49ers Clubhouse

The Press Democrat

Donahue insists 49ers loaded

February 17, 2003

Assistant coach doubtful, but GM confident Erickson will win championship
By MATT MAIOCCO
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
One 49ers assistant coach from last season said there were games when he peered out over the playing field and wondered, "How are we winning this game?"
This NFL veteran coach said the 49ers' talent did not match up with a lot of teams in the league. Yet, the 49ers won the NFC West with a 10-6 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs under coach Steve Mariucci.
However, team general manager Terry Donahue, the man ultimately responsible for stocking the 49ers' roster, said he believes the team has as much talent as any in the league.
"I think we have outstanding personnel," Donahue said. "When you look at our team, we have a Pro Bowl quarterback; we have a Pro Bowl wide receiver, arguably the best receiver in the game; we've got two interior offensive linemen that are in the Pro Bowl. You can argue that (fullback) Fred Beasley should certainly have been in the Pro Bowl. I think that our football team has talent, and we believe in our players."
In other words, there will be no honeymoon period for Dennis Erickson, who was hired last week as the 49ers' new coach.
"I think we hired the right person to lead us to the world championship," Donahue said.
Erickson inherits a team that made it to the NFC divisional playoff round with a young defense, which should continue to improve as long as it avoids the rash of injuries that plagued it last season.
And because he is in charge of reinventing the offense, Erickson will be expected to improve on last season's offensive production.
"I would like to believe we can compete for a world championship this year," Erickson said. "I'm getting older. We've got to get it going."
Certainly, changes will be made this offseason. Erickson always has built his offenses around speed -- especially at the receiver positions.
Terrell Owens will be back, but it is uncertain who will be the No. 2 and No. 3 wideouts. And as much as the 49ers will want to flood the field with receivers, even the No. 4 target should have a significant role.
Tai Streets, who was second on the team with 72 receptions for 756 yards and five touchdowns, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. He could command a payday that the 49ers are unwilling to meet.
About the only way J.J. Stokes figures to be back for his ninth season is in the unlikely event he agrees to another dramatic pay cut.
He is scheduled to earn $2.25 million, and the lowest his salary can go is $665,000. If the 49ers cut him before the end of the month, it will have virtually no impact on the team's salary cap.
The big question is what happens to the 49ers' passing game. During his introductory press conference, Erickson outlined his offensive philosophy: "We like to get the ball up the football field, along with throwing it underneath."
Quarterback Jeff Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is adept at throwing underneath routes. But at least two assistant coaches on last year's staff questioned last week whether Garcia can thrive in an offense that relies on him to throw longer.
Garcia has been outspoken in his desire for the 49ers to be more aggressive on offense, so he obviously thinks he's up for the challenge. Donahue said he believes Garcia will be able to thrive in an offense that places more emphasis on longer passes.
"Throwing it down the field is not always related to arm strength," Donahue said. "It is related to timing and the kind of routes you run.
"When you look at Jeff Garcia and you look at his talent, he went to the 'Quarterbacks Challenge' two years ago and won it. One of the events was how far you can throw the ball. I believe, if you check, he finished second in that event.
"Players like Joe Montana and Steve Young, they don't necessarily have the strongest arms in the league. Players play with different talents within their parameters. (Garcia) certainly has a good enough arm to be successful. He's an All-Pro quarterback."
Running back Garrison Hearst, one of Mariucci's favorites, might find himself on the outside with Erickson. With running back Kevan Barlow entering his third season in the league, the 49ers want to see how he will respond as the every-down back. Hearst is scheduled to make $2.2 million in base salary -- a high figure for any backup.
The only notable player on defense who appears to be in trouble is defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield. The 49ers can save $2.2 million in cap room if they release Stubblefield.
NOTE
Erickson announced he will retain four more coaches from the Mariucci's staff: Brett Maxie (secondary), Dan Quinn (defensive assistant), Chris Beake (offensive assistant) and Jason Tarver (offensive quality control).

