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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Floyd Ready To Shoulder Load For 49ers With Watters Gone

From Wire Reports

Less has become more for William Floyd. The San Francisco 49ers’ fullback has taken off 15 pounds and says he’s ready to shoulder a heavier load in the absence of friend and former teammate Ricky Watters.

“I feel a lot better. I feel a lot faster. I feel I can cut on a dime now,” Floyd said after practice Tuesday. “I feel basically like I did when I was toting the load in high school. I’m basically at the same weight.”

Floyd played at 245 pounds last season, when he was used primarily in short-yardage situations and as a blocker in pass schemes and on running plays for Watters. The 49ers’ leading rusher and second-ranked receiver a year ago, Watters signed with Philadelphia as a free agent.

This year, Floyd has trimmed down to 230 pounds, not so much in anticipation of increased running and receiving duties but because he thought it was good for him.

“I looked at it from the standpoint of just trying to do right by my body,” said Floyd, who eliminated pork, beef and fried foods from his diet and replaced them with lighter fare such as fish, poultry and vegetables.

While much of the attention dur ing training camp has focused on the competition among Derek Loville, Derrick Moore and Ricky Ervins for Watters’ old job as halfback, there’s indications Floyd’s role will become more prominent.

“Last year you knew we were going to run to Ricky the majority of the time,” Floyd said. “But now a lot of plays are going in for the fullback. I’m pretty excited about that, and I just want to be able to perform.

“Whatever this team needs, that’s what I’m going to do,” Floyd said. “But I’m not going to toot on my horn. I’ve never been a guy that tries to brag on myself. (But) I have the confidence I’m the best fullback in the game right now. And that’s the way I’ll feel until there is another guy that everybody else thinks is better than me. I’m always going to strive to be the best.”

Stoked for Stokes

The 49ers hope to have top draft pick J.J. Stokes signed today.

Tom Condon, the agent for the wide receiver drafted 10th out of UCLA, was meeting with Stokes in San Diego on Tuesday night and was to resume negotiations with 49ers general manager Dwight Clark.

The 49ers have offered Stokes either four- or five-year deals worth an average of $1.2 million or $1.3 million per year, respectively.

Clark said negotiations with unsigned defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield remain deadlocked.

Carter pulls up lame

The running dimension Ki-Jana Carter was supposed to add to the Cincinnati Bengals will have to wait.

Carter, the top pick in last spring’s draft who signed a $19.2 million contract last week, has a mild strain in his right Achilles’ tendon and will be out 10 days. He twisted his ankle in a practice during the weekend.

Carter will continue to lift weights and will be required to ride a stationary bike and do exercises in the pool.

McNair ready

Steve McNair arrived at Houston’s training camp and signed a $28.4 million contract, then dashed off to join his team as the highest-paid Oilers player.

The 22-year-old from Alcorn State, who finished third in the 1994 Heisman Trophy voting, said he’s ready for the NFL.

“I’m going to be a leader as I was at Alcorn,” he said.

Newton sets rules

Nate Newton isn’t in the mood to discuss how he stayed out of the kitchen and dropped 40 pounds in roughly 40 days before training camp.

Dallas coach Barry Switzer criticized Newton two months ago for ballooning to more than 385 pounds. Now, Newton is down to 345, but he doesn’t want to talk about it.

“My name is Nate Newton. I’m an All-Pro guard with the Dallas Cowboys. I play excellent football. If you have any questions about that, ask.

“If you want to know about a fat farm, you have to go to California and find stars like Dom DeLuise.”