Safety Dashon Goldson, who visited with the New England Patriots on Sunday, has decided to sign a one-year deal with the 49ers instead, according to Pro Football Talk, which cites a league source.
Goldson, 26, will join an already packed house at safety. The 49ers added two free agents, Madieu Williams and Donte Whitner, in the last week. In addition, Reggie Smith, Taylor Mays, C.J. Spillman, Curtis Taylor, Chris Maragos and sixth-round draft pick Colin Jones line up at the position.
The 49ers acknowledged last week that they are trying to trade Mays, who was a pet project for former head coach Mike Singletary. In addition, Smith began Saturday's afternoon practice but did not complete it. Instead he watched the session from the sideline and then signed autographs before running, with a slight limp, into the locker room.
Smith sent out several cryptic Tweets Sunday night. "Everything happens 4 a reason & I believe it," Smith wrote. "Just wished it wouldn't have happened right now. But with God on my side I know it will be OK." This morning he appeared to be in a cheerier mood. "Up and ready, time to get busy!!!," he wrote on Twitter.
Asked Saturday why Smith didn't finish practice, coach Jim Harbaugh said, "He started out and then he felt something that limited him the rest of the day." Whitner and Maragos were the starters at safety after Smith left the field.
Goldson, meanwhile, expected a big contract in free agency this year but like a number of free agents found the market soft. He has started at safety for the 49ers in every game for the last two seasons and was the player who relayed the defensive signals from the sideline. He's likely to be paired eventually with Whitner as the starting safeties.
Goldson, a former cornerback, showed excellent ball skills in practices when he first joined the 49ers. But he was not able to translate that into big plays as a starter in Greg Manusky's offense. Goldson has 174 tackles and three five interceptions in his last 32 starts.
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The team in close to signing former Yale tight end Chris Blohm. The former Eli must first must pass his physical. The 49ers are looking for a blocking-oriented tight end after losing Nate Byham for the season with a torn ACL. Blohm (6-4, 240) worked out for the 49ers prior to the draft. He caught 26 passes for 255 yards last season and caught the attention of scouts by bench pressing 225 pounds 30 times.
-- Matt Barrows
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