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League is watching 49ers' every free-agent move

How's that Adalius Thomas deal working out for the 49ers?

A year ago, there were reports seeping out of the NFL scouting combine that the 49ers had already reached a contract agreement with Ravens free-agent outside linebacker Adalius Thomas.

The year before when I was at the combine the big rumor among agents was that 49ers prospective free agent Derek Smith had a handshake agreement with the Packers. It was a done deal, more than one person told me.

Now, there is a report on bengals.com that the 49ers have already started laying the groundwork to acquire Bengals free-agent defensive end Justin Smith.

I fully expect the 49ers to make a serious push to sign Smith, but are the 49ers so arrogant to tamper with one player while there are charges that they tampered with another (Lance Briggs)?

Who knows? There might be truth to the report. It might also be somebody connecting the dots. In either case - rightly or wrongly - it appears as if the 49ers are starting to gain a reputation as an organization that bends the rules of free agency.

* * *

But let's also look at history.

A year ago, everybody figured the 49ers would make a run at Thomas. I thought Thomas would be No. 1 on this wish list with Nate Clements No. 2. In the days leading up to free agency, there were some reports from "industry sources" that Thomas was going to the 49ers.

I remember asking Thomas' agent, Bus Cook, if he expected a call from the 49ers the minute free agency began. "If they call, they'll have to leave a message," he said. "I'm going to be asleep by then."

At that point, I figured that if Thomas made the cross-country trek to Santa Clara on the first day of free agency, the 49ers had definitely jumped the gun. Thomas never did make the trip west, and he turned down a lucrative 49ers offer to play for the Patriots.

Obviously, the sides did not have a deal in place. (Either that, or the deal was broken when the Patriots entered the fray. Because everybody knows the Patriots play by the rules and would wait until free agency officially started.)

* * *

If Smith ends up signing with the 49ers, it does not prove anything. Heck, if Briggs ends up signing with the 49ers, it doesn't prove anything.

But it's pretty clear around the league that the 49ers are on notice. They better tread lightly because everybody is watching them closely.

* * *

The article on Bengals.com lists Smith at 270 pounds. I suppose I was wrong when I said I thought he looked bigger than his 275 listed weight. Also, the article noted that Mike Nolan envisions Smith as a 3-4 end who will drop into coverage

* * *

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Posted February 25, 2008 7:14:17 AM
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Comments | Add Comment

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (25/02/2008 10:11:10 PM)
Comment: One thing that really has me turning my head on Trevor Laws is his tackles. Right now, I would not hesitate to spend pick 29 on him if he's there in April. I might even be pursuaded to pass the OL pick right now if Laws and Avril were both available. So many 'Want Guys', so few picks. But Avril has already had some experience as both an OLB and DE, so converting him might not be such a project, and makes him the versatile type guy we appear to be seeking.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (25/02/2008 9:54:02 PM)
Comment: After watching several hours of Combine Drills the past few days, I'm liking the possibility of getting some very young talented guys from the LB corps. I was very impressed with Cliff Avril and Marcus Howard, Lawrence Jackson as possible Day 1 guys now. But looking deeper into the Day 2 prospects, guys like Bruce Davis,Jason Jones & Jeremy Thompson as the conversion guys, while Lofton,Crable,Biermann,Woodyard,Guyton and many others were very equally capable and impressive.Should be quality talent right through all 7 Rds IMO. We appear to be poised to look for the pass rusher in FA, so a guy like Laws might be a target at 29? Maybe an OT or OLB/DE at 39? I say we look very good as far as Draft positioning goes, and though I like Flacco, we may opt to wait longer for a QB if Scot even has a plan to Draft one. But the LBs did not disappoint, Manny will get his bookend this year, no doubt in my mind.

Posted By: sean (25/02/2008 1:44:48 PM)
Comment: john clayton has posted on his blog the 9ers are expected to sign deshaun foster as a number 2. have you heard anything? i think its a good signing for a number 2 and you still have mrob as number 3rd down

Posted By: StonerLab (25/02/2008 1:23:59 PM)
Comment: Matt, Can you explain what constitutes "tampering" because there seems to be a HUGE gray area?

Posted By: Blade (25/02/2008 1:06:14 PM)
Comment: i thought nolan and lewis were friends? thats just whining the pats started this all by spygate and if the bears and bengals wanted to keep their free agents they would offer them a real contract i know the bears offered briggs one but its nowhere near what he wants nor can get

Posted By: oneniner (25/02/2008 12:57:51 PM)
Comment: Jake ...we already have a QB. And he his the QB for the future = Alex Smith

Posted By: Robert (25/02/2008 12:57:45 PM)
Comment: Sour grapes on the part of the Bengals and Bears. McLoughlan should be more careful though. The whole Nate Clements deal was very blatant imo.

