Garcia's Contract --06/12/01
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A key component of the 49ers this season has yet to be signed to the team. Jeff Garcia, who hasn't even signed a tender the team sent him, to keep him as an exclusive rights free agent, is looking for a long term deal. Even with the release of Jerry Rice, and the retirement of Chris Dalman, the 49ers are still hard pressed for cash. They are hoping to use the money that is currently available to sign their draft class. The team has already begun negotiations with Andre Carter - but Jeff Garcia, the projected starting quarterback has yet to sign anything keeping him with the 49ers.
Garcia has stated that he believes things will fall into place, and they likely will. The team will be looking to extend the contracts of Lance Schuters and Fred Beasley to clear some room to sign Garcia to a long-term deal. The team and Garcia hope to have something worked out by training camp, but at the moment it still seems far off. There has been no mention as to whether Garcia would hold out or not if he doesn't receive a contract by a certain date, but given his willingness to participate in voluntary mini-camps one would believe he will be there for all of training camp. This is particularly important to Garcia who will benefit greatly from being the definite first stringer at his position for really the first time. The recent re-signing of Rick Mirer, is yet another reason why Garcia should be willing to cooperate. Though the starting position belongs to Garcia without question; there are still some people who believe that Mirer should be given a chance to run the offense. Garcia should do everything in his power to make sure that doesn't happen if he wishes to hold onto the starting slot.
In the coming weeks the contract negotiations with Garcia, and of course Schulters and Beasley should heat up. It will be interesting to see how the 49ers structure a lucrative deal for these three integral parts of the 49ers, without hindering themselves against the salary cap.
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