49ers Clubhouse

49ers Clubhouse

49ers Re-sign Jeremy Newberry

March 02, 2002
by James Parrott
Clubhouse Staff Writer

The San Francsico 49ers made their first move in free agency 2002 by reaching agreement on a six year, $20 million dollar contract with Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry.
In an important move the team locked up a key young player, this being Newberry, who in the last year overtook Ray Brown as the team best lineman.
Losing Newberry meant that the team would have faced the possibility of losing 40% of the offensive line that has started for the past two seasons. The future of Brown, who also made his first Pro Bowl in 2001 despite being almsot 40 years of age, is uncertain at this point.
Many rated Newberry as being amongst the top ten players on the open market, and the fifth year center would have been sure to draw interest from around the league.
If the former University of California center had signed with another team it would have been a big setback to the team as the 6'5" 315 lb lineman is typical of the kind of young, haungry and talented player that team management has built it's rebirth around.
Management will now turn it's attention to it's three other free agents; safety Lance Schulters, fullback Fred Beasley and halfback Garrison Hearst who has a visit with the Cleveland Browns planned.

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The San Francsico 49ers made their first move in free agency 2002 by reaching agreement on a six year, $20 million dollar contract with Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry.

In an important move the team locked up a key young player, this being Newberry, who in the last year overtook Ray Brown as the team best lineman.

Losing Newberry meant that the team would have faced the possibility of losing 40% of the offensive line that has started for the past two seasons. The future of Brown, who also made his first Pro Bowl in 2001 despite being almsot 40 years of age, is uncertain at this point.

Many rated Newberry as being amongst the top ten players on the open market, and the fifth year center would have been sure to draw interest from around the league.

If the former University of California center had signed with another team it would have been a big setback to the team as the 6'5" 315 lb lineman is typical of the kind of young, haungry and talented player that team management has built it's rebirth around.

Management will now turn it's attention to it's three other free agents; safety Lance Schulters, fullback Fred Beasley and halfback Garrison Hearst who has a visit with the Cleveland Browns planned.