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The Eagles have already lined up one free agent visit with TE/FB James Casey and now have two more. Albert Breer is reporting that 49ers NT Isaac Sopaga will visit the Eagles and is leaning toward signing with them. While Adam Caplan says that his 49ers teammate Ricky Jean-Francois will also visit Philadelphia.
As they transition to a 3-4 defense, NT was an obvious need so the interest in the 2 49ers is understandable. The 330 pound Sopaga is a nose tackle only, while RJF offers some versatility and has played all along the defensive line.
The 31 year old Sopaga has played 8 seasons in the NFLafter being a 4th round pick out of Hawaii in 2004. He's started 71 games over the past 5 seasons for the 49ers.
As for RJF, here's what our 49ers writer David Fucillo (Niners Nation) had to say.
"Ricky Jean Francois has been a versatile utility defensive linemen for the 49ers the last two seasons. During that time in the 49ers 3-4 defense, RJF has spot-started at all three spots. In 2011, he started once in place of LDE Ray McDonald and once in place of nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga. In 2012, he started the final two games of the regular season in place of RDE Justin Smith. The rest of the time, he has gotten a little bit of time at defensive tackle in the nickel."
"The 49ers have gotten him work at nose tackle in the preseason and in practice, but he is generally considered a little bit undersized for the nose tackle role. He was solid in place of Isaac Sopoaga, but he would seem to be better situated in a rotational role, much like his current role with the 49ers. The Packers and Ravens all have reportedly expressed interest in RJF. Personally, I think Green Bay is the best fit outside of San Francisco because of the way they rotate defensive ends. If this turns into any sort of bidding war, I expect the 49ers to let him walk."
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