sanfrancisco

49ers' co-owner not ruling out stadium in San Francisco

2006-12-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

This fall, a month before the San Francisco 49ers decided to abandon plans for a new stadium at Candlestick Point, team owners brought the commissioner of the National Football League to an empty parking lot in Santa Clara where the team now hopes to build a stadium by 2012.

"Roger Goodell looked around and he said to us, 'This is a no-brainer. This is where your stadium should be,'" 49ers co-owner Denise DeBartolo York said Thursday.

York described Santa Clara's front-runner status and San Francisco's flickering efforts to keep the team. However, she revealed that the 49ers are working with Sen. Dianne Feinstein to review alternative stadium sites in San Francisco.

In what looms as a pivotal date, the 49ers are due to lay out their stadium finance principles to the Santa Clara City Council on Jan. 9. York said Thursday that the 49ers hope to make a final decision as soon as three months from now whether to build in Santa Clara.

She said, however, that the team remains "open-minded" about staying in San Francisco.

"We're open to any ideas the city might have," York said before boarding a flight to watch the 49ers play in Denver on Sunday. "Because of our legacy, our first ideal preference would be to stay in San Francisco. But, you know, we're kind of running out of time to solve the stadium problem."

York, co-owner of the 49ers with her husband John, would not name the other candidate sites in San Francisco. One possibility is to tap tax dollars to seal off buried pollution and build a stadium at the Hunter's Point Naval shipyard, York said, on the bay just north of the team's longtime home at Candlestick Point.

Still, as of Thursday, San Francisco officials "have not come back with anything that's a viable alternative," said 49ers spokeswoman Lisa Lang. Feinstein was on vacation and could not be reached for comment Thursday, a spokesman said.

Since 1997, when San Francisco voters approved spending $100 million for a new stadium to replace the decaying edifice at Candlestick Point, the 49ers, two nationally prominent real estate developers and two San Francisco mayors have failed to consummate a stadium deal.

Ultimately, it was geography more than personalities that doomed those efforts, York said.

"We, God knows, love San Francisco," she said. But the Candlestick plan "was kind of like trying to shove everything into this small piece of land."

The NFL commissioner's blessing for the Santa Clara site near Great America is significant because the league is certain to be one source of financing for a new 49ers stadium, which is expected to cost between $600 million and $800 million.

Goodell was in the Bay Area to attend the Oct. 8 game between the 49ers and Raiders as part of his annual tour of NFL cities. During his visit to the 49ers' headquarters in Santa Clara, the commissioner and John York walked from team offices on Tasman Drive to view what was then a back-up stadium site to Candlestick Point in San Francisco.

Goodell "believed it had potential and it was right next to the team's facility and convenient to the freeway system," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, who said he could not confirm that the commissioner used the term "no-brainer." "He definitely noted there were positives to the site, that it had potential."

Perhaps the biggest asset for the Santa Clara site is its access: three freeways, a VTA light rail station right across the street from what would be the stadium's front gate and Santa Clara's ACE commuter rail station nearby.

The Yorks also have personal ties to the South Bay city. When they are in the Bay Area -- about half the time for John York, less frequently for Denise York, who oversees the family's other business and philanthropic interests from Youngstown -- they live in a condominium in Santa Clara. Their son, Jed York, lives in San Francisco "because most of his meetings are there," Denise York said.

Nearly a decade after the 1997 vote in San Francisco, the South Bay and the Peninsula has emerged as the biggest concentration of 49ers fans.

Santa Clara and San Mateo counties combined account for 30 percent of the 49ers season ticket holders, and they are the two Bay Area counties with the highest concentration of season ticket holders. San Francisco has about 9 percent of the team's season ticket base, about the same share as Sacramento County.

"The team is a regional asset," York said Thursday. "It's the San Francisco 49ers, but our fan base, as you know, being in the South Bay, is all over. The logistics have really changed."

While city officials have said a 49ers stadium must not impact the city's general fund, Santa Clara could help finance the stadium by leasing city-owned land, either for the stadium or for a subsidiary real estate development, or by issuing bonds through one of the city's public authorities.

Preliminary plans for the Santa Clara site obtained by MediaNews also show a large restaurant, and two office/retail buildings that could rise adjacent to the stadium and a new 2,000-car parking garage.

Officials with the 49ers have said that the York family's financial contribution to a new stadium would be "unprecedented" among NFL owners. York on Thursday declined to say how much of the stadium's cost would be borne by the owners.

But York bridles at public suggestions that, in contrast to her charismatic and free-spending brother Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the former owner of the 49ers, she and her husband have been penny-pinchers.

"I think that is a misleading stereotype," she said. "When I'm in Indianapolis for my board meetings, I see the city is building that stadium for the Colts. Dallas is getting an unbelievable amount of help" for a $650 million stadium that is under construction in Arlington, Texas.

York said her family realizes there is not public support in the Bay Area for taxpayer financing of a new stadium. "Our money will be significant" in any new stadium venture, she said. "We will do the financing. ... We have accountants working on it -- and we are not cheap."

Because the team is a regional entity, York said a Santa Clara stadium is not about "moving the team."

"We are probably moving the stadium. You can't say we're moving the team. We're building a stadium. It may be in San Francisco, it may be in the South Bay. I think within the next three months, we will make our definite decision and start work on that stadium."

Hawks' Peterson pumped to face former team

2006-11-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

Julian Peterson knew his days with the San Francisco 49ers were over long before the franchise that made him a first-round draft choice in 2000 let him walk away as free agent in March.

Mike Nolan, the 49ers' my-way-or-the-highway head coach, prefaced Peterson's eventual departure during a team meeting last season. In an attempt to fire up his players, Nolan ran through a list of leaders on the 49ers defense that began with defensive tackle Bryant Young and ended without Peterson's name being mentioned.

That's when Peterson realized he didn't figure as predominately in the plans of the team's rookie coach as a linebacker with his talents should.

That's why Sunday's game between the Seahawks and 49ers at Monster Park is not just another game for Peterson.

"It's going to be a little emotional for me, because this is my first time going to San Fran as a visitor," Peterson said. "I'm looking forward to it.

"I talk to my teammates -- I mean, my old teammates -- about it all the time."

