SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Trent Baalke never felt pressured to load up on rookies or sacrifice depth to make one, splashy pick.

With a talented roster expected to challenge for the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers general manager instead built depth and created future flexibility on the final day of the NFL draft.

Baalke still hopes the 49ers also plugged a few holes — and maybe found a hidden gem — in Saturday’s late rounds, selecting guard Joe Looney of Wake Forest, Notre Dame linebacker Darius Fleming, Michigan State free safety Trenton Robinson, offensive lineman Jason Slowey of Western Oregon and defensive end Cam Johnson of Virginia. San Francisco also netted three picks for the 2013 draft.

“It’s all about value,” Baalke said. “We feel good about that depth. It’s about drafting players at the right value, and also making sure that they have a legitimate chance to make this football team.”

Going to back to Friday’s third round, it seemed San Francisco might never draft another player.

The 49ers traded back three straight times from the 92nd pick before moving up to land Looney in the fourth round and 117th overall. San Francisco sent its original fourth-round pick (125th) and a sixth-rounder (196th) to Detroit.

The 6-foot-3, 318-pound Looney started at left guard the last three seasons for the Demon Deacons and — unlike the team’s other picks on the final day — could have an immediate chance to play. San Francisco lost right guard Adam Snyder to Arizona in free agency.

“As impressive an interview as we had at the combine,” 49ers coach Jim Harbugh said of Looney, emphasizing the lineman’s “oomph” and “pizazz” as reasons. “We believe he will be a starter in this league for us.”

Looney has a head start.

He spent part of the off-season working out with former 49ers centre Jeremy Newberry (1998-2006), who knows Looney’s agent, Andy Ross. The practice should speed up Looney’s learning curve in Harbaugh‘s complex version of the West Coast offence.

The pulling guard — a key position in San Francisco’s zone-blocking scheme to attack linebackers — had a left ankle injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and Wake Forest’s pro day. He said Dr. Bob Anderson — the same specialist to perform surgery on Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s right ankle last year — in Charlotte cleared him for running and jumping activities two weeks ago.

“I love pulling around, coming up on linebackers,” said Looney, who can also play centre. “I feel like that’s an offensive lineman’s time to shine.”

Looney’s selection followed a series of trades by San Francisco to add future picks.

Baalke parlayed the original 92th overall pick in the third round into five picks in trades with Indianapolis, Miami and Carolina. In all, that included a pair of sixth-round selections Saturday — one of which was later sent to Detroit — plus a pick in the third, fifth and sixth round in 2013.

The 49ers lost to the eventual champion New York Giants in the NFC title game and figured it best not to overload with late picks who probably won’t make a talented roster this fall anyway.

“We feel like we’re ready to go,” Baalke said, acknowledging the team will sign undrafted free agents in the coming days.

That will include at least a trio of former Stanford players — defensive end Matt Masifilo, wide receiver Chris Owusu and safety Michael Thomas — who Harbaugh recruited while the Cardinal’s coach. Masifilo drove from the nearby campus and signed minutes after the draft ended.

“That’s probably one race and the last race I’ll ever win against Owusu,” said Masifilo, confirming his teammates would soon join. “Coach Harbaugh likes to cut drag. He said it’s a competition to get down here as fast you can.”

Familiarity proved to be a common theme for Harbaugh’s new group.

The 49ers drafted wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois in the first round Thursday before selecting Oregon running back LaMichael James on Friday. James, Looney and Fleming made it three straight players Harbaugh had faced while Stanford’s coach.

Fleming had 55 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble for the Fighting Irish last season. San Francisco has perhaps the NFL’s best linebacker corps with All-Pros Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman and sensational rookie Aldon Smith, among others, but a shortage of outside linebackers. Still, it will be tough for Fleming to find playing time as a rookie beyond special teams.

Even though he will be half a continent away from his native Chicago, Fleming should feel right at home.

He was a college roommate of San Francisco’s Ian Williams, and the two are close friends. Fleming, who wanted to avoid the agony of watching the draft, was stuck in Chicago traffic when Harbaugh called him to deliver the news.

“I was actually rolling pretty well and then once I got the call traffic hit,” Fleming said. “I’m fine with being stuck in traffic now that I’m a 49er.”

In the sixth round, San Francisco took Robinson 180th and Slowey 199th overall.

Robinson had 76 tackles last season and his nine career interceptions are tied for 12th in Michigan State history. Slowey played left tackle for most of his career at Western Oregon but is projected at centre or guard in the NFL.

