49ers Blog and Q&A

While the 49ers continue to work on a long-term contract for nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, they also are wondering if they have a long-term backup on the roster. Second-year player Ricky Jean-Francois lined up exclusively on the nose during the team's practices on Monday and Tuesday. A seventh-round pick last year, Jean-Francois mostly played defensive end during his rookie season. The 49ers wanted to see how he looked at the nose prior to a draft in which there are a number of nose tackle prospects.

"My coach said I'll be playing a lot more nose because they're trying to use my ability, my quickness and speed at that position," he said. "Because a lot of guys on the inside are not as quick as me." Jean-Francois stands 6-3 and weighs 305. He is not the prototypical space eater who plays the position, but neither is Franklin, who stands 6-1 and weighs 317 pounds. Franklin's game is built on quickness and intelligence, and Jean-Francois said he's been trying to soak up everything he can. "Since the first day I followed everything he did," he said. "I was trying to keep my game, but at the same time I found myself mirroring him."

The 49ers have made Franklin their franchise player but he has yet to sign the franchise tender. In the meantime the two sides are continuing to discuss a long-term deal.

It has been a busy, and in many ways, a terrible offseason for Jean-Francois, whose father emigrated from Haiti to Miami in the mid 1970s. Immediately following the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated that country's capital, Port-au-Prince, Jean-Francois couldn't locate his grandmother. He finally did but also learned that four of his father's cousins were dead. Jean-Francois, who has been rallying support in South Florida for funds and supplies for Haiti, said he plans to travel there when the 49ers take a break this summer.

Jean-Francois is an extremely energetic and likable guy. (see: below) He said that the Haiti earthquake has made him far more aware of earthquakes in general, and he noted that Chile was struck with an even bigger jolt in February. "There have been different ones all over," he said. "So I started getting geeky and started trying to find out why all these earthquakes are happening. I had to become a geek, had to get all my facts together. I have to see why we have so many earthquakes in different places."

-- Matt Barrows

Alex Boone isn't going to win any "Best Body" awards in the 49ers locker room. That honor still belongs to Vernon Davis. (Just ask him). But Boone is the runaway winner of the "Most Improved Body" award. The former Ohio State lineman went undrafted last season and spent his rookie year on the practice squad. Boone said he couldn't stand not playing, and that is what inspired him to become a workout freak this offseason.

Boone said he began working out with former NFL player LeCharles Bentley in Cleveland a week after the season ended. He worked out six days a week and changed his routine. He took shorter breaks between repetitions. He added more cardio and essentially worked a lot harder. As a result, his body fat dropped from 25 percent at this time last year to about 19 percent today. At one point, his weight had ballooned to a sloppy 340 pounds. He concentrated on dropping weight during the season last year and fell to 300. He's now replaced the lost weight with muscle and weighs 325.

The hardest part? "The fact that I'm a fat guy and I love bad food," Boone said. The question, of course, is whether Boone's metamorphosis will allow him to contribute this year. Boone said he certainly feels better, is more confident and doesn't get winded as easily. Last year his issue was footwork - both the speed of his feet and learning how to play on the right side after being a left tackle with the Buckeyes. He backed up Adam Snyder at right tackle during the OTA sessions that ended today.

Speaking of bodily transformations, outside linebacker Diyral Briggs tells me he's up to 248 pounds after dropping to as low as 228 pounds his last year at Bowling Green. Like Boone, Briggs has dedicated himself to the weight room. At this time last year, he could bench 225 pounds about 10 times. Now he's putting up the bar 20 times. Briggs said he wants to get to 255 pounds by training camp. Briggs had plenty of work Monday and Tuesday with Ahmad Brooks and Manny Lawson both missing from OTAs.

Running back Glen Coffee says he weighs 218 pounds and wants to get to 220 pounds by training camp. Coffee weighed about 210 pounds when he was drafted last year. He said he feels comfortable with the new weight.

************
The 49ers held their second and final OTA session in a pouring rain. Receiver Jason Hill tweaked his ankle while adjusting to a deep throw from Alex Smith but was back on the field a couple of plays later to catch another deep ball, this one from David Carr.

The same players who were absent yesterday were absent today. One of them, Patrick Willis, had surgery earlier this month to remove a bursa sac from his knee. He is still getting around on crutches. The other absentees were Brooks, Nate Clements, Aubrayo Franklin, Lawson, Michael Robinson and Shawntae Spencer.

************
Keeping in mind that everyone from the absentee list -- with the exception of Robinson -- is a starter, here's how the first- and second-team units were composed:

Offense.
QB: Alex Smith, David Carr
RB: Frank Gore, Glen Coffee
FB: Moran Norris, Jehuu Caulcrick
WR: Michael Crabtree, Brandon Jones
WR: Josh Morgan, Jason Hill
LT: Joe Staley, Barry Sims
LG: David Baas, Tony Wragge
C: Eric Heitmann, Cody Wallace
RG: Chilo Rachal, Chris Patrick
RT: Adam Snyder, Alex Boone
TE: Vernon Davis, JJ Finley
TE: DElanie Walker, Tony Curtis

Defense.
LDE: Isaac Sopoaga, Demetric Evans
NT: Ricky Jean-Francois
RDE: Justin Smith, Ray McDonald
MILB: Matt Wilhelm
TILB: Takeo Spikes, Scott McKillop
SOLB: Diyral Briggs
WOLB: Parys Haralson, Martail Burnett
LCB: Tarell Brown, Karl Paymah
RCB: Keith Smith
FS: Dashon Goldson, Reggie Smith
SS: Michael Lewis, Curtis Taylor

-- Matt Barrows

I'm hearing that after checking out Sam Bradford in Norman, Okla. on Monday, Mike Singletary and Trent Baalke are in Lufkin, Texas today to watch Dez Bryant work out. The Oklahoma State wideout didn't participate in the February scouting combine or the school's March 10 pro day because of a hamstring injury.

The 49ers, of course, drafted a Big 12 receiver from Texas last year in the first round. What's more, Bryant is represented by the same agent, Eugene Parker, who was behind Michael Crabtree's franchise record 71-day contract impasse. Bryant also was suspended for the final 10 games of the college season for lying about his relationship with former Parker client, Deion Sanders, who was at the center of last year's Crabtree controversy.

Given that, why would the 49ers even sniff around Bryant? Because he's 6-2, 220 pounds, is considered the top receiver in this draft class and many believe he's better than Crabtree. Singletary's role this spring is delving into troubled players' pasts and trying to figure out whether they simply made mistakes or have deeper character flaws. I imagine he not only spends some quality time with Bryant today but makes phone calls to people who are most familiar with him. A year ago, Singletary put in a similar call to the high school coach of a player who was riddled with character concerns. The 49ers ended up taking that player, Crabtree, with the 10th pick.

Ok, so what were Singletary and Baalke doing in Oklahoma Monday scouting Bradford, a player that probably will be drafted first overall? First, I'm guessing this trip is as much a get-to-know-you session between Baalke and Singletary as anything else. Second, the 49ers are doing their homework on every top pick. And finally, it doesn't hurt to do some advance scouting on the guy you probably will be facing twice a year for the next decade or so.

Meanwhile, Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis -- a player who, in my opinion, is more likely to be selected by the 49ers than Bryant or Bradford -- had his make up day today in New Brunswick, N.J. I'm told that two 49ers scouts were on hand for Davis' workout.

-- Matt Barrows

Alex Smith says he's prepared to do something this year he's seldom done in the past - give input into the offense. "Having had a year with (the offense), obviously I'm more comfortable giving my insights, stronger opinions about it," Smith said after the team's first practice this year. "In year one (of the offense), you kind of don't know and kind of want and see how things go."

Smith is more at ease this season for two reasons. First, his right shoulder is no longer a concern. Yes, he said similar things during the offseason last year, but he revealed today that the injury was still very much in the back of his mind in 2009. This spring, it's ancient history. The second reason Smith has a boosted self confidence is that for the first time in his career, he's running the same offense he ran the year prior. Smith noted that the 49ers practiced blitz pickup today, a phase of the offense they normally wouldn't have had until the summer. "I can't tell you how nice it is to come out here and how much further ahead we are then a year ago," Smith said.

Smith was the first quarterback to take throws in all the drills today. That's partly because David Carr still is in learning mode. But it's also obvious from team officials in recent weeks - Jed York, Mike Singletary, Trent Baalke - that the starter's job is Smith's to lose. And though these early OTA practices are non-contact and relaxed, Smith kicked off the season well - with four straight completions to Michael Crabtree.

Some other nuts and bolts from today's practice session:

* The sessions are not mandatory, although most of the top players are attending. Frank Gore, for instance, works out in Miami during the offseason but flew in for the two-day session. Those who did not attend Monday were CB Nate Clements, LB Ahmad Brooks, CB Shawntae Spencer, LB Patrick Willis and linebacker Manny Lawson. Willis is recovering from surgery on his knee. Brooks is a restricted free agent and Franklin has been designated as the 49ers' franchise player. Neither has signed his tender offer, i.e., neither has a contract at the moment.

* Guard David Baas also is a restricted free agent who hasn't signed his tender. Baas, however, has signed an injury waiver and is covered should he get hurt. Baas has been a full participant in the team's offseason program so far and seems very determined to hold onto his starting job at left guard. Both Baas and tackle Joe Staley spoke very highly of incoming offensive line coaches Mike Solari and Ray Brown.

* Staley on possibly moving to the right side of the 49ers draft a tackle: "They haven't talked to me about that at all. I'm preparing this year to be the left tackle for the 49ers. That's my mindset going in. Obviously it's the coaching staff and front office's job to put the best 11 guys out there on offense. Wherever I'm the best fit is where I'll play. But I'm going into the offseason with the mindset of being the left tackle."

* Why haven't Brooks, Baas and Franklin signed their tender offers? Because they still can negotiate with other teams until they do. (However, there has been little action for any RFAs so far in free agency.)

* With Franklin out, second-year player Ricky Jean-Francois was the first option at nose tackle today. I'll have more information about Jean-Francois later in the week, but the team seems curious as to whether he can be the No. 2 option behind Franklin this year.

* With Lawson and Brooks absent, the starting outside linebackers were Parys Haralson and Diyral Briggs. Martail Burnett also saw a lot of time at OLB. Matt Wilhelm filled in for Willis at "Mike" linebacker while Scott McKillop spent a lot of time at "Ted" linebacker. With Clements and Spencer not in attendance, Keith Smith "started" at cornerback, but newcomer Karl Paymah saw a lot of time as well. The back-up safety tandem of Reggie Smith and Curtis Taylor also saw a lot of action. Depending on what happens in the draft, both players could have increased roles this season.

* Carr looked a bit frazzled, just like you would expect from a quarterback who was going through his first practice with new teammates and a new offense. He certainly has a stronger arm than the guy he replaces, Shaun Hill, but he also has a peculiar throwing motion in which he seems to shove the ball from his chest rather than wind up and throw it.

* Smith seemed to take a measured approach to the news that his best friend on the team, Hill, had been traded. "Obviously once they signed David, it looked like Shaun was going to be on the move. ... It's kind of the deal. I guess you get used to it a little bit. It's hard when you you build relationships with guys, especially at the same position."

* Asked about a three-running back situation -- a possibility raised by Baalke on Friday -- Gore said he might be worried about getting into a rhythm if he wasn't the running back of first-third downs. "Personally I wouldn't like it," he said.

-- Matt Barrows

Sports journalism rule No. 1: If an NFL personnel guy tells you something within a month of the draft, take it with a smidgen of salt. This is the silly season in the NFL. Up is down. Left is right. Teams schedule visits with players they have no intention of drafting. They ignore the players that make their hearts leap. Which is why you have to look at everything acting GM Trent Baalke said yesterday with a skeptical eye. And yet ...

His answer to a question about running backs was very interesting. When Scot McCloughan was asked in February whether the 49ers could select a running back who complements Frank Gore, he said the following:

We could. Yeah, we could. Again, I think it comes down to what will be his role with us. Is there any special teams value involved in it? Again, where he's taken in the draft is going to say what the role is going to be and how soon we think he can help us. Frank Gore is a really good football player for us and we expect him to be a good football player for us for the next couple of years. But we also understand that we can't count on him forever. And if you start limiting his carries now somewhat - he doesn't like it - but if we protect him. What our vision is is to play 16 (games) and get to the playoffs. We need him to be healthy for him to that.

Asked a similar question Friday, Baalke went a little further, saying this:

... If you look at the backfields that are really starting to have a lot of success, it's not only the two (-pronged approach), it's the three-back system that's becoming even a little bit more ... you look at Dallas' situation with a bell-cow back and another guy that can come in and still have some bell-cow ability in Tashard Choice, a little bit different style than Marion Barber, and then you throw Felix Jones in the mix, of course completely different. They all have different sets of skills but they're all high level guys and it's very difficult to defense. I think the more you have complementary styles, the harder it is to prepare for.

The 49ers are two-thirds of the way to having a near-duplicate setup. Gore is the "bell cow" while Glen Coffee is a guy with "bell-cow ability." What they're missing is a speedster like Jones. Now where on earth could they find someone with similar abilities? Think, Barrows, think!

Cowboys runners
Marion Barber, 4th round, 2005
Tashard Choice, 4th round, 2008
Felix Jones, 1st round (22nd overall), 2008

49ers runners
Frank Gore, 3rd round, 2005
Glen Coffee, 3rd round, 2009
?????

