The 49ers roster features many homegrown players that have been drafted and developed by the respected front office staff led by general manager Trent Baalke. But San Francisco also features some top-notch free agents which have shaped it into a Super Bowl contender.

As the 2013 free agency period gets off to its frenzied start, 49ers.com takes a look back at some of the biggest impact free agents signed by the franchise in recent history. View a photo gallery of recent 49ers free agent additions and vote for your favorite at the bottom of this post.

Defensive tackle Justin Smith signed with the 49ers before the 2008 season and has earned Pro Bowl invites in the past four seasons, including All-Pro honors in 2011 and 2012. Cornerback Carlos Rogers and Donte Whitner inked deals with San Francisco in time for the 2011 season, helping turn the secondary into one of the league’s most feared groups. Also a part of the 2011 free agent class was experienced center Jonathan Goodwin, who has become a quiet locker room leader in his two seasons with the team. Rounding out the group is receiver Mario Manningham, who signed with the 49ers before the 2012 season but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12.

As the regular season winds down, the 49ers are starting to fill up 2012 award lists and the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Mike Sando of ESPN.com offered his all-NFC West team and listed 11 49ers among the best players in the division.

Among San Francisco’s players on Sando’s list included wideout Michael Crabtree, who is having a career year in his fourth NFL season. 49ers Public Relations director Bob Lange shared this cool photo spread of Crabtree explaining his ability to make sideline catches to ESPN the Magazine reporter Anna Katherine Clemons.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate looks at Justin Smith’s injury, Vernon Davis’ return to practice and more.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com passed along comments from Patrick Willis about the 49ers defense without Smith.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle noted the select company Willis joined in making six straight Pro Bowls to start his career.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote that Willis will look to help fill the void left by Smith.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, Maiocco and Barrows wrote that Davis has been initially cleared by a neurologist.

Branch and Inman also discussed the impact of Smith on the 49ers defense.

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle spotlighted five players who need to step up for the 49ers.

Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus takes a look ahead to the 49ers-Cardinals Week 17 matchup.

Maiocco shared comments from offensive coordinator Greg Roman about the process of calling plays.

49ers.com’s coverage included a look at the star-studded defense, Aldon Smith’s visit with NFL Network, the offense without Mario Manningham and press passes with Roman and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

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My best is always enough. In due time. We need the smash the Cardinals and get ready for this Playoff Run. We need to bring #6 to SF.—
Bam Davis (@AnthonyDavis76) December 28, 2012

Anthony Davis is getting ramped up for the playoffs.

Nine Niners made the 2013 Pro Bowl on Wednesday. However, it is now a goal for those members of the San Francisco 49ers to not play in the game.

Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner all would rather play in the Super Bowl than the league’s annual All-Star game.

Nonetheless, it was still remarkable for the 49ers to send nine players to the Pro Bowl for a second consecutive season. Furthermore, San Francisco led the NFL with nine Pro Bowl selections.

“The 49ers sent two-fifths of their starting offensive line and six members of their defense to the Pro Bowl,” noted ESPN.com’s Mike Sando.

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee examined the nine Pro Bowl selections for San Francisco.

Barrows also looked at the 49ers options to replace injured wideout Mario Manningham.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com noted that the 49ers selections seemingly came in pairs.

Maiocco also checked in with first-round pick A.J. Jenkins who is ready to contribute to the 49ers offense.

49ers.com shared the conference calls from Pro Bowl newcomers A. Smith, Bowman, Whitner and Iupati. We also examined the team’s options after Manningham and the defense’s outlook on facing Arizona with the NFC West on the line.

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I want to thank all the fans, players and coaches that voted me into the Pro Bowl. It's a special honor and I'm truly blessed!—
Patrick willis (@PatrickWillis52) December 27, 2012

6 for 6.

The San Francisco 49ers were defeated 42-13 by the Seattle Seahawks and may have lost Mario Manningham for the rest of the season according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Jim Harbaugh did not offer any specifics on Manningham’s knee injury suffered against the Seahawks when speaking to the media on Monday, but should shed light on the wide receiver’s long-term status when the 49ers coach meets with the media Wednesday afternoon.

If Manningham is out for the postseason run, Randy Moss will likely be inserted in the starting lineup opposite of Michael Crabtree. The veteran wideout has 26 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdown catches on the season. Furthermore, Moss has totaled 11 receptions in Colin Kaepernick’s six starts. 

