NFL: 49ers sign tackle Pashos
By Daniel Brown
San Jose Mercury News
After searching the waiver wire for Marvel Smith’s replacement, the 49ers on Monday announced the signing of tackle Tony Pashos, who was recently cut loose by Jacksonville.
Pashos, listed at 6-foot-6, 326 pounds, started all 16 games at right tackle without missing a snap for the Jaguars last season. Overall, he has 54 starts in 69 career games.
To make room on the 53-man roster, the 49ers waived linebacker Diyral Briggs, the undrafted rookie who had played his way onto the team with a strong training camp.
Pashos, 29, was a fifth-round pick out of Illinois for the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. He spent four seasons in Baltimore and was part of an offensive line that allowed a franchise-low 17 sacks in 2006.
He signed with Jacksonville on the first day of free agency in 2007. A year ago, teammates selected him as a Byron “Whizzer” White Award winner for his commitment to team and community.
But the Jaguars waived him Saturday, with the NFL Network reporting that Pathos declined a pay cut. He was scheduled to make $4.3 million this season, which was too steep a price for a team that is facing potential TV blackouts this season.
Moreover, Pathos was being moved to guard after Jacksonville drafted tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton and signed veteran Tra Thomas.
The 49ers are happy to give him a shot. Smith, a nine-year veteran, recently retired because of chronic back problems. Adam Snyder is in line to start, but the team is thin at tackle.