a hand in ther dirt Lynch I think could make the transition. But I'd also be concerned about Dorsey and Ian Williams as the other DTs in that formation. I would more Like to See Bow and Borland in the middle and move Willis outside.

[NinerSickness]

I don't think Aldon would transition well to having a hand in ther dirt

You don't? Aldon constantly has his hand in the dirt. He even lined up at DT in college quite a bit. Aldon would be the least of my worries if the Niners ran a 4-3.

[jackwindham]

Slow your roll. Borland looked good but this will be his second year I am sure he will get some snaps. Neither he nor his agent would be stupid enough to even consider trying to force a trade nor would any team be stupid enough to trade anything worthwhile for him. He seems like a smart guy so I'm sure hell earn his snaps, learn from Willis and Bow and grow into the replacement for one of them.

It's not about stupidity. Agents are designed to get as much for their clients as they can possibly get. Sometimes, you have to strike while the iron is hot. Borland was one of the top tacklers in the entire NFL this year, despite playing just a handful of games. He's hot right now. There's a difference between forcing a trade and influencing a trade. The latter is done from time to time.

[CrimsonCrew]

Slow your roll. Borland looked good but this will be his second year I am sure he will get some snaps. Neither he nor his agent would be stupid enough to even consider trying to force a trade nor would any team be stupid enough to trade anything worthwhile for him. He seems like a smart guy so I'm sure hell earn his snaps, learn from Willis and Bow and grow into the replacement for one of them.

It's not about stupidity. Agents are designed to get as much for their clients as they can possibly get. Sometimes, you have to strike while the iron is hot. Borland was one of the top tacklers in the entire NFL this year, despite playing just a handful of games. He's hot right now. There's a difference between forcing a trade and influencing a trade. The latter is done from time to time.

But you still haven't addressed what the Niners could get for him, and whether that would be worth parting with a potential pro bowler.

[CrimsonCrew]

Slow your roll. Borland looked good but this will be his second year I am sure he will get some snaps. Neither he nor his agent would be stupid enough to even consider trying to force a trade nor would any team be stupid enough to trade anything worthwhile for him. He seems like a smart guy so I'm sure hell earn his snaps, learn from Willis and Bow and grow into the replacement for one of them.

If the Niners hire Dan Quinn and switch to a 4-3, I could see 'em putting Borland at MLB. Only question is could Tank play DT? Maybe he could be the Niners' Red Bryant kind of LDE rotational guy. They'd need a at least 1 really good DT to make it work though.

I could see us going to a 4-3 this year, depending on who we bring in to coach. Borland gets on the field as the two-down MLB, and Bowman and Willis both fit well in the scheme. I think Carradine could look quite good in the 4-3. He's a penetrator who could also get snaps at LDE. For that matter, Dial is probably a better fit in the 4-3, too. We probably need to add a DL either way, but I actually feel like our depth might be better in the 4-3 than the 3-4 (I keep Wilhoite to back up MLB and WLB and try to keep Skuta to back up SLB/DE).

[jackwindham]

But you still haven't addressed what the Niners could get for him, and whether that would be worth parting with a potential pro bowler.

I haven't addressed that because I have no idea what other general managers are willing to give for him. No reports have surfaced. I know there are teams out there that obvious place a higher priority on the linebacker spots because of depth and injuries. I just don't know what they're willing to give. Just as a personal opinion, I don't think the Niners should settle for anything less than two pieces (draft picks or prospects), since Borland will more than likely be a starter for the other team.

[CalamityX12]

We don't have DL for the 4-3 IMO... Everyone is saying this player could, that player could but other than Aldon(assuming no cowboy) I don't see good fit as every down DL..

Imo

[CrimsonCrew]

We don't have DL for the 4-3 IMO... Everyone is saying this player could, that player could but other than Aldon(assuming no cowboy) I don't see good fit as every down DL..

Imo

If cowboy leaves, only NT is even kind of set on the DL if we stick with the 3-4. At least dial and carradine (and I think lynch?) played in the 4-3 in college. Hell, dorsey was special in the 4-3 in college.

[CalamityX12]

[Tweet][/Tweet]

We don't have DL for the 4-3 IMO... Everyone is saying this player could, that player could but other than Aldon(assuming no cowboy) I don't see good fit as every down DL..

Imo

If cowboy leaves, only NT is even kind of set on the DL if we stick with the 3-4. At least dial and carradine (and I think lynch?) played in the 4-3 in college. Hell, dorsey was special in the 4-3 in college.

But that's college though... You think pro wise lynch can be an every down DL?

I see him great at olb in the 34 but I could be wrong.

I would want an upgrade at dt if we were to go 43... I like dial but he has limits imo

[NinerSickness]

We don't have DL for the 4-3 IMO... Everyone is saying this player could, that player could but other than Aldon(assuming no cowboy) I don't see good fit as every down DL..

Imo

Lynch can be an every-down DE. Heck he played the 5 technique in college.

But you're right; the Niners don't have the DTs to play a 4-3.

...Suh???

[CrimsonCrew]

As I see it, if Justin Smith departs, they need to make a move at DL regardless of whether they run the 4-3 or the 3-4. I think they should at least be open to running a 4-3. Heck, their nickel D is a 4-3, and we play it very well. Though admittedly we're likely losing both interior DL.

[CalamityX12]

Justin is such a difference maker... He made all pro at two different DL positions in the same season....

Grrrrr