Niners' Nolan contemplates move for Boston

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Niners' Nolan contemplates move for Boston - but not Rivers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - David Boston is much more likely to end up in a 49ers uniform than Philip Rivers, but rookie coach Mike Nolan isn't ruling out any possible move during the busy days leading up to the draft.

While Nolan's interest in Boston was piqued during an excellent interview with the controversial free-agent receiver Monday, the coach was baffled by reports suggesting the Niners might trade the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft to San Diego for Rivers, the fourth overall pick last spring whose career could be stalled behind Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees.

"I don't know where that came from, but there was no truth to that," said Nolan, who hasn't even spoken to the Chargers. "Unless somebody I work with has not told me the truth, I don't believe any of the people that I rely on (have discussed it)."

Aside from another trip around the NFL rumor mill, Nolan is busy with two big tasks these days: installing his system with his new assistant coaches and players, starting with a voluntary minicamp this weekend, and preparing for the draft with scouting sessions stretching deep into the night.

But Nolan also found time to meet with Boston, whose prodigious talents have been overshadowed by a recent past that includes a four-game suspension for alleged steroid use, team disciplinary problems, a no-contest plea to an assault charge and a major knee injury that forced him to miss all of last season.

But Boston enjoyed the best seasons of his career in Arizona while playing for Jerry Sullivan, San Francisco's new receivers coach -- and the 49ers desperately need a big-play receiver, particularly someone with Boston's talents and motivation to get back on track.

"I was very impressed," Nolan said. "Having never met the guy, I expected a whole different guy. He might be a different guy because of the last two years he's had in his life. He's been injured. He hasn't performed like he's expected to be. That does humble people."

Tight end Eric Johnson led the 49ers with 82 receptions last season, and second-leading wideout Cedrick Wilson signed with Pittsburgh. But Nolan, who has the final say on all of the 49ers' personnel decisions, doesn't expect to sign Boston any time soon, probably waiting until after the draft to decide.

Nolan also acknowledged concerns about the rumors of steroid use surrounding the eccentric Boston, who caught 169 passes for 2,754 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Cardinals from 2000-01.

Boston, who lost $1.34 million during his four-game suspension last season, denied using steroids in December, criticizing the NFL for using "lower standards of reliability in its testing criteria."

"It was something we talked about. I asked him about it," Nolan said. "One of the big concerns I had with it was, does he understand that it does have possibly something to do with when you get injured? You put the things in your body, and it can affect your performance in maybe a positive way, but it can also cause injuries sometimes. We talked about it, and he didn't shy away from the truth."

A phone call to Mitch Frankel, Boston's agent, wasn't returned Tuesday.

While waiting to make a decision on Boston, the 49ers also must decide who will be throwing to their receivers next season. Tim Rattay started nine games last season, but the 49ers have informally discussed trading him, signing a veteran quarterback or installing potential No. 1 picks Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith as their starter next season.

"I'd be a liar to say we don't talk about a lot of crazy things," said Nolan, who has received inquiries from other teams about Rattay's availability.

Rodgers and Smith will visit Santa Clara soon, along with Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards and a handful of other candidates to be the top pick in the wide-open draft field.

Nolan is pleased with attendance at voluntary workouts leading up to the weekend minicamp. Most of the 49ers, who went 2-14 under coach Dennis Erickson last season, have been lifting weights at their training complex, and all but a handful will be at the voluntary camp.

Among the absentees will be fullback Fred Beasley, whose wife is due to give birth to a child in Atlanta; right tackle Scott Gragg, who's expected to be cut after June 1; and cornerback Jimmy Williams, a free agent who's still shopping himself to other teams.

Linebacker Julian Peterson, center Jeremy Newberry and defensive end Andre Carter will attend, but won't practice because of injuries, while the 49ers aren't sure whether defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga will be there.

Sopoaga, who missed all of his rookie season with a back injury, has missed the last three days of workouts, and the 49ers haven't been able to contact him. Sopoaga's agent, Ken Zuckerman, also wasn't sure where Sopoaga had gone.

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