Those conversations always seem to get back to that fateful meeting.

"I felt even worse, because everybody was looking at me like, 'He didn't say your name at all,' " Peterson said. "Not even mentioned? I felt kind of bad, like they had given up on me."

Peterson missed most of the 2004 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon. He was slower to pick up the new defense installed last season than Nolan anticipated.

But Peterson had been voted to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2003, when he won the Len Eshmont Award as the player who best exemplifies the "inspirational and courageous play" of one the original 49ers -- an honor comparable to receiving the Steve Largent Award presented by the Seahawks each season.

The 49ers' loss has been the Seahawks' gain.

While lining up in a myriad of spots and performing a multitude of tasks, Peterson leads the Seahawks with eight sacks and is second in tackles with 58. He morphs from his outside linebacker position in the base defense to a pass rusher in the nickel and dime packages, used to match up against opponents' three- and four-receiver sets.

Peterson has been -- in a word that can't be overemphasized -- everything the Seahawks expected when they signed him to a seven-year, $54 million contract in March that included an $11.5 million signing bonus.

"You don't expect with free agency to get a player of his caliber. It doesn't happen very often," coach Mike Holmgren said.

The Seahawks are 2-1 in high-caliber player situations this year.

They lost Steve Hutchinson to the Minnesota Vikings, when the Seahawks decided to use the transition tag rather than the franchise tag on the All-Pro left guard and he signed the now-infamous "poison pill" offer sheet.

They gained Peterson and wide receiver Deion Branch, who was obtained for a first-round draft choice in a September trade with the New England Patriots.

Peterson was a player the Seahawks targeted in free agency. They had been on the other end of all the things he brings while playing for the 49ers.

"Julian was always a load playing against him, so I am glad he is on our team now," Holmgren said. "You just love to coach him. You love to be around him."

So do his teammates, who have dubbed him "Freak," "The Hybrid" and, of course, "JP."

Freak? Hybrid? Both fit. Peterson has 5 percent body fat on his sculpted 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame. He has run 40 yards in 4.43 seconds. He can slip past offensive tackles and slide through creases to make and force plays. He can drop into coverage. He can rush the passer.

His wingspan? As middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu puts it, "Julian's got some arms on him. He's got a reach that's got to be 7 feet."

It's not that the 49ers didn't recognize what they had.

"Julian, as good as he is -- and that's the scary part -- he can be so much better. And will," said Mike Singletary, the Hall of Fame linebacker who coached the position for the 49ers last season and now is an assistant head coach.

Peterson is now doing it for the Seahawks, and Sunday will be doing it against the 49ers.

"I'm happy," Peterson said. "This is a great situation for me. I'm really enjoying it and having fun with it."

49ers fail to "turnover" a new leaf against Bears

2006-11-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

49ers fail to "turnover" a new leaf against Bears

By Michael Rushton, NFL Contributing Editor

(Sports Network) - Everyone was pretty much in agreement that San Francisco stood no chance in defeating Chicago on Sunday.

But did we think it would be this bad?

The 49ers turned the ball over three times in the first 15 minutes alone, allowing the Bears to score a franchise-record 24 first-quarter points. The Bears were up 41-0 by the half. They won 41-10.

At least San Francisco outscored Chicago in the second half.

The last thing the 49ers wanted to do against the undefeated Bears was fall behind early. But thanks to a pair of fumbles and an interception, San Francisco did just that.

"I'm very disappointed in our loss, in particular the way we played in the first half," said 49ers head coach Mike Nolan. "We certainly showed a lack of maturity in the first half as far as responding to adversity, with the turnovers and those things we created as far as giving them a short field."

In fact, both fumbles led to the Bears taking over inside the Niner 15-yard line. The Smith interception gave Chicago the ball in San Francisco territory.

The tough thing to figure out from this game was if the Bears defense is that good, or if the 49er offense was that bad.

The final numbers: one interception and four lost fumbles for the 49ers offense.

Nolan refused to place the blame on one specific unit after the game, including himself.

"I could stand up here and be a glutton for punishment and say it all falls on me and turn everybody loose, but they won't get better that way," Nolan said. "They could do the same thing, but the truth of the matter, the fact of the matter is that its fifty-fifty and everyone needs to take a part in getting it rectified."

And even though expectations for the 49ers were low heading into the season as the team tries to rebuild its storied franchise, Nolan isn't ready to give up on the season just yet and won't let his players do so either.

"I'm not going to quit on anybody or anything I start, so as far as losing them (the team), they're not going to lose me, so they might as well, they don't have a choice," Nolan said. "Just like I don't have one either."

Nolan also believes his team is better than a year ago, a sign that he thinks the club is making progress.

"I believe so, yeah," Nolan said when asked on Monday if he thought his club was better than last year's. "We're one game better record-wise than we were a year ago. We gave up some points last year, too, but every opponent is a little different. I believe this team is better. We've got some better players in certain areas."

O-LINE GETS BOOST

Guard Larry Allen finally returned to the lineup on Sunday. Allen hadn't played since Week 1 against the Cardinals because of a knee injury. Also, tackle Jonas Jennings played after missing the game against the Chargers two weeks ago.

San Francisco was coming off the bye, allowing both injured players an extra week of rest.

The return of Allen and Jennings paid dividends on the field, as running back Frank Gore rushed for 111 yards against a tough Bears defense. It marked Gore's third 100-yard rushing game of the season. His performance was enhanced, though, by a season-long 53-yard burst in the second half.

Nolan said on Monday that Adam Snyder will continue to work at the tackle spot, but that Kwame Harris, who Snyder has replaced at times, is still the starting right tackle.

HOT AND COLD

Gore is starting to pick up his game as of late. He has rushed for exactly 300 yards over his last three games, though he has been kept out of the end zone since Week 2. He did fumble, his first since the beginning of October, but the ball was recovered by the 49ers.

Antonio Bryant also caught a TD pass for the first time since Week 2.

Meanwhile, tight end Eric Johnson has continued to struggle since spelling an injured Vernon Davis, who is out with a fibula injury. Johnson made three catches for just 40 yards.

Since replacing Davis in a game against the Eagles and posting 87 yards receiving, Johnson has just 106 yards over his last four games. San Francisco will have to stick with Johnson at least one more week, as Davis isn't expected back for Sunday's game against Minnesota.

