NFLback.com News from around the NFL

49ers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary said last month Alex Smith would be his starting quarterback for the 2010 season.

And while the team's stance remains unchanged, Smith is going to have to play well to keep the job.

The 49ers signed veteran free-agent David Carr to a contract very similar to the one Smith signed last season to remain with the 49ers. Smith signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal, while Carr's contract is two years, $6.25 million.

The 49ers are not saying there will be a quarterback competition, but the club no longer has to press the issue with Smith and force him into the starting lineup.

The 49ers must put the better player on the field. And while there will be no quarterback competition, if Carr proves to the coaching staff that he is...

Browns sign veteran LB Scott Fujita, OL Tony Pashos to multi-year contracts (The Canadian Press)

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Browns have signed linebacker Scott Fujita and offensive lineman Tony Pashos to multi-year contracts as unrestricted free agents.

Quarterback Carr visiting 49ers (AP)

Free agent quarterback David Carr arrived in the Bay Area on Friday to visit with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers said Carr was in town and would meet with the club Friday night and again Saturday. While coach Mike Singletary has repeatedly said 2005 No. 1 pick Alex Smith is his starter going forward, Singletary didn't rule out signing an experienced quarterback who could push Smith and...

49ers bring back Wilhelm on 1-year deal (AP)

The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed linebacker Matt Wilhelm to a one-year contract, keeping him from becoming an unrestricted free agent Thursday night. Wilhelm joined the Niners, coming off an 8-8 season, on Oct. 19 after Jeff Ulbrich was placed on season-ending injured reserve because of a concussion.

Salary cap will be gone when NFL’s free agency begins Friday (The Canadian Press)

NEW YORK - The NFL has swallowed the poison pill.

Niners tender contracts to restricted free agents Ahmad Brooks, David Baas (The Canadian Press)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Francisco 49ers have tendered contract offers to linebacker Ahmad Brooks and offensive lineman David Baas.

Niners tender contracts to Brooks, Baas (AP)

The San Francisco 49ers have tendered contract offers to linebacker Ahmad Brooks and offensive lineman David Baas. The move Monday gives San Francisco the right to match any offer sheet the restricted free agents sign with another team or receive a second-round draft pick as compensation. Brooks had a career-high six sacks last season and tied a franchise record for forced fumbles by a linebacker...

49ers place franchise tag on NT Aubrayo Franklin, hope to reach long-term deal (The Canadian Press)

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco 49ers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin on Tuesday and hope to lock him up with a long-term contract.

49ers place franchise tag on Franklin (AP)

The San Francisco 49ers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin on Tuesday and hope to lock him up with a long-term contract. The Niners made the move before Thursday's deadline. Franklin will be allowed to negotiate with other teams when he becomes a free agent next month, but San Francisco can match any offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation.

Vernon Davis embraces the curling (Yahoo! Sports)

I put Vernon Davis on the bobsled team earlier, but that appears to have been a mistake. Davis, it seems, would...