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Starting Young 49ers need QB's decision to cultivate future plans
Posted: Thursday June 01, 2000 02:08 PM
The 49ers have given Steve Young until June 10 to decide his future. Team insiders would love to see him retire, but there's no question that Young can find two doctors to clear him to play football. The reason the 49ers would love to see him retire is that they can't plan a future if he enters the season as the starting quarterback. How long, with that horrible offensive line, would Young last? A quarter? Nine games? Who knows? San Francisco cannot plan for 2001 and beyond with Young back behind center.
Tricks or treatsPhiladelphia, Cleveland and Denver lead the NFL pack in cap money available heading into this weekend's secondary free-agency market. So why do these teams approach free agency yawning? It's simple. The free-agent prizes might be more tricks than treats. Deion Sanders, for instance, turns 33 in August. He's played a 16-game season once in the last nine years. He's coming off foot and knee injuries in 1999. He's not an off-season workout guy. Denver won't get Sanders because the Broncos would only want him at a lowball price. Look for him to land in Washington, the only place Sanders won't have to sign an incentive-laden deal.
On the chopping blockThe Cardinals are likely to cut defensive tackle Eric Swann this weekend. Dominating player, right? When he's on the field, yes. But he's missed 16 games in the last two years with knee injuries, which is why Carolina, Tennessee and Denver -- his prime suitors -- will make him sign an incentive-filled contract. And Bengals wideout Carl Pickens might not be hurt, but he's such a miserable and unhappy person that if the Jets take him they'll probably sign him for one year.
Adding vets at Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia coach Andy Reid tells me he's looking to make hay with lesser players, which is probably smart. Look for the Eagles to take a flyer on former 49ers and Packers defensive end Gabe Wilkins and maybe to try to coax one more year out of a former all-pro guard, Dave Szott. The Chiefs will likely waive Szott but keep fellow guard Will Shields.
Sparks' two-year fall from graceFinally, it's been a long fall from grace for Giants free agent cornerback Phillippi Sparks, one of the 10 best cover guys in football two years ago. Because the word on him around the league is he won't play hurt, he got scant interest in free agency in February, and now it looks like he'll have to sign for low money with Cincinnati or Oakland. Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL for the magazine and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated.
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