49ers release Jeff Garcia

[WebHamster]

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - The San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday released quarterback Jeff Garcia and offensive lineman Ron Stone. Both moves were salary-cap related.

"Releasing players is never a fun thing. Especially players who have had the impact that Jeff Garcia has had," San Francisco general manager Terry Donahue said. "But this is part of our long term strategy of becoming cap healthy. We have to do it. We have to instill our long-term strategy instead of a short- term fix."

Garcia completed 225 of his 392 attempts for 2,704 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. The San Jose State product garnered an 80.1 rating, while rushing for 319 yards and seven TDs.

The three-time Pro-Bowl selection missed three games last season with an ankle injury.

In five seasons with the 49ers, the 34-year-old Garcia has thrown for 16,408 yards and 113 touchdowns. Garcia also ran for 1,571 yards and 21 scores for San Francisco.

Tim Rattay, who is expected to step into the starting role, filled in admirably for Garcia and threw for 856 yards and seven touchdowns on 73-of-118 passing. Rattay played in 11 games in 2003.

The 32-year-old Stone signed with San Francisco as a free agent prior to the 2002 season. He played in 15 games in 2002 and 13 in 2003 in his two seasons with the 49ers.

San Francisco has now released five players and restructured the contracts of six others in an effort to get under the cap.