The 49ers took Johnson in the seventh round and 237th overall. The Virginia defensive end is expected to shift to a pass-rushing outside linebacker in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme in a transition similar to the one Aldon Smith made a year ago.

“It’s a historic day for so many of these young men,” an overenthusiastic Harbaugh said. “But it’s not the end. It’s very much the beginning.”

___

Follow Antonio Gonzalez at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – Trent Baalke never felt pressured to load up on rookies or sacrifice depth to make one, splashy pick.

With a talented roster expected to challenge for the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers general manager instead built depth and created future flexibility on the final day of the NFL draft.

Baalke still hopes the 49ers also plugged a few holes – and maybe found a hidden gem – in Saturday’s late rounds, selecting guard Joe Looney of Wake Forest, Notre Dame linebacker Darius Fleming, Michigan State free safety Trenton Robinson, offensive lineman Jason Slowey of Western Oregon and defensive end Cam Johnson of Virginia. San Francisco also netted three picks for the 2013 draft.

“It’s all about value,” Baalke said. “We feel good about that depth. It’s about drafting players at the right value, and also making sure that they have a legitimate chance to make this football team.”

Going to back to Friday’s third round, it seemed San Francisco might never draft another player.

The 49ers traded back three straight times from the 92nd pick before moving up to land Looney in the fourth round and 117th overall. San Francisco sent its original fourth-round pick (125th) and a sixth-rounder (196th) to Detroit.

The 6-foot-3, 318-pound Looney started at left guard the last three seasons for the Demon Deacons and – unlike the team’s other picks on the final day – could have an immediate chance to play. San Francisco lost right guard Adam Snyder to Arizona in free agency.

“As impressive an interview as we had at the combine,” 49ers coach Jim Harbugh said of Looney, emphasizing the lineman’s “oomph” and “pizazz” as reasons. “We believe he will be a starter in this league for us.”

Looney has a head start.

He spent part of the offseason working out with former 49ers center Jeremy Newberry (1998-2006), who knows Looney’s agent, Andy Ross. The practice should speed up Looney’s learning curve in Harbaugh’s complex version of the West Coast offense.

The pulling guard – a key position in San Francisco’s zone-blocking scheme to attack linebackers – had a left ankle injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and Wake Forest’s pro day. He said Dr. Bob Anderson – the same specialist to perform surgery on Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s right ankle last year – in Charlotte cleared him for running and jumping activities two weeks ago.

“I love pulling around, coming up on linebackers,” said Looney, who can also play center. “I feel like that’s an offensive lineman’s time to shine.”

Looney’s selection followed a series of trades by San Francisco to add future picks.

Baalke parlayed the original 92th overall pick in the third round into five picks in trades with Indianapolis, Miami and Carolina. In all, that included a pair of sixth-round selections Saturday – one of which was later sent to Detroit – plus a pick in the third, fifth and sixth round in 2013.

The 49ers lost to the eventual champion New York Giants in the NFC title game and figured it best not to overload with late picks who probably won’t make a talented roster this fall anyway.

“We feel like we’re ready to go,” Baalke said, acknowledging the team will sign undrafted free agents in the coming days.

That will include at least a trio of former Stanford players – defensive end Matt Masifilo, wide receiver Chris Owusu and safety Michael Thomas – who Harbaugh recruited while the Cardinal’s coach. Masifilo drove from the nearby campus and signed minutes after the draft ended.

“That’s probably one race and the last race I’ll ever win against Owusu,” said Masifilo, confirming his teammates would soon join. “Coach Harbaugh likes to cut drag. He said it’s a competition to get down here as fast you can.”

Familiarity proved to be a common theme for Harbaugh’s new group.

The 49ers drafted wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois in the first round Thursday before selecting Oregon running back LaMichael James on Friday. James, Looney and Fleming made it three straight players Harbaugh had faced while Stanford’s coach.

Fleming had 55 tackles, 3 3/4 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble for the Fighting Irish last season. San Francisco has perhaps the NFL’s best linebacker corps with All-Pros Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman and sensational rookie Aldon Smith, among others, but a shortage of outside linebackers. Still, it will be tough for Fleming to find playing time as a rookie beyond special teams.

Even though he will be half a continent away from his native Chicago, Fleming should feel right at home.

He was a college roommate of San Francisco’s Ian Williams, and the two are close friends. Fleming, who wanted to avoid the agony of watching the draft, was stuck in Chicago traffic when Harbaugh called him to deliver the news.

