European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 1, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 18 nil 91the stars and stripes sunday september 1,1991remade 49ers keep old prospects by Dave Goldberg. A football writer there was a decidedly different look a decidedly different feel to the san Francisco 49ers�?T this summer. Pfc West preview training Camp even a slightly different sound. As in the word  despite a 14-2 regular season in 1990 and a last second two Point loss to the new York giants in the pfc title game the 49ers effectively cleaned House. Gone Are 11 veterans including four of the five players who had been on All four super bowl winners. Not that the Only one left is insubstantial a his name is Joe Montana and  he a enough to make san Francisco the favorite in the pfc West. This is a weakened version of a division that a couple of years ago was one of the a Fly a strongest. New Orleans made the expanded playoffs last year at 8-8 and needs to solve its quarterback problem this year with either Steve Walsh or Bobby Hebert to make a run. The los Angeles rams who went from a berth in the pfc title game to �-11 last season Are revamping their defense and arc generally rebuilding. And Atlanta has yet to get some of its talented players to mesh under Jerry Glanville. A san Francisco 49ers last year won first 10. Finished 14-2. Then beat redskins in playoffs before losing pfc title game to giants on last second Field goal by Man Bahr following Fumble by Roger Craig. That denied them the Opportunity to try to become first team to win three straight super bowls strengths what else Joe Montana to Jerry Rioe and John Taylor. Bit hey overshadow a defensive front seven featuring Pierce Holt Kevin Fagan and Charles Haley that May be the league s Best. Weaknesses Lack of a franchise running Back a the 49ers went so tar As to reacquire rated away Terrance Flagler to plug the Hole. Lack of depth on the offensive line and at linebacker newcomers no. 1 Choice Ted Washington who will Start career As backup nose tackle second year Man Johnnie Jackson taking Over for Ronnie loft at free safety. An unsettled division leaves san Francisco As the favorite by default despite a thin offensive line and no heavy duty running Back to speak of. Spencer Tillman a career special teams player was the Best Back in Camp. But the defense relatively overlooked because of the heroics of Montana Jerry Rice and John Taylor remains one of the a Fly a Best. In a regular season win and a playoff loss to the super bowl Champion giants it did t allow a touchdown. The major change is at free safety where Johnnie Jackson will take Over for Ronnie Lott. A Johnnie has a natural touch there Quot says Dave Waymor the 13-year Veteran who is the current incumbent at Strong safety. A the can touch me  otherwise the front line with the Unsung Kevin Fagan and Pierce Holt is solid Charles Haley is the Best Ofemi Good Linc hacking corps and cornerback Don Griffin one of the Best coverage men in the league. But there in t much depth a linebacker Matt Millen went to Washington under plan b and nose tackle Michael Carter showed up at 350 pounds leaving the 49ers to reconsider their request that Jim Burt  a i done to want to he immodest Quot Millen says a but i think they la miss  there a Little behind four solid offensive linemen a Jesse Upolu Guy Mcintyre Steve Wallace and Harris Barton who is unhappy about being continually shifted from tackle to guard and Back again. A new. Orleans saints the Higges Challenge will probably come from the saints with one big if quarterback. Hebert came Back after sitting out a year but he May be the backup to Walsh who was obtained at mid season last year and just finished his first training Camp. A fall things being equal Steve came in under Adverse circumstances and did a Good Job a says coach Jim Mora. New Orleans strength re Mivins the Best Linc hacking corps South of the Meadowlands with Pat Swilling and Rickey Jackson outside anchors and second year Man Renaldo Turnbull proven to he an effective pass rusher. Dalton Hilliard Back from a knee problem is the key to an offence that emphasizes Ball control. Last year plodded and sputtered but std made tie expanded playoffs at 8-6. Losing to Chicago ifr6 in opening game. Strengths running game and a solid defense highlighted by outside linebackers pal Swilling and Rickey Jackson kicking o Morten Andersen coaching of Jim Mora. Wide receiver Eric Martin. Weaknesses Lack of deep i real at receiver. Questions at quarterback where Bobby Hebert who held out Afi of last season. Is contending with Steve Walsh acquired from Dallas in a mid season Trade. Newcomers Hebert or Wesley Carroll no 2 draft pick. Joe