Bravo, Baldwin's Back

[Bird Droppings]

While there has been very little bidding on restricted free agents, I am surprised that one team, with two second round picks, didn't make him an offer.

So, fortunately, he will remain a Hawk without any other team forcing their hand on the competent, bright, exciting player who gives maximum effort with minimum selfl screaming for attention and whose contributions, on and off the field, are worthy of our respect.

He is a vital part of this team. He has been willing to come in and work out without a contract, and, we all know, if he would have been injured, he would have jeopardized his career.

As it is, he still hasn't signed his tender.

But my question is: why didn't the 49ers jam the Hawks in this matter?

A primary need is wide receiver, and there are plenty of rumors that they are going to give a boatload of draft picks to trade into the top six of the first round to pluck either Mr. Watkins, or Mr. Evans. While those seem fine choices, the Niners have not set the world on fire with their choices at a wide receiver early on.

Mr. Crabtree took a few years to come around. Mr. Jenkins, I believe his name was, didn't seem to operate well in fog.

If they had any interest in Doug Baldwin, making any kind of offer, they would have forced the Seahawks to match of miss out on Baldwin's services.

The Niners had the cap room to do this, and it wouldn't have cost them a boatload of picks ... just one.

While the cash would have been more than they would have paid for Watkins or Evans, they would have gotten a proven performer ... who performs.

My conclusion is that they are, indeed, gonna try to make a deal with the Raiders, Browns, Jags or Rams to get one of the top two WR's ... otherwise, they would have messed with the Hawks, still pouting from their playoff loss.

Regardless, welcome back Number 89, and, hopefully, after Mr. Sherman signs his deal next week that you are next for a contract extension.

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[RiverDog]

Baldwin played for Harbaugh at Stanford, so maybe that has something to do with the Niner's lack of interest. Perhaps he feels that Baldwin isn't what the Niners need in a WR.

But you're right, Baldwin has been our most consistent WR over the past 3 years, and considering that the lack of depth at that position could be a real problem if Harvin doesn't come to the party, makes him indispensable. I like him, he's a sticky fingered WR, perhaps our best hands receiver on our team.

[Bird Droppings]

Excellent point, Dog.

It could be they divorced in college, and are beyond reconciliation.

With Boldin getting ancient, Baldwin seemed like a get-out-of-jail-nearly-free card and draw wicked smiles from Harbaugh, and salaiva dripping Niner fans.

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[RiverDog]

Or perhaps the Niners were afraid that if they brought in another former Seahawk WR that their quarterback would end up in jail.

[NorthHawk]

Baldwin and Wilson work well together as seen by the clutch plays by them.
He isn't a game breaker, but he is a play maker and deserves the increase he will get and I hope he deserves more after this year.
I like his focus and no nonsense attitude in the interviews I have seen. I think that attitude might ground some of the other players around him.

[Futureite]

Baldwin is a very good, reliable receiver but I don't see what he adds that Quinton Patton or Brandon Lloyd can't as #3's. We need a burner at the slot to compliment Boldin and Crabtree and Baldwin does not fulfill that need.

[HumanCockroach]

Baldwin is a very good, reliable receiver but I don't what he adds that Quinton Patton or Brandon Lloyd can't as #3's. We need a burner at the slot to compliment Boldin and Crabtree and Baldwin does not fulfill that need.

If you can't see what Baldwins production ( 50+ receptions, 800 yards , 5 tds and 300 yards, in the post season) adds that a COMBINED 2 receptions and 20 yards brings, between Patton and Lloyd there isn't much help for you.

[Zorn76]

Great news!
Glad to have Baldwin remain. The guy is a gamer, has Fire, and puts the team 1st.

Future - Lloyd is long shot to make the team, IMO. 32 yrs old, and hasn't played since 2012. I hope SF keeps this guy, because he'll take up a roster spot that could've been better used elsewhere. Signing Brandon is an indication of how desperate the 49ers are for WR's.

[RiverDog]

Great news!
Glad to have Baldwin remain. The guy is a gamer, has Fire, and puts the team 1st.

Future - Lloyd is long shot to make the team, IMO. 32 yrs old, and hasn't played since 2012. I hope SF keeps this guy, because he'll take up a roster spot that could've been better used elsewhere. Signing Brandon is an indication of how desperate the 49ers are for WR's.

If for nothing else, you guys should have jumped on Baldwin for the intelligence he could provide. I know a lot of us had some major concerns when we shipped DJack off to you guys a few years back. There's always some benefit to be gained when you bring in someone from a division rival, which is one of the reasons why you don't see many intradivision trades.

[Eaglehawk]

Baldwin is a very good, reliable receiver but I don't what he adds that Quinton Patton or Brandon Lloyd can't as #3's. We need a burner at the slot to compliment Boldin and Crabtree and Baldwin does not fulfill that need.

If you can't see what Baldwins production ( 50+ receptions, 800 yards , 5 tds and 300 yards, in the post season) adds that a COMBINED 2 receptions and 20 yards brings, between Patton and Lloyd there isn't much help for you.

HC +1

[Eaglehawk]

Great news!
Glad to have Baldwin remain. The guy is a gamer, has Fire, and puts the team 1st.

