QB: The immediate future of
this position hinges on the return or departure of Steve Young, but it’s
clear the 49ers need to address the quarterback situation this offseason.
Walsh still believes in Jeff Garcia’s ability, but the up-and-down performance
by Garcia last season was more indicative of a backup-type player.
CB: The rotating door here
was the team’s biggest weakness in ’99. The number of starting combinations
at cornerback almost tripled the win total. Mark McMillian and Darnell
Walker were too small. R.W. McQuarters and Craig Newsome were too slow.
Pierson Prioleau may be better suited for safety. Defensive coordinator
Jim Mora Jr. will oversee the position next season, and he desperately
could use some size and speed to work with.
DE: No team got as little
production at this position as the 49ers did last season. Charles Haley’s
retirement and Marvin Washington’s release leaves Junior Bryant, Gabe Wilkins,
Jeff Posey and sophomore Chike Okeafor as the holdovers. The team re-signed
Bryant, who probably is a better inside player. Wilkins plays the run well,
but his impact on passing downs was nonexistent. Okeafor is an intriguing
pass-rush specialist but is basically nothing more than a third-down player.
The unit needs more impact plays from better impact players.
SS: The release of longtime
starter Tim McDonald leaves a huge void. For now, Prioleau is the listed
starter. Zack Bronson has good size and can play over the tight end, but
the club is not sure if he has the instincts to hold up as a starter. Bronson
will have to emerge like FS Lance Schulters did last season in order for
the pass defense to turn around.
OLB: The team didn’t think
Anthony Peterson was a long-term solution so Joe Wesley, a special teams
player last season, will get the chance to replace Lee Woodall (released).
Ken Norton Jr., the other outside linebacker, isn’t getting any younger,
and there’s not a lot of depth. The defense is one of the slowest in the
league and could use some young legs.
OT: Jeremy Newberry didn’t
pan out at right tackle last season, which forced the team to use Derrick
Deese, its best interior lineman, outside. That was a waste of talent.
LT Dave Fiore is adequate when he’s healthy, but that hasn’t been too often
the past couple of years. The roster is loaded with some young, talented
linemen, but they are better suited to play guard or center. The 49ers
could use help at both tackles.
RB: This is clearly a position
of strength. Charlie Garner, who carried the load when the passing game
faltered last season, is more than a capable starter and would resume that
role if Garrison Hearst has not recovered from the leg injury that kept
him out for the entire ’99 season. Fred Beasley and Terry Jackson are a
formidable fullback combination.
WR: If Jerry Rice lands elsewhere,
look for Tai Streets to emerge in the three-receiver sets. Terrell Owens’
production slipped last season, and he must rebound. J.J. Stokes is a capable
starter, but he should be more effective considering his skills.