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49ers Make Some Decisions
June 15 2002
By Bryan Hersh of 49ers Paradise
The 49ers have been saying all along that they will only take four quarterbacks and two place kickers into training camp. Yesterday evening, the team made their decisions. The team released PK Jamie Rheem and QB Aaron Garcia both of who were guaranteed a training camp spot by 49ers executives before they signed their contracts.

Quarterback Aaron Garcia was a stand out in the Arena League. The 49ers hoped he could challenge QB Tim Ratty for the backup position. But with the signing of Cade McNown, Garcia became expendable. The 49ers simply felt that at least one of Ratty and McNown, if not both were better than Garcia. With the team working on an injury settlement for Giovanni Carmazzi, the 49ers will enter training camp with Jeff Garcia, Tim Ratty, Cade McNown and Brandon Doman at quarterback. McNown may be in direct competition with Ratty, or may be able to compete with Doman as well. At this point, that is unclear.

In the place kicking battle, the 49ers decided to hold on to last season’s starter Jose Cortez, who thanks to a change in the way he approaches the ball, seems to be having a great off-season, and rookie Jeff Chandler. Rheem, who spent last season on the 49ers injured reserve will try and sign on with another team before training camp.

The 49ers have clearly made some tough decisions over the past 48 hours. So far, there is no reason to criticize the moves they have made. These were some of the toughest cuts the team has had to make, but they still have about six more to make before July 21st.

Talk about it in the 49ers Paradise Forum

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