49ers Give Rice New Deal, Young Could Stay as Well

L.A. Times Archives

June 7, 2000 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Jerry Rice apparently is staying with the San Francisco 49ers. On Tuesday, he agreed to a new contract that his agent, Jim Steiner, said is worth $31.3 million over five years. Steiner said Rice could earn as much as $4.8 million more if he reached undisclosed incentives.

“I’m glad to get it done,” Rice said. “I wanted to finish my career as a 49er. “It would have been difficult to go somewhere else.”

The news regarding Rice came one day after the 49ers gave Steve Young, who has been plagued by a series of concussions, permission to talk with the Denver Broncos.

General Manager Bill Walsh backed off remarks implying Young’s career with the team was over. He said the return of the two-time league MVP was possible if he gained medical clearance from a series of doctors.

Young, meanwhile, confirmed that he had a meeting Monday with the Broncos but he said there were no negotiations or contract talks. He said the visit with Coach Mike Shanahan, who is a close friend, was advisory.

“We had a great conversation,” Shanahan said. “We bounced some things off of each other. He asked me some questions, and I asked him some questions. I believe the big question that everybody has is about his health. I asked a lot of questions relative to that. He said he felt like he knows more about concussions than most doctors. He has studied it quite a bit and has taken a lot of tests.”

Young hasn’t played since a blow to the head Sept. 27 left him with his fourth concussion in three years.

It appeared Monday that Young’s options had been reduced to retirement or playing elsewhere after Walsh all but ruled out his return to San Francisco.

But Young, who showed up unexpectedly at the team’s practice facility Tuesday, said Walsh misunderstood his reasoning for talking to Shanahan as well as a planned talk this week with Seattle Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren.

In another move, the 49ers waived defensive end Gabe Wilkins, who had just one sack in two seasons after coming to team as a $20-million free agent. The move generated $3.25 million in savings for the salary-cap strapped 49ers this season but the team will take a $4 million hit next year. The 49ers also signed linebacker Jason Lamar.

Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch will miss the next three months after breaking a bone in his lower right leg during a non-contact team workout. The injury leaves the Lions with Mike Tomczak at quarterback.

Batch’s foot got caught in the turf during drills and he crumpled to the ground. Tests showed he broke his tibia plateau and has a fracture displacement.

The Minnesota Vikings, who have been seeking pass rushers for two years, signed linebacker Bryce Paup, who had 17.5 sacks in 1995, when he was voted NFL defensive player of the year with Buffalo. Paup was released last week by Jacksonville.

Tennessee Titan Coach Jeff Fisher has imposed his own deadline of June 15 to have a new contract in place. He said if he doesn’t, he’ll wait until after the season to resume negotiations. Fisher still has a year left on his current contract.

Jacksonville signed seventh-round draft pick Danny Clark, a linebacker from Illinois, leaving first-round pick R. Jay Soward as its only unsigned selection. . . . The San Diego Chargers signed free-agent offensive lineman Kevin Gogan to a two-year deal. . . . Offensive lineman Adrian Klemm, the New England Patriots’ top pick, had knee surgery and is expected to miss training camp. . . . The Miami Dolphins re-signed guard Mark Dixon to a three-year deal.

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A Receiver of Records

Jerry Rice, who agreed to a five-year deal Tuesday, owns 14 NFL records. A look:

Receptions: 1,139

Receiving yards: 17,612

Total touchdowns: 175

Receiving touchdowns: 164

Games with 100 receiving yards: 64

1,000 yard receiving, seasons: 12

100-catch seasons: 4

Receiving yards, season: 1,848

Receiving touchdowns, season: 22