News From 49ers Headquarters

  • Wanna Join? New users you can now register lightning fast using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.

Chree

Medicated
Dec 7, 2005
32,405
13,935
113
40
#22
BY = Savage, but apparently they are pursuing Clements and thomas aggressivley, i hope to wake up 2 good news!
 

PoLLo LoC831

NINER EMPIRE
Mar 20, 2005
4,709
236
0
40
#23
49ers Make First Free Agent Moves

http://sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=2885&section=PR News

The 49ers moved quickly in free agency, signing unrestricted free agents Nate Clements from Buffalo and Michael Lewis from Philadelphia on Friday.

“I am excited to add two defensive starters to our team,” said head coach Mike Nolan. “Free agency is about adding good players with character to our team. I am confident that Nate and Michael will help make us better. Players have a choice in free agency. It is a compliment to our players and fans that Nate and Michael wanted to be with the 49ers.”

Clements (6-0, 209), a six-year veteran cornerback has started every game of his NFL career, racking up 23 interceptions during that stretch. A respected defender, Clements was named to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2004. He is considered one of the most exciting defensive backs in the league as demonstrated by the five interceptions and two punts he has returned for touchdowns in his career.

Clements was originally a first-round draft choice by the Bills out of Ohio State University. He was the 21st overall selection of the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Born in Shaker Heights (OH), Clements was a USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated and Super Prep All-American selection at Shaker Heights (OH) High.

Also a six-year veteran, Lewis (6-1, 222) has earned an NFL reputation for being a tenacious and hard hitting defender, playing strong safety and contributing valuable time in a linebacker role in Philadelphia’s dime package in 2006. The Eagles leading tackler in 2005, Lewis recorded a career best 2.0 sacks in 2006 and ranked fifth on the team with 87 tackles in 14 games.

Lewis was a second round draft pick from the University of Colorado in 2002. A mainstay at strong safety since his freshman year, Lewis twice won the school's Dave Jones Award for the most outstanding defensive player and the Hale Irwin Award for the most outstanding DB in his junior and senior seasons. He was born in Richmond, TX.
 

PoLLo LoC831

NINER EMPIRE
Mar 20, 2005
4,709
236
0
40
#24
49ers Hire Quarterbacks Coach

http://www.sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=2877&section=PR News

The San Francisco 49ers announced Thursday that head coach Mike Nolan has hired Frank Cignetti as quarterbacks coach. Cignetti, served as offensive coordinator for the University of North Carolina in 2006.

Cignetti joined North Carolina after serving four seasons as offensive coordinator at Fresno State where he helped guide Fresno State to four consecutive bowl games, including a win over No. 18 Virginia in the 2004 MPC Computers Bowl. Fresno was 3-1 in bowl games under Cignetti's direction.

“Frank came highly recommended from people throughout all levels of college and professional football," said Nolan. "I am extremely impressed with his work ethic, attention to detail and ability to develop players. He is a perfect fit for the way we operate with the 49ers.”

In 2004, Fresno averaged 52.8 points over the last six games and became just the sixth team in NCAA history to score 50 or more points in four consecutive contests. Fresno finished that season 9-3, led the Western Athletic Conference in average yards per carry (5.4) and scored 65 touchdowns. The Bulldogs were outstanding in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 42-of-53 attempts (.792).

Cignetti was instrumental in the development of Fresno's four-year starting quarterback Paul Pinegar, who was the 2002 WAC Freshman of the Year and led the nation's freshmen in passing efficiency, passing yards and touchdowns. In 2005, Pinegar ranked 18th in the country in pass efficiency.

Cignetti has been a part of successful programs at all levels. In the NFL, he won a division championship and a playoff game with the New Orleans Saints in 2000. He was part of three bowl victories at Fresno State, and on the Division II level - at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - he reached the national championship game twice and the semifinals four times. He also has been a member of the coaching staff in the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine all-star games.

Before joining the Fresno State program, Cignetti served as the New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2000, he helped the Saints earn the NFC West title and the franchise's first playoff win. The Saints' offense ranked 10th in the NFL in both 2000 and 2001. In 2000, he guided quarterback Jeff Blake to a career-high 82.7 rating before Blake suffered a season ending injury. The following season, quarterback Aaron Brooks was an alternate for the Pro Bowl. In New Orleans, he also coached current Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, current Rams QB Marc Bulger and the now retired Billy Joe Tolliver.

He joined the Saints after coaching one season as an offensive assistant and quality control coach with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999. He was responsible for game analysis and opponent information. In 1999, Kansas City finished 9-7, second in the AFC West and the offense ranked 12th in the NFL.

From 1990-98, Cignetti was an assistant at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he coached receivers (1990-92), the secondary (1993-94) and quarterbacks (1995-98). In his last two years at IUP, he served as the offensive coordinator.

Cignetti started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh for Mike Gottfried in 1989. The Panthers went 9-3 and defeated Texas A&M in the Sun Bowl.

Cignetti was an all-conference safety at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, from where he graduated in 1987. He played in the school's first ever appearance in a national playoff game in 1987 against Central Florida.

Born Oct. 4, 1965 in Pittsburgh, Cignetti's family has many football ties. His father, Frank, recently retired after 20 seasons as the head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he won 182 games. The elder Cignetti was also the head coach at West Virginia from 1976-79. Cignetti's brother, Curt, is the tight ends coach at NC State.
 

PoLLo LoC831

NINER EMPIRE
Mar 20, 2005
4,709
236
0
40
#25
49ers Add DT Franklin; Re-sign WR Gilmore

http://sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=2888&section=PR News

The 49ers continued to supplement its roster by signing unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin from the Baltimore Ravens.

The signing of Franklin, (6-1, 320) who fits the mold for a 3-4 nose tackle, indicates that defensive coordinator Greg Manusky will likely run head coach Mike Nolan's preferred 3-4 defensive scheme. Each of the last two seasons Nolan installed the 3-4, but due to injuries the defense wound up falling into more of a 4-3 front.

A five-year veteran, Franklin has played in 36 games in his career. An aggressive, physical lineman with good instincts, Franklin was selected with the 146th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft from Tennessee. He played in 14 contests and the Ravens one playoff game and finished the 2006 season with 23 tackles and one pass defensed.

In addition, the 49ers re-signed wide receiver Bryan Gilmore. Gilmore (6-1, 193) joined the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent last season. He played in all 16 games with three starts and finished the year with eight receptions for 1550 yards and one touchdown. He also had seven rushing attempts for 94 yards including a key 20-yard reverse play that set kicker Joe Nedney up for the overtime game-winning field goal in the 49ers season finale against the Broncos.