49ers GM: We're 'absolutely not' big spenders

<p>General manager Scot McCloughan scoffed Wednesday at the notion the 49ers are turning into the Washington Redskins, with a high-spending approach to free agency.</p><p>The 49ers were active in the first two days of the free-agent signing period, and now their work is mostly complete after the signings of five free agents, including three players who had recently been released.</p><p>"We accomplished more than I thought we could in free agency," McCloughan said.</p><p>McCloughan said three players -- receiver Isaac Bruce (St. Louis), running back DeShaun Foster (Carolina) and return specialist Allen Rossum (Pittsburgh) -- fell in the 49ers' laps after they were released by their respective clubs.</p><p>All but one of the 49ers' signings could be considered bargains. That's where McCloughan said he believes the 49ers' philosophy is different than the Redskins' largely unsuccessful approach.</p><p>"Everybody thinks: Are we the next Washington Redskins?" McCloughan said. "Absolutely not."</p><p>Defensive end Justin Smith (Cincinnati) represented the 49ers' only significant expenditure on the free-agent market. The 49ers signed him Saturday to a six-year, $45 million contract.</p><p>Smith filled a big need for the 49ers on the defensive line. Bryant Young plans to retire, and the 49ers have not shown much interest in retaining 16-game starter Marques Douglas. And the 49ers plan to showcase their top acquisition.</p><p>"He's going to be put in situations to make a lot of plays," McCloughan said. "We would not have paid him the money we paid him unless we knew how to use him. You'll see him at end. You'll see him at tackle (in pass-rush situations). You'll see him at times standing up. He's a special guy."</p><p>The 49ers certainly have not filled all the needs that were apparent during their disappointing 5-11 season.</p><p>McCloughan said he expects to sign a couple of bargain offensive linemen in the coming weeks. But he said he does not expect to pick up any additional wide receivers or pass rushers before the draft. He said the team does not have to draft for need.</p><p>"We put ourselves in position to take the best player on the board," McCloughan said "I feel really good about that."</p><p>Here are some of the other topics McCloughan addressed during his conference call with reporters:</p><p>Bruce and Darrell Jackson are probably the front-runners to be the starting receivers, but Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie and Jason Hill will be in the mix. He said he also hopes to add a good receiver in the draft.</p><p>"It's a functional group," McCloughan said. "Our receiver corps is good enough to win a lot of games with. Do we have a superstar on the team? No, but I think we have some good football players to make us a better football team."</p><p>When asked if the plan is to move Joe Staley from right tackle to left tackle for training camp, McCloughan said, "Yes, definitely." That means Jonas Jennings will likely be shifted to the right side.</p><p>Quarterback Trent Dilfer is expected to retire. The 49ers already have four quarterbacks on their roster with the addition of Detroit free agent J.T. O'Sullivan. A move will take place before March 15, the date Dilfer would receive a $500,000 roster bonus if he were still on the team.</p><p>McCloughan said he would like to re-sign Douglas, but he already counted him as a free-agent departure when he discussed the potential for compensatory picks in the 2009 draft. Douglas has received virtually no attention from the 49ers since becoming a free agent. Douglas visited Tampa Bay on Tuesday, and was in Tennessee to meet with Titans officials Wednesday. Arizona and Denver have also shown interest.</p><p>New linebacker Dontarrious Thomas will compete for the strong inside linebacker position that Derek Smith formerly occupied. Thomas will compete against Brandon Moore and Jeff Ulbrich for the starting role, McCloughan said.</p><p>McCloughan said an offense that will be "twice as good" as a year ago will benefit the team's defense. He said the club has enough pass-rushers who are good football players, namely Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Tully Banta-Cain and Jay Moore. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is the main reason McCloughan believes the offense will be a lot better.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt. maiocco@pressdemocrat.com</p>