The San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday filled prominent openings
at center and cornerback, and they were contemplating addressing a
third concern with free-agent wide receiver Braylon Edwards
Matthew Barrows, McClatchy Newspapers
SANTA CLARA
The San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday filled prominent openings at center and cornerback, and they were contemplating addressing a third concern with free-agent wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
The team flew Edwards, who last season averaged 17.1 yards per catch for the New York Jets, to the Bay Area, and he met with team officials Wednesday night.
The 49ers need a starting-caliber wide receiver because former first-round pick Michael Crabtree is dealing with a foot injury that promises to keep him out several weeks.
Furthermore, the team’s second and third wide receivers, Josh Morgan and Ted Ginn, are entering the final season of their contracts.
The team’s top receiver last season was tight end Vernon Davis, who led the offense in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
Davis said Wednesday there was a positive vibe to Jim Harbaugh’s first training camp, but that the team also was “missing some key components,” namely Crabtree and quarterback Alex Smith.
Smith and the other free agents the team signed in the past week could return to practice today if the National Football League players’ union ratifies the new collective bargaining agreement, and the new league year therefore begins.
Asked if the 49ers need a player like Edwards, Davis said offenses always can use playmakers.
“Bringing a guy like Braylon Edwards would be a big help to us if he decides to come,” Davis said.
Early Wednesday, the 49ers addressed perhaps their most glaring need by signing free-agent cornerback Carlos Rogers to a one-year contract.
Rogers was selected ninth overall by Washington in 2005, when current 49ers general manager Trent Baalke was a member of the Redskins’ scouting department.
Rogers, 30, has been a starter since joining the Redskins, and he figures to pair with Shawntae Spencer this season. The 49ers needed a cornerback after releasing Nate Clements, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Greg Cosell, who analyzes players for NFL Films, said the Rogers-for-Clements swap was a good one for the 49ers. Cosell described Rogers’ skill set as “very, very good,” but that his confidence appears to wax and wane.
“He struggles with the concept of amnesia,” Cosell said. “When he gets beat, he tends to lose confidence and he gives up a tremendous amount of cushion. And that allows a lot of underneath completions.”
The 49ers also signed nine-year veteran center Jonathan Goodwin to a three-year deal. Goodwin started at center for the Saints the past two seasons, and he was part of their Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season.
The team has been happy with Adam Snyder’s progress at center early in training camp. Snyder has not made a snap in an NFL game, and Goodwin, 32, provides better experience.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are getting a second crack at Edwards, who was one of the college players — along with Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers and Antrel Rolle — they considered with the No. 1 overall selection in 2005.
Edwards ended up going to Cleveland with the third pick. He spent four-plus seasons there before being traded to the Jets in 2009. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007.
The receiver has had a number of run-ins with the law both in Ohio and New York, including an assault charge in Cleveland and a DUI incident in New York. Edwards also has been linked to a recent fight in a Michigan bar that left two bouncers with stab wounds. Two of Edwards’ cousins were charged with felonious assault in the incident.
