49ers Trade Rumors

"The 49ers remain interested in signing free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes but nothing is imminent. McCloughan said the team's interest in Spikes and Spikes' interest in the 49ers is "50-50." "

"The 49ers are still in the running for Takeo Spikes, but they are not the linebacker's only suitors. Spikes, who played last season for the Philadelphia Eagles, also is being courted by New England, New Orleans and Cleveland."

"Wide receiver Bryant Johnson has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, a source told ESPN.com"

"As for Spikes, 31, the 49ers are considering whether the Pro Bowler would be a good fit next to Patrick Willis at inside linebacker. The team presumably gave Spikes a physical Thursday, paying extra attention to the rotator cuff injury that ended Spikes' 2007 season with the Philadelphia Eagles prematurely. Spikes had several other visits lined up before he arrived in San Francisco. It is unknown whether the 49ers made him a contract offer."

" With several big-ticket items out of the way, the 49ers will search the landscape for depth along the offensive line. General Manager Scot McCloughan said Wednesday that the team will land "a couple" of under-the-radar veterans within the next few weeks."

"The Broncos may have a visit with San Francisco offensive tackle Kwame Harris and are talking with former Broncos and Raiders offensive tackle Cornell Green."

" Bruce did not visit the team facility, which meant most of the day's focus was on the free agent who did: Smith, a defensive end. The longtime Bengal spent the afternoon at team headquarters as the 49ers tried to make a strong enough pitch to prevent him from making today's scheduled visit to the Minnesota Vikings."

"Aggressive from the outset, the Vikings signed and introduced Johnson High graduate Thomas Tapeh at a news conference Friday afternoon and agreed to a six-year, $33 million contract with safety Madieu Williams. They certainly will introduce Williams today, but the Vikings hope he won't be alone: the club was trying to ensure wide receiver Bernard Berrian didn't leave the Twin Cities without a deal, and they were anxiously awaiting defensive end Justin Smith's arrival today from San Francisco, where he visited with the 49ers on Friday. "

" The Saints called and expressed interest in trading for tight end Jeremy Shockey. The Giants are not shopping Shockey and they declined to discuss any trade. Shockey is coming off surgery on his leg and ankle and could not at the moment pass a physical. The Giants have some interest in Seahawks running back/kick returner Alvin Pearman. They also could be interested in a similar player, Maurice Hicks of the 49ers, and possibly two veterans, CB Jason Webster (Bills) and DE N.D. Kalu (Texans)."

"Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf sent his personal jet to California to retrieve Berrian, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The sides will meet today at the club's facility and potentially work on a huge contract... A source linked Briggs, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, to Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Cleveland, with Denver called a ''dark horse.''"

" Although the big-ticket free agents go up for bid starting Thursday, the 49ers have already dipped into the bargain bin, according to reports linking them to running back DeShaun Foster and kick returner Allen Rossum. ESPN's John Clayton reported the Foster deal Monday, saying that the contract could be announced within the next few days."

"Miami will add a tackle to replace L.J. Shelton, and likely two guards (they have shown no interest in re-signing Rex Hadnot and Chris Liwienski). There is speculation of Dolphins interest in Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams, 32, who will have numerous suitors... A defensive end on the Dolphins' radar is San Francisco's Marques Douglas, 30, who is excellent against the run and ideal for a 3-4 defense."

"It's unknown how much room the Bears have to improve that offer for Berrian, who is expected to be courted by the Minnesota Vikings. It's also unclear whether Berrian and agent Drew Rosenhaus will be able to get another team -- the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers also are thought to be interested -- to meet his asking price, which probably would require a signing bonus of more than $12 million."

"Although the big-ticket free agents go up for bid starting Thursday, the 49ers have already dipped into the bargain bin, according to reports linking them to running back DeShaun Foster and kick returner Allen Rossum. ESPN's John Clayton reported the Foster deal Monday, saying that the contract could be announced within the next few days."

"The Chargers have made a multiyear offer to former San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Derek Smith, sources said yesterday."

"The 49ers are dismissing allegations by Chicago that they tampered with Bears linebacker Lance Briggs last season. According to a Yahoo! Sports report first published Thursday afternoon, the NFL is investigating the charges and the 49ers face either a fine or possibly the loss of a draft pick if they are found to have been in violation."

"Teams believed to have expressed interest in Williamson include Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee. Mike Tice, the Vikings' head coach when Williamson was drafted, is a member of the Jaguars' coaching staff."

"Last year at this time, Tom Coughlin was No. 1 on the hot seat. Now he's about to get a new four-year, $20 million contract extension. But there are still plenty of candidates to get fired next year..."

"Coach Mike Nolan has met with only one of his aging 49ers veterans so far, and it happened to be the one whose future with the team is not in doubt."

"Why hasn't Mike Singletary received any attention this offseason from teams seeking a new head coach? The answer probably lies in the 49ers' 2007 record, Singletary said Monday. "When you have a season like we did, it's one of those things where it makes it tougher," he said...Singletary said he has not been contacted by any teams with a head-coach opening, including the Atlanta Falcons, who interviewed him last year."