Montana alone puts 49ers into favorite a role. Abc Jerry Rice does much of his damage after the catch. Mora showed up five years ago and finally rejuvenated a team that had never been above .51 0 or to the playoffs. But the question is whether he a gone As far As the Talent will take it a the drafts of the past few years have been average at Best. A los Angeles rams the rams would love to improve As much As they last year went from 11-5 and berth in pfc title game to 511 As defense fed apart and injuries Hurt offence. That led to the dismissal of Haff of coach John Robinson s staff. Strengths passing combination featuring quarterback Jim Everett and receivers Henry Ellard and Flipper Anderson running of Cleveland Gam it he can hold onto the bal outside linebacker Kevin Greene the team s Best pass rusher. Weaknesses aging offensive line defensive line especially pass Rush Gary s Lenden Dency to Fumble. Pass coverage in secondary. Newcomers defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher changing to attack defense rather than passive zone Bern Brostek last year s no. 1. Who will Start at guard with Tom Newberry moving to Center cd Todd Lyght no. 1 pick this year who was Long training Camp holdout re Marcus Dupree coming Back after five years out of football of Gerald Perry obtained in Trade with Denver for re Gaston Green. Declined last season. After an 11-5 season in 1989 and a loss to the 49ers in the pfc title game they Bac flipped to 5-11 in 1990, primarily because of a defense that ranked 21st Overall and 27th against the pass in the 28-team league. The result defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur one of the Premier a contain Quot defense coaches in the league was fired with much of his staff and the rams brought in Jeff Fisher a member of the Chicago Philadelphia a a attack school. The problem is that there a not much to attack with outside of linebacker Kevin Greene. The offence remains dangerous although the line is aging. Second year Man Bern Brostek will probably move in at guard this year with Tom Newberry moving to Center with tackle Gerald Perry obtained from Denver for Gaston Green also part of an Effort to rejuvenate a unit that too often had Jim Everett throwing off his Back foot last year. But Everett and receivers Flipper Anderson Henry Ellard and Aaron Cox Are one of the most dangerous combinations in the league. And Cleveland Gary can be a 1,000-Yard rusher if he holds onto the Ball a his 13 fumbles led the league last year and kept him on the Bench too often. The Bottom fell out quickly on this team which is unlikely to get Back to the top this year. One problem is friction Between Robinson and John Shaw who runs the learn for Georgia frontiere. A file a Atlanta Falcons Glanville arrived in Atlanta last year changed the uniform color from red to Black and promptly went out and thumped his old Houston team in game one. But by seasons end the Falcons were a familiar 5-11 and Only because they won their last two games. A we were disappointed but not discouraged Quot Glanville says. A we made great strides toward our ultimate  one problem is that despite some decent players on defense the Falcons stick to one defense a attack. Against san Francisco that left Rice in single coverage and allowed Montana to throw six to passes including five to Rice. Offensively Chris Miller May emerge this year As a decent quarterback a if he can avoid his annual injury and Rookie Mike Pritchard has been added to a receiving corps that also includes Andre Rison Mike Haynes Shawn Collins it. Al. Tim Mckyer picked up from Miami should help the secondary and May have found in Glanville the coach that will tolerate his big Mouth. You got Batman and Robin dynamic duo prime i Ime and Showtime or Hob whatever you want to Call it said Mckyer of the cornerback tandem he will form with Deton Sanders. Look at it this Way a the Falcons still need to sell tickets. Last year Jerry Glanville came in with a flourish overwhelmed his old Houston team in the first game packed the stadium. And still finished 5-11 again. Strengths explosive receivers in Andre Rison Michael Haynes plus Rookie Mike Pritchard running Back potential in Steve by aussid last year s no. 1. Quarterback Chris Amer. If he can stay sound. Cornerback tandem of Deion Sanders and Tim Mckyer. If they can stay relative to silent. Weaknesses gambling defense which exposes weakness in secondary. Defensive and offensive lines. Newcomers Pritchard who has shown explosiveness in exhibitions while other no. Tab Bruce Pickens has been holdout of Brett Favre the no. 2 pick and a possible Lim in if Miller sustains his annual injury. How  finish 1. San Francisco 2. New Orleans 3. . Rams 4. Atlanta