Niner News Thread
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Rundown of players that the 49ers are rumored to be targeting
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 14:41:36 PT | Recommend | Print | del.icio.us | Digg It
Various news sources are reporting players that the 49ers may show some interest in this week, whether it be on Thursday, the start of free agency, or sooner for those players that were cut by other teams.
RB DeShaun Foster
ESPN's John Clayton expects the 49ers to sign free agent running back DeShaun Foster "in the next couple of days." San Francisco was quick to contact Foster after he was cut last Thursday. The Niners would reportedly use him as a complement to Frank Gore, but he'd be the biggest threat for carries Gore's faced since Kevan Barlow in '05.
DE Justin Smith
Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com is reporting that the 49ers are negotiating with defensive end Justin Smith.
WR Muhsin Muhammad
According to ESPN, the 49ers are one of three teams that may be interested in acquiring the services of wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. ESPN states that he "would likely fill the slot in San Francisco, as Mike Martz needs speed and quickness outside." The other teams that may be interested are the Redskins and Panthers and ESPN seems to feel that a spot in Carolina would make the most sense.
WR Javon Walker
According to the Denver Post, the San Francisco 49ers are one of nine teams that are expected to at least inquire about a trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker. The other teams include Tampa Bay, Dallas, Washington, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Chicago and the New York Jets.
LB Lance Briggs
Various rumors that the 49ers are interested in linebacker Lance Briggs. However, the NFL is currently investigating charges that the 49ers tampered last season making overtures to the linebacker.
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 14:41:36 PT | Recommend | Print | del.icio.us | Digg It
Various news sources are reporting players that the 49ers may show some interest in this week, whether it be on Thursday, the start of free agency, or sooner for those players that were cut by other teams.
RB DeShaun Foster
ESPN's John Clayton expects the 49ers to sign free agent running back DeShaun Foster "in the next couple of days." San Francisco was quick to contact Foster after he was cut last Thursday. The Niners would reportedly use him as a complement to Frank Gore, but he'd be the biggest threat for carries Gore's faced since Kevan Barlow in '05.
DE Justin Smith
Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com is reporting that the 49ers are negotiating with defensive end Justin Smith.
WR Muhsin Muhammad
According to ESPN, the 49ers are one of three teams that may be interested in acquiring the services of wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. ESPN states that he "would likely fill the slot in San Francisco, as Mike Martz needs speed and quickness outside." The other teams that may be interested are the Redskins and Panthers and ESPN seems to feel that a spot in Carolina would make the most sense.
WR Javon Walker
According to the Denver Post, the San Francisco 49ers are one of nine teams that are expected to at least inquire about a trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker. The other teams include Tampa Bay, Dallas, Washington, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Chicago and the New York Jets.
LB Lance Briggs
Various rumors that the 49ers are interested in linebacker Lance Briggs. However, the NFL is currently investigating charges that the 49ers tampered last season making overtures to the linebacker.
The 49ers have reportedly agreed to terms with a return specialist, and former 49ers linebacker Derek Smith has a new home.
Ten-year veteran Allen Rossum, 32, will get the first crack to replace Michael Lewis as the 49ers' return man, according to the NFL Network. Also, Smith has signed with the Chargers, agreeing to a two-year contract.
The 49ers denied Rossum has signed a contract. It is the team's policy to not comment on contract agreements. The official paperwork is not expected to be completed for a couple days.
Rossum returns punts and kickoffs, which might be an indication that the club is preparing for the loss of running back Maurice Hicks.
You might remember Rossum. When the 49ers met the Steelers in Week 3, the 49ers took the opening kickoff and marched down for a field goal. Then, Rossum returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, and the Steelers never trailed again.
The Steelers cut Rossum on Friday.
Rossum returned 38 kickoffs and had a 23.3 return average with one touchdown to rank 24th in the NFL. (Hicks ranked 20th at 23.8.) Rossum averaged just 6.4 yards a return on 36 punts. He had eight fair catches. He ranked 21st in the league, while Lewis ranked 18th. Rossum had three fumbles, none of which was lost.
Rossum is set to replace Lewis, who was signed after Brandon Williams struggled in the return game early in the season. Lewis, 36, is a seven-year veteran. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.
Ten-year veteran Allen Rossum, 32, will get the first crack to replace Michael Lewis as the 49ers' return man, according to the NFL Network. Also, Smith has signed with the Chargers, agreeing to a two-year contract.
