Safety Whitner says he's signing with 49ers

Aug. 4, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE
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Matt MaioccoCSNBayArea.com
The 49ers agreed to terms Thursday with a starting safety, and his name is not Dashon Goldson.Donte Whitner, the former Buffalo Bills strong safety, announced on Twitter that he is signing with the 49ers."Its official...49ers it is!" Whitner wrote. "Funny how God works...instead of playing against the 9ers I'm playing w the 49ers."Whitner, 26, played his first five seasons with the Bills after being chosen with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2006 draft. Earlier Thursday, multiple reports pegged Whitner as signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitner even confirmed that news on Twitter. But the 49ers made a late push to convince him to change his mind.In 66 career starts, Whitner has five interceptions. While big plays have been lacking, Whitner has been always been around the action. He racked up 140 total tackles last season, including 96 individual stops.Whitner signed a three-year, 11.75 million contract with 4 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. Earlier this week, the 49ers added veteran safety Madieu Williams, who agreed to a one-year, 1 million contract with no money guaranteed. Reggie Smith, who is a better fit at free safety, has been one of the 49ers top performers in training camp. Smith started seven games for the 49ers last season.With Whitner's arrival it would seem unlikely either Dashon Goldson or Taylor Mays will be on the 49ers this season. Goldson remains unsigned as a free agent, and the 49ers sent an email to NFL teams on Thursday to advertise that Mays was available in a trade, an NFL source confirmed.Goldson, who played his first four seasons with the 49ers, told his Twitter followers that he has played his final game with the 49ers.Sorry guys thanx for all ur support but not gonna be back. See ya, Goldson wrote.