Future - Lloyd is long shot to make the team, IMO. 32 yrs old, and hasn't played since 2012. I hope SF keeps this guy, because he'll take up a roster spot that could've been better used elsewhere. Signing Brandon is an indication of how desperate the 49ers are for WR's.

If for nothing else, you guys should have jumped on Baldwin for the intelligence he could provide. I know a lot of us had some major concerns when we shipped DJack off to you guys a few years back. There's always some benefit to be gained when you bring in someone from a division rival, which is one of the reasons why you don't see many intradivision trades.

Riv, I think that they didn't jump on Baldwin for a couple of reasons:
1. Baldwin might not have been interested.
2. Harbough had a flash of ethics and said no. Or, more likely, Harbough knows this is his last season and does not give a rip. Or his GM didn't give a rip. Or H said yes and GM said no. (All speculation of course).
3. They already have intelligence about us. We play them often, and they could have reasoned that Baldwin would not have given much new information.

[Futureite]

Great news!
Glad to have Baldwin remain. The guy is a gamer, has Fire, and puts the team 1st.

Future - Lloyd is long shot to make the team, IMO. 32 yrs old, and hasn't played since 2012. I hope SF keeps this guy, because he'll take up a roster spot that could've been better used elsewhere. Signing Brandon is an indication of how desperate the 49ers are for WR's.

If for nothing else, you guys should have jumped on Baldwin for the intelligence he could provide. I know a lot of us had some major concerns when we shipped DJack off to you guys a few years back. There's always some benefit to be gained when you bring in someone from a division rival, which is one of the reasons why you don't see many intradivision trades.

There is a lot to like about Baldwin's game. He has good hands, runs great routes and he always seems to come up with big plays in clutch moments. His 40+ yd TD in the 4th in 2011 v us game 1 and his 70+ yd kick return late in the 3rd in the NFCCCG game are two examples. I'd welcome him here. I just don't think he really fits our need. We are looking specifically for a guy that can stretch the D, and while Baldwin is capable of big plays he is not that guy. So I guess I will disagree with the idea that we need WRs. I think we are set except for a vertical threat.

I do agree with you that we should have forced Seattle to up the price for Baldwin, if that is how it works. I don't follow the rules on those things so I cannot really comment about it. But your thinking is in line with what I would do too.

I am guessing Seattle goes with WR early too. A corp of say Harvin, Baldwin, Kearse and Benjamin would be pretty damn good!

[Futureite]

Great news!
Glad to have Baldwin remain. The guy is a gamer, has Fire, and puts the team 1st.

Future - Lloyd is long shot to make the team, IMO. 32 yrs old, and hasn't played since 2012. I hope SF keeps this guy, because he'll take up a roster spot that could've been better used elsewhere. Signing Brandon is an indication of how desperate the 49ers are for WR's.

I have no idea why he retired or if like you said, if he will even make the team. But he did put up over 1,400, 900 and 900 yds and over 70 receptions in each of the last 3 seasons he did play, so he definitely still has skills. There have always been questions about his motivation and behavior in the locker room though. Maybe that is why he has bounced around? We have been bringing this guy in for workouts since 2011 so there must be something about him we like. You know my philodophy on age, especially at the WR position. I remember we all argued vehemently over that being a limiting factor with Boldin. Barring injury, I just don't see 32 as old for a wr. Nonetheless, I am not expecting anything from him other than a potential safegaurd against injury to our starters.

In any case I think we are looking great at wr and just need a speed threat. Just my opinion. You guys are looking good as well.

[Hawk Sista]

Cut my legs off & call me shorty... I agree w/ future. If Balwin were the Mike Evans type receiver the Niners are hunting for, why are we looking for the same? To compliment Harvin (if he can stay healthy), kearse & Baldwin... We need a big dude who can stretch the field. Don't get me wrong... Nobody loves Doug more than I do; I was pleased as hell he's still I. Our camp. While he would help ANY TEAM HE JOINED, I wouldn't give up the trade capital this close to the draft. My .02.

[RiverDog]

Cut my legs off & call me shorty... I agree w/ future. If Balwin were the Mike Evans type receiver the Niners are hunting for, why are we looking for the same? To compliment Harvin (if he can stay healthy), kearse & Baldwin... We need a big dude who can stretch the field. Don't get me wrong... Nobody loves Doug more than I do; I was pleased as hell he's still I. Our camp. While he would help ANY TEAM HE JOINED, I wouldn't give up the trade capital this close to the draft. My .02.

Yea, I'd love to see Evans drop into the mid 20's and just as the Niners are getting ready to scoop him up, we trade up a couple of spots and snag him. I know, wishful thinking.

[Hawk Sista]

That'd be nice. Awesome, in fact. Unlikely, but we can dream.

[Futureite]

Cut my legs off & call me shorty... I agree w/ future. If Balwin were the Mike Evans type receiver the Niners are hunting for, why are we looking for the same? To compliment Harvin (if he can stay healthy), kearse & Baldwin... We need a big dude who can stretch the field. Don't get me wrong... Nobody loves Doug more than I do; I was pleased as hell he's still I. Our camp. While he would help ANY TEAM HE JOINED, I wouldn't give up the trade capital this close to the draft. My .02.

Haha nice we are not arguing about one thing!

[Hawk Sista]

Queue the "even a broken watch is right twice a day jokes."