"Vernon, I believe this week, will at least be listed as doubtful, if not out," Nolan said.

NEXT UP: PURPLE RAIN

San Francisco will host Minnesota on Sunday. The 49ers lead the all-time series 21-19-1, but have lost the last two. The Vikings won their most recent meeting, 35-7, back in 2003.

The 49ers are 2-5 on the season with both wins coming at home. Minnesota, meanwhile, is 2-1 on the road.

10/31 14:40:20 ET

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Niners' woeful defense anchoring another losing season

2006-10-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO - By the sixth play of the San Francisco 49ers' sixth game of the season, their defense was in complete disarray. The wrong players took the field as the coaches called an inappropriate scheme, leaving a reserve linebacker in coverage on an elite tight end.

To nobody's surprise, San Diego's Antonio Gates dusted T.J. Slaughter for a 57-yard touchdown catch that started an avalanche of points - the most allowed by the 49ers at Candlestick Park - in the Chargers' 48-19 victory.

So many things went wrong in just one snap - and it's hardly the first time this season the 49ers' defense has dissolved into such "mass confusion," as the play was described by veteran defensive lineman Bryant Young.

After six games, the 49ers (2-4) are near the bottom of the NFL in several defensive categories for the second straight season. They have allowed 194 points - a league-worst 32.3 per game - and 2,172 total yards, while opponents have converted on more than half their third downs.

"We haven't been too happy with what's going on with our defense," linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said. "Last year was a tough season for us, but this one hasn't been any better. It feels worse."

The 49ers still have hope of salvaging a winning season in coach Mike Nolan's second campaign. The offense has been promising, with quarterback Alex Smith and running back Frank Gore rapidly growing into starring roles in just their second NFL seasons.

But San Francisco will be doomed as long as its defense is so pathetic - and nobody knows that better than Nolan, a defensive coordinator for four teams over 11 seasons before taking over the Niners. The defense's struggles are embarrassing both to Nolan and coordinator Billy Davis, one of the NFL's top young assistants with the New York Giants before getting this job.

"The problems on defense are collective," Nolan said. "That falls on the coaches' and the players' shoulders. We need to do a better job of putting our guys in situations that will help them, but we also need to make some plays when we're there."

The 49ers' defense last season was historically bad, allowing a stunning 428 points and yielding a franchise-record 6,250 yards while finishing dead-last in the NFL in pass defense and total defense.

So the basic reason for the current defensive problems is obvious: After fielding an awful defense last season, San Francisco then allowed two of the best players on that defense to leave as free agents - yet didn't replace them, using seven of the club's top eight draft picks over the last two years on offensive players.

Linebacker Julian Peterson, a two-time Pro Bowl player and an ebullient source of optimism and big plays during his six seasons in town, signed a free-agent contract with Seattle. Capable defensive end-turned-linebacker Andre Carter, often the 49ers' best pass rusher, moved to Washington.

The 49ers were well under the salary cap - and still are. They probably had plenty of room to retain either player, or even overbid for a free-agent replacement.

Peterson was one of San Francisco's only popular players during three straight losing seasons, and the 49ers stuck with him through a season-ending foot injury in 2004 - but Nolan and personnel chief Scot McCloughan decided the price was too high, even declining to apply the franchise tag to Peterson after doing it in the previous two years.

"We lost a couple of players who aren't bad players, but that's part of the growing pains in getting it corrected," Nolan said. "I'd like to think that, in the future, that won't be the case. We'll be able to take care of our people before it gets to free agency."

In their absence, Nolan still hasn't found anyone capable of rushing the passer consistently. San Francisco got nine sacks in its first two games - including six while St. Louis' Marc Bulger held the ball for far too long in the pocket - but has just four since.

Nolan planned to use a 3-4 defense when he took the job last year, but that project has been delayed indefinitely. Without a true nose tackle or four standout linebackers, Nolan and Davis have shuffled the 49ers among 3-4, 4-3 and even 4-4 fronts this season, creating even more confusion despite a relatively simple playbook.

"I think we need to find a home we can go to, whether it's a 3-4 or a 4-3," said Young, in his 13th season with the Niners. "We've done well in some games with multiple fronts, and other games we haven't been on the same page."

The lack of any discernible pass rush from those fronts has exposed the defensive secondary - particularly San Francisco's starting safeties, who might both lose their jobs when the club returns to face Chicago next week. The 49ers have allowed 242.3 yards passing per game, more than all but three clubs.

Strong safety Tony Parrish, who started the first 126 NFL games he played, was benched last week in favor of Mark Roman, a training-camp signee cast off by Green Bay. Free safety Mike Adams, who has struggled in recent weeks, could be replaced by hard-hitting Keith Lewis, San Francisco's special teams captain.

Cornerback Walt Harris has played well in his first season in San Francisco, but Shawntae Spencer and the Niners' backups have struggled.

From front to back, San Francisco's defense has problems - and unless Nolan can come up with some answers, that defense will be his young club's weakest link all season long.

"We all know we can get better as a defense, but we've got to do it," Spencer said. "It's time to stop talking about it."

Huard almost flawless as Chiefs pound 49ers

2006-10-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Trent Green was cleared to drive this week, so he joined his Chiefs teammates on the sideline Sunday. Out on the field, Damon Huard was obviously happy to have him riding shotgun.

Getting advice and encouragement from Green and even suggestions on which plays to run, Huard and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs played almost flawlessly in a surprising 41-0 rout of San Francisco (1-3).

"Trent's the best," said Huard, a journeyman who'd hardly done anything but carry a clipboard for six years until Green was knocked unconscious with a severe concussion on Sept. 10.

"He's always got a smile on his face. He's always had some great advice and something to offer. It was nice to have him out there today."

Huard hit 18 of 23 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, missing only two of his first 15 tosses as the Chiefs (1-2) roared to a 24-0 halftime lead en route to their first shutout in almost four years.

The nearly airtight pass protection helped. While compiling a 133.3 passer rating — 158.3 is perfect — Huard was hardly ever touched or even hurried by a San Francisco defense which had rung up 12 sacks in its first three games.