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle elaborates on Schefter’s report concerning Manningham’s injury.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News looks at Moss’ role with the pending injury news.

Jerrell Richardson of CBS San Francisco covers Patrick Willis’ impact on and off the field.

Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today examines the rooting relationship between Aldon Smith and some of the NFL’s other top pass-rushers.

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Tune in to a special edition of Total Access today (7pm ET) for the unveiling of the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters. on.nfl.com/W52A2D—
NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 26, 2012

Tune in  and see who made the NFL’s All-Star team.

Jim Harbaugh didn’t even need words to affirm the news: A.J. Jenkins could finally step between the lines for some NFL regular season action on Sunday against Miami.

Harbaugh nodded his head on Friday when asked if the first-round pick wideout could see action to help fill the void likely to be left by Mario Manningham. The veteran receiver did not practice this week with a shoulder injury and was listed as doubtful on the final injury report.

“I’ve seen progress from A.J,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been on his assignments. He’s executed well when he’s been out there. So, he’s given great effort. Football rewards that effort.”

Jenkins was picked No. 30 overall by the 49ers in April’s draft after catching 90 passes for 1,276 yards and eight touchdowns at Illinois. The young talent recently told reporters that he feels comfortable at all of the receiver positions, while emphasizing his ability to play in the slot.

Though Manningham will likely be sidelined on Sunday, starting cornerback Tarell Brown – the team’s other biggest health question mark at the beginning of the week – sounded confident he’ll be able to play.

“I’ll be fine,” Brown said Friday. “Just listening to the trainers, doing what’s best for my body and going off what the team wants me to do.”

Brown said his injured hamstring has been nagging him for some time and that he benefitted from sitting out Wednesday’s practice to heal.

“I’ll be ready to go on Sunday,” Brown said.

The 49ers will be trying to bounce back from last week’s tough 16-13 overtime loss at St. Louis. Under the direction of Harbaugh, the 49ers are yet to lose consecutive games, winning all five contests following a defeat since the beginning of 2011.

After each loss, Harbaugh said he noticed the players on his team seem to be “ticked off.”

“Usually when you’re ticked off you’re going to do one of two things,” Harbaugh said, “you’re going to come back and do something about it, or you go cower in the corner and shrivel up in the fetal position. Probably one of those two things is what people do. So, come back, chest somebody up and let’s do something about it.”

Given the amount of top-notch character guys in his locker room, Harbaugh hasn’t been surprised to find out the 49ers respond strong in the face of adversity. Looking forward to Sunday, Harbaugh said it will be tough challenge to establish the run against the Dolphins.

“They’re as good and better in some areas than we’ve faced,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a tremendous front seven, excellent defensive line and a secondary that’s big, athletic, can run.”

The San Francisco 49ers might be approaching a bye week following this week’s Monday Night Football matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, but construction at the new Santa Clara Stadium site will remain constant throughout the 2012 football season.

The 49ers have 12 regular season home games left to be played at Candlestick Park before moving into their future home before the 2014 season. The latest development in the project is the prefabrication of 2,000 concrete sections for the stadium’s treads, risers, steps for seating and various stadium walls. This Tuesday, a 35,000-pound piece of precast concrete will be hoisted to the top of the suite tower and lowered into place. 49ers.com will have all the latest coverage early next week.

As for other stadium developments, Mike Rosenberg of the San Jose Mercury News offers a glimpse into the latest happenings across the street from 49ers headquarters.

While the project remains at a consistent pace, Rosenberg wrote that it can’t be completed any sooner than in time for the 2014 season.

“Even after crews finish the outside structure in December, it’ll take 18 months to put on the finishing touches and pass inspections: six months to test all the fire alarms, two months to run the escalators, 30 days to burn in the lights, two months to grow the playing field,” Rosenberg wrote.

Other note-worthy items from the story include details on the most death-defying act, which will be installing lights on catwalks an estimated 195-feet in the air along a commercial flight path.

Lastly, Rosenberg points out that some of the 500 workers on site where 49ers jerseys every Friday to show their pride in the project and the team.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle previews the 49ers pass-rushing matchup against Arizona’s offensive line.

Branch also shares Alex Smith’s comments on his health and confidence heading into Monday night.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News notes that Joe Staley is the only noticeable absentee from 49ers practice this week.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com notes that Frank Gore and Mario Manningham returned to practice.

