49ers set to sign Charles Haley

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Saturday January 02, 1999 12:15 AM

Blast from the past: Charles Haley (94) terrorized QBs for six years with the 49ers Otto Greule Jr./Allsport

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Desperate to bolster their pass rush, the San Francisco 49ers plan to bring Charles Haley out of retirement and play him in Sunday's wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers.

Haley, a linebacker-defensive end who is the only player to win five Super Bowl rings, was en route Friday to the 49ers' Santa Clara headquarters and was scheduled to work out for the team Saturday. Provided he works out well and passes a physical, he'll be signed and put to work in time for the 49ers' playoff showdown, a source close to the team told The Associated Press.

CNN/SI reported earlier Friday that Haley would sign with the 49ers.

San Francisco has been hit hard by injuries on the defensive line. Ends Chris Doleman (torn pectoral muscle) and Roy Barker (knee) are both playing hurt and defensive tackle Bryant Young was lost for the year when he broke his right leg Nov. 30 against the New York Giants.

Haley, 34, racked up 97 1/2 sacks in 11 NFL seasons, the last five in Dallas after starting his career with the 49ers in 1986. San Francisco traded him to Dallas in 1992 in return for a second-round draft pick after Haley had some run-ins with teammates and clashed with former 49ers coach George Seifert.

Back problems leading to three operations forced Haley to quit after the 1996 season, a year in which he played in only five games with one sack.

The Cowboys subsequently released their rights to him and the 49ers nearly signed him last September, when he had an impressive workout with the team. However, former general manager Dwight Clark decided against it, saying he still had concerns about Haley's health as well as the potential for locker room divisiveness.

Among the players Haley had run-ins with were Steve Young and retired linebacker Tim Harris.

The most pressing concern for the 49ers now seems to be turning up the pressure on Packers quarterback Brett Favre, in part to help protect a secondary that has been vulnerable to big plays.

San Francisco has struggled to generate a pass rush, especially since Young went down. Doleman was injured in the same game. Barker has battled knee problems throughout the season.

In the last four games, San Francisco has just five sacks and failed to mount an effective pass rush in any of the games.

 

Related information
Stories
49ers hope to reverse fortunes against Packers
Stats
CNN/SI Player Page: Charles Haley Career Statistics
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.