2000 season-in-review team reports —
NFC West
As published in print Jan. 31, 2001
|
| Overview |
| With serious salary-cap problems forcing them to rely more on young
players than any team in the league, the 49ers continued to experience growing pains. But
at the same time, the youngsters have provided hints of a bright future. The 49ers’
offense, featuring QB Jeff Garcia, double-threat RB Charlie Garner and WR Terrell Owens,
performed at a high level for most of the season. |
| Turning point |
| Coming off a shaky performance in a Week 10 loss to the Saints, the 49ers
turned the tables in impressive fashion the following week — especially on defense
— in a 21-7 win over the Chiefs. Afterward, the Niners honestly thought they had a
great shot at finishing the season at .500. |
| Offensive MVP |
| Jeff Garcia had an unbelievable season, breaking a franchise record with
4,278 yards passing while registering an impressive 31-10 TD-interception ratio. It now
appears Garcia will be the team’s undisputed starter for a long time to come. |
| Defensive MVP |
| He didn’t have his best year, but veteran DT Bryant Young led the
team in sacks and was once again an imposing force on the inside. He always had to be
accounted for by the opposition. |
| Biggest surprises |
| Garcia, of course, was a major surprise. But just as eye-opening was the
dramatic overall improvement of the 49ers’ young defense in the second half of the
season. With five rookies in the starting lineup, the 49ers won four of their last six,
limiting the opposition to seven points or fewer in three of those games. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| DT Reggie McGrew — the same player who was listed as the biggest
disappointment in PFW’s midseason report on the 49ers. The former first-round pick
played in 10 games and managed only three tackles. For some reason, though, the 49ers
still believe McGrew might someday realize his considerable potential. |
| Rookie recap |
| With a rare combination of size, speed and play-making ability vs. both
the run and the pass, first-round pick Julian Peterson displayed flashes of brilliance. He
figures to be the centerpiece of the 49ers’ LB corps for years to come —
provided he can stay healthy. Injuries limited Peterson to only seven starts. The
49ers’ other first-round pick, Ahmed Plummer, started every game at left cornerback
and played through a broken wrist. Plummer was solid but unspectacular. Second-round pick
Jason Webster manned the other corner and made a bigger impression than Plummer, leading
the team by a wide margin in passes defensed (13) while seldom getting beaten badly —
the trademark of the 49ers’ beleaguered CB corps in 1999. Fellow second-rounder John
Engelberger wore down late in the season as the starter at right defensive end, but he had
some eye-opening moments. The team believes Engelberger needs to avoid losing weight like
he did this season. QB Giovanni Carmazzi (third round) was much more raw than the 49ers
expected and was outplayed in training camp and the preseason by seventh-round selection
Tim Rattay. Third-round pick Jeff Ulbrich and fourth-round pick John Keith had injury
problems but showed enough to be projected as the team’s starting middle linebacker
and strong safety, respectively, in 2001. The Niners love the potential of fifth-round
pick Paul Smith, a 234-pound back who has muscles on his earlobes. Undrafted free agent
Ronnie Heard showed enough late in the season to warrant a shot at the starting SS
position. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| DT Brentson Buckner turned out to be an excellent addition once he became
comfortable alongside Bryant Young. On the offensive line, both OTs Scott Gragg and Matt
Willig made solid contributions. The massive Gragg (6-8) was especially impressive,
playing well late in the season despite a painful knee injury. Veteran DLE Anthony
Pleasant had plenty of problems. |
Top of page
|
Regular-season record: 6-10
|
| Team leaders |
|
Rushing — Charlie
Garner, 1,142 yards on 258 carries, 4.4 avg., 7 TDs.
Passing — Jeff
Garcia, 355-561 attempts for 4,278 yards, 31 TDs, 10 interceptions, 97.6 rating.
Receiving — Terrell
Owens, 97 receptions for 1,451 yards, 15.0 avg., 13 TDs.
Scoring — Wade
Richey, 88 points on 43 PATs and 15 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Kevin
Williams, 30 for 536 yards, 17.9 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Kevin
Williams, 26 for 220 yards, 8.5 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — Chad
Stanley, 69 for 39.5 avg., 32.2 net, 7 TB, 15 inside 20, 1 blk., 56L.
Interceptions — Zack
Bronson, Monty Montgomery 3.
Sacks — Bryant
Young, 9½. |
| Results |
|
| Pointspread Shown Refers to San Francisco. |
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 3 |
At Atlanta |
(+7) |
28-36 |
| Sept. 10 |
Carolina |
(+3) |
22-38 |
| Sept. 17 |
At St. Louis |
(+17) |
24-41 |
| Sept. 24 |
At Dallas |
(+6) |
41-24 |
| Oct. 1 |
Arizona |
(-3.5) |
27-20 |
| Oct. 8 |
Oakland |
(+5) |
28-34* |
| Oct. 15 |
At Green Bay |
(+4.5) |
28-31 |
| Oct. 22 |
At Carolina |
(+3) |
16-34 |
| Oct. 29 |
St. Louis |
(+6) |
24-34 |
| Nov. 5 |
At New Orleans |
(+4.5) |
15-31 |
| Nov. 12 |
Kansas City |
(+4) |
21-7 |
| Nov. 19 |
Atlanta |
(-5.5) |
16-6 |
| Nov. 26 |
BYE |
|
|
| Dec. 3 |
At San Diego |
(-2.5) |
45-17 |
| Dec. 10 |
New Orleans |
(-3) |
27-31 |
| Dec. 17 |
Chicago |
(-7) |
17-0 |
| Dec. 23 |
At Denver |
(+7) |
9-38 |
| * Overtime |
|
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