It came down to the Rams and 49ers, but in the end Barry Sims opted for the team that offered the most money, and in his opinion, the best opportunity to get onto the field.
Sims accepted a two-year deal from the 49ers, who were the most persistent of his four pursuers, which also included the Ravens and Patriots. Sims, who has been working out at Athletes Performance in Tempe, Ariz., is expected to sign the deal tomorrow, said his agent Ken Vierra. The 49ers typically don't announce a signing until the deal is officially completed.
Sims' biggest criteria was the opportunity for playing time. Both the Rams and 49ers offered him the chance to compete for a starting job, but he got the sense the Rams were slightly more settled with Orlando Pace on the left side and Alex Barron on the right. Sims' chance in San Francisco will come at right tackle, where the incumbent, Jonas Jennings, has had a history of injury problems. Vierra said the 49ers assured Sims that he would have a fair chance to win that job. Jennings recently recovered from ankle surgery but was able enough to play with the starting offensive line throughout OTAs.
With Sims working at right tackle, rookie Chilo Rachal likely will be switched back to guard, his college position. He played right guard during the team's May minicamp before being switched to back-up right tackle for the June OTAs.
Vierra said it didn't hurt that the 49ers offered slightly more money and that Sims, a long-time Raider, had a home in the Bay Area. He also got a good vibe from the 49ers after meeting with them earlier this month. Vierra described it as a "comfortable feel."
"He just had a great meeting with Mike (Nolan) and Mike (Martz)," Vierra said.
-- Matt Barrows
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