"What a great veteran offensive line," Huard said. "There are so many guys that make my job easy. And our defense — are you kidding me?"

The revamped and obviously improved Kansas City defense held Alex Smith to 92 yards passing and the 49ers to 93 yards rushing. In their first three games, the 49ers had given up only four sacks.

But the Chiefs took Smith down five times.

"It's pretty discouraging," said 49ers coach Mike Nolan. "That's a pretty tough loss. I would say that's the most difficult loss in the year and a half that I have been here. I didn't see lack of effort. I saw a lot of poor play."

Green, who is out indefinitely, was not shy in calling plays.

"He's a great play-caller," said coach Herm Edwards. "It was great all week to have him around. He's one of our leaders on our team."

Dante Hall scored Kansas City's final touchdown on a 60-yard punt return, giving him 11 touchdown kick returns in his career.

Larry Johnson rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns for the Chiefs, who handed the 49ers their first shutout since 2004 and only their second since 1977.

The Chiefs' defense has not allowed a touchdown in two straight games.

"We just came out here and played all-out and played with our heart," said rookie defensive end Tamba Hali, who had one of the sacks. "We're going to let teams know that we have a good defense."

Tony Gonzalez passed a couple of NFL milestones. The 10-year veteran caught a 14-yard toss during the Chiefs' second touchdown drive and moved past Ozzie Newsome for second all-time among NFL tight ends with 663 receptions. He also passed Jackie Smith for third all-time in career receiving yardage at his position.

Huard hit Hall with a 13-yard touchdown pass in a 10-play, 73-yard drive on the Chiefs' first possession.

Then the 49ers gave a preview of things to come on their first four plays, following up a sack and a delay-of-game penalty with Frank Gore's fumble. Jared Allen recovered and it led to Lawrence Tynes' 22-yard field goal.

The Arms Race in the AFC East Takes on a New Look

2006-05-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

By Mike Brody
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The quarterback position has always been the most important position for any NFL team. Having a confident field general is essential for any team that wants to go deep into the playoffs. Nowhere is that more evident than in the AFC East.
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have dominated the division since Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe three games into the 2001 season. Now the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills are all trying to find that diamond in the rough like the Patriots did when they selected Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 draft.
Daunte the Dolphin
Miami is coming off a 9-7 season and has some quality skill position players. The Dolphins' biggest problem the last few seasons has been at quarterback. Miami has had immortals such as A.J. Feely, Jay Fielder, Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels taking snaps in the last three seasons.

Now the Dolphins think they've solved their problem. The Dolphins traded for former Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper and former Detroit signal caller Joey Harrington this off-season to sure up their weakness. The problem is, both QBs are huge question marks. Chances are, Miami will be searching for answers at the QB position again this season.
Culpepper will be the starter if he's healthy. The 6’4’’, 260 lb veteran was in the midst of his worst season as a pro when he suffered a catastrophic knee injury during the seventh game of the 2005 season. He had thrown just 6 touchdowns and 12 interceptions at the time of his injury. The season before, however, Culpepper was an All-Pro as he tossed 39 TDs and just 11 INTs while posting an impressive 110.9 quarterback rating. He would have been league MVP had it not been for Peyton Manning's record-breaking season.

Back-up Plan
Culpepper is optimistic that he'll be done with rehab and ready for the start of the season, but that's wishful thinking. Miami will probably open the season with Harrington at the helm and that could leave the Fins in a big hole right off the bat.
The former University of Oregon star has never fulfilled the promise of being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Despite having talented wide receivers and running backs around him, Harrington floundered in his 4 years with the Lions, throwing two more interceptions than touchdowns while leading the Lions to just 18 victories in 51 starts.
The Dolphins have another intriguing option in their camp: Marcus Vick, the troubled younger brother of Atlanta QM Michael Vick. The odds are better that Vick will be in police custody rather than a Dolphins uniform come September, but if Nick Saban and the coaching staff can find a way to keep Vick on the field, he could offer Miami some insurance in case Culpepper and Harrington falter. Vick will most likely be made into a wide receiver anyway, but he could end up being used in several roles similar to the original slash, Kordell Stewart.

Still Searching
The Jets and Bills continue to look for answers at the QB spot as well. New York's QB job is up for grabs as incumbent Chad Pennington missed most of last year after undergoing rotator cuff surgery. Pennington has a history of injuries and may never be the same after his latest setback. The Jets also acquired veteran Patrick Ramsey in a trade with the Washington Redskins in March. Ramsey has been a disappointment in Washington where he lost his job to Mark Brunell last season.
New York's best hope may be rookie Kellen Clemens. Clemens was having a stellar senior season at Oregon before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He has good size, speed and quickness, and could be the quarterback of the future that the Jets have been looking for.

Buffalo, on the other hand, has done nothing to upgrade its weakness at quarterback. The Bills had a terrible draft and will go into the season with Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman vying for the starting job again. Neither are a very attractive option and the Bills look to be going nowhere again.

The Standard
In order for Miami, New York or Buffalo to make the playoffs, they will have to go through New England. The Patriots look to be even better than last season, having drafted running back Laurence Maroney and wide receiver Chad Jackson to add to Brady's arsenal of weapons.
The Patriots are still the kings of the AFC East and are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl again. Should the Patriots regain the championship, it would be their fourth Super Bowl in six years and will cement their place as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the league.

Flutie Was Simply Ahead of His Time

2006-05-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

By Michael RothmanWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Doug Flutie was a gambler’s dream. Think about it. His team was always the underdog and yet he always came through in the clutch and covered the spread. From his Hail Mary pass in college to beat Miami to his scramble for a touchdown to beat Jacksonville in the pros, Flutie was a born winner. Sportsbooks hated this man, because whether they liked it or not, his teams were always getting points, yet they knew he would win the game;—somehow.

Even with this, when you think of Doug Flutie, you think of a short quarterback. You think of a little guy who was great for some trickery in close games, but not a player you would build a franchise around. You think of a player who was good enough to dominate Canada, but not the NFL. Why?

Atlanta QB Michael Vick was drafted number one overall in 2001 because of the amazing upside he possesses. Vick is a phenomenal athlete with speed, power, and the uncanny ability to throw the football up to 70 yards. Vick dazzled while playing his college ball at Virginia Tech and is a natural leader. These are simply intangibles you cannot teach, but can build a team and a franchise around.

