Chris Borland Takes Steps to Tear the 49ers Apart a Little More

    "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health. From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk."

     A big defensive football player, straight out of college after 1 year of impressive football, a season of 14 games with 8 starts, a sack, 2 interceptions picked off of Eli Manning, and 107 tackles, don't forget the 16 tackle game against Seattle and the 15 tackle game against Saint Louis, Borland was going to be the key replacement of Patrick Willis this upcoming season and a pivotal building block on the regrouping 49ers defense.

    Borland had thought the situation over very well and for a long time, consulting family and friends along the way. "I feel largely the same, as sharp as I've ever been. For me, it's wanting to be proactive," Borland told Outside the Lines. "I'm concerned that if you wait 'til you have symptoms, it's too late. There are a lot of unknowns. I can't claim that X will happen. I just want to live a long, healthy life, and I don't want to have any neurological diseases or die younger than I would otherwise."

    This brings back memories of the Junior Seau story, where the young man committed suicide in 2012, and it was found that he had serious head trauma concerns that either he or his doctor had hidden. With players like Jason Worilds and Jake Locker retiring early and unexpectedly too, one has to wonder what's hitting the league besides old news.

    Borland had started thinking of a retirement plan early into last season, in fact, preseason week 4, he wrote his parents to tell them he thought his NFL career would be brief. "I just thought to myself, 'What am I doing? Is this how I'm going to live my adult life, banging my head, especially with what I've learned and know about the dangers?'"

    49ers General Manager Trent Baalke wished Borland the best from the 49ers team website. "While unexpected, we certainly respect Chris’ decision," Baalke explained. "From speaking with Chris, it was evident that he had put a great deal of thought into this decision. He was a consummate professional from day one and a very well respected member of our team and community. Chris is a determined young man that overcame long odds in his journey to the NFL and we are confident he will use the same approach to become very successful in his future endeavors. We will always consider him a 49er and wish him all the best."

    Players and fans alike are praising Borland for his decision, and wishing him and Patrick Willis the best in future days to come.

2015 Offseason Swap Up Part 1- Defensive Linemen

    Some of the biggest money of 2015 is being invested and paid to defensive linemen. No one is going to forget the $114 million deal to Ndamukong Suh. Suh's face might as well be put in the NFL Mount Rushmore up there with Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisburger.

    Defensive Linemen will be the first part of this series where we look at some of the key free agent and trade arrivals around the NFL this season.

1. Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins 

6-4, 307 pounds. 2nd overall pick of 2010. /ehn-DAHM-uh-kehn SOO/

Year     Age  Tm Pos No.    G   GS   Sk  Int  Yds   TD  Lng   PD   FF  Fmb   FR  Yds   TD  Tkl  Ast Sfty AV
2010*+    23 DET  DT  90   16   16 10.0    1   20    0   20    3    1    0    1   17    1   48   17      15
2011      24 DET  DT  90   14   14  4.0    0    0    0    0    1                            26   13       6
2012*     25 DET  DT  90   16   16  8.0    0    0    0    0    2                            25   10      12
2013*+    26 DET  DT  90   16   16  5.5    0    0    0    0    6    1    0    0    0    0   36   12    1 15
2014*+    27 DET  DT  90   16   16  8.5    0    0    0    0    3                            46    8      17
Career                     78   78 36.0    1   20    0   20   15    2    0    1   17    1  181   60    1 65

    Suh is considered the top free agent, hands down, of 2015. Coming off his best season as a pro, Suh has never missed a game to an injury, and is a strong, powerful beast on the line of scrimmage.

    His reputation has built himself into the leagues "most feared player". Suh consistently get's behind the line to make plays and get to QB's in rushes, and it happens so much it's scary. He's a hard hitter, a strong tackler, he loves contact, and he's fast, something not often found in defensive linemen.

   He's going to fit well in Miami's 4-3 scheme, playing alongside Cameron Wake, Oliver Vernon and Earl Mitchell, Miami looks scarier then usual, and Suh is leading the charge. I see another potential all-pro season ahead for the young man from Nebraska, and a surge in the Miami defense with a special player like Suh in town.

The deal- 6 years, $114 Million, $60 million guaranteed.

2. Darnell Docket, San Francisco 49ers

6-4, 293 lbs. 64th overall pick in 2004.

