The San Francisco 49ers signed punter Tom Rouen on Thursday and waived Tom Malone. Rouen, a 14-year veteran, averaged 41.6 yards on 62 punts for Seattle last season. He averaged 50.2 yards per punt in the Seahawks' 21-10 loss to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. Rouen originally entered the NFL in 1991 with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. He played nine-plus seasons for the Broncos. He has also played for Pittsburgh. Malone originally signed with the 49ers after the draft as a rookie free agent out of USC.

Without much interest from other teams, it appears former 49ers cornerback Ahmed Plummer, who was released after last season, will retire.

Mike Nolan and vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan on Friday both dismissed rumors the 49ers were interested in trading tight end Eric Johnson for Donte' Stallworth. The Internet rumor had Johnson going to the Denver Broncos in a three-way trade in which the Broncos would send disgruntled receiver Ashley Lelie to New Orleans and the Saints would send Stallworth to San Francisco. "Honest to God, that's the first I've heard of it," Nolan said when asked about a trade possibility.

Alex Smith is learning Norv Turner's offense at a very quick pace. "You're going to tailor the offense to your quarterback, and the No. 1 thing about Alex is he's extremely smart," said Turner Thursday, adding that only two former pupils, Troy Aikman and Drew Brees, have learned at Smith's pace.