Injury to Harris opens door for 49ers’ rookie Staley

By Danny Dabiri  |   Thursday, June 14, 2007  |  Comments( 22 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Expectations were high when the San Francisco 49ers selected offensive tackle Kwame Harris with the 26th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. After four tumultuous seasons, the former Stanford star may be on his way out the door. Harris has been unable to participate in the team's OTA' for the last week because of back spasms. Head coach Mike Nolan indicated that Harris should be healthy by Opening Day, however.

His injury paved the way for rookie first-round pick Joe Staley to work with the starting unit.

"It's helped Staley get more reps and has given us a chance to get a better look at the backups," said Nolan. When asked to rate Staley's performance, Nolan kept it short but sweet. "He's done well."

This latest turn of events bode well for the 49ers and their fans. Staley should capitalize on this opportunity and establish himself as the starter at right tackle. The team sacrificed a lot to acquire Staley -- a former Central Michigan standout -- with the 28th overall pick of this year's draft, giving up a 2008 first-rounder and a fourth-round choice in last April's draft to the New England Patriots.

This bold draft-day move demonstrates the team's lack of confidence in Harris, whose playing time has reached escalators in his contract that voided the final two years of his deal and increased his 2007 base salary to over $2 million. That's a stroke of good luck for the Niners. The team should try to trade him, if anyone will take him. Harris' trade value declines daily, and the addition of Staley only weakens the 49ers' leverage.

Any way you slice it, this will likely be Harris' last season in San Francisco. Moving forward, the 49ers should expect Staley to anchor their offensive line for the years to come. The odds are high that his reign will begin sooner than later.
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