"The 49ers and the agent for Shaun Hill have exchanged contract proposals, and talks between the sides are continuing in hopes of reaching agreement before the quarterback becomes eligible for free agency March 3... "We have a tentative structure. Now we've got to put some meat on the bones," Lattinville said."

"If the 49ers are not playing football in Santa Clara by 2018, they won't be playing football anywhere in the Bay Area. When people ask me what I think of the 49ers stadium situation, that's what I tell them. I have no clue what will really happen. But I do know this: Santa Clara is the last best hope. My gut tells me that. Common sense tells me that."

"Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth is expected to get the franchise tag, leaving few starting defensive tackles available. Two names Dolfans should watch for: Green Bay's Corey Williams (6-4, 313 pounds) and 49ers backup Isaac Sopoaga (6-2, 334)... Two who will draw interest: Tennessee's Antwan Odom (eight sacks) and San Francisco's Marques Douglas. Figure on Miami adding at least two starting offensive linemen, with two left tackles -- Dallas' Flozell Adams (whom Parcells valued) and Carolina's Travelle Wharton -- on Miami's radar, unless they re-sign."

"The 49ers have sent a contract proposal to Shaun Hill, and the quarterback and his agent plan to spend the weekend poring over the document."

"Owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he would probably accommodate guard Larry Allen's wishes to retire as a Cowboy, an NFL source said. But don't expect it to happen for several months. According to several published reports, the 36-year-old Allen will retire after having played the past two seasons with San Francisco."

"Hill's agent, Bob Lattinville, received a contract offer from the 49ers on Wednesday, which just happened to be the quarterback's 28th birthday. Hill wants to return to the 49ers, where he has a chance to earn the starting job, and the team wants him back as well."

"Brian Schottenheimer, the New York Jets' offensive coordinator, became the fifth candidate to interview for the Ravens' head coaching position, spending more than four hours yesterday at the team's headquarters. Next on their interview list is Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach John Harbaugh, who has been granted permission to speak to the Ravens and will visit with team officials today... Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, a Mount St. Joseph graduate, has been contacted by the Ravens and is expected to interview as early as tomorrow... A league source said the Ravens have yet to request permission to speak with San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary."

" Mike Martz, known for his pedal-to-the-metal approach as a play-caller, is scheduled to interview today for the 49ers' offensive-coordinator position. Martz, dismissed last week as Detroit's offensive coordinator, is the second to interview for the position since 49ers Coach Mike Nolan fired Jim Hostler after the season."

"After interviewing former Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey for his vacant offensive-coordinator position, 49ers coach Mike Nolan will meet today with ex-Rams coach Mike Martz. Martz was fired last week as Detroit's offensive coordinator...Still to come on Nolan's list of candidates to interview are recently fired Miami Dolphins coach Cam Cameron and deposed Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick."

" I'm talking about Dennis Green, who's taking a year off after a bad experience in Arizona and said to be interested in getting back in the game in 2008 -- more likely than not as a college coach."

"Coach Mike Nolan says he will consider former head coaches Brian Billick, Cam Cameron and Mike Martz for the 49ers' vacant offensive coordinator position, but his first interview is today with Chan Gailey."

"Head coach Mike Nolan will interview former Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey for the offensive-coordinator job."

"Lance Briggs and Bernard Berrian have California roots. Could both Bears free agents end up in the Golden State next season? At least one NFL executive expects the San Francisco 49ers to land Briggs this off-season... While the Bears might have seen the last of Briggs and Berrian, Steelers offensive lineman Alan Faneca would be an intriguing free agent to pursue."

"One high-ranking Falcons employee is staying. Another could be going. Rich McKay was offered a multiyear contract extension with a raise to remain as team president by owner Arthur Blank after Blank decided to strip McKay of his general manager title two weeks ago, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed... Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert will interview Monday... Candidates on non-playoff teams, such as San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary and former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, could be interviewed in the next few weeks."

" The search already is on for a new offensive coordinator to replace the fired Jim Hostler, who presided over the least-productive unit in the league last season. They'll also be looking to upgrade the roster in key areas on both sides of the ball, but reviving the team's offensive credibility will be paramount in an off-season the organization has dedicated to getting the 49ers back on track. Here are five key issues the team must tackle in hopes of a turnaround: 1. The quarterback situation"

"Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel said this week that the team would be willing to listen to trade offers for quarterback Derek Anderson. Expect Crennel to get plenty. Teams that will be looking for quarterbacks include Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore, Carolina, Atlanta, Minnesota, Chicago and San Francisco."

" The 49ers promoted Scot McCloughan to general manager Wednesday, part of an organizational shake-up that included the retention of Coach Mike Nolan and the dismissal of offensive coordinator Jim Hostler. The moves followed two days of meetings among McCloughan, Nolan, team owner John York and his son, club executive Jed York. Nolan said he owned up to mistakes that contributed to this season's 5-11 disaster - a season that had begun with much promise."

