Sims Chooses 49ers Over Rams, Ravens, Pats

Choosing to stay in the Bay area, free agent offensive lineman Barry Sims signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. The Patriots will move on, possibly adding another lineman closer to camp.

The quest to land free agent Barry Sims has ended. After traveling around the country during his free agency tour, Sims opted to sign close to home, with the San Francisco 49ers.

Sims, 33, agreed to a two-year deal with the 49ers on Monday. The free agent lineman was released by the Oakland Raiders earlier this off-season. The 10-year veteran visited with the Ravens, Rams and the Patriots recently. After ruling out New England, the decision came down to where Sims felt he would get a legitimate shot to land a role as a starter.

"Barry feels like the 49ers are going to give him a real, honest-to-goodness opportunity," Sims agent Ken Vierra told the Mercury News. "They've been very straight with him right from the beginning: 'You will get a chance here.' "

Sims battled for the starting role in Oakland the past two seasons. After being moved to guard in 2006, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Utah product suffered an injury and was placed on injured reserve. He returned to the left tackle position in 2007, starting all 16 games.

Signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 1999, Sims spent his entire career in Oakland. He has started 119 of 136 games overall for the Silver and Black.