“I was actually rolling pretty well and then once I got the call traffic hit,” Fleming said. “I’m fine with being stuck in traffic now that I’m a 49er.”

In the sixth round, San Francisco took Robinson 180th and Slowey 199th overall.

Robinson had 76 tackles last season and his nine career interceptions are tied for 12th in Michigan State history. Slowey played left tackle for most of his career at Western Oregon but is projected at center or guard in the NFL.

The 49ers took Johnson in the seventh round and 237th overall. The Virginia defensive end is expected to shift to a pass-rushing outside linebacker in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme in a transition similar to the one Aldon Smith made a year ago.

“It’s a historic day for so many of these young men,” an overenthusiastic Harbaugh said. “But it’s not the end. It’s very much the beginning.”

___

Follow Antonio Gonzalez at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

I have to be honest. I didn’t really think this was a need-based draft for the San Francisco 49ers – and apparently neither did Trent Baalke or Jim Harbaugh. If anything, it was an opportunity to grow deeper at certain positions and if possible, acquire a guard to compete for the starting right guard slot alongside Daniel Kilgore and Alex Boone. The fifth round of the NFL Draft is underway as I type this article, so I won’t give my thoughts on the draft as a whole just yet, but I did want to talk about the 49ers’ second round draft pick, LaMichael James.

As a fan of Stanford – and having dated a girl whose entire family were from Eugene, OR – I got to see and hear a lot about James – and I liked every bit of it. The first thing that popped into my mind when the 49ers drafted him was, “Wow, the actually 49ers just did that.” I was expecting them to take that guard I kept hearing fans say the team needed so badly with the departure of Adam Snyder. But no, the team took the best available player – something the analysts said the 49ers had the amenity of doing.

But once my mind got to work thinking of all the different ways that Jim Harbaugh could use James, I have to admit that they made a good move in my book (let the disagreeing begin). For me, James is a versatile and explosive offensive weapon. He could be most valuable to the 49ers in a Darren Sproles type role, but he has to get better at catching the football in order for that to happen. He can, however, also return kicks and punts, something that hurt the 49ers in the 2011 NFC Championship Game.

I know that most of you are wondering why the 49ers took a running back when they have a roster laden with talent at that position. The 49ers have Kendall Hunter, Frank Gore, Anthony Dixon, and Brandon Jacobs all on their roster, but I would imagine that Dixon may not make the team in 2012. Leaving Jacobs, Gore, Hunter, and now James on the 49ers’ roster. While carrying four running backs may seem a little luxurious, in my opinion James’ versatility makes him a must-have on the roster.

What I’m most excited about though, will be to see him work together with Jim Harbaugh. Both men have stated their eagerness of being on the same team after having opposed each other while Harbaugh was coaching at Stanford and James was playing at Oregon. James loves Harbaugh’s coaching style and Harbaugh says that James is unstoppable in the red zone, as well as in other facets of the running game. In all, James should prove to be a vital asset to Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers. This provides the team with depth and usefulness at a position of importance in the NFL and in the 49ers’ style of football.

How about the rest of you? Do you like LaMichael James being taken in the second round of the 49ers or could the pick have been better utilized?

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

49ers.com. 49ers Select LaMichael James. NFL 2012.

More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

Will San Francisco 49ers’ Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree Explode in 2012? Quote Roundup

The San Francisco 49ers Broke Ground in Santa Clara, What’s Next? Fan Question

San Francisco 49ers’ Worst Draft Picks Since 2000: Fan Breakdown

San Francisco 49ers’ Most Anticipated Matchups of 2012: Fan Reaction

Best San Francisco 49ers’ Draft Picks Since 2000: Fan Opinion

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Trent Baalke never felt pressured to load up on rookies or sacrifice depth to make one, splashy pick.

With a talented roster expected to challenge for the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers general manager instead built depth and created future flexibility on the final day of the NFL draft.

Baalke still hopes the 49ers also plugged a few holes — and maybe found a hidden gem — in Saturday’s late rounds, selecting guard Joe Looney of Wake Forest, Notre Dame linebacker Darius Fleming, Michigan State free safety Trenton Robinson, offensive lineman Jason Slowey of Western Oregon and defensive end Cam Johnson of Virginia. San Francisco also netted three picks for the 2013 draft.

“It’s all about value,” Baalke said. “We feel good about that depth. It’s about drafting players at the right value, and also making sure that they have a legitimate chance to make this football team.”

Going to back to Friday’s third round, it seemed San Francisco might never draft another player.

