49ers Tender 1-Year Contracts To 4 Players
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) ― The San Francisco 49ers have tendered one-year contracts to three restricted free agents, safety Dashon Goldson, linebacker Manny Lawson and defensive end Ray McDonald.
The Niners also tendered a one-year contract to exclusive rights free agent safety C.J. Spillman. The team needed to offer its potential restricted free agents contracts in order to maintain the right to match an offer from any other club. The latest collective bargaining agreement is set to expire Thursday night.
This is an interesting time for the 49ers, who are trying to prepare under new coach Jim Harbaugh in spite of the unsettled labor situation.
Keeping as many of the core players on the roster intact - while also finding a quarterback - is a priority for Harbaugh and recently promoted general manager Trent Baalke.
San Francisco started 0-5 and finished 6-10 last season after entering the year as an NFC West favorite following an unbeaten preseason. The Niners haven't had a winning season since their last postseason berth in 2002.
The 26-year-old Goldson, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007 out of Washington, started all 32 games at free safety for the Niners the past two seasons. He had 80 tackles, one sack and one interception last season. He returned the interception for a touchdown.
Lawson is another key member of the Niners' young, talented defense. Like Goldson, he has started every game the last two years.
A first-round draft pick taken 22nd overall in 2006 out of North Carolina State, Lawson had 59 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in 2010. In 2009, he recorded career-highs in tackles (68), sacks (6.5) and forced fumbles (three).
McDonald hasn't started a game the past two years but wound up with 19 tackles last season and an interception he returned for a touchdown.
Spillman contributed mostly on special teams while playing in 11 games for the 49ers in 2010 after being claimed off waivers from San Diego on Oct. 12.
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