49ers.com looked at a pair of Smiths, Aldon and Alex, as they prepare for the Cardinals on Monday night and shared the offensive line’s second John Madden award of 2012.

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Head to the #49ersTeamStore @ Town & Country Village in Palo Alto Saturday. Bring your Stanford Football ticket & receive a 10% discount.—
San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 26, 2012

Jesse Sapolu will also conduct a book signing at the 49ers Team Store in Palo Alto (Sat 5-7 pm, Sun 12-5 pm).

Alex Smith’s had a whirlwind seven-day stretch to say the least.

John Branch of the New York Times summed it up succinctly in a recent story.

“In this, the eighth chapter of The Many Lives of Alex Smith, the San Francisco quarterback leads the league in passer rating, coolly commands a high-scoring offense that sets a single-game yardage record, is deemed such a local celebrity that he tosses the ceremonial first pitch of a baseball playoff series and talks football with the president,” Branch wrote.

The week could get even better if the 49ers quarterback wins the FedEx Air Player of the Week award. And, if he beats the New York Giants this Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along the comments of Giants offensive coordinator Kelvin Gilbride, who believes Justin Smith gets away with defensive holding.

Branch also writes about the 49ers success cramping Harbaugh’s coaching style.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee looks at the chances of Brandon Jacobs making his 49ers debut this Sunday.

CBSSports.com’s Kyle Bonagura shares Jacobs comments about returning to 100-percent health.

FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez looks at the 49ers mindset heading into a NFC title game rematch.

49ers.com looked at Mario Manningham’s recent do-it-all versatility with his new team.

49ers five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis joined the latest Niner Talk podcast.

49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks joined this week’s 49ers.com “Weekly Conversation.”

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We need you #49ersFaithful… Sunday. Candlestick. #SeaOfRed….—
Jed York (@JedYork) October 12, 2012

Wear red, get loud (except with the 49ers have the ball on offense).

Jim Harbaugh doesn’t subscribe to the “breaking camp” theory. Although there won’t be a practice today, the 49ers will conduct a “Mock Game” before departing to Houston for the team’s first preseason road trip.

To get you ready for San Francisco’s matchup with the Texans, check out our latest Niner Talk podcast which features interviews with quarterback Scott Tolzien and Drew Dougherty of Houston Texans TV.

Tolzien discussed Randy Moss’ positive influence on the locker room, as well as his mindset heading into an important preseason game. Tolzien said it’s all about maximizing opportunities. Dougherty also gave perspective on the opponent’s side of things and said the team’s fans are very friendly when it comes to tailgating. In you’re in Houston for the game, put on a smile and they’ll likely pass you some grub.

As for the current state of the 49ers, ESPN.com’s Mike Sando recently filed his Camp Confidential report on the recent developments in Santa Clara.

Sando asks if the strides shown by the 49ers passing game last season were only the start of something greater.

“That question ran through my mind while watching Smith fire passes on time and on target during a recent three-day stay at 49ers training camp. The answer became clearer every time Smith connected with newcomers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, which was frequently. He appeared more accurate, more confident and more in command than I can ever recall seeing Smith during a training camp — or any other time, for that matter.”

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com shared his Thursday practice notes which included an item about practice music. Maiocco: “The 49ers had their final full practice before leaving Friday for an exhibition game against the Houston Texans. There were periods in which the first-team offense and defense worked against scout teams. The 49ers had music — including AC/DC’s “Back in Black” — blaring on the practice field to get the offense some work in noisy conditions.”

Maiocco also shares the story of NFL journeyman Eric Bakhtiari and his quest to land with the 49ers. Maiocco: “From 2008 to 2011, he made stops with San Diego, the 49ers, back to San Diego, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, back to the 49ers, Miami, Kansas City, Cleveland, and back to Kansas City. Through it all, he has suited up for only three regular-season games. The Titans promoted him from the practice squad in 2009 for three games. He did not play any defense, but he was on the field for 47 plays on special teams.”

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee shares Jim Harbaugh’s latest praise for Alex Smith. Barrows: “Last year Alex Smith was elite. This year he’s an expert. This, according to Jim Harbaugh, who today noted Smith’s excellent week of practices and said that the quarterback has mastered the 49ers’ playbook.”

