Eric Wright Has 49ers Spinning
July 23rd, 2013
It wasn’t a shock to Joe when he learned that the walking suspension, cornerback Eric Wright, failed to pass a physical after being traded by the Bucs to the 49ers on Friday. If teams want to fail a guy on a physical, they can, even if said player is the model of health.
Just reading how the 49ers are trying to spin the Wright affair is amusing, as documented by Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. It almost seems as if 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh threw San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke under the bus. Harbaugh refused to say what element of his physical that Wright flunked and all but told reporters to talk to Baalke about why he traded for Wright and shipped him back to the Bucs in a matter of hours.
Were the 49ers aware of his recent DUI before the trade?
“I mean, really, the better guy to talk to is Trent,” Harbaugh said. “He’s got a clear understanding of the specific transaction. So I’ll defer to him on that.”
Joe finds it simply impossible to believe Harbaugh has no idea why Wright flunked his physical. Nothing like dodging the question and passing the blame off on a suit above you in the front office.
Harbaugh has been outspoken in the recent past, mocking his division-rival Seahawks for all their players getting popped for Adderall (?). Maybe the 49ers forgot about Wright’s suspension last year for testing positive for Adderall (?) and this, in part, is why the 49ers flunked Wright’s physical in order to keep their distance?
It sure smells to Joe that after the 49ers had a weekend to think over the transaction, both Harbaugh and Baalke decided they really aren’t desperate enough to bring in a malcontent like Wright to poison the locker room.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:54 am
At least Schiano wouldn’t dodge the question….a characteristic that gets him in a bit of trouble sometimes.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:59 am
Quick bit of trivia… Hillis was drafted by the Broncos in 2008 with the 7th round pick the Bucs gave them for the rights to Jake Plummer.
Remember that abortion? Ugh.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Cant help but think that the 49ers knew the Bucs would drop him. Wouldnt be surprised if they gave Wright a tryout without having to give up a pick. Dirty, but the Bucs telegraphed it all along.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:04 pm
@bucsfaninchina
Wrigt would have to clear waivers before SF got another shot at him. Also, I think that SF would risk harming their reputation if they pulled something like that……and someone like Wright isn’t worth it.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
I believe the Bucs should file a grievance with the NFL. San Fran made the trade and then reneged without just cause. The 49’rs should be forced to give the Bucs the pick they swapped and the 49’rs should retain the rights to Wright. This is BS on the part of Balke and he made the trade so he should have to live with it.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
I dont feel bad for Wright after all this is all his fault. The idiot had more than enough chances to fix himself up
But with that being said, Lying and saying someone failed a physical just seems really shady and rubbing salt on the wound thats already Eric Wright.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Eric Wright one of 33 players in the NFL to get arrested since the Superbowl.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:20 pm
@tampabaybucfan
Any 9ers fan will tell you their weakness is their secondary. I think a repuation as a 2013 SB champ may get in the way… we also dont know if the bucs tried to pull some funny business and trade him before news of the arrest was out. All speculation but still…
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:21 pm
He would’ve been a great fit for the 49ers. I mean, he WAS wearing their hat and colors!
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Joe, don’t try and put egg on the face of 49ers. This is the pop-star’s mess. It was a conditional pick, they could just take a look at wright and still dump him before opening day, and still would have owed the bucs a thing. They felt back lashes from the DUI and dumped him right back on the “boy-genius gm.” outsmarted again by real NFL GM’s.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@Big Mac
Do we know the terms of the trade? Was it contingent on Weight passing their physical? I’m sure the Bucs disclosed the DUI, but Wright still failed for something. The Niners wanted to try and unload Rodgers contract so the did have need.
Regardless, the Niners and Dom were playing turd hockey anyway. Both would be pleased for this whole story to go away.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Hahahahaha. If Dominik was outsmarted, the trade wouldve never been agreed to in the first place. Everyone acts like SF has a decade long of success. Before Harbaugh, they were garbage. They won’t even make the playoffs this year. Kaepernick is a flash in the pan. There’s a reason he wasnt a 1st rounder.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:33 pm
While I don’t agree with Realist about the blame being on Dominick, he is right about the 9ers. I said it yesterday. The 49ers were not expecting the fan outcry they received when word of the deal got out.
