Theme for 49ers: out with the old

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 24, 2005 | by Roger Phillips, STAFF WRITER

For those who cannot remember how dismal things have recently become for the San Francisco 49ers, here are some helpful reminders:

They have won exactly two games in the last 580-odd days, which is also how long it has been since they defeated a team other than the Arizona Cardinals or won a game in regulation.

But what matters to the 49ers right now is that it has been seven months since the conclusion of their league-worst 2-14 season, which was followed a few days later by the firings of general manager Terry Donahue, coach Dennis Erickson and nearly all of Erickson's staff.

On Friday, the new era begins, with players scheduled to report for new coach Mike Nolan's first training camp. Time will tell if the new era is a better era, but it's hard to imagine that it could be any worse.

Donahue and Erickson aren't the only ones gone. Among the others who have departed are receivers Cedrick Wilson and Curtis Conway, defensive end John Engelberger, right tackle Scott Gragg and kicker Todd Peterson.

Also gone is media relations director Kirk Reynolds, fired as a result of last month's training video fiasco, the embarrassing low point of the long off-season.

Among the new faces on the roster are 11 draft choices, along with veteran additions left tackle Jonas Jennings, receiver Johnnie Morton, defensive end Marques Douglas, cornerback Willie Middlebrooks and kicker Joe Nedney.

The most noteworthy newcomer, of course, is rookie quarterback Alex Smith, the first player chosen in the draft three months ago.

Smith was a constant presence at 49ers minicamps and organized team activities following the draft, but he enters the final days before training camp without a contract.

A prolonged absence from camp by Smith would lessen the likelihood of him unseating Tim Rattay as the starting quarterback. The competition between Smith and Rattay is one of the anticipated highlights of the camp.

Other things to watch for at camp as the 49ers begin preparations for the Sept.11 season opener at home against the St. Louis Rams:

-Nolan is installing a 3-4 defensive alignment (three linemen and four linebackers), resulting in position changes for Andre Carter and Bryant Young.

-The offensive line, a major weakness a year ago, has undergone a vast reconfiguration, but a big question remains: Will center Jeremy Newberry, who missed all but one game last season with injuries, overcome his latest knee injury and play in 2005?

-Will running back Kevan Barlow rebound from last year's struggles?

-Will last year's first-round pick, receiver Rashaun Woods, continue to be a disappointment?

The answers to these and other questions will begin to reveal themselves starting with the first practice Saturday.

The 49ers open the season in less than seven weeks. Their preseason opener is Aug.13 at Monster Park against the Raiders.

Against the Raiders, the 49ers can take their first step toward outdoing last year's model; in 2004, the 49ers went 0-4 in the preseason.

NOTE: The 49ers will open nine training camp practices to the public this summer. There is no charge to attend, but fans must register to attend at

www.49ers.com. There are 2,000 tickets available to each practice. The open practices are Saturday and next Sunday (2:15-5 p.m.); Aug.1, 3 and 5 (3:15-5:30 p.m.), Aug.6 (2:15-4:30 p.m.), Aug.8 (3:15-5:30 p.m.), Aug.10 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Aug.15 (3:15- 5:30 p.m.).