Newsgroup: it.sport.americani
Titolo: 49ers team report

You can also find this article at: 
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/49ers/20000303.html
49ers Team Report
by Mike Triplett
 
 It's starting to look like the biggest problem with the 49ers
swapping draft picks so early will be that they have too much time to
fall in love with Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington -- a guy that
might not be around at No. 12. What's funny is that they would have
passed him over had they kept the No. 3 pick instead of dealing it to
the Redskins for the 12th, the 24th and two other late-round choices.
But since Pennington might be available at No. 12 -- and especially
since he is the only potential starter in the draft, according to
coach Steve Mariucci -- the 49ers may have already targeted their
man.
Even though Steve Young has not made a decision on whether or not to
play again, team general manager Bill Walsh said the team feels
"obligated" to draft a quarterback with one of its 10 draft picks.
And unlike last year, a starting quarterback will be hard to come by.
The 6-3, 235-pound Pennington is projected as the cream of the crop.
The 49ers will get a closer look next week when he holds a workout
for NFL scouts in his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. The only other
quarterback expected to be drafted in the first round is Louisville's
Chris Redman, who potentially could slip to No. 24 if the 49ers miss
out on Pennington at
No. 12. . . .
What the 49ers won't do with the No. 12 pick is draft a cornerback,
according to Walsh and Mariucci. None of the defensive backs
available is projected to be drafted among the top 20, and the 49ers
will certainly pick the best player available at No. 12 since they
plan on finding a starting linebacker to replace Lee Woodall, as well
as a top defensive end and offensive tackle. Still, Mariucci says the
team will look for two cornerbacks in the draft that could fight for
a starting job. . . .
Another thing the 49ers likely won't do is sign any free agents.
Walsh bluntly admitted as much, explaining that the team needs a
minimum of $193,000 per draft pick (10 picks means $1.93 million, a
number which almost matches the 49ers' cap room exactly). Plus, Walsh
said he is looking to make a deal for at least one more draft pick.
Of course, Jerry Rice could open some space -- either by adjusting
his contract or by leaving the team. Since the future Hall-of-Famer
has been so reluctant to restructure his contract, Walsh speculated
that his agent is talking to other teams even though the team denied
him permission to do so. Nothing should happen with Rice until June.
. . .
Young's decision should come in April. He still has not been
medically cleared to play, much less announced his intentions to
return. But Mariucci said reports of Young leaving for another team
are unlikely -- at least the quarterback has not said anything to his
coach. And Walsh said the only scenario he envisions in which Young
would play elsewhere is if Young failed the 49ers' physical, but
passed another
team's physical. . . .
And just for those folks who think the 49ers blew an opportunity by
giving away the third overall draft pick, here is a brief reminder:
Quarterback Akili Smith went third last year, but quarterback Cade
McNown was still around at No. 12. And a fierce linebacker named
Jevon Kearse was available at No. 16. In '97, cornerback Shawn
Springs went third, while tailback Warrick Dunn went 12th. Another
running back, Eddie George, slipped to 14th in 1996, the same year
wide receivers Marvin Harrison (19) and Eric Moulds (24) dropped.
And, who could forget 1998, when quarterback Ryan Leaf went second
overall and wide receiver Randy Moss was alive at No. 21?
Hoop Rules
             Doc
Iverson for Mvp Iverson for Mvp Iverson for Mvp
Steve Young for president

Qualcuno di voi ha mai visto giocare Pennington?
Oppure qualche altro prospetto di cui si parla (Arrington, Brown...)?