The 49ers denied Rossum has signed a contract. It is the team's policy to not comment on contract agreements. The official paperwork is not expected to be completed for a couple days.
Rossum returns punts and kickoffs, which might be an indication that the club is preparing for the loss of running back Maurice Hicks.
You might remember Rossum. When the 49ers met the Steelers in Week 3, the 49ers took the opening kickoff and marched down for a field goal. Then, Rossum returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, and the Steelers never trailed again.
The Steelers cut Rossum on Friday.
Rossum returned 38 kickoffs and had a 23.3 return average with one touchdown to rank 24th in the NFL. (Hicks ranked 20th at 23.8.) Rossum averaged just 6.4 yards a return on 36 punts. He had eight fair catches. He ranked 21st in the league, while Lewis ranked 18th. Rossum had three fumbles, none of which was lost.
Rossum is set to replace Lewis, who was signed after Brandon Williams struggled in the return game early in the season. Lewis, 36, is a seven-year veteran. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.
Niners references from the NFL scouting combine
In looking at some of the hundreds of interview transcripts from the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, the 49ers did not come up too often. A lot of that probably has to do with the relatively small contingent of Bay Area media covering the event.
I did not cover the event this year. I remained in the Bay Area and spent the weekend hanging with the kids while my wife tried to recuperate from a pretty nasty stomach virus. She was feeling better last night, so I was able to watch my Saint Mary's Gaels (I'm not an alum; just a bandwagon jumper) shoot 32 percent from the field in a loss to Kent State. Ouch.
Anyway, I combed through many of the transcripts and here are some 49ers references I found.
* * *
Alabama CB Simeon Castille
Question: Have you talked to the Raiders or 49ers?
Castille: "Actually I got to play for the 49ers staff in the Senior Bowl. I was able to meet their whole staff and I was able to play for them in that game."
* * *
Notre Dame DL Trevor Laws (this doesn't specifically have to do with the 49ers, but Laws played for the 49ers staff at the Senior Bowl)
Question: Have you talked to a lot of 3-4 teams?
Laws: "Yeah."
Question: Do they project you as an end, maybe a nose?
Laws: "I think they think I can play really anywhere on the 3-4 front. Just bulk me up, slim me down, teach me techniques."
* * *
Georgia Tech LB Phillip Wheeler
Question: How big advantage was that playing in a pro system?
Wheeler: "I think it was very big because at the college level we had a lot of NFL terminology also. It went pretty well and smooth at the Senior Bowl when I was coached by Mike Singletary and his staff. So I think it translated pretty good."
Question: What did you learn from Mike Singletary at that game?
Wheeler: "How to get yelled at, I guess. No, he was a nice guy. He was pretty cool. I was honored to be coached for a week by him."
Question: What was he trying to get you to do better?
Wheeler: "I think it was just him trying to see who I was, him trying to push a few buttons, nothing personal or anything. I think he's a great coach."
Question: Have you talked to the Falcons?
Wheeler: "Not yet. They might be in there. I have 11 interviews lined up." (Wheeler spoke on Saturday. To that point, he had one interview, with the 49ers, on Friday.)
* * *
Indiana WR James Hardy
Question: What teams have shown the most interest?
Hardy: "There have been a lot of teams calling my coaches and saying good things about me: Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, the Bills, the Jets. For the most part, I can't worry about that. I just need to stay focused on what I'm trying to accomplish here, and that's having great interviews and go out there and run (good) times."
* * *
Cal WR DeSean Jackson
Question: How would you feel about playing for one of the Bay Area teams?
Jackson: "The Raiders, 49ers, and coming from the hometown of Oakland would be a great support to be out there. I'm friends with a lot of dudes in the NFL just being out there and there some relationships that I could take to the next level."
* * *
Notre Dame C John Sullivan, who attended Greenwich (Conn.) High, like Steve Young.
Question: Do you know Steve Young?
Sullivan: "Yeah, I've met him at a few dinners."
Question: What's it like having a Hall of Famer from your high school?
Sullivan: "I know that a lot of people from Greenwich take a lot of pride in the fact that Steve is from there. And growing up in Connecticut, you'd never expect to see so many San Francisco 49er fans, but there's quite a few."
Question: What's your favorite NFL team?