-- Matt Barrows

Acting GM Trent Baalke sat down with some of the 49ers beatwriters today. Fittingly, the chat was in the team's draft war room. (But a black curtain was drawn over the draft board. Rats!). If you were curious about Baalke, hopefully the Q&A that follows will shed some light on the guy. For those of you unwilling or unable to handle a rather long blog, the key points are these:

* Baalke's philosophy is very similar to that of his friend, Scot McCloughan's, and doesn't anticipate much change in the team's draft strategy. However, some of his answers differed slightly from what McCloughan has said. (All you C.J. Spiller fans should read Baalke's answer about running backs)

* He slammed the door on acquiring cornerback Adam "Pac Man" Jones. He wasn't as firm about Donovan McNabb but said the team wouldn't contact the Eagles. Like Jed York and Mike Singletary, Baalke said he was happy with the QBs on staff.

* Baalke said he has a very good relationship with Mike Singletary. In fact, the two soon will be jetting off together to check out a few college pro days.

I rearranged some of the questions and answers so that the McNabb and Alex Smith material was at the top:

Q: On the 49ers quarterback situation:
TB: I think we're very comfortable with where we're at at this point. I think coach Singletary has made that clear.

Q: Is there any thought about acquiring a veteran QB like Donovan McNabb?
TB: I think first, you have to respect the league policy, which obviously he's under contract with another team, so it's a discussion that, no. 1, we can't have and we wouldn't have.

Q: Wouldn't have that talk with the Eagles?
TB: No.

Q: Because you're happy with the QBs you have?
TB: I think right now. ... The way you have to look at this, we're very happy with the situation we're in right now. I think you're always looking and evaluation players throughout the course of the year. You're always looking at ways to better your team at any position. Right now we're very comfortable with where we're at, and that's where we're going to leave it."

Q: On his philosophy vs. McCloughan's:
TB: I think Scot and I share a very similar philosophy. I think the big thing is - size is important, intelligence is important, competitiveness is important. The intangibles, what they bring to the locker room. All those things are important and Scot and I both shared those beliefs. And I think it stems not only from the personnel side but the coaching staff believes the same thing. And as an organization, that's what's important, that we're all on the same page. With that said, there are exceptions in this business. There are guys that don't meet the height, weight, speed standards, that come in and can be pretty good football players. And I think you've got to evaluate those guys on a case-by-case basis. And when you make a decision to draft or being in a free agent or any type of player as an exception, everyone just has to be on the same page as to exactly what you're dealing with.

Q: On drafting so-called "exceptions":
TB: Certainly I do. And I think the people in this business that have had that same philosophy and said the same thing that you just said about staying away from exceptions because you'd have a team of exceptions ... If you went back and studied their rosters, you would find out that along the way somewhere they had made an exception. So I don't think it's a matter of whether you make one. I think you have to be very calculated when and if you do make one.

Q: On possible changes to the 49ers' draft board:
TB: I think first and foremost it goes back to your first question, did Scot and I share similar beliefs? The answer to that was, yes. Scot is a very good evaluator of talent. A lot of the work we did on this board, we did together. Obviously at that point in time, he was the point man. So where the board is at this stage - 85 to 90 percent set going - a lot of that is not going to change. Now are there going to be a few subtle changes, yes, there will be. But there would be the same changes probably that would have happened whether he was here or not. Because you still have the coaches that have to weigh in on this. You still have a lot more information that we're gathering through pro days to put into this. So there are going to be some changes. And there will be some changes that maybe Scot wouldn't have made, but it's going to be minimal.

Q: On a multi-voice policy toward running the personnel department:
TB: The good thing about the way Scot operated was he wanted people involved. And it helped us learn along the way. It helped me grow as a professional. And once again, I can't reiterate enough - he's very good at what he does and he's been very good at helping me grow as a professional. And I think by the way he operated and the openess with which he operated, is certainly going to help us moving forward. Because it wasn't like he had the key to the safe. He was very open with me. We had a lot of discussions. We talked non-stop for months on this board already. So a lot of the information that we got right now is something that was openly discussed for the last two to three months.

Q: On Baalke's rapport with Mike Singletary:
TB: First of all, when coach was an assistant coach here and I was an area scout and then got promoted to director of pro personnel, we had a very open relationship. Him and I talked a lot about strategies and, you know, Mike's a very inquisitive person. And I've been fortunate along the way to work with some very good people in this business. And we shared a lot of ideas, Mike and I, back and forth. So we had a real open dialogue going already. And when coach got promoted to becoming the head coach ...When he became the head coach, it then became Scot and him creating the dialogue back and forth and me acting as an intermediary on the outside to help Scot and to what as asked of me in the role I was in. Now it's a shift back for me and coach to be put back in a situation where we have open dialogue again. And it's not like we didn't have open dialogue through the course of Scot's tenure or coach's tenure as head coach, it's just now it's a direct line I guess is the best way to say it.

Q: On going on the road with Singletary:
TB: We will. We're going to leave Sunday. We're going on a three-day trip and that's something that coach has gotten a lot more active in - going on the road and getting to see these guys, which I'm certainly OK with. Because the one strength of many that he has is he's really able to look a guy in the eye and sit down and get a good feel for him when he can get his hands on a guy and get in one-on-one situations. So it really helps us from an evaluation standpoint.

Q: When did he realize that he wanted to be a scout?:
TB: I never even contemplated getting into the NFL on the personnel side. I was a college coach in the Dakotas, got out of coaching to pursue some other goals in terms of business opportunities back in the mid 90s. And when I was a college coach, I was the liaison that dealt withy the scouts when they came into visit the university and talk with the players. So I got to know a lot of the scouts at that point in time. In fact, when Scot - his first year in the league - he scouted at South Dakota State a guy by the name of Adam Timmerman. And that's really when Scot and my friendship started. That's how our relationship got started. And this business is all about relationships.

Q: Do you draft a right tackle, or always left at a premium pick and go from there?
TB: Would you spend a high pick on a right tackle versus a left tackle? We're never going to try to not put good football players on this team regardless of the position. Obviously, the left tackle carries a little more weight in terms of value in the NFL. From that perspective, you're going to be a lot more comfortable if you do pick a tackle high, it's going to be a tackle that can fit in on the left side of the line.

Q: Scot said Joe Staley could go back to right side if you take a left tackle like Oher, still the deal?
TB: I think that having a guy like Joe Staley and the value that he has is his ability to play the right and the left. And when you have that flexibility it really creates more options for you on draft day. It doesn't lock you into having to draft a left tackle or having to draft a right tackle. What we need to do is improve the offensive line and it's an area we're going to address. We do have some good football players on this offensive line.

Q: Chester Pitts add versatility if you sign him?
TB: I think if we found any free agent that we felt could come in and help us improve this football team it's certainly something we would look at and talk about. We haven't settled on anybody at this stage. Right now, the roster is what it is. Are we looking to improve it? Yes. Are we looking at some potential free agents? Are we looking at guys in the draft? Most definitely. But as of right now, we haven't made a decision as to what we're going to do to add depth to the offensive line as we stand right now.

Q: Any restricted guys sign waivers to work out?
A: To be totally honest with you at this point, it's something we don't really want to discuss whether they are or they aren't.

Q: What's your idea of the best player available?
TB: I think there's two ways to look at the board. Do you set your board up based on need or do you set your board up based on value. We're a value-based team. Obviously we look at needs but we want the board to reflect the best players down. The board is going to reflect their value as a player, OK? Then we'll address the needs. You obviously want to take the best available player so if there's a clear difference between two players, we're going to take the best available player. It's not always necessarily going to be at the need position. When two players are very similar in ability and they're at two different positions, that's when you can look and say, 'You know what? They're both very similar, let's address the need.' That way, you're always adding good football players to the roster.

Q Jed York said you'd have the final say on draft day. Who has final say in non-draft issues between now and draft day?
TB: I don't think that's any different than the draft. I think the final say will be me. But at the same time, the thing I want to really reinforce, this isn't a one-man band. Coach Singletary is very involved. Tom Gamble has stepped into a role of leadership. I think any time there's a decision made in this organization, it's going to be a collaborative effort. I don't think that's any different than most places in the NFL. That's why there's different people in different roles. As the decisions get closer to being made, obviously somebody has to make that decision but there's a lot of work that goes into whether we sign a free agent, that the area scouts on the college side, the pro scouts on the pro side, there's a lot of work that goes into making decisions in a building. It isn't one guy who just sits there and cracks a whip and makes the decision. There's a lot of consultation, there's a lot of work, there's a lot of thought that goes into it and I'm very confident that we've got the people in this building to rally around and make the right decisions on the football side.

Q: Running back, do you look for a Gore lookalike or someone who does different things?
TB: I think if you look at the league right now, it's certainly gone to a two-pronged attack, guys that complement each other, different styles that bring a little different element of preparation to the defense's standpoint. You're always looking for something a little bit different. But if you look at the backfields that are really starting to have a lot of success, it's not only the two, it's the three-back system that's becoming even a little bit more ... you look at Dallas' situation with a bell-cow back and another guy that can come in and still have some bell-cow ability in Tashard Choice, a little bit different style than Marion Barber, and then you throw Felix Jones in the mix, of course completely different. They all different sets of skills but they're all high level guys and it's very difficult to defense. I think the more you have complementary styles, the harder it is to prepare for.

Q: Do you have a hard-and-fast rule about how tall and big guys have to be? Or, are smaller guys, like a Jahvid Best, on the board for you?
TB: Most definitely, and the funny thing, they were on the board for Scot as well. We have a very similar philosophy. There's that exception rule that we already talked about but the philosophy here hasn't changed. There is no 6-foot policy in this building in terms of players, and you'll find guys like Frank Gore on this team, those aren't 6-foot guys. There's enough guys on this team, there's been a cutoff at the corner position in terms of height that we look at, and we'll continue to look at that. In terms of being for every position a cutoff, that's never been the case.

Q: Favorite discovery you went out on a limb for?
TB: We all like to talk about the ones we hit on, right, and no one wants to talk about the ones we missed so I don't want to get into it because when you make decisions, it's a collaborative decision. We can talk about Dashan Goldson. That was a guy that was targeted early, a guy that we felt really good about, a guy that Scot and I discussed as early as the middle of the football season his senior year as a guy that we'd like to add to the roster. Scot wa son board and we ended up picking Dashon. He's obviously been a very good football player for us. In terms of discoveries, I'd love to tell you all the ones I was right on, but then I'd have to tell you all the guys I was wrong on, and there's been many. I don't think there's anybody in this business who can say they hit on every player they've ever evaluated.

Q: How to separate Scot friendship and moving on?
TB: I think you hit it on the head. You have to compartmentalize it. Scot's a great friend, has been for a long time, will continue to be and I have a great amount of respect for him, not only as an evaluator, but more importantly as a person. I care deeply about him and his family and I wish him nothing but the best. There's no doubt in my mind he's going to come back in this league and be very successful and I'm looking forward to that day. As far as the business side of things, all I know is we as an organization have five weeks, less than now, to get ready for the draft and that's the most important thing there is right now. My focus is there.

Q: This a tryout for you?
TB: Like Rudy in Notre Dame? I look at it like this: all I can control is the job I do day to day. I'm going to come to work every day and do it the way I think it needs to be done with the help of a lot of people in this building and the support of a lot of people in this building. If I was looking at this I was just getting the 49ers through the draft and then I'll be out the door, that's just not my mindset. My mindset is this is going to be a good situation through the draft and after the draft but that's not my decision. That's the decision of the organization and the ownership and I'm going to support them regardless of the decision I make.

Q: Who do you report to now?
TB: It would be ownership.

Q: If you get quarterback play, is this roster a few draft picks away from being a playoff team?
TB: Most definitely. You look at the quarterback play, I'm excited for the opportunity to see Alex in a situation where he has the same offensive coordinator going into a second season with the same system, the same playcaller and even more talent around him. So do I think this roster is in position to make a playoff run? Most definitely. Do we need to add some pieces to the puzzle? Most definitely, but we're going to be able to do that. That's what the draft is for.

Q: Pacman Jones an option?
TB: At this point there is absolutely no interest in Pacman. And I don't see that changing.

-- Matt Barrows

I've been doing some digging on Trent Baalke, the guy who inherits Scot McCloughan's role in the run-up to the draft and who, at this point, is the leading candidate to become the 49ers' next general manager. The first thing to point out is that Baalke has been very close to the McCloughans, Scot and David, and the families live close to one another in Loveland, Co. That relationship remains unchanged following Scot McCloughan's exit. That is, there is no sense that Baalke was part of a McCloughan ouster.

I spoke with two players who both said that Baalke was a very good and engaging speaker. As director of player personnel, Baalke would meet with the players once a week to brief them on their upcoming opponent. I was told he was knowledgeable and had good command of the room. I was also told by more than one person that Baalke believes he can figure out a person just from a handshake and a thwack of the shoulder. I'll have to ask Baalke about that the next time I see him (and shake his hand).

Baalke was hired by the Redskins in 2001, the same year Marty Schottenheimer became head coach. The next year, Schottenheimer was gone and Steve Spurrier and Vinny Cerrato moved in. From 2001-2003, Baalke was Washington's national scout. In 2004, he was promoted to college scouting coordinator. The year after that, Scot McCloughan hired Baalke as the 49ers' Western region scout.

Said Cerrato: "He was an extremely hard worker, organized and very quiet." Is quiet a good quality? "I think he understood his role. Now he's got to be more vocal, more take charge."

Said Scott Campbell, Redskins director of player personnel: "A very hard worker. Very knowledgeable. Driven. I would think the 49ers are in very good hands. Trent was outstanding while he was here. I'm still good friends with him. ... Trent's very ambitious. I know that (being GM) is a goal of his."

I'll have more in a Baalke profile in tomorrow's Bee.

-- Matt Barrows

Man, that Mike Singletary doesn't waste time. Singletary and the 49ers will hold one of the earliest OTAs I've ever heard about when they take to the field Monday and Tuesday. This is expected to be the only time the 49ers will practice as a team until their first rookie minicamp following the April 22-24 draft.