They failed Wright to avoid having egg on their face.
As to blame…it belongs on only one person. Eric Wright.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Now that the Bucs trade fell through and they waived Wright outright, what happens if the 49ers decide to pick him up, after he clears waivers? Could it be considered tampering? By the 49ers declaring that Wright failed his physical sorta puts up a red flag and blackballs Wright from other teams showing interest during his waiver period. If he clears with no interest and the 9ers sign him, I will be thoroughly PO’d
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:40 pm
nope, you have to blame the pop-star. after a dui (that was dropped) last year, injuries, suspensions and weird behavior. The pop-star had to his credit a get out of jail free card. He could have dumped his mistake and tried his hand again at free agent CB. but he choose to prove that he was right along and rolled the dice on Wright. He lost and lost big. the only good that will come of this, will be the final nail in the coffin of the pop-star. wave goodbye pop-star.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:47 pm
@realist
You’re such an @ss. Wright’s second contract costed us “NOTHING” …”NO GUARANTEES” “NO MONEY UPFRONT” If Dom had pulled off the trade he would have been a ROCKSTAR for getting SOMETHING for NOTHING…jeez
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:47 pm
The fact that we are here complaining about not getting a potential 6th or 7th round pick for a “premier” free agent signed last year by the alleged “rock star” speaks volumes!
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@realist I actually agree. They should have dumped him a while ago and got a vet cb. (Doesn’t matter now) it would have helped them in negotiations with the jets as the bucs. Getting a vet would have told them, we can leave the table and not worry at all. It is what it is. No GM in the league has gone through years without making mistakes. Every GM does. This is one of the few Dom has made but he has made some excellent moves in the meantime. 8 pro bowlers
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:53 pm
@bucs junkie but the bucs could have wiped their hands clean of Wright and gotten a vet with no off the field issues for the same price
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:54 pm
It was a good move to try and trade him. It fail. No big deal. We have depth. More than most teams, in our secondary
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:54 pm
^^^^^the fact that we didn’t get a late round draft pick for nothing gives you haters misleading props to slam our “ROCKSTAR” Dom for it speaks volumes of how idiotic your hatefulness really is. F’kin whiney little girls.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Nobody is complaining except you Dom Bashers
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:54 pm
I lik Dom but realist is right about this f up. We should have gotten grimes or another FA
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:55 pm
@Buc’n Junkie
it is not about getting a 7th rounder for the pop-star’s colossal mistake. The worst part is that he missed a chance of getting a solid #2 CB that the Bucs will desperately need this year.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:57 pm
@couch fan
the only ones complaining is the ones that see whats coming. The rest of the sheep will finally see it once the season starts………as usual.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:58 pm
@buc realist
Your distain for Dominick causes you to make some bizarre
arguments. If you want examples… Just read any of your posts. They always include Dominick. Did he waive off one of your advances?
