National Football League

Goldson hopes for ‘long-term security’

Published Jul. 10, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson is nicknamed “The Hawk” because of his ability to force turnovers and dissect what plays opposing offenses are trying to run.

Such foresight also extends to Goldson’s approach toward his unsettled contract situation.

Goldson has accepted that he may have to play the 2012 season under a $6.2 million tender as San Francisco’s franchise player. Because of NFL rules regarding that tag, Goldson and 13 other franchise players who have not signed long-term contract extensions must complete those negotiations by Monday. Otherwise, multiyear deals cannot be agreed upon until the 2013 offseason begins.

Goldson addressed his situation Tuesday night with me and co-host Randy Cross on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“I’m hoping something long term will happen,” Goldson said. “I’m not taking anything personally. I look at it as a business move on (San Francisco’s) part. That’s just the business.

“If I have to play for the tag, I’ll play for the tag. But any guy would love long-term security.”

Another safety slapped with the franchise tag — Tennessee’s Michael Griffin — received that financial security last month by signing a five-year, $36 million extension that included $15 million guaranteed. That deal could serve as a template for Goldson and Oakland safety Tyvon Branch, who also was franchised, to strike long-term pacts before the NFL deadline.

“I’m sure it helps,” Goldson said. “Mike Griffin is a great player. He’s a good friend of mine. I’m excited for him. He does a lot for that team and is well deserving of what he got.”

The argument can be made that Goldson also deserves a lucrative contract. The five-year veteran posted career-highs in interceptions (six) and passes defensed (nine) last season on one of the NFL’s top defenses.

As a 2007 fourth-round draft pick, Goldson never has received the kind of big-money deals given to those selected higher under the previous collective bargaining agreement. Goldson also didn’t draw strong interest on the free-agent market in 2011. He ended up re-signing with the 49ers on a one-year, $1.2 million contract.

“All these one-year/one-year (contracts) is not what any player would want,” the 27-year-old Goldson said. “We know what we put our bodies through and what we do for our teams. But it’s all good. There’s no love lost or anything like that. I just hope something will get done. If not, I’ll still be a 49er.”

Because he refused to sign the $6.2 million franchise tender, Goldson didn’t attend San Francisco’s offseason workouts. Goldson, though, has remained in tip-top shape by immersing himself in four different training programs. One of them included mixed martial arts work under FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer, who trains a slew of players during the offseason in Southern California.

“I feel good,” Goldson said. “I’ve been working out with all these trainers, just picking their brains and adding different stuff to my game. I’ve been in the league for six years now and training for a while. It’s good to bounce around and see what other trainers have. They’ve all been great so far.”

Goldson, though, admitted that he missed being around his teammates at 49ers headquarters.

“It’s been kind of lonely, man,” he said with a laugh. “I’d love to be there but, unfortunately, I’m on the business side of things.”