Well I guess that ends the debate about who the 49ers will be keeping at wide receiver and running back.
According to Sacramento Bee beat writer Matt Barrows, the 49ers have given wide receiver Bryan Gilmore and running back Thomas Clayton (amongst others) their pink slips. Gilmore lined up as the 49ers third option at wide receiver last season, while Clayton was the Niners' sixth-round selection of the 2007 NFL Draft. First off, I'm happy Gilmore was honest about his overall production since he came to San Francisco last season. The man had only eight catches in 11 regular season games last season. With preseason stud Ashley Lelie and training camp phenom Taylor Jacobs waiting in the wings, Nolan and his crew made the right decision in keeping the two guys with the most potential for solid offensive production in 2007. Second-year player Brandon Williams will also be around to compete, but he may just be relegated to returning punts in 2007 based on his preseason performance. As for Clayton, I am sure the 49ers are hoping he will clear waivers so he can be placed on the practice squad. Clayton showed some real potential in his final two preseason performances after dancing around the with the football in the first two games (he kind of reminds me of this guy from time to time, and that's not a good thing). Other notable cuts include LB Colby Bockwoldt, S Vickiel Vaughn and S Darnell Bing. Bockwoldt was one of the 49ers' first pickups in free agency from the Saints, Vaughn was only a second-year player from the 2006 draft class, and Bing was an Oakland Raiders castoff with a big upside for future production. All of them are now hoping they will get picked up by another team or invited to the 49ers' practice squad after they clear waivers. But in my opinion, the most important thing on this truly final day of the 2007 NFL preseason is that it marks the final day of a short career for Bryan Gilmore in San Francisco. If you have the urge to relive probably the greatest moment in Bryan's 49er career, click here and watch him catch the final pass of the 2006 season from Alex Smith against the Denver Broncos. The catch put the Niners in range for a Joe Nedney field goal to give the 49ers their seventh win of 2006 and close the door on Denver's playoff hopes (you're welcome, Kansas City). Some may note that the NFL.com highlights skip over the even bigger play that put the Niners in Broncos territory on that final drive last season. It was coincidentally a reverse to Gilmore for a 20 yard gain. The man could definitely run the reverse well. He'll be missed for that, but sadly not much else.
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