Sullivan: "I didn't have 'a team.' I liked a few. I was a Giants fan, I liked the Pittsburgh Steelers a lot, the 49ers because of Steve."
* * *
Note: Each NFL team at the combine is allowed to officially interview 60 players. Each team also conducts a bunch of other interviews, such as position coaches meeting with players while in Indianapolis.
In looking at some of the hundreds of interview transcripts from the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, the 49ers did not come up too often. A lot of that probably has to do with the relatively small contingent of Bay Area media covering the event.
I did not cover the event this year. I remained in the Bay Area and spent the weekend hanging with the kids while my wife tried to recuperate from a pretty nasty stomach virus. She was feeling better last night, so I was able to watch my Saint Mary's Gaels (I'm not an alum; just a bandwagon jumper) shoot 32 percent from the field in a loss to Kent State. Ouch.
Anyway, I combed through many of the transcripts and here are some 49ers references I found.
* * *
Alabama CB Simeon Castille
Question: Have you talked to the Raiders or 49ers?
Castille: "Actually I got to play for the 49ers staff in the Senior Bowl. I was able to meet their whole staff and I was able to play for them in that game."
* * *
Notre Dame DL Trevor Laws (this doesn't specifically have to do with the 49ers, but Laws played for the 49ers staff at the Senior Bowl)
Question: Have you talked to a lot of 3-4 teams?
Laws: "Yeah."
Question: Do they project you as an end, maybe a nose?
Laws: "I think they think I can play really anywhere on the 3-4 front. Just bulk me up, slim me down, teach me techniques."
* * *
Georgia Tech LB Phillip Wheeler
Question: How big advantage was that playing in a pro system?
Wheeler: "I think it was very big because at the college level we had a lot of NFL terminology also. It went pretty well and smooth at the Senior Bowl when I was coached by Mike Singletary and his staff. So I think it translated pretty good."
Question: What did you learn from Mike Singletary at that game?
Wheeler: "How to get yelled at, I guess. No, he was a nice guy. He was pretty cool. I was honored to be coached for a week by him."
Question: What was he trying to get you to do better?
Wheeler: "I think it was just him trying to see who I was, him trying to push a few buttons, nothing personal or anything. I think he's a great coach."
Question: Have you talked to the Falcons?
Wheeler: "Not yet. They might be in there. I have 11 interviews lined up." (Wheeler spoke on Saturday. To that point, he had one interview, with the 49ers, on Friday.)
* * *
Indiana WR James Hardy
Question: What teams have shown the most interest?
Hardy: "There have been a lot of teams calling my coaches and saying good things about me: Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, the Bills, the Jets. For the most part, I can't worry about that. I just need to stay focused on what I'm trying to accomplish here, and that's having great interviews and go out there and run (good) times."
* * *
Cal WR DeSean Jackson
Question: How would you feel about playing for one of the Bay Area teams?
Jackson: "The Raiders, 49ers, and coming from the hometown of Oakland would be a great support to be out there. I'm friends with a lot of dudes in the NFL just being out there and there some relationships that I could take to the next level."
* * *
Notre Dame C John Sullivan, who attended Greenwich (Conn.) High, like Steve Young.
Question: Do you know Steve Young?
Sullivan: "Yeah, I've met him at a few dinners."
Question: What's it like having a Hall of Famer from your high school?
Sullivan: "I know that a lot of people from Greenwich take a lot of pride in the fact that Steve is from there. And growing up in Connecticut, you'd never expect to see so many San Francisco 49er fans, but there's quite a few."
Question: What's your favorite NFL team?
Sullivan: "I didn't have 'a team.' I liked a few. I was a Giants fan, I liked the Pittsburgh Steelers a lot, the 49ers because of Steve."
* * *
Note: Each NFL team at the combine is allowed to officially interview 60 players. Each team also conducts a bunch of other interviews, such as position coaches meeting with players while in Indianapolis.
League is watching 49ers' every free-agent move
How's that Adalius Thomas deal working out for the 49ers?
A year ago, there were reports seeping out of the NFL scouting combine that the 49ers had already reached a contract agreement with Ravens free-agent outside linebacker Adalius Thomas.
The year before when I was at the combine the big rumor among agents was that 49ers prospective free agent Derek Smith had a handshake agreement with the Packers. It was a done deal, more than one person told me.
Now, there is a report on bengals.com that the 49ers have already started laying the groundwork to acquire Bengals free-agent defensive end Justin Smith.
