Ginn, Morgan closing in on free agency

Share

In exchange for Ted Ginn accepting a 1.2 million pay cut at the start of last season, the 49ers agreed to rip up the final year of his contract to enable him to become a free agent.So with free agency set to begin on Tuesday at 1 p.m. (PT), it would only make sense that Ginn would take advantage of the situation to see what's available to him on the open market.Things can happen quickly this time of year, but there appears to be a strong possibility Ginn and Joshua Morgan will test the free-agent market next week.Ginn caught just 19 passes for 220 yards in 14 games with three starts, but his most value to the 49ers comes as a return man. Morgan was playing well when his season came to an end. He caught 15 passes for 220 yards in five games.

RELATED: 2011 Game logs -- Ted GinnJosh Morgan
Morgan might be more difficult to re-sign than originally believed. Jacksonville is expected to make a competitive play for Morgan once the free-agent signing period opens. Former 49ers assistant Jerry Sullivan, who thinks highly of Morgan, was hired as the Jaguars wide receivers coach in January.Morgan is making good progress as he continues to work out at the 49ers facility after undergoing season-ending surgery in October to repair a fracture just above his right ankle.The 49ers can be expected to add at the receiver position through free agency from an unrestricted pool that includes such players as Vincent Jackson, Robert Meachem, Marques Colston, Pierre Garcon, Mario Manningham and Early Doucet.RELATED: A look at NFL free-agent class
Mike Wallace is the top player on the restricted market, but any team that signs him to an offer sheet would have to part with a first-round draft pick. The 49ers pick No. 30 in each round.Currently, the 49ers have just three receivers under contract for 2012: Michael Crabtree, Kyle Williams and Joe Hastings, a late-season call-up from the practice squad. Brett Swain is a scheduled restricted free agent. The 49ers are not expected to tender Swain, but he could return with a lower contract to compete for a roster spot.

Contact Us