"Nolan said he has candidates in mind for the offensive-coordinator job but would not divulge any names. He said he is looking for an offensive coach with NFL experience. Names that come to mind include Mike Martz, Brian Billick and Chan Gailey. Martz and Billick were fired by Detroit and Baltimore, respectively, in recent days, and Gailey, a former head coach for Dallas, was fired by Georgia Tech this past season."

"At the end of a long New Year's Day with no official announcement, Mike Nolan is expected to return to the 49ers for a fourth year despite a record of 16-32 and an offense that ranked last in the NFL in eight statistical categories. Nolan managed a slight smile as he drove away from the team's Santa Clara facility with wife Kathy on Tuesday evening. "I'll see you in the morning," he said."

" The 49ers have decided to bring embattled coach Mike Nolan back for another season, an NFL source said Tuesday. There was no announcement from the team, but the decision was expected to be formalized at a news conference today."

""Happy New Year, guys," he said at 6:45 p.m. "I'll see you in the morning." Three days after the end of the 49ers' disappointing season, Nolan remains the head coach, retaining that title longer than many observers predicted he would. Was his holiday greeting an indication that the beleaguered coach will return for a fourth season? All signs point in that direction. "

"It is believed John York is concerned about losing assistant head coach Mike Singletary to another NFL team. Singletary, who came to San Francisco with Nolan in 2005, is atop the Atlanta Falcons' wish list as they search for a new head coach...As he left the facility, Singletary said he had not had any contact with other NFL teams. He said he and his fellow assistant coaches had meetings Tuesday but did not elaborate."

"How The Sun projects the Ravens' coaching search: 1. Jason Garrett: Cowboys offensive coordinator. There are rumblings that he is the Ravens' target. 2. Bill Cowher: Former Steelers coach. Landing "The Chin" would make the biggest splash, but he has said he doesn't want to coach in 2008."

"It was neither a bang nor a whimper. The 49ers instead ended their 2007 season Sunday with a yawn in a 20-7 loss to the Browns along the shores of cold and gray Lake Erie. The real noise will occur today when owner John York sits down with Mike Nolan in a meeting that likely will determine the coach's fate."

" And when might there be a statement about Nolan's status for next season? "It depends on how long we talk," York said. But surely there will be some announcement by the end of this week, one way or another? "I would think so," York said. If the family was on the fence about Nolan's future, nothing that took place Sunday worked in his favor. The 49ers were not going to beat the Browns, not with fourth-string quarterback Chris Weinke on the field. To no one's shock, Weinke did a credible to mediocre job and produced only seven points. But the fate of Nolan will not - and should not - be decided by one game."

"Plans by owners John and Denise York to restructure the 49ers' front office seem certain to include Scot McCloughan, the team's vice president of player personnel. In a brief interview at halftime of the 49ers' season-ending 20-7 loss to Cleveland on Sunday, McCloughan confirmed he has had several meetings with the Yorks about the possibility of becoming the team's general manager."

"If Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary gets the job as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, don't be surprised if his former teammate, Steve McMichael, is selected as the team's defensive line coach. Singletary had a conversation with McMichael regarding that possibility when Singletary interviewed with the Falcons last January."

" As the 49ers begin their search for more offense in 2008, an intriguing name could be on the market. Mike Martz, the wizard behind the high-scoring St. Louis Rams teams of a decade ago, will be fired as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times. The paper also reported that the 49ers are expected be in hot pursuit, noting Martz's familiarity with the NFC West as well as his successful track record with quarterbacks."

"Detroit will fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz after today's season-ending game at Green Bay and replace him with receivers coach Kippy Brown, according to sources familiar with the situation. But Martz won't be out of a job for long. San Francisco is expected to pursue him to take over for offensive coordinator Jim Hostler."

"The most natural fit would seem to be San Francisco, where Holmgren grew up, still owns a home and has a successful history. He learned from and gives credit for almost everything he has achieved in football to former 49ers coach Bill Walsh. Haskell said that whenever the Seahawks are in trouble – like when they dropped to 4-4 earlier this season – Holmgren asks himself what Walsh would do and inevitably returns to the formula."

"Former Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer? Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan? San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary? San Diego assistant GM Buddy Nix? Green Bay director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie? The list of candidates could be long, but Blank expects the cues from the top to correct the organizational flaws that were exposed when quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to prison for 23 months on federal dogfighting charges."

"Falcons owner Arthur Blank has enlisted former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi as an adviser in his search for a new general manager and a coach, according to Kim Shreckengost, chief of staff for the Falcons... Coaching candidates include two Falcons assistants, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer; Marty Schottenheimer, a longtime NFL coach with Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego; San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary; Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett; Green Bay assistant head coach Winston Moss; St. Louis defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, a former coach of the Saints; and two Patriots assistants, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and assistant head coach Dante Scarnecchia."

"If there was any question that Mike Singletary might be interested in becoming the Falcons' next coach, he put that to rest Thursday night."