Shawntae Spencer is a good example of how two coaches can look at the same player and see something entirely different. In 2009, Spencer was the dark-horse winner of a three-way competition to be the 49ers' starting cornerback opposite Nate Clements. Observers figured the job either would go to Tarell Brown or Dre Bly. However, the defensive coordinator at the time, Greg Manusky, picked Spencer, who was returning from an ACL injury that year, based largely on his form, technique and knowledge of the defense.

Spencer started the next 32 games and was penciled in as the starter this past season until he suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp. He aggravated the injury after trying to come back too soon, then never was able to convince defensive coordinator Vic Fangio that he deserved to start. Spencer, who turns 30 this month, only was active for nine games this season and was inactive for both playoff games. He finished the season behind Carlos Rogers, Brown, Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock on the depth chart.

The day after the season ended, Spencer sounded like a guy who believed he has played his last game in San Francisco. He is due to make $3.2 million in base salary alone in 2012 and is likely to be released and become a free agent just as Nate Clements was last season.

"I've been on that right corner since I've been here," Spencer said. "It's like seeing my lady with another guy." He said the best advice was from his brother, who picked up on the lady-with-another-man theme. "There's plenty of women out there," Spencer said.

Rogers also is a free agent. He had the best season of his career, started all 18 games and made his first pro bowl. Rogers has said on multiple occasions that he'd like to return to the 49ers. But he also turns 31 before the season, and there certainly is a chance he and the 49ers will not see eye to eye on a contract. The 49ers are likely to offer a shorter-term deal; Rogers will want a long-term contract.

If Spencer departs, the 49ers would have only four cornerbacks under contract for next season: Brock, Brown, Culliver and seventh-round pick Curtis Holcomb, who tore his Achilles before training camp and who resumed running by season's end. Practice squad player Cory Nelms, who spent training camp as a cornerback, is now being eyed as a safety although he could be asked to switch when the numbers at both positions are better settled.

Here are the 44 cornerbacks scheduled to become unrestricted free agents:

Jason Allen, Texans Will Allen, Dolphins Alan Ball, Cowboys Ronde Barber, Buccaneers Will Blackmon, Giants Zackary Bowman, Bears Phillip Buchanon, Redskins Jarrett Bush, Packers Brandon Carr, Chiefs Michael Coe, Giants Reggie Corner, Bills Travis Daniels, Chiefs Cortland Finnegan, Titans Williams Gay, Steelers Cletis Gordon, Panthers Corey Graham, Bears Brent Grimes, Falcons Kelvin Hayden, Falcons Rod Hood, Rams Justin King, Rams Kelly Jennings, Bengals Tim Jennings, Bears Adam Jones, Bengals David Jones, Jaguars Nate Jones, Patriots Pat Lee, Packers Elbert Mack, Buccaneers Anthony Madison, Steelers Richard Marshall, Falcons Rashean Mathis, Jaguars Antwaun Molden, Patriots Dimitri Patterson, Browns Tracy Porter, Saints Carlos Rogers, 49ers Aaron Ross, Giants Benny Sapp, Vikings Lito Sheppard, Raiders Donald Strickland, Jets Terrell Thomas, Giants Leigh Torrence, Saints Justin Tryon, Giants Frank Walker, Cowboys Jonathan Wilhite, Broncos Eric Wright, Lions

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