So I beg to ask one question: what is the difference between Vick and Flutie? Less than two inches in height. Vick stands at 6’0”, with Flutie lagging just behind at 5’10”. Flutie has the cannon that Vick has and is also a great athlete who consistently makes plays with his legs. Flutie also dazzled in college while playing for Boston College, and he even won a Heisman Trophy in 1984. Even Vick can’t claim that award. When talking about leadership skills, no one will ever forget Flutie’s 48-yard Hail Mary pass that upset the Miami Hurricanes on November 23, 1984. One can even argue that Flutie has the edge on Vick when it comes to football smarts, and more importantly, accuracy. Vick has a career completion percentage of only 54.1 percent.

So if the two are so evenly matched, why was Flutie drafted 285th overall in 1985 while Vick was the first pick 16 years later? The answer is simple: Flutie was a man ahead of his time. In 1985, the mobile quarterback had no place in the NFL. Now this type of quarterback is the present and future of the game, and Flutie was one of the first prototypes. Flutie, the anti-Ryan Leaf, has no character flaws at all and if he were to come out of the draft now, he would be a first-day pick. The current coaches of this era would be drooling at the numerous ways they could utilize this athlete.

Now, after 21 professional seasons in football, Flutie called it quits on Monday. Flutie leaves behind a legacy of heart and determination, six player of the year awards in Canadian football, and of course, his Hail Mary pass that will live forever in college football lore. But, most of all, I believe he leaves behind the sad legacy of a player who was born in the wrong era and who was consistently underestimated.

Flutie made his resurgence in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills in 1998, voted the AP Comeback Player of the Year. In ‘98, Flutie threw for over 2700 yards and 20 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions. The very next year Flutie upped his numbers to over 3000 yards passing and was voted to the Pro Bowl. But alas, another stereotype would stand in the way of a fruitful career: his age. By the end of 1999, Flutie was 37 years old and the Bills did not want to build a team around an old-timer. It was just too late. Two years later, Flutie would sign with the Chargers, only to give the job up to another young quarterback: Drew Brees.

Flutie’s potential was there for all to see. You don’t just make the Pro Bowl if you’re not a great talent. Again, timing ruined what could have been a Hall of Fame career. Flutie just needed the breakthroughs of players like Kordell Stewart, Atwaan Randle El, and of course, Vick, to set the stage. Kordell started the trend way back in 1995 when he came in as ‘slash.’ Pittsburgh coach Bill Cower tried to use the multi-talented QB in every way possible and ended up with great success. This opened the door for Vick to be the top pick in 2001 and Randle El to sign with the Redskins for $27 million. Imagine all the money Flutie could have made in this era, for himself and gamblers alike.
Well, you can’t change history and you certainly can’t pick the era in which you are born. This is the sad reality of Doug Flutie’s career and the careers of many others who did not make it at the professional level. But what you can do is realize something. When you think of Michael Vick as the one player who changed the way we view what a quarterback can do, think again. There is one innovator who came before Vick, before Kordell, before Randle El, and even before Vince Young. This innovator was Doug Flutie.

The NFL Draft’s Impact on the Upcoming Fantasy Football Season

2006-05-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

By Mike Brody
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
We’ve had a week to digest the NFL draft. While most observers were looking at which teams drafted the best and which teams dropped out, fantasy footballers were wondering which rookies they might like to have on their team.
Some of these rookies will come in and make an immediate impact in the league. Others will have a more subtle impact and work their way into the lineup. How much playing time these rookies receive will determine not only their value, but also the value of many other proven veterans who could be high fantasy draft picks. Some of these veterans may lose a lot of value due to rookies stealing precious playing time from them. This is especially troubling in keeper leagues.
Rookie Starters
This was one of the more impressive drafts in recent years. Several skilled players should step right into major roles with their NFL teams. Some of these guys will be well worth having on your fantasy team. If you’re in a keeper league, these guys could be very high picks.
Reggie Bush – The Texans might have passed on him, but you shouldn’t. Bush will have plenty of chances to score fantasy points for his owners as he is expected to split carries with Deuce McAllister, whose value drops significantly. Bush will be a big target out of the backfield for new Saints QB Drew Brees and at times he’ll line up as a wide receiver. Bush may also be able to get on the scoreboard returning punts and kickoffs.
Vernon Davis – The huge tight end will instantly become Alex Smith’s favorite target in San Francisco. While the 49ers' offense is nothing to write home about, they should improve and they will play against some weaker defenses. Some say Davis may be the next Antonio Gates. That probably won’t happen right away, but he could be a top 5 tight end and have numbers similar to Baltimore’s Todd Heap.
Joseph Addai – The Colts moved quickly to replace Edgerrin James by drafting the LSU running back in the first round. Addai will step right into the league’s most potent offense and could be the feature back. Like James, he’s an excellent pass catcher and should have no problem beating out Dominic Rhodes for the majority of the playing time.
Waiting in the Wings
These guys may not start right away, but they will be valuable players for their new teams’ offenses.
Laurence Maroney & Chad Jackson – The Patriots’ top two picks may not be immediate starters, but it won’t be long until they force their way into the lineup. Rated by many as the top wide receiver in the draft, New England was able to grab Florida’s Chad Jackson in the second round. Jackson fills an immediate hole for the Pats after they lost David Givens in free agency. Even if he doesn’t start, New England loves to run 3-, 4- and 5-receiver sets, and you can bet Tom Brady will find the rookie. The Patriots’ No. 1 pick was RB Laurence Maroney. Maroney rushed for more than 1,000 yards three straight seasons at Minnesota. He won’t displace incumbent Corey Dillon as the starter right away, but Maroney will get his share of carries and could develop into a very productive NFL running back in no time. He is an excellent mid-round pick – higher in keeper leagues.
DeAngelo Williams – The undersized running back is the NCAA career leader in all-purpose yards. He will have to battle DeShaun Foster and Carolina’s 2005 top pick Eric Shelton for playing time. Williams will be part of the backfield rotation from the start. Foster and Shelton have both had trouble staying healthy, so Williams could be in line for even more playing time.
Santonio Holmes – The Steelers, like the Patriots, had an immediate need for a wide receiver and filled it with the impressive Ohio State speedster. He should fit in well with the Super Bowl champs and has a great tutor in Hines Ward. Look for Pittsburgh to ease him into the lineup and for Holmes to make his way into the starting lineup by mid-season.
LenDale White – The other USC running back fell to the middle of the second round after a hamstring injury and character questions have come up in recent weeks. On the field, White has been a powerful runner with a nose for the end zone. Tennessee already has two proven backs in Chris Brown and Travis Henry, but both have been susceptible to injuries. Look for White to start the season as the goal-line back and get a chance at the feature back role later in the season.
Best of the Rest
A few other players to keep an eye on this season include: Leonard Pope – The 6-foot-8 tight end will be a huge target for Curt Warner and should get plenty of Red Zone opportunities in the Cardinals’ new high-powered offense; Sinorice Moss – The Miami (Fla.) receiver should be an excellent complement to Plaxico Burress for the Giants. Moss will have to fight for catches in an offense that features Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, and Burress; Anthony Fasano – Bill Parcells hopes Fasano will turn into another Mark Bavaro for the Cowboys. Dallas already has Jason Witten, a solid tight end, but Parcells loves to play two tight ends, and Drew Bledsoe loves to work the middle of the field.
The Quarterbacks
The there’s the three high-profile quarterbacks: Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and Jay Cutler. I think they will all have productive careers, but just not this season. Young has a chance for playing time with Tennessee now that Steve McNair has left for Baltimore. Billy Volek is ready to step up, however, so Young should be carrying the clipboard this season. Leinart fell to the 10th pick, but he couldn’t have asked for a better situation. The Cardinals are loaded on offense with the best young wide receiver duo in the league – Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald – and a stud running back in the newly acquired James. Kurt Warner leads the Arizona attack and still has a good year or two left, but Warner has a history of injuries so Leinart’s time could come sooner rather than later. The Broncos drafted Cutler one pick after Leinart was selected. Cutler will back up Jake Plummer in Denver next year as he is groomed for the starting spot once Plummer wears out his welcome.
Keep track of the position battles over the summer and don’t be afraid to take a chance on a rookie that could be a difference maker.