When you look at it, an early start makes sense. First, this is vintage Singletary. The guy has been champing at the bit since the end of the season, traveling around the country for college pro days and taking on a much larger role as far as draft evaluation than any other coach in the league. He also has two new assistants in fairly prominent positions. One of them, Mike Solari, likely wants to see what he has on the offensive line before the draft. As I've been writing, Solari will have a lot of ways to mix and match his line, especially if the team lands free-agent guard Chester Pitts. The 49ers also are expected to draft an offensive tackle early in the draft.

The same goes for special teams coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer. The 49ers also are expected to find a return man in the draft. Schottenheimer might want to see the options - safety Reggie Smith, receiver Brandon Jones, etc. - he currently has on the roster. Teams are allowed to hold 14 OTA sessions as part of their offseason program. Most of them choose to have those sessions after the draft and most are conducted in May and June. Last year, two teams had April OTAs; none had any in March. OTA stands for organized team activity, and they are essentially abbreviated, non-contact practices.

It's unknown whether restricted free agents G David Baas and LB Ahmad Brooks will attend. Neither has signed his one-year tender, although I'm told that Baas has signed a waiver that allows him to work out at the team facility as part of the 49ers' offseason program. Baas hasn't signed his tender presumably to keep his options open as far as being offered a deal from another team.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers are in the market for an inside linebacker. They recently hosted Dolphins free-agent Akin Ayodele, and they are doing a lot of homework on inside linebackers in the draft. National Football Post, for example, wrote today that the team has shown interest in Mississippi State's Jamar Chaney and Duke's Vincent Rey. I have independently learned that they also will take a close look at South Carolina's Eric Norwood, who is admittedly more of a Parys Haralson-like outside linebacker. A 49ers linebackers coach - they have three - is expected to work out both Rey and Norwood next week in North Carolina.

The 49ers are looking at Ayodele as a back up for Takeo Spikes, 33, at "Ted" linebacker, and they are presumably looking at rookies (at least Chaney and Rey) for the same role. Why would they do so, you might ask, when they drafted Scott McKillop for that same role in the fifth round last year? The reason is that the coaching staff has doubts about McKillop and doesn't trust him as Spikes' primary backup. Mike Singletary has a very specific idea for how his inside linebackers should perform, and McKillop didn't meet those expectations last season. Singletary wants his linebackers to take on blockers and slam into offensive lineman. McKillop's instinct was to slip those blocks and go after the football.

What's more, McKillop didn't adapt during the season. When Spikes went down with a hamstring injury against Chicago Nov. 12, McKillop immediately went into the game to replace him. But when the defense came out the following series, off-the-street veteran Matt Wilhelm was in the game and Wilhelm served as Spikes' primary backup for the rest of the season. McKillop was limited to special teams, where he played well. But that is not what the 49ers expected when they drafted him.

****************
Piggy-backing on what MM wrote today about USC offensive lineman Charles Brown ... Brown is being looked at as a potential left tackle. Like Joe Staley, he is a former tight end with good feet, and like Staley, he's being projected to go in the second half of the first round.

That being said, the 49ers could be viewing Brown the way they did Staley - as a left tackle who could line up on the right side his first year. Or perhaps they would consider moving Staley back to the right side - something team officials said last year they were open to doing -- and plugging in Brown on the left side. This might be even more desirable if the 49ers signed veteran left guard Chester Pitts, an ideal mentor/linemate for a rookie. In other words, there are a lot of different options and scenarios to consider along the line.

Lastly, I'm not expecting Trent Baalke to rearrange his draft board because of this, but I paid close attention to personalities at the combine. (Like Singletary, this is Barrows' forte). When it came to offensive linemen, my top two were Iowa's Bryan Bulaga and Charles Brown. Just sayin' ...

-- Matt Barrows

Mike Singletary said today that he is focusing on the character and background issues of certain players in the lead up to the draft. General Manager Scot McCloughan's exit, coupled with Singletary's appearance on a number of college campuses this month, has led to speculation that Singletary would take on a much bigger role in the draft this year. Singletary told reporters, including National Football Post's Aaron Wilson, that he would continue to rely on the 49ers' personnel staff to judge talent but that his skill set makes him an asset in learning about a player's character and personality.

"I do some of the work on the back end and make sure I'm talking to the right people to get some of the information they might not have," Singletary said at the owners meeting in Orlando, Fla. "I'm always looking for what is it that I don't know about this kid. Who is it that I need to talk to? Who is the point person in this kid's life that I need to get to to find out the real personality? I think as far as how good a talent evaluator I am, I think it really boils down to having all the pieces in place. The more pieces to the puzzle you have, the better talent evaluator you're going to be."

Singletary has been seen at pro days in Cincinnati, William & Mary, Florida State and Florida A&M. At Cincinnati, he was seen speaking with DE/OLB Alex Daniels, who is expected to go late in the draft or be a priority free agent. That being said, I also have to wonder if Singletary and the 49ers aren't trying to get a leg up in landing the top players who aren't drafted. After all, who in the NFL would be more magnetic to a college player than Mike Singletary? Things that make you go hmmmmm.

*****************
Hope you brown-bagged it today so that you can join me for a noon chat. Never has late March been so jam-packed with 49ers questions, such as "Who the heck is Trent Baalke?" and "Who was Singletary really looking at in Cincinnati?" and "If Maiocco didn't go to St. Mary's, why is he such an obsessive fan?" Log onto www.sacbee.com/live.

-- Matt Barrows

Barry Sims is officially a 49er having signed his one-year contract today. Sims said he met his new offensive line coach, Mike Solari, for the first time today and hung out with his linemates for the first time since the 2009 season ended. Those linemates, he said, were the primary reason he decided to return to San Francisco. "You have to establish relations with everybody," he said of moving to a new team. "I would really miss the guys in San Francisco because we have such a great group of guys."

Sims, 35, made a visit to Washington on Friday where his former position coach, Chris Foerster, now resides and where he is familiar with the incoming members of the front office. With Chris Samuels' retirement, the Redskins' situation at tackle is more tenuous than even the 49ers', and Sims indicated he thought he had a good chance at beginning the season as a starter. "My expectation would have been to go in as a starter and help develop a younger guy," he said.

He said he assumed he would be the "swing tackle" - a backup who can play both right and left tackle - with the 49ers this year. And he said he hopes to be a mentor should the 49ers, as expected, draft an offensive tackle in April. If Sims earns all of his incentives, he could make $2.1 million this year with the 49ers.

-- Matt Barrows

Add the Seahawks to the list of teams that are wooing free-agent guard Chester Pitts. Pitts will visit with the Seattle brass today and tomorrow, according to a league source. The eight-year veteran also has met with the Lions and 49ers, and his previous team, the Texans, also are interested in retaining him. Negotiations with the 49ers, which began this weekend, are ongoing.

Should Pitts land in San Francisco, it would be interesting to see where he would play on Mike Solari's offensive line. Pitts has lined up exclusively on the left side -- some at tackle but mostly at guard -- during his career, an indication that he could bump David Baas from the starting lineup. Baas, once he signs his tender, would be in the final year of his contract.

However, it is assumed that the 49ers will draft an offensive tackle in April and plug him into the right side of the line. if that's the case, Solari might want a veteran like Pitts to work next to the rookie instead of promising, but inconsistent, right guard Chilo Rachal. Pitts said that if picked up the offense quickly, and if Solari employed a primarily zone-blocking scheme, he should have no problem moving to the right side.

In a conference call last week with Bay Area reporters (and me!), Pitts said he would like to have a deal done in the next week or so. He had knee surgery in September, and he said that having access to an NFL's training facility is important for his rehabilitation. Pitts had microfracture surgery and had a tear in his lateral meniscus repaired. After starting every game his first seven seasons, Pitts started only two last year. He said he should be at full strength in one and half to two months. He said it's possible that he could take part in a team's June practice sessions. A more likely scenario is that he's held back until training camp begins in late July.

-- Matt Barrows

Jed York just conducted an 18-minute conference call from the owners meeting in Orlando, Fla. where the main top was general manager - now former general manager - Scot McCloughan. York began with a brief statement in which he said that "Scot McCloughan is no longer the general manger of the 49ers in the mutual interest of both parties." He went on to say that Trent Baalke, the director of player personnel, not only would lead the team to the draft but would have the so-called "trigger" during the draft. The team does not have a general manager now and York said he is undecided whether it will have one in the future.

Here are the key points of the call:

On McCloughan's exit:
York refused to discuss what caused the team to part ways with McCloughan, calling it a "private personnel matter" when asked several times. As for the team's heretofore silence on the matter, York said this: "It was five days. And I gave Scot my word that I wouldn't comment for five days. Because my integrity is more important to me than trying to get out a story. I gave Scot five days to think about where we wanted to go and we decided to have a mutual parting." Asked if the team had reached a settlement with McCloughan, who had roughly two years remaining on a multi-million-dollar contract, York described the arrangement as a "mutual parting." He said the parting was for "personal reasons" relating to McCloughan and were not related to McCloughan's ability to evaluate talent.

On not being surprised by McCloughan's departure:
York said "that we've been prepared for this," an indication that in the team's mind what prompted McCloughan's departure was not an isolated event. "I couldn't give you a specific (timeline), but we've been prepared," York said. "I wanted to make sure Trent was as up to speed as possible. He's taken on more responsibility in the past and I'm confident that he can lead us to the draft."

On who takes over in the short-term:
York said that Baalke would have the final say on draft day and that he would be assisted by director of pro personnel Tom Gamble. "Trent knows the draft better than anyone else and I have full confidence in him," York said. York said that the team's draft board is 90 percent to 95 percent complete at this time. York said that Mike Singletary would continue to concentrate on coaching and that his role would not change.

On who takes over long-term:
York said he has not made any decisions about the long-term structure of the team's front office and said he wasn't sure whether the team would even have a general manager. He said he would begin making those decisions after the draft. "The one thing that I will promise you is that I will not be general manager and Paraag (Marathe) will not be general manager." York said that Marathe was not involved in McCloughan's exit. "None," he said of Marathe's involvement. "This is my decision. And Scot and I worked this out together."

On York's relationship with McCloughan:
York said: "I wish nothing but the best for Scot. I think that Scot has added a lot of good players We haven't made the playoffs yet. We expect to make the playoffs next year and in the future." ... "It is difficult because I care a lot about Scot and I think everybody knows how I've defended Scot and talked about the things he's added to the team. So it's never easy to part ways with somebody you consider a friend. But again, this is in the best interest of both Scot and the 49ers." ... "I care about Scot from a personal standpoint. And I hope Scot gets a job somewhere. I wish nothing but the best for he and his family."

On further fallout from the move:
McCloughan was perhaps quarterback Alex Smith's biggest champion in the organization. Asked if McCloughan's departure affects Smith, York said, no. "Alex is our guy. He's our QB. We believe in Alex. Coach Singletary believes in Alex." In other words, the Donovan McNabb rumors can be put to rest for now. Asked about David McCloughan, Scot's brother and the director of college scouting, York said: "David is a professional and he has been great through this process." He said David McCloughan would continue to work for the team at least through the draft.

On what McCloughan can share:
York said that McCloughan's contract forbid him from joining another team before the draft and kept him from sharing draft secrets with other teams. That's likely further evidence that some kind of settlement has been reached.

-- Matt Barrows

After a Friday flirtation with the Redskins, free-agent offensive tackle Barry Sims has decided to stay with the 49ers. Sims has agreed to terms on a one-year deal that, if all the incentives are met, would be worth $2.1 million. Sims, 35, was an afterthought when the 2009 offseason began, but he became a critical contributor when Joe Staley went down with a knee injury on the first play of the game in Indianapolis. Sims stepped in and started the remaining seven games at left tackle, playing well in those contests.

Sims' signing became more imperative when Tony Pashos, another free-agent tackle, signed with the Browns this offseason. Sims is capable of backing up both right and left tackle, although he is more comfortable on the left side. The 49ers are expected to address their need for a back-up starting right tackle in the draft. Sims visited Washington last week. He also had received interest from Seattle.

***************
Starting WR Josh Morgan was drafted in the sixth round. I raise that fact because the 49ers today were awarded an extra sixth-round pick in the draft. The team was expecting a late-round compensatory pick but figured it would be a seventh rounder. The pick is the 206th overall, according to the 49ers.

The formula for calculating compensatory picks is a closely guarded secret, but it is based on the number of free agents signed vs. the number lost the previous offseason. The team said goodbye to five free agents in 2009, NT Ronald Fields, WR Bryant Johnson, QB J.T. O'Sullivan, CB Donald Strickland and TE Billy Bajema. They signed WR Brandon Jones, DE Demetric Evans, FB Moran Norris and LB Marques Harris.

So far in free agency, the 49ers have lost Pashos, WR Arnaz Battle and CB Marcus Hudson. They have signed QB David Carr and CB Karl Paymah.

-- Matt Barrows

Jed York will be available on a conference call today at 5 p.m. (PST), according to a press release the team sent out this morning. York, the 49ers' team president, is in Orlando this week along with his father, owner John York, and coach Mike Singletary for the annual spring owners meetings. This will be the first time a team official has gone on the record since the 49ers' front office was turned upside down on Wednesday. Since that time, general manager Scot McCloughan has been in a state of limbo -- not fired but certainly no longer working with the team and not expecting to do so again. That is still the case as of this morning. The 49ers have not contacted McCloughan's representatives, and no conclusion in the five-day saga has been reached.

-- Matt Barrows

It's now been four days since the 49ers' front office was turned upside down and yet the 49ers still haven't uttered a single word about the situation. What is going on at 4949 Centennial Drive? Why do team officials remain mum? Here's what's happening: They won't say anything until general manager Scot McCloughan's departure becomes official. And right now both he and the organization are in a state of limbo.

