NFL - Sports Rumors

Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:38 am EST

49ers waive LB Derek Smith

By Joe Zedalis

Derek Smith

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Linebacker Derek Smith, a dependable player on a series of losing teams with the San Francisco 49ers, was waived Tuesday in a move by the club that was influenced by equal parts high salary and declining play. He had been on the books for a reported $3.45 million for 2008 the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Smith came to the 49ers in 2001 as a free agent from the Washington Redskins and recorded 100-plus tackles at inside linebacker for five straight seasons until an eye injury in 2006 reduced his effectiveness. Smith played with essentially one good eye that season but still racked up 93 tackles in 13 games while fighting through double vision.

Smith started 14 games last season and had 98 tackles but his role in San Francisco's defense was diminished with the arrival of top draft pick Patrick Willis, who tackled everything in sight and was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Source: San Francisco ChronicleNew Window

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27 Comments

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  1. Kenny
    1. Posted by Kenny Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Gonna miss him but with Willis being a beast, he's dispensable. Go Niners
  2. Ribosome_Man
    2. Posted by Ribosome_Man Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Used Car Salesman
  3. jaytx80
    3. Posted by jaytx80 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Cowboys could use him!!!!!!
  4. DanielS
    4. Posted by DanielS Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    I have to say this guys was dependable. York would have never made this move. York beleived in the game and the players but current ownership is all about the business. In sports the game is the business. Face it, if you start winning you WILL make money you loser! Give the team back to your brohter-in-law.
  5. Josh G
    5. Posted by Josh G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    Bittersweet.. but hey thats football. It's not like Willis is a slouch, and they need to use that extra money to go get Moose or KJ..
    GO NINERS!
  6. csnet
    6. Posted by csnet Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    york is the current ownership. i think you are thinking of Eddie DeBartello, the 9ers owner from 1979 to the mid-nineties who did beleive in the game and the players.
  7. csnet
    7. Posted by csnet Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    John and Denise York are the current 9er owners. You are probably thinking of Eddie DeBartello, the 9ers owner from 1979 to the mid-nineties who did beleive in the game and the players.
  8. nep617mvp
    8. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    no one cares its the whiners.
  9. nep617mvp
    9. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    plus they have Pat Willis.get a ew guys like that and you guys will be ok.Kind of like the Oak Lb core they are young athletic and can hit.Kirk Morrison is a monster.
  10. getoffmydango
    10. Posted by getoffmydango Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    they said it all right there: "the arrival of top draft pick Patrick Willis, who tackled everything in sight." P Willis is a BEAST!!!! the niners will live again!!
  11. Jody M
    11. Posted by Jody M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Smith was serviceable on bad teams. 49ers haven't been decent since letting go of Garcia. Team needs stronger line play. BY was a stud for his entire career and now we need a new one. If O-line can be upgraded, whoever is running and throwing the ball will be decent at it. The league is for young studs now. Smith's big contract is probably why he won't play anymore. He isn't 3 million a season good. Let's let Manny Lawson rush the passer and play Brandon Moore regularly with Willis. Then we will only need 3 stud D-linemen to get a pass rush. Similar to when Charles Haley was here. Good defense wins it all. As just seen by the NY Giants
  12. Jody M
    12. Posted by Jody M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    smith was serviceable on bad teams. 49ers haven't been decent since letting go of garcia. team needs stronger line play. by was a stud for his entire career and now we need a new one. if o-line can be upgraded, whoever is running and throwing the ball will be decent at it. the league is for young studs now. smith's big contract is probably why he won't play anymore. he isn't 3 million a season good. let's let manny lawson rush the passer and play brandon moore regularly with willis. then we will only need 3 stud d-linemen to get a pass rush. similar to when charles haley was here. good defense wins it all. as just seen by the ny giants
  13. Aaron P
    13. Posted by Aaron P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    I'd rather rush willis and drop lawson into coverage. Seeing as how the 9ers pass defense went to hell after he got hurt. Anyway, Raiders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  14. Aaron P
    14. Posted by Aaron P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    i'd rather rush willis and drop lawson into coverage. seeing as how the 9ers pass defense went to hell after he got hurt. anyway, raiders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  15. Jacob S
    15. Posted by Jacob S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    hope all goes well with Derek Smith, now we need to get someone to fill his spot, maybe someone like Lance Briggs, having Briggs and Willis would mean Super Bowl for the 49ers....
  16. love4guitars
    16. Posted by love4guitars Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    Nah, The Cowboys would never sign him, he likes GIRLS!!!
  17. Stephen
    17. Posted by Stephen Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

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    hey yahoo, welcome to yesterday. We landed on the moon in case you missed it!
  18. Stephen
    18. Posted by Stephen Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

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    hey yahoo, welcome to yesterday.
    Btw, we landed on the moon in case you missed it!
  19. Craig
    19. Posted by Craig Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    that is a 49er's fan dream....THE RETURN OF EDDIE.....the best owner that ever was.
  20. Josh G
    20. Posted by Josh G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    I agree Eddie D. the best owner there ever was!
    GO NINERS!
  21. Menace Freestyles
    21. Posted by Menace Freestyles Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    Meanwhile....the redskins outta take a look at this guy again....we need a good linebacker....
  22. 9rz4lfe@...
    22. Posted by 9rz4lfe@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:42 pm EDT

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    Derek Smith one of the best LB's even while hurt good luck you you.
  23. mrhoss4u@...
    23. Posted by mrhoss4u@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    you guys need help.........
  24. agent_zero
    24. Posted by agent_zero Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    yeah too bad Derek "cyclops" Smith had to go... when u can only see out of one side and play this sport its remarkable... but have to make room for another LB... or WR, or a whole new line... defense and offense...
  25. Jonathan
    25. Posted by Jonathan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    11 years at MLB is a long career. He was yoeman like... but has to go. Take the cap money and use on someone else... preferably a need like either OL, DL or WR. All other positions are servicable and with more depth we can be 8-8 next year. For those saying defense wins super bowls... yes, but with at least a decent offense. Even if our defense was top 5 in the league last season... with the worst offense we'd be no better than 6-10 or 7-9.

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