DRAFT 2006: San Francisco 49ers capsule entering the NFL draft

2006-04-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

LAST SEASON: They got stuck with the No. 1 pick in a weak draft and chose Utah QB Alex Smith, paying $24 million in guaranteed money for one TD pass. Everyone struggled on the NFL's 32nd-ranked offense AND defense during the Niners' third straight losing season, but coach Mike Nolan still got his players excited about the future.
THEY NEED: Almost everything, from depth on defense to offensive playmakers. The defensive front seven is particularly thin after losing Julian Peterson and Andre Carter to free agency. They traded for the 22nd overall pick to add more immediate help - or to trade up from No. 6.
THEY DON'T NEED: A quarterback, unfortunately. Matt Leinart would have been their pick if he had entered the 2005 draft; Vince Young might still be available when they pick, while the top defensive prospects could be gone.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Maryland TE Vernon Davis, Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk, North Carolina State DE Mario Williams.
OUTLOOK: The Niners still are woefully talent-deficient, no matter the draft's outcome. Nolan's rebuilding project might not yield a .500 record for two more seasons - and owner John York seems content to wait for the ship to turn around.

He'll Huff and Puff and Shut Down Your Running Game

2006-04-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

By Mike Brody
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Baseball might be known as the national past-time, but there is little debate about what sport Americans are most passionate about, and that is NFL football. In many sports markets around the nation, the NFL is a topic that never leaves the radio airwaves regardless of the time of year. It is late April, the 2006 MLB season is off and running, and just in case you haven't noticed, the NHL and NBA playoffs have actually already begun. But turn on your favorite sports talk radio station and the NFL draft is dominating all other topics in the world of sports.
The hot debate this year is what the Houston Texans will do with the number one overall pick. Will they take can't-miss RB from USC Reggie Bush? Or is hometown boy QB Vince Young the way they will go? We know Matt Leinart is no longer a lock to go number two to the Saints, now that they have signed free agent QB Drew Brees. So is OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson a soon-to-be Saint? What will the Titans, at pick three, do if Steve McNair actually sticks to his guns and refuses to return to Tennessee? There are many interesting, drama-filled storylines that make this year’s draft one of the most intriguing in recent memory, and therefore, the million-dollar question comes to mind: which projected first round draft pick will have the most impact in the NFL?
I think this is a very interesting question and one that can be debated until draft guru Mel Kiper gets a new hair-do. Everyone knows of the Bushes, Leinarts, and Youngs of the world. I have no doubt that all three of these players will eventually have good—if not great—NFL careers. What about the aforementioned D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the 6'6" 312-pound OT from the University of Virginia? He stacks up very well physically against some of the best OTs in the NFL. Walter Jones, Jon Runyan, and Tra Thomas just to name a few. There is also little doubt that Ferguson will be a very good player in the NFL. But one player who has somewhat flown under the draft experts’ radar will, in my opinion, not only have the most immediate impact in the NFL, but when all is said and done could be at the head of this year’s draft class. His name is Michael Huff, DB from the University of Texas. Yes, that is right, I said Michael Huff. Please allow me to explain.
There is little doubt that the NFL is a copy cat league. From week to week and season to season, teams study what works and they copy it. It is also a league of trends. Here are a few trends that will help make my point about how a DB, in Michael Huff, will be the biggest impact player to go in round one of this year's draft.
For one, take a look at the way things have changed with the running back position. These days there is so much specialization in this position that a true number one running back is no longer a must in the NFL in order to win games. There are first and second down backs, third down backs, short yardage backs, red zone backs, fast backs, and bruising backs as well as blocking backs. The Giants had Lightning and Thunder, Atlanta has Dunn and Duckett, the World Champion Steelers had "Fast" Willie Parker and The Bus, and the Broncos who for years have had the best running scheme in the league, recently have had a gaggle of backs that gets 10-15 touches a game. So the importance of the league having a true number one back has declined over the years in the NFL. Just ask Edgerrin James. That is one trend that supports my case. Reggie Bush may end up sharing carries and never have the opportunity to be the man. If he goes number one to the Texans, he will no doubt share carries with incumbent running back Domanick Davis. This trend hurts his case for being the player who will have the most impact.
Next, take a look at the QB position. More often than not these days the QB is simply asked to manage the game, make as few mistakes as possible, and are told, “whatever you do, don't lose the game for the team”. They are not asked to win games as they once were, instead they are asked not to turn the ball over in critical parts of the game. You can win games in the NFL with a QB who simply does not make mistakes. They are no longer asked to carry the team on their backs and win every game. Check out Ben Roethlisberger's stats in Super Bowl XL. He was 9 of 21 for 123 yards, 2 interceptions, and zero passing touchdowns. Those are not great numbers and not stats that one would expect to see from the winning quarterback in the Super Bowl. But what he did was manage the game and he did not make critical mistakes during crucial moments of the game. So, trend two in the league is to have a quarterback who simply does not lose games for the team. Therefore, quarterbacks oftentimes have the ball taken from their hands and placed in the belly of one of the team's top two backs. Leinart and Young will be handing the ball off far more than they will be throwing it. That takes them out of the running for highest impact player in this year's draft.
