San Francisco 49ers free agency moves so far

Mar 15, 2012 at 3:14 PM11


First off, I would like to thank all of the die-hard Niner Faithful that have followed the updates on 49erswebzone.com during this year's free agency so far. We strive to bring you the best coverage out there. And thank you to those that have recently joined our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Wide receivers

The 49ers were never going to go after a guy like Vincent Jackson, who was going to demand a huge contract, but if any core group of the 49ers needed a revamp, it was the wide receiver group. The 49ers are doing their best to change the way this group looks. What will likely end up being the 49ers' biggest free agent signing actually took place before free agency even started. The team brought in and signed Randy Moss, who did not play last season, to a cap friendly 1-year, $2.5 million contract with another $1.5 million in incentives. It is not a long-term solution for the 49ers, but a good short-term one. Should Moss not perform well, he can be let go without much of a penalty. Should he perform very well, it is unlikely that the 49ers would overspend to retain him next offseason.

The 49ers are hoping that Moss can do for the team what they had hoped Braylon Edwards would do last season. By comparison, Edwards' contract last year was a 1-year, $1 million deal with up to $2.5 million in incentives and no money guaranteed.

The 49ers expressed interest in retaining Joshua Morgan since his injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during week 5. However, a good payday and a desire to return home caused him to sign with the Washington Redskins within hours of the start of free agency.

The San Francisco 49ers have also shown interest in receivers Brandon Lloyd (Denver), who started his career in San Francisco, Chaz Schilens (Oakland), and Mario Manningham (Giants), who have all visited with the team. However, Lloyd, who led the league in receiving in 2010, may simply be visiting with the 49ers to drive his price up and increase interest from other teams. It is unlikely that the team would spend a large amount of cap space on one receiver.

The 49ers also showed interest in Laurent Robinson, who eventually signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday, and Eddie Royal, who is currently visiting the San Diego Chargers.

Defense

On Tuesday, the 49ers kept their entire 2011 starting defensive unit intact with the signing of cornerback Carlos Rogers, who received a 4-year deal worth a maximum of $31.3 million. The St. Louis Rams expressed interest in Rogers and the 49ers expressed interest in bringing in Eric Wright, who eventually signed with Tampa Bay, or Brandon Carr, who eventually signed with Dallas, to possibly replace Rogers if he signed elsewhere.

Just prior to the start of free agency, the 49ers announced the signing of troubled cornerback Perrish Cox to a 2-year deal. The former Bronco missed the 2011 season, and in early March, was acquitted of sexual assault. When asked about Cox's personal issues, Baalke said that he is "confident that Perrish will be a positive contributor to the 49ers, as well as our community."

The 49ers had already locked up Dashon Goldson for another year when they placed the franchise tag on him on March 9th.

On Thursday, the team parted ways with 8-year veteran Shawntae Spencer, who for some reason, fell out of favor with the coaches last season and finished the year as an inactive player.

Offensive line

The 49ers lost versatile offensive lineman Adam Snyder to the division rival Arizona Cardinals. Snyder had played every position on the offensive line during his time in San Francisco. The 49ers have brought in 3-time Pro Bowl veteran guard Leonard Davis, who did not play in 2011. They also have a visit scheduled with tackle Geoff Schwartz, who is seen as a very Snyder-like player. He is currently visiting with Detroit.

Special teams

Much to the disappointment of the Niner Faithful, fan favorite Blake Costanzo was allowed to test the market, never drawing any interest from San Francisco. He would eventually sign with the Chicago Bears. On Thursday, the 49ers signed his replacement, former Redskin and Raider special teams ace Rock Cartwright. Unlike Costanzo, Cartwright, a 10-year veteran, would be able to play another position and possibly compete with Anthony Dixon at running back.

The team also signed valuable special teams player Tavares Gooden to a 1-year deal.

Return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. visited with Detroit on Thursday, but left without a contract.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


11 Comments

  • mailman49
    Mann wouldn't go to titans because he didn't want to play his old team. He didn't sign with 49ers because he would have to play his brother for the NFL. So he picked Denver. But he is wrong. Weak offense. Just good defense. Ain't a superbowl.
    Mar 19, 2012 at 9:43 PM
    0
  • J J Speth
    I feel like the 80's are back!
    Mar 18, 2012 at 4:49 PM
    0
  • Patrick McGroin
    Davis Manning = Super Bowl
    Mar 18, 2012 at 4:03 PM
    0
  • Steven
    What I gather from the Manning interest is that there is serious interest on both sides, perhaps even go as far as a done deal. Think about it, if the niners went public with the Manning interest and it does not pan out, what are they left with: An Alex Smith who will certainly ask for more money with feelings of betray. Not a good situation. Which leads me to believe that the niners are probably a lot closer to getting Manning than we think Let's see how this plays out....
    Mar 17, 2012 at 8:35 PM
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  • john weisner
    ive heard all the hoopla surrounding peyton...without a doubt, he is a great qb, and will be a tremendous addition wherever he lands...that said. KEEP ALEX SMITH!!!!! we have a TEAM. we have a WINNING combination, that will only get better as time goes on. it seems that this TEAM has a group chemistry that just works. i worry about too much star, and not enough TEAM!! keep alex! peyton is great, but will come at a price measured in $$$. GO NINERS !!!
    Mar 17, 2012 at 9:27 AM
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  • Steven
    Wow on the news of Peyton Manning!!! NFL world is watching - Jim, Trent, get it done! (a 49ers faithful since 1981)
    Mar 16, 2012 at 6:17 PM
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  • Dallas Niner Fan
    What Manning to Niners. Holy Molley!!! I never saw this one coming!
    Mar 16, 2012 at 2:13 PM
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  • Landon
    Free agency? This is a joke that we are not in on Manning! Alex Smith will NEVER win us a Superbowl! And all we need is Manning for 3 years! No interest? Whats really going on? Randy Moss with no QB is a joke! I hope that Harbaugh and Baalke are up to something...I really do, or we gonna be relying on our D to win games...Tough ass schedule nexy year guys!
    Mar 16, 2012 at 10:58 AM
    0
    Response: What is funny is that earlier, I was thinking about replying to this saying something like, "There is no way the 49ers target Manning so I wish people would stop bringing it up." Amazing how quickly things can change.
  • Steven
    I agree, Costanzo was a loss at special teams but Cartwright is solid and provideS some depth at RB as well. I really hope the niners do not go with a WR in the first round. I would like to see a serious nasty OG in the first round which will resolve some of our pass protection issues of last year. In addition, we lost Snyder, so there is an opportunity here to fill a void and upgrade at the same time. We'll need to fill 1 WR via free agency and 1 via the draft. Apart from that, I would load up this draft with DL and DB.We need to continue to keep up with the high octane passing teams like New Orleans, Green Bay, Detroit, NY, NE, etc..
    Mar 15, 2012 at 9:25 PM
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  • Daniel
    How bout Donovan mcnabb that's exactly who there gonna get if they keep playing this stupid patient game there playing.
    Mar 15, 2012 at 6:40 PM
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  • Daniel rosado
    I have been a niners fan since 86' this is the time they need to be more aggressive on getting there offense more "powerful".With the NFC west rebuilding per say we are the better team.Our defense proved that but why are they letting all these wide receivers pass them by while they sign second grade players.I mean really Moss and Cox really.Why don't they see if Terrell Owens is available and while your add it how about Plaxico Burress and if we're feeling really froggy
    Mar 15, 2012 at 6:36 PM
    0

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