With open letters being so popular lately, I decided to pen one of my own. It may not be as dramatic as the one penned by former NFL player and Green Beret Nate Boyer, who told Colin Kaepernick he would keep an open mind about his stance on the National Anthem, but mine has significant ramifications nonetheless. It has to do with the future of the 49ers. The life blood of this team. It could be the difference between more Super Bowls or more top 10 picks.
Please Trent Baalke, stop your obsession with college players who have an ACL injury history.
Dear Trent,
You’ve proven to be a good General Manager. You’ve led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. You found NaVorro Bowman in the third round, Aaron Lynch in the fifth. Wide receivers aren’t your thing, but that’s not why I’m here. It’s the blind passion you have with college players recovering from ACL knee injuries.
What gives? The 49ers are Team ACL. You think they present value. After all, knee injuries aren’t the career enders they used to be right? A year on injured reserve and you get the last laugh. A first round talent in the third because other teams don’t have the patience to wait. A few years ago that wasn’t a bad strategy. The 49ers had talent to burn and young guys weren’t likely to break the lineup anyway, so what’s the harm? When all is said and done, look how smart you’ll look to the other General Managers at the next league meeting. Some risk for a big reward. The GM of the Year trophies will pile up, the Super Bowls will soon follow all because you had the foresight to project these players post surgery. One small problem. It doesn’t work. These guys have gone bust faster than Chip Kelly runs a play.
Since 2013, it’s a second rounder, two thirds, two fourths, a fifth and a seventh round pick. Of those seven picks, only three are currently on the roster, none are listed as a current starter, there is one career start among them, five have never or will never play in a regular season game for the team. These are the picks that are the lifeblood of an NFL team. First round picks get the headlines, second, third and fourth round picks should be starters who give you value to keep your cap in check. All these players should be entering their prime. It’s a big reason why the 49ers don’t have the talent base other teams have for players entering their best football years.
So please, the next time you want to turn in that card and add to Team ACL, I urge you to think of Marcus Lattimore or Brandon Thomas. DeAndre Smelter or Trey Millard. The best ability an NFL player can have is availability.
Sincerely,
John Lund
KNBR 680
A look at Trent’s Team ACL:
Tank Carradine (2013- 2nd round, pick 40): Suffered a right knee ACL tear at Florida State in November 2012. One career start, 39 tackles, four sacks. Moved to outside linebacker this season after dropping significant weight and should be a factor with Aaron Lynch missing the first four games.
Marcus Lattimore (2013- 4th round, pick 131): After an injury in which Lattimore tore all his knee ligaments, dislocated his kneecap and suffered nerve damage, the 49ers still drafted the former South Carolina star. He never played in a regular season game and is now retired from football.
Brandon Thomas (2014- 3rd round, pick 100): Suffered an ACL tear in a pre-draft workout with the New Orleans Saints. Never played a game in the regular season for the 49ers. Traded to Lions for WR Jeremy Kerley. Cut by Lions, added to their practice squad.
Keith Reaser (2014- 5th round, pick 170): Torn ACL in 2013 and also had a surgery in February of 2014. Played in 13 games last season, zero starts. Made 49ers’ initial 53 man roster this season. Listed as a back up to Jimmie Ward at right cornerback.
DeAndre Smelter (2015- 4th round, pick 133): Torn ACL at Georgia Tech. Was going to be raw anyway coming from a run dominant offense. Missed 2015 season rehabbing the knee, missed 2016 preseason with a hamstring injury. Waived with an injury settlement on the cut down to 53. Never played a preseason, let alone regular season, down for the 49ers.
Will Redmond (2016- 3rd round, pick 68): After playing in the 49ers’ final two preseason games, Redmond was placed on injured reserve. Each team can designate one player to return per season from IR, so Redmond could play this season after Week 8.