I fully expect the 49ers to make a serious push to sign Smith, but are the 49ers so arrogant to tamper with one player while there are charges that they tampered with another (Lance Briggs)?
Who knows? There might be truth to the report. It might also be somebody connecting the dots. In either case - rightly or wrongly - it appears as if the 49ers are starting to gain a reputation as an organization that bends the rules of free agency.
* * *
But let's also look at history.
A year ago, everybody figured the 49ers would make a run at Thomas. I thought Thomas would be No. 1 on this wish list with Nate Clements No. 2. In the days leading up to free agency, there were some reports from "industry sources" that Thomas was going to the 49ers.
I remember asking Thomas' agent, Bus Cook, if he expected a call from the 49ers the minute free agency began. "If they call, they'll have to leave a message," he said. "I'm going to be asleep by then."
At that point, I figured that if Thomas made the cross-country trek to Santa Clara on the first day of free agency, the 49ers had definitely jumped the gun. Thomas never did make the trip west, and he turned down a lucrative 49ers offer to play for the Patriots.
Obviously, the sides did not have a deal in place. (Either that, or the deal was broken when the Patriots entered the fray. Because everybody knows the Patriots play by the rules and would wait until free agency officially started.)
* * *
If Smith ends up signing with the 49ers, it does not prove anything. Heck, if Briggs ends up signing with the 49ers, it doesn't prove anything.
But it's pretty clear around the league that the 49ers are on notice. They better tread lightly because everybody is watching them closely.
* * *
The article on Bengals.com lists Smith at 270 pounds. I suppose I was wrong when I said I thought he looked bigger than his 275 listed weight. Also, the article noted that Mike Nolan envisions Smith as a 3-4 end who will drop into coverage
How's that Adalius Thomas deal working out for the 49ers?
A year ago, there were reports seeping out of the NFL scouting combine that the 49ers had already reached a contract agreement with Ravens free-agent outside linebacker Adalius Thomas.
The year before when I was at the combine the big rumor among agents was that 49ers prospective free agent Derek Smith had a handshake agreement with the Packers. It was a done deal, more than one person told me.
Now, there is a report on bengals.com that the 49ers have already started laying the groundwork to acquire Bengals free-agent defensive end Justin Smith.
I fully expect the 49ers to make a serious push to sign Smith, but are the 49ers so arrogant to tamper with one player while there are charges that they tampered with another (Lance Briggs)?
Who knows? There might be truth to the report. It might also be somebody connecting the dots. In either case - rightly or wrongly - it appears as if the 49ers are starting to gain a reputation as an organization that bends the rules of free agency.
* * *
But let's also look at history.
A year ago, everybody figured the 49ers would make a run at Thomas. I thought Thomas would be No. 1 on this wish list with Nate Clements No. 2. In the days leading up to free agency, there were some reports from "industry sources" that Thomas was going to the 49ers.
I remember asking Thomas' agent, Bus Cook, if he expected a call from the 49ers the minute free agency began. "If they call, they'll have to leave a message," he said. "I'm going to be asleep by then."
At that point, I figured that if Thomas made the cross-country trek to Santa Clara on the first day of free agency, the 49ers had definitely jumped the gun. Thomas never did make the trip west, and he turned down a lucrative 49ers offer to play for the Patriots.
Obviously, the sides did not have a deal in place. (Either that, or the deal was broken when the Patriots entered the fray. Because everybody knows the Patriots play by the rules and would wait until free agency officially started.)
* * *
If Smith ends up signing with the 49ers, it does not prove anything. Heck, if Briggs ends up signing with the 49ers, it doesn't prove anything.
But it's pretty clear around the league that the 49ers are on notice. They better tread lightly because everybody is watching them closely.
* * *
The article on Bengals.com lists Smith at 270 pounds. I suppose I was wrong when I said I thought he looked bigger than his 275 listed weight. Also, the article noted that Mike Nolan envisions Smith as a 3-4 end who will drop into coverage
If not re-signed, Sopoaga will be on a plane Friday
With free agency scheduled to begin Thursday at 9 p.m. (PT), the agent for 49ers nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga made a guarantee.
"He'll be on a plane somewhere on Friday," agent Ken Zuckerman said. That is, of course, if the 49ers don't sign him to a contract extension before the start of the free-agent signing period.
"It's crunch time," Zuckerman said.
