July 1999
Originally published by The Master Report (Sacramento, CA)
Remember the USFL? Though at best, their brand of play was ludicrous, it nevertheless was a short term cure for those football freaks (like myself) who missed the games and excitement in May and June. Don't worry, though, football will be back sooner than you think. Training camp is right around the corner for the 49ers and Raiders. It should be quite interesting, as we look to see which rookies and free agents play their way from obscurity into stardom, who will play themselves on the bench, and who will last only a blink of an eye and then be forgotten. A quick look.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers haven't changed a lot over the past 18 years. They have remained a championship caliber club, as their five Super Bowl wins will attest.
They will got to training camp in Stockton later this month knowing they are a winner. But the cast and surrounding atmosphere has definitely changed as the Niners attempt to keep intact their record streak of 16 straight 10-win seasons, which began in 1983.
Only once have the 49ers failed to make the playoffs since then, in 1991.
What has changed? For openers, Jerry Rice, who many have regarded as the best ever wideout to play, has all but conceded he is no longer the ultimate threat that terrorized opposing defenses in years past. After complaining and arguing bitterly with head coach Steve Mariucci last year over playing time and his role in the offense, Rice now acknowledges his time may be up and he wants to go out in style.
Moreover, Terrell Owens has been designate San Francisco's "franchise player" in contract terms, consequently, look for even more balls to be thrown his way in 1999. While J.J. Stokes has not played up to expectations since being drafted four years ago, he has outgrown the "bust" label many thrust on him, and the Niners have made room for him, too.
The running game remains a problem, as Garrison Hearst may not be ready for the season opener against Jacksonville due to an injury he suffered in the Niners' season ending loss to the Falcons in the playoffs. Travis Jervey was acquired from Green Bay to shore up that spot.
In the draft, San Francisco took Florida defensive lineman Reggie McGrew, the 24th overall pick. Chris Doleman, veteran defensive lineman, announced his retirement.
Meanwhile, about 2,000 miles away, the 49ers East--ahem, the Cleveland Browns--also begin preparation this month for their first season back in the NFL after Art Modell moved the original Browns to Baltimore. In that mix are former 49ers brass Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark. Ty Detmer, who was a backup to Steve Young last year, also moved to Cleveland to tutor rookie Tim Couch, the number one pick in this year's draft.
Stadium issues continue to be a problem. The 49ers lost their bid to host the Super Bowl down the road due to their crises on planning a new place to play. The Raiders then attempted to take their places as the host, but Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said no.
Oakland Raiders
Raiders Goal is Playoffs
Al Davis has been criticized, cursed, vilified, and excoriated quite a bit during his time as owner of the Oakland Raiders, but one thing he will never be accused of is dull.
Since moving back from Los Angeles in 1995, the Raiders have posted two 8-8 seasons, one losing season just one game shy of .500, and one horrible 4-12 slate. They have not made a playoff appearance since 1993 when they lost to the Buffalo Bills in a divisional playoff game, 29-23.
However, as the Raiders convene in Napa for training camp later this month, there is a telltale hint of fresh air. Davis is actually showing confidence in his head coach.
Jon Gruden, a young dynamic guy with a good knowledge of the "West Coast Offense" heavily favored in today's NFL, arrived a year ago with Oakland in a tailspin following that hideous 4-12 season. He cleaned house, got the team to play hard, and weeded out the head cases who tended to quit when the tough got going. Oakland responded with an improvement to 8-8.
Though a disappointing stretch (five losses in the last six games) knocked them out of a playoff berth, the Silver and Black set their sights on bigger and better things this time around. For one thing, they figure to have a healthy quarterback for a change.
Jeff George, who was released by the Raiders and signed with Minnesota, was hampered by a groin injury most of last year. Donald Hollas and Wade Wilson got most of the time at quarterback after George went out, with mixed results.
The Raiders have a new signal caller for 1999 in the face of Rich Gannon from archrival Kansas City. While he doesn't have a strong arm like George, he is much more mobile and seen as a better team player and leader than George was.
More changes were made as the Raiders gave up on speed burner Desmond Howard after two years. Howard, a Super Bowl MVP with Green Bay in 1996, did not make an impact at the receiver spot he coveted after being only a special teams player with the Packers. He has since gone back to the Packers.
The Raiders also cut running back Harvey Williams, who had lost his job to Napoleon Kaufman and had been a third down back ever since. Williams also saw action at fullback and tight end the past two seasons. A newcomer is Rashaan Salaam, who was picked up from the Chicago Bears after sitting out last season with an injury. Salaam joins Tim Brown, Andre Ware, and Charles Woodson as former Heisman Trophy winners on the Raiders roster.
In the preseason, the Raiders will travel to St. Louis to play the Rams, then be at home against the Cowboys and 49ers, and finally travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.
The Raiders will need to make use of every bit of time in their camp to prepare for their schedule, which is among the toughest in the NFL. Oakland starts out against Green Bay, then turns around and plays Minnesota, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, Buffalo, the New York Jets and Miami in successive weeks and that's in the first half alone! But hey, that's why they play the games.
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