trickblue
03-03-2005, 11:34 AM
49ers near deal with left tackle Jennings
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, March 3, 2005
The 49ers, in the process of righting themselves after a 2-14 season, are close to making a significant splash in the free-agent market by signing Bills left tackle Jonas Jennings.
The only pure left tackle on the market, Jennings visited the team in Santa Clara on Wednesday. He is an unrestricted free agent and could sign a deal as soon as today, according to a league source. It might include bonuses in the $11 million range.
The signing would be the team's most significant free-agent signing since 2002, when safety Tony Parrish and guard Ron Stone received big deals.
For the last two years, the 49ers have said they would tread lightly in free agency and then spend in 2006 when they were well under the cap. But it seems that plan has changed.
Coach Mike Nolan apparently was unimpressed with last year's offensive line, which surrendered 52 sacks, tying the Giants and Dolphins for second most in the league. The team's 3.5 yards-per-carry average was well below the league average (4.1 yards).
The 49ers' two restricted free-agent starters on the line, guard Eric Heitmann and guard/tackle Kyle Kosier, received the lowest tender, at $605,000, for next season, indicating the team's willingness to let them go.
Jennings, a 6-foot-3, 325-pounder, has started since his 2001 rookie season with the Bills and was known for his smothering pass protection against Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor. Jennings was once complimented by the Colts' Dwight Freeney after Jennings shut down the pass-rushing end.
Considered to have a positive locker-room presence, Jennings' durability is one area where he might have a weakness. He missed two games last year, four in 2003, one in '02, and three in '01 with minor injuries.
If Jennings signs, right tackle Scott Gragg could be the odd man out. Kwame Harris, the 49ers' first-round pick in '03, could move to the right side.
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, March 3, 2005
The 49ers, in the process of righting themselves after a 2-14 season, are close to making a significant splash in the free-agent market by signing Bills left tackle Jonas Jennings.
The only pure left tackle on the market, Jennings visited the team in Santa Clara on Wednesday. He is an unrestricted free agent and could sign a deal as soon as today, according to a league source. It might include bonuses in the $11 million range.
The signing would be the team's most significant free-agent signing since 2002, when safety Tony Parrish and guard Ron Stone received big deals.
For the last two years, the 49ers have said they would tread lightly in free agency and then spend in 2006 when they were well under the cap. But it seems that plan has changed.
Coach Mike Nolan apparently was unimpressed with last year's offensive line, which surrendered 52 sacks, tying the Giants and Dolphins for second most in the league. The team's 3.5 yards-per-carry average was well below the league average (4.1 yards).
The 49ers' two restricted free-agent starters on the line, guard Eric Heitmann and guard/tackle Kyle Kosier, received the lowest tender, at $605,000, for next season, indicating the team's willingness to let them go.
Jennings, a 6-foot-3, 325-pounder, has started since his 2001 rookie season with the Bills and was known for his smothering pass protection against Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor. Jennings was once complimented by the Colts' Dwight Freeney after Jennings shut down the pass-rushing end.
Considered to have a positive locker-room presence, Jennings' durability is one area where he might have a weakness. He missed two games last year, four in 2003, one in '02, and three in '01 with minor injuries.
If Jennings signs, right tackle Scott Gragg could be the odd man out. Kwame Harris, the 49ers' first-round pick in '03, could move to the right side.