49ers, Sims agree to two-year deal

SANTA CLARA – With precious little depth at offensive tackle, the 49ers on Monday reached across the bay and plucked a longtime Raider, Barry Sims, to bolster the position.

Sims, who had 119 starts in nine seasons in Oakland, agreed to a two-year deal. The 49ers fended off three teams, most notably division rival St. Louis, to land Sims, who felt his best chance for a starting job was in San Francisco. He is expected to sign today.

Second-year player Joe Staley has a firm grip on the starting left tackle job. But there are questions at right tackle, where Jonas Jennings, who has yet to have an injury-free season in seven years in the league, is the current starter.

Sims' agent, Ken Vierra, said the 49ers promised Sims, 33, an opportunity to compete for the starting job at right tackle. Sims also was swayed by the fact he wouldn't have to leave the Bay Area and that the 49ers offered slightly more money than the Rams.

The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens also tried to land Sims, but he narrowed his choices to San Francisco and St. Louis last week and used the weekend to decide.

The Rams struggled as much as any team with injuries along the offensive line last season. But their starters seem set with Orlando Pace at left tackle and Alex Barron on the right side.

Beyond Staley and Jennings, meanwhile, the 49ers have plenty of question marks at tackle. They moved second-round pick Chilo Rachal, a guard at USC, to right tackle during practices earlier this month. There's a good chance Rachal will be moved back to guard when training camp begins next month.

Vierra also said there was a "comfortable feel" when Sims visited the team earlier this month.

"He just had a great meeting with (coach) Mike (Nolan) and (offensive coordinator) Mike (Martz)," Vierra said.

The 49ers were attracted to Sims for his experience and tenacity.

He joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 1999, and in ensuing years held off more celebrated challengers – Mo Collins, Matt Stinchcomb and Robert Gallery – for the starting left tackle position.

Sims struggled in recent years, as did the rest of the Raiders' offensive line, and was part of the unit that allowed a league-high 72 sacks in 2006. He was released in February.

Nolan had no comment on Sims because he has been in Kabul, Afghanistan, this week. Nolan left Friday with former 49ers defensive back Eric Davis and sports radio host Ron Barr. The trio is visiting troops at Camp Blackhorse, which is home to all four military branches.

Nolan is due back Friday. A team spokesman said he attempted to visit the troops in Iraq in February but that visit conflicted with the NFL scouting combine.

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