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| Monday, August 27 Hope lies in Garcia's arm, youth's promise By Kevin Lynch Pro Football Weekly |
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Gazing at the opponents' sideline, there stood wide receiver Jerry Rice, a man who caught 75 passes and seven touchdowns for the 49ers last season. Next to him was Charlie Garner, a running back who rushed for 1,142 yards and caught another 68 passes for 647 more yards. So standing before the 49ers was 42 percent of the team's total output from a year ago, ready to test their inexperienced defense. With their battle against the constricting effects of the league's salary cap in the third year, the 49ers once again lost far more players than they signed. Rice, Garner, guard Phil Ostrowski, linebacker Jeff Posey, defensive end Anthony Pleasant, and linebackers Ken Norton and Winfred Tubbs were either released or signed elsewhere. In return, the 49ers signed defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield and linebacker Derek Smith, both from the Redskins. Losing seven and signing two isn't exactly even, but many of the players the 49ers lost were what head coach Steve Mariucci would term "controlled burn" losses. The team needed to get younger and purge its squad of older, higher-priced veterans who were a burden on the salary cap. The only hope for success this season is for quarterback Jeff Garcia to replicate his Pro Bowl season from a year ago, and for the 49ers' many young players to jell quickly into a cohesive and effective unit.
Offense
Running backs: Coaches go into the season with fingers crossed and hopeful hearts. Garrison Hearst's two-year comeback from avascular necrosis in his right foot appears to be a success. Still, after two radical surgeries to replace dead bone in his foot, no one's sure if Hearst will hold up, or if he can recapture his 1998 form. Other options include third-round pick Kevan Barlow and second-year pro Paul Smith. Neither of these players are sure-fire 1,000-yard rushers. The fullback situation is set with starter Fred Beasley and backup Terry Jackson.
Receivers: Terrell Owens will move to flanker, the first time someone other than Rice has occupied the position in 15 years. Owens caught 97 balls in 2000 despite missing two games. Even though he does drop passes, he remains one of the few big-play receivers in the game. J.J. Stokes was thoroughly frustrated last season playing behind Rice and Owens. Stokes came to camp in great shape but was slowed by a frustrating hamstring pull. He should be an effective starter regardless. Promising Tai Streets was bent on challenging Stokes for a starting job, but neither he nor Stokes could stay healthy enough for a duel. Sixth-round speedster Cedrick Wilson locked up the fourth wide receiver spot early in camp. Tight end Greg Clark missed the preseason after undergoing hamstring surgery. It gave coaches a long look at Justin Swift and seventh-round pick Eric Johnson.
Offensive line: The 49ers have the luxury of returning all five of their starters. This line doesn't gain many plaudits around the league. But the 49ers have finished as the top rushing team two of the last three years, and last year the line allowed the third-fewest sacks per play. Durable right tackle Scott Gragg had the best season of his career and was re-signed. Left tackle Derrick Deese was also awarded a brand-new, multimillion-dollar deal that should take him to the end of his career. Ageless left guard Ray Brown enters his 16th season and has long been touted as the line's best player. Brown is also the
team's unquestioned leader. C Jeremy Newberry might be the next 49ers' lineman to go to the Pro Bowl, and right guard Dave Fiore looks like he has shaken his knee problems with his insane rehabilitation efforts. Veteran Matt Willig might have wedged his way into the starting lineup if not for a chronic knee problem. Willig is a smart and experienced player who's equally adept at left and right tackle. Tyrone Hopson is an athletic guard who will probably become a starter in the future. Center Ben Lynch could step in at any time and play a difficult position without much of a drop off.
Defense
Linebackers: Stopping the run was a real problem for the team in preseason. Free-agent Derek Smith is still learning the defense, and rookie Jamie Winborn has the physical skills but may need more time to learn the defense. Jeff Ulbrich made a push to overcome Winborn late in training camp. Ulbrich has the benefit of a full year in the system. Peterson has all the makings of a star, but his play has so far been marred by inconsistency.
Defensive backs: The team will have to contend with a big dropoff from the starting cornerbacks to its backups. That's why teams might come out in multi-wide receiver sets often against the 49ers' defense. As for the starters, Jason Webster finished last season as the defense's best cover man. Ahmed Plummer is a very smart and solid cornerback. Lance Schulters leads the group with his brash, hard-hitting style of play at safety. He will either be paired with the active John Keith or the more cerebral Zack Bronson. Third-year pro Anthony Parker emerged as the first cornerback off the bench after playing well against Rice in the preseason.
Special teams Kevin Lynch covers the 49ers for the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
