Dreams of Jim Harbaugh changing almost a decade of ineptitude over night for San Francisco 49ers appear to quickly be turning into a Dennis Erickson-esque nightmare.
After losing key free agents David Bass and Takeo Spikes, the 49ers were dealt a series of bad news ahead of the opening of training camp Friday.
First, the team re-signed Alex Smith, which was not welcome news for many fans. But the real surprise came when star running back Frank Gore decided to skip training camp to hold out for a new contract.
Thursday fans were dealt another blow when notorious wideout Michael Crabtree was placed on the PUP list with a foot injury. He may be out as much as six weeks and now the 49ers are forced to look for a star wide out.
The team tried Wednesday to land Chad Ochocinco from the Cincinnati Bengals but the New England Patriots were able to outbid the 49ers.
The one glimmer of hope fans had that the 49ers were going to try and do something big was the report that they were one of two finalists to land the prize of free agency, Raiders All Pro defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha.
But former Raiders executive and close Harbaugh friend, Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network, reported Friday that the 49ers are "telling people" they have dropped out of the running to sign Asomugha.
The 49ers must add starting corner back back to a list of needs that includes a center, wide receiver, a possible running back and middle linebacker.