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.

Assistant coach doubtful, but GM confident Erickson will win championship

By MATT MAIOCCO
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

One 49ers assistant coach from last season said there were games when he peered out over the playing field and wondered, "How are we winning this game?"

This NFL veteran coach said the 49ers' talent did not match up with a lot of teams in the league. Yet, the 49ers won the NFC West with a 10-6 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs under coach Steve Mariucci.

However, team general manager Terry Donahue, the man ultimately responsible for stocking the 49ers' roster, said he believes the team has as much talent as any in the league.

"I think we have outstanding personnel," Donahue said. "When you look at our team, we have a Pro Bowl quarterback; we have a Pro Bowl wide receiver, arguably the best receiver in the game; we've got two interior offensive linemen that are in the Pro Bowl. You can argue that (fullback) Fred Beasley should certainly have been in the Pro Bowl. I think that our football team has talent, and we believe in our players."

In other words, there will be no honeymoon period for Dennis Erickson, who was hired last week as the 49ers' new coach.

"I think we hired the right person to lead us to the world championship," Donahue said.

Erickson inherits a team that made it to the NFC divisional playoff round with a young defense, which should continue to improve as long as it avoids the rash of injuries that plagued it last season.

And because he is in charge of reinventing the offense, Erickson will be expected to improve on last season's offensive production.

"I would like to believe we can compete for a world championship this year," Erickson said. "I'm getting older. We've got to get it going."

Certainly, changes will be made this offseason. Erickson always has built his offenses around speed -- especially at the receiver positions.

Terrell Owens will be back, but it is uncertain who will be the No. 2 and No. 3 wideouts. And as much as the 49ers will want to flood the field with receivers, even the No. 4 target should have a significant role.

Tai Streets, who was second on the team with 72 receptions for 756 yards and five touchdowns, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. He could command a payday that the 49ers are unwilling to meet.

About the only way J.J. Stokes figures to be back for his ninth season is in the unlikely event he agrees to another dramatic pay cut.

He is scheduled to earn $2.25 million, and the lowest his salary can go is $665,000. If the 49ers cut him before the end of the month, it will have virtually no impact on the team's salary cap.

The big question is what happens to the 49ers' passing game. During his introductory press conference, Erickson outlined his offensive philosophy: "We like to get the ball up the football field, along with throwing it underneath."

Quarterback Jeff Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is adept at throwing underneath routes. But at least two assistant coaches on last year's staff questioned last week whether Garcia can thrive in an offense that relies on him to throw longer.

Garcia has been outspoken in his desire for the 49ers to be more aggressive on offense, so he obviously thinks he's up for the challenge. Donahue said he believes Garcia will be able to thrive in an offense that places more emphasis on longer passes.

"Throwing it down the field is not always related to arm strength," Donahue said. "It is related to timing and the kind of routes you run.

"When you look at Jeff Garcia and you look at his talent, he went to the 'Quarterbacks Challenge' two years ago and won it. One of the events was how far you can throw the ball. I believe, if you check, he finished second in that event.

"Players like Joe Montana and Steve Young, they don't necessarily have the strongest arms in the league. Players play with different talents within their parameters. (Garcia) certainly has a good enough arm to be successful. He's an All-Pro quarterback."

Running back Garrison Hearst, one of Mariucci's favorites, might find himself on the outside with Erickson. With running back Kevan Barlow entering his third season in the league, the 49ers want to see how he will respond as the every-down back. Hearst is scheduled to make $2.2 million in base salary -- a high figure for any backup.

The only notable player on defense who appears to be in trouble is defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield. The 49ers can save $2.2 million in cap room if they release Stubblefield.

NOTE

Erickson announced he will retain four more coaches from the Mariucci's staff: Brett Maxie (secondary), Dan Quinn (defensive assistant), Chris Beake (offensive assistant) and Jason Tarver (offensive quality control).

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.