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San Francisco
49ERS
2002 Record: 10-6
Head Coach: Dennis Erickson
31-33 overall
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TEAM LEADERS
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Passing
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Jeff Garcia
328-528, 3,344 yards, 21 TDs, 10 INTs
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Rushing
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Garrison Hearst
215 carries, 972 yards, 8 TDs
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Receiving
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Terrell Owens
100 catches, 1,300 yards, 13 TDs
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Kicking
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Jose Cortez
18-24 FGs, 25-25 PATs, 79 points
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Schedule | Roster |
Statistics | Stadium
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By B. Duane Cross, SI.com
It was a cold day in a hot place the last time the Lions pulled a fast one on anyone, much less the near-royalty status Niners. But that's exactly what happened when San Francisco's brain trust cut loose head coach Steve Mariucci. Detroit lept first, hired Mooch and brought his balanced offensive approach back home.
In the meantime, the 49ers dabbled here and there ... and finally settled on Dennis Erickson. Yes, the former Seahawks head coach who was in over his head the first time he tried his hand in the NFL. And that was after he had coached at Miami (Fla.). What makes team owner John York/GM Terry Donahue think Erickson got any better equipped to handle a pro roster during his tenure at Oregon State?
It may be sacreligious to suggest it's time for consultant Bill Walsh to step completely out of the picture in San Fran, but here goes: Leave, Bill, before the glow from your remarkable career is further diminished by York/Donahue.
The rift between the front office and Mariucci was that the Niners' offense didn't throw the ball enough to suit the suits. Still, the end result was a 57-39 record and four playoff berths even after the salary-cap purge that handcuffed Mooch midway through his stay in the Bay Area.
Enter Erickson, who has implemented a pass-happy offense designed to get the ball to playmaker Terrell Owens (who wasn't a big Mariucci fan anyway). And to show his appreciation, T.O. wants a new deal, reportedly with a signing bonus in the range of $20 million.
Once a model franchise for stability, San Francisco is a shell of its former self. About the only positive offseason move was re-signing backup QB Tim Rattay. If Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia goes down with an injury, Rattay is capable of running the offense. Defensively, there are huge question marks within the youthful secondary and the depleted D-line.
Three words: There wasn't one.
G Dave Fiore -- Limited to only three games last season, Fiore's departure opens the left guard spot to Eric Heitmann, a seventh-round pick in 2002. Another option is Kwame Harris, the mammoth lineman drafted No. 26 overall this year. Before last season, Fiore had been a fixture for three seasons along the Niners' O-line.
WR Terrell Owens -- He's part of the trio of elite fantasy receivers with Randy Moss and Marvin Harrison. Owens started the season relatively slowly, but picked up his game after the Sharpie incident in Week 6 against the Seahawks. Eventually, he would set a career high with 100 catches and had 1,300 yards (five 100-yard games) plus 13 TDs (five games with two TDs) despite missing the last two games of the season with a groin injury. New head coach Dennis Erickson wants a more vertical passing game, which could mean even more big plays for Owens. Regardless, he'll remain among the league's best. He's a potential first-round pick and definite second-rounder at worst.
RB Garrison Hearst -- He had a solid 2002, going for 1,289 combined yards with nine TDs and even rushed for 4.5 yards per carry. Hearst held off Kevan Barlow for another season, but at some point the Niners will want to give more looks to their third-year running back. When that happens, Hearst's numbers will likely not warrant a regular starting fantasy slot. Then again, neither would Barlow, although both are still decent bets as backup fantasy backs this season.
TE Eric Johnson -- Back injuries slowed him down last season, but he did have three games where he caught at least seven passes, although he scored no touchdowns. When healthy, he gives Jeff Garcia a great safety valve option and eventually he'll get some scores in the red zone. Besides, after Terrell Owens and the emerging Tai Streets, the rest of the options at receiver are still up in the air.
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>> 49ers will make the playoffs because ...
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Jeff Garcia, Terrell Owens and Garrison Hearst are on top of their games, which more times than not will allow San Francisco to play tit-for-tat with the opposition's offense.
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>> 49ers will miss the playoffs because ...
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San Francisco's defense continues to give up points in bunches. The Niners gave up 69 points in two playoff games and did virtually nothing to shore up the unit. That can't be good.
| 2003 Draft Picks |
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| Rd. |
Pick |
Player |
Pos. |
School |
| 1 |
26 (26) |
Kwame Harris |
OT |
Stanford |
| 2 |
25 (57) |
Anthony Adams |
DT |
Penn State |
| 3 |
25 (89) |
Andrew Williams |
DE |
Miami (Fla.) |
| 4 |
27 (124) |
Brandon Lloyd |
WR |
Illinois |
| 5 |
26 (161) |
Aaron Walker |
TE |
Florida |
| 6 |
24 (197) |
Arnaz Battle |
WR |
Notre Dame |
| 7 |
27 (241) |
Ken Dorsey |
QB |
Miami (Fla.) |
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