Year     Age  Tm    Pos No.    G   GS   Sk  Int  Yds   TD  Lng   PD   FF  Fmb   FR  Yds   TD  Tkl  Ast Sfty AV
2004      23 ARI     UT  90   16   15  3.5    1   20    0   20    3    1    0    1   -4    0   33    6       9
2005      24 ARI rdt/UT  90   16   16  0.5    1   14    0   14    3    1    0    0    0    0   19   10       7
2006      25 ARI     UT  90   16   16  2.0    1   -1    0   -1    2    1    0    2   24    0   36   14       6
2007*     26 ARI    rde  90   16   16  9.0    0    0    0    0    1    2    0    2    0    0   43   15      10
2008      27 ARI     DT  90   16   16  4.0    0    0    0    0    1    1    0    3   24    1   37   12       7
2009*     28 ARI     DT  90   16   16  7.0    1    3    0    3    2    1    1    1    0    0   42    9      13
2010*     29 ARI     DT  90   15   15  5.0    0    0    0    0    1    1    0    3    0    1   45    7      10
2011      30 ARI     DT  90   16   16  3.5    0    0    0    0    1    1    0    2    0    0   35   16       9
2012      31 ARI     DT  90   15   14  1.5    0    0    0    0    4                            23   11       8
2013      32 ARI     DT  90   16   16  4.5                                                     36   10       8
2014      33 ARI         90    0                                                                             0
Career                       158  156 40.5    4   36    0   20   18    9    1   14   44    2  349  110      87

    Dockett was a beast his entire career in Arizona. Despite missing 2014 with a torn ACL, Dockett still has signed a 2 year deal with San Francisco and is expected to be a standout in 2015 replacing Justin Smith on the line.

    Dockett has played in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, but his Pro-Bowl seasons always came when playing in the 3-4, where he can play every position on the line. He's a run snuffer for sure, stuffing holes and consistently making tackles to hold run plays in check.

    San Francisco want's him to help the young players that the team will most likely draft to replace him by the end of his contract learn the defense. They have yet to sign any other defensive linemen, and players can always use an experienced player to mentor the other men.

The deal- 2 years, $7.5 million, $2 million guaranteed.

3. Haloti Ngata, Detroit Lions

6-4, 335 pounds. 12th overall pick of 2006. /ha-LOW-tee NAH-tah/

Year     Age  Tm Pos No.    G   GS   Sk  Int  Yds   TD  Lng   PD   FF  Fmb   FR  Yds   TD  Tkl  Ast Sfty  AV
2006      22 BAL rdt  92   16   16  1.0    1   60    0   60    2                            13   18        9
2007      23 BAL RDT  92   16   16  3.0    0    0    0    0    1    1    0    0    0    0   43   20        7
2008      24 BAL rde  92   16   16  1.0    2    8    0    7    6                            43   12       16
2009*     25 BAL  DT  92   14   13  1.5    0    0    0    0    1    1    0    1    0    0   25   10       12
2010*+    26 BAL  DT  92   16   15  5.5    0    0    0    0    4    0    0    1    0    0   46   17       17
2011*+    27 BAL  DT  92   16   16  5.0    0    0    0    0    6    2    0    3   28    1   36   28       18
2012*     28 BAL  DT  92   15   14  5.0    0    0    0    0    1                            33   18       13
2013*     29 BAL  NT  92   15   15  1.5    0    0    0    0    3                            23   29       11
2014      30 BAL  DT  92   12   12  2.0    2   16    0   13    8    2    0    0    0    0   20   15       11
Career                    136  133 25.5    5   84    0   60   32    6    0    5   28    1  282  167      114

    Haloti has had a storied NFL career. A 2 time AP 1st team All Pro, Ngata earned himself AP 2nd Team honors last season for the 4th time in his career, the 6th time he appeared on a AP All Pro team. His style of play and the layout of his career has him compared to the likes of Cortez Kennedy, Warren Sapp, and Richard Dent, all Hall of Fame caliber players.

    Haloti himself has played in 4-3 and 3-4 alignments, playing his rookie season as the teams RDT, and not playing well. While all of his great years have been out of the 3-4, the Lions are hoping that his veteran presence and natural playing ability will grace the defensive front suffering the loss of both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, and put up some big numbers and play for the Lions desperately in need of some help.

    I think Haloti will perform just fine, in fact, he may overperform. Don't put it past the 31 year old man to perform when the time comes. He always has, and he always should.

