I've heard that SE rank more highly the first & last text and links on a page more highly, and have seen some sites that employ a linking scheme (secondary) at the bottom of their pages with keywords... any truth to this...
And one last thing... (since I edited the first post, adding this as a reply)... Some SEO techniques seem to indicate that Meta tags should all be on one line without a carriage return for our editing readability. Would the same apply to content like the bottom navigation links suggested above, that if you had more content & links on single line this might be better. (yes, I realize the ridiculous too... you could have your whole site on one line.... I'd hate to have to edit then!)
I can see no reason (and I've seen no evidence) why search engines would give extra weight to first and last text on a page. Many people use footer links as a convenient aid to visitors who, you've guessed it, are at the bottom of the page and now want to navigate elsewhere. Meta tags are not as important as they used to be; include them but don't expect huge boosts from them. It doesn't matter one way or the other about the carriage return.
This days id u add meta tags or not it dont effect much and foort links or any site wide link on site hase small effect, as link will be in every link there is shange that they may click it atleast once