Free agency doesn’t begin until March 12, but that’s not stopping NFL scribes and pundits from looking at the best players soon to be available.

In the case of NFL.com’s Adam Schein, the most underrated free agents came into greater focus in a recent post. The respected columnist listed his top-nine underrated free agents with 49ers Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro safety Dashon Goldson coming in at No. 3.

Goldson, a two-time Pro Bowler in consecutive seasons, recorded nine tackles in Super Bowl XLVII. It’s hard to believe a first-team All-Pro would be underrated, but Schein believes the 49ers defensive star power covers up Goldson’s impact play. After the season concluded, Jim Harbaugh made it clear that the 49ers want their 28-year-old safety around long-term.

Schein believes that’s the right train of thought.

“Goldson was the San Francisco 49ers’ ‘franchise player’ last year, so chances are he won’t be slapped with the tag again, as that would force the Niners to shell out a gigantic one-year raise,” wrote Schein, who voted for Goldson to be a first-team All-Pro. “Goldson wants a long-term commitment from San Francisco, and he has earned it.”

Goldson’s situation will be one to monitor when free agency talk heats up in the coming weeks.

Colin Kaepernick recently attended the Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards and conducted several red carpet interviews. The 49ers quarterback also had time to impersonate another popular internet meme with US Olympic star Mckayla Maroney.

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes the Chargers should emulate the 49ers and Greg Roman’s offensive innovation.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee examines six of the top defensive linemen headed to the 2013 NFL Draft.

Matt Bowen of the National Football Post is eager to see how the quarterbacks perform at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com breaks down the combine quarterbacks with the most to gain in Indianapolis.

49ers Hall of Fame wide receiver Dwight Clark recently preached the importance of healthy eating to a local middle school.

49ers.com shared the best photos taken in 2012 by team photographer Terrell Lloyd.

TWEET ABOUT IT

Offseason…what offseason? There is no offseason! Day 2, getting better, boxing after lift #workwins #49ers #niners http://t.co/FfY4OwNX—
Chad Hall (@chadhall16) February 07, 2013

Work wins.

The Harbaugh brother talk has officially started, but it hasn’t reached overdrive just yet. There’s still plenty of other storylines to dissect as the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens embark on Super Bowl XLVII preparations.

For starters, Colin Kaepernick’s role on the 49ers offense is one to discuss. Furthermore, Kaepernick’s strong relationships with his teammates is quite remarkable after considering he will make start No. 10 in the biggest singular game in professional sports.

The respect Kaepernick’s teammates have already shown the second-year player was recently noted by ESPN.com’s Ashley Fox.

“There’s the conflict Kaepernick creates for opponents, and then there is the love that his teammates have for him,” Fox wrote. “It was obvious when (Frank) Gore interrupted Kaepernick’s postgame news conference, answering a question for him.

‘He can do whatever.’ Gore said. ‘He’s a hard worker. He’s a different quarterback, how he takes pride and leads us. He’s started [nine] games. Hey, he’s football. If it weren’t for him, it would’ve been a tough game for us.’

Gore looked at Kaepernick and added, ‘You deserve it.’”

It’s not hard to see why the second-year player has earned such praise from veterans.

After leading the 49ers to a 28-24 comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC title game, Kaepernick finished his second come-from-behind postseason win completing 76.2 percent of his passes, good for the third-best single-game outing in 49ers postseason history.

Kaepernick has already showcased maturity and poise and enters Super Bowl XLVII with seven regular starts, tied for the third fewest for a starting quarterback to reach the Super Bowl in NFL history.

John Clayton of ESPN.com discussed key storylines to Super Bowl XLVII and dished out three game balls for championship weekend, including one to 49ers punter Andy Lee.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reviewed San Francisco’s defensive efforts against Atlanta, plus shared Jim Harbaugh’s comments on facing his brother and David Akers remaining as the 49ers kicker.

Michael Rosenberg of SI.com took an extensive look at the Harbaugh family dynamic.

Chris Burke of SI.com offered an early Super Bowl preview.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee explained why Chad Hall saw action in Sunday’s game over A.J. Jenkins.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle also examined Harbaugh’s comments on facing his older sibling in the Super Bowl.

49ers.com shared NFC Championship Game notes, plus detailed Harbaugh’s initial thoughts on facing the Ravens in New Orleans.

TV49’S CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

One fan brought this #QuestforSix banner to Atlanta. How many will we see in New Orleans? #SB47 instagr.am/p/Uy1itHCehh/—
San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 22, 2013

Who’s going to the Superdome on Feb. 3?

Hall (5-8, 187) was originally signed to the 49ers practice squad on November 27 and later released on December 15. He was re-signed to the practice squad on December 17.

Hall entered the league as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 11, 2010. He was later released by the Eagles on September 4, 2010 and signed to Philadelphia’s practice squad a day later. The Eagles promoted Hall to the active roster on October 10, 2010, and he went on to play in eight games (one start).

After being released by Philadelphia on September 3, 2011, Hall was added to the team’s practice squad the next day. He joined the Eagles active roster again on November 16, 2011, and played in the final seven games of the season. In two seasons with the Eagles, he caught 14 passes for 135 yards (9.6 average) and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries. Hall was released by the Eagles on August 31, 2012.

