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49ers trade for Trent Dilfer

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:16 pm
by Arlos
The San Francisco 49ers acquired a proven backup quarterback for Alex Smith, getting Trent Dilfer from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday in a trade for quarterback Ken Dorsey and, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton, a seventh-round pick in the 2007 draft.

Dilfer, who won a Super Bowl with Baltimore in 2001, will give the 49ers depth behind Smith, who struggled as a rookie last season after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft.

"Trent was a player we had interest in last season," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said in a statement. "We were looking for a veteran quarterback with experience that could help mentor Alex Smith. Trent fits the bill on both counts and we are excited to have him with the 49ers."

Dilfer signed a four-year deal with the Browns last year after stints with the Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. He went 4-7 as Browns starter before losing the job to rookie Charlie Frye. Dilfer completed 59.8 percent of his passes last season for 2,321 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

"Trent Dilfer played an important role in the making over of our football team last year," Browns general manager Phil Savage said in a statement. "At this point, to add Ken Dorsey and to give Trent the opportunity to go back home to California is a win-win for all parties."

Dilfer, who played in college at Fresno State, has started 107 career games, throwing for 106 touchdowns and 117 interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl with Tampa Bay in 1997 after passing for 2,555 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Dorsey started 10 games in his three years in San Francisco, including three last season. He completed 48-of-90 passes for 481 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 2005.

Cody Pickett is San Francisco's third-string quarterback and the team also drafted Michael Robinson in the fourth round last month. Robinson, a quarterback in college at Penn State, is expected to mostly be used as a running back, receiver or kick returner in San Francisco.


Interesting pickup, gives us a reasonably reliable backup to Smith, plus actually gives us a real NFL quarterback to help show him the ropes, something Smith never had last year.

-Arlos

Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 5:47 am
by Lyion
Dilfer never got a fair shake in Cleveland. He played very well, and had them in more games than they should've been in. A big problem is Maurice Carthon is somewhat of a moron as an OC, which will hurt Cleveland in the future.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Dilfer beat out Smith and start for the 9ers for the next year or two, while Alex learns how the NFL.

Good pickup for the 9ers. A good, team guy who is better than 2/3 of the starting QBs in the league, and is not a divider in the clubhouse.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 2:11 pm
by Phlegm
Worst move the Ravens ever made was letting go of Dilfer.