The Deal- Ngata and Ravens 2015 7th round pick for Lions 2015 4th and 5th round picks.

4. Nick Fairley, Saint Louis Rams

6-5, 291 lbs, 13th overall pick of 2011

Year     Age  Tm Pos No.    G   GS   Sk  Int  Yds   TD  Lng   PD   FF  Fmb   FR  Yds   TD  Tkl  Ast Sfty AV
2011      23 DET      98   10    0  1.0                                                      9    6       1
2012      24 DET  dt  98   13    7  5.5    0    0    0    0    1    2    0    1    0    0   27    7       4
2013      25 DET  DT  98   15   15  6.0    0    0    0    0    1    2    0    2    4    1   22   13    1  8
2014      26 DET  dt  98    8    8  1.0                             1    0    0    0    0    8    6       4
Career                     46   30 13.5    0    0    0    0    2    5    0    3    4    1   66   32    1 17

    Fairley is another one of Detroits former 1st round draft picks that were spent on putting together a strong defensive line. However, Fairley struggled with injuries all of his career, which is why the Rams have signed him to a one year "Prove-it" deal.

    When he was healthy, he was one of the best defensive linemen in the league. Playing alongside Ndamukong Suh is always a big help, but the fact of the matter is this guy plays with a lot of talent when he does play. He's missed 9 games the past two seasons, and that's a not a big problem for a team who is stockpiling a ton of talent in their defensive line.

    Fairley has a problem with personal foul penalties, he's had 8 excepted in his career, and seeing how there are just 46 games, it's a bit of a worry. He plays rough, and the Rams love to play rough defensive players.

The Deal- 1 year, $5 million, all guaranteed.

5. Jared Odrick, Jacksonville Jaguars

6-5, 301 lbs, 28th overall of the 2010 draft

Year     Age  Tm      Pos No.    G   GS   Sk  Int  Yds   TD  Lng   PD   FF  Fmb   FR  Yds   TD  Tkl  Ast Sfty AV
2010      23 MIA      rde  98    1    1                                                           1    0       0
2011      24 MIA      wlb  98   16    7  6.0    1   39    0   39    2    1    0    0    0    0   20    1       4
2012      25 MIA      LDE  98   16   12  5.0    0    0    0    0    2                            26    9       7
2013      26 MIA   dt/rde  98   16    5  4.5    0    0    0    0    2    1    0    0    0    0   34    9       4
2014      27 MIA dl/DT/lb  98   16   16  1.0    0    0    0    0    5    1    0    1    0    0   23    6       6
Career                          65   41 16.5    1   39    0   39   11    3    0    1    0    0  104   25      21

    Odrick is a variety player. He plays so many different positions, he'll be a great fit in the Jaguars 4-3 scheme. Last season with Miami, Odrick played his first season of 16 starts, and he played pretty much any position on the defensive line, and a good bit of outside linebacker too.

    Odrick can be a great pass rusher. He can be a run stuffer. He has all the tools that Gus Bradley loves to have in his defensive linemen, and alongside Tyson Alualu and Chris Clemons, he's going to be a factor in that defense.

    I can see Odrick setting personal highs in his first season as a Jaguar, he just has the upside and the talent to do so. I think that last season, with Cameron Wake and Oliver Vernon getting the majority of the sacks, the Dolphins used him more as their run guard, and the Jaguars will use him to get at the QB again.

The deal- 5 years, $42.5 million, $22 million guaranteed.

The Indianapolis Colts are Building a Marquee Team

 

    The Indianapolis Colts finished last season with a disappointing blowout loss in New England to the Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship, amid the infamous "Deflate-gate scandal". It was a roller coaster season for the Colts, who finished with an 11-5 season and despite starting 0-2. I had called for an MVP season from Luck, who put up numbers that would normally yield so, 4761 yards, 40 TD's and 16 INT's, alongside 3 rushing TD's, but 13 fumbles, and a 96.5 passer rating made him look sorry compared to Aaron Rodgers, who put up video game perfect numbers again, and beat him, DeMarco Murray and Ben Roethlisburger out for the trophy.

    Luck is one of the best QB's in the NFL, and continues to improve with his uncanny throwing accuracy, his crazy playing style and veteran type leadership that has led the Colts to the playoffs the past 3 seasons. Arguably, you can say that Luck is the best QB in the league, combining his age, his talent and his stats.