The 49ers traded back three straight times from the 92nd pick before moving up to land Looney in the fourth round and 117th overall. San Francisco sent its original fourth-round pick (125th) and a sixth-rounder (196th) to Detroit.

The 6-foot-3, 318-pound Looney started at left guard the last three seasons for the Demon Deacons and — unlike the team’s other picks on the final day — could have an immediate chance to play. San Francisco lost right guard Adam Snyder to Arizona in free agency.

“As impressive an interview as we had at the combine,” 49ers coach Jim Harbugh said of Looney, emphasizing the lineman’s “oomph” and “pizazz” as reasons. “We believe he will be a starter in this league for us.”

Looney has a head start.

He spent part of the off-season working out with former 49ers centre Jeremy Newberry (1998-2006), who knows Looney’s agent, Andy Ross. The practice should speed up Looney’s learning curve in Harbaugh’s complex version of the West Coast offence.

The pulling guard — a key position in San Francisco’s zone-blocking scheme to attack linebackers — had a left ankle injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and Wake Forest’s pro day. He said Dr. Bob Anderson — the same specialist to perform surgery on Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s right ankle last year — in Charlotte cleared him for running and jumping activities two weeks ago.

“I love pulling around, coming up on linebackers,” said Looney, who can also play centre. “I feel like that’s an offensive lineman’s time to shine.”

Looney’s selection followed a series of trades by San Francisco to add future picks.

Baalke parlayed the original 92th overall pick in the third round into five picks in trades with Indianapolis, Miami and Carolina. In all, that included a pair of sixth-round selections Saturday — one of which was later sent to Detroit — plus a pick in the third, fifth and sixth round in 2013.

The 49ers lost to the eventual champion New York Giants in the NFC title game and figured it best not to overload with late picks who probably won’t make a talented roster this fall anyway.

“We feel like we’re ready to go,” Baalke said, acknowledging the team will sign undrafted free agents in the coming days.

That will include at least a trio of former Stanford players — defensive end Matt Masifilo, wide receiver Chris Owusu and safety Michael Thomas — who Harbaugh recruited while the Cardinal’s coach. Masifilo drove from the nearby campus and signed minutes after the draft ended.

“That’s probably one race and the last race I’ll ever win against Owusu,” said Masifilo, confirming his teammates would soon join. “Coach Harbaugh likes to cut drag. He said it’s a competition to get down here as fast you can.”

Familiarity proved to be a common theme for Harbaugh’s new group.

The 49ers drafted wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois in the first round Thursday before selecting Oregon running back LaMichael James on Friday. James, Looney and Fleming made it three straight players Harbaugh had faced while Stanford’s coach.

Fleming had 55 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble for the Fighting Irish last season. San Francisco has perhaps the NFL’s best linebacker corps with All-Pros Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman and sensational rookie Aldon Smith, among others, but a shortage of outside linebackers. Still, it will be tough for Fleming to find playing time as a rookie beyond special teams.

Even though he will be half a continent away from his native Chicago, Fleming should feel right at home.

He was a college roommate of San Francisco’s Ian Williams, and the two are close friends. Fleming, who wanted to avoid the agony of watching the draft, was stuck in Chicago traffic when Harbaugh called him to deliver the news.

“I was actually rolling pretty well and then once I got the call traffic hit,” Fleming said. “I’m fine with being stuck in traffic now that I’m a 49er.”

In the sixth round, San Francisco took Robinson 180th and Slowey 199th overall.

Robinson had 76 tackles last season and his nine career interceptions are tied for 12th in Michigan State history. Slowey played left tackle for most of his career at Western Oregon but is projected at centre or guard in the NFL.

The 49ers took Johnson in the seventh round and 237th overall. The Virginia defensive end is expected to shift to a pass-rushing outside linebacker in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme in a transition similar to the one Aldon Smith made a year ago.

“It’s a historic day for so many of these young men,” an overenthusiastic Harbaugh said. “But it’s not the end. It’s very much the beginning.”

___

Follow Antonio Gonzalez at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

Alex Smith is just way too good at dealing with this crazy stuff and deflecting the drama. It’s understandable. He has had plenty of practice.

As Smith noted Wednesday after signing his new contract, he has “been through way worse than this” during his time with the 49ers.

Agreed. For references, please see Jim Hostler and Jimmy Raye, two of the substandard offensive coordinators Smith suffered through before Jim Harbaugh arrived as head coach. Smith also has endured injury, booing, theories about his hand size, scorn, backstabbing gossip and red zone dysfunction.

