49ers make cap room, add coaches
February 25, 2003
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
The 49ers brokered more deals than a used car salesman Monday by signing coaches and restructuring player contracts.
The team is attempting to fill out its coaching staff and trim an estimated $6.5 million off its salary cap by Thursday's league-mandated deadline.
The team announced the hiring of Oregon State wide receivers coach Eric Yarber to perform the same task in San Francisco, as well as the hiring of University of Arizona defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff as its special teams coach.
The 49ers also restructured the contract of center Jeremy Newberry, saving $1.2 million, and expect to restructure tackle Scott Gragg's deal -- which would save the team nearly $1.3 million -- as soon as today.
The balance of the remaining $4 million over the cap could be saved with the release of offensive lineman Dave Fiore and defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, according to published reports.
The 49ers want to keep Fiore, who is coming off knee surgery, at or a little above the league minimum of $655,000 and have him play as a backup. Fiore, due to earn $2.5 million in salary, including $500,000 in a roster bonus this week, could opt for his release.
Fiore has undergone at least two knee reconstruction surgeries on each leg but is said to be fully healthy after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sept. 22 against Washington.
Stubblefield is owed $700,000 by March 4 as part of his original signing bonus. His salary escalates to $3 million, with another $500,000 to $1 million due in a roster bonus this week.
Restructuring the deal, however, could keep Stubblefield with the team and would save significant cap room. Stubblefield started 15 games for the 49ers last season, making 43 tackles and three sacks.
After walking through the salary cap's valley of death for several years, the 49ers are now in reasonable shape. They'll enter the free-agent market with only one unrestricted starter -- defensive end Chike Okeafor.
"It could go either way," Okeafor's agent Andy Simms said of the chances his client will re-sign before free agency. "I don't think we will talk negotiating at that point."
Wide receiver Tai Streets has been deemed a restricted free agent because he failed to see enough playing time in 1999 after rebounding from an Achilles tendon injury. With Streets having only three credited NFL seasons, the 49ers can sign him to a tender and greatly reduce the risk of losing him.
If the 49ers sign him to a $1.38 million one-year tender, another team would have to surrender a first-round pick to sign Streets to a free-agent deal. At the $1.758 million level, another team would have to compensate the 49ers with a first- and third-round choice.
Streets proved to be a burgeoning complement to Terrell Owens last season by catching 72 passes for 756 yards and five touchdowns.
Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.
