Golden Nuggets: And we are on our way

And so free agency begins. The biggest news of the day was that Niners S Donte Whitner would not be resigning with the team and would instead head back home to play with the Cleveland Browns. The Niners quickly countered that move and signed Indy S Antoine Bethea for a slightly cheaper price. The other big news Niner fans were waiting for was the resigning of K Phil Dawson. It was long anticipated that the Niners would not let Phil walk. The team also resigned CB Eric Wright to a 1 year deal and traded for Jacksonville's QB Blaine Gabbert for a 6th round pick. The last deal of the day must be a welcome sign to all Niner fans. The team traded for OL Jonathan Martin. Looks like Baalke and Harbaugh can work together considering they signed Harbaugh's former college player.

The worst news of the day for Niner fans was the news that Donte Whitner would not resign. While the 49ers would have loved to resign Whitner, they captured a good replacement. Bethea has 4 consecutive 100 tackle seasons. He is a smart player who should fit well with the team and has played 96 straight games. The resigning of CB Wright was a necessary move to keep some depth in the secondary with the release of Carlos Rogers.

While I don't think the Niners are real contenders for Revis, it could be interesting to see him in the red and gold. It would fix the only problem area the Niners have on the defensive side of the ball. The signing could also make the Niners-Seahawks rivalry a bit more exciting with the battle of the 2 best CBs in the league. And how would Revis Island playing in the same area as Alcatraz Island sound? Great in my opinion!

49ers Links

Martin to be tested (Maiocco)

Looks like Harbaugh and Baalke can get along. Basically a no risk trade for the Niners | Trade for Martin (BASG)

Polian principle not a fan of Whitner-Bethea swap (Branch)

Martin would only play for Harbaugh (Lynch)

Martin would probably only play for Harbaugh or Luck's team. Any other team may have provided too much locker room drama | Niners are perfect for Jonathan Martin (Williamson)

Dawson is ready for new environment (Maiocco)

We will miss you Hitner! Welcome to San Francisco Bethea! | Whitner to Cle, Bethea to Niners (BASG)

I don't see too much of a drop off between the two players. The defense should roll right along | Does Bethea-Whitner switch make sense (Lynch)

Keep the hometown kid one more year | CB Wright stays one more year (Smith)

Bye bye Boobie? | Dixon could be leaving soon (Maiocco)

Resigning Wright keeps CB depth (Williamson)

A 6th round draft pick? If Harbaugh is with this player, so am I. No argument from me | Gabbert is low risk to Niners (Williamson)

A player that was drafted before you in your draft. Like Kaepernick needs any more additional motivation | Gabbert serves as reminder to Kaepernick (Maiocco)

Swapping Whitner for Bethea (Smith)

Suitable replacement for Hitner (Williamson)

Current Defensive Depth Chart (Maiocco)

Gabbert traded to Niners (Rosenthal)

Secondary Moves (Inman)

A no brainer. Too much money for a slot CB | Carlos Rogers cut (Price)

Dobbs, Wilhoite are staying (Niners Staff)

I'm not sure if it would get done, but it would be interesting. This is the only suspect position on the Niners D | Does Revis fit financially? (Maiocco)

Secondary up for grabs (Williams)

Possible Replacements (Williamson)

Bethea signed for 4 years (ESPN)

Free Agency Tracker (Price)