New Oakland Raiders cornerback Tarell Brown flipped Bay Area allegiances for a shorter contract rather than take a longer deal to stick with the 49ers.
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Brown said the contract offer from San Francisco was an insult.
"[I]t wasn't what I wanted and it was to me more of a slap in the face," Brown told NBC Sports Network's ProFootballTalk. "But I understand that it's a business and I understand that they have to do what is best for them and it's no hard feelings.
"But what they offered me definitely wasn't what I wanted and definitely wasn't worth my value of what I've done in this league and how well I played these past 3-4 years in the league. So it's understandable and like I said there's never any hard feelings. They are doing a great job over there and I wish them the best."
The contract Brown signed with the Raiders reportedly was a fully guaranteed one-year deal at $3.5 million. It separately had been reported the 49ers were willing to give Brown a three-year, $10 million contract.
The 29-year-old corner has started 42 games the past three seasons with 39 passes defensed and six interceptions.
San Francisco is perfectly comfortable with corners Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver (coming off an ACL tear), the re-signed Eric Wright and free-agent pick upChris Cook heading into 2014.
Last offseason, Brown lost out on $2 million by not showing up for a workout, a clause in his contract that neither his former agent nor the 49ers warned him about.
It's clear that Brown is hoping to become the next Brent Grimes. After signing a "prove-it" contract with a clear opportunity to start in Oakland, Brown hopes to cash in next year when he is 30.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down DeSean Jackson trade rumors and tries to figure out who will be next year's Michael Bennett (or Brent Grimes).