Things are lining up nicely for Sopoaga to get a handsome payday later in the week. The top two defensive tackles scheduled for free agency are no longer available. Albert Haynesworth (Titans) and Corey Williams (Packers) have both been slapped with the franchise tag, effectively taking them off the market.
The 49ers, meanwhile, have not submitted a formal contract proposal, Zuckerman said. He added that he expects some activity later in the week.
* * *
There is a reason so many contracts are signed in such a short period of time on the first day of free agency. (OK, maybe there are two reasons, but we'll focus on the one reason that has not been getting a lot of attention in the past week.)
There is very little negotiating that takes place with these contracts. Teams are well-prepared. They know who they want, and they know how much they'll spend for them. Therefore, you don't have clubs trying to lowball free agents, and the typical back-and-forth negotiations and exchange of proposals.
"Here's the offer. Do you want it?"
Teams that want a free agent know they must get after players fast and strong because if they come in too low initially, the player will move on to the next offer. That is how Nate Clements got his seven-year, $64 million contract (announced as eight years, $80 million at the time) from the 49ers.
The 49ers signed Clements and safety Michael Lewis on the first day of free agency and also reached contract terms with Aubrayo Franklin. This process was made easier by the fact Clements and Franklin are represented by the same agent, Todd France, who also represents Jonas Jennings - another first-day 49ers free agent signing (2005).
* * *
How are teams able to get guys to visit on the first day of free agency? The team does its homework and knows exactly whom they want. Generally, the club's travel person will know all the potential flights. At 9 p.m., contact will be made with the player and/or agent. If given the go-ahead, the club will book the flight with the push of a button.
* * *
The 49ers were not alone in signing free agents on the opening day last year. Among the activity across the league within the opening 24 hours of free agency: The Bills signed Derrick Dockery, Langston Walker and Jason Whittle; the Falcons signed Ovie Mughelli; the Jaguars signed Tony Pashos, the Redskins signed London Fletcher; the Browns signed Eric Steinbach; the Buccaneers signed Patrick Chukwurah; and there were numerous reports the Patriots had agreed to terms with Adalius Thomas.
* * *
UPDATE: ESPN's John Clayton reports an expected 49ers deal with RB DeShaun Foster could be coming in the next few days. The Panthers released Foster on Thursday. He rushed for 876 yards and three TDs on 247 carries last season. He lost five of his seven fumbles. Foster would be the No. 2 behind Frank Gore, and would all but eliminate the need to bring back Maurice Hicks, a scheduled UFA. No word yet from the 49ers or Foster's agent.
With free agency scheduled to begin Thursday at 9 p.m. (PT), the agent for 49ers nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga made a guarantee.
"He'll be on a plane somewhere on Friday," agent Ken Zuckerman said. That is, of course, if the 49ers don't sign him to a contract extension before the start of the free-agent signing period.
"It's crunch time," Zuckerman said.
Things are lining up nicely for Sopoaga to get a handsome payday later in the week. The top two defensive tackles scheduled for free agency are no longer available. Albert Haynesworth (Titans) and Corey Williams (Packers) have both been slapped with the franchise tag, effectively taking them off the market.
The 49ers, meanwhile, have not submitted a formal contract proposal, Zuckerman said. He added that he expects some activity later in the week.
* * *
There is a reason so many contracts are signed in such a short period of time on the first day of free agency. (OK, maybe there are two reasons, but we'll focus on the one reason that has not been getting a lot of attention in the past week.)
There is very little negotiating that takes place with these contracts. Teams are well-prepared. They know who they want, and they know how much they'll spend for them. Therefore, you don't have clubs trying to lowball free agents, and the typical back-and-forth negotiations and exchange of proposals.
"Here's the offer. Do you want it?"
Teams that want a free agent know they must get after players fast and strong because if they come in too low initially, the player will move on to the next offer. That is how Nate Clements got his seven-year, $64 million contract (announced as eight years, $80 million at the time) from the 49ers.
The 49ers signed Clements and safety Michael Lewis on the first day of free agency and also reached contract terms with Aubrayo Franklin. This process was made easier by the fact Clements and Franklin are represented by the same agent, Todd France, who also represents Jonas Jennings - another first-day 49ers free agent signing (2005).
