The 49ers might be David Carr's lead suitor, but they're not his only suitor. The Cardinals also have shown an interest in Carr as have the Cleveland Browns, according to a source close to the situation. The New York Giants - where Carr was the primary back up the last two seasons - also want to retain him, and they will not look for a backup quarterback until they are sure Carr is going elsewhere.
Eli Manning, of course, is the starting quarterback in New York, and there is virtually no opportunity there for a backup to displace him. The other three teams involved in the Carr sweepstakes, on the other hand, have more tenuous situations at the top of their quarterback depth chart.
The 49ers, for example, are hoping that Alex Smith blossoms after being able to run the same offense for two consecutive seasons, the first time that has happened in his career. But he certainly doesn't have a Manning-like stranglehold on the position. And while Mike Singletary has given him endorsements, they have mostly been lukewarm endorsements and he's said he wants competition at all positions on the team. Furthermore, Smith is entering the final year of his contract.
In Arizona, the de facto starter following Kurt Warner's retirement is Matt Leinart, who has been shaky when given the chance to run the offense. The Browns, meanwhile, have all sorts of question marks at quarterback and neither Derek Anderson nor Brady Quinn are certain to be back in 2010.
Carr is having a physical today and will continue to meet with team officials. Contract negotiations are expected to heat up this afternoon. If they don't, Carr is expected to make other visits.
-- Matt Barrows
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