The two sides are engaged in a multi-million-dollar game of chicken. McCloughan is in the middle of a five-year contract that pays him roughly $1.25 million a year. If McCloughan were to resign, the 49ers wouldn't have to pay him. The 49ers believe McCloughan will do so because the "personal reasons" that have been cited in conjunction to his estrangement would be embarrassing to him. McCloughan, however, is holding his ground, an indication that he doesn't feel the reasons for his ouster are as damaging as the 49ers believe them to be.

If the 49ers fire McCloughan, they'll owe him the remainder of his contract. To avoid paying him, they would have to prove he was fired "for cause," which potentially means the issue could end up in a court room. The Browns recently went down that path when they dismissed general manager George Kokinis in November. A month later, Kokinis, seeking the balance of his contract, filed for arbitration. The two sides reached an out-of-court settlement in February, which is where the 49ers' issue seems headed.

Meanwhile, McCloughan appears to have several potential landing spots. As Greg Bedard in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel noted, McCloughan's first scouting job was with the Green Bay Packers, and he has a close relationship with Packers general manager Ted Thompson. Perhaps an even better fit, as Bay Area News Group's Jerry McDonald pointed out, would be Oakland where McCloughan's father, Kent, once played and worked as a scout. Al Davis has been wanting to bolster his personnel department for years and McCloughan would be able to remain in the Bay Area to be with his family. Miami is another possibility. McCloughan's mentor, Ron Wolf, is close to Bill Parcells, and McCloughan was rumored to be a candidate for a general manager's job there in 2007. The Dolphins hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator in January, and the Nolan-McCloughan relationship would have to be considered.

-- Matt Barrows

We take a break from McCloughanwatch 2010 to return to the NFL draft ... The 49ers were one of 20 or so teams that saw San Jose State WR Kevin Jurovich put on a show at the Spartans' pro day Friday. Jurovich, who stands 6 feet and weighs 190 pounds, ran his 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, which is faster than what scouts were expecting.

Jurovich didn't run at the combine because of a lingering turf toe injury. At the time, he said teams were eying him as a Wes Welker-like slot receiver. Jurovich had 60 catches for 777 yards in 2009 and averaged 12.9 yards per catch. He had 1,183 in 2007 and finished the season ranked 13th nationally in receptions and ninth in receiving yards. He has some experience as a punt returner. Jurovich had a 37 ½-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot, two-inch broad jump and ran the shuttle in 4.2 seconds.

**********
I spoke to Elk Grove's Matt Kopa, a lineman from Stanford, who had foot surgery in February. Kopa is hoping for a sixth season of NCAA eligibility and his status is currently under appeal. Because he's hoping to play another season of college football, Kopa has not hired an agent. He is still in a boot following his surgery, but he did take part in the bench press at Stanford's pro day Thursday, hoisting 225 pounds 26 times. Kopa, who is 6-6, 300 pounds, is an offensive lineman at Stanford, although some teams are eying him as a defensive lineman. Kopa said teams that have shown interest include the Dolphins, Browns and Raiders.

**********
Washington inside linebacker Donald Butler was a late addition at the combine because he looked so good during Senior Bowl practices in January. The Sacramento native did not run at the combine after spraining his ankle at the Senior Bowl. Butler wrote me to say that his ankle was still sore but that he took part in Washington's pro day. He ran his 40 in 4.61 seconds, had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump, ran a 4.1-second shuttle and had a 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump - all impressive for a 245-pound linebacker. He had 35 reps on the bench press at the combine. NFL Draft Scout has him as the fourth-best inside linebacker in the draft.

-- Matt Barrows

Just got off a conference call with Texans free-agent guard, Chester Pitts. If reporters had a say in whom the 49ers sign, Pitts would be picking out his new number today. The eight-year veteran was as funny and vivacious as advertised. Pitts met last night with offensive line coach Mike Solari and spent today with pro personnel director Tom Gamble. The two had lunch at Yan Can in Santa Clara, and Pitts reports that the cuisine there worked in the 49ers' favor. Also favoring the 49ers is a familiar face to Pitts, new quarterback David Carr: "How about that?" Pitts said with a laugh. "He called me and left me a two-minute voice mail saying: 'Chester, don't be afraid to come home (to California). Chester, don't be afraid to become a 49er.'" Pitts' agent and the 49ers likely will begin contract negotiations over the weekend.

As far as signing a contract, Pitts also has visited the Lions, and he said the Seahawks showed renewed interest today. He also said he has promised to give the Texans a chance to re-sign him. Pitts said he would like to have a deal done in the next week or so. He had surgery on his knee in September, and he said that having access to an NFL's training facility is important for his rehabilitation. Pitts had microfracture surgery and had a tear in his lateral meniscus repaired. After starting every game his first seven seasons, Pitts started only two last year. He said he should be at full strength in one and half to two months. He said it's possible that he could take part in a team's June practice sessions. A more likely scenario is that he's held back until training camp begins in late July.

Asked whether the tumult at the 49ers general manager position gave him pause, Pitts said, no. "Not at all. Things happen," he said. "That's the business. People come and people go. Based on what I've been hearing, he (Scot McCloughan) just needed some time." Pitts said he didn't discuss where exactly he'd play with the 49ers. He's been on the left side his entire career, but if the 49ers drafted a rookie to play right tackle they might need a veteran to play next to that rookie. Pitts said he was capable of playing on the right, especially if Solari and the 49ers incorporate a lot of zone blocking.

Pitts is smart. Asked whether returning to California - he was born in Inglewood - is something he wants, Pitts noted two things: First, he'd probably have to buy more tickets for friends and family. Second, he's been playing in Texas, which has no state income tax. California's is a teensy bit higher. The subtext: Show me the money, Jed York.

*****************
Offensive tackle Barry Sims met with the Redskins today and the two sides are discussing a contract. Sims, of course, played eight full games for the 49ers at left tackle after Joe Staley went down on the opening play in Indianapolis. Sims hasn't been happy with the 49ers offer and will take the next few days to consider the Redskins' offer. Seattle also has expressed interest in the 35-year-old tackle.

*****************
Despite persistent reports (that I tried to knock down), Mike Singletary was not in New Orleans today to watch former NFL cornerback Pac Man Jones' work out. Singletary is in Santa Clara.

-- Matt Barrows

During the last offseason, the 49ers held a "State of the Franchise" rally in San Mateo at which owner/president Jed York trumpeted the team's organizational structure. On stage with York were coach Mike Singletary, CEO Andy Dolich and general manager Scot McCloughan. York was effusive about all of them. In regard to McCloughan, York recalled the 49ers' war room during the 2007 draft in which McCloughan argued passionately for Patrick Willis. Some in the organization thought Willis was too small; others were worried about an injury he suffered at Ole Miss. York said McCloughan won him over "When Scot stands up on the table and fights against the defensive-oriented head coach and says, 'This is going to be our draft pick.'"

A little more than a year later, Dolich is gone and McCloughan is on his way out. He has neither been fired nor has he resigned. Instead he is in a state of limbo, but the next step is parting ways with the organization. With that in mind, here's an educated guess as to how the franchise will run in the short term.

Tom Gamble. The director of pro personnel, Gamble has the most experience in the front office - 22 years. Gamble's job is to scout the talent on the other 31 teams, and he takes on a large role in free agency. Gamble, for instance, will meet with guard Chester Pitts today. Gamble has an excellent resume having worked for the Eagles and Colts, two teams with the best scouting reputations in the league. The Raiders for years have been eying Gamble as years as someone who could strengthen the personnel side of the organization.

Trent Baalke. Although Gamble has more experience, Baalke's expertise as director of player personnel is at the college level, which means he likely will take control of all draft preparations. Baalke spent four years in the Redskins scouting department and three years with the Jets before joining the 49ers in 2005. He has been McCloughan's right hand man since joining the team. In talking to agents and league observers, it's clear that both Gamble and Baalke have strong reputations. Said one scout of Baalke: "He has a reputation as someone with a good eye for talent."

Mike Singletary. Singletary has stated that he wants to take a more active role in the draft this year, and he has followed through. Singletary has been sighted at several college pro-day sessions around the country, more so than any other coach in the league. However, that should not be viewed as a signal that Singletary will become the de-facto GM like Mike Nolan from 2005-2007 or that he will have final say in the draft. Singletary has been forthright in saying that talent evaluation is not his strong suit. In fact, he was one of the coaches McCloughan had to win over when it came to drafting Willis. Singletary certainly will have a stronger voice this April when it comes to the draft, but he likely will continue to lean heavily on the 49ers' personnel officials.

Paraag Marathe. If Baalke was McCloughan's top lieutenant, Marathe is York's. He has been steadily gaining power since joining the team as Special Projects Manager in 2001. Last year he was promoted to executive vice president of football operations, a position that gave Marathe a powerful voice in the business, marketing and football side of the organization. Marathe is the team's main contract negotiator and he has gained the Yorks' trust by managing the team's once out-of-control salary cap. Those inside the organization say that Marathe is very smart and extremely ambitious. Some believe that York and Marathe aspire to become latter-day versions of former owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. and his top deal maker, Carmen Policy.

Newcomer. It's hard to see the 49ers bringing in a powerful, new general manager with the draft only five weeks away, although it is possible. Another option would be to bring in someone temporarily - in the role of consultant, perhaps - to add stability while the team is in a state of flux. The 49ers, for instance, flirted with hiring Dan Reeves a year ago. Reeves is a confidant of Singletary's.

-- Matt Barrows

Scot McCloughan said he was in good spirits in a text message today. "I know what I did for the organization and I'm really good with it," McCloughan wrote. McCloughan took in the early game at HP Pavilion in San Jose that saw Murray State upset Vanderbilt on a buzzer-beater shot. The 49ers, meanwhile, have not issued any statement or commented on the original Santa Rosa Press Democrat report that he is contemplating stepping down as general manager of the team. In fact, members of the media were barred from entering the media trailer at the team headquarters.

Earlier today, Nancy Gay of AOL Fan House reported that the 49ers were "cutting ties" with McCloughan due to "personal reasons." Citing multiple sources, the report said that McCloughan no longer was with the team. ESPN's Adam Schefter, however, reports that McCloughan has been placed on an extended leave of absence while he "tends to personal issues."

The only thing that is certain at the moment is that McCloughan is not taking part in the day-to-day operation of the team. The 49ers and the rest of the league are entering the second phase of free agency, and they will host free-agent guard Chester Pitts this evening and tomorrow. Pitts, who was in Detroit this morning, is expected to meet with offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and offensive line coach Mike Solari as well as director of pro personnel Tom Gamble. Mike Singletary, who already had decided to take on a bigger role in preparing for the draft, is on the east coast attending college pro day sessions.

With McCloughan and the 49ers estranged, Gamble is expected to take on a larger role in free agency while Trent Baalke, the director of player personnel, is expected to charge of the team's draft preparations. The 49ers have two first-round picks. The draft begins April 22.

-- Matt Barrows

More than 14 hours after news of general manager Scot McCloughan's possible resignation first broke, the 49ers have yet to comment on the development. Meanwhile, it appears the team is trying to take a business-as-usual approach. Free-agent guard Chester Pitts is in Detroit today, and he will fly to Santa Clara this evening. He is scheduled to meet with offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and offensive line coach Mike Solari as well as Mike Singletary and Tom Gamble, the team's director of pro personnel. Those are the people any free-agent offensive linemen normally would meet with. Of course, he'd also probably say hello to the general manager ...

-- Matt Barrows

Scot McCloughan's agent says the 49ers general manager has no plans to step down from his post. "Scot McCloughan is not resigning as general manger of the San Francisco 49ers," Peter Schaffer said in a brief telephone conversation. Schaffer said he had spoken to McCloughan five minutes earlier.

News of a possible resignation was reported earlier this evening by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, which, citing sources, reported that McCloughan, 39, was considering stepping down from his position. According to the report, McCloughan met with top 49ers officials Wednesday afternoon, including president and CEO Jed York and Paraag Marathe, the team's vice president of football operations. The report goes on to say that McCloughan left the facility this afternoon and files were relocated from his office. It is not exactly known what prompted the meeting, but it is not believed to be related to McCloughan's ability to evaluate talent. The 49ers have not responded to multiple inquiries.

If McCloughan were to step down - or more likely, if he were forced out - the 49ers would be without their top football decision maker five weeks before an NFL draft in which they have two first-round picks. The top candidates to succeed him would be Trent Baalke, the director of player personnel and Tom Gamble, the director of pro personnel. Marathe, who has handled player contracts in recent years, would be a candidate to run the business side of the operation.

McCloughan was hired by then-head coach Mike Nolan in 2005 as vice president of player personnel. He was promoted to general manager in January 2008. In his media guide bio, Jed York describes McCloughan as "just the man we need guiding the personnel decisions of this franchise. He's a cool customer who handles pressure situations well. His pedigree is that of a true football man. Scot has been an integral part of championship teams in the past, and we are confident that he will be a part of another one here with the 49ers in the near future."

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers hosted cornerback Karl Paymah a year ago, but he joined the Minnesota Vikings instead. This year they got their man, signing Paymah, 27, to a one-year deal. Paymah is a Culver City native who seems to have the size - 6-0, 195 pounds - the 49ers like in a cornerback. Paymah originally was a third-round pick by the Broncos and spent the first four years of his career in Denver. He's never started more than three games a season - he had two last year in Minnesota -- but has played in 72 games.

Reading the tea leaves, I'd say that Paymah's signing probably is bad news for Dre Bly, a former teammate and a good friend of Paymah's, who has received little attention on the free-agent market. Both Bly and Walt Harris are unrestricted free agents, and the team has been in no hurry to re-sign either. Harris suffered an ACL tear in May.

