49ers will take free-agent signing period slow and easy

The 49ers will have plenty of salary-cap room available to be a factor in free agency. But the club seems more intent on using its surplus to lock up some of their own players.

The 49ers are working on contract extension for at least two unspecified players whose contracts are set to expire in the coming seasons, a team official said. The club is approximately $25 million below the league’s $123 million salary cap for 2009.

The free-agent signing period is set to begin at 9:01 p.m. today, and the 49ers do not expect to make the kind of immediate splash they made the past two years. The 49ers signed cornerback Nate Clements, safety Michael Lewis and defensive end Justin Smith to lucrative contracts within the first two days of the signing period.

There is a dearth of top-level talent expected to be available on the free agent market this year, so there are not many options available for the 49ers at positions of need.

The 49ers have compiled a list of 10 to 15 free agents to target, but the club plans to move much slower at the start of free agency to let the market settle down, one league source said.

“You’re always overpaying in free agency when you get that first-day guy,” 49ers president Jed York said last week. “What we want to do is make sure we’re building through the draft. And if we’re going to spend a lot of money it’s going to be on re-signing our own players and getting the right guys, as opposed to big flashy guys.”

The 49ers have 12 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents — most of whom are not high priorities to re-sign. The 49ers have held “positive” talks with starting linebacker Takeo Spikes, general manager Scot McCloughan said.

New offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye recently faxed quarterback Alex Smith the “fundamentals” section of the playbook. Clearly, the 49ers expect to complete a reduced contract for Smith, and have him compete with Shaun Hill for the starting job.

However, coach Mike Singletary said the club is prepared to move on without quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, who started the 49ers’ first eight games before he was benched.

Also, receiver Bryant Johnson and running back DeShaun Foster are among those considered expendable after they played out their one-year contracts. The 49ers expect to be able to replace both players in the draft, which is expected to be deep at both positions.

The 49ers have shifted most of their attention to keeping some of their own players. Among the players whose contracts are set to expire after 2009 are outside linebackers Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson, tight end Vernon Davis, and guard David Baas.

But that does not mean the 49ers will be completely passive during free-agency, either. McCloughan said he figured the 49ers would be able to sign four to six free agents.

“We have some (cap) room,” McCloughan said. “We’ll add some players. Will we get some front-line starters? Hopefully. But we’ll strengthen the 53-man roster. I think that’s what free agency is all about.”

Among the positions the 49ers are looking to address this offseason are offensive tackle, pass-rusher, safety, wide receiver and running back.

The 49ers will also need to add depth at quarterback, even if an addition will not get a chance to compete for the starting job.

McCloughan said last week he believes the chances are “really good” the 49ers’ starting free safety is currently on the team. That statement seemed to be a vote of confidence for two-year veteran Dashon Goldson, who is believed to be penciled in to unseat Mark Roman as the starter.

Still, the 49ers might be interested in adding an established player through free agency.

“If we’re able to get an impact player in the draft or free agency for the price we want to pay, we’ll definitely do it,” McCloughan said. “We have good enough talent on this team at safety right now to go out and play, and have a little depth there.”

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@press

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