SANTA CLARA – After watching the big one get away Wednesday, the 49ers latched onto something smaller.
At the same time Kurt Warner was signing a two-year, $23 million deal in Arizona, the 49ers inked 12-year veteran quarterback Damon Huard to a one-year deal. Huard, 35, has started 27 games in his career, including 18 in the past three seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He and Shaun Hill are the only two quarterbacks guaranteed to be on the roster when the 49ers hold a minicamp later this month.
Huard's signing was overshadowed by Warner, who despite stating he wanted to return to the Cardinals, allowed himself to be wined and dined by the 49ers on Monday. The morning after his trip, his agent faxed the Cardinals a contract proposal for less than what the 49ers were willing to pay.
Warner, 37, told the media in Arizona that he knew he didn't want to be in San Francisco 45 minutes into his visit.
"I just felt God say, 'You're supposed to be in Arizona,' " Warner said.
Were the 49ers used? No, insisted his agent.
"I didn't feel right getting into specifics with them until Kurt was ready to pull the trigger," Mark Bartelstein said. "I didn't want them to feel used. … I really do respect that the 49ers handled this in a first-class way. They really gave a good presentation and gave Kurt something to think about."
In other 49ers news, the team has given free safety Mark Roman permission to seek a trade, according to his agent. The 49ers have told Roman he will enter next season as a backup to Dashon Goldson. If Roman doesn't find a new home by June, he wants to return to the 49ers.
The team also re-signed linebacker Takeo Spikes for two years and $6 million.
At the same time Kurt Warner was signing a two-year, $23 million deal in Arizona, the 49ers inked 12-year veteran quarterback Damon Huard to a one-year deal. Huard, 35, has started 27 games in his career, including 18 in the past three seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He and Shaun Hill are the only two quarterbacks guaranteed to be on the roster when the 49ers hold a minicamp later this month.
Huard's signing was overshadowed by Warner, who despite stating he wanted to return to the Cardinals, allowed himself to be wined and dined by the 49ers on Monday. The morning after his trip, his agent faxed the Cardinals a contract proposal for less than what the 49ers were willing to pay.
Warner, 37, told the media in Arizona that he knew he didn't want to be in San Francisco 45 minutes into his visit.
"I just felt God say, 'You're supposed to be in Arizona,' " Warner said.
Were the 49ers used? No, insisted his agent.
"I didn't feel right getting into specifics with them until Kurt was ready to pull the trigger," Mark Bartelstein said. "I didn't want them to feel used. … I really do respect that the 49ers handled this in a first-class way. They really gave a good presentation and gave Kurt something to think about."
In other 49ers news, the team has given free safety Mark Roman permission to seek a trade, according to his agent. The 49ers have told Roman he will enter next season as a backup to Dashon Goldson. If Roman doesn't find a new home by June, he wants to return to the 49ers.
The team also re-signed linebacker Takeo Spikes for two years and $6 million.