Wednesday, July 30, 2003
The team also signed five more of their draft picks.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- First-round draft pick Kwame Harris signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, moments after the opening practice of training camp.
The offensive tackle from Stanford agreed to a seven-year contract worth $8.939 million. The deal has two voidable years and includes a $3.6 million signing bonus.
Harris spent the first morning of training camp on the terrace at the 49ers' complex, watching his teammates work out while his contract was typed.
He hadn't participated in any workouts with the 49ers since their opening minicamp in May, but he joined the team for the afternoon practice.
"It's great to get this out of the way," Harris said. "I realize it's a business. There's a lot of stuff I don't understand -- and quite frankly, I don't care to -- but it's good to get back to playing football again."
Later, he walked around the locker room lugging his hefty play book.
"It's a ton," he said with a grin.
The future is bright
Harris, who left Stanford early but finished spring classes at the school, will get immediate experience with the 49ers' starting linemen.
Incumbent left tackle Derrick Deese was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list as he recovers from offseason leg surgery. Until Deese returns, Harris will take his place.
"He's the future at left tackle and on our offensive front," coach Dennis Erickson said. "I'm really glad he only missed one practice, because it's very important for him to keep up with what's going on. We're not sure when Derrick is going to get back."
Harris, a music major at Stanford, has big plans for much of his newfound wealth. He plans to make a donation to the athletic department at his Delaware high school, and he will endow a full athletic scholarship at Stanford.
He also will create a foundation dedicated to supporting AIDS patients, among other causes.
Thursday, the 49ers signed five draft choices on Thursday.
Other rookies sign
The 49ers signed defensive tackle Anthony Adams, a second-round pick from Penn State, to a five-year deal with a voidable year.
Defensive end Andrew Williams, their third-round pick from Miami, got a three-year contract. Financial terms weren't immediately available.
Former Illinois receiver Brandon Lloyd signed a three-year contract with a $277,000 signing bonus.
Aaron Walker, a former Florida tight end, got a three-year deal with a $107,500 signing bonus.
Arnaz Battle, the former Notre Dame quarterback-turned-receiver, signed a three-year deal with a $58,000 signing bonus.
On Wednesday, the 49ers signed seventh-round pick Ken Dorsey -- the prolific former Miami quarterback -- to a three-year deal.