san francisco 49ers founder

tory. The 49ers finished the season with a 5-1 division recordand won their first division title since 1997. The team’ssuccess came from its ability to minimize turnovers, alongwith a strong running game. The 49ers gained 2,244 yardson the ground for the second consecutive season and RBGarrison Hearst established a career-high with eight rushingtouchdowns. Helping Hearst were Pro Bowlers G Ron Stoneand C Jeremy Newberry, who anchored an offensive line thatwas third in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed. San Franciscohad the least amount of turnovers in the NFC with 17. In histhird season as director of the 49ers offense, QB Jeff Garciaearned his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth. He completed62 percent of his passes and tied a team record by directingfive fourth-quarter comebacks. WR Terrell Owens continuedhis dominance with a career-high 100 receptions and ledthe NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns. Owens surpassed1,000 receiving yards for the third consecutive season andearned his third consecutive Pro Bowl bid. Defensively, LBJulian Peterson had a breakout season with a career-high104 tackles. He shut down several of the league’s top tightends and made history by playing four positions in a singlegame against Dallas (12-8). His effort earned him his firstcareer Pro Bowl appearance. DT Bryant Young added an interiorpresence with his fourth career Pro Bowl nominationand S Tony Parrish proved to be an invaluable pickup with acareer-high seven interceptions. He won the Len Eshmontand the Ed Block Courage Award, both firsts for a player inhis inaugural season.2003 - Head Coach Steve Mariucci is released from thefinal year of his contract on January 15, 2003. The 49ersconducted an extensive search for Mariucci’s successor andin the end hired Dennis Erickson. Erickson was introducedas the 14th head coach in 49ers team history on February12, 2003. The Erickson era started with a 7-9 record for the49ers in 2003. The team struggled on the road, winning onlyone game, but was impressive at home, scoring more than45 points in two separate home games. The team was representedin the Pro Bowl, the 23rd consecutive year the 49ershad at least one team representative in the islands. In 2003,WR Terrell Owens made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl, LBJulian Peterson made his second consecutive trip and FBFred Beasley made his first career appearance in Hawaii. Onoffense, QB Jeff Garcia missed three games due to injury, butthrew for 2,704 yards and 18 touchdowns. In his place, QBTim Rattay responded admirably, throwing for 856 yards andseven touchdowns while posting a 2-1 record in those threegames. RB Kevan Barlow recorded his first career 1,000-yard rushing season after becoming the main tailback afterRB Garrison Hearst went down with a knee injury and missedthe final four games. Owens recorded his fourth consecutive1,000-yard season, amassing 1,102 yards despite missingthe final game of the year. The 49ers defense finished theyear ranked 13th overall in the NFL and ninth against the run.The unit was led by Pro Bowler Peterson, who led the team insacks with seven, and S Tony Parrish, who tied for the leaguelead with nine interceptions. The group as a whole recorded42 sacks on the year, the highest total since 1998, which wasgood for second in the NFC and tied for fourth in the NFL.In addition, the 49ers defensive unit allowed only 268 yardsper game, the lowest total since 1997. San Francisco alsocaused turnovers as evidence by its 13 fumble recoveries, itshighest total since 1997.2004 - The San Francisco 49ers continued to build depthwith a young squad of versatile and talented athletes in2004. Despite a 2-14 overall record, the group was able togain significant experience while individuals on both sides ofthe ball notched career milestones over the 16-game span.The 49ers also swept NFC West rival Arizona in two thrillingovertime battles in the confines of both Monster Park and onthe road in Sun Devil Stadium. The team was also representedin the Pro Bowl for the 24th consecutive year as LS/TEBrian Jennings made his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Jenningswas chosen to serve as a “need” player in Hawaii by theNFC coaching staff. On offense, TE Eric Johnson returned tothe lineup after missing 2003 with a broken collarbone andpaced the team with 82 receptions for 825 yards and twotouchdowns. His performance was the best-ever by a 49ers’tight end. WR Brandon Lloyd led the scoring attack withsix touchdown receptions while RB Kevan Barlow steadiedthe ground game with 244 carries for 822 yards and seventouchdowns. Under center, QB Tim Rattay battled shoulder,forearm and foot injuries to play in nine games, includinga career-best 417-yard performance in the 49ers first oftwo bouts against Arizona. Rattay rallied the offense from a16-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 31-28 in overtime.In the process, he completed a team-record 38 passes enroute to his first 400-yard game. DT Bryant Young’s 11years of NFL experience served as the veteran voice behindthe defensive unit. Young led the line with 79 tackles andthree sacks and enjoyed a career game against Chicago afternotching 10 tackles and two sacks, his 17th career multisackgame. For his efforts, Young was presented the team’sLen Eshmont and Bill Walsh Awards. It was an unprecedentedfifth Len Eshmont award win for Young. DE John Engelbergerresponded with a career year, with a career-high 64tackles. He led team with 6.0 sacks. Also a steady rock ondefense was SS Tony Parrish, who started all 16 games togive him 112 consecutive career starts, the third-longestactive streak at his position. LB Derek Smith also chipped inat the linebacker post, reaching the 100-tackle plateau forthe eighth straight year. Smith and fellow LB Jeff Ulbrich ledthe team with 167 tackles. After a season-ending Achillesinjury to LB Julian Peterson, LB Jamie Winborn stepped upwith 104 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. The49ers also saw much promise from a handful of young participants.Second-year T Kwame Harris played in 14 contestsand did not allow a sack in the last five games after returningto the starting lineup on the left side. Also gaining experienceon the line was rookie G Justin Smiley who played in all16 games with nine starts. On the opposite side of the ball,rookie RCB Shawntae Spencer finished third in the leaguewith 12 starts as a rookie. He also led the defensive unit with12 passes defensed. Second-year DT Anthony Adams continuedto flourish in his role, registering a career-high ninestops against Washington. The special teams unit remainedstaunch, led by the efforts of rookie P Andy Lee. Lee finishedthe season with a 41.6-yard average, the highest since PReggie Roby during the 1998 campaign. He led all rookies