Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
49ers likely faced with decision: Cox or Culliver?
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, February 26, 2015 - 7:45am
Follow @maioccocsn

The 49ers’ top two cornerbacks from last season are both scheduled for free agency. It seems likely one can be re-signed and one will not.

The organization appears confidentthat Tramaine Brock, who entered last season as the team’s top cornerback, can return to his 2013 form next season. He played about a dozen healthy snaps all season.

Brock exited the season opener with “turf toe,” then was ineffective when he tried to return six weeks later against the Denver Broncos. Brock saw action in just three games, finishing the season on the sideline with a hamstring injury.

Brock led the 49ers with five interceptions and 15 passes broken up in 2013. The most likely cornerback to start on the other side is Perrish Cox, who led the 49ers last season with five interceptions and 18 passes defensed.

Cox said this week there is nothing going on with a possible 49ers contract extension. But league sources indicate he will likely be more affordable than Chris Culliver, who is also scheduled for free agency.

Cox, 28, started 14 games last season. It was the most he played in his career, and the first time he started since his rookie season of 2009 with the Denver Broncos. Cox bounced around the previous two seasons with the 49ers. But if Cox hits the open market, it's possible the Chicago Bears will be interested. Cox excelled under secondary coach Ed Donatell, whom he knew from his time with the Broncos. Donatell and former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are now with the Bears.

Culliver, 26, had a strong bounce-back season after missing all of 2013 with a torn ACL sustained in training camp. Culliver had four interceptions and 15 passes defensed while starting a career-high 14 games.

[RELATED: Eagles' free-agent targets may include Philly native Culliver]

A third-round draft pick in 2011, Culliver is expected to get some attention on the free-agent market. However, there are some off-field concerns with Culliver. A hearing in Santa Clara County Superior Court last Wednesday established a future court date for Culliver, who was charged with felony possession of brass knuckles and two misdemeanors in a collision with a bicyclist in San Jose in March.

[RELATED: New court date set for 49ers' Culliver in felony case]

The 49ers are not likely to re-sign both cornerbacks. The 49ers have salary-cap concerns that will force them to make some choices. OverTheCap.com lists the 49ers as $3.787 million under the projected salary cap, while Spotrac.com has the 49ers as $1.577 million under.

[RELATED: 49ers up against projected salary cap]

In addition to Jimmie Ward, who returns for his second season as the team's nickel back, three cornerbacks from the 2014 draft class -- Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser -- remain under contract to the 49ers. Johnson ended up playing a lot as a rookie. Acker had an impressive training camp before going on injured reserve with a stress fracture in his foot. Reaser spent the entire season on the non-football injury list after undergoing two ACL surgeries. 

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Karl: 'Basketball I.Q. in fourth quarter wasn't good'
Highlights: Kings outlasted by Spurs at home
McCallum: 'Just some areas on defense we need to clean up'
YSTL: Too late for Sharks to make playoff push?

Giants

Young Giants duo confident after playing key role in 2014
Giants spring training Day 10: Pagan misses another workout
Lincecum flashes 'deceptive' stuff while facing Giants hitters
Giants spring training showdown: Bumgarner vs. Pence
Read More

Athletics

A's spring training Day 8: OF reinforcements to rescue
Report: A’s talking with free agent OF Dayan Viciedo
Coco Crisp creates his own mobile game
A's place Griffin on DL, claim OF Hassan from Orioles
Read More

Sharks

Sharks showing signs of unraveling with 20 games left
Sharks' Couture fined for slew-footing Red Wings' Smith
Sharks will have chance at top prospect if they miss playoffs
Shot of the Game: Flashback to 1994 playoffs
Read More

49ers

Johnson's future with 49ers uncertain
Report: Iupati drawing 'strong interest' from two teams
Cardinals release longtime DT, captain Dockett
49ers must address questions on offensive line
Read More

Raiders

Gruden's 1998 Raiders minicamp playbook
Raiders expected to make more veteran roster cuts
Raiders to release SS Tyvon Branch
Bay Area teams can't resist Twitter llama madness
Read More

Warriors

Rewind: Draymond fuels Warriors' defensive intensity
Ezeli could face fine, suspension after scuffle in Toronto
Shots of the Game: Warriors hold Raptors to 11 points
Instant Replay: Warriors bounce back, embarrass Raptors
Read More

NCAA

Stanford explodes in second half, takes down Oregon State
Saint Mary's cruises at San Francisco
Pacific uses free throws to top Santa Clara
Cal stumbles in second, snaps 12-game win streak against Oregon
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Young Giants duo confident after playing key role in 2014
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

Lincecum faces batters, shows curveball 'has some bite'
Lincecum faces batters, shows curveball 'has some bite'
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's spring training Day 8: OF reinforcements to rescue
(1)
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

A's spice things up with situational hitting competition
A's spice things up with situational hitting competition
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks showing signs of unraveling with 20 games left
(36)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

YSTL: Too late for Sharks to make playoff push?
YSTL: Too late for Sharks to make playoff push?
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks showing signs of unraveling with 20 games left
  • Sharks' Couture fined for slew-footing Red Wings' Smith
  • Sharks will have chance at top prospect if they miss playoffs
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Draymond fuels Warriors' defensive intensity
(8)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Western Conference too tough for Warriors?
YSTL: Western Conference too tough for Warriors?
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Instant Replay: Shorthanded Kings stumble late vs. Spurs
(1)
Bill Herenda

Kings Video

Karl: 'Basketball I.Q. in fourth quarter wasn't good'
Karl: 'Basketball I.Q. in fourth quarter wasn't good'
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Johnson's future with 49ers uncertain
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Bill Walsh's mission of diversity impacted NFL, Stanford football
Bill Walsh's mission of diversity impacted NFL, Stanford football
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Johnson's future with 49ers uncertain
  • Washington signs Jean Francois, reunites with GM McCloughan
  • 49ers likely faced with decision: Cox or Culliver?
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Gruden's 1998 Raiders minicamp playbook
(4)
CSN Bay Area staff

RAIDERS VIDEO

Napoleon Kaufman still brings crowd to its feet on Sundays
Napoleon Kaufman still brings crowd to its feet on Sundays
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign Portuguese defender Paulo Renato
CSN Bay Area staff

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

JOE STIGLICH

A's spring training Day 8: OF reinforcements to rescue
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Giants spring training Day 10: Pagan misses another workout
(14)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Johnson's future with 49ers uncertain
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders expected to make more veteran roster cuts
(25)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Draymond fuels Warriors' defensive intensity
(8)
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Instant Replay: Shorthanded Kings stumble late vs. Spurs
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks showing signs of unraveling with 20 games left
(36)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Provoked LeBron James trumps Pavel Datsyuk

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

SATURDAY NIGHT ON ICE SHARKS POSTER!

more

Click here to find out how to win a Sharks collectors edition poster!

AUTHENTIC FAN THURSDAY

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



NCAA

Cal stumbles in second, snaps 12-game win streak against Oregon
San Jose State handled by De Ciman, Colorado State 72-56

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Karl: 'Basketball I.Q. in fourth quarter wasn't good'
Karl: 'Basketball I.Q. in fourth quarter wasn't good'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Bill Herenda - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California