<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Niners fill big void with WR Bryant Niners fill big void with WR Bryant By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports WriterMarch 13, 2006SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Antonio Bryant needed a new home, a starring role and the chance to build a better image. The San Francisco 49ers' needs were simpler: A top-flight receiver, any top-flight receiver. ADVERTISEMENT They quickly came together Monday when the 49ers signed Bryant to a four-year contract worth about $15 million, acquiring one of the few proven pass-catchers left on the market. Though Bryant sometimes clashed with coaches during his first four NFL seasons with Cleveland and Dallas, he pronounced himself ready to grow along with the 49ers, who went 4-12 last season in coach Mike Nolan's first year. "I understand that the team is young," said Bryant, who will make more than $6.5 million in his first season in San Francisco. "I'm one of those guys who is young and looking for the opportunity to come out here and blossom with something new and fresh. I figure if I was going to start over, this was a perfect opportunity." Bryant was the Browns' leading receiver last season, catching 69 passes for 1,009 yards and four touchdowns. A college star at Pittsburgh, he spent his first two NFL seasons with the Cowboys before blossoming into a dependable receiver in Cleveland. But he drew criticism from coach Romeo Crennel for drops and inconsistency. Bryant also made waves with his temper in Dallas, once getting kicked out of practice for arguing with coach Bill Parcells -- even throwing his sweaty uniform at the coach. "I knew I had some baggage, but all in all I still feel like I (can) come in here and prove that I'm capable of being the receiver they need to be," Bryant said. "I have a fresh canvas, I can definitely paint and what better organization? They've got a lot of great players, (and) it's the home of receivers." Nolan spoke with several of Bryant's former coaches during his four days of pursuing the free agent, and he had two lengthy conversations with Bryant in the hours before his signing. Nolan came away impressed by Bryant's respect for the 49ers' legacy of star receivers, from Jerry Rice to Terrell Owens. "I wanted to hear him talk specifically about a couple of instances they've had," Nolan said. "He talked about how he's matured and the things he's learned. He does get excited about certain things. He wants to get the ball ... and at times maybe hasn't shown that in the best ways." The Niners decided Bryant wasn't a big gamble -- and they were in no position to be picky, either. They traded Brandon Lloyd to the Washington Redskins on Saturday, leaving them with no receivers with significant NFL experience. And two free agents targeted by the 49ers signed with other teams over the weekend: Joe Jurevicius joined the Browns, turning down a more lucrative offer from the 49ers, and Antwaan Randle El went to the Redskins along with Lloyd. Unless the 49ers make another big signing or draft choice, Bryant and oft-injured Arnaz Battle will be quarterback Alex Smith's top two targets going into training camp for an offense that finished last in the NFL last season -- and no matter who else arrives, Bryant should be the featured receiver. "That's certainly the compelling reason why we decided to take this deal," said Bryant's agent, Lamont Smith. "The 49ers were very clear in saying he'd have every opportunity to be (the No. 1 receiver) there. If you look at Antonio's history, his only frustrations have been derivative of not having the opportunity to help his team the way he wanted to." The 49ers lost linebacker Andre Carter to the Washington Redskins on Monday, but the flurry of free-agent signings around the league left Nolan surprisingly confident the 49ers had a chance to re-sign Julian Peterson, their two-time Pro Bowl linebacker who's still on the market while many other high-profile free agents are gone. "I don't know why, (but) I have a sense of being encouraged by all the things that have happened," Nolan said. San Francisco plans to stay active in free agency. Chris Hope, the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting safety who's also a free agent, will visit the 49ers this week, Nolan said.</div>Good signing after the loss to Lloyd. He's a very underrated WR. +1000 yards last season and he is only 25.
