San Francisco 49ers: Tim Rattay, the 49ers' backup quarterback for the past two seasons, signed a one-year contract with San Francisco on Thursday.

Rattay, a former seventh-round draft pick from Louisiana Tech, was a restricted free agent. He's the frontrunner in a four-man derby for two backup spots behind three-time Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia.

Rattay has played sparingly since winning the backup job before the 2001 season, but general manager Terry Donahue says Rattay is the heavy favorite to be Garcia's backup again. Rattay completed 26 of 43 passes last season for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

The 49ers also have quarterbacks Cade McNown, Brandon Doman and rookie Ken Dorsey.

Carolina Panthers: A judge on Wednesday dismissed an assault case against former UCLA standout Ricky Manning Jr., who was drafted last month by the Panthers of the NFL.

Superior Court Judge James Brandlin granted a motion by Manning's attorney to drop the charges after prosecutors requested another postponement, said Deputy District Attorney Eugene Hanrahan.

Hanrahan had asked for the delay because an alleged victim of assault is out of the country caring for his dying mother. He said he hasn't decided whether he will refile the case.

Manning's attorney, Danny Davis, said the case was always shaky.

"They never asked Ricky what happened. They arrested him on the say-so of a man who never appeared at the preliminary hearing and never showed at trial,'' Davis said outside of court.

The 22-year-old Manning, a standout cornerback at the University of California, Los Angeles, surrendered to police Aug. 27, just hours after he learned a felony warrant was issued for his arrest stemming from a fight outside a bar in Westwood, the community surrounding the campus. Manning was released later that day after posting a $60,000 bond.

According to his attorney, Manning was leaving an off-campus restaurant and bar when older, bigger men who had tried to pick a fight inside the eatery approached him and his friends. Davis said Manning was attacked and he defended himself.

Manning remained a member of the team after the April 2002 incident.

San Francisco 49ers: Draft pick Talman Gardner was sentenced to a year of probation and 250 hours of community service Wednesday after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and having a concealed, loaded handgun.

The gun charge was originally a felony before being reduced to improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon.

Gardner, a seventh-round pick out of Florida State in last month's draft, was arrested along with former Seminole Malcolm Tatum in the early morning hours of April 7 while driving through a residential neighborhood.

Gardner consented to having his automobile searched. Investigators said they found a loaded pistol in the panel of the driver's side door, and marijuana in Gardner's pocket. He told police he was given the gun by his brother-in-law for protection.

One of the fastest players at Florida State, Gardner caught 89 passes for 1,589 yards and 19 touchdowns during his career.

Gardner was originally projected as second- or third-round pick in the draft before he was arrested.

Cleveland Browns: Restricted free agent tight end Aaron Shea, whose promising career has stalled the past two seasons because of injuries, on May 7 resigned with the Browns. The three-year veteran signed a one-year contract for $605,000, the amount of the qualifying offer made to him in February for the Browns to retain his rights. A fourth-round choice in the 2000 draft, Shea, 26, started as a rookie and posted 30 catches for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Shoulder and ankle injuries, however, have limited the former University of Michigan start to just 19 appearances over the last two seasons.

St. Louis Rams: Defensive tackle Brian Young, a former starter who figures to be part of a developing, young interior rotation in 2003, on May 7 re-signed with the Rams. As a restricted free agent, he agreed to a one-year, $605,000 contract. Young, 25, started all 16 games in 2001, then played primarily in a reserve role last season. In 43 appearances, he has 80 tackles and 8 ½ sacks, and the St. Louis coaches like the inside pass-rush push that he often provides. Young joined the Rams as a fifth-round draft choice in 2000.