In a conference call, Paymah essentially said that the Minnesota winter chased him out of town. He recalled one instance when he was locked out of his home for a short time. "I just felt like I was going to die," he said of the cold. "... I didn't think (such low temperatures) were possible, really. It was a myth to me."

Paymah said he's been a steady special teams contributor since joining the league. He said his size also made him a natural for bump-and-run coverage. Because Paymah visited last year, he said he didn't feel the need to visit again. The deal was done over the phone.

***************
In other news, Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis had surgery on his right knee at Stanford Hospital. The procedure was a bursectomy - the removal of the bursa sac in his knee likely due to chronic inflammation. Willis was replaced in the Pro Bowl by Carolina's Jon Beason after Willis experienced swelling in the knee during practice. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in July 2008. His prognosis was a four- to six-week recovery.

Dr. David Chang, a Bay Area orthopedic surgeon, said the recovery time would be short -- about two to three weeks -- and that Willis should not be hindered by the procedure. "It does not affect the long-term life or the performance of the knee," Chang said.

-- Matt Barrows

Cornerback Joe Haden reportedly improved - dramatically - his pedestrian combine numbers at Florida's pro day today. Haden ran his 40 in 4.57 in Indianapolis but evidently ran in the low 4.4s in Gainesville. What does this mean? You could argue that if Haden's stock dropped as a result of his first 40 time, it should rise again after the second. Still, there are questions swirling as to whether Haden - speedy or not - is a good enough cover cornerback to warrant a top 10 pick. If the answer is no, then he likely will fall right into the 49ers' wheelhouse in the middle of the first round.

As I've written before, cornerback may not be the team's neediest position at the moment, but they certainly could use one. The 49ers have not selected a cornerback in the first round since taking Mike Rumph in 2002. The highest the Nolan-McCloughan-Singletary regime has taken a cornerback is the fifth round (Tarell Brown, 2007. Reggie Smith was a third rounder in 2008, but he now plays safety).

The 49ers have been consistent in saying that Nate Clements will be back this season and that he'll play cornerback. Clements is due to make $6 million in base salary and the 49ers aren't going to ask him to renegotiate. But that $6 million only goes up from here. In 2011, his base goes to $7.25 million, to $9 million in 2012 and $10.7 million and $15.5 million the following two years. Remember, Clements was removed from the starting lineup when the 49ers played one of the league's best passing teams, the Colts, last year.

Haden, meanwhile, seems to be a lot like Clements, and I can't make up my mind whether that's a good or a bad thing. My sense, however, is that if he's still on the board in the mid first round the 49ers will have a hard time passing him up. Another player, Boise State's Kyle Wilson, also is intriguing because he has the return skills the 49ers desperately need. Theoretically, Wilson could handle returns as a rookie while easing into the defense as a cornerback. In his second year, he would take over for Clements. Still, Wilson isn't perfect, either. According to NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang, he was a half-hearted tackler at Boise State, and tackling is something that is paramount to the 49ers when it comes to their corners. The draft speculation goes on ...

Meanwhile, inside linebacker Brandon Spikes reportedly ran his 40 in more than 5 seconds. Ouch. I used to think Spikes would be a nice pick up for the 49ers in the second round. Now I'm thinking they could wait until the fourth or fifth rounds ...

**********
Guard Chester Pitts will visit the 49ers Thursday and Friday. That is, if the Detroit Lions don't make him an offer he can't refuse. Pitts visits the Lions today and tomorrow.

-- Matt Barrows

Offensive tackle Barry Sims wants to remain with the 49ers. The 49ers want to retain Sims, who played very well for them when Joe Staley went down with an injury in Week 8. So why hasn't the unrestricted free agent been re-signed yet? (Hint: one word, rhymes with honey.) The problem for the 49ers is that Sims now is being courted by a team, the Redskins, that has deeper pockets than anyone. Sims is due to visit Washington on Friday, according to a league source. Sims presumably will meet up with former position coach Chris Foerster, who now has the same job with the Redskins.

Sims, 35, obviously showed last season that he is a reliable back-up at left tackle. He played 10 full games and played well in each. He also can play right tackle where the team is looking for an upgrade in the draft. The 49ers already lost one free-agent tackle, Tony Pashos, who signed with Cleveland. Pashos also was being wooed by Foerster and the Redskins. Sims, meanwhile, also has drawn interest from the Seahawks.

******
The 49ers met with inside linebacker Akin Ayodele yesterday and today. Ayodele, 30, is being eyed as a backup and potential replacement for Takeo Spikes, 33, at "ted" linebacker. Spikes is in the final year of his contract.

-- Matt Barrows

Mike Singletary has no plans to attend a workout for cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones Friday in New Orleans, a source close to Singletary confirmed today. A report last week said that Singletary was one of the coaches expected to be on hand. In fact, the 49ers are holding their premiere fundraising event, the Celebrity Winter & Wine Fest, at Lake Tahoe this weekend, and Singletary will attend that.

Jones reportedly worked out for the Bengals last month and will hold another session that will follow Tulane's pro day session on Friday. Jones was suspended for the 2007 season for multiple violations of the league's conduct policy. A first-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2005, Jones last played for the Cowboys. He was released in February 2009 and did not play football last season.

-- Matt Barrows

David Carr said he had every opportunity to remain with the New York Giants. He could have been Eli Manning's back up for seven or eight years. He could have made good money and lived in New York and given his kids a great life. But he decided against the comfortable lifestyle.

"It was time to go out and push myself a little bit," Carr said today in his first media appearance in the Bay Area. "I wanted to see what was out there." Carr said that San Francisco and Arizona were at the top of his list and that Cleveland was probably third. He said he wanted to play close to home - he grew up in Bakersfield and played at Fresno State - and wanted to play for a team where there was room for advancement.

Carr said he was given assurance by Mike Singletary that the quarterback positions are not locked down. "That's one of the first questions I asked when I came out here," Carr said when asked about the opportunity to compete for a starting job. "And I didn't word it that way. The way I worded it was, 'Are my actions on the field going to matter?' Because the last two years being with Eli - and he's been entrenched, won a Super Bowl. We had a good time. But it felt like sometimes when I went out to practice that it didn't really matter what I did. ... I kind of wanted to feel in my next stop, my last stop in my head, is I want my actions to matter. For me, I got the right answer from (Singletary), that 'You can go out there and compete and, yeah, we're going to pay attention to what you do.' After that, I was good. That's all I needed to hear."

Asked if he has been told he will compete for the starting job, Carr said this: "Specifically those words haven't been said. But they have said that competition is what they love around here. ... One of Singletary's things is iron sharpens iron, so ..."

On Alex Smith: "I worked out with him this morning. I think I met him once or twice before just in passing, maybe a Super Bowl event or something else. But we had a great workout and it was fun to push each other. But he seems like a good guy."

On Patrick Willis' Twitter welcome: Carr said he fielded a phone call from Willis while in GM Scot McCloughan's office on March 6. "I understand he's definitely passionate about winning and he's protecting his teammates. ... He was very apologetic. I told him, 'You don't have to apologize for anything. ... It's my job to change your mind.'"

On Singletary: "Coach Singletary in particular has a great plan for this team. His heart's in the right place. He seems like a great guy, a man of faith and that's something I believe in, too, strongly. I feel like I'm in this position for a reason and I think he does, too. Hopefully it can work out.

Carr said he would watch games with Manning last season and the two would try to identify the up and comers. "He was trying to find me a job, too. This is a good spot. This team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. ... I wanted to make it my best trip because honestly I got the best feeling from them out of all the teams. There was definitely interest from both sides from all the teams. San Francisco never varied, never wavered. There was never any lack of confidence in me, so as a player that's what you always want."

Carr said he questioned whether he wanted to be a quarterback in 2007 when he was with the Panthers. "I was wondering if this is what I wanted to do. Because it wasn't fun any more. I could always play but the excitement wasn't there. But when I went to New York, got around some awesome guys, some awesome coaches that believed in me, that never showed a lack of confidence in me. That's why when I went on the field we had success. Those last two years in New York were great - they recharged my batteries for my career. Now I feel like my talent level and my experience level are right next to each other."

Carr played with fullback Moran Norris in Houston. He also played alongside free-agent guard Chester Pitts, who is due to visit the 49ers Thursday. "Yeah, I called Chester and I think it's awesome. He's a great football player. I know that when we were in Houston a lot of those guys got bad rap because we gave up so many sacks and were struggling. In reality, they were moving around so much. Chester was really the one guy who stayed in his position that played every snap up until last year."

In terms of the offensive system, Carr said that the overall philosophy was similar to that of the Giants. He said he hasn't run a digit system since Jeff Tedford ran the offense at Fresno State. "Play-wise, I'll pick up the lingo in a couple of weeks," he said. "It'll probably be a little rough at first. It is a system that I haven't verbally communicated, but I'll figure it out."

-- Matt Barrows

It's official. The 49ers just sent out a press release announcing that David Carr has signed and turned in his two-year deal and that the team has agreed to trade Shaun Hill to the Lions for an "undisclosed" 2011 draft pick. It's believed to be a seventh rounder. The trade is pending a physical in Detroit. News of the Hill trade was first reported here.

The release also includes quotes from both coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan about the incoming and outgoing quarterbacks. "We are very happy to add David to our roster," McCloughan said of Carr. "We added a player at a position of need and of huge importance to us. David provides depth at the quarterback position and helps make us stronger. He's a great young man."

Hill relieved J.T. O'Sullivan as the 49ers' starter in 2008, and his play helped salvage the season and ostensibly win then-interim coach Singletary the permanent job. Here's what Singletary said of Hill:

"Shaun is the ultimate competitor. He gave everything he had to his teammates, coaches and fans. I admire how Shaun took advantage of his opportunities and got the most out of his abilities. I wish him nothing but the best as he starts a new chapter in Detroit."

McCloughan on Hill: "Shaun is a consummate pro. The 49ers organization is extremely grateful for his service and leadership over the past four seasons. We thank Shaun for his effort and wish him success in the future."

Carr will speak to the local media for the first time around noon today.

**************
The Carolina Panthers signed free-agent cornerback Marcus Hudson to a one-year deal. The Charlotte Observer notes that Hudson, an N.C. State product, played his first two seasons in San Francisco under assistant special teams coach Jeff Rodgers, who is now the Panthers special teams coach. It seems that Hudson will have a role similar to the one he had with the 49ers.

The 49ers' current cornerbacks are Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown and Keith Smith. Both Dre Bly and Walt Harris are unrestricted free agents, and while the the 49ers haven't closed the door on them, they aren't clamoring to re-sign them, either. With that in mind, I think there's a good chance the 49ers find a cornerback early in the draft. (If Joe Haden pulls a Michael Crabtree and drops in the draft ...)

**************
Meanwhile, linebacker Akin Ayodele is expected to arrive in Santa Clara today. He will meet with team officials today and tomorrow. The 49ers are looking at Ayodele as a backup to Takeo Spikes, 33, at Ted linebacker.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers have agreed to trade quarterback Shaun Hill to the Detroit Lions for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011, according to a league source. Hill, who was 10-6 as the 49ers starter, finished the season behind Alex Smith on the depth chart. The 49ers recently signed a new backup quarterback in David Carr. The Lions offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, is familiar with Hill having coached him in Minnesota. Linehan also was the Rams head coach in 2008. Hill and the 49ers swept the Rams that season.

The trade -- as all trades are -- is pending a physical for Hill. Carr also has yet to turn in his signed contract, which is expected to occur tomorrow. Hill, meanwhile, will find himself playing behind another No. 1 overall draft pick, Matthew Stafford, who was the Lions' top choice last season. Stafford suffered a shoulder injury late last season, and the Lions will be cautious as far as his workload this spring. That ought to provide more work for Hill, who is familiar with Linehan's offense.

Linehan was Mike Singletary's first choice for offensive coordinator last year, but he decided not to take the job. After nearly a month-long search, Singletary eventually selected Jimmy Raye.

-- Matt Barrows

Everyone knows the 49ers are looking for an offensive tackle in the draft. But what do they do if all the top ones are gone when the 13th pick rolls around? I spoke to NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang about this Saturday. He said he thought the top three tackles - widely viewed as Oklahoma State's Russell Okung, Iowa's Bryan Bulaga and Oklahoma's Trent Williams - would be gone by pick No. 13. But he thought the fourth tackle still would be there.

The questions, however, are who that fourth tackle is and whether he's worth a mid first-round pick. Rutgers' Anthony Davis was believed to be in the mix. But he's done nothing to ease concerns about his work ethic and attitude over the last month, and Rang notes that his stock is dropping. There is no concern, meanwhile, about how much time Maryland's Bruce Campbell spends in the weight room. He has a body out of Greek mythology and put up incredible numbers at the combine. The issue with Campbell is that his on-field performances weren't nearly as impressive as his physique. In other words, if these two guys are available when the 49ers pick, there is a good reason why they are available.

For the sake of argument, let's say the 49ers pass on a tackle (and Mike Iupati) with both their first-round picks. Will there be any good ones available in the second? I asked Rang that question, and these are the names he gave me:

Rodger Saffold, Indiana. Saffold's stock is on the rise. In fact, Rang is projecting him to go in the late first or early second round. Still, if the teams that coveted tackles pick them up in the first round, there's a possibility that Saffold drops to the middle of the second. Unlike most analysts, Rang thinks that Saffold is talented enough to play on the right or left side.

Vladamir Ducasse, UMass. At 6-4, 332 pounds, Ducasse has plenty of upside. But he's raw and hasn't played against a high level of competition. The question with him would be whether Mike Solari could whip him into a starter quickly enough to be a factor in 2010.

Ciron Black, LSU. If the 49ers are looking for a big body, Black fits the bill. He's 6-4, 327 pounds. "He's big, physical and reliable," Rang says. "He's never missed a game." Black is a right tackle only on the NFL level and many evaluators think he'd be better at guard.

