1999 record: 4-12, fourth in NFC West.

Last five years: 52-28

Coach: Steve Mariucci (31-21 in three years with San Francisco)

Playoff past: The 49ers failed to reach the playoffs last year for the first time since 1991, snapping a string of 16 consecutive seasons with 10 or more victories. During that span, the 49ers qualified for the postseason 15 times, reached the NFC Championship Game nine times and won four Super Bowls. Combined with their victory in Super Bowl XVI, the 49ers have five titles.

Outlook

No need to tap dance around the obvious: After a long and distinguished run, once-proud San Francisco is in the throes of a major rebuilding process and might not improve on last year's dismal record, the team's worst non-strike season mark since 1980, when it finished 6-10.

Gone are future Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, who wisely retired, along with former Pro Bowl players Tim McDonald and Lee Woodall, who were waived. The current roster features 33 rookies, including 11 draft choices, with general manager Bill Walsh plucking seven for defensive help.

With Young and recent Hall of Fame inductee Joe Montana around, fans became spoiled, knowing each was capable of carrying the club. Not the case with second-year man Jeff Garcia, who has toughness and ability, but lacks consistency and needs a stronger supporting cast to be effective.

Jeff Garcia is unlikely to make the 49ers forget about Steve Young or Joe Montana.(AP)

Garcia grew up in the Bay Area and attended San Jose State, so he knows expectations are high, if not unrealistic. In his first five starts last season, he completed 52.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards and earned a 63.4 passer rating. After being benched for three games, he returned to start the last five and completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,441 yards with a passer rating of 98.3.

Although the offense has struggled in two preseason games, it should be more productive once Garcia gets the ball to wideouts Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes, along with tight end Greg Clark. The undersized Garcia has struggled getting the ball deep, depriving the once unstoppable 49ers of quick-strike potential, but Mariucci expects improvement.

"We're not in sync yet," he said. "We're not nearly explosive enough on offense. We've got to get the ball to (the receivers)."

Mariucci has bigger concerns on defense, and the secondary in particular. The latter ranked last in the league a year ago, partly because the line failed to mount a pass rush, but also because backs were slow and out of position. Mariucci is counting on youth and exuberance to help the unit regain respectability and keep games within reach.

Unfortunately for Walsh and Mariucci, there is no quick-fix. Poor personnel decisions -- R.W. McQuarters, Jim Druckenmiller, Israel Ifeanyi, Johnny Johnson, Lawrence Phillips, Antonio Langham and Charles Haley come to mind -- along with salary cap restraints have conspired against them.

Also to be determined is just how well the popular and upbeat Mariucci can coach. When he arrived three years ago from Cal, he inherited a talented team with veteran leaders. Most are gone, which puts additional pressure on Mariucci.

Schedule preview: The 49ers open with three consecutive games against NFC West opponents and play three of their first four games away from home. That means youth or not, San Francisco must hit the ground running to avoid falling out of playoff contention by mid-season. For the first time since the early 1980's, the 49ers will not appear on Monday Night Football, a clear sign the NFL doesn't expect much. Game to watch: Cross-bay rival Oakland visits 3Com Park on Oct. 8.

1999 Offensive ranking: No. 10 overall, No. 21 in passing, No. 1 in rushing.

1999 Defensive ranking: No. 28 overall, No. 31 vs. pass, No. 15 vs. rush.

Key players lost from 1999: QB Steve Young (retired), SS Tim McDonald (released), LB Lee Woodall (released), DE Gabe Wilkins (released), DE Charles Haley (released), CB Darnell Walker (released).

Key additions for 2000: QB Rick Mirer (Jets), OL Matt Willig (Rams), DE Anthony Pleasant (Jets), WR/KR Kevin Williams (Bills) and OL Scott Gragg (Giants).

Rookies to watch: CB Ahmed Plummer (Ohio State) and LB Julian Peterson (Michigan State) were both first-round picks and will become immediate starters, while DE John Engelberger (Virginia Tech) and Jason Webster (Texas A&M) aren't far behind. The defense has nowhere to go but up, and Mariucci won't be shy about giving his youngsters playing time. Third-round pick QB Giovanni Carmazzi (Hofstra) has been disappointing and was passed on the depth chart by seventh-round selection Tim Rattay (Louisiana Tech), who has more big-game experience and could see significant playing time. MLB Jeff Ulbrich (Hawaii) impressed early in preseason games and is already pushing for playing time.

