Nose tackle Sopoaga gets 5-year extension

<p>The 49ers agreed to terms with nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga on a lucrative five-year contract extension Tuesday, just days before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.</p><p>"Isaac definitely is a kind of guy who doesn't like change," said Ken Zuckerman, Sopoaga's agent. "He's comfortable in San Francisco. He likes his coaches, his teammates, the organization and the city. He wanted to stay."</p><p>Sopoaga, 26, appeared in all 16 games last season, starting five times. He recorded 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks while sharing time with starter Aubrayo Franklin. The 49ers originally selected Sopoaga in the fourth round of the 2004 draft.</p><p>He spent his rookie season on injured reserve with a back injury but has been injury-free since. The only game he missed was in 2006 against the Chicago Bears. He was healthy, but the club decided to deactivate him.</p><p>Sopoaga was expected to be highly prized as a free agent. The top two defensive tackles, Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth and Green Bay's Corey Williams, were tagged as franchise players by their respective clubs, thus limiting their options.</p><p>Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 49ers and Sopoaga likely agreed to a contract similar to the deal Dallas inked with nose tackle Jay Ratliff late in the season. Ratliff received a five-year, $20.5 million contract with $8 million guaranteed.</p><p>The free-agent signing period begins at 9 p.m. Thursday. The 49ers are expected to be active in free agency once again with more than $25 million in salary-cap room.</p><p>One league source said the 49ers will pursue Cincinnati defensive end Justin Smith and Arizona outside linebacker Calvin Pace. The 49ers are believed to be one of six or seven teams prepared to award Pace a signing bonus in excess of $14 million.</p><p>The team has already reportedly reached contract terms with return specialist Allen Rossum (Pittsburgh).</p><p>The 49ers are also reportedly close to a deal with running back DeShaun Foster (Carolina). Both players were recently released, thus making them free to negotiate with any team.</p><p>Also, the 49ers re-signed pass-rush specialist Roderick Green, who recorded two sacks in seven games last season.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer</p><p>Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>