NFL: 49ers Sign Former Raven DT Franklin; Re-Sign WR Gilmore

Franklin will reunite with another one of his Ravens defensive linemen in 49ers veteran Marques Douglas.

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SAN FRANCISCO - The 49ers continued to supplement its roster by signing unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin from the Baltimore Ravens.

The signing of Franklin at 6-1, 320 pounds indicates that defensive coordinator Greg Manusky will likely run head coach Mike Nolan's preferred 3-4 defensive scheme.

Each of the last two seasons Nolan installed the 3-4, but due to injuries the defense wound up falling into more of a 4-3 front.

“Aubrayo is an aggressive, physical lineman who fits the description of a prototypical nose tackle in a 3-4 defense,” said Nolan.

“He brings tremendous value to our football team. He was extremely well coached during his time in Baltimore, and he played a key role in the success that the Ravens’ defenses had over the last several seasons.”

Franklin bit on the opportunity to come to San Francisco based on his relationship with Nolan who served as his defensive coordinator for his first two years in the NFL.

“My decision was driven because of my relationship with Coach Nolan and because of the chance to play in a defense that I’m familiar with,” said Franklin. “Coach Nolan was big for me my first couple of years. He kept motivating me to keep getting better.”

Franklin will also reunite with another one of his Ravens defensive linemen in 49ers veteran Marques Douglas.

“Marques helped me out my first year,” said Franklin. “He took me underneath his wings and showed me the ins and outs. It’ll be good to play back with Marques.”

A five-year veteran, Franklin has played in 36 games in his career.

An aggressive, physical lineman with good instincts, Franklin was selected with the 146th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft from Tennessee.

He played in 14 contests and the Ravens one playoff game and finished the 2006 season with 23 tackles and one pass defensed.

“Nose tackles are blue collar guys,” said Franklin. “We just come to work, bring our lunch pail every day and work hard.”

As a nose tackle, Franklin’s job is to primarily plug up the middle of the offensive line in order to free up the linebackers to make plays.

Given the additional help from yesterday’s secondary acquisitions of Nate Clements and Michael Lewis, Franklin expects the 49ers defense to get after the quarterback in ’07.

“Adding those guys into the mix, a shutdown corner like Nate, those guys can hold the receivers down,” said Franklin. “I’ll take on double teams and try to occupy those guys up front and it should give us an opportunity to get sacks.”

After signing his contract on Saturday, Franklin addressed local media via conference call and then hurried to catch a flight back home to Tennessee, but he’ll be back in a few weeks for the start of the 49ers off-season program.

“It's very important for me to be here,” said Franklin. “Coach Nolan said about 90 percent of the guys come in. It helps build unity with the team too. It’s not just to get physically ready for the season.”

In addition, the 49ers re-signed wide receiver Bryan Gilmore. Gilmore (6-1, 193) joined the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent last season.

He played in all 16 games with three starts and finished the year with eight receptions for 1550 yards and one touchdown.

He also had seven rushing attempts for 94 yards including a key 20-yard reverse play that set kicker Joe Nedney up for the overtime game-winning field goal in the 49ers season finale against the Broncos.

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