Kevin Lynch of SFGate.com shares what he learned from camp practices, which includes Alex Boone’s encouraging play at right guard.

Peter King of SI.com recently discussed Randy Moss’ potential with the 49ers. King thinks Moss can be a factor early in the season.

49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman recently made an appearance on NFL Network’s Total Access.

49ers.com’s #Camp49 coverage included a practice report, Joe Looney’s latest rookie blog, a look at Rock Cartwright’s all-around contributions and Alex Smith’s press conference video.

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Can't wait to be home this weekend. H-Town bound!—
michael thomas (@mt3much4em) August 16, 2012

Big game for many reasons.

The recent strides of the 49ers passing game has been quite noticeable at 49ers Training Camp presented by HP. But it’s also worth noting that San Francisco’s ground game has been consistent throughout.

The team’s 260 rushing yards against the Minnesota Vikings were the most on the ground of any team in Week 1 of the preseason.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah believes the 49ers can have one of the best rushing attacks in all of football after seeing seven different rushers average more than four yards per carry against the Vikings.

“The 49ers have added several high-profile weapons to their passing attack, but their running game was once again the headliner in a preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings,” Jeremiah wrote.

The running game’s success is due in large part to the camaraderie amongst a tight-knit offensive line. ESPN.com NFC West blogger Mike Sando recently noted the growing relationship between right tackle Anthony Davis and right guard Alex Boone.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com noted Mario Manningham’s strong day of practice that included seven receptions.

Maiocco caught up with undrafted wideout Chris Owusu who continues to impress at 49ers camp. Maiocco: “Owusu made the most of his opportunities on Friday. He played 16 snaps from scrimmage and emerged as the team’s leading receiver with three catches for 35 yards.”

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee has the details on Monday’s most unique play from practice. Barrows: “Colin Kaepernick today completed a pass to Colin Kaepernick. The quarterback’s pass was batted back to him at the line of scrimmage. So Kaepernick took off around the left side of the line for a modest gain.”

49ers.com’s #Camp49 coverage included a practice report, a blog on Boone’s transition to guard, plus, a story and video on Perrish Cox’s impressive play.

TWEET ABOUT IT

"@Wendys: @PatrickWillis52 @Kaepernick7 That's a lot of Wendy's!" Yea it is you should hook the 49ers up—
Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 14, 2012

Colin Kaepernick’s recent tweets caught the attention of a certain fast food chain.

Fresh off the team’s annual Fan Fest event, the 49ers return to Santa Clara for another day of Training Camp presented by HP.

Sunday, however, was certainly a competitive day for the 49ers and one that saw both sides improve. The highlight of the session was the first-team offense’s 92-yard scoring drive to close out the day.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com noted it was a 17-play drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to tight end Konrad Reuland. On the drive, Maiocco noted Smith completed 10-of-11 passes for 79 yards. Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee noted that star players Justin Smith, Frank Gore and Mario Manningham all practiced after sitting out Friday night’s preseason opener.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News shares Donte Whitner’s nickname for improving reserve quarterback Scott Tolzien, “Baby Drew Brees.”

Peter King of SI.com lists Kyle Williams as his Special Teams Player of the Week in his latest MMQB column. King: “Almost seven months after fumbling one punt and muffing another in the NFC title game loss to the Giants, Kyle Williams returned two punts in a sure-handed way for 28 yards.”

Jim Trotter of SI.com recently visited 49ers camp and filed his observation in a training camp postcard report. Trotter: “It’s debatable which construction job is more impressive: the one that has been done to the team’s roster the last half-dozen years, or the one being done next door, where a state-of-the-art stadium is rising from a former parking lot. The 49ers clearly are one of the league’s more talented squads, with a defense that will challenge for the lead in every major statistical category, a kicking game that is second to none, including the one across the bay in Oakland, and an offense that should be upgraded by additions to the passing game.”

49ers.com’s Fan Fest coverage included a practice report, a written recap of the fan’s experience, a blog on Randy Moss’ unique interactions with fans, a video recap of Fan Fest and photos from the event.

Click here to submit photos from Fan Fest.

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Want to send thanks to all of the amazing fans who came out to Candlestick Park for “Fan Fest”.—
Vernon Davis (@VernonDavis85) August 13, 2012

Thanks to everyone who came out to 49ers Fan Fest.