| | Associated Press
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Cornerback R.W. McQuarters, a
disappointment in San Francisco since the 49ers made him their top
draft pick in 1998, was traded Monday to the Chicago Bears in a
cost-cutting move.
The 49ers received an undisclosed conditional 2001 draft pick
for McQuarters and saved $875,000 against the salary cap.
McQuarters returned kicks and punts and played well at times in
the secondary but never established himself as a starter in two
mediocre seasons with the 49ers.
He started four games last season when San Francisco had the
league's worst pass defense and gave up a league-high 36 touchdown
passes.
McQuarters, who starred at Oklahoma State before coming to San
Francisco as the 28th overall pick, fractured his right shoulder
blade when he was hit returning a punt Nov. 29 against Green Bay
and missed the last five games of the season.
Director of player personnel Terry Donahue informed McQuarters
he had been traded following the team's minicamp workout.
McQuarters' release or trade had been rumored for some time and
he said it didn't take him by surprise.
"I pretty much felt like something was going to happen. It was
just a matter of time," McQuarters said. "I'm not upset. I'm not
bitter. I want to get (to Chicago) and see how things work out."
McQuarters said he didn't think he got much of a chance to prove
himself in San Francisco.
"It's disappointing to a certain extent but I know how the game
works," McQuarters said. "Everybody is not going to get a fair
chance. They gave me a chance to play from time to time but there
were times I felt I should have been playing and I wasn't."
Chicago personnel chief Mark Hatley said McQuarters can help the
Bears.
"We had a good grade on R.W. coming out of college," he said
in a statement. "You can never have enough good corners in this
league and we feel he'll come in and provide good competition and
have a chance to upgrade our defense." | |
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