SAN FRANCISCO Even York surprised at 49ers rapid rise

The team's director/owner knew there would be improvement, but not this quickly.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Before the NFL season got under way, DeBartolo Corporation president John York knew the San Francisco 49ers would be an improved team.
But the team's director/owner's representative admitted that he has been pleasantly surprised at how quickly the Niners have returned to the NFL's elite status.
Sunday, the Niners (9-2) face the St. Louis Rams in a battle between the NFC West's first-place teams.
"We knew that we had a better team this year, but what we didn't know was whether it would result in a better record," said York, who along with his wife, owner Denise DeBartolo York, took control of the 49ers in 1998.
"We thought we had potential, but to reach it this year has been a surprise," York said.
"Last week, I spoke with [Steelers owner] Dan Rooney and asked him how many 'so-called geniuses' would have predicted the 49ers and Steelers to be 8-2," York said. "He laughed and said 'none.' There are surprises in this league."
That the Niners are Super Bowl contenders is no surprise -- the franchise has won five Vince Lombardi trophies since 1982, a win total matched only by the Dallas Cowboys.
How fast is surprising: What's surprising is how fast the team has turned around since a salary cap purge after the 1998 season.
In the mid-'90s, after the NFL adopted free agency, the Niners loaded up on expensive free agents for a run at their 1995 Super Bowl triumph plus appearances in the NFC Championship Game in 1994 and 1998.
Following a playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons in January 1999, the Niners began releasing veterans to get under the salary cap.
The result was a 4-12 record and the end of a playoff run that had begun in 1983.
In the following off-season, the 49ers bade farewell to more veterans. With lowered expectations for 2000, Coach Steve Mariucci guided a youthful squad to a 6-10 record.
The Niners began this season with a loss to the Rams in Week 2 before winning eight of their last nine games.
Key factors: York attributed the turnaound to three factors: The play of quarterback Jeff Garcia, the talent general manager Terry Donahue has found in the two most-recent drafts and Mariucci's skill in molding those young players into contenders.
"We wouldn't be enjoying this season without Garcia," York said. "[Consultant] Bill Walsh saw something in Garcia that no one else did."
Only Oakland's Rich Gannon has a better quarterback rating (101.9) than Garcia's 96.9.
The 31-year-old Garcia, who spent five seasons in the Canadian Football League before signing with San Francisco in 1999, has completed 240-of-367 passes for 2,631 yards. He has thrown 24 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, and guided the Niners to three overtime victories.
Two years ago, Garcia became the starter after Steve Young's career ended with a concussion in midseason.
"He was just finding his feet adjusting to the faster game," York said of Garcia's early struggles. "Last year, he made the Pro Bowl. This year, let's wait and see."
Big addition: In 1999, York hired Donahue, the former UCLA coach, to work with Walsh in the personnel department. Donahue was promoted to general manager last May.
"Terry has revamped the process of how we look at players for the draft and free agency," York said. "He's most responsible for the quality players we've acquired."
As for Mariucci, whose name pops up whenever a major coaching vacancy surfaces, York said the 46-year old has done a "tremendous job" blending a few key veterans "with so much young talent."
York said the core players are the offensive line plus wide receivers Terrell Owens, J.J. Stokes and Tai Streets, and defensive linemen Bryant Young and Dana Stubblefield.
"Everyone else has three years or less experience," York said.
In Mariucci's first two years, the 49ers reached the playoffs. Then came the salary cap purge.
"In our first years, things were crashing down and for him to keep this young team together -- one year with veterans and another without -- showed me an awful lot of character," York said.
As the Niners prepare for their biggest game since their last playoff appearance, York admits he feels an adrenaline rush.
"No question, it's different from being a fan because it's a business, but we certainly get a rush," York said. "Win or lose, because it's a business, you have pick yourself up -- you can't dwell on it.
"Sunday evening, we were able to enjoy the 35-0 win over the Bills, but Monday, it was back to work."
The Yorks have another athletic program to treasure, the Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball team. Their twins, sophomores Mara and Jenna, are on the Cardinals' junior varsity squad.
Come Monday when Mooney is home against Salem, the Yorks will be in the stands cheering.