Cleveland native Boone holding out, former Browns CB Wright retires
The San Francisco 49ers opened their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and three players were missing, two with Cleveland ties.
Offensive lineman Alex Boone, a Cleveland native, is holding out in hopes of securing a new contract. And former Browns cornerback Eric Wright has decided to retire.
Boone, a starting guard for the 49ers the last two seasons, is one of two key offensive players absent from the minicamp. The other is Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis.
"I'm disappointed in that decision, for them not to be here," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "There is a voluntary segment to the offseason and we appreciate those guys volunteering to make the team better. And now, it's mandatory...not the decision I envisioned being the 49er way. Really, nothing more to be said about it."
Wright was drafted by the Browns in the second round in 2007, on the same day the Browns selected Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn. He played four seasons in Cleveland and also played in Detroit and Tampa Bay before joining the 49ers, his hometown team, last season.
"Playing was the fulfillment of a childhood dream, but as I prepared for the coming season, I realized that I no longer had the same passion I once had for the game," Wright said in a statement. "The San Francisco 49ers have given me an amazing opportunity to play for the team I grew up rooting for, and I owe the York family, my coaches, and my teammates tremendous gratitude. I will be forever grateful to all of the franchises I was lucky enough to play for, and look forward to beginning the next phase of my life, and spending more time with my family."
In 92 career games (81 starts), Wright registered 371 tackles and 15 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. He also recorded five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, one sack and 72 passes defensed during his seven-year career.