Still, there was a difference between those travails and Smith’s just-completed free-agent episode: It had far more soap opera elements.

A few missing details were filled in Wednesday.

For instance, Smith pretty much confirmed he never had any true intentions of going elsewhere. He said he might even have stayed if Peyton Manning had signed with the 49ers. According to Smith, Harbaugh had implied that he wanted both Smith and Manning on the roster. Smith said he would have “relished” the chance to compete against Manning.

Of course, he did not say how strong the relish would be — or why, if he was so eager for such a competition, he took that trip to Miami last weekend for a conversation with the Dolphins.

“I had never been to Miami Beach,” Smith joked, “and thought it was a good way to go see it.”

As I said, the guy has really developed the arts of

dealing and deflecting.

Smith was vague about when he was informed of the 49ers’ interest in Manning but said Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke made a house call to discuss the situation.

“I don’t know what day it was,” Smith said. “Obviously early last week sometime. I forget what day it was. It all kind of seems like a blur. … It was right there when they first started to look into the process of looking at (Manning). They came over and sat down with me and told me about

it.”

Smith is a bright and organized man. One would think that, given the conversation’s potential impact on Smith’s future, he would recall the exact day of that meeting. And if it took place after, not before, Harbaugh’s stealth trip to North Carolina for the Manning workout … well, that would mean the coach wasn’t as upfront as he could have been with Smith. But to Smith, it doesn’t matter.

“The conversation with Jim,” Smith said, “was about competition and the best man winning. The same way with me last year when I got brought in. Nothing was ever laid out there, nothing was given to you. You were going to have to earn everything. And I agree with it. Jim firmly believes in … that’s the nature of this game.”

Makes

you wonder if Harbaugh told Manning the same thing — that he’d have to compete for the starting job. Did that impact Manning’s Denver decision? And here’s another curious piece of information: Even though Smith and Manning share the same agent, Tom Condon, the two quarterbacks never spoke to each other through the free-agent process. They still haven’t talked.

From this point forward, however, all of that is trivia and folderol. It is time to ponder more significant questions, namely:

1. Will Smith be a better quarterback next season than last? Answer: No reason he can’t be. When the season begins, Smith should have a better fleet of receivers, assuming that Randy Moss’ attitude is right and his legs haven’t turned to overcooked

spaghetti during his year away from the game. Meanwhile, Mario Manningham will make at least five plays that turn underthrown or overthrown Smith passes into catches.

2. Will Smith be affected by Harbaugh’s desire to seek a better quarterback alternative this offseason? Answer: Can’t see why. Smith’s mental toughness might have been an issue his first few seasons in the league, but his grittiness should never be questioned after that playoff performance against a New Orleans Saints team that, we now know, was just as concerned with maiming quarterbacks as stopping them.

3. After Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman gave Smith relatively conservative passing game plans a year ago, will he be allowed to open it up more in

2012? Answer: Yes, and he will need to do so. In the NFL, the same tricks never work twice. Plus, the 49ers’ schedule is much tougher. Smith will use the offseason to become a more sophisticated quarterback and work on his weaknesses — principally, not always being able to quickly identify the best receiving option on a particular play and not delivering more consistently accurate short passes.

Of course, that’s the dull and humdrum football stuff. It isn’t as compelling as rumors about which private jet is flying to which secret practice field, or whether someone’s wife is influencing a decision, or if one quarterback is miffed about his team bringing in a famous backup.

That’s still going on in other NFL regions. Around here, we’ll just have to wait until next year. Too bad. Those bogus trips to the beach were fun while they lasted.

Contact Mark Purdy at mpurdy@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5092.

SAN FRANCISCO — Jim Harbaugh coaching Peyton Manning. In the Bay Area, they’re beginning to think about the possibility and believe it truly might happen.

A former NFL quarterback, Harbaugh worked wonders with Alex Smith in a matter of months for the NFC West champions, and now all signs point to the 49ers being a serious player in the Manning sweepstakes. Smith, who had a three-year offer on the table to return, traveled to Miami on Sunday to meet with the Dolphins.

“It’s crazy,” said 49ers running back Frank Gore, who has long been a big supporter of Smith. “I’m going to sit back and let them do their job. I’m sitting back and waiting for it to happen.”

Everybody is eagerly anticipating decision day, likely this week.

If San Francisco doesn’t sign Manning, the 49ers will have some serious relationship-building to do with Smith even after he developed a close relationship with Harbaugh. The Niners might even need to bump him up from the $24 million he has reportedly been offered.

