Golden Nuggets: Anthony Dixon and Tarell Brown leave, Chris Cook signs, and others visiting

One of my favorite 49ers left today. A 49er that hardly got any playing time, but when he did, always made sure to do something wacky and entertaining. Anthony "Boobie" Dixon tweeted out last night that he was going to sign with the Buffalo Bills this morning. I'm happy that he is going to a team that will probably have more room for him to contribute, even if It is in a similar role that he had with the 49ers. I can't see him leapfrogging CJ Spiller or seemingly immortal Fred Jackson who just wont stay down no matter how many times you think he is finished. That being said, he should still get more burn than he would behind Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Marcus Lattimore and LaMichael James.

Tarell Brown signed with the Raiders last night, and while I'm not necessarily sad to see him go like I am with Boobie, I feel for him. He is a guy who always seemed to be a starting caliber corner, fluctuating between upper echelon and average, but never had any hype about him at all. He lost out on a few million because his agent couldn't do his job and let Brown know about the different bonuses and escalators in his contract. I thought Chris Culliver was the better corner before his injury and if healthy, should continue to ascend while Brown ages.

Chris Cook, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings signed today and looks to fill the void left by Brown in the corner depth. At this point it looks like he will be backing up Tramaine Brock and Chris Culliver as the starters, assuming no other corners are brought in via free agency or the draft (I doubt it.) He said in a conference call yesterday that he was brought in to play press man and that definitely seems to be the correct role for him. He has great size and wingspan for a corner, just never seemed to play up to his potential in Minnesota. He fits the bill as another low risk, high upside project that hopefully can live up to his potential as a big press corner.

The 49ers have more visits with free agents scheduled and have shown some interest in wide receivers, mainly Walter Thurmond, Emmanuel Sanders, and Julian Edelman. The 49ers do not have much cap space left at this point, and the Chris Cook signing probably means no Thurmond. I am interested in the wide receivers though. Three wide receiver sets are a good thing, especially when two of them (Crabtree and Boldin) are excellent blockers. Unfortunately the coaching staff seems to be allergic to them, in favor of Jumbo packages with defensive lineman playing offense. In my opinion, less jumbo packages, and more spread out formations should help the balance of the offense. To the links!

49ers hope to strike gold with CB Chris Cook (BASG)

Report: 49ers to sign CB Chris Cook (Gin)

Cook signs one-year contract with 49ers (Maiocco)

(Audio) Chris Cook: 'They Want Me to Be a Press Guy' (49ers)

Report: Anthony Dixon will sign with Buffalo Bills (Gin)

Bills paid: 49ers RB Dixon will sign with Buffalo (Branch)

Report: Raiders sign former 49ers CB Tarell Brown (Gin)

Tarell Brown Signs with the Oakland Raiders (49ers)

CB Brown leaves 49ers for Raiders (SFgate)

Tarell Brown bolts for the Raiders (Lynch)

Gabbert optimistic about 'fresh start' with the 49ers (Gin)

Blaine Gabbert Passes Physical to Complete Trade (49ers)

Gabbert ‘looking forward’ to working with Kaepernick and Harbaugh (Inman)

Report: Emmanuel Sanders will visit the 49ers (Gin)

Emmanuel Sanders next WR to visit 49ers (Barrows)

49ers host free agents Edelman, Thurmond as cap space dwindles (Maiocco)

49ers clearly interested in 3-receiver sets (ESPN)

Where does a third WR fit in 49ers’ two-WR offense? (Branch)

(Audio) Boone on Jonathan Martin: 'We Get on to Go Along' (49ers)