Green Bay at San Francisco


Scouting report

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Charles Haley was drenched in sweat and breathing hard after Saturday's light practice. And he wondered, along with everyone else, how ready he'd be to play his first game in two years with just one day of preparation.

"We'll find out on Sunday, won't we," Haley said.

In a stunning move borne out of the injury-riddled state of their defensive line, the San Francisco 49ers signed Haley on Saturday and will use him as a situational pass rusher in Sunday's wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers.

"I don't know if this was a desperation move," said coach Steve Mariucci. "Maybe it's a bold move. Maybe it's a surprising move. I don't know if anybody expected us to do this. I don't know if we expected to do this.

"Much of this has to do with the health of our defensive line. Going into the playoffs, we would be remiss if we didn't investigate any opportunity that we may have to improve our situation."

Once one of the most feared pass rushers in the league, Haley hasn't played since 1996 because of back problems that forced him to undergo three operations. In 11 seasons -- six with San Francisco and the last five with Dallas, Haley racked up 97 1-2 sacks.

He also played on a record five Super Bowl winning teams, two with the 49ers and three while with the Cowboys.

Haley wore out his welcome in San Francisco because of erratic off-field behavior and personality clashes with some of his coaches and teammates and he was traded to Dallas in 1992.

"We want to field the best team to win regardless of the baggage Charles Haley has," linebacker Ken Norton Jr. said. "Everyone knows how he can be at times, but he can play some great football.

"No one knows exactly what we're going to see. If he comes out there and he's good and he puts pressure on the quarterback, then it's a great move. If he doesn't, if he starts huffing and puffing and spitting up, it's a bad move.

When Haley tried to make a comeback at the start of this season, the 49ers considered signing him but decided against it.

Since then, San Francisco's defensive line has been weakened considerably by injuries.

End Roy Barker has been playing with a sore knee all season, end Chris Doleman has been playing with a torn left pectoral muscle for the last month and star tackle Bryant Young was lost for the year when he broke his right leg Nov. 30.

The 49ers have only five sacks in their last four games and they fear Brett Favre could wreak havoc on their secondary, which has been vulnerable to big plays, if they're unable to mount an effective pass rush.

Haley said he's hoping he can produce for the 49ers.

"I think I'm OK. I think I can come in and help the team and that's what I'm going to do," he said.

Mariucci said the 49ers will use Haley to spell Barker and Doleman.

"For starters, he'll rush the passer," Mariucci said. "That's what he has been best at over the years. How many snaps, we'll have to wait and see. We'll try to work him in."

Mariucci said he discussed the signing with the team's leaders -- the club's 13 players over 30 years old -- before deciding to go ahead with it.

"To the man, we all felt that if can help us in any way, we should do this," Mariucci said. "There was no hesitation by anyone."

Haley said he's not out to win any friends. He just wants to play.

"I'm not one to put a lot of weight on whether someone cares whether I'm here or not," Haley said. "My job is simple and plain. Put my hand down and go get Brett Favre. That's what I'm here to do."

Green Bay defensive end Reggie White, who led the NFC with 16 sacks at age 37 this season, said he couldn't believe Haley was coming back.

"I hope he doesn't surprise me, but shucks, with no practice and coming in trying to play two days after you tried out for the team? I just don't know how successful you can be," White said Saturday night at the team hotel. "I hope he will stay well.

"When I heard about it this morning, I thought it was a joke."