San Francisco 49ers: Alex Boone big winner from Anthony Davis’ retirement

When 24 year old inside linebacker, Chris Borland, retired from the San Francisco 49ers (citing concussion specific medical concerns) media members wondered if the controversial decision would inspire other young players to do the same. Just a few months later we have an answer: Borland’s 49ers teammate and starting right tackle, Anthony Davis, announced he will be stepping away from the game at age 25.

Unlike Borland, Davis left the door open for a return, saying he just needs “a year or two” away from the game, and 49ers owner Jed York told his starting tackle on twitter not to “be a stranger,” so a reunion could be possible if Davis is serious about taking the Ricky Williams route and stays in good enough shape to be an impact player if/when he returns. In the meantime though, versatile veteran lineman, Alex Boone, finds himself with a new source of leverage in contract negotiations.

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Boone held out for all of 49ers training camp last season before finally getting a modified deal that rolled incentives from his current deal into his base salary, giving him a decent raise, but not addressing the issue beyond the 2015 season when Boone’s current contract ends. At first it seemed that Boone’s position could be weakened, after he struggled in 2014, though playing in between new starters Daniel Kilgore and Jonathan Martin for the first half of the season likely didn’t help.

With Anthony Davis gone Boone becomes the favorite to replace him at right tackle. Boone was a tackle in college and was praised for his play in a short stint at left tackle when starter Joe Staley missed time due to injury in 2013. However, Boone was spotted taking all his reps at left guard at Wednesday’s minicamp and stayed there throughout the week while free agent addition Erik Pears lined up at right tackle.

Rookie Trenton Brown also saw time at right tackle during the voluntary portion of OTA’s a few weeks ago as Boone held out and Davis mulled his retirement. Boone should still get his chance at right tackle later in training camp, as the 49ers try to figure out how best to get there best five linemen on the field, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Boone stay at guard. He seems to prefer the physical nature of playing inside and second year lineman, Brandon Thomas, (initially tabbed to play LG) flashed upside as an edge blocker at Clemson and may be a better suited to right tackle.

Regardless of where he ultimately lines up, Boone has become essential to the 49ers success. Outside of left tackle Joe Staley, and 34 year old Erik Pears (in his first year with San Fran) Boone is the only proven starter on the roster.

Brandon Thomas, Trenton Brown, and Marcus Martin are all incredibly promising young players, but Thomas is coming off a serious knee injury and yet to take a meaningful snap. Brown received positive reviews from his limited time with the first team, but it came in limited contact practice and he still has plenty to learn. And Martin missed half his rookie season with knee injury.

Last offseason, clinging to the hope that pro bowl guard Mike Iupati would agree to a team friendly deal and Anthony Davis already locked in to a long term deal, extending Alex Boone seemed like a luxury; now, it seems like a necessity.

Alex Boone is only 28 years old, versatile and the second best lineman (behind Staley) on the 49ers until proven otherwise. But he’s made a habit of being in the news for the wrong reasons. Nothing suspension worthy, but it was clear that his holdout last offseason rubbed the front office the wrong way. Boone also didn’t make any new fans earlier this offseason when he claimed ex-coach Jim Harbaugh kept pushing players even after they were “over the mountain top.” To most fans, you haven’t reached the summit unless there’s a ring on your finger and trophy in the locker room.

Jan 5, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone (75) during the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Still it would be unfair to characterize Boone as greedy or lazy. As a former UDFA, Boone worked through some off field issues while improving as a player on the field and has been a bargain for the 49ers as a solid starter making a backup salary.

Boone has also learned from last year’s mistake, skipping only the voluntary portion of minicamp, and stepping into a new position without question or complaint.

The coaches did send Boone a clear message that he would still have to earn his keep though, as he lined up with the second team offense his first day of drills before moving up to first team the rest of the week.

General Manager Trent Baalke will still be vying for a team friendly deal, but Boone’s sudden increase in importance coupled with the 49ers sudden increase in cap space (in the form of the unearned portions of Anthony Davis’ signing bonus) an extension that keeps Boone in San Francisco long term suddenly seems much more likely.

He’s rarely (if ever) missed a game as a starter and it would be nice for the young linemen to see the front office willing take care of their own.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Impact of Anthony Davis Retirement

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