Golden Nuggets: Free agency 'begins'

Good morning ladies and gents. Free agency began at last, or it did in a limited capacity, at least. Of course, this is all said with a wink and a nod because I think we all know that plenty of deals are done far in advance of the actual free agent period going on. If there's anyone out there who still thinks that at 12:01, agents suddenly pick up their phones and get to work for their clients to some sort of montage or something ... well your innocence is endearing.

Anyway, so the big news today is HEY HOLY CRAP DID YOU SEE SAM SHIELDS' CONTRACT WHAT IN THE HECK!?. It's pretty ridiculous to think Shields will be making that much money ... he hasn't played anywhere near that level yet. I can only assume the Packers were desperate and took advantage of the huge spike in salary cap this year.

I guess that's goodbye to Tarell Brown at this point. Onto your links.

Brown to see green? CB market rising before free agency even begins (Barrows)

Rising cap could make 49ers' top free agents harder to keep (Branch)

Rogers, Gore contracts under scrutiny (Maiocco)

Mailbag: Will 49ers pursue veteran Allen? (ESPN)

49ers tender restricted free-agent Dobbs (Maiocco)

49ers Install NFL's First Collapsible Field Goal Posts (49ers)

49ers Decisions on Whitner, Brown Affect Draft (49ers)