SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Linebacker Derek Smith re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, passing on the possibility of free-agent riches to sign a three-year deal with the teams he has led in tackles for five straight seasons.
Though not one of the NFL's best known linebackers, Smith has been one of the league's most productive for nearly a decade. He has been the 49ers' defensive leader since signing before the 2001 season as a free agent from Washington, where he was the Redskins' leading tackler in each of his four seasons.
The dependable veteran has never been named to a Pro Bowl, but the Green Bay Packers were among several teams reportedly interested in courting Smith during the upcoming free-agent signing period. Instead, the former Arizona State star was determined to keep his family in California -- and to stick with coach Mike Nolan's rebuilding plan.
"(Free agency) probably could have helped me, but that wasn't the most important thing for me," Smith said. "Staying in San Francisco is the best thing for me professionally and for my family. My agent, he was saying, 'You could really do well in free agency, there's a lot of interest for you.' I said if we have to go there, I will, but I really don't want to go into free agency."
Financial terms of the three-year deal weren't disclosed by the club. Smith's agent, Frank Bauer, didn't return two phone calls seeking comment.
Smith made at least 100 tackles in every year of his career, including 163 last season, while missing just four games in nine seasons. Only Miami's Zach Thomas (10) and Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks (10) have longer active streaks of 100-tackle seasons.
With the likely departures of linebackers Julian Peterson and Andre Carter in free agency, Smith's return was particularly important to Nolan, who coached Smith for three seasons with the Redskins.
Smith shares Nolan's no-nonsense, rules-oriented approach to football.
"I truly believe in what Coach Nolan is doing," Smith said. "I think he is going to take this team in the right direction. That had a big bearing on me signing back, because of my belief in him and what he's trying to accomplish."
The 31-year-old Smith said he probably won't play beyond the three years of his new deal, but still intends to win a championship before he retires. The 49ers, who reached the playoffs in Smith's first two seasons, improved from a league-worst 2-14 in 2004 to 4-12 last season, Nolan's first in charge of the club.
"That's the most I'm going to play," Smith said of his three-year deal. "Even if my body feels great when I'm done, I just want to be done. That's it for me. ... Even if you are feeling good, 12 years in the NFL is still probably not too good on the body."
The 49ers also re-signed fullback Chris Hetherington and backup quarterback Jesse Palmer. Hetherington, a 10-year veteran, became the 49ers' starting fullback last season, while former Giants backup Palmer was San Francisco's third quarterback for three games last season.
Nolan also completed his coaching staff, hiring Pep Hamilton as quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant. Hamilton spent the last three seasons on the Jets' coaching staff.
Finally I'm glad Smith is back at least one our Linebackers aint going nowhere.
Though not one of the NFL's best known linebackers, Smith has been one of the league's most productive for nearly a decade. He has been the 49ers' defensive leader since signing before the 2001 season as a free agent from Washington, where he was the Redskins' leading tackler in each of his four seasons.
The dependable veteran has never been named to a Pro Bowl, but the Green Bay Packers were among several teams reportedly interested in courting Smith during the upcoming free-agent signing period. Instead, the former Arizona State star was determined to keep his family in California -- and to stick with coach Mike Nolan's rebuilding plan.
"(Free agency) probably could have helped me, but that wasn't the most important thing for me," Smith said. "Staying in San Francisco is the best thing for me professionally and for my family. My agent, he was saying, 'You could really do well in free agency, there's a lot of interest for you.' I said if we have to go there, I will, but I really don't want to go into free agency."
Financial terms of the three-year deal weren't disclosed by the club. Smith's agent, Frank Bauer, didn't return two phone calls seeking comment.
Smith made at least 100 tackles in every year of his career, including 163 last season, while missing just four games in nine seasons. Only Miami's Zach Thomas (10) and Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks (10) have longer active streaks of 100-tackle seasons.
With the likely departures of linebackers Julian Peterson and Andre Carter in free agency, Smith's return was particularly important to Nolan, who coached Smith for three seasons with the Redskins.
Smith shares Nolan's no-nonsense, rules-oriented approach to football.
"I truly believe in what Coach Nolan is doing," Smith said. "I think he is going to take this team in the right direction. That had a big bearing on me signing back, because of my belief in him and what he's trying to accomplish."
The 31-year-old Smith said he probably won't play beyond the three years of his new deal, but still intends to win a championship before he retires. The 49ers, who reached the playoffs in Smith's first two seasons, improved from a league-worst 2-14 in 2004 to 4-12 last season, Nolan's first in charge of the club.
"That's the most I'm going to play," Smith said of his three-year deal. "Even if my body feels great when I'm done, I just want to be done. That's it for me. ... Even if you are feeling good, 12 years in the NFL is still probably not too good on the body."
The 49ers also re-signed fullback Chris Hetherington and backup quarterback Jesse Palmer. Hetherington, a 10-year veteran, became the 49ers' starting fullback last season, while former Giants backup Palmer was San Francisco's third quarterback for three games last season.
Nolan also completed his coaching staff, hiring Pep Hamilton as quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant. Hamilton spent the last three seasons on the Jets' coaching staff.
Finally I'm glad Smith is back at least one our Linebackers aint going nowhere.
