Remember the not-too-long-ago days when the 49ers were in a yearly battle to create salary-cap space? Those days are over.
The 49ers picked up some veteran free agents this offseason (Brandon Jones, Demetric Evans, Dre’ Bly, Moran Norris, Marques Harris, Marvel Smith and Damon Huard).
They signed some of their own players to contract extensions (Joe Staley, Parys Haralson, Brian Jennings, Tony Wragge and Joe Nedney).
And the 49ers still have $15.061 million in salary-cap space.
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Question: ould you mind spending a day of writing going into the structure of the Niners salary cap for this year in terms of numbers, and which guys are locked up long term vs. short term? (Marty M.)
Answer: I don’t see salary being a huge issue when it comes to the 49ers’ final cuts this year. For the most part, everyone is making about what they should make – considering time of service and projected role on the team.
One player whose salary might be an issue is receiver Arnaz Battle.
There is no doubt
One player already took measures to correct his contract. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said he knew he was overpaid at $2.23 million for what he’d be asked to do this season. So Ulbrich agreed this offseason to a pay reduction down to $950,000 to increase his chance of playing a 10th season with the 49ers.
A couple weeks ago, the 49ers signed tackle Joe Staley to a contract extension through 2017. Ordinarily, a contract such as this would not guarantee the player remains with the club through the duration of the deal. But it could happen with Staley because the base salaries never reach outrageous levels.
The 49ers used their surplus in cap space to bump Staley’s 2009 cap figure from $1.42 million to $11.6 million. He’ll get two roster bonuses, and the money will be deferred to Staley will get his $16 million guaranteed spread out for several years.
Staley’s base salaries remain reasonable throughout his contract. In his final two years of the contract, Staley is scheduled to make $4.9 million in 2016 and $5.75 million in 2017.
Likewise, the extension that Parys Haralson signed this offseason appears reasonable. In 2013, his final year, he is scheduled to earn just $2.57 million. That could be a bargain for a player expected to hover around the 10-sack mark.
Receiver Brandon Jones, who is signed through 2013, is scheduled to make $3.375 million in his final season. Again, that is not a big number if he asserts himself as a steady contributor.
In recent years, the 49ers signed Nate Clements and Justin Smith as free agents. As early as 2010, the 49ers will have a decision to make on Clements. His scheduled salary jumps from $3.5 million this year to $6 million in 2010, $7.25 in ’11, $9 million in ’12, and $10.77 in ’13.
Justin Smith, meanwhile, sees his schedule salary jump to $5 million in 2011, $5.875 million in ’12, and $7.5 million in ’13.
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Here is a quick look at the 49ers’ contract situation:
Signed through 2009
G David Baas
CB Dre’ Bly
WR Isaac Bruce
WR Arnaz Battle
LB Jeff Ulbrich
LB Ahmad Brooks
QB Damon Huard
RS Allen Rossum
NT Aubrayo Franklin
S Mark Roman
T Barry Sims
DB Marcus Hudson
LB Marques Harris
Signed through 2010
TE
LB Manny Lawson
RB Frank Gore
QB Alex Smith
QB Shaun Hill
CB Tarell Brown
WR Jason Hill
DL Ray McDonald
LB Jay Moore
LB Takeo Spikes
G Tony Wragge
DE Demetric Evans
OT Marvel Smith
Signed through 2011
LB Patrick Willis
G Chilo Rachal
WR Josh Morgan
C Eric Heitmann
DB Regge Smith
C Cody Wallace
FB Moran Norris
K Joe Nedney
OL Adam Snyder
Signed through 2012
DL Kentwan Balmer
S Michael Lewis
CB Shawntae Spencer
DL Isaac Sopoaga
TE Delanie Walker
P Andy Lee
RB Michael Robinson
LB Scott McKillop
TE Bear Pascoe
S Curtis Taylor
DL Ricky Jean-Francois
*QB Nate
*RB Glen Coffee
Signed through 2013
OLB Parys Haralson
CB Nate Clements
DE Justin Smith
WR Brandon Jones
*WR Michael Crabtree
Signed through 2014
LS Brian
Signed through 2017
T Joe Staley
* — these rookies are unsigned, but Coffee and Davis are likely to get four-year contracts, while Crabtree is expected to get a five-year pact.
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