49ers Extend Nedney Too

On the same day they extended OLB Parys Haralson, the San Francisco 49ers have also extended another consistent producer, kicker Joe Nedney. The 36-year old has been re-signed through 2011, financial terms were not released.

Nedney, entering his 14th season, has made nearly 88 percent of his field-goal attempts since coming to the 49ers in 2005. Last season, he converted 29 of 33 field goal tries and led the team in scoring with 121 points.

The San Jose native has made 101 of 115 field goals with the 49ers, his seventh NFL team since coming to the league out of San Jose State in 1995

49ers Extend Haralson

The San Francisco 49ers signed OLB Parys Haralson to a four-year, $15 million extension through 2013. The deal includes $6.5 million guaranteed.

Haralson was drafted by the 49ers in the 5th round (140th overall) in the 2006 draft out of Tennessee. He started 10 games last season in replacement of Manny Lawson and in relief led the team with 8 sacks.

49ers to Stafford: We're Sorry, Please Come Visit Again

The 49ers have already hosted Georgia QB Matt Stafford last month and it resulted in a mini-feud,when the quarterback felt the 49ers officials went over the line with the line of questions. Stafford told Sports Illustrated’s Peter King that he was asked about his parents’ divorce during an interview with a 49ers team psychologist during the NFL Scouting Combine and was told he “sounded if he might have unfinished business.”

NFL.com’s Gil Brandt reports that the 49ers will host the Georgia prospect again on Monday for a visit. Stafford is widely believed to be the favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Detroit Lions in the NFL Draft on April 25, while San Francisco owns the No. 10 overall selection.

According to NBC Bay Area, 49ers coach Mike Singletary fueled the controversy last month after comments with Ralph Barbieri on KNBR, a local radio station.

“If you’re going to look at drafting a guy in the first round,” Singletary says in the interview, “and you’re going to pay him millions of dollars, and asking him about a divorce about his parents, if that’s going to be an issue, then you know what, maybe he doesn’t belong here.”

The team's comments on the player make it obvious that he is not on their draft board, but need to bring in the Junior quarterback, this time to apologize, or at least make it look like they will to the public.

Reeves: Coaches Don't Punch a Clock

It seemed like the perfect way for him to finally get back into the league, the deal was almost completed, but in the end things didn’t work out for Reeves.

It all boils down to a contractual technicality, which blew up a multiyear deal that appeared to be in place for the 65-year-old former Cowboys running back/assistant coach to become a consultant for his old team.

The bug-a-boo for Reeves, was a piece of "hours spent working" language that owner Jerry Jones wanted to have in the contract.

"Although I respected Jerry’s decision, I didn’t understand it, and it wasn’t something that was even negotiable," Reeves recalled from his home in Atlanta. "I just couldn’t sign something that, in my opinion, would mean I’d be working day-to-day."

Reeves had another offer on the table, to be the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, but had to turn it down because he was so sure he had a better deal in Dallas. A job which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't want to complete until after the Super Bowl.

It was during that delay that Jones included the "punch clock" clause which to him was essential to the deal.

In Reeves' view, coaches "never punch a clock", so why should he?

Rams Sign Blocking TE Bajema To Boost Running Game

St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo knows what he has in running back Steven Jackson, and wants to maximize his potential in the run game. Spagnuolo continued to build his roster as such today with the signing of TE Billy Bajema, a free agent from the San Francisco 49ers. Terms of his contract have not been released as of this posting.

Bajema is known around the league as a purely blocking TE, he started in a career-high 10 games in 2008, and appeared in all 16 contests but caught only two passes for 34 yards. He had no receptions in each of the previous two seasons. As a rookie, Bajema had a five receptions for 54 yards.

He joins Eric Butler, Daniel Fells, and projected starter Joe Klopfenstein on the St. Louis roster. Bajema will fill the void of recently released TE Anthony Becht.

Marvel Smith Lands in San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers continue to improve their offense and bring some smash mouth football to the Bay area, with the signing of free agent OT Marvel Smith. Terms of his contract were not released.

Smith (6-5, 321) enters his tenth season after originally being drafted in the second round (38th pick overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the Arizona State.

In Smith's nine years, all with the Steelers, he played in 111 games with 108 starts to go along with 10 starts in the postseason. The versatile tackle lined up at right tackle his first three years for Pittsburgh before serving as the team’s starting left tackle the past six seasons. Smith earned Pro Bowl honors in 2005 and has been part of two Super Bowl Championships with Pittsburgh.

The 49ers will bring Smith and his experience to the right tackle position and allow 2007 1st round draft choice Joe Staley to slide over to the left side.

Detroit to Retire Corey Smith's Jersey

The Detroit Lions will retire the number 93 for the 2009 football season in memory of player Corey Smith, one of three men lost when their fishing boat capsized off the Florida Gulf Coast three weeks ago.

The announcement was made during a memorial service for Smith. Lions player development director Galen Duncan told several hundred mourners in Smith's hometown church Saturday that Smith's number would be retired for a year in honor of a player of extraordinary heart and competitive drive.