Hall will wear #14.

The San Francisco 49ers announced they have re-signed WR Chad Hall to the practice squad.

Hall (5-8, 187) was originally signed to the 49ers practice squad on November 27 and later released on December 15.

Hall entered the league as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 11, 2010. He was later released by the Eagles on September 4, 2010 and signed to Philadelphia’s practice squad a day later. The Eagles promoted Hall to the active roster on October 10, 2010, and he went on to play in eight games (one start).

After being released by Philadelphia on September 3, 2011, Hall was added to the team’s practice squad the next day. He joined the Eagles active roster again on November 16, 2011, and played in the final seven games of the season. In two seasons with the Eagles, he caught 14 passes for 135 yards (9.6 average) and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries. Hall was released by the Eagles on August 31, 2012.

The 49ers will head to New England on Friday afternoon with heavy hearts following the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

Both teams feature two of the best football minds in the game in Jim Harbaugh and Bill Belichick. As Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group noted, both Harbaugh and Belichick have respect for each other.

“During Harbaugh’s 15-year playing career, he opposed a Belichick-led team only once,” Inman wrote. “Although Harbaugh’s Indianapolis Colts lost 21-14 at home to Belichick’s Cleveland Browns in 1994, Harbaugh passed for 194 yards — and ran for a career-high 63 yards.”

Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle labeled the Patriots matchup as a measuring stick for the 49ers.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee previews the big contest between AFC and NFC heavyweights.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle examined the fast-paced New England offense.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com discussed the history between Aldon Smith and Patriots tackle Nate Solder.

Monte Poole of the Bay Area News Group wrote that Greg Roman has a big opportunity to shine on the primetime stage.

Inman shared the story of the wristbands being passed around by the defense.

Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com noted the quality rushing attack of New England.

Tom E. Curran of CSNNewEngland.com shared comments from Tom Brady regarding fellow Michigan man Harbaugh.

Maiocco spoke to scout team receiver Chad Hall about mimicking Wes Welker in practice.

Barrows passed along comments from Greg Roman about learning the Pistol offense from Nevada coach Chris Ault.

49ers.com’s coverage included a look at Aldon Smith, his charitable efforts, another Throwback Thursday and Roman’s thoughts on the Patriots defense. Scott Kegley and Taylor Price broke down the matchup in the latest Cover 2 presented by AAA and we also brought you press passes from Roman, Vic Fangio and NaVorro Bowman.

TV49′s CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & all those affected by today's unimaginable tragedy in our New England community—
New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 14, 2012

The 49ers join the Patriots in their thoughts for the victims and families of Friday’s tragedy.

There’s a new video posted on NewSantaClaraStadium.com that all 49ers Faithful fans will want to check out.

The video features incredible aerial views of the new Santa Clara Stadium, future home of the five-time Super Bowl champs.

Book your own tour of the new stadium site and learn more about securing a seat in the new building.

Long snapper Brian Jennings explained his background in yoga with ESPNW.com.

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle looked at two ways the 49ers can defeat the Patriots on Sunday night.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News examined Randy Moss’ comments on returning to New England.

Inman also noted Mario Manningham returned to practice on a limited basis.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote about Colin Kaepernick’s experience in bad weather games.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com wrote about Kaepernick taking the same approach while preparing for the Patriots.

Maiocco also looked at Chad Hall’s scout-team role as Wes Welker.

49ers.com looked at Larry Grant’s recent charity work, Mike Iuapti’s Pro Bowl-caliber play, Carlos Rogers’ matchup against Welker in the slot, Bill Belichick and Welker’s conference call comments, Moss’ outlook on facing the Patriots and Kaepernick’s steady development.

TV49’S CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

Just another game for Justin Smith. #TheCowboy instagr.am/p/TLqAvICemI/—
San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 13, 2012

Tough.

The San Francisco 49ers announced they have placed WR Kyle Williams and RB Kendall Hunter on the Injured Reserve List. The team also announced that RB Jewel Hampton has been added to the active roster from the Non-Football Injury List. The team also added WR Chad Hall to the practice squad, and waived S Eddie Whitley from that unit.

Hampton played 26 games (seven starts) for Iowa and Southern Illinois, finishing his collegiate career with 348 carries for 1,698 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 22 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. As a junior at Southern Illinois in 2011, Hampton was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Year.

Hampton was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers on May 4, 2012.  The team placed him on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List on August 27, 2012.

Hall (5-8, 187) was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles on March 11, 2010. He was later released by the Eagles on September 4, 2010 and signed to Philadelphia’s practice squad a day later. The Eagles promoted Hall to the active roster on October 10, 2010, and he went on to play in 8 games (one start).

After being released by Philadelphia on September 3, 2011, Hall was added to the team’s practice squad the next day. He joined the Eagles active roster again on November 16, 2011, and played in the final seven games of the season. In two seasons with the Eagles, he caught 14 passes for 135 yards (9.6 average) and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries. Hall was released by the Eagles on August 31, 2012.

The 26-year old native of Atlanta, GA, attended The Air Force Academy and led the team in both rushing and receiving, as a senior. He spent two years on active duty as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

Whitley had been on the practice squad since November 20, 2012.