49ers make room for Briggs by cutting Smith

The San Francisco 49ers made official this week what became clear throughout last season: They are going young at linebacker. That means 33-year-old Derek Smith is out and 26-year-old Lance Briggs could well be in. The San Francisco 49ers made official this week what became clear throughout last season: They are going young at linebacker. That means 33-year-old Derek Smith is out and 26-year-old Lance Briggs could well be in. Smith started 14 games for the 49ers last season, but Patrick Willis was the leader of the unit -- even as a rookie. And with youngsters like Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson and Tully Banta-Cain, Smith became the old man out. "Decisions like this are a difficult part of a great business," coach Mike Nolan told reporters after the 49ers cut Smith on Tuesday. "Derek has been an important member of the 49ers, and you don't make these kinds of decisions without battling the emotion that is natural when you are dealing with a player that has done so much for your ... (link)