Posted By: steveh (25/02/2008 12:57:15 PM)
Comment: matt read between the lines the niners are going to move to the 4-3 next year. Both briggs and smith are 4-3 guys. Nolan will give in. He'll try to say that the niners will run both but if they wont. just watch. IF both players are signed look forward to the 4 - 3!!!

Posted By: tgflynn (25/02/2008 12:35:07 PM)
Comment: Defense Wish List- Free Agents - Sign Justin Smith DE, Resign Sopoaga DE/DT and Calvin Pace would be nice at OLB if we can afford it. Draft Curtis TED-LB with Second round pick. We have great young Linebackers. If Lofton not available look at Jonathan Goff ILB in later rounds. DBs look okay to me. Red Bryant is still the only intriguing NT but I won't risk more than a #4 on him. Other possibilities Pat Sims DE round #2 and Kendall Langford DE later rounds. Offensive wish list - Free Agents don't see any but I hope they can resign Smiley OG. Draft Sam Baker OT #1, it looks like he will fall this far. If Baker not there OGs Rachal or Alberts are possibility making Snyder RT, If Smiley resigned I'd consider Limas Sweed #1. Round #3 the two receivers I really like are Jordy Nelson (upgrade of Battle) and Eddie Royal (perfect slot ala Welker). Other late-rounders I'd consider Dexter Jackson WR/PR, John Sullivan C, Jeremy Zuttah OL, Heath Benedict OL. I think we work with Hill, Lelie and Djax as #1 receiver (work your magic Martz) and wait until next draft.

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (25/02/2008 12:27:26 PM)
Comment: What the heck is an "industry source"?

Posted By: Jake (25/02/2008 12:21:35 PM)
Comment: Smith this year, Jared Allen in 2009, keep it up Mikey and you may get back on my Christmas List! Find me a QB and a Big Time WR and the keys to San Francisco are yours, that is, if you can coach such an assembly of talent!

Posted By: mad9erfan (25/02/2008 11:50:58 AM)
Comment: At least we didn't videotape before any of our SBs! And we are 5-0 in the SB. This is baby stuff. This happens all the time. If you really want a player you do what you got to do to get him before others.

Posted By: Spee (25/02/2008 11:39:56 AM)
Comment: Matt, if the Niners sign J. Smith, does that mean we say good-bye to Marques Douglas?

Response: In all likelihood, yes. --Matt M.

Posted By: Bud San Jose (25/02/2008 11:11:27 AM)
Comment: Matt as a fan yourself who would you like the 9ers to get in FA ? For me its got to be Justin Smith.

Posted By: Nate (25/02/2008 11:04:28 AM)
Comment: Matt, will you be staking out the 49ers facility on free agency day? Hiding behind the bushes with binoculars and a laptop?

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (25/02/2008 11:04:17 AM)
Comment: I really don't understand how people can sign FA's in the first day without having some sort of discussions. I guess it depends on what is considered tampering and what kind of conversations we can have with agents. If we are cheating, I just hope we would get better results.

Posted By: Cody Pickett (25/02/2008 11:03:19 AM)
Comment: What has looked bad, and what is strong evidence of tampering, is that 49ers agreed to a deal with Clements within hours of the start of free agency, suggesting that Clements' agent already had tested the waters with lotsa teams, including 49ers, and knew that 49ers were making the best offer, , , , Next time, McNolan should agree orally early-on, or even via unofficial letter, but wait 2-3 days before announcing it publicly & submitting contract to league. Even better, announce publicly that 49ers have made a good offer, that they player likes the broad outlines of the proposal but wants a different number of years, & that now parties are hunkered down in an undisclosed location hammering out important isues.

Posted By: Razoreater (25/02/2008 10:57:51 AM)
Comment: nolan costs us a draft pick & he needs a foot planted in his arse-u gotta ask yourself, r these guys even worth tampering with? moss and j. allen yea but...

Posted By: naweed (25/02/2008 10:39:37 AM)
Comment: Yep, the Bengals have it all figured out, ultra conservative mike nolan is going to tamper with smith and have him play LB&DE. Did they also mention Lance Briggs as a punt returner too?

Posted By: Rico (25/02/2008 10:28:37 AM)
Comment: Never mind...

Posted By: Rico (25/02/2008 10:28:00 AM)
Comment: First???

Posted By: 49er Fest (25/02/2008 10:24:18 AM)
Comment: Hey its in the 49er Blood!mIf you ain't cheatin' you ain'y tryin'. Boo-Yeah!

Matt has MOVED! Check out the NEW 49ers blog at pressdemocrat.com/49ers

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