Offensive line: The biggest offseason loss was Bobb McKittrick, one of the most respected assistant coaches in football, who succumbed to cancer. This essentially undersized group enabled the 49ers to lead the league in rushing and allowed only 33 sacks, extraordinary considering it was comprised mostly of free agents and late-round draft picks. Veteran guard Ray Brown, versatile tackle/guard Derrick Deese and tackle Dave Fiore are mainstays. Underrated center Chris Dalman played hurt most of last season, and suffered a herniated disk Aug. 8 that will keep him out at least the remainder of preseason but shouldn't keep him out of the season opener. The team is toying with the idea of moving starting right guard Jeremy Newberry to center, which Mariucci said might be his best position. That would leave Phil Ostrowski, Tyrone Hopson and Dwayne Ledford in a battle for the right tackle job.

Wide receivers/tight ends: Jerry Rice returns for his 16th year and led the team last season with 67 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns. This is not necessarily a good thing, since Rice is no longer the deep threat he once was and is basically a possession receiver. The 49ers are counting on fifth-year man Terrell Owens to rebound from an off-year and hope sixth-year man J.J. Stokes finally plays up to his potential. Speedy Tai Streets of Michigan missed most of his rookie year with an Achilles injury but could challenge for playing time. Tight end Greg Clark is a fine blocker and receiver, but must stay healthy.

Running backs: Last year's best offseason acquisition was Charlie Garner, who replaced injured Garrison Hearst and rushed for 1,229 yards and caught 56 passes. Without Garner, the offense might have been non-existent. Hearst, who ran for 1,570 yards in 1998, hopes to return from a career-threatening left ankle injury, but his status remains questionable. Walsh was criticized for trading fullback Marc Edwards, but newcomer Fred Beasley proved a capable replacement and second-year man Terry Jackson shines on special teams. Fifth-round draft pick Paul Smith from Texas-El Paso could be a find.

Quarterbacks: Garcia bulked up in the weight room during the offseason but has been unimpressive in early exhibition games. He's a good improviser and best on the move, but must increase his accuracy and become friendlier with his wide receivers. Mirer looked good in an Aug. 4 loss to San Diego, has more experience than rookies Rattay and Carmazzi, and has a decent shot to make the team. The 49er Faithful finally realize how fortunate they were to have Montana and Young.

Defensive line: After breaking his right tibia late in the 1998 season, Bryant Young came back strong and remains a force inside. Unfortunately, he didn't receive much help. Wilkins and Haley were busts, No. 1 pick Reggie McGrew missed the season due to a leg injury and fellow rookie Chike Okeafor was mostly invisible. Undersized Junior Bryant can start at tackle or end and provides heart and quickness. This area must and should improve, especially with contributions from McGrew, Okeafor and Engelberger.

Linebackers: An area of concern, although Peterson has already made an impact and will do wonders for the pass rush. He'll become an instant starter on the outside, joining veterans Ken Norton Jr. and Winfred Tubbs. Norton, a 13-year veteran, still talks the talk but didn't back it up last season, failing to intercept a pass, force or recover a fumble and managed only one sack. Norton's streak of 144 consecutive games played leads all NFL LBs, but could be in jeopardy starting the season because of a bulging disk in his back that likely will sideline him at least the remainder of the preseason. He hasn't practiced since July 24 and is considered day-to-day. Since coming to the 49ers from New Orleans in 1998, Tubbs has done little to justify his big salary and could be pushed by the energetic Ulbrich, who reminds some of Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds.

Secondary: Third-year strong safety Lance Schulters is a big hitter and a playmaker, but lacks consistency, while free safety Zack Bronson has more range. The cornerback spots are up for grabs, with Plummer and fourth-year veteran Monty Montgomery the likely starters. The 49ers are high on Webster and first-year man, 6-foot-1 Anthony Parker, who missed all of last season due to injury. Others to watch include safeties Pierson Prioleau and rookie John Keith of Furman.

Special teams: Kicker Wade Richey did everything asked of him last season, converting 21 of 23 field-goal attempts and consistently drove the ball deep on kickoffs. The same cannot be said of punter Chad Stanley, who had two kicks blocked and finished with a net average of 30.7 yards. New special teams coach Bruce DeHaven is keeping a close eye on Stanley and is counting on newcomer Kevin Williams to spark the return teams.