Tracking the first full day of 49ers free agency

Welcome to the first full day of NFL free agency. It’s darn early in the morning . . . do you know where your free agent is?

5:49 a.m.: Today, the one-man staff here at “Instant 49ers” will provide minute-by-minute updates on the free-agent happenings with the club. It’s doubtful today’s events will come close to what happened the first two years.

 

Let’s take a trip back in time . . . Ah, there was 2007 when the 49ers landed Nate Clements and Michael Lewis on the opening day of free agency. Last year was even more fun, as we provided the first report of Justin Smith’s now-famed helicopter ride of the Bay Area.

 

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Just like the two previous seasons, here is what we’re going to do: If we learn it, we’ll report it. To echo what was written in this space a year ago, we can save you all a lot of angst. You don’t need to ask: “Hey, have the 49ers signed so-and-so?” Or, “Do the 49ers have interest in (insert player’s name).” If we learn it, we’ll report it.

 

Again, if we know it – or feel very comfortable with whomever is telling us something – we”ll report it.

 

That said, here’s what we know from last night: The 49ers were not working on arranging a visit with free-agent receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. It does not look as if they’re making any kind of push for him at this time. Also, agent Brad Blank tells me that Dallas defensive end Chris Canty has a tentative visit scheduled to the 49ers next week. But, he adds, “obviously, (it’s) subject to developments and changes in schedule.” There is also a strong feeling that the 49ers will – or already have – touched base with agent Drew Rosenhaus about re-acquiring fullback Moran Norris.

 

Rosenhaus also represents Washington defensive end Demetric Evans and 49ers nose tackle Ronald Fields, so I’m sure the 49ers are placing more than just 20-second phone calls to Rosenhaus this time.

 

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6:15 a.m.: Now that I think of it, it shouldn’t be a surprise the 49ers are being linked to a couple free-agent defensive linemen. GM Scot McCloughan said at the combine that this is a really weak year in the draft for defensive linemen. He said there are a lot more hybrids, who can play rush linebacker in a 3-4, coming out of college this year.

 

6:24 a.m.: The Redskins have announced an agreement to contract terms with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The Redskins say Haynesworth will be introduced at a 5 p.m. (ET) press conference. The deal is being reported as a seven-year, $100 million contract, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the game.

 

7:40 a.m.: Stepped aside for a while to get the kids some breakfast. (Hey, kids, keep it down, I’m trying to do some research on Demetric Evans!) 

 

While at the combine, I bounced around the names of a few prospective free agents the 49ers might consider. I tried to nose around about wide receivers . . . Devery Henderson? No. Nate Washington? No. I failed to ask about Brandon Jones, who started seven games for the Titans last season. Jones is reportedly drawing interest from the 49ers. The 49ers want somebody who can stretch the field a little. Jones ran a 4.42 at the combine in 2005.

 

8:01 a.m.: Ronald Fields, represented by Rosenhaus, has reportedly already received offers from the Rams and Broncos, according to Pro Football Talk. (The link is currently broken.) Generally, when a 49ers free agent hits the market – and he receives some attention — he’s not coming back.

 

8:06 a.m.: The Jets and Rams are looking at bringing in 49ers tight end Billy Bajema, we have learned. The 49ers want to retain Bajema, but they would probably ease out of any kind of bidding war for him.

 

8:21 a.m.: Brandon Jones is, indeed, scheduled to visit the 49ers. That has been confirmed. However, the 49ers have not (yet) arranged visits with Demetric Evans or Moran Norris.

 

8:28 a.m.: It should be added that Jones is visiting the 49ers today. This is, obviously, a sure sign the 49ers want to sign this guy. I don’t think they’ve had a player in for a first-day visit and allowed him to leave without a contract.

 

8:51 a.m.: Hopefully, there won’t be much news missed over the next hour-plus as I chauffeur the kids to school and then take a little drive to where I’m going to plant myself for the remainder of the day.

 

10:39 a.m.: The kids are at school, and I’ve arrived in Santa Clara. While en route, a source told me return specialist Allen Rossum will be returning to the 49ers.

 

10:39 a.m.: The kids are at school, and I’ve arrived in Santa Clara. While en route, a source told me return specialist Allen Rossum will be returning to the 49ers.

 

10:44 a.m.: Certainly no surprise that fullback Moran Norris appears to be back with the 49ers. Pro Football Talk, which obviously has a pretty good handle on all the Drew Rosenhaus clients, is reporting the 49ers and Norris have agreed to a three-year, $5 million contract with $1.5 million guaranteed. Rosenhaus also represents Demetric Evans and Ronald Fields.

 

10:46 a.m.: The deals for Rossum and Norris might be agreed upon, but they’re not yet signed. When pen meets paper that’s when the 49ers will confirm.

 

10:51 a.m.: The Rossum stuff was reported earlier this morning by Bee-rows.

 

MORE TO COME

 

 

MORE TO COME

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