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SAN FRANCISCO -- While chatter has swirled about Jim Harbaughs future with the 49ers in recent weeks, wide receiver Anquan Boldin has secured his status in San Francisco -- and even credited the coach for his decision to come back. Jorge Campos Mexico Jersey . The franchise gave him a few million other reasons, too. The 49ers signed Boldin to a two-year, $12 million contract with $9 million guaranteed Monday, keeping quarterback Colin Kaepernicks top option from last season and one of Harbaughs favourites from hitting free agency. "Hes a guy I had a real good relationship with," Boldin said about Harbaugh on a conference call with reporters. "Me and him were able to talk about anything. And I just like his demeanour, the way he approaches the game. Hes a guy that wants to win. Im the exact same way. So I think we mesh pretty good." Boldin, who was set to become a free agent next week, led San Francisco with 85 catches for 1,179 yards to go with seven touchdowns last season. He was traded from John Harbaughs Ravens to the 49ers in the off-season for a sixth-round pick after helping Baltimore win the Super Bowl. While the salary cap strapped Ravens failed to make the playoffs, the 49ers finished 12-4 during the regular season -- in part because Boldin filled the void created by an off-season torn right Achilles tendon that sidelined Michael Crabtree for the first 11 games. Boldins performances earned him the Bill Walsh Award, given to the team MVP by the coaches. Boldins deal locked up one of San Franciscos top off-season priorities and briefly quieted the questions about Harbaughs future with the 49ers after reports surfaced in recent weeks about the team fielding trade offers for the coach from the Cleveland Browns, a possible rift with general manager Trent Baalke and even problems with players. Boldin said he doesnt pay much attention to NFL news in the off-season because hes focused on his family and charitable foundation and "at this time of year, people grab at whatever." But he admitted hed been following the Harbaugh saga. "When I did hear about it, I kind of laughed," Boldin said. "I dont think anybody in our locker room has an issue with coach Harbaugh. The way our locker room is built, we have an open-door policy. If anybody has a concern or wants to voice their opinion, theyre more than welcome to. "There have been times when we have voiced our concerns as players, and coach Harbaugh has listened to us and taken into consideration how we felt as players. So I dont think theres any rift between players and coaches, particularly coach Harbaugh." Boldins return to San Francisco was not all that surprising. Harbaugh said at last weeks NFL Scouting Combine that the franchise was determined to re-sign the wide receiver, and Boldin had repeatedly said he wanted to come back. The sides hashed out the deal before Boldin could become a free agent for the first time in his 11-year career. "We are pleased that Anquan has chosen to continue his career as a 49er," Baalke said in a statement. "He is a consummate professional whose love and respect for the game provide a tremendous example for all players. Anquan has been a very productive player throughout his career and we look forward to his future contributions to our team and community." Boldins transition to the 49ers seemed seamless. Boldin, now 33 years old, was at his best in his debut for San Francisco when he caught 13 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown in a 34-28 win over Green Bay. He then capped his season with his second-best game with nine catches for 149 yards and a score in a Week 17 win over Arizona that clinched the fifth seed for San Francisco. In three playoff games, Boldin had 16 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers lost in the NFC title game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Boldin, drafted by Arizona in the second round out of Florida State in 2003, played seven seasons for the Cardinals and three for the Ravens. The three-time Pro Bowler has 857 receptions for 11,344 yards and 65 touchdowns in his career, which he believes is far from finished. "Physically, I feel fine," he said. "I feel as if I can play five more years. So thats not a problem for me. I feel great. But well see how it goes." AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this story. Womens Francisco Rodriguez Mexico Soccer Red Jersey . But the left-hander knows that getting to this point -- nearly two years removed from shoulder surgery -- was anything but easy. Chicharito . A year ago, as newly appointed general manager Masai Ujiri bided his time and sat out of a lacklustre 2013 draft, this scenario seemed highly improbable. The Raptors, like every other team in the association, had at least one eye on this years rookie crop, one of the most highly touted and eagerly anticipated ever to enter the league.NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Titans have kicked off their search for a new head coach by interviewing Cincinnati Bengals offensive co-ordinator Jay Gruden. The Titans confirmed Tuesday that Gruden had finished interviewing with general manager Ruston Webster. Gruden has been the Bengals offensive co-ordinator the past three seasons as Cincinnati reached the playoffs each of those years. Gruden interviewed last season with four different teams about head coaching jobs. The Titans are one of five NFL teams still looking for a new coach after firing Mike Munchak after three seasons on Saturday. This is only the teams second coaching search since leaving Texas for Tennessee in 1997, and the first conducted by Webster. Tennessee went 7-9 this season extending a playoff drought to five straight years with the last post-season win back in January 2003. Gruden, who interviewed with Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Arizona and San Diego for head coaching jobs last season, is available to interview now because the Bengals (11-6) lost to San Diego in the wild-card round Sunday. Gruden also is due to interview Wednesday with the Washington Redskins, according to a person with familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not made information on the search public. Javier Hernandez. He played in college at Louisville between 1985 and 1988 before winning four titles in the Arena Football League as a quarterback. He got his start in coaching in Nashville with the then-Nashville Kats in the AFL in 1997 before becoming head coach of the AFLs Orlando Predators where he won two more league titles. Gruden went to work in the NFL in 2002 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an offensive assistant working seven seasons for his brother Jon Gruden. Webster also worked for the Buccaneers during part of that time. The Titans also have asked for permission to talk to Jim Caldwell, the Ravens offensive co-ordinator and former Indianapolis head coach, according to John Wooten. The chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance said Caldwell is expected to interview with Tennessee later this week. Other candidates reportedly include Bengals defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer and Dallas special teams coach Rich Bisaccia. Chargers offensive co-ordinator Ken Whisenhunt and Seahawks defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn also are expected to be candidates but cannot interview while their teams remain in the playoffs. ' ' ' |
