ESPN.com has learned that the 49ers reached agreement with Frank Gore on a four-year contract extension through 2011, with the deal averaging just shy of $7 million in terms of so-called "new money." Gore will receive an initial signing bonus of $6.5 million and total guarantees of nearly $14 million. The contract will pay Gore $13.862 million in its first two seasons and $18.212 million in the first three years. Because Gore had one season remaining on his original rookie contract, the four-year extension creates a five-year deal, and the total value over the course of the five seasons is $28.012 million. Base salaries are $450,000 (for 2007), $2.5 million (2008), $2.5 million (2009), $2.85 million (2010) and $2.9 million (2011). The contract includes a $4.165 million option bonus and roster bonuses of $1.75 million (2009), $1.85 million (2010) and $2 million (2011). Gore's full base salary of $2.5 million in 2009 is guaranteed.

The 49ers didn't just lure five potential starters to their team with their recent $40 million free-agent haul. They bought themselves plenty of positive vibes, too. And probably no one is feeling more optimistic than quarterback Alex Smith. "To see the organization step up and make some moves to help out this team I really kind of feel we are all going in the same direction and all want the exact same thing," said Smith, speaking after his workout on the first day of the 49ers' 16-week offseason program. "It feels good. It makes you feel like you are part of something. It's a much different feeling than when I first arrived here."

Linebacker Colby Bockwoldt signed with the 49ers on Monday. Bockwoldt played mostly on special teams for the Titans last season after two years with the Saints, starting 16 games in 2005. The Titans and the Steelers also hoped to sign him, but Bockwoldt chose to reunite with 49ers special teams coordinator Al Everest, his coach in New Orleans for two years.

Mike Nolan has a plan to help fix pass interference calls that unfairly favor the offense. His plan would let officials decide if a penalty should result in a 15-yard penalty or a harsher, spot of the foul penalty. The current rules state that a defensive pass interference penalty rewards the offense with the ball at the spot of the foul or at the one yard line if the penalty happens in the end zone. Nolan, a former defensive back, points out that with the subjectivity of pass interference calls, it pushes offensive coaches into calling plays that simply try to draw penalties. "You'll see them drop back and throw it vertical," Nolan told the Sacramento Bee. "They'll overthrow the play; they just want the penalty."

Cornerback Walt Harris completed a two-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. Harris, an 11-year veteran who earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl in his first season with the 49ers, led the NFC with eight interceptions. The extension keeps Harris with San Francisco through 2009.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus said he expects talks with the 49ers over a new contract for Frank Gore to "heat up" in the next few days. Those sentiments came shortly after Rosenhaus negotiated a six-year deal worth in excess of $32 million for Willis McGahee, traded from the Bills to the Ravens on Thursday. McGahee was the third client of Rosenhaus to receive a new deal in the past week. Fred Taylor signed an extension with the Jaguars on March 1 and Thomas Jones got a new deal after being traded by the Bears to the Jets on Tuesday. "Obviously, [contract talks for Gore have] to heat up after where the market has gone the past week for running backs," Rosenhaus said. All three deals were worth at least $20 million. The pacts were among 14 Rosenhaus negotiated or restructured for players in the last week. "You'd like to think that a deal for Frank is imminent," Rosenhaus said.

Punter Andy Lee will stay with the 49ers, who matched the Steelers' contract offer to the restricted free agent on Thursday. Lee, who played in college at Pitt, agreed to a six-year contract worth more than $7 million with the Steelers on Monday. The 49ers quickly matched the deal for Lee, who has spent each of his three pro seasons with San Francisco.

The Saints agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent tight end Eric Johnson on Wednesday. Johnson, with the 49ers the last six years, will compete for playing time with Mark Campbell and recently re-signed Billy Miller.

The Steelers on Tuesday signed restricted free agent punter Andy Lee to an offer sheet. The 49ers have seven days to match the offer by the Steelers. If they fail to match, they would receive a sixth-round pick from the Steelers in April's draft.

The 49ers added their fourth potential starter to their defense by reaching an agreement Tuesday with Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. Terms of the deal weren't immediately available.