49ers Blog and Q&A: Sims also visiting Pats, Ravens, Rams

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49ers Blog and Q&A

News, notes and reader questions about the San Francisco 49ers

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June 9, 2008

Sims also visiting Pats, Ravens, Rams

Barry Sims is currently meeting with 49ers' coaches and personnel officials, but don't expect the ex-Raiders tackle to sign this week. According to Sims' agent, Ken Vierra, Sims has a busy travel schedule this week. He'll work out for the Patriots on Wednesday and for the Ravens on Thursday. Then he'll fly to St. Louis for a meeting with the Rams. Vierra said he thought Sims, who was released by the Raiders earlier this year, would make a decision some time next week.

My guy Jason Jones, who covers the Raiders for The Bee, liked covering Sims. After all, this is a guy who went undrafted out of Utah (Alex Smith would be happy with him!) in 1999, then proceeded to hold off a number of highly touted challengers - Mo Collins, Matt Stinchcomb, Robert Gallery - at left tackle. Sure, Sims was part of the group that allowed a spine-jarring 72 sacks in 2006. But Jones notes that the Raiders had Sims playing out of position - at left guard - for much of the season. Sims started 119 of 136 games during a nine-year career in Oakland.

Sims' natural position is left tackle. However, if he were to join the 49ers he might see the most action at right tackle -- and not just because Jonas Jennings has been injury prone. If something were to happen to left tackle Joe Staley, Jennings could be asked to switch back to the left side. It also will be interesting to see how a Sims' signing would affect Chilo Rachal, the former USC guard who was moved to right tackle last week during OTAs. There is some disagreement inside team headquarters as to whether Rachal should have been moved. Sims played right tackle in college and earlier during his playing career in Oakland.

-- Matt Barrows

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