John Jerry, Ole Miss. Jerry was so good at guard during the Senior Bowl that coaches wanted to see him at tackle. No one is eying Jerry as a left tackle, but some teams thought he handled himself well enough to play on the right side. "I think John Jerry would be a great fit for them personally," Rang said of the 49ers. "Just the way he fires off the line."

Jared Veldheer, Hilldale. He played at never-heard-of-it Hillsdale College, but Veldheer's 6-8, 312 pounds frame warrants big-time attention. Veldheer handled himself well in the Texas vs. the Nation game and then put up very impressive numbers at the combine. Like Ducasse, however, Veldheer is raw. If the 49ers want to plug a player in immediately at right tackle, Veldheer might not be the right pick.

In the last five years, 12 offensive tackles have been taken in the second round and most of them started the majority of the games their rookie seasons. The 49ers have the 13th pick in the second round (45th overall)

2005:
Michael Roos (41) 16 starts
Khlaif Barnes (52) 12
Adam Terry (64) 0

2006:
Winston Justice (39) 0
Marcus McNeill (50) 16
Andrew Whitworth (55) 12
Jeremy Trueblood (59) 13

2007:
Tony Ugoh (42) 11

2009:
Eben Britton (39) 15
Phil Loadholt (54) 15
Sebastian Vollmer (58) 8
William Beatty (60) 4

-- Matt Barrows

Attention Sacramento Area smart alecks. You only have four more days to enter a submission in the "Name Your Team" contest for the new Sacramento UFL franchise. If you don't, the team could end up being called the Senators. (Seriously, what's going to be the mascot? Darrell Steinberg?) While the door is still open for submissions, the league already seems to have six favorites:

Sacramento Condors. Nothing says strength like a species that is teetering on the brink of extinction. It's also not regional. A California Condor wouldn't be caught dead in Sacramento (Unless it was being cared for by the zoo). According to my handy dandy Peterson's guide to Western birds, the few condors remaining live in the coastal mountains in the south end of the state.

Sacramento Miners. This is certainly a more Sacramento-specific name. It also works if the UFL develops a formal partnership with the NFL and the Miners become a feeder team to the 49ers. However, the name phonetically resembles "minors," a connotation a start-up league wants to avoid.

Sacramento Pioneers. While pioneers is a historically accurate ... yawn ... it is not ... yawn ... Sorry, I nodded off.

Sacramento Redwoods. No other tree towers like a California redwood. The problem: they're found on the coast, not in the Central Valley. If you want an intimidating, tree-related nickname, how about: The Sacramento Dutch Elm Disease.

Sacramento Senators. Does anything have a more negative association these days than the state legislature? You might as well call the team "prostate cancer." If you guys figure out how to solve the $20 billion budget deficit and make my home price go up, then we'll talk about rewarding you with a football mascot.

Sacramento Sting. Two words: Gordon Sumner.

Here are some alternatives I feel have more cache and are better suited for a team that resides in the state capital. Some of them are my ideas. Others were submitted to me on Twitter @mattbarrows. You can make your own submission here.

Sacramento Steelhead. This was the name of the Western Baseball League that played briefly in Sacramento in 1999. While it's a good name for a baseball team, it's an excellent name for a football team. For you non-anglers, "steelhead" is a trout found in local rivers.

Sacramento Delta Dogs. I'm a traditionalist, and I realize this has a more "new school" ring to it. But it pairs well with River Cats and it captures the unique geography of the region. If you want to sell tickets in Isleton, go with Delta Dogs.

Sacramento Coronas. It pays homage to the state and city's Spanish roots. And it pairs well with the other professional sports franchise that calls Sacramento its home. It also might spark a nice sponsorship by a certain brewer of adult beverages. (I'll take 200 cases as my finder's fee).

Sacramento Sturgeon. When I was working in the Metro department of The Bee, every now and then we'd get phone calls from a Sacramento River boater who swore to seeing a sea serpent in the river. The serpent was actually a sturgeon, which can reach 18 feet and has a scaly, prehistoric looking back. It's the closest thing we have to dinosaurs. (Besides Larry King).

Sacramento Gridlock. Submitted by @dccrowley10. It speaks to both the situation under the Capitol dome and the ride home on I-5, I-80, Highway 99, US 50, Stockton Blvd, Fruitridge, Fair Oaks, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Sacramento Gerrymanders. Submitted by @Terrynce. I've got to admit -- it would make one hell of a helmet logo.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers have a Monday meeting with inside linebacker Akin Ayodele, an eight-year veteran. Interest in Ayodele was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ayodele is the third member of the 2002 draft class - he was a third-round pick by the Jaguars - the 49ers are considering. They have already reached a contract agreement with the top pick that year, David Carr. They also are scheduled to host guard Chester Pitts, a second-round pick, on Thursday.

Ayodele's best season was 2003 when he finished with a career-high 115 tackles, a sack and two interceptions. Ayodele, 6-2, 245 pounds, played four seasons at outside linebacker for the Jaguars. He switched to inside linebacker when he joined the Cowboys in 2006. He spent the last two seasons with the Dolphins. He had a season-high nine tackles against the 49ers in 2008. Ayodele likely is being considered as a back up at inside linebacker behind Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. Spikes, 33, is in the final year of his contract.

-- Matt Barrows

It's so early in the process that talking about how free-agent guard Chester Pitts would fit in San Francisco would be terribly premature ... On that note, here's how Pitts would fit on the 49ers:

I spoke with John McClain, the longtime writer for the Houston Chronicle, this morning. McClain raved about Pitts, both as a player and as person. Pitts is a bit of a Renaissance Man. He knows how to play the oboe, and last year joined the board of directors of the Houston Symphony. In that way, it seems he would mesh nicely alongside center Eric Heitmann, who is an accomplished pianist. Pitts also is the Texans' union representative, an indication he is both sharp and well-liked in the locker room. He will be in Hawaii for a union meeting this weekend where he no doubt will rub elbows with Takeo Spikes, who, along with Walt Harris, represents the 49ers.

But where would Pitts play? He spent his entire career on the left side, playing some left tackle but mostly left guard. The 49ers' left guard is David Baas, a restricted free agent who has been offered a one-year tender. That means that Baas likely will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2010 season and the 49ers need to think about a replacement.

McClain, however, points out that Pitts would be an asset to a young tackle the way he has been to Duane Brown in Houston. If the 49ers draft an offensive tackle, that rookie likely would play on the right side. That might place one inexperienced player, right guard Chilo Rachal, next to another, something the 49ers would try to avoid. Pitts hasn't played right guard, but is intelligent enough to make the switch.

Pitts' injury is the biggest concern. He went down with a right knee injury in Week 2, easily the most severe injury in a remarkably healthy career. He had microfracture surgery in September, and that's obviously something the 49ers and every other team that is eying Pitts will look at very closely. Pitts has been saying that he will be at full strength between May 1 and June 1. Any team that signs him, however, likely wouldn't put Pitts through any rigorous activities until training camp (late July) at the earliest.

As McClain noted, Pitts doesn't have as much wear and tear on his body as most NFL guards his age. After all, he didn't play football in college high school. And he was discovered in college, San Diego State, while working as a grocery bagger. It's one of the better rags-to-riches stories in the NFL, and one that won Pitts a Super Bowl video competition two years ago. To watch it, click here.

-- Matt Barrows

With David Carr poised to sign his contract, the 49ers have given Shaun Hill permission to shop himself to other teams, a source confirmed. Because it's clear that Hill is the odd man out in the 49ers quarterback rotation, other teams likely will be reluctant to give up anything - draft picks, players - when they know that Hill, 10-6 as a 49ers starter, likely will be released. The concern for Hill is that while he remains a member of the 49ers, other teams are filling out their rosters.

The teams that seem like the most likely fits for Hill include:

Chicago: Both offensive coordinator Mike Martz and offensive line coach Mike Tice have worked with Hill in the past. Tice is especially fond of him, telling The Bee in September: "The biggest thing that pops out about Shaun is that he's very bright. He understands football. He understands where to go with the football, and he makes quick decisions. The second thing is that he's a better athlete than people think he is."

Hill also is familiar to Martz, who ran the 49ers' offense in 2008. Martz was not impressed with Hill in the 2008 offseason as J.T. O'Sullivan leapfrogged him to become the starter that season. Hill, however, ended up being the better quarterback that year and salvaged the season for the 49ers. Hill obviously knows Martz's dense and complicated offense, something no other quarterback on the Bears roster can claim. Still, Martz did not seem entirely sold on Hill while on NFL Network in November. "I think that Shaun Hill is a winner," Martz said. "But I think that he has some limitations in terms of getting the ball down the field. You love him - he's everything you want in the locker room as far as leadership qualities."

Detroit: Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan had the same job when Hill was a backup for the Vikings. Linehan also was the Rams head coach in 2008 when Hill and the 49ers swept St. Louis. Hill threw two touchdowns, ran for another and had a 142.3 passer rating in the first of those games, the highest rating of any game he's started.

Cleveland: Hill has no ties here, but GM Scot McCloughan used to work with Mike Holmgren. If a trade were to occur, the 49ers would like to make it with a team they hardly ever play. Cleveland also is switching to a West Coast offense, which seemingly would fit Hill's strengths. The Browns, however, appear to be heavily courting former Panthers QB Jake Delhomme.

Arizona and Seattle: Both teams are seeking quarterbacks. Seattle wants someone to back up Matt Hasselbeck; The Cardinals want to push Matt Leinart. Hill has beaten both of these teams. An intra-division trade is highly doubtful, but NFC West foes could be especially interested if Hill is released. I'm guessing Hill would relish the opportunity to play his former team twice a year.

*******************
Long-time Houston Texans guard Chester Pitts is scheduled to visit the 49ers on Thursday, according to his agent. Pitts, 30, has been a reliable and versatile lineman for the Texans, starting all 16 games in his first seven seasons. (He was a rookie in 2002, the same as David Carr).

Pitts, however, suffered a knee injury in Week 2 last season and had microfracture surgery in September. Pitts' physical, of course, will be of utmost importance. He's been saying that he will be at full speed before training camp begins. The 49ers gambled and lost on an injured veteran lineman last year -- Marvel Smith -- and it will be interesting to see how they value Pitts. Before Pitts comes to San Francisco, he is scheduled to visit the Lions. The Bengals, Dolphins and Seahawks also have shown interest. The Texans also would like to retain the eight-year veteran.

-- Matt Barrows

The Twitter war has given way to a Twitter peace. According to new 49er David Carr's Twitter page (@DavidCarr8), Patrick Willis called him in the wake of Willis' controversial Twitter remarks last week. Willis' remarks were made Friday. The phone call came on Saturday, a person with knowledge of the call confirmed.

"Patrick called me almost as soon as he posted his thoughts," Carr writes on TwitLonger in a response to KNBR's Dan Dibley. "We had great talk, I admire his passion for his teamates, but I believe I can help this team. I'm sure Patrick is not the only player who will be thinkn "what's this guy got?", I told him that's why I left NY, to prove to myself and the rest of the NFL, I Can Play at a High Level, I can be the difference for a team, I believe in my heart I'm ready, Patrick and I have one thing in common, we will do ALL that is needed to bring another Championship to the 49ers."

When news of the 49ers' interest in Carr first arose, Willis questioned it, writing that he thought the team already had three quarterbacks better than Carr and that if the 49ers brought in a quarterback, it should be an impact player like Michael Vick. Willis has since struck a more welcoming tone. "I heard that carr signed ," he wrote on Sunday. "He is my teammate now. Which means I'm all in for the guy. Its all about the team. CongrÀts and welcome aboard."

Carr is currently in Mexico. He is expected to return for the 49ers' offseason program, which begins Monday. Interestingly, the 49ers' former No. 2 quarterback, Shaun Hill, also plans to attend. Hill would like to be released, but the 49ers will try to trade him first. Carr also writes that he's leaning toward wearing No. 5 this season. His long-time number, No. 8, was worn by Hall of Famer Steve Young and is retired.

-- Matt Barrows

I attended the Cal pro day today, but I'm betting the 49ers' attention was more focused on Alabama's pro day in Tuscaloosa where nose tackle Terrence Cody continues to drop weight. He weighed 349 pounds Wednesday, five fewer than he weighed last month in Indianapolis and 21 fewer than he weighed two months ago in Mobile, Ala. Every time Cody drops weight, he moves up a little on draft boards.

Cornerback/return man Javier Arenas didn't run because of the hamstring he pulled in Indianapolis. At Cal, cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson (Grant High) also aggravated a hamstring pull while running the 40 today and did not take part in any other drills. Thompson injured the hamstring in Mobile and did not run in Indianapolis. The hope is that he's able to take part in another school's pro day later this month or in early April. Jahvid Best rested on the strong numbers he put up at the combine. The Raiders and 49ers were two of 17 teams that interviewed Best in Mobile, he said.

Cal defensive end Tyson Alualu is getting a lot of attention. Alualu said he can play as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense or as an end in a 4-3. Teams that run a 4-3 are looking to play Alualu as an end on first and second downs and as a tackle on third downs. Alualu's drive (in NFL speak, his motor) is his best asset. The 49ers had two scouts at the Cal pro day. Mike Singletary attended the Cincinnati Pro Day to watch QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard. He was seen chatting up a prospect named Alex Daniels.

************
Some of you have been asking about the 49ers' interest in free agents Justin Fargas and Leon Washington. There may have been some casual conversations about those guys, but the team doesn't have any serious interest. As a rule of thumb, things usually aren't serious unless a visit is scheduled.

************
Rams free agent O.J. Atogwe is getting some interest. But because he's a restricted free agent, other teams are leery of signing Atogwe to an offer sheet and then having the Rams match that offer. The real Atogwe action could come after June 1. The Rams would have to sign him to a new contract - something they have been reluctant to do to this point - by June 1` or Atogwe becomes an unrestricted free agent.