    Luck is the reason that veteran players are joining the Colts this season. When former Houston Texan WR Andre Johnson, who has just signed with the Colts today, was asked what was the biggest factor in joining the Colts, he had two words. "Andrew. Luck." Former Niner Frank Gore, who signed with the Colts yesterday, told the press that he "Wanted to be with a team who's got a shot at the trophy", and "Start with Number Twelve, and you've got a chance."

    Frank Gore will be by no means the long term starter in Indianapolis. I think the Colts know this, and they know they are in desperate need of a running back who can be an Edgerrin James. Since James left the team to play for the Cardinals, the Colts have been unable to find a suitable player for that position. I really don't think that the Colts have really tried. Gore can be the next guy they use to mentor the next man they pick out of the draft, whether it be a player like Melvin Gordon, or a later round pick like David Cobb or Jeremy Langford. Gore signed a 3 year $21 million deal, with $12 million guaranteed.

    The Colts starters from last season are mainly intact, despite the fact that they are missing WR Reggie Wayne, who played 15 games last season, catching 64 passes for 779 yards and 2 TD's. 2015 will be Wayne's first season away from the Colts, Johnson's first year away from the Texans.

    What does Andre Johnson bring to the Colts? Johnson is a veteran receiver with over 1000 catches, and 2 100 catch seasons in the past 3 years. Last season, Johnson caught 80 catches for 936 yards, missing 1 game. With a couple young guys in Donte Moncrief, and Duron Carter, and the oldest WR on the team with Reggie Wayne is moving off is TY Hilton. Johnson, who has signed a 3 year, $21 million deal, can teach these young receivers some great technique, and build an even stronger receiving corps for Luck in the future.

    One of those key players that were picked up by the Colts on offense to boost the line was a strong run blocker in Todd Herremans. He's 32, but last season in Philadelphia he was out after week 9 with a foot injury, but he was a huge part in LeSean McCoy's league leading run in 2013. He can offer Frank Gore some good run support on a line the struggled a lot over the past few years.

    On Defense, the Colts have added veteran edge rusher Trent Cole, the former Philadelphia Eagle, to a 2 year $16 million deal. The Colts lacked an elite pass rusher in 2014, something they are looking to fix this season. Cole with the Eagles has registered 6.5 sacks last year, and he has 4 10+ sack seasons in his career. He's going to help Bjorn Werner, the teams edge rusher, a ton this season offering his advice.

    We'll see what the Colts dial up the rest of free agency, and in the draft, but I see a team that is improving rapidly, and that can be quite a challenge in 2015 for the rest of the AFC. With veteran leaders from other teams leaving money to join the Colts for a player like Andrew Luck, it makes this an exciting season for the Colts to run under.

 

Quietly Building Strength, the Cardinals are Looming Toward Super Bowl L

    The best teams in the NFL tend not to draft out of need, but to compliment the team. To bring the best out of each and every prospect that enters the team, through technique coaching, and complimentary playing, using everyone's skills on the field.

    And the Arizona Cardinals seem to do that with everyone they bring onto the team.

    Alright, maybe I'm jumping to quick conclusions. Year II of the Bruce Arians era was a stunning hit, the Cardinals being the best team in the league until Carson Palmer was lost for the season. Andre Ellington, a 6th round pick that the best draft analysts said wouldn't survive in the NFL struggled with injuries, but is still one of the better dual backs in the league. Larry Fitzgerald is still playing at his prime. Michael Floyd is maturing into an All-Pro by the looks of it, and a new deep explosive threat is up and coming in the form of John Brown.

    I had a chance to talk with a former player some weeks ago, Jovan Haye, who spent time on 5 different NFL teams after being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 6th round of the 2005 draft. He told me that back when he played, NFL teams appreciated veteran presence so much more then it does now. He was right. Most NFL teams are bringing in younger players, drafting out of need, and building leaders through hands on experience, not on observation.

    We see that sometimes, this approach, has a tendency to backfire. Have we seen the Jet's players rally around Geno Smith? No. He was expected to be a leader straight out of college, and he's still working on it.
The NFL used to hire veteran players just to add their experience to the squad, and it built strong young players.

    So far, the major loss that Arizona has taken is Darnell Dockett, who left the team to sign with San Francisco, and Dockett missed the entire 2014 season with a bad knee. Despite his loss, Arizona featured a top defense, just with a slight weakness in a spot on the defensive line, notably, his spot. According to Dockett, he gave gave the Cardinals "two or three chances" to match the Niners offer, so obviously, Arizona thinks they have a solution at his position.

