49ers creating cap space to pursue Asomugha

Share

July 27, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE
49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEO
Follow @MaioccoCSN
Matt MaioccoCSNBayArea.com
SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers have a big need at cornerback and they have enough wiggle room to make a play for the top player on the NFL's open market.The 49ers are going strong after Raiders free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, former Raiders executive and NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi reported Wednesday.However, the New York Jets are the 49ers' main competition for the Asomugha's services, Lombardi reported. The Houston Texans are also believed to be pursuing Asomugha, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and considered one of the top corners in the league.
The 49ers will cut 2.375 million in salary with the release of reserve quarterback David Carr on Thursday. The club also plans to create plenty of cap space by addressing Nate Clements' 15 million cap figure. If Clements does not agree to a drastic reduction, the 49ers will likely release him, sources have told CSN Bay Area. The 49ers have more than 8 million in cap space before touching Clements' contract.
The 49ers did not get into a bidding war Wednesday to retain starting center David Baas, perhaps to save cap space for a run at Asomugha, an NFL source said. Baas agreed to terms on a contract with the New York Giants that will pay him money commensurate with the top three or four centers in the league, the source said.The 49ers have discussed Chicago Bears veteran center Olin Kreutz, an unrestricted free agent. The club has also agreed to terms to re-sign veteran Tony Wragge, a source confirmed. Wragge, a six-year veteran, has two career starts at center.
In addition to drafting two offensive tackles -- Daniel Kilgore of Appalachia State and Mike Person of Montana -- that they plan to shift to center, the 49ers have also signed undrafted rookie Chase Beeler of Stanford.Beeler, an All-American who played college ball under 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, knows the 49ers' offensive as well as anyone on the team. He assisted the 49ers' offensive line during a week of workouts recently at San Jose State.

Contact Us