STOCKTON, Calif. -- The practice field at the University of Pacific is spotted with patches of brown and green. Apparently, school maintenance people generously doused the field with water daily to keep it green and fresh.

They did too much. The San Francisco 49ers players found the field too soft and tore divots during practice, so the watering was minimized. It's only fitting that 49ers coach Steve Mariucci would be current on good gardening techniques. This is his third summer of planting the seeds of youth.

Believe it or not, the starting lineup is even younger than it was a year ago.

	Second-year CB Ahmed Plummer and the 49ers' defense should be improved in 2001.

"This is the youngest we are going to be," Mariucci said. "From now on, we are going to grow up. It's just a matter how fast we can grow these guys together. We'll put a little Miracle Grow on them."

Last year, eight rookies either started or made major contributions on their defense. This year, two more rookies will start -- second-round choice Jamie Winborn at linebacker for Ken Norton Jr. and first-rounder Andre Carter for injured defensive end Junior Bryant. Two rookies for two Juniors? The franchise retired Steve Young last season, but as a group, they remain young.

"Eight rookies on defense last year? You've got to be kidding me," Mariucci said. "Now, we break the huddles and guys go out there and are where they are supposed to be and are doing the right things. Last year, we hoped they got to the bus on time."

The 49ers have emerged from salary cap prison from a couple years ago and have hopes of being the NFL's surprise team. For the first time in several years, the starting offensive line returns with all five starters playing their same positions. Quarterback Jeff Garcia has established himself at quarterback and recently signed a $6 million-a-year contract.

But it's the improvement on defense that will determine how much the team will improve on its 6-10 record. As the season progressed, the young 49ers defense came together. The Niners won four of their final six games as the defense surrendered only 269 yards a game during the stretch.

"The eight rookie defensive guys who played last year grew up quicker than most rookies," Mariucci said. "That's good. They come to camp this year more like veterans. All we lack is experience. Our defense has been musical chairs for the last couple of years. Now, our oldest guy on defense will be Dana Stubblefield, who's 30. Now, we need all those young starters to take the next step."

There is competition for some positions, for a change. Chike Okeafor, a third-year player, is in a good fight for the starting left end job with John Engelberger. The 49ers feel good about three safeties -- Lance Schulters, Zack Bronson and John Keith.

Even first-round disappointment Reggie McGrew is starting to show signs of life. In the preseason opener against the Chargers, McGrew moved well and made a few tackles. With the return of Stubblefield at defensive tackle, the 49ers would be delighted if they could get 20 plays a game out of McGrew.

Still, it's fun to watch such a young group come together. Change brings new technology. Defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr. occasionally brings a small video recorder onto the field. The other day, he captured the bump-and-run techniques of second-year cornerback Ahmed Plummer. During a break, Mora showed Plummer on the recorder what he was doing and worked on the corrections.

The defensive player who gets the veterans most excited is Carter, the first-round choice and son of former NFL defensive lineman Ruben Carter. Left tackle Derrick Deese says he hasn't seen a rookie come into the league with such a quick takeoff at the line of scrimmage coupled with his ability to use his hands.

Carter could be this year's version of Jevon Kearse. A black belt in karate, Carter could freak out offensive linemen with his skills.

	“	Man, this guy is going to be something special. He's totally different from his stance to the speed off the ball and the way he uses his hands. He's kind of like Chris Doleman. ”
		— Dana Stubblefield on Andre Carter

"Man, this guy is going to be something special," Stubblefield said. "He's totally different from his stance to the speed off the ball and the way he uses his hands. He's kind of like Chris Doleman. Chris came off the ball real well and used his hands. Andre's a lot faster off the ball. He pushes me. I've got to be faster to keep up with him."

Because Carter is a rookie, mistakes happen. During the Chargers exhibition game, he was tentative. At middle linebacker, Winborn constantly found himself in bad position and watched runs go by him. Once, he came to the sideline and told Mora that the speed of the game caught him off guard.

"In practices, you can set up situations because you've got a script," Mora said. "You can help them. In games, if things don't come out what you had prepared the young players for, they get like, 'Oh my God, I've never seen this before, what do I do?' We have to get past that."

On offense, the 49ers have to get past their dependence on Jerry Rice, who was cut and moved to the Raiders. Terrell Owens is already an established Pro Bowl player. J.J. Stokes and Tai Streets must fill the void.

"I know there are going to be a lot of eyes on me, so I have to be productive," Owens said. "I know there will be times when I'm going to need the ball in my hands because that's what I like. I think Jeff Garcia has confidence in me. I think we have a feel for each other."

Injuries, however, can keep this team from moving to the next level. Some of those problems are starting to surface. Hamstring problems have killed the training camps of Stokes and Streets. Tight end Greg Clark underwent his third operation for hamstring problems and may miss the opener. Behind him, there are four inexperienced players.

On Tuesday, Bryant Young, the team's best player, partially tore a small muscle in his shoulder while hitting bags. He will be out a couple of weeks. On the positive side, Garrison Hearst is making an incredible comeback after two seasons of ankle problems. With rookie Kevan Barlow and second-year back Paul Smith fighting injuries, Hearst must continue to gain confidence to be the starter.

But the seeds are planted and positive things are coming out of the 49ers' youth movement.

"Things are starting to click for us," Stubblefield said. "The young guys have got to handle the satisfaction of everybody patting you on the back and saying that they did a good job last year. It's what you are going to do from there. Last year is over with. Do you move backwards or do you move forward."

Mariucci is hoping for the forward push.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.