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Tim Rattay Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Projected starting lineup Offense No. Player Pos. 81 Rashaun Woods WR 77 Kwame Harris LT 66 Eric Heitmann LG 62 Jeremy Newberry C 65 Justin Smiley RG 78 Scott Gragg RT 82 Eric Johnson TE 85 Brandon Lloyd WR 13 Tim Rattay QB 32 Kevan Barlow RB 40 Fred Beasley FB 2 Todd Peterson K Defense No. Player Pos. 95 John Engelberger LE 91 Anthony Adams LT 97 Bryant Young RT 96 Andre Carter RE 98 Julian Peterson SLB 50 Derek Smith MLB 53 Jeff Ulbrich WLB 29 Ahmed Plummer LC 24 Mike Rumph RC 33 Tony Parrish SS 35 Dwaine Carpenter FS 4 Andy Lee P 2004 Draft Rd. Player Pos. School 1 Rashaun Woods WR Oklahoma State 2 Justin Smiley G Alabama 2 Shawntae Spencer CB Pittsburgh 3 Derrick Hamilton WR Clemson 4 Isaac Sopoaga DT Hawaii 4 Richard Seigler LB Oregon State 6 Andy Lee P Pittsburgh 6 Keith Lewis S Oregon 7 Cody Pickett QB Washington 7 Christian Ferrara DT Syracuse Outside the Huddle Turnover After former defensive coordinator Jim Mora was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and he took offensive whiz Greg Knapp with him. Erickson promoted Ted Tollner to offensive coordinator and hired Pittsburgh secondary coach Willy Robinson to be his defensive boss. Big jersey to fill Upon his selection to the 49ers with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft, receiver Rashaun Woods chose jersey No. 81, which coincidentally belonged to Terrell Owens, the man he will be replacing at the flanker position. I know you When the 49ers drafted Oregon State linebacker Richard Seigler, he became the first player Dennis Erickson coached in college and drafted in the pros. Top thief Since the 11th week of the '01 season, strong safety Tony Parrish has recorded an NFL-high 17 interceptions. Keepaway The 49ers' 110 turnovers during the past three seasons are the fewest in the NFL. Hello, Larry Shawntae Spencer, projected to be the club's nickel back, will face his former University of Pittsburgh teammate Larry Fitzgerald twice a year. Fitzgerald, now with the Arizona Cardinals, went up against Spencer every day in practice during the two seasons they were teammates. 2003 Revisited The Prophecy: "It is a huge season for [Jeff] Garcia, as he has to prove to the organization that he is worth another big-money contract beyond this season." The Lie: "[Andre] Carter recorded 12 1/2 sacks and might be on the verge of establishing himself as one of the elite pass rushers in the league. --Athlon Sports Pro Football 2003

While the approach the 49ers took in the offseason might have given the impression they are building for future seasons, GM Terry Donahue says he expects the club to challenge for the playoffs.

The 49ers parted ways with seven offensive starters, including quarterback Jeff Garcia, receivers Terrell Owens and Tai Streets and running back Garrison Hearst. Yet, Donahue believes the new starters can compensate for those losses. Specifically, the pressure falls onto the shoulders of new starting quarterback Tim Rattay, running back Kevan Barlow and the new receiver and offensive line combinations. "We have not written off '04," Donahue insists.

A minor quarterback controversy arose last season when Rattay compiled a 2–1 record after taking over for an injured Garcia, who was never entirely healthy or entirely effective.

Rattay enters the season as the full-time starting quarterback, and he might give head coach Dennis Erickson better odds to get the ball down the field than with Garcia, whose arm strength was not his forte. "He has a good arm and does a lot of the things that I like to do with the football," Erickson says of Rattay.

But Rattay's lack of mobility also could make him susceptible to absorbing some hits, and a groin injury adds some uncertainty. He underwent surgery in mid-May to repair a tear but was expected to be recovered in time for the season opener.

Second-year man Ken Dorsey, like Rattay a former seventh-round draft pick, is the backup. He has never taken a regular-season snap.

Barlow, who has been impressive in a limited role for his first three seasons in the league, became the main man when the 49ers awarded him with a five-year, $20 million contract in the offseason.

Barlow's extension spelled the end for Garrison Hearst, who was released in the offseason. Barlow started just four games last season when Hearst was injured but still managed to gain a team-high 1,024 yards with a 5.1-yard average and six touchdowns.

A powerful runner, Barlow has also proven to be an effective receiver out of the backfield with 35 receptions last season. The 49ers could be in trouble if Barlow is lost for any length of time, as unproven Jamal Robertson enters camp as the No. 2.

Fullback Fred Beasley, coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance, is considered one of the best blockers at his position in the game.

