Staley the face of 49ers’ O-line

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Thursday, June 04, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
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After struggling to find consistency at left tackle for years, the San Francisco 49ers have apparently found the answer. At the very least, that's what their six-year, $42 million extension with lineman Joe Staley indicates. The deal will keep the third-year tackle in the Bay Area through 2017.

Staley, a first-round pick in the 2007 draft, has been a durable and reliable performer since his arrival in the NFL. Although he began his career at right tackle, Staley shifted to the opposite side of the line during his sophomore campaign. After one mildly successful year his new position, Staley now becomes the primary caretaker for whoever winds up under center for the 49ers.

While Staley’s presence will continue to bring stability to San Francisco’s offensive line, the timing of his contract extension is precarious. Sure, Staley has demonstrated ample ability in his first two seasons, but he also allowed 8.5 sacks a year ago (tied for eighth most in the NFL). Staley ranked 27th in sacks allowed among left tackles, but that number might be somewhat misleading given the 49ers’ dysfunctional offense a year ago.

Several former tackles have failed on the perimeter and have subsequently been moved to the interior. Fans in San Francisco are hopeful Staley doesn’t turn into a high-priced guard who was unable to progress at the tackle position.

The 49ers may have been wise to wait until Staley’s rookie contract was up in order to better gauge his potential. However, the San Francisco front office must also be commended for locking up one of its core players.

The 2007 draft is shaping up to be quite a success for the 49ers. Linebacker Patrick Willis has already developed into the leader of the San Francisco defense and has two Pro Bowls under his belt. Meanwhile Staley has started all 32 games during his first two seasons and will now be the face of the 49ers’ offensive line for years to come.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
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