RESOURCES
HOME PAGE
49ERS NEWS
EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES
2002 PLAYOFFS
2002 DRAFT
2002 SCHEDULE
2002 ROSTER
2002 DEPTH CHART
2002 FREE AGENTS
2002 ROOKIES WATCH
IMAGE GALLERY
GAMEDAY 2001
2001 PLAYOFFS
2001 DRAFT
2001 STANDINGS
2001 SCHEDULE
2001 ROSTER
2001 DEPTH CHART
2001 ROOKIES WATCH
GAMEDAY 2000
2000 PLAYOFFS
2000 DRAFT
2000 STANDINGS
2000 SCHEDULE
2000 ROOKIES WATCH
CLUBHOUSE FAN'S MVP
HISTORY
49ERS HISTORY
49ERS RECORDS
49ERS LEGENDS
49ERS HALL OF FAME
ALL-TIME TEAM
YOUNG RETIREMENT
FAREWELL JERRY...
PLAYOFFS HISTORY
SUPER BOWLS
49ERS AWARDS
STADIUMS
NFL INFO
RULES
PLAYBOOK
QB RATING
TIEBREAKERS
INSTANT REPLAY
MISC
49ERS BOOKS
49ERS VIDEOS
49ERS POSTERS
OPINION POLLS
49ERS LINKS
MY AWARDS
CONTACT
MESSAGE BOARD
SIGN MY GUESTBOOK
VIEW MY GUESTBOOK
SITE STAFF
E-MAIL ME
 
San Jose Mercury

49ers say farewell to Stubblefield
 
 
February 27, 2003
 
FIORE ALSO RELEASED; TEAM NOW UNDER CAP

By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News

Defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield and guard Dave Fiore, onetime mainstays of the 49ers, were released Wednesday as part of the team's nearly $7 million payroll cut to get under the cap before today's deadline.

The 49ers restructured the contracts of quarterback Jeff Garcia, safety Tony Parrish and defensive end Andre Carter.

That brings the number of restructured contracts to seven, saving the 49ers about $8 million against the cap, General Manager Terry Donahue said.

The 49ers saved an additional $4.7 million with the release of Stubblefield, 32, and Fiore, 28, who become unrestricted free agents. The free-agent signing period begins Friday.

``We hated to say goodbye to those guys but we're excited and delighted to be under the salary cap,'' Donahue said. The 49ers are an estimated $3 million under the cap.

The 49ers weren't just realizing payroll savings, however. They were also spending some dough to retain key players.

Quarterback Tim Rattay, long snapper Brian Jennings and wide receiver Tai Streets, all restricted free agents, were tendered offers to ensure first-refusal rights and compensation should another team make an offer. Streets was given a $1.3 million offer; Rattay and Jennings were each offered $605,000.

Age, health and performance as well as finances figured in the release of Fiore and Stubblefield, both longtime starters, Donahue said.

Stubblefield, who had been slated to receive $2.325 million this year, was one of the team's vocal leaders. He and Bryant Young anchored the middle of the 49ers' defense in the two years since Stubblefied returned to the team as a free agent after three seasons in Washington. But Donahue said the play of Stubblefield, a first-round pick of the 49ers in 1993, slipped noticeably late last season.

Stubblefield's agent, Neil Cornrich, was unavailable for comment.

Fiore's hallmark was versatility, having played every position on the offensive line. But he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sept. 22 against Washington and finished the season on injured reserve. It was the fourth major knee surgery -- he's had two on each leg -- for Fiore, who would have been due a $500,000 bonus Friday and a $2 million salary if he had remained on the roster.

Donahue said the history of knee problems with Fiore ``was a major concern. At the financial point he was, it was very difficult for us to continue at that.''

Donahue said he didn't expect the 49ers to be very active in the free-agent market, though that could change, depending on the market conditions. He said the 49ers would try to re-sign defensive end Chike Okeafor, the team's only starter heading for unrestricted free agency.

• Donahue said the 49ers hope to begin talking with Terrell Owens' agent, David Joseph, about a long-term deal after the draft. Owens has a year left on his contract.

• Wide receiver J.J. Stokes survived the first round of cuts, but he could still be let go after June 1.


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