Dec 19, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Adam Snyder (68) celebrates on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated Pittsburgh 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers clearly needed depth along the offensive line. It just so happens that recently released G Adam Snyder was available. A move the Arizona Cardinals made in an effort to improve the interior of their line, they let Snyder walk after drafting arguably the best guard in the draft in G Jonathan Cooper in the first-round (No. 8). Snyder looking for a potential fit, opted to return to his roots by signing with the Niners on a two-year contract.

A move that was not surprising to me, as I predicted on my website last week, that Snyder would be back in red and gold. The move makes sense for a Niners’ team on the brink of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. For one, Snyder is very versatile and would provide great depth at both guard and tackle. How many guards do you know in this league have the skill-set to play tackle? Not very many, and although Snyder struggled some last year, he does hold his own. The entire Cardinals line was just terrible, and using Snyder as a scape-goat is ridiculous.

Another reason why Snyder makes sense, is due to the team’s chemistry. Snyder is already familiar with the coaching staff, players, and area, making the transition almost seamless. He was usually seen on his off-days hanging out with T Joe Staley and G Alex Boone, so having a friend back on the team, raises morale.

With Snyder back in the mix, look for him to fight for a starting spot with Boone, as training camp is right around the corner.

Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After a one-year stint in the desert, former San Francisco 49ers guard Adam Snyder signed a contract to rejoin the team. Snyder left San Francisco to sign with the Arizona Cardinals last offseason, which included a $5 million signing bonus. He signed a two-year contract with San Francisco on Monday.

Thank you all for the support. So excited to have the opportunity to finish what I started long ago!!

— Adam Snyder (@ASnyds68) May 6, 2013

The Cardinals released Snyder on April 29 and the deal he signed with the 49ers does not guarantee a roster spot. Chances are Snyder will make the final roster cut, but only as a backup. The reason why he originally left San Francisco was because it was his best chance to continue being a starter in the NFL. Now after experiencing what it is like to go from a winning team to a losing team, Snyder seems to be willing to be a backup for the 49ers.

What makes Snyder such a great offensive linemen to have on the roster is his ability to effectively play at any position on the line, whether on the left or right side. He has made starts in the regular season at guard, center and tackle in his career.

Alex Boone took over for Snyder at right guard after he left for Arizona and played exceptionally well. Boone was a Pro Bowl alternate for his efforts last season, so it is highly unlikely Snyder will regain his old starting job. Despite dealing with injuries last season, Snyder started 14 games for the Cardinals.

Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The San Francisco 49ers can add right guard onto their to-do list with Adam Snyder signing with division rival’s Arizona Cardinals.  Snyder spent his first six years in the NFL with the 49ers who selected him in the third-round of the 2005 draft.  Snyder, who started 13 games at right guard after taking over for a struggling Chilo Rachal last season, signed a five-year deal with the Cardinals.

Snyder’s departure does create a hole at right guard.  But more importantly, the 49ers lost out on one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL.  Not only did Snyder serve as the right guard last season he was also the backup center.  To put Snyder’s versatility into perspective, of his 69 career starts with the 49ers, 21 were at right tackle, 21 at left tackle, 17 at right guard and ten at left tackle.  No matter who takes over at right guard, there is no way he will match Snyder’s versatility.

The 49ers probably have reasons for letting Snyder walk, even to a division rival.  With the terms of the deal not released at the time of this posting, it is not known if the 49ers were outbid by the Cardinals.  That wouldn’t surprise me with Snyder being able to play effectively anywhere on the O- line.

With Snyder gone, the 49ers don’t have many in-house options to fill in at right guard.  Guard Daniel Kilgore is only entering his second year and appeared in one game in the regular season, so he is not an option.  Chilo Rachal is a free agent and could be brought back to the team, but something tells me the 49ers are ready to move on from the right guard.  He has struggled ever since he was drafted in 2008, most recently with Snyder taking over last season.

On Tuesday, free agent guard Leonard Davis visited with the team.  Davis is a three-time Pro Bowler however he did not appear in a game in the 2011 season.  He has started in 155 games with the Cowboys and Cardinals.

49ers Sign Rock Cartwright

Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

With LB Blake Costanzo signing with the Bears, the 49ers lost one of their best blocking and tackling special team’s players from last season.  The move did not make sense at the time, but with the signing of free agent RB Rock Cartwright, the 49ers are in good hands.  Cartwright is listed as a running back but his specialty is on special teams as tackler and returner.   In the past two seasons he recorded 27 special-teams tackles and has a lot of experience returning kickoffs if he is needed.   On 231 kickoff returns in his career he has averaged 23.6 yards.  Cartwright spent the last two seasons with Raiders and was with the Redskins from 2006-2009.

Cartwright fills a big hole left by Costanzo on special teams.  As a running back, Cartwright only has 228 carriers for 956 yards and six touchdowns in his career.  He will be mainly used on special teams but with his 5-foot-7, 223 pound frame, he could be a great option in short-yardage situations.  RB Antony Dixon failed in that department last season.  Kendall Hunter and Frank Gore cannot always carry the load in short-yardage downs.

Veteran CB Shawntae Spencer Released

One of the longest serving 49ers, CB Shawntae Spencer, was released on Thursday.  From 2004-2010 Spencer started 72 games for the 49ers.  He only played in nine games in 2011 and was inactive in five games last season and in both playoff games.  Spencer was penciled in as the starting cornerback in training camp but he suffered a hamstring injury at the start and in the regular season dealt with a toe injury.  With the emergence of CB Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, Spencer became an afterthought at the position.