SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING 49ers and friends in town for DeBartolo's fund raiser

John and Denise DeBartolo York have raised over $275,000 at the event.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Despite the departure of such key players as Terrell Owens, Jeff Garcia and Garrison Hearst, two of the current leaders of the San Francisco 49ers aren't ready to throw in the towel on the 2004 season.
Quarterback Tim Rattay, who will replace Garcia under center once a severe groin injury heals, sees the upcoming season as "a golden opportunity" for a bunch of young players eager to show off their skills.
And cornerback Ahmed Plummer, who signed a five-year contract extension to anchor the defensive backfield, said, "We've got a lot of hungry guys who are looking to step it up this year."
Rattay, Plummer, running back Kevan Barlow, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and tight end Eric Johnson are among the 49ers and sports celebrities in town today to participate in the Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Scholarship Foundation golf outing at Tippecanoe Country Club.
Ninth event
John and Denise DeBartolo York, the owners of the 49ers who reside in Canfield, sponsor the annual golf outing and auction that has raised $275,000 over the past eight years. Proceeds are donated as scholarships to deserving Mahoning Valley students.
"The goals of the foundation are to reward Valley students who have proven to be good role models and leaders," Mrs. York said at Sunday's auction at Mr. Anthony's. "My father believed that students who have given back to the community while in high school should be afforded the opportunity to receive a college education."
Scholarship winners
This year's scholarship winners are Tsukasa Harrington of Hubbard, Donald Hermes of Poland, Kevin Kelsey of Lordstown, Andriel Johnson of Warren Harding, Amber Rummel of East Palestine and William A. Sadler of Mooney.
In addition to six new starters on offense, 49ers coach Dennis Erickson begins his second season with new coordinators -- Ted Tollner on offense and Willy Robinson on defense.
Tollner, who has collegiate head coaching experience at Southern Cal and San Diego State, was the 49ers quarterbacks coach last season. Robinson was the Steelers secondary coach.
"Coach Tollner has a ton of experience," Rattay said. "He and coach Erickson are a perfect fit -- they have so much knowledge about offense."
Rattay, a seventh-round 2000 draft pick from Louisiana Tech, started three games last season, leading San Francisco to victories over the Rams and Steelers.
In minicamp, Rattay pulled a groin muscle and has been rehabbing the injury for several months. He expects to be allowed to run in mid-July and believes he will be ready to practice about a week into training camp.
Depth at wide receiver
Despite the loss of starting receivers Owens and Tai Streets, Rattay said the 49ers will be strong at that position.
"Our depth will be better," he said, acknowledging that Lloyd, a second-year player from Illinois, will be his top choice. The other starter probably will be Cedric Wilson (Tennessee), with rookie Rashaun Woods (Oklahoma State) and Curtis Conway (Southern Cal) as backups.
Plummer, a first-round pick in the 2000 draft from Ohio State, said that despite the turnover, the team's future is not bleak.
"I think we have more experience than some people [realize]," Plummer said. "Right now, we may not have the big-name players the 49ers are accustomed to having, so we have to go out and make some [new] big names."
Third-year player Mike Rumph will replace former starter Jason Webster on the other side of Plummer. Webster went to the Atlanta Falcons via free agency.
"Mike played most of last season, so it's like he has an extra year already under his belt," Plummer said of the 49ers' top pick in the 2002 draft from Miami (Fla.).
New defense a challenge
Plummer admitted that learning Robinson's schemes has been a challenge.
"It's always difficult [when coaches change] because you have to learn different things," Plummer said. "In some ways, it's more complicated but in others it's easier. Once we get it down, it should make it harder for other teams [to prepare] for the changes we'll show."
williams@vindy.com