* * *
How are teams able to get guys to visit on the first day of free agency? The team does its homework and knows exactly whom they want. Generally, the club's travel person will know all the potential flights. At 9 p.m., contact will be made with the player and/or agent. If given the go-ahead, the club will book the flight with the push of a button.
* * *
The 49ers were not alone in signing free agents on the opening day last year. Among the activity across the league within the opening 24 hours of free agency: The Bills signed Derrick Dockery, Langston Walker and Jason Whittle; the Falcons signed Ovie Mughelli; the Jaguars signed Tony Pashos, the Redskins signed London Fletcher; the Browns signed Eric Steinbach; the Buccaneers signed Patrick Chukwurah; and there were numerous reports the Patriots had agreed to terms with Adalius Thomas.
* * *
UPDATE: ESPN's John Clayton reports an expected 49ers deal with RB DeShaun Foster could be coming in the next few days. The Panthers released Foster on Thursday. He rushed for 876 yards and three TDs on 247 carries last season. He lost five of his seven fumbles. Foster would be the No. 2 behind Frank Gore, and would all but eliminate the need to bring back Maurice Hicks, a scheduled UFA. No word yet from the 49ers or Foster's agent.
February 25, 2008
49ers closing in on Foster?
ESPN is reporting that the 49ers are working on a deal with recently cut Panthers running back DeShaun Foster. The team has not yet verified that that's the case, but a Foster-to-San Francisco move makes sense. Over the past few years, the 49ers have paid close attention to teams with salary-cap problems, anticipating which players they might let go to make space. When the Panthers released OL Mike Wahl this month, I asked Scot McCloughan if the 49ers were interested. They weren't. Instead, it was another Panther they were eyeing.
Foster, who was cut Feb. 21, seems like a good fit. He's 28, he's from California (Orange County) and he's been splitting carries with DeAngelo Williams in recent seasons, an arrangement that likely has elongated his career. The 49ers need someone who not only can give Frank Gore a breather every now and then, they need someone who can assume the starting position should Gore get hurt. Foster has nice speed -- he's ripped off a couple of 70-yard TD runs in recent years -- and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. The team has been wanting to replace Maurice Hicks for a while. The 49ers drafted Thomas Clayton last season with that in mind, but the coaching staff preferred Hicks over Clayton, who was relegated to the practice squad all season.
****
In other news, 49ers' chief negotiator Paraag Marathe was scheduled to rekindle contract talks with Isaac Sopoaga's agent today. Any offer the 49ers make will have to be pretty sweet. With Corey Williams and Albert Haynesworth essentially off the market, Sopoaga likely will see plenty of demand come Feb. 29.
-- Matt Barrows
49ers closing in on Foster?
ESPN is reporting that the 49ers are working on a deal with recently cut Panthers running back DeShaun Foster. The team has not yet verified that that's the case, but a Foster-to-San Francisco move makes sense. Over the past few years, the 49ers have paid close attention to teams with salary-cap problems, anticipating which players they might let go to make space. When the Panthers released OL Mike Wahl this month, I asked Scot McCloughan if the 49ers were interested. They weren't. Instead, it was another Panther they were eyeing.
Foster, who was cut Feb. 21, seems like a good fit. He's 28, he's from California (Orange County) and he's been splitting carries with DeAngelo Williams in recent seasons, an arrangement that likely has elongated his career. The 49ers need someone who not only can give Frank Gore a breather every now and then, they need someone who can assume the starting position should Gore get hurt. Foster has nice speed -- he's ripped off a couple of 70-yard TD runs in recent years -- and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. The team has been wanting to replace Maurice Hicks for a while. The 49ers drafted Thomas Clayton last season with that in mind, but the coaching staff preferred Hicks over Clayton, who was relegated to the practice squad all season.
****
In other news, 49ers' chief negotiator Paraag Marathe was scheduled to rekindle contract talks with Isaac Sopoaga's agent today. Any offer the 49ers make will have to be pretty sweet. With Corey Williams and Albert Haynesworth essentially off the market, Sopoaga likely will see plenty of demand come Feb. 29.
-- Matt Barrows
Some teams are wondering why the Bears didn't place the transition tag on WR Bernard Berrian in order to at least see what kind of contract offers he receives. Sometimes teams cut players loose, figuring the money is going to be too expensive. But there's nothing wrong with protecting your investment a little and matching it. Berrian keeps talking about wanting to play for the 49ers.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7837770?MSNHPHMA
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7837770?MSNHPHMA
