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San Francisco 49ers
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:51 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - Despite his age, and numerous concussions, Steve Young continues to be one of the most effective QB's in the NFL. Young took another beating last season, and may start slowing down soon. Knowing this, they signed FA QB Ty Detmer this offseason. Detmer has started in the NFL, but should really be a nice fit as a #2 guy. He can come off the bench and get you a few wins if Young is out of action. The signing of Detmer's is a sure sign that they are not pleased with the progress of #3 QB Jim Druckenmiller. Druckenmiller didn't play well in his only NFL start last season. He needs to become more familiarized with the offense.
RB - If Garrison Hearst comes back from his offseason shoulder surgery at 100%, you can bet that he will have another 1,000 yd+ season. Hearst rejuvenated his career last season, before missing the last 1/4 of the season with a shoulder injury. The one negative on Hearst is that he will fumble in crucial situations, but he did an exc. job of holding on to the football last season. Look for the 49ers to add another RB in the draft. Backup Terry Kirby was released during the FA period, leaving only seldom used Chuck Levy as depth. Levy is more of a nickle guy/ RS. With the loss of FA FB Williams Floyd, Marc Edwards will start next season. "Bar None" Floyd's leadership will be missed.
WR - The biggest ? is WR Jerry Rice and whether he will return at 100% after suffering injuries to the same knee last season. After being injured in week 1, Rice rushed back too soon, and re-injured the knee in a home win vs. Denver. Even if Rice does return, it is likely he may lose a step. WR Terrell Owens has really made the most of his opportunity with Rice out, and became their go-to guy last season. Owens has exc. size and strength, and catches the ball well in traffic. If Rice isn't his old self, Owens will be ready to pick up the slack. #3 WR J.J. Stokes has played well in flashes, but the light has to go this season. Stokes looks as if he may be a decent NFL WR, but may never reach his full potential. #4 Iheyani Uwaezouke adds depth. Solid unit, but may add another young guy in the draft.
TE - No sooner than the Brent Jones era ended, the 49ers went out and signed FA TE Irv Smith early in the FA signing period. Smith is an exc. TE when healthy, which wasn't often enough in New Orleans. Should the injury bug hit Smith again, they have insurance with TE Greg Clark, who showed soft hands as a rookie. #3 TE Chadd Fann is a better ST's guy than TE.
OL - Big problem the past few years, yet they continue to ignore this position in the draft. It's time they start drafting some young guys and developing them into quality OL. LT Derrick Deese held his own last season in his first stint at the OT position, but is better suited at OG. The biggest hole is at RT, where Kirk Scrafford has retired. With QB Young being a "lefty", it is vital they find quality RT in the draft. The inside trio of Ray Brown, Chris Dalman, and Kevin Gogan is solid, but should any of them go down, they are in big trouble. They didn't address the OL in FA, so they must take care of it in the draft.
DL - One of the best units in the NFL the past few seasons. It's to early to know if the loss of DT Dana Stubblefield will hurt. A lot of NFL insiders feel the money will go to Stubblefield's head, and he dominated last year when he knew a lot of money was on the line. If Stubblefield goes back to his poor work habits, they won't miss him. They have a solid backup in DT Junior Bryant. Bryant could start for a lot of NFL teams, and should be a nice fit next to Bryant Young. They cut DE Kevin Greene, but filled the whole by signing FA DE Gabe Wilkins away from the Packers. Wilkins will likely start at RDE, with Roy Barker at LDE. It is still unclear as to what they are going to do with All Pro DE Chris Doleman. Doleman also carries a high price tag, and if they can't deal him, they might have to waive him.
LB - Good starting unit, but not a lot of depth. They signed FA MLB Winfred Tubbs away from the Saints, but lost Kevin Mitchell right back to them. Look for Tubbs to take over at MLB, with Ken Norton bouncing over to the WLB spot. SLB Lee Woodall is solid. With Gary Plummer's retirement, Jim Schwants is the only quality backup. Look for them to add a LB or two in the upcoming draft.
DB - A lot of movement at DC in this unit. Both starters for much of last season are... Rod Woodson who was waived and claimed by Baltimore, while FA DC Tyrone Drakeford was signed by the Saints. DC Marquez Pope is back, but really struggled last season after returning from a foot injury. They added FA DC Antonio Langham, but he is a little overrated. DC's Frankie Smith And Darnell Walker are not top flight backups, so look for them to draft another DC in the upcoming draft.
ST - PT Tommy Thompson is coming off an inconsistent season... look for them to bring someone in to challenge him in the preseason. PK Gary Anderson had a great season, but he was lost to the Vikings via FA, leaving them without a PK on their roster right now. Greg Davis and Eddie Murray are still on the FA market. Murray struggled last season, and Davis kicked for three teams last season. With the release of Terry Kirby, look for Chuck Levy to handle the return duties.
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