By PFW Staff
March 1, 2008

For a team that had indicated it wasn’t going to be a serious shopper in this year’s free-agency market, the Niners certainly have been active. Just two days into this year’s free-agent signing period, the Niners have made as many moves as any team in the league, the most notable being their high-profile signing Saturday morning of former Bengals UFA DE Justin Smith, who was widely considered one of the top free-agent defenders available this offseason. Smith, the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft out of Missouri, reportedly agreed to a six-year deal worth $45 million, including $20 million in guarantees. In addition, the Niners wasted no time signing former Rams WR Isaac Bruce to a two-year deal worth a reported $6 million, former Panthers RB DeShaun Foster to a two-year, $1.8 million contract, former Steelers CB-RS Allen Rossum to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum ($870,000), former Vikings LB Dontarrious Thomas to a two-year deal (terms not disclosed) and former Lions QB J.T. O’Sullivan to a one-year, $645,000 deal.

The PFW spin

All of the moves the Niners have made make sense. Smith, who has been on the team’s radar screen for some time now, appears very well-suited to be a 3-4 defensive end in the Niners’ flexible defensive system and figures to provide some badly needed pass-rush ability (43.5 career sacks in seven seasons). With his signing likely signaling the departure of Niners UFA DE Marques Douglas, Smith also will be expected to fill the leadership void resulting from Douglas’ exit. Leadership is also a quality Bruce — a polished four-time Pro Bowler who will be reunited with former Rams head coach Mike Martz — will definitely provide, and it will be interesting to see how much gas Bruce has left in the tank. The Niners haven’t had much luck in recent years with their receiver acquisitions (Antonio Bryant, Ashley Lelie, Darrell Jackson). But Bruce had more catches in his 14 games played last season (55) than the Niners’ leading receiver in ‘07, RB Frank Gore with 53. As for the team’s other signings, Foster should provide a nice change-of-pace to Gore in the backfield, Rossum is a proven commodity as a kick returner, Thomas adds depth to the LB corps and O’Sullivan, who worked under Martz in Detroit last season, becomes the No. 3 QB behind Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, with Trent Dilfer not expected to return.