The 49ers are among a handful of teams showing interest in OLB-DE Travis LaBoy, according to his agent and brother, C.J. LaBoy. Travis LaBoy, who grew up in the Bay Area, visited with the 49ers on Feb. 11th and 12th. He is visiting with the Jets today and there is a third, undisclosed team interested as well, C.J. LaBoy said.
Travis LaBoy, 28, was a second-round pick for the Tennessee Titans in 2004. In 2008, the Cardinals signed him to a five-year, $22 million contract as a quasi defensive end-outside linebacker in their defense. LaBoy got off to a good start with the Cardinals but suffered a torn biceps that year and also had a foot injury that eventually required surgery. Arizona released him before the 2009 season.
C.J. LaBoy said that Travis likely could have contributed for a team at the end of 2009 but wanted to sit out the season to ensure that he was entirely recovered from the foot surgery. LaBoy, who weighs about 255 pounds, would play outside linebacker in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme. LaBoy met with Mike Singletary and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky and was given a medical examination by the 49ers. He did not work out.
LaBoy played at Marin Catholic High School and dreamed of playing for the 49ers, C.J. LaBoy said. Their father, Cliff, spent a preseason with the 49ers in the 1970s.
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The 49ers have between now and Thursday to assign the franchise tag to nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin. A league source said he thought that designation would be applied today. The 49ers are expected to give Franklin a non-exclusive franchise tag. That means Franklin can still negotiate with other teams but that the 49ers have a chance to match any offers he receives. If Franklin were to sign with another team, the 49ers would be compensated with two first-round draft picks. The 49ers also could use a "transition" tag to restrict the movement of another soon-to-be unrestricted free agent but are not expected to do so. (1:15 p.m. ESPN is reporting that the 49ers indeed have placed the franchise tag on Franklin).
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Hope you brown-bagged it today. I'll be hosting a chat at noon to discuss today's news and also to preview the scouting combine, which revs up Thursday in Indianapolis ... Click here to join
-- Matt Barrows
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