Many of Smith's teammates from the Lions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers where he played his first four NFL seasons attended the memorial service. So did former teammates and coaches from North Carolina State and from Richmond's John Marshall High School.

His high school coach, Kevin Burden, tearfully conceded that he was never impartial about the quiet giant who was the team's undisputed leader.

"You're not supposed to have a favorite player when you are a coach, but he was the one who got under your skin. He was a great football player but he was an even better man," Burden said in a faltering voice. "Tonight, when I say my prayers, I will ask God to assign me a guardian angel and he'll be wearing number 93," Burden concluded, leaving many in the crowd sobbing or wiping their eyes.

New York Ravens Sign Another Baltimore Defender

If the Cleveland Browns are becoming the Cleveland Jets than the New York Jets may be attempting to become the New York Ravens. New head coach Rex Ryan has added a third defender from his former Baltimore squad.


Defensive End Marques Douglas will join his former teammates LB Bart Scott and S Jim Leonard after agreeing to terms on a contract with the Jets. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 32-year-old Douglas had 36 tackles last season with the Ravens after he was released from the Buccaneers after training camp. He was originally signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent out of Howard in 1999, and had three stints with the Ravens. Douglas has also played for New Orleans and San Francisco.

Smith Restructures in San Fran.

Alex Smith, the former number one overall pick of the 2005 draft has definitely not lived up to his draft status and the huge contract that accompanied such a spot. He was scheduled to make $24.6 million in the final two years of his rookie contract, a price that San Francisco was not willing to pay.

So in order to remain in San Francisco, Smith has agreed to restructure his contract, according to a source, Smith will make $4 million a season in 2009 and 2010, in addition to base salaries that weren't immediately made known.

"We have reached an agreement with Alex and his agent to keep him as a member of the San Francisco 49ers," general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement. "Alex expressed a deep interest to remain with the team and that feeling was mutual."

Smith, a 4-year pro is only 24 years old, and received interest from several teams, most of whom were willing to pay more than the 49ers, but Smith insisted that he wanted to remain in San Fran.

"I don't measure myself in my contract in terms of what I'm making," said Smith, who missed most of the past two seasons because of shoulder injuries. "Having gone through what I've gone through the last couple of years, and being on the sideline, I guess I've got a different perspective on this game. When it came time to restructure the contract, it wasn't anything to do with ego. I just wanted the chance to compete."

His best season may have been in 2006, when he completed 257 of 442 passes for 2,890 yards, with 16 TD's while tossing 16 INT's. Smith has never really been given a chance to succeed because of the carousel at offensive coordinators, Smith has had a new one in each of his four seasons.

O'Sullivan to Backup Palmer

The Cincinnati Bengals have added QB J.T. O'Sullivan to be the backup for Carson Palmer. His signing became necessary when Ryan Fitzpatrick, who replaced Palmer most of last season after he suffered an elbow injury, left for Buffalo. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

O'Sullivan, 29, started the first eight games for San Francisco last season. He also spent time playing in NFL Europe and with the New Orleans Saints, where he was picked in the sixth round of the 2002 draft.

49ers Add Two More

The San Francisco 49ers were busy on Wednesday, signing two players, LB Takeo Spikes rejoins the team and QB Damon Huard comes over from Kansas City.

Spikes signed a two-year, $6 Million deal to return to the 49ers, the team who signed him during the preseason last summer. The 11-year pro was a productive tackler and a valuable leader who finished second on the team with 96 tackles and 3 interceptions, while playing alongside Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis.

Huard, is a 12-year pro and career back-up to players like Miami's Dan Marino and New England's Tom Brady. The 35 year old, who played his college ball at Washington has started 27 career games, he has completed 60.7% of his passes for 6,303 yards 33 TD's and 26 Int's. Terms of his contract were not revealed.

Evans Chooses 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have secured the services of Demetric Evans, who signed a two-year, $3.8 Million contract.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Evans will be part of the 49ers' rotation of defensive ends in their 3-4 scheme.

2008 was Evans' most productive year as a pro, he started 11 games with 33 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. The seven-year veteran spent two years in Dallas and his next five in Washington.

Warner Will Remain A Cardinal

A second former Super Bowl MVP has signed a deal so that he can retire with his current team, Kurt Warner has signed a two-year $23 Million contract with $19 Million guaranteed.

"We're ecstatic about the commitment the organization has made to us," Warner said. "Now it's my job for the next two years to go fulfill my part of the deal."

Warner had previously visited with the San Francisco 49ers about joining their team, but many believed it was just a scare tactic to drive up the Cardinals price. But eventually realized that it was in his best interest to remain a Cardinal. He was also willing to take $1 million less a season if the team successfully satisfied the contract extension demands of wide receiver.

"I told my wife probably 45 minutes into it that I just felt God say 'You're supposed to be in Arizona,'" Warner said, "and I told her that. She tried to tell me to stay open, but He just continued to confirm it."

