[ FOOTBALL ]
Sopoaga reaches agreement
with 49ersThe former Hawaii defensive tackle
and fourth-round pick plans to sign
a lucrative deal next week
Former Hawaii defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga will become a very rich man next week.
Sopoaga is expected to sign a contract with the San Francisco 49ers that will make him between $1.8 and $3.2 million in salary over the next four years, his agent said.
"We feel we've got a really good deal done for him," said Kenny Zuckerman, president of Priority Sports. "It includes escalators that can improve the amount. It's unique for a fourth-round draft pick."
NFL rookies chosen in the fourth round typically get a three-year deal worth around $1.3 million.
The contract also includes a signing bonus of around $450,000 and $460,000 in incentives.
Sopoaga will sign the agreement sometime after he arrives at the 49ers' camp next week Thursday, Zuckerman said. He is now at his family's home in American Samoa.
"To me, he's a very good player," Zuckerman said. "If he does well, he can earn what a second-rounder makes, maybe more. And he's playing in a city he wants to be in."
The 49ers hope the All-Western Athletic Conference performer can contribute early.
"I think athletically the guy can really move for a 325-pound man. Right now his improvement will be all technique related," San Francisco defensive line coach Dan Quinn said on the team's Web site.
"He relies so much on power that sometimes that will negate what we are trying to get accomplished. But he definitely has power. We're looking for consistency from him, the down after down, series after series consistency that we need. That's important for him."
Meanwhile, contract talks are "getting hot and heavy" for another Zuckerman client, former UH defensive end Travis LaBoy, the agent said.
LaBoy is a rookie with the Tennessee Titans who was drafted in the second round.
"It should be done in time for him to sign it when he reports to camp on the 30th," Zuckerman said.
LaBoy, UH's MVP and the WAC Defensive Player of the Year last fall, will battle fellow rookie Antwan Odom and veteran Juqua Thomas for playing time.
Zuckerman also represents several NFL veterans from Hawaii: Olin Kreutz (center, Chicago Bears), Dominic Raiola (center, Detroit Lions) and Wayne Hunter (offensive tackle, Seattle Seahawks).