49ERS AT A GLANCE
	Steve Young
	Last year: 12-4, second place in NFC West Key returnees:: QB Steve Young (4,170 yards, 36 TDs); WR Jerry Rice (82 receptions, 1,157 yards and 9 TDs); WR Terrell Owens (1,097 yards, 14 TDs); DB Merton Hanks (4 INTs); DB Tim McDonald (4 INTs) New faces: DL Marvin Washington (Broncos); DL Reggie McGrew (first-round pick); RB Travis Jervey (Packers); RB Lawrence Phillips (NFL Europe), CB Mark McMillian (Chiefs), RB Charlie Garner (Eagles) New places: DL Roy Barker (Browns); TE Irv Smith (Browns); QB Ty Detmer (Browns); OL Kevin Gogan (Dolphins) Watch out: The lingering leg injury RB Garrison Hearst suffered in the playoffs means the oft-troubled Phillips will be counted on to make an impact -- on the field. Better than '98: Pass protection for Young will have to be, considering the offensive line allowed 53 sacks last season. Worse than '98: Pass rushing could be after trading Barker (12 sacks) and losing Chris Doleman (15 sacks) to retirement. Time will tell if Bryant Young can return to star form after a season-ending broken leg last year. -- Scripps Howard News Service

That honor instead went to the San Francisco 49ers. Yes, the same pass-happy 49ers whose West Coast offense utilizes the best trio of wide receivers in the game and whose quarterback compiled career highs in passing yards (4,170) and touchdowns (36).

They got it done on the ground mostly behind running back Garrison Hearst, whose surgically repaired left foot developed a circulatory problem in July and required more surgery, putting his availability for the '99 season in question.

So the 49ers did some scrambling and consequently will open the new campaign without a single running back who carried for them last year. The spot at the top of the depth chart belongs to Lawrence Phillips, who was the NFL Europe Offensive MVP earlier this year. While Davis and Sanders were chasing records, Phillips was trying to run from his.

The fact Phillips finds himself in the Bay Area is a surprise in itself. Niners GM Bill Walsh had been critical of the St. Louis Rams for selecting Phillips with the sixth overall draft pick in '96. Even as recently as April, Walsh said he wouldn't have taken a chance on Phillips "no matter what else was out there."

Phillips, who has a lengthy history of off-field problems, failed in two previous NFL stints in St. Louis and Miami. But a revitalization of his career this spring with the Barcelona Dragons and an endorsement from the team's coaching staff concerning his habits and conduct made the two-year deal possible.

"We think he'll do well," Walsh said. "Will he do as well as Garrison? Boy, that's asking an awful lot. But we think he can do well, possibly do great. We think he can be a solid performer in the NFL, but there's no certainty to this."

Hearst set a team record with 1,570 rushing yards last season and carried a hefty 5.1-yard average, but he sustained a broken left fibula on the first play of the 49ers' loss to Atlanta in the NFC playoffs. His leg did not heal properly, and the team is not expecting his return until December at the earliest.

San Francisco also added depth in Charlie Garner, following his release from the Eagles, and former Packer Travis Jervey, who has been nursing injuries throughout training camp and has yet to make his mark with the team.

Here's a position-by-position look at San Francisco's roster:

Quarterbacks
Steve Young, who turns 38 in October, shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. In fact, while Young was throwing for those MVP-like numbers last season, he also managed to run for 454 yards and six touchdowns. He seems to be getting better with age despite question marks surrounding the 49ers' offensive line. Jeff Garcia has won the backup job after five seasons in the CFL and has been described as a good fit for the offense by head coach Steve Mariucci. Grade: A-

		The 49ers are showing their age in the secondary, but I like safeties Merton Hanks and Tim McDonald because they are smart. But the biggest issue is the defensive front. They lose almost 30 sacks between the players they lost, Roy Barker and Chris Doleman. Bryant Young is still trying to get back from a broken leg, but I don't think you can expect him to be 100 percent. San Francisco's expectations are, as usual, to get to the playoffs, but that's not enough. The Niners should at least win the NFC West, the weakest division in the NFL. Their offense is too explosive, with Steve Young, Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice.

Running backs
Phillips and Garner likely will share the brunt of the load, as the team tries to compensate for the loss of Hearst. With Jervey out of action, rookie Terry Jackson has made the most of his opportunity and sits third on the depth chart. Veteran FB Tommy Vardell spent the '96 season in San Francisco and returns to battle Fred Beasley for the position after Marc Edwards left for Cleveland. Grade: C

Receivers
The 49ers return one the best wide receiver trios in the game in Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes. Rice is entering his 15th season, and he has stated he doesn't mind not being the team's offensive focal point anymore, despite leading the team in receptions and receiving yardage last season.

Owens caught at least one touchdown pass in each of the final eight regular-season games and was a clutch performer in the playoffs. Greg Clark is one of the best blocking tight ends in the game, but he might not be ready for the season opener because of a broken rib in his back. Grade: A

Offensive linemen
The 49ers gave up 53 sacks last year, lost ORT Kirk Scrafford and traded ORG Kevin Gogan, and yet they are optimistic about the starting five going into '99.

Second-year ORT Jeremy Newberry was converted from guard to protect Young's blind side and has developed rapidly to cement his place on the line. That move, along with the progress of OLT Dave Fiore, allows Derrick Deese to move from tackle to his natural OG position.

C Chris Dalman and OLG Ray Brown are both generally steady, mistake-free performers, but depth could be a problem down the road. Grade: B-

Defensive linemen
The early return of dominant DT Bryant Young following a horrific leg injury is a gift for a defense in need of one after the departures of both Chris Doleman and Roy Barker, who combined for 27 sacks last season. The 49ers were successful in luring DE Charles Haley out of retirement, and his presence alone should help the pass rush.

Veteran DE Marvin Washington will play on running downs, and the team will need a big year out of DE Gabe Wilkins, who played in just half the games in '98 and failed to register a single sack. DT Junior Bryant might be allowed to move outside if rookie DT Reggie McGrew gets healthy and is as good as advertised. Grade: C-

Linebackers
New defensive coordinator Jim Mora will be throwing more blitz packages into the mix and therefore will need the quick RLB Lee Woodall and athletic MLB Winfred Tubbs to use their range and create more plays. LLB Ken Norton's play lost some of the consistency he's been known for, but he once again led the team in tackles last season. Grade: B

Defensive backs
The 49ers gave up their fair share of big plays last season and finished next to last in pass defense in the NFL. FS Merton Hanks will need to play center field up to his All-Pro standard again after an inconsistent and injury-plagued '98. CBs R.W. McQuarters (5-9), Darnell Walker (5-8) and Mark McMillian (5-7) all are undersized, but they should be able to produce more than the group of corners did last season.

SS Tim McDonald runs only a 4.8 40-yard dash, but he holds the secondary together as the captain of the unit and is a legitimate playmaker. Grade: C+

Special teams
Kicker Wade Richey made only 18 of 27 field-goal attempts, but his strong leg gives him the potential to develop into a top performer for years to come. Richey finished third in the NFL with 27 touchbacks on kickoffs and showed nerves of steel by connecting on three game-winning, fourth-quarter field goals. Rookie punter Chad Stanley stands as the leading candidate to replace Reggie Roby. Grade: C

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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