Rookie Rashaun Woods is slated to step into the flanker position vacated with Owens' offseason trade to the Eagles. Woods is an accomplished route-runner but faces a difficult adjustment to the speed of the game at the NFL level. Although nobody is expecting him to become the go-to receiver right away, the 49ers must get some major production out of him immediately.

The split end spot is up for grabs after Streets left to sign a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions. Brandon Lloyd and Cedrick Wilson are the only returning receivers who caught passes last season. Wilson caught 35 for 396 yards and two touchdowns, while Lloyd grabbed 14 receptions for 212 yards and two scores.

Another rookie, Derrick Hamilton, a third-round draft pick, might also figure into the equation with a good training camp. Hamilton is the team's tallest (6-foot-4) and fastest receiver.

Eric Johnson starts at tight end after missing all of last season with a broken collarbone. Aaron Walker will also have a significant role.

Most of the pressure falls onto 2003 first-round draft pick Kwame Harris, who takes over left tackle for salary-cap casualty Derrick Deese. Harris is considered a better run-blocker than Deese but needs to show more consistency in pass protection.

Center Jeremy Newberry is the anchor of the line. He should be completely recovered from reconstructive ankle surgery that limited him last season. Left guard Eric Heitmann also had an injury-plagued 2003 season, missing all or parts of 10 games.

Second-round draft pick Justin Smiley appears to be the front-runner to start at right guard over versatile Kyle Kosier, who then could become the top backup at all spots other than center.

Right tackle Scott Gragg had an up-and-down year and might get pushed by free-agent acquisition Greg Randall, who started 16 games for the Texans last season. The 49ers like the depth on the line with veteran free-agent pickup Scott Rehberg added to the mix.

The 49ers like what they've done to add depth on the defensive line, yet right end Andre Carter is the only player who can still have a major impact on the game. Carter's sack total dipped to 6 1/2 last season after he recorded 12 1/2 in 2002.

Left end John Engelberger re-signed with the club, but his job might be in jeopardy if Brandon Whiting returns to full strength from shoulder surgery. Whiting was acquired in the Owens trade, but he could be sent back to the Eagles for a third-round draft pick if he is not healthy by Sept. 1.

The 49ers are also eager for '03 third-round pick Andrew Williams to make a contribution. Williams was a non-factor as a rookie and was active for only two games.

Defensive tackle Bryant Young, the most respected veteran on the team, has seen his game diminish. He figures to be part of an inside rotation with Anthony Adams and rookie Isaac Sopoaga, a 320-pounder who can play the nose when the 49ers go to a 3-4.

The 49ers are hoping outside linebacker Julian Peterson rounds into shape quickly after his expected holdout. Peterson was tagged as the team's franchise player, and the club does not expect him to report to camp until just prior to the start of the regular season.

Middle linebacker Derek Smith and weak-side backer Jeff Ulbrich are solid performers. Smith has led the team in tackles each of his three seasons with the club. The 49ers are hopeful Jamie Winborn can return to form after undergoing surgery to fuse two vertebrae.

The 49ers added inside linebacker Richard Seigler, an Erickson recruit at Oregon State, with a fourth-round pick. They would also like to see some progress from Saleem Rasheed, a third-round selection in '02.

The 49ers made a huge commitment to left cornerback Ahmed Plummer, signing him to a five-year, $25 million contract in the offseason. With that extension, the 49ers were able to keep most of their defense intact.

Mike Rumph, who made tremendous strides in his second season, returns at the other corner spot. Second-round pick Shawntae Spencer has the edge over Jimmy Williams for the nickel back job.

Tony Parrish, coming off perhaps his finest season, returns at strong safety. Dwaine Carpenter, who spent several seasons honing his skills in the arena leagues, is expected to take over for Zack Bronson, a likely salary cap casualty, at free safety.

The 49ers hope to avoid the inconsistency that has plagued them in recent seasons in the kicking game with veteran Todd Peterson. The team employed three kickers last season with disastrous results until Peterson brought some semblance of stability to the spot. Long snapper Brian Jennings was retained with a six-year, $4.85 million deal. Rookie Andy Lee, a sixth-round draft pick, gets the first shot to earn his keep as the punter.

Williams, the NFL leader in punt-return average in '02, did not look completely recovered from ACL surgery. Hamilton could take over as the kickoff returner.

Despite all the changes on offense, the 49ers can be competitive this season if their defense improves under first-year coordinator Willy Robinson.

The formula for the 49ers is going to have to be different from years past. They will have to run the ball effectively, control the clock and play conservatively on offense while winning games with their defense. One thing that gives the 49ers hope is that many of the offensive starters who are not returning did not play particularly well last season, including Garcia and Owens. Still, the 49ers appear to be pointing more toward the 2005 and '06 seasons.

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