And there could be similar fallout in Tennessee and Denver if those teams don’t land Manning, who turns 36 on Saturday. The four-time NFL MVP sat out the 2011 season and is trying to come back after he was released by Indianapolis following a string of neck surgeries.

For Smith, his visit to South Florida also could be a move by the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick to protect himself with a possible backup plan. He and Manning are both represented by agent Tom Condon of CAA Sports.

“This is the NFL. I guess nothing surprises me anymore,” Smith told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel upon arriving at the airport Sunday. “I never thought a year ago [Peyton] Manning would be a free agent either. I’m never surprised by anything.”

Harbaugh watched Manning work out last Tuesday at Duke, and now the former Colts star has held sessions for all three of the franchises believed to be the finalists to sign the biggest free agent of 2012. Only the 49ers are yet to publicly acknowledge their interest.

Manning worked out for Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville, one day after he showed his skills to Hall of Famer John Elway and the Broncos at Duke.

While Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman saw Manning last week and San Francisco emerged as a surprise contender to sign the 2007 Super Bowl-winning quarterback, it seems 49ers CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke certainly would want to make their pitch to Manning in person, too.

Pulling off this one would be the second major splash by the 49ers’ brass in as many offseasons.

In January 2011, York and Baalke wooed Harbaugh away from nearby Stanford on a $25 million, five-year deal. And what a job Harbaugh did: San Francisco went 13-3 and ended an eight-year stretch without a playoff berth or winning record, losing 20-17 in overtime of the NFC title game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

If Smith leaves and Manning doesn’t sign or were to get hurt, the 49ers would be left with unproven second-year pro Colin Kaepernick, but this is a team that isn’t afraid to take chances when the reward could be huge. Just look at a two-day span for San Francisco last week. The 49ers signed Randy Moss on Monday and a day later cornerback Perrish Cox, who was acquitted earlier this month on sexual assault charges in Colorado.

Harbaugh has a knack for coaching anybody into a winner with his “Who’s got it better than us? Nobody!” chants and other unorthodox motivational tactics — some of which he learned from his coaching father, Jack, and big brother and Baltimore Ravens coach John.

The NFL coach of the year last season, Harbaugh has to believe he’ll have no problem coaching a veteran quarterback like Manning. The former Colt is among the greatest ever to play with 54,828 yards passing, 4,682 completions and 399 touchdown passes.

“He’s a Hall of Famer, first ballot, that’s all I got to say,” Gore said of Manning. “He’s one of the best ever to play the game. I’m going to sit back and let them do what they think is best.”

If winning is more of a priority for Manning than a big payday, the 49ers have put things in place over the past week. They signed Moss to a one-year deal, then brought back Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers on a $31.3 million, four-year contract to give San Francisco 11 returning starters on Vic Fangio’s talented defense. The 49ers then agreed to terms on a two-year contract with former Giants wideout Mario Manningham late Saturday.

“I know coach Harbaugh and Trent Baalke feel good about what they’re doing,” Gore said. “They know what they’re doing.”

Perhaps all of that is enough to attract Manning, despite the thought he would prefer to stay in the AFC and not have to regularly face off with his younger brother, Eli.

This year marks Manning’s 15th in the NFL — the same number of seasons Harbaugh spent in the league with the Bears, Colts, Ravens, Chargers and Panthers. A first-round draft pick taken 26th overall by Chicago in 1987, Harbaugh completed 2,305 of 3,918 passes for 26,288 career yards and 129 touchdowns in the NFL. He also ran for 18 TDs.

Elway, of course, also has quite the pedigree.

Perhaps Elway’s pursuit of Manning might mean he doesn’t have faith in Tim Tebow as the Broncos’ QB for the future. Denver squeaked into the playoffs as AFC West champions on the final day of the regular season last year.

Titans owner Bud Adams declared earlier this month he wanted Manning and considers him the missing piece to a championship team. That might not sit too well with Matt Hasselbeck, who signed to a three-year contract last July with Tennessee.

The pursuit of Manning has kept the Titans from addressing their defensive line early in free agency, one of their top needs. Mario Williams signed with Buffalo, John Abraham re-signed with Atlanta and Jason Jones left Tennessee for Seattle.

Other teams also might be behind in building their rosters because of the chase for No. 18.

The Dolphins and Arizona fell out of the running, and the Cardinals are moving ahead with quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Gore, who spends his offseason in Miami each year, isn’t going to begin to guess what might happen next in the Manning story — and what it might mean for him next season.

“I don’t know, man,” he said. “I don’t know.”