It's a case of déjà vu for the 49ers' offensive line. The team lost free-agent guard Adam Snyder to the Cardinals, who today announced they had signed Snyder to a five-year deal. Snyder visited Arizona today, and it is believed to have been his only visit.
A similar scenario played out last year when center Davis Baas, whom everyone assumed would return to the team, signed with the Giants instead. In both cases the 49ers had a lower value on their own player than did the outside team. Both Snyder and Baas were part of the 2005 draft class that included Alex Smith and Frank Gore.
Snyder is very close to Smith and to left tackle Joe Staley. Along with those two, he led the 49ers offensive players through workouts and practices at San Jose State during last year's lockout. Snyder has lined up at every position along the offensive line and last year was the top backup at center.
The difference is that Snyder will face his old team twice a year in the regular season .. although he also might be blocking for someone named Manning. The 49ers, meanwhile, are currently contemplating signing 11-year veteran guard Leonard Davis.
-- Matt Barrows
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