CBA signing to Niners' advantage

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Eventually, however, an NFL without a salary cap could prove disastrous for a low-revenue team such as the 49ers, who play in what is generally regarded as the worst stadium in the NFL.

Coach Mike Nolan said Wednesday the 49ers are planning as if there will be no new CBA in place for the start of free agency on Friday. The club is approximately $20 million under the $94.5 million cap, so they will have plenty of money to spend on veterans.

"You'll have some competition if (the CBA) is signed and it's different if one is not," Nolan said. "Some (teams) are out of the running right away."

Teams that are a considerable amount over the cap are likely to jettison established veterans to get under this year's cap. One player the 49ers might pursue is cornerback Sam Madison, a four-time Pro Bowl player, whom the Miami Dolphins released on Wednesday.

If there is no new CBA, the league-wide salary cap would be abolished for the 2007 season. Union chief Gene Upshaw said the players association would never agree to return to a salary-cap system. With no limit on spending, teams such as the 49ers who lack revenue-generating stadiums would be at a long-term competitive disadvantage.

The 49ers figure to be active in free agency this year - regardless of the final CBA negotiating sessions. But Nolan said the blueprint for the organization is to build through the draft.

"There's not a quick fix for all our problems," said Nolan, whose team went 4-12 in his first season.

"We're going to stay involved in free agency from the beginning to the end. It just takes one team to outbid you. If we don't get anyone early, we'll stay involved and add a player who's our kind of player."

The 49ers have 14 players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. They are expected to announce a deal with fullback Chris Hetherington in the next couple of days. As reported Monday, the club has reached an agreement with kicker Joe Nedney on a multi-year deal worth approximately $1.4 million annually. Nedney is expected to sign the contract on the first day of free agency.

Linebacker Julian Peterson is believed to be seeking a deal that guarantees $20 million. If he receives half that figure from another team, the 49ers are not likely to put up much resistance. Also, linebacker Derek Smith is expected to receive a lucrative offer from the Green Bay Packers when free agency begins. The 49ers would also like to retain defensive end/linebacker Andre Carter, but his asking price has been higher than the 49ers are willing to pay at this point.

The 49ers have two restricted free agents, receiver Brandon Lloyd and quarterback Ken Dorsey. As reported Monday, the 49ers will place a high tender (approximately $1.6 million) on Lloyd, making it unlikely another team will pursue him at the price of a first-round pick to the 49ers as compensation. Dorsey will receive a tender of approximately $720,000. The 49ers would receive a seventh-round pick as compensation if they decline to match another team's offer sheet for Dorsey.