The 49ers are one of several teams interested in Norfolk State cornerback Don Carey, according to Carey's agent. Carey already has visited with the Miami Dolphins, and the Steelers, Seahawks and 49ers also are on his dance card. The 49ers lost one cornerback, Donald Strickland, in free agency, and another, Reggie Smith, was playing safety at the minicamp held last month. The team also considered adding free agents Eric Green and Karl Paymah, but both signed elsewhere.
Carey stands 5-11 and weighs 192 pounds. He ran a 4.49 at the combine and had 18 reps of 225 pounds - a solid number for a defensive back. The big question about Carey, of course, is the level of competition he faced at Norfolk State. Here's what NFL Draft Scout has to say about him:
Positives: Adequate height and a fair build throughout for his frame. ... Plays physically at the line and in coverage. ... Good straight-line speed and excellent recovery speed. ... Gets back into the play even if a receiver makes a nice head fake to get an advantage. ... Very capable of reading the quick screen or supporting the run on the outside.
Negatives: Lacks top-end speed and great strength. ... Will be a little too physical at times, might be susceptible to pass interference calls. ... Gets moved too easily by receiver blocks. ... Played against a lower level of competition and must speed up his recognition. ... Inconsistent hands for the interception.
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Today's visitors include USC quarterback Mark Sanchez and Purdue running back Kory Sheets. Sanchez you know about, but Sheets is interesting because at 5-11, 208 pounds, he is a departure from the big running backs the 49ers mostly have been looking at heading into the draft. Sheets had one of the fastest 40 times of any running back at the combine.
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In other 49ers news .... Welcome to the Bay Area, Bob Lange. The team formally announced today that Lange is the 49ers' new public relations director. A Philadelphia native, Lange spent eight seasons in the Eagles' pr department, which means he probably has some excellent T.O. meltdown stories. Can't wait to hear 'em, Bob ...
-- Matt Barrows
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