************
Add the Dolphins to the list of teams that are interested in linebacker Travis LaBoy. The 49ers have had LaBoy, an unrestricted free agent, in for a visit, as have the Jets and Patriots. LaBoy wants to play in a 3-4 defense in 2010.

************
National Football Post's Wes Bunting's latest mock (he's on No. 3) has the 49ers drafting Rutgers OT Anthony Davis at No. 13 and Boise State CB Kyle Wilson at no. 17. I see this as a strong possibility....

-- Matt Barrows

***UPDATE*** Becht has decided to re-sign with the Cardinals, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $950,000. Hmmm, what does that say in regard to his first response (below)?

On Monday tight end Anthony Becht visited the Raiders. On Tuesday the 10-year veteran drove down Highway 880 to talk to Mike Singletary and the 49ers. So far, Becht said, those two teams and his former one - the Cardinals - have shown the most interest. Becht stands 6-6 and weighs 270. He's nearly as big as an offensive lineman and blocking is his forte. Becht did not meet with GM Scot McCloughan, who was in Norman, Okla. Tuesday ostensibly to scout offensive tackle Trent Williams (and to talk shop with the other 30 team officials in attendance). Here's what Becht had to say during a brief meet and greet with reporters.

What are you looking for at this point in your career?
AB: Well, obviously winning is important. Where a team is as far as getting to that and what steps they're taking to improve. Winning games is a very important part of this whole thing, and obviously with Arizona - they've had a nice run. They're doing a good job. It's an excellent place for me to be. Oakland's trying to turn the page and do the things they're doing. Being here, obviously San Fran's on the same route of improving their team.

What are your thoughts about the 49ers having been on the opposing team?
AB: They're improving. They're an aggressive team. Obviously coach Singletary brings that attitude and it translates well for their players on the field. And they're definitely up and coming and taking the proper steps to getting their team where it needs to be. I think that they're going to have success and coach Singletary will do a good job for them.

What would your role be if you were to sign with the 49ers?
AB: Obviously the need is for a blocking tight end. That's what my skill set it. I can still catch. I can still run and do all those things. But (I'd) bring a dominating attitude to the edge and get the running game sparked and maybe give a little leeway to the other tight ends. We'll see. Like I said, I'm just enjoying the process and we'll see how it goes.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers announced they are currently meeting with TE Anthony Becht, a 10-year veteran who most recently played for the Cardinals. Becht, 32, stands 6-6 and weighs 270. He's mostly been used as a blocker, although he has 21 touchdown catches over his career. Becht has played for the Rams, Buccaneers and Jets before spending the 2009 season in Arizona. He reportedly also is visiting the Raiders.

The 49ers are seeking a third tight end who can block and who also could step in should something happen to Vernon Davis or Delanie Walker. They also have shown interest in free agent Chris Baker.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers continue to be interested in tight end Chris Baker, a blocking specialist who most recently played for the Patriots, according to a league source. Baker has visits with the Seahawks and Bengals. A visit with the 49ers has not been set up yet, the source said, but the two sides are trying to work out the logistics. Baker finished with 14 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns in 2009. The team's interest in Baker was first reported here yesterday. The 49ers also had shown interest in tight end Ben Hartsock, but he has decided to re-sign with the Jets.

The 49ers had only two tight ends, Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, on their roster last year and are hoping to add a blocking specialist this offseason. JJ Finley was on the practice squad last year, and the team added Tony Curtis in the offseason.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers have shown some interest in Jets free-agent running back Leon Washington, according to a report on Pro Football Talk. Citing a league source, the site says the two sides have spoken but that no visit has been planned. Washington played for offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, who was the Jets running backs coach from 2006-2008.

Washington has been a change-of-pace runner, who averaged 5.9 yards a carry in that role in 2008. He also has been a steady return man, a role the 49ers badly want to fill this offseason. In 2008, he averaged a very solid 10.4 yards on punt returns and 25.6 yards on kickoffs, including a 94-yard touchdown. In 2007 he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. In October, however, Washington suffered a gruesome, Joe Theisman-like fibula fracture in a game in Oakland. Teammates said the bone broke through the skin. That injury obviously is the biggest question mark for the 27-year-old running back heading into 2010.

Washington, 5-8, 195 pounds, is a restricted free agent, and the Jets have tendered him at a second-round level. That means New York can match any offers he receives or must be compensated with a second-round pick if he signs elsewhere. Other teams are believed to be interested.

Given the 49ers apparent interest in Washington, I contacted fullback Tony Richardson, a long-time protege of Raye's and an unrestricted free agent this year. Richardson said he has indeed spoken with Raye, but that it was more of a friendly conversation than a business discussion. The Jets are trying to retain Richardson, who said he wants to play one more season.

-- Matt Barrows

Shaun Hill will be the good soldier. Even though the 49ers have hired his replacement, Hill plans on leaving his Missouri home Sunday so that he can be in Santa Clara for the first day of the 49ers offseason program a week from today. "At this point, he's one of four quarterbacks on the roster," his agent, Bob Lattinville, told me this afternoon. "There's no animosity with the club. He appreciates what they've done for him."

The truth is that Hill isn't holding any cards. He's under contract at a modest figure -- $1.5 million -- and the 49ers are under no obligation to release him. What likely will happen is that the 49ers will see if Hill has any trade value before letting him get to the open market. The 49ers have not said what they plan to do with Hill, perhaps because they have not officially signed David Carr yet. He's only agreed to terms on a two-year deal.

The team's biggest concern might be the sentiment inside its own locker room. Hill is one of the more charismatic and popular players on the team. As Patrick Willis' Twitter account shows, acquiring Carr wasn't received well by everyone wearing red and gold. If the 49ers hold Hill hostage while quarterback jobs around the NFL fill up, that wouldn't go over well, either.

-- Matt Barrows

Former 49ers receiver Arnaz Battle is poised to sign a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a league source. Battle had a physical with the team today. He also drew interest from the Seahawks and Vikings. Battle is familiar to Steelers special teams coach Al Everest, who had the same job in San Francisco for the last three years. He also has a reputation as a solid downfield blocker, something that is important in Pittsburgh. In fact, former 49ers coach Mike Nolan once drew a comparison between Battle and the Steelers' Hines Ward, who is one of the most ferocious blocking receivers in league history.

Battle, 30, originally was a sixth round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2003. He was injured early in his career, but he stuck around because coaches liked his gritty style of play when he was on the field. Battle seemed to be at his best when the 49ers' offenses were their worst. He led the team with 600 receiving yards in 2007, a year in which the 49ers finished last in the league in offense. Battle suffered a foot injury in 2008. Last year he returned healthy, but was relegated to a special teams role, return man, after the team released Allen Rossum.

-- Matt Barrows

Former Raiders running back does not have a visit planned with the 49ers, according to two people who would know. The Chron's David White reported yesterday that Fargas has a visit lined up with the Chiefs and that his agent has been in contact with other teams, including the 49ers. Since then, that report has been changed by other outlets to say that Fargas is visiting the 49ers. That's not the case at this point.

Meanwhile, Arnaz Battle had a physical with the Steelers this morning and is now signing a three-year deal with them, according to a league source. Battle, of course, played for Steelers special teams coach Al Everest in San Francisco. He's also a very good downfield blocker, which is important in Pittsburgh. (See: Ward, Hines).

In other 49ers free-agency news, the two teams that have shown interest in OT Barry Sims are the Seahawks and Redskins. Now that Tony Pashos has signed with the Browns, re-signing Sims, a left tackle who also can play on the right side, is more imperative.

The 49ers will look for a blocking tight end this offseason. Earlier this year they signed Tony Curtis with the hope he could fill that role. They also have called about former Jet and Patriot Chris Baker, a blocking specialist. Another option is the draft, which is deep with quality tight ends.

-- Matt Barrows

Quarterback David Carr and the 49ers have agreed to terms on a contract, according to a source close to the situation. Carr flew home to Bakersfield after meeting with the 49ers on Friday and Saturday. Carr is expected to sign the two-year deal tomorrow. Carr made $1 million and $2.1 million the last two years playing backup to Eli Manning in New York. The terms of his new deal are thus far unknown.

Carr, the former No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, is expected to put some pressure on Alex Smith for the No. 1 job. Carr could have returned to the Giants but wanted to join a team that had some vulnerability at quarterback. The truly vulnerable 49er could be Shaun Hill, who at this point is the No. 2 quarterback. The starter to begin the 2009 season, Hill got off to a 3-1 start but was pulled at halftime of a lopsided Week 7 game in Houston. Smith started the second half and Hill never took another snap. Hill, who was 10-6 as the 49ers starter, is due to make $1.5 million this season.

Hill appears to have two options: He can compete with Carr, the first player the 49ers pursued in free agency. Or he can asked to be released so that he can find another job while there are still jobs to be had. The Giants, for instance, are reportedly bringing former Colts backup Jim Sorgi in for an interview tomorrow. I contacted Hill after news of the Carr deal broke. He is currently considering his options.

-- Matt Barrows

Many of you have been asking about the rumor that the 49ers have been or will be pursuing Jared Gaither, an offensive tackle for the Ravens who is a restricted free agent. Gaither was tendered at a first-round level, meaning that A.) If he signs an offer sheet, the Ravens can match and B.) Any teams that signs him would have to give the Ravens a first-round pick in the 2010 draft. The Ravens have a promising young tackle in Michael Oher they can move to the left side should Gaither depart. They also only have two picks in the first four rounds and might want to augment that in what is seen as a deep draft. The 49ers, of course, have two first-round picks.

All that being said, I made some calls yesterday and there have been no talks between the teams thus far. I also contacted Gaither's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who said "I don't want to talk about that now," before hanging up on me. (To be fair, he might have dropped his phone in Biscayne Bay as I was in mid-sentence.) Pro Football Talk, which admittedly has a better pipeline into the Rosenhaus camp than I have, also says no one is pursuing Gaither at this point.

The question heading into free agency this year was whether RFAs would get more attention than they had in previous years. The most coveted free agents - those in their mid-20s - are restricted under the new rules. The agents I've spoken with have said if a run on RFAs occurs, it likely will come in the "second wave" of free agency. (The first wave being marquee unrestricted free agents like Julius Peppers, etc.)

Gaither certainly would be one of the most intriguing. At 6-9, 340 pounds, he's massive - what Mike Singletary wants in an o-lineman. And he turns 24 on March 18. He suffered neck and shoulder injuries in an awkward collision last year and missed the last five games of the season. But he played in every game, starting 15, the year before.

If the 49ers decided to go the RFA route, there are other options. Jermon Bushrod, for instance, started 14 games at left tackle for the Super Bowl champion Saints this season. Bushrod, 25, is 6-5, 315 and is tendered at a second-round level, meaning a team would have to give up a second-round pick to sign him. (Assuming the Saints don't match). The Saints also tendered 6-7, 320-pound Zach Strief at a second-round level. Streif, 26, played well in two starts for the Saints.

-- Matt Barrows

I had a strong suspicion the 49ers were going to lose offensive tackle Tony Pashos. I just thought it would be to the Redskins not the Browns. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Cleveland just signed Pashos to a three-year deal worth $10.3 million. Pashos is familiar with the NFC North having played in Baltimore for the first four years of his career. I'm guessing he felt he had a better chance of starting in Cleveland than with the other teams that were looking at him.

What does this mean for the 49ers? They would have liked to have kept Pashos, but even if they had they would have still tried to upgrade the position. Pashos platooned with Adam Snyder at right tackle early in the season before taking over the starting job from Snyder in Week 7. (He broke his shoulder in that game and went on IR). But the truth is he wasn't dramatically better than Snyder. One silver lining for the 49ers is that after signing Pashos, perhaps the Browns will pass on a tackle in the first round.

-- Matt Barrows

David Carr has left the building. He met last night and today with team officials but went back to his hotel around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon. Now the courtship stage moves into the negotiation stage between Carr's agent and the 49ers' chief negotiator, Paraag Marathe. The 49ers had scheduled a quick media session with Carr - at 12:30 p.m. - but that was canceled by Carr's camp. The 49ers clearly want Carr to be the top backup to Alex Smith. Carr, however, has options. The Cardinals and Browns also are interested in him and the Giants would like to retain him.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers might be David Carr's lead suitor, but they're not his only suitor. The Cardinals also have shown an interest in Carr as have the Cleveland Browns, according to a source close to the situation. The New York Giants - where Carr was the primary back up the last two seasons - also want to retain him, and they will not look for a backup quarterback until they are sure Carr is going elsewhere.

Eli Manning, of course, is the starting quarterback in New York, and there is virtually no opportunity there for a backup to displace him. The other three teams involved in the Carr sweepstakes, on the other hand, have more tenuous situations at the top of their quarterback depth chart.

The 49ers, for example, are hoping that Alex Smith blossoms after being able to run the same offense for two consecutive seasons, the first time that has happened in his career. But he certainly doesn't have a Manning-like stranglehold on the position. And while Mike Singletary has given him endorsements, they have mostly been lukewarm endorsements and he's said he wants competition at all positions on the team. Furthermore, Smith is entering the final year of his contract.

In Arizona, the de facto starter following Kurt Warner's retirement is Matt Leinart, who has been shaky when given the chance to run the offense. The Browns, meanwhile, have all sorts of question marks at quarterback and neither Derek Anderson nor Brady Quinn are certain to be back in 2010.

Carr is having a physical today and will continue to meet with team officials. Contract negotiations are expected to heat up this afternoon. If they don't, Carr is expected to make other visits.

