49ers Latest News

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Lawrence Phillips (RB) SF - Jul.26

Phillips has agreed to a 2-year, $2.25 million deal, along with a $425,000 signing bonus, ESPN reports.

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Jim Druckenmiller (QB) SF - Jul.22

Druckenmiller was acquitted Thursday of raping a 22-year-old woman. He could have faced five
years to life in prison if convicted.

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Garrison Hearst (RB) SF - Jul.20

Hearst will have surgery on his ankle this weekend, and will miss most, if not all, of the 1999 season.

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Charles Haley (DE) SF - Jul.19

Haley has agreed in principle to a four-year, $12 million contract with the 49ers. If Haley records more
then a half a sack this year then the final 3 years are voided...

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Chuck Levy (WR-KR) SF - Jul.16

Levy was released by the 49ers.

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Terrell Owens (WR) SF - Jul.16

Owens and the 49ers agreed to a seven-year, $23 million contract extension with a signing bonus
worth $7.5 million.

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Terrell Owens (WR) SF - Jul.14

Two bits of news for Owens - he underwent laser eye surgery yesterday, so that he doesn't have to
wear glasses or contacts; and, he is close to signing a long-term contract extension with the Niners,
the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

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Charlie Garner (RB) SF - Jul.13

Signed a two-year, $1.44 million deal with the Niners.

Craig to serve as mentor to Phillips

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) - Practice was just part of Lawrence Phillips' first work day in the
NFL in more than a year. He also went to school with former San Francisco 49ers star Roger
Craig.

Craig, one of the top running backs in the team's history, was recruited by the club to serve
as a mentor to the newly signed Phillips, who's trying to make a clean break from his troubled
past.

In between San Francisco's two training camp workouts Tuesday at the University of the
Pacific, Phillips and Craig had lunch together and walked around the campus, talking quietly
about life and football.

``I'm just here giving him a little advice,'' said Craig, who like Phillips played at Nebraska
before going on to star for the 49ers in the 1980s.

``We don't want to clutter his brain with a lot of little things. We don't want to treat him like a
little kid. He knows what he has to do. He knows right from wrong. Basically, the main thing I
want to see him do is just display some of his talents. The main thing is just taking care of
football now.''

Phillips said he welcomed the attention from Craig.

``He said he's checking me out. He's representing Nebraska,'' said Phillips, who was assigned
Craig's old number, 33.

Barry Sanders announces retirement

SportsTicker

PONTIAC, Michigan (Ticker) -- Add Barry Sanders to the legendary list of 1999 retirees, with
this one the most stunning of them all.

A mere 1,460 yards away from breaking Walter Payton's all-time record of 16,728 rushing yards,
Sanders has decided to end his 10-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions. He announced his
retirement in a statement through his hometown newspaper's web site in Wichita, Kansas. The
following is the statement posted on the Wichita Eagle's web site: "Shortly after the end of last
season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 1999-2000 season. I also felt that I should
take as much time as possible to sort through my feelings and make sure that my feelings were
backed with conviction. Today, I officially declare my departure from the NFL.

"It was a wonderful experience to play in the NFL, and I have no regrets. I consider the Lions'
players, coaches, staff, management and fans my family. I leave on good terms with everyone in
the organization. I have enjoyed playing for two great head coaches, Wayne Fontes and Bobby
Ross, who are good coaches and leaders. I am not involved in a salary dispute of any kind. If I
had played this season, I would have earned a more than satisfactory salary.

"The reason I am retiring is simple: My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain
in it. I have searched my heart through and through and feel comfortable with this decision.

"I want to thank all of the fans and media who made playing in the NFL such a wonderful
experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them. Although I was not able to honor
many of your requests for autographs and interviews, it was not because I overlooked the
importance of those who asked.

"Finally, I want to thank my family and friends for their support and guidance. I wish my
teammates, coaches and the entire Lions organization all the best."

The Lions will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. EDT at the Silverdome. Ross and executive vice
president Chuck Schmidt will be in attendance.

Sanders, who turned 31 on July 16, informed his attorney, David Ware, and his agent, Lamont
Smith, of his decision to retire on Monday. Ware said today on ESPN that he does not believe
Sanders will change his mind.

"Barry is a person that once he's made up his mind, his mind is made up," Ware told ESPN.
"Once he said he mentally was not prepared to play, there's nothing you can say to that. Once
the desire is not there, you have to take them at their word."