Denver Can't Stop, Won't Stop

The Denver Broncos may be attempting to field two teams next season as they continue to sign free agent after free agent.

Their newest aquisition, 49ers free agent Ronald Fields agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract, according to a league source.

The 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive lineman was credited with 19 tackles in 16 games.

In four NFL seasons, the former Mississippi State player has registered 75 tackles and one sack.

Jones Leaves Tennessee for the Bay Area

The San Francisco 49ers have signed WR Brandon Jones to a five-year, $16.5 Million contract with $5.4 Million guaranteed.

The 49ers are desperate for receivers after WR Bryant Johnson signed in Detroit earlier today and WR Isaac Bruce's future is unknown as he contemplates retirement.

Jones is coming off his best season with Tennessee, which is where he played his first four NFL seasons, he caught a career-high 41 passes for 449 yards and one touchdown while starting seven of 16 games.

Lions Add 2, Including a Former 1st Round WR

Detroit Lions have added two new players two their roster, one of them a fomer first round receiver, Bryant Johnson and CB Eric King

Bryant Johnson, 27, a first round selection of the Arizona Cardinals in 2003, signed a 3-year deal worth $9 Million. Johnson was immediately overshadowed by 2nd round pick Anquan Boldin in their rookie year and dropped another spot on the depth chart when the team drafted Larry Fitzgerald in the 1st round in 2004. Last season Johnson played in San Francisco under a one-year contract and will now join his 3rd team in as many years.

King, 26,has signed a two-year contract with the team. Terms of his deal were not disclosed.
He has spent the past three seasons playing in Tennessee under then-defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Lions' new head coach. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, King, who played his rookie season in Buffalo, was a role player as a backup cornerback and key special-teams contributor with the Titans, though his 2008 season ended in November with a broken forearm. He'll likely see an expanded role with the Lions.

49ers Bring Back familliar Faces

The San Francisco 49ers have brought three familliar faces back to the Bay area; as linebacker Takeo Spikes, fullback Moran Norris and return specialist Allen Rossum have all agreed to terms with the team.

Spikes, 33, was outspoken about his desire to return to San Francisco, and reportedly agreed to a two-year contract. Last season, Spikes started 13 games and was credited with 122 tackles.

"I feel like there is unfinished business," Spikes said a day after the season. "I never had any regret about any of the teams that I left. But I would have regret if I left this team. It's something I want to be a part of."

Norris, 30, was likely brought back to San Francisco as Head Coach Mike Singletary continues to put an emphasis on a power running game. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound blocking back helped pave the way for Frank Gore's career-best season in 2006. Norris' deal will be for $5 Million over three years, with $1.5 Million guaranteed.

Rossum's impact on the return game is likely the reason for his return, after ranking third in the NFC with a 26.8-yard kickoff-return average last season. Rossum finished second in the NFL with a 14.9-yard punt-return average.

Ravens Cut DE Douglas

The Baltimore Ravens have parted ways with DE Marques Douglas, after one season.

Douglas re-joined the Ravens after being cut by Tampa Bay after training camp, he played in all 16 games making no starts and notched 36 tackles.

In 2007, Douglas started all 16 games for the San Francisco 49ers, but his best season came in 2004 when he last played for the Baltimore Ravens. He registered 72 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Titans Might be Interested in Steelers Washington

Looking to improve their wide receiver position this offseason, the Tennessee Titans might be interested in acquiring some free agents.

One player that may have caught the eye of the Titans, according to a source, could be Pittsburgh Steelers free agent Nate Washington.

Washington played this season as the Steelers third receiver behind Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes and caught a career-high 40 passes for the Super Bowl champions.

In three seasons with the Steelers, Washington has 104 receptions and averaged 16.4 yards per catch with nine touchdowns.

Other free agent receivers who will hit the unrestricted market include Cincinnati’s T.J. Houshmandzadeh, San Francisco’s Bryant Johnson, the New York Giants’ Amani Toomer and the Titans own pair of free agents Brandon Jones and Justin McCareins.

Raiders Continue Purge

The Oakland Raiders continue to purge the roster to improve their salary cap position. Their most recent cuts cleared up $8.6 Million and resulted in starting left tackle Kwame Harris and fullback Justin Griffith hitting the unemployment line.

With these recent moves the team has saved approximately $14.6 million in cap room, but also left team lacking some talented players like safety Gibril Wilson, wide receiver Ronald Curry and defensive end Kalimba Edwards. The five releases have also put $11.5 million of dead money onto their $123 million cap. If you include the carryover cap losses from DeAngelo Hall who was cut last year, the Raiders have close to $20 million of dead money on their salary cap.

Harris was signed last year from the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a three-year, $14 million contract and was due a $6 million roster bonus by the end of the week. Harris struggled late in the season with his blocking and with penalties.

Griffith tore up his knee against Baltimore on Oct. 26, would have counted just over $1 million against the cap. The Raiders also have a replacement on hand in Oren O'Neal.