-- Matt Barrows

David Carr only has planned a visit, mind you. But the fact that he has made Santa Clara his first free-agent stop is telling. Here's how a Carr signing likely would impact the 49ers' quarterback situation:

Alex Smith: Carr likely has made the 49ers his first stop because he and his agents see vulnerability at the top of the team's quarterback depth chart. Whether he's been promised a shot at the starting job remains to be seen. After all, Mike Singletary gave Smith a vote of confidence at last week's combine. "I feel very good about saying that Alex Smith is our starter going into next season," he said. But Singletary also said at the time that he wants competition at every position. At the very least, Carr's presence will be seen as motivation for Smith. Carr is a former starter with considerable physical skills. The 49ers, however, are likely looking at Carr as "Smith insurance" should Smith get hurt or play poorly. The buzzword for the offseason is "continuity" and part of that continuity is seeing what Smith can do when given a chance to run the same offense in consecutive seasons. But the 49ers also see a real opportunity to win the division in 2010. They want to bolster the most important position on the team to make that happen.

Shaun Hill: A Carr signing likely would be bad news for Shaun Hill. After being a back up for seven seasons, Hill finally got his chance to begin a season as a team's starter in 2009. He began 3-1 and would have been 4-0 if not for Brett Favre's last-second heave in Minnesota. But the 49ers soon were blown out at home against Atlanta and got off to a terrible start in Houston. Fair or not, there was a sense among 49ers officials that the offense was limited with Hill in charge. At half time of the Houston game, Hill was benched in favor of Smith and Smith started the rest of the season. The bottom line is that despite Hill's 10-6 record as a starter, the 49ers appear to have moved on.

Nate Davis: Carr doesn't affect Davis' status much. He is seen as a long-term project and the 49ers are taking him along slowly. He likely will begin the season as the No. 3 quarterback whether another veteran is added or not.

-- Matt Barrows

Here's the run down of 49ers-related free-agent activity so far:

* Interesting news from the Star-Ledger in New Jersey. Former No. 1 overall draft pick David Carr will visit the 49ers this weekend. The paper speculates that move might herald a battle between former No. 1 picks -- Alex Smith, of course, being the other. In my mind, a Carr signing is bad news not for Smith but for No. 2 quarterback Shaun Hill. Carr, 30, has been a back up for the Giants the last two years. He completed 21 of 33 passes last season. Carr, who is from Bakersfield, also is expected to draw interest from the Cardinals.

* Receiver Arnaz Battle has visits lined up this weekend with Pittsburgh and division rival Seattle, according to a league source. The Vikings also are interested. I'm wondering if Battle is the beneficiary of some kind words from new Seahawks special teams assistant Jeff Ulbrich, who was a special teamer alongside Battle in San Francisco and knows how tough he is. The Seahawks also are short a receiver after Nate Burleson signed with the Lions. As for the Steelers, Battle has drawn comparisons -- from former coach Mike Nolan -- with Hines Ward. Pittsburgh also hired former 49ers special teams coach Al Everest in the offseason. *Update*: With Seattle looking at former Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, Battle's visit to the Seahawks is on hold. He's still scheduled to visit the Steelers this weekend.

* National Football Post reports that free-agent offensive tackle Tony Pashos will visit with the Redskins. In addition, I've learned that he's also visiting the Broncos. A Redskins connection is something I've been predicting since January when offensive line coach Chris Foerster, with whom Pashos is close, moved to the Redskins. At the combine, both Mike Singletary and Scot McCloughan were optimistic the 49ers could retain Pashos, who they see as a right tackle only. The team also wants to retain free agent Barry Sims, who proved to be a capable back-up at left tackle last year.

* After playing very well in relief of injured left tackle Joe Staley last season, Sims has drawn interest from two other teams, according to his agent. Sims wants to return to the 49ers but will explore his options.

* Cardinals safety Matt Ware is visiting with an NFC West team, according to his agent. Which team he would not say, but I'm guessing it's San Francisco or Seattle, which has been aggressive thus far. Ware played collegiately at UCLA. Ware, 27, was a third-round pick by the Eagles in 2004. He spent the last four seasons with the Cardinals, starting three games in that span. *update* Ware is not visiting San Francisco, a team spokesman confirmed. I'd put my money on Seattle, but that's just a guess ...

I'll fill in more news as it comes ....

One of the 49ers' soon-to-be free agents is off the market. The team signed inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm to a one-year contract. Wilhelm, 29, was added last year to fill in for Jeff Ulbrich after Ulbrich suffered a career-ending concussion in an early-season game against St. Louis. Wilhelm mostly backed up Takeo Spikes at the "ted" linebacker position, but he started one game when Spikes was injured. The 49ers signed WIlhelm because he was familiar with the 49ers' defensive system having played under Greg Manusky in San Diego.

-- Matt Barrows

Soon-to-be free agent Walt Harris wants to come back for at least one more NFL season. Moreover, he's ready to come back, said his agent, Patrick Capra. "Retirement hasn't been a consideration with Walt," Capra said this week. "He's the exception to the rule as far as defying the laws of aging."

At this time last year, Harris and Nate Clements were the 49ers' starting cornerbacks. Harris, however, suffered a torn right ACL when he became tangled with receiver Dominique Zeigler during a May 19 practice. Shortly thereafter the team signed Dre Bly to replace him on the active roster.

Like Harris, Bly is an unrestricted free agent, and the 49ers aren't expected to try hard to retain him. Marcus Hudson, a restricted free agent, also will be allowed the test the market. Therefore, the only cornerbacks on the roster tomorrow at 9:01 p.m. will be Tarell Brown, Clements, Keith Smith and Shawntae Spencer. The 49ers are not expected to release Clements, who is due to make $6 million in base salary, nor are they expected to have him restructure his contract.

The team will consider resigning Harris, but it will take a wait-and-see approach. Players recovering from an ACL tear typically don't return to full strength for more than a year. Harris also will be 36 before the 2010 season begins and will be three years removed from his 2006 Pro Bowl season.

Still, Capra said that Harris was nearly 100 percent and will be able to fully take part in minicamps and OTAs this spring. "He's feeling good," Capra said. "He's ready to roll. He's ahead of the curve right now, almost 100 percent." He said Harris would like to return to the 49ers but also is prepared to explore other options.

******************
The UFL will have a team in Sacramento this year, and the league is holding a "name your team" competition. I'm holding my own competition on Twitter. So far the best suggestion is "Sacramento Cow Tippers." In other words, there's room for more ideas. You can find me on Twitter at @mattbarrows.

-- Matt Barrows

The combine is over, which means it's time to take BM 1.0 on her maiden voyage. (That's Barrows Mock, by the way, not the other phrase). She's pretty shipshape in my opinion, but I'm sure you guys will find some rust spots. Go ahead, take her for a spin. There's Dramamine in the cupboard ...

1. STL Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Michael Vick heads to Carolina; Rams take a QB who apprentices for Marc Bulger before taking over.

2. DET Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. A boy named Suh will make the rest of the d-line better. He throws QBs as if they were made out of straw.

3. TB Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. Bucs finally find Warren Sapp's replacement.

4. WAS Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. Mike Shanahan doesn't see any QBs he likes and decides to protect the ones he has.

5. KC Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. Chiefs finally find Fred Williamson's replacement.

6. SEA Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech. A guy named Morgan needs to play for the Buccaneers, but Seahawks are looking for the best 4-3 DE in the draft.

7. CLE Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, So Florida. Browns do backflips when they pick this guy.

8. OAK Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. Davis has the mean streak you need in the NFL. So does Anthony Davis.

9. BUF Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. Not a huge upside, but he'll be sound from Day 1.

10. JAC Joe Haden, CB, Florida. Jags need to put fannies in seats. Drafting a guy from just down the road will help.

11. DEN Dan Williams, Tennessee. Broncos find a big body for the middle of their defense.

12. MIA Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. Dolphins hold their breaths that Bryant doesn't claim that he should have been drafted fifth overall.

13. SF Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. Mike Singletary finally crosses "right tackle" off his wish list.

14. SEA Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Matt Hasselbeck is good, but at this point in is career he's about as durable as a sand castle.

15. NYG Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama. The Giants find an heir to Antonio Pierce.

16. TEN Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. Titans take Dunlap, hope he is the second coming of "The Freak."

17. SF C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. Special teams issues? Solved. Predictable offense? Solved.

18. PIT Mike Iupati, G, Idaho. Steelers don't overthink this. They plant him at guard, add water and watch their run-game blossom.

19. ATL Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas. I'm really tempted to write "Jerry Hughes, TCU" here instead.

20. HOU Earl Thomas, S, Texas. Hugely popular pick deep in the heart - clap, clap, clap - of Texas.

21. CIN Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame. Cincy needs a big-play receiver and Tate's presence would help Ocho.

22. NE Jared Odrick, DL, Penn State. Workmanlike Odrick would be a great fit in Foxboro as a 3-4 DE.

23. GB Maurkice Pouncy, C, Florida. It's too early to take a tackle, so Packers take best O-lineman available.

24. PHI Sean Weatherspoon, ILB, Missouri. Fast guy with leadership skills who never has to leave the field. Also a good dancer.

25. BAL Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers. He's just the sort of aggressive cornerback the Ravens like.

26. ARI Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan. Cardinals make him a pass-rush linebacker, hope he is indeed a LaMarr Woodley clone.

27. DAL Taylor Mays, S, USC. Jerry Jones can't resist a big name like this this late in the draft. By the way, Mays was robbed.

28. SD Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama. Cody is like a hot-air balloon: His draft stock rises with every pound he loses.

29. NYJ Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. A great defense gets a little better. Which way are you gonna throw now, Tom Brady?

30. MIN Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Purely a value pick. Vikings will entertain trade offers from teams wanting to move up for an OT.

31. IND Brian Price, DT, UCLA. See: Vikings.

32. NO Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. Shockey's body is falling apart faster than Hasselbeck's.

-- Matt Barrows

The top two defensive backs in the upcoming draft, Tennessee safety Eric Berry and Florida cornerback Joe Haden, had different combine experiences today. Berry generally looked smooth and ran one of his 40 times in 4.4 (unofficially) - a great time for someone who weighs 211 pounds. (His official time was 4.47) Haden ran one of his 40s at 4.6. That's a time that linebackers sometimes surpass. USC safety Taylor Mays, meanwhile, shocked everyone by running an unofficial 4.24 on his first run, according to NFL Network. He clocked 4.34 on the second, raising eyebrows about what his official time will be. (Mays indeed ended up being the fastest DB today, but his "official" combine time was 4.43. That number also seemed inaccurate.)

The question is whether Haden - to this point a Top 10 pick - could tumble and whether the 49ers could get him at 13 or even 17. The question really is, would the 49ers be as scared by a lack of high-end speed as other teams? Haden seems to fit every other criterion the 49ers want in a cornerback. He's aggressive, a good tackler and played in the SEC. However, they already have one high-priced cornerback, Nate Clements, who has those attributes and who also doesn't have great speed. Would they want to add another, and if they did, would that be bad news for Clements?

As for Mays, his straight-line speed never has been an issue. The question about him is whether he can change direction and whether he has the necessary instincts for the position. His actual time today probably was in the 4.3 range -- there are real problems with the timing on that drill as shown by the wildly different results -- but his draft stock probably hasn't changed that much. Earl Thomas likely made himself some money in Indianapolis. The Texas safety showed up bigger and more muscular than people thought at 208 pounds, but still ran fairly well. Size and durability were his biggest issues entering the combine.

Here are some unofficial 40 times from the first group of DBs. The NFL only releases the top "official" times, which I've included in parenthesis. Official times by and large are considerably slower than the unofficial times. If you're wondering how the teams gather 40 times when there seems to be so much variability, NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang breaks it down here.

CB Javier Arenas, Alabama: 4.52, (injured hamstring)
S Eric Berry, Tennessee: 4.46, 4.40 (4.47)
S Kam Chancellor, Va Tech: 4.63, 4.62
CB Chris Cook, Virginia: 4.47, 4.43 (4.46)
CB Perrish Cox, OSU: 4.53, 4,57
CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest: 4.37, 4.34 (4.45)
CB Joe Haden, Florida: 4.57, 4.60
S Chad Jones, LSU: 4.57
S Taylor Mays, USC, 4.24, 4.34 (4.43)
CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers: 4.34, 4.35 (4.48)
CB Patrick Robinson: 4.42, 4.49
S Myron Rolle, Fla State: 4.69, 4.68
CB Devin Ross, Arizona, 4.56
S Earl Thomas, Texas, 4.53, 4.44

*****************
Don't forget, live chat today at noon ... log onto www.sacbee.com/live.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers tendered one-year contracts to two of their restricted free agents, guard David Baas and linebacker Ahmad Brooks, but will let the third, cornerback Marcus Hudson, test free agency. If another team signs either Baas or Brook to an offer sheet, the 49ers would have seven days to match that contract proposal. If not, they would be compensated by the team that signs them.

Brooks got a second-round tender, which means the 49ers would be compensated with a second-round pick if he signed a deal elsewhere. Baas, meanwhile, got an original tender, meaning the 49ers would be compensated with a second-round choice, the round in which Baas originally was drafted in 2005. Brooks will earn $1.76 million in 2010 should he sign the tender; Baas, a starter at left guard, would earn about $1.2 million. Mike Singletary has said that Brooks will compete with Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson for a starting job at outside linebacker this year, although the three are likely to rotate like they did in the second half of 2009.

Hudson, meanwhile, has been one of the final players to make the 53-man roster the last two seasons. The 49ers mostly have used him on special teams, and he could return to the team depending on other moves they make this offseason.

******************
Remember to brown bag it tomorrow. I'll be hosting a post-combine chat at noon Tuesday, about the time draft crush runners ups Javier Arenas and Earl Thomas will be running the 40. Better luck next time, boys ... Log onto www.sacbee.com/live for the chat.

-- Matt Barrows