That brings me to the third trend that I see in the NFL. This is the trend that I think more teams should adopt, the trend that I am counting on to prove my point about Huff being the man in this draft. The trend is returning to the days of having a hard-hitting safety who runs around the field making plays, and wreaking havoc for the opposition's receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks. I'm talking about a safety who can defend the pass as well as fill the box and hammer the back with the ball. A safety who makes the quarterback and receiver think twice about going over the middle, therefore taking away that part of the field. Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater come to mind as old school, hard-hitting
safeties who were impact players.
These days, take a look at the impact that Troy Polamalu and Sean Taylor have made for their respective teams. Without the forceful play of Polamalu, the Steelers are a very different team. Polamalu had 73 tackles, 18 assists, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions as a safety for the Steelers last year. Plus, he was second among all defensive players in the playoffs with 24 tackles. Taylor had 60 tackles, 10 assists, 2 interceptions, and 10 passes defended for the Redskins a year ago. Once again, great numbers for a safety. Other impact safeties are Ed Reed, John Lynch, and Roy Williams.
http://www.wagerweb.com/sportsbook/
Let's break down the vitals on Michael Huff. He is listed at 6', 204lbs. At Texas he played SS as well as CB. A 6' safety who can hit and has the speed to run and cover is very hard to find. At the combine Huff ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. Another fact that I find helps Huff is that he is coming out of Texas as a fifth-year senior. He is mature and ready for the NFL. He is a premier candidate as a free safety in the NFL, but has the speed to play corner. Plus, I'm sure the team that drafts him will immediately put 10-15 pounds of muscle on his already stout 204lbs. frame. What a specimen he would be at 6', 220lbs. In his senior year at Texas he had 109 tackles, up 36 from the 73 he had as a junior. That goes back to the maturity level he has reached after having five seasons to learn how to play the game.
I think looking around the league at the success that teams have had with these play-making safeties makes Michael Huff a great pick for the San Francisco 49ers at pick number six. The 49ers finished last in total defense a season ago and gave up over 390 yards of total offense per game. Huff would help in both areas and would help immediately. Huff should be the first DB taken in this year's draft and will probably battle it out with Virginia Tech's Jimmy Williams for that honor. I believe the days of having a hard-hitting safety to anchor your defense have returned to the NFL and I like it. Michael Huff is the next big thing to hit the NFL and when I say hit, I mean it. Huff is the man in this year's draft and will be a fixture for years to come as an elite DB in the NFL.
The 2006 NFL Amateur Draft kicks off on Saturday, April 29 live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City and can be seen on ESPN. At noon the Houston Texans will officially be on the clock. Let the drafting begin. I for one cannot wait.

2006 NFL Draft Preview

2006-04-20T11:49:00.001-07:00

By Matt Severance

WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The NFL Draft is upon us this weekend, a near Woodstock-like event unto itself, although this generally happens in your living room.

A quick primer on Draft weekend:

1) Don't believe anything your team says heading into the draft. Sometimes where there's smoke, it's just smoke.

2) Everyone is thrilled to get who they get, since they had that player ranked higher on their board than where they picked him.

3) Jets fans will boo at some point.

So send the wife/girlfriend away for the weekend, pull up a couch and some carbs, and here's how the first round could go on Saturday. Here is what the teams could (or are widely expected) to do and what those teams should do, in one man's opinion. (What did people do before the Internet?!)

1. Houston. Could: Reggie Bush, RB, Southern Cal. Should: Bush. Do Texans, who already have Domanick Davis, really need a running back? No, they have other pressing needs, especially on the offensive line, but some are calling Bush the next Barry Sanders or Gale Sayers.

2. New Orleans. Could: Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State. Should: Trade down and take A. J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State. Saints have a solid defensive line as is. Hawk has been compared to a better version of another former Buckeye linebacker, Chris Spielman.

3. Tennessee. Could: Matt Leinart, QB, Southern Cal. Should: Leinart. Question is, will Titans get a chance at him? Jets could leapfrog Tennessee into Saints' spot and steal the former Heisman Trophy winner away. If that happens, Titans should grab Texas QB Vince Young, sit him a year or two behind Billy Volek, and then reap the rewards.

4. N.Y. Jets. Could: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia. Should: Trade up with Saints and get Matt Leinart. Think Leinart might be a star in the Big Apple? He already owns Hollywood and is arguably the fourth-most famous quarterback in America right now, behind Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Brett Favre. Oh, he's good too. Yeah, Jets have QBs Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey, but one is brittle and one is unproven.

5. Green Bay. Could: A. J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State. Should: Trade down and acquire more picks. Packers have plenty of holes, it seems none of their wide receivers want to play for them, and Brett Favre can't even decide what day it is. If they stay at No.5, look for Pack to take best defensive player available, Hawk or Mario Williams.

6. San Francisco. Could: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland. Would help speed the maturation of second-year QB Alex Smith (think Niners wish they had waited until this year to draft their franchise QB? Smith would've ranked below Matt Leinart, Vince Young, and Jay Cutler). Should: Davis a good pick, but if A. J. Hawk or Mario Williams are on the board, San Francisco should jump as its defense needs help everywhere.

