Norris return means team will go on the run
John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, February 28, 2009
(02-27) 22:29 PST -- True to their word, the 49ers did not make a splash on the first full day of free agency. However, the rock tossed in the pond did leave a ripple.
The 49ers were busy Friday, reaching contract agreements with fullback Moran Norris, linebacker Takeo Spikes and kick returner Allen Rossum and welcoming former Titans wide receiver Brandon Jones for a visit.
An ESPN report Friday night said the 49ers had "in-depth conversations" with the agent for free-agent quarterback Kurt Warner.
Agent Mark Bartelstein's conversation with general manager Scot McCloughan was seen as little more than an attempt to gain leverage with the Arizona Cardinals, who failed to re-sign Warner before the start of free agency.
Warner, who will be 38 when the 2009 season begins, has said he wants to re-sign with the team he took to the Super Bowl or retire.
"More leverage than anything else," is how one source put the discussions.
Warner is believed to be seeking about $14.5 million for '09.
Given his age and the fact he played in a pass-oriented offense in Arizona, it seems Warner would be an unlikely fit with a 49ers team that intends to become a power running team under coach Mike Singletary and new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.
Earlier Friday, the 49ers brought back Norris, to the gratification of Frank Gore, who played without a fullback in 2008 under former coordinator Mike Martz.
Norris, San Francisco's fullback in 2006-07, signed a three-year contract, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Spikes agreed to a two-year contract after playing on a one-year deal with the 49ers in 2008.
Spikes provided Patrick Willis with an experienced teammate at inside linebacker and finished second to Willis in tackles with 122.
Rossum averaged nearly 15 yards on punt returns and almost 27 yards on kickoff returns, bringing one back for a touchdown 104 yards.
Jones is a four-year veteran who had 41 receptions for 449 yards and one touchdown last season for the Titans.
The return of Norris, meanwhile, heralds a fundamental shift in approach for the 49ers under Raye. The 49ers envision being a power running team in 2009 after finishing '08 the 27th-ranked rushing team.
Bringing back Norris made Frank Gore very happy. In addition to being fast friends, Norris was an excellent escort for Gore on running plays in 2006, when Gore rushed for a franchise record 1,695 yards.
In the Martz offense of 2008, Norris was deemed irrelevant and was waived in training camp.
Former Dallas defensive end Chris Canty, 26, reportedly will visit with the 49ers next week.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/27/SPQ0166FTO.DTL
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