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San Francisco 49ers

QB Garcia key cog for offensive machine to click

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2001 schedule Head coach: Steve Mariucci (fifth season, 37-31-0 career) Stadium: 3Com Park 49ers all-time record: 427-329-13 2000 rankings: Offense, 4th; Defense, 29th 2000 team statistics 2000 season results 49ers alerts from CNNSI.com! City Page: San Francisco, Calif.

San Francisco opens its training camp at the University of Pacific in Stockton, Calif. on July 25.

By Rich Loup, CNNSI.com

The post-Jerry Rice era begins. However, with wide receiver Terrell Owens coming off a stellar 2000 campaign (97 catches, 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns), expect quarterback Jeff Garcia to not miss a beat through the air. On the ground, the 49ers are counting on running back Garrison Hearst to rebound for a 1999 injury.

The 49ers can make the playoffs if … they find some defensive answers. San Francisco could score with almost any team last year, but finished 29th in total defense and pass defense. However, salary-cap issues kept the 49ers from doing much in the free-agency market, so San Francisco used its first two 2001 draft picks on defense for the second consecutive season.

Pivotal games: Five of San Fran's first six games are within the division, including consecutive games against St. Louis and New Orleans in Weeks 2 and 3. A reasonable goal would be a 3-3 record through that six-game stretch before the 49ers' bye in Week 7.

Up-and-coming: The 49ers selected California defensive end Andre Carter with the seventh pick in the first round after losing free-agent defensive tackles Brentson Buckner and Dana Stubblefield. Obviously, San Francisco is high on offensive right tackle Scott Gragg after re-signing him to a 6-year, $18-million deal.

On the hot seat: Garcia (4,278 yards, 31 TDs, 10 INTs in 2000) surprised many last season and gave San Francisco stability at quarterback. But the 49ers lost running back Charlie Garner (1,142 yards, 647 receiving yards) and Rice (805 yards, 7 TDs) to Oakland.

Sports Illustrated's season preview will post Aug. 29.