7. Oakland. Could: Vince Young, QB, Oakland. Should: Young. Raiders are another team that could use multiple picks by trading down (with Dolphins? Vikings?), but how can Oakland turn down Young here? Oakland seemingly drafted its QB of the future last year in Arizona State's Andrew Walter, but Al Davis loves to make a splash.

8. Buffalo. Could: Broderick Bunkley, DT, FSU. This seems to be the consensus pick for Bills, but this pick is also in play for teams wanting Vince Young or Vandy QB Jay Cutler if they are still there. Should: Bunkley. He's one of draft's high-risers.

9. Detroit. Could: Knowing Matt Millen, another wide receiver with the first pick. We assume Millen's not that stupid, so figure the best defensive back available, either Texas' Michael Huff or Virginia Tech's Jimmy Williams. Should: Lions need to focus on their defensive secondary, so either Huff or Williams works.

10. Arizona. Could: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt. Kurt Warner just got a three-year deal, but does anyone think he'll last that long? Should: Cards are pretty loaded on offense and Cutler wouldn't help this year, so they need to look to defense and take whichever DB Lions don't: Michael Huff or Jimmy Williams.

11. St. Louis. Could: Ernie Sims, LB, FSU. Should: Sims or USC OT Winston Justice. Rams could grab Cutler if he's available, but defense definitely is the pressing need, with offensive line right behind.

12. Cleveland. Could: Kamerion Wimbley, DE/LB, FSU. He would play outside linebacker in NFL. Should: Ernie Sims if he's available. Browns could use him to anchor the defensive front. Oregon NT Haloti Ngata also a possibility.

13. Baltimore. Could: Haloti Ngata, NT, Oregon. Nose tackle is a need position with the loss of Maake Kemoeatu. Should: Team hoping Ngata or Ernie Sims falls here, but if not Ohio State safety Donte Whitner would pair nicely with Ed Reed.

14. Philadelphia . Could: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida. Should: Jackson. Strong showing made him top-rated receiver, and Iggles need to replace a certain No. 81.

15. Denver (from Atlanta). Could: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State. Should: Holmes. Broncos need receiver help with Rod Smith aging and Ashley Lelie usually underperforming. They may prefer Chad Jackson and trade ahead of Philly.

16. Miami. Could: Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State. Should: Rumors are that Nick Saban lusts after Vince Young and that Fins could trade up as high as No. 7 to get him if he falls. Otherwise, hometown WR Sinorice Moss of the Hurricanes would be a big help to Chris Chambers.

17. Minnesota. Could: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa. Should: Trade up and get one of the three franchise quarterbacks, as Vikes have been rumored to be exploring.

18. Dallas. Could: Jason Allen, S/CB, Tennessee. Should: Allen. Cowboys want someone to anchor defensive backfield with Roy Williams.

19. San Diego. Could: Winston Justice, OT, Southern Cal. Should: Team absolutely needs a wide receiver to help Philip Rivers. So either trade up for WRs Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes or grab Sinorice Moss.

20. Kansas City. Could: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina. Should: The Chiefs have a perpetual need on defense, so just about anyone on that side of the ball helps.

21. New England. Could: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson. Should: Antonio Cromartie, CB, FSU. Patriots have shown they are never afraid to take a chance, and Cromartie fits the bill: huge upside but missed last season with an injury.

22. Denver (from Washington). Could: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis. Should: Williams is second-best back and getting him here is value. Plus, Mike Shanahan loves to collect running backs.

23. Tampa Bay. Could: Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn. Should: Eric Winston, OT, Miami, Fla. Bucs re-signed two of their own offensive linemen and thus could look defense here, but Winston two years ago was projected as a Top 5 pick. Bucs may be able to move down and get him. Team also may look to move up for USC's Winston Justice.

24. Cincinnati. Could: Antonio Cromartie. Should: Cromartie. If Pats and/or Bucs don't jump on him, Bengals get a cornerback with Top 10 talent.

25. N.Y. Giants. Could: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State. Should: Giants, if they sign LaVar Arrington, then may look to cornerback, perhaps Miami's Kelly Jennings.

26. Chicago. Could: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia. Should: Pope. Bears seemingly have been looking for a tight end since Ditka.

27. Carolina. Could: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota. Most mock drafts have Panthers grabbing a future replacement for DeShaun Foster. Should: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA. Would open up the field even more for Steve Smith.

28. Jacksonville. Could: Demeco Ryans, LB, Alabama. Should: Jags going for the best available player here. If TEs Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope fall here, watch for Jags to pounce.
29. N.Y. Jets (from Denver). Could: LenDale White, RB, Southern Cal. Should: Jets need a running back in worst way, and White worth the risk even with his injury.

30. Indianapolis. Could: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU. Should: Addai. Best RB on the board likely to go here as Edgerrin James’ replacement.

31. Seattle. Could: Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State. Should: Youboty is the best CB left and Seahawks get to address their need area, although they could reach for a guard here to replace Steve Hutchinson.

32. Pittsburgh . Tambi Hall, DE, Penn State. Should: Maurice Stovall, WR, Notre Dame. Is Stovall a reach? Perhaps. But Steelers need to replace Antwaan Randle El, and Stovall showed flashes of big-time talent.

Former 49ers kicker pleads not guilty

2006-04-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Former San Francisco 49ers placekicker Ray Wersching pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges of embezzling more than $8 million in insurance premiums and learned that his former business partner has pleaded guilty, Wersching's lawyer said.
Wersching, 55, who owned the Ray Wersching Insurance Agency in Redwood City, was indicted by a federal grand jury last week on charges of misappropriating premiums that should have been paid to the Farmers Insurance Group from 1997 to 2000. He also is charged with evading taxes on $3.6 million in corporate income and with hiring a felon to handle insurance.
The felon is Mary Ann Locke, former co-owner of the agency, who had a forgery conviction when Wersching hired her in 1995. She was indicted in August on similar embezzlement charges.
In court Monday, the prosecutor revealed that Locke has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, said Chuck Smith, Wersching's attorney. He said the details of the plea were not specified. Luke Macaulay, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan, declined to comment.