Aubrayo Franklin was the 49ers' starting nose tackle last season. The team plans to increase the competition in the final year of his contract. The 49ers certainly have not given up on Kentwan Balmer, the club's first-round pick in 2008. Balmer, Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga, who started at left defensive end last season, will see action at nose tackle.
Balmer saw limited action as a rookie and made just six solo tackles. Balmer has worked hard in the offseason and dropped his body fat from 23 percent to 19, he said. "I'm expecting big things from Kentwan," 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said. "He's right on track to become a fine football play for us in this league."
MEDICAL WATCH:
Receiver Michael Crabtree, chosen with the No. 10 overall pick, is working out but the 49ers plan to take it slowly after he had surgery in March to insert a screw to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. Crabtree is not scheduled to get on the field with the 49ers until training camp.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--RB DeShaun Foster.
--DE Roderick Green.
--QB Jamie Martin.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--FB Zak Keasey: ERFA; terms unknown.
--KR
Allen Rossum: UFA; terms unknown.
--LB Takeo Spikes: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--DE Demetric Evans: UFA Redskins; $3.8M/2 yrs, guarantees.
--LB Marques Harris: UFA Chargers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--QB Damon Huard: FA Chiefs; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--WR Brandon Jones: UFA Titans; $16.6M/5 yrs, $5.4M guaranteed.
--FB Moran Norris: UFA Lions; $5M/3 yrs, $1.5M SB.
--OT Marvel Smith: UFA Steelers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--DB Jimmy Williams: FA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--TE Billy Bajema: UFA Rams; terms unknown.
--LB Tully Banta-Cain (released).
--OT Damane Duckett: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.
--DT Ronald Fields: UFA Broncos; $5M/2 yrs, SB unknown.
--OT Jonas Jennings (released).
--WR Bryant Johnson: UFA Lions; $9M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
--S Keith Lewis (released).
--TE Sean Ryan: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown.
--QB J.T. O'Sullivan: UFA Bengals; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--CB Donald Strickland: UFA Jets; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