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:59 pm
They could’ve gotten a vet at any time they wanted. just because they had Wright didn’t take away that opportunity. Pretty weak argument to say Wright held them back. Wrights second contract spoke volumes on what they actually felt about him. It wasn’t a matter of if it was a matter of when. Dom came an eyelash away from getting something for nothing and you haters can;’t even give him credit for that.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Who’s to say that there wasn’t a a #2 CB on the roster. We didn’t have a #1 CB last year and that showed, but I think Leonard Johnson can hold his own against most #2 WR with help over the top.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:02 pm
I see Wright signing with Oakland Raiders.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:06 pm
@junkie I am not a Dom hater. I think Dom has done a fantastic job in the last few years but this whole Wright situation is a fail. I don’t usually agree with “the realist” but on this one I do. Dom could have released Wright right much much earlier. Yes financially Wright did not hold the bucs back from offering a vet a contract but Dom was depending on Wright playing in 2013. This was his mistake. He trusted him, and with his past he shouldn’t have. The bucs could be sitting pretty with two good corners and an extremely deep corner group with most of the money going to one. But now we have to depend on some of the corners from last year. I don’t think that means the secondary will suffer, the guys from last year will improve. But this situation could have been handled better. Live and learn Dom
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@Realist
I dont know how you see anything that is coming with your head so far up your ass.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:08 pm
@sneedy agree but could be even better for approx the same price
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Lol at the guys that hate Dominik for signing him AND releasing him. He cost us one year of pay guys. That is all. He is not crippling our cap space. It surely isn’t a transaction to be praised but come on. You just overlook Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks because the cheapest free agent we signed last year sucked? Seems pretty convenient. Oh but that’s right, Nicks is a bust because he had an injury. That stupid “pop star” should have known that player would get injured. Maybe you guys are right, fire Dom! SMH
I guess you guys need something to complain about. If not this then its something else. Seems like a terrible way to live to just feel the need to always be complaining about something. If Freeman was replaced you would just complain about his replacement. Same goes for Dom. We could win a Super Bowl and I guarantee the same people will show up and complain that we didn’t win by enough points. Argue all you want, you know it’s true.
I just can’t wait to hear about how “lucky” we got this year with this “terrible” roster Dom has assembled.
I am so glad training camp is finally here. Real football in 44 days!
http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/to?iso=20130905T2005&p0=43&msg=NFL+Kickoff+2013
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:21 pm
you cut a guys pay y 10 fold….er whatever the amount was…and even though wright cost himself…
Dom
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:24 pm
For Dom to think wright would be a happy camper after taking a 10 fold pay cut (or whatever the #) was pretty stupid.
He should have gotten someone in FA when he had the chance knowing full well Wright would be a cancer from the day he took that pay cut…even though it was his fault.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:28 pm
When a GM is anointed with the moniker of “rock star”, I don’t expect said GM to miss on much. After all, “rock stars” have hit albums that go gold and platinum, not duds.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:32 pm
@Robert that’s exactly what I’m saying.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:34 pm
@Gus
Are you privy to inside information? I mean seriously? How can you say that the reason why Dominik wasn’t interested in any FA corners was because he was settled on Wright. You are speculating. Maybe he was satisfied with the other corners we have on our team. Signing Wright to a no money up front contract was a perfectly executed plan. Maybe he planned all along to try to get something for Wright before camp started. but Mr. Wright nixed that plan. The fact is “YOU DON’T KNOW”. You’re basing your opinion on unknown facts.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:43 pm
@junkie aren’t we all doing that. None of us know exactly what happens but it is a safe assumption that Dom wanted/trusted Wright more than the corners in free agency. Maybe it was because Wright had a year experience in the system. Yes I am speculating of course but the Wright signing did sit right with me from day one(wish it was finnegan but it is what it is). The amount of money for a guy who hasn’t shown that he is much better than a decent #2. He also had past issue, and I get it you have to take risks in this business. I feel that it would have been better to get rid of Wright when he had the chance and bring in another good vet. Last I checked this team is in win now mode. Why not do everything possible for that. Again I like our secondary the way it is now but things could have been handled better when it comes to Wright from day one. Just saying. Dom has done an excellent job elsewhere but I feel this is not one of his bright spots no matter how you dress it
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:43 pm
@lightningbuc
The “Rockstar” moniker was dreamt up by “yours truly” JoeBucFan. Dominik didn’t nickname himself.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:48 pm
It’s way too early to become overly concerned with the loss of Eric Wright. I was among the fans that wanted Dominik to re-sign Wright at a reduced contract. And he did that, and like all of us, well most of us, having no knowledge that Wright would screw what seemed like a last chance to redeem himself.
There will be other opportunities, even some surprises, to sign an experienced CB before the season starts. I don’t know if the Bucs will be interested in either player, but one or the other of Nnamdi Asomugha or Carlos Rogers is going to be cut from the 49ers.
