Golden Gate Grief

Yesterday, when Jeff Garcia signed with the Cleveland Browns, it really sunk in for me: the San Francisco 49ers are a pathetic shell of their proud legacy. The fact that he went to the team run by Carmen Policy, the 49ers former honcho is a smear of salt in a gaping wound inflicted upon Niners fans this offseason. First of all, there was the loss of Terrell Owens, which though expected, was made painful by the way the 49ers handled it from a personnel stanpoint. It was clear throughout last season that Owens wouldn't return after the dismal season, yet GM Terry Donahue and the front office made no effort to make a trade that would at least salvage some value for him. And I don't buy the notion that "the NFL isn't a trade league": the Oct. 23 trade deadline is there for a reason- to make any trades you feel would benefit your team after having played 7 or 8 games.

The Garcia waive last week was even more foolhardy. The guy triumphantly leads the team out of it's post-Steve Young doldrums, plays with more heart and toughness than any QB in the league, and makes three Pro Bowls in the process. His reward? "Sorry Jeff, you're an ancient 34 years old, and Tim Rattay played decently in 3 or 4 games, and we don't feel like paying you a fair salary, so... sayonara!" I hate it when people like SI's Peter King assume that Rattay is ready to be a starter just because he beat the Rams at Candlestick last season when Garcia was injured. Doesn't anyone remember Cody Carlson, Scott Mitchell, Rob Johnson, or any of the other unproven backups who failed miserably once teams made them starters?

Lest we forget, Donahue also said goodbye to the still-productive Garrison Hearst. Yes, Kevan Barlow is now the superior running back, but every team needs two solid ball-carriers these days. And now with Owens and Tai Streets departing in the span of four days, the 49ers have lost their starting wideout corps. Swell. Niner fans can now look at the Eagles receivers with envy.

Fourteen months we were division champs featuring the league's guttiest quarterback and the best wideout on the planet. Now, this offense would have a hard time scoring on Louisiana State. Unless there's some sort of miraculous trade for a top 3 draft pick, it looks like Dennis Erickson's squad will be hard to watch this fall. O, where have you gone Brent Jones and Roger Craig?