DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Antonio Bryant's future with 49ers cloudy

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/football/nfl/san_francisco_49ers/16807307.htm

By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
The 49ers have a new offensive coordinator, Jim Hostler, but they might not have Antonio Bryant much longer.

The troubled wide receiver's status with the team is in doubt, and Coach Mike Nolan did nothing to clarify it Wednesday.

``There haven't been any decisions made and we'll just leave it at that,'' Nolan said in a conference call. ``When there's something to report, we'll be the first to know and you'll be the second.''

Nolan confirmed that he met with Bryant last week during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis to discuss his status with the team, among other concerns.

Bryant, 25, has two games remaining on his four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. His agent, Peter Schaffer, reached Wednesday, had no comment.

With or without Bryant, the plays will be called by Hostler, a 40-year-old first-time coordinator who spent the past two seasons as the 49ers quarterback coach. That made him familiar with both Alex Smith, the 49ers quarterback, and the offensive system installed by his predecessor, Norv Turner.

But Hostler hasn't called plays since 1999, when he was the offensive coordinator at Division II Indiana (Pa.) University.

Nolan's concerns were eased during the interview when Hostler showed him game plans he'd drawn up over the past two seasons.

``They were all laminated. They were already done. They just were never used,'' Nolan said, adding that he'd done the same thing as an assistant aspiring to a coordinator's role. ``How effective they are, we'll never know. But I was extremely impressed that he did that.''

Also considered for the job were wide-receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, tight-ends coach Pete Hoener, running-backs coach Bishop Harris and offensive-line coach George Warhop. Nolan said his consideration of outside candidates was limited by the late timing of Turner's departure to become head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Free agency begins tonight at 9, and Nolan said the 49ers, with a league-high $38 million in salary-cap space, will aggressively seek to upgrade the roster and might be willing to take the same kind of risk they did a year ago with Bryant.

``It's not about the money. It's more about us adding good football players,'' Nolan said.

``We want the same kind of guy in free agency as we're looking for in the draft. That's first and foremost a guy that can play the game well, and secondly somebody that's got great character and fits in with what we're doing. But if you go with the second one first you're just going to end up with a lily-white team that doesn't beat anybody.''

Bryant was signed last off-season to a four-year, $15 million deal. Concerns about his behavior -- his past transgressions included throwing a jersey into Bill Parcells' face -- compelled the 49ers to structure the contract in a way that would allow them to release Bryant with no more than a $1 million hit on the salary cap.

Bryant began last season on a tear, opening with consecutive 100-yard receiving games, but his productivity slipped badly. He finished with 40 catches for a team-leading 733 yards and three touchdowns. He also had run-in with Nolan over arriving late for a meeting and he was benched for the start of the Dec. 10 game against Green Bay. He also missed a season-ending meeting with Nolan -- ``a misunderstanding on his part,'' the coach said.

Bryant missed the last two games of the season when he began serving his NFL suspension, which stemmed from a Nov. 19 arrest in San Mateo for investigation of reckless driving and resisting arrest. The case is still pending in the courts.

Nolan was generally supportive when the league handed down its suspension.

``But A.B. understands it's a very short leash from here on,'' Nolan said at the time. ``I want to have A.B. back on this team and I want him doing the right thing.''

• Nolan said he plans to interview Frank Cignetti Jr., offensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina, to replace Hostler as quarterbacks coach.

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Im really glad we've got Joe J instead of this fool. Phil def made the right choice by not trying to keep AB and signing Joe J instead!

AB is a freaking idiot. He's TO without the skill set, and with a worse demeanor.

Phil called that one right, not trying to resign him....Makes him for Jurivisious a no brainer..Good Call Phil


Anyone wanna bet he's a Raven or a Bengal before the start of next seson

I was in the crowd that wanted AB to stay...shows what I know, nice move Phil

I just think that AB had all the skill sets to be a #1 wide out based striclty on what I saw IN GAME.

His off the feild stuff, I was not privy to, and Phil made the right call.

The guy is a talented WR, no question about it. Too bad he can't pull his head out of his backside long enough to make the most of it. What a waste. I'm glad we dumped him.

Quote:

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I am guessing you will be one of the only folks to admit wanting him back.

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I must be the other one,, cause I had no problem with the Browns trying to keep him here.. he was kind of a loud mouth, but he played hard, made some tough catches.. But still couldn't keep his pants up when sliding...LOL

But yeah, I would have been happy had he stayed,,, Me a dummy I guess....

Not so cloudy anymore:

49ers | Bryant released
Thu, 1 Mar 2007 16:52:41 -0800

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have released WR Antonio Bryant.

Clear Sky

I will forever be an AB fan... i dont care.. I still think he brings fire to his team.. He's a good cocky.. and he can easily break away from a defender..

his off the field actions.. he still hasnt learned.. and for that reason.. no team will really want him..

cmon AB.. get ur act together man.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/

49ers | Bryant cut won't be too expensive
Thu, 1 Mar 2007 16:59:41 -0800

Dennis Georgatos, of the San Jose Mercury News, reports the cutting of WR Antonio Bryant by the San Francisco 49ers will cost the team less than $1 million because they specifically set up his original four-year, $15 million contract in a way to lessen their hit against the cap due to his previous issues. Bryant failed to show up for his season-ending meeting with head coach Mike Nolan, which Nolan referred to as a "misunderstanding." Where ever he ends up, he will still have to miss the first two games of the 2007 season due to a four-game suspension he received towards the end of the 2006 season.


interesting... wonder if that had anything to do with it?

just clickin'

I bought AB's jersey when he was with the team, because whenever he was (inevitably) let go I could take a brown Sharpie to the "T" on the jersey and make it say my name, "BRYAN".

At least it's a little more up-to-date than my Couch jersey.

49ers | Bryant released
Thu, 1 Mar 2007 16:52:41 -0800

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have released WR Antonio Bryant.

bye bye, AB.

ok?

did you read any of the other posts? it's already been posted?

whoops, I guess I missed it.

I wanted the Browns to draft AB instead of Andre Davis is the second round, I was excited when we traded Quincy Morgan for him, and I was pissed he didnt get re-signed. He has been the Browns biggest playmaking WR since the reurn in 99' and I'd still like him back on the team.

Cleveland is the only place he never got in trouble, in the media. Edwards, Winslow, AB, an improved line, and a Peterson/Droughns combo would be a really exciting offense to watch. Plus Heidon and JJ on the bench. The new OC has an attacking offense. Im sure that would make any Browns QB happy.