    Perhaps they hope the solution will be found in a free agent, as they will host former Indianapolis Colt DE Cory Redding in Tempe tomorrow. Redding tweeted that he is "looking forward to visiting." He's a 12 year veteran, and his presence will be greatly appreciated in the locker room.

    However, Arizona, in my opinion, isn't looking to fix their line with Redding as a long term solution. He's 34 now, and he played 715 snaps in Indianapolis last season. I think Arizona is looking to snatch a development lineman, perhaps a 2nd or 3rd round pick in Marcus Hardison from Arizona State. He is a high upside development pick, and under Redding's influence, he may turn into something Arizona would like to have.

    Also in the mix is former Atlanta Falcon DT Corey Peters. The Cardinals have just signed him today to a 3 year deal bringing in what is estimated to be $3.5 million per year. The interesting thing about Peters is why he chose the Cardinals over 6 other clubs. "Arizona’s entire approach was unique in that they had a plan for me," he said. "Throughout discussions, I thought I could be a good fit there." Peters is extremely versatile, and can play any position on the defensive line in the Cardinals 3-4 scheme, much like Dockett could.

    Another former Falcon is set to join the Cardinals, and that is Sean Weatherspoon. The Falcons Linebacker is very good friends with Peters, and although Weatherspoon missed all of 2014 with a ruptured Achilles tendon, he offers a strong veteran presence and support at the ILB spot that Arizona desperately needs. He's been inked reportedly into a 1 year $4 million deal.

    Add former Pittsburgh Steeler and Oakland Raider OLB LaMarr Woodley to add edge pressure, and I'm not sure what offenses are going to do to try and stop this defense from getting to the QB. Woodley missed a lot of football with the Raiders in 2014, playing in just 6 games and collecting 5 tackles, but he is a proven pass rusher and edge protector, and I think Woodley can be healthy and motivated in 2015 with Arians and comp.

    As if that's not enough news to add to the defense, Arizona is hosting former Broncos LB Nate Irving, someone else who can offer some strong support from the ILB position. Irving is a run stopper by nature, and is coming off of a November ACL tear. He still managed to collect 46 tackles, and can be cheap and helpful in the 2015 season for Arizona.

    Arizona has signed a beast in former Niner offensive guard Mike Iupati. Adding him to the LG position with Jason Veldheer at LT and Jonathan Cooper at RG is going to do nothing but bless the offense that runs behind them. Now having Iupati inked at 5 years $40 million, $22.5 of that guaranteed, the Cardinals have dished out $54 million worth of guaranteed money in the past 3 years to offensive linemen, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

    Iupati's arrival has been highly praised by Cardinals alike. Calais Campbell, the teams leader on defense, was thrilled to have him. "He's a beast." Iupati will offer an immediate support on the run game, and a lot of support in pass protection for Carson Palmer, or whoever is playing QB.

    A key player I think Arizona should re-sign is CB Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie played big last year, and I'm not convinced that the Cardinals defense is prepared to allow him to move on. According to current reports, Cromarties decision is down to either resigning with Arizona, the Jets or Cowboys.

    Cromartie is a perfect example of a veteran player that Arizona brought in with concerns on his physical condition, and he outplayed all of his critics, giving the Cardinals the best he had. When he signed his 1 year "trial" contract last season, Cromartie was a hit or miss prospect. He had struggled in New York with Rex Ryan and the Jets, bringing up concerns on his age whether he had outplayed his prime, but an impressive season has turned Cromartie into one of the top defensive free agents at his position on the market.

    Sitting at pick number 24 is pretty sweet for a team doing so well in free agency, so what can Arizona do with the draft to help the team? I think they're talent at the TE position is pretty low, but so is the collective pool entering the draft this season. Maxx Williams from Minnesota is the top contender in the first round, and he should be at least considered by the Cardinals for both his soft hands and his blocking ability. If they don't want to go with a TE, then a player such as OG Tre Jackson should still be on the board to add even more explosion to the offensive line. Remember, not much of this draft will be made out of need, most of it will be made to compliment the team.

    Arizona has too much talent not to cast a shadow in the Super Bowl contender talks. The most important thing for them at the current time is that they're still a solid team, they're basically adding talent everywhere. Arizona is quietly preparing to win Super Bowl L.