FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I am elated with the additions made by our beloved 49ers! Willis is a bad, bad man who will make an immediate impact on this team. He is a current owner of two of the most coveted linebacker college trophies; the Butkus award as well as the Lambert award. He was the SEC defensive player of the year, which makes sense as he led the league in solo tackles in one game with 11.4, and making opponents cry. He will add an extreme amount of fear around the league as he joins a 49ers defense that already boasts of 5 off season free agent picks, including pro bowlers Clements and Lewis that will help another pro bowler Walt Harris shut down teams in the secondary. He adds speed comparable to that of Manny Lawson's who should have a tremendous year with a pro year already in the books. He will join Banta Cain, and "I-don't-know-how-to-make-less-than-100-tackles-a-year" Derek Smith in the middle of a tough and speedy linebacking core. The front will of course have the newly acquired Franklin and the great Bryant Young. NOt enough could be said about B.Y. He is an absolute animal! I love the way this man plays the game! He is not only a sure fire future hall-of-famer, but he has something nearly everyone in the NFL these days doesn't...LOYALTY! He said he would finish his career with this great franchise and he meant it. He has a lot of to offer the youngsters both on and off the field. I will forever respect this man both for his play and for his character!!

Staley is the fastest O lineman in this year's draft and has tremendous explosivenss, speed and strength, espeically in pass coverage. The Niners brilliantly traded up to get another 2 impact players in the first round for the 2nd consecutive year. He will help out a line that is responsible for protecting a confident and fast rising Alex Smith. There have been many complaints about one Mr. Alex Smith since he came to S.F. But as far as he is concerned, I think he will only get better. He is very young, extremely inteligent with a Manning-like need for knowing every meticulous detail about not only his team, but also his opponent's team. This O-line  just added more depth to one that already consists of Jonas Jennings and the NFL's strongest man; Larry Allen by signing the aforementioned Staley. I also think a lot could be said for Heitman (he is extremely versatile),Snyder and Smiley as those three just don't give a **** and will run down field and block linebackers, safeties, corners, beer venders, whoever! The addition of Staley should also say bye-bye to NFL's 2005 "most penalized man"; Kwame Harris. That guy is devastatingly hard to watch. More good news...Norv Turner was replaced by his protege who both understands Alex Smith's strengths and weaknesses, and is said to be sticking to the game plan from last season. Add to the mix the mighty mighty Beast-like Frank Gore who has predicted a 2000 plus yeard season,  the addition of Jackson (another brillant move) and Lelie, and a break out sophomore season from Vernon, this season could be an explosive one on both sides of the ball!

GO NINERS! 

In Nolan we trust!