MVN - Most Valuable Network

49ers new undrafted rookie free agent signings

Undrafted free agents are fun. There you can either find duds or great players like a Tony Romo.

The Niners hope that they can do that and find the diamond in the rough. The team has recently signed some rookie free agents and I’ll give you a little bit about each of them.

WR Robert Jordan (California)
DL Louis Holmes (Arizona)
OL Brian De La Puente (California)
TE Joe Jon Finley (Oklahoma)
LB Ezra Butler (Nevada)
WR Cameron Colvin (Oregon)

Robert Jordan
Wide Receiver- Cal
5′11″/171 pounds
From his profile on the Cal website: Ranks seventh at Cal in career receptions (156) and ninth in receiving yards (2,047) and ninth in receiving touchdowns (13) … owns the Cal record for consecutive games with a reception (42) … started more games (37) than any other player on the team … played in the Hula Bowl Senior All-Star Game on Jan. 12 and led his team with four catches for 84 yards, including a 15-yard TD grab.

It’s no surprise that I am a Bears fan, so watching Jordan the past few seasons really gives me a little incentive to like him over Josh Morgan or Jason Hill. Jordan was under the shadow of DeSean Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins. But as a receiver, he has the speed and hands to make it in the NFL. More importantly, I can see him really being a big game player. I had wanted the team to get a wide receiver in the draft. Well, maybe this will do. Nothing to knock on Morgan or Hill, but I hope Jordan beats both of them out. If he makes the team, I’m getting his jersey!

Louis Holmes
Defensive End- Arizona
6′6″/265 pounds
From his profile on the Arizona website: Clearly the most physically gifted defender on the team, with strength and skills that portend a future in games played on Sundays… Second-team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in first year in 2006… Nine-game starter and 12 games’ experience in 2006… Led team with four sacks and tied for linemen lead with five tackles for loss including a pair of sacks in his debut game against BYU… Knocked down three passes, recovered a fumble and forced two others…

Well, another Pac-10 player… a good thing for me at least since I love Pac-10 ball. Let’s see, the team already have the spot at defensive end taken care of. However, it doesn’t hurt to have Holmes in the mix. I have read, however, that he has had an incident where he was pepper sprayed. Don’t know what that really means, but for a guy that was one of the top at his position coming out of Scottsdale Community College, he has some potential.

Brian De La Puente
Offensive Line- Cal
6′4″/302 pounds
From his profile on the Cal website: A stalwart on the offensive line who earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors … started all 13 games at left guard … earned the team’s Bob Tessier Award as its Most Improved Offensive Lineman … part of a unit that allowed a league-low 11 sacks … Cal’s offense garnered over 2,000 yards on the ground, including 1,500-yard rusher Justin Forsett.

Well, he was one of the guys that made a Bay Area household name for Justin Forsett. I haven’t noticed much of him watching him play in Berkeley, but from what I know, he has gained a lot of experience under coach Jeff Tedford. The offensive line, especially at guard, is at a point of uncertainty. It doesn’t hurt to try this guy out.

Joe Jon Finley
Tight End- Oklahoma
6′6″/261 pounds
From his profile on the Oklahoma website: Honorable mention All-Big 12 by the coaches … has at least one reception in 12 of 13 games played … equaled last year’s touchdown total after 12 games this season … led OU with five receptions against Missouri in the Big 12 Championship and had 10th career touchdown reception … hauled in career-high two touchdowns against Oklahoma State … posted a career high with a 43-yard grab against Colorado … had three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown against Utah State.

OK, well do we see this guy beating out Vernon Davis, Billy Bajema or Delanie Walker at tight end? Probably not. He really wasn’t much for Oklahoma either. In fact, he wasn’t much of a big factor throughout his career. His yards per catch is really good though, maybe because no one expected him to be a threat. A little harsh maybe, but I don’t know if the Niners will keep him.

Ezra Butler
Outside Linebacker- Nevada
6′2″/248 pounds
From his profile on the Nevada website: All-America candidate and candidate for pre- and post-season WAC Defensive Player of the Year…One of 43 players and one of just three from the WAC, named to the initial watch list for the 2007 Lombardi Award…A 2007 preseason first-team All-WAC selection by Blue Ribbon Yearbook… Named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and to the preseason All-WAC first-team by CollegeFootball News.com… Has started 25 games over the past two seasons.

I can’t remember if I saw him play when Nevada came to San Jose State. Hmm, well let’s say that the team could always use a linebacker. Now, the team already made it clear that they needed to upgrade on defense. Coming from a football program that was OK for football, it’s interesting to see how this guy can really shine. But having 94 tackles (51 of them solo) is not stat to look past. He’s one guy I would like to see make an impact. Any kind of spark on defense is welcomed here. Larry Grant has competition.

Cameron Colvin
Wide Receiver- Oregon
6′3″/210 pounds
From his profile on the Oregon website: The pressure to live up to expectations from a decorated prep career, as well as less than a clean bill of health on occasion, have contributed to his own frustrations. Yet has maintained a positive attitude and hasn’t lost his edge to end his collegiate career on a high note. Possessed a great work ethic throughout last winter’s workouts and encountered a consistent spring, leading coaches to consider him the program’s most improved receiver since last fall. Also would enhance his versatility if he were able to master more than one position in the program’s intricate passing game. Recorded position’s best bench press (345 lbs.) at the conclusion of the winter and completed 445-lb. squat during 2005 winter conditioning.

Well… couldn’t get Dennis Dixon. Next best thing is to get one of his wide outs. Colvin has a fun speed and ability to stretch the field. What I think may be best for this wide out fighting for a roster spot against Hill, Jordan is to be able to get separation from the defender. The thing that will be the most importance to the Niners is getting open and catching the ball in stride. Throwing the ball is up to the quarterback, but if he can work well with whomever is behind center, he can be a talent worth looking at. He only appeared in five games this past season, but has shown off his ability to the Niners during Pro Day. So there is some familiarity for this De La Salle High School graduate.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 12:56 am and is filed under Joe Jon Finley, Brian De La Puente, Cameron Colvin, Robert Jordan, Ezra Butler, Rookies, 49ers, Louis Holmes, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.