STANFORD, Calif. — Fifteen years ago, the 49ers opened free agency in grand fashion, whisking Justin Smith on a helicopter tour around the Bay Area before the defensive tackle downed beers all night with his future defensive coordinator.
John Lynch chuckled Wednesday when asked of the 49ers’ courting process for this year’s top target: another defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave.
There wasn’t much time, you see, to score the biggest coup – or surprise — of the NFL’s free agency window.