Strategy and personnel
February 21, 2003
Dennis Erickson has always placed a premium on speed and explosiveness from his offensive players, so his philosophy would almost certainly spell the end for WR J.J. Stokes.
Stokes, who became the 49ers' No. 3 wideout last season, is scheduled to earn $2.25 million in 2003. Unless he agrees to take his base salary down to the $655,000 minimum, it would appear that Stokes will be released.
Another offensive player who figures to be on shaky ground with the transition from Steve Mariucci to Erickson is RB Garrison Hearst, who was one of Mariucci's favorites. Hearst is scheduled to make $2.2 million.
Defensively, the 49ers might look to save some cap room with a release of DT Dana Stubblefield, who is scheduled to earn $2.325 million.
The 49ers have allocated the following players to NFL Europe: WR Hilton Alexander (Morris Brown), G Alonzo Cunningham (Iowa), G Craig Osika (Indiana), FB Matt Stanley (UCLA) and G Milford Stephenson (Kansas State).
FREE-AGENT UPDATE: Unrestricted -- WR Tai Streets (should be a valuable commodity with new passing game coming to team, but team also wants to upgrade in this area); DE Chike Okeafor (recorded six sacks and might have higher opinion of himself than does the team right now); C Ben Lynch (probably won't be back with team, unless it's late in the preseason); OL Matt Willig (was a key backup last year, but veteran salary makes him expendable); S Tim Hauck (was merely a late-season pickup who will not return); CB Duane Hawthorne (might be worth inviting to training camp for an extended tryout); LB Terry Killens (joined team for playoffs, probably will not return). Restricted -- QB Tim Rattay (club likes him and expects to be tendered at the low amount); S Ronnie Heard (a valuable reserve who should be back contributing this season); LS Brian Jennings (team likes the job he has done and might want to sign him to a long-term deal); S John Keith (has been slow to bounce back to form after severe knee injury in opener of 2001); TE Justin Swift (this is an area team is looking to upgrade). Exclusive rights -- P Bill LaFleur (failed to give team an upgrade when they made late-season move to waive Jason Baker); CB/RS Jimmy Williams (until torn ACL was developing into a top return man); LB Quincy Stewart (will have to prove his worth on special teams); WR/RS Vinny Sutherland (late-season addition doesn't figure to return).
FEELING A DRAFT
The 49ers will draft No. 26, so it will be difficult for them to make a big impact with their rookie class. Still, there are plenty of spots that need some help. With coach Dennis Erickson's affinity for speed, look for the 49ers to go after a wide receiver who can stretch the field on the first day of the draft. The 49ers also need more help on the defensive line and the offensive line, where they have to figure on getting an offensive tackle on the first day of the draft. About the only spot where the 49ers don't figure to need any help on the first day of the draft is at QB and LB. Other than that, they can really figure on getting the best value on the board.
MEDICAL WATCH
DT Bryant Young underwent shoulder surgery after the Pro Bowl and might miss most of the team's mini-camps. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in mid-July. Young experienced some problems during the season but never made any excuses for a season in which he produced a career-low two sacks. ... S Tony Parrish had surgery to repair ligament damage in his left thumb. The injury occurred Dec. 1 against Seattle, in the same game he sustained ligament damage in his left elbow. He is hoping the elbow will not require surgery. ... DE John Engelberger underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle to remove bone spurs. ... G Eric Heitmann had a plate inserted into his right hand. He played the last half of the season with a cast on his hand. ... LB Jeff Ulbrich sustained a broken shoulder blade in the 49ers' playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week and should be ready to participate in the team's mini-camps.
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