And there will be others. Old expression – “keep the faith, baby” would come in handy about now!
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:51 pm
correction: screw up
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:54 pm
@Gus
Well I’m glad you have taken up the mantle to become Doms new Judge and Jury. Now that he has failed to defend his actions to counter your speculative claims, I suppose you’ll just crucify him in the court of public opinion.
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:00 pm
BucJunky,
“yours truly” JoeBucFan
So are you JoeBucsFan? Normally when someone uses “yours truly”, they are talking of themselves.
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:04 pm
There WILL be good corners released for cap or age reasons once the cutdowns start coming up. If they have one they like, they will sign him. What people like realist fail to realize is it’s not just Dominik with input. They have a whole department full of scouts that have been watching these guys since college and through the pros. If a guy they liked before but couldn’t get is available at a reasonable price, they will go after him. Simple as that. The Bucs staff are professionals. I like to think I have a pretty damn good acumen, but these guys do it for a living and much better than any of us armchair GM’s can do. So sit back and enjoy the season.
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:07 pm
@Mac give me Rodgers. I’ve always liked him even in Washington. His only problem was catching the football.
@junkie…….what….what?! I said Dom screwed up when it comes to Wright as a whole. I don’t even think Dom himself would disagree with me. Wright was originally brought in to be a starter for 4 years or more. We barely got one. Dom missed on this it happens to every GM in the league but I will voice my disapproval when I have and I will voice my appreciation when he does well. That’s my right as a bucs fans that has poured countless dollars into this team.
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:11 pm
@lightningbuc … I’m on JBF … let me reiterate since your unable to get my gist or you think your being clever and want everyone to notice how smart you really are for pointing out that yours truly usually does describe the person speaking but in this case, since I was using JBF website knowing that Joe monitors these here threads gave me this out of the box ideal to use “Yours Truly” meaning Joe from JBF. anything else smart guy?
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@junkie I was kinda confused on that too. I don’t think he was trying to clever
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Thanks Gus. I wasn’t being clever. Wondered if BucJunky was one of the Joe’s commenting.
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:25 pm
@Gus
The first time he signed Wright, I agree. The reason why he signed Wright the second time, I don’t agree. I think Dom saw value in keeping Wright for nothing and gave Wright a chance to redeem himself but all the while Dom knew he could unload him for something in the future if someone showed interest. Wright nixed those plans and now he’s sitting at home with no paycheck for 2013. I don’t agree that Dom put all his faith in Wright and that’s why he wasn’t active in FA. Wrights second contract testifies that Dom had no faith but was willing to give him another chance.
July 23rd, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Gus Says:
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:51 pm
“@realist I actually agree. They should have dumped him a while ago and got a vet cb.”
You guys seem to forget Ronde. He hadn’t decided to retire yet so for all they knew, the Bucs HAD a veteran on the team.
I wanted Grimes myself…but if the Bucs had gotten him they would not have gotten Revis. Too big an investment.
As far as Wright is concerned, it cost the Bucs nothing at all to give him a second chance. He was not with the team for training camp, so they will not have his mealy salary count against the cap. Even if it did though…it isn’t enough to hurt anything.
Dominick played the entire Eric Wright situation perfectly. Even when he first signed him. They talked to his coaches, teammates and more. Everyone said Wright was ready to take that next big step. I remember published interviews featuring his former teammates saying so.
Even so, Wright had a past, so Dominick smartly put the clause in his contract. In other words…he covered things just in case. Perfect.
So you can try to bash him all you want, but it doesn’t change the facts. Dominick did it perfect.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Well said Macabee
July 24th, 2013 at 6:08 am
Macabee always speaks “reality”; unlike some who merely seek out any event to validate their derogatory comments about our general manager and QB without ever even slightly acknowledging anything that would dispute their claims of incompetence.
July 24th, 2013 at 7:46 am
Just read where the SF indian givers plan to sign him and that they already knew that he had a DUI arrest. They just failed him when they found out that he would’ve been released to take their draft picks back.