Niners punished for tampering in Briggs case

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The San Francisco 49ers were hit with 2008 NFL Draft punishments for violating the league's anti-tampering policy in pursuing Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs last season, the NFL said on Monday.

San Francisco will forfeit its fifth-round selection in next month's draft, and Chicago and San Francisco will switch third-round choices.

Chicago now will have the seventh selection of the third round and San Francisco will pick 12th.

The Bears had filed tampering charges against the 49ers, who contacted Briggs's agent during the 2007 season without Chicago's permission.

Chicago re-signed Briggs at the beginning of this year's veteran free agency signing period.

(Writing by Larry Fine; Editing by Ed Osmond)