Hearst To Make News For San Francisco 49ers

Garrison Hearst, the leading rusher for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday.

Hearst, who passed on a reported multiyear deal with the Bengals averaging $1.3 million, agreed to a signing bonus of $600,000 and base salary of $200,000 with the 49ers for 1997. He gets a $2 million package in 1998.

“I’ve played for two teams who haven’t done well in the postseason, but now I get a chance to play in some playoff games,” said Hearst, who spent three seasons with Arizona before joining the Bengals.

Hearst, a former Georgia star selected No. 3 overall in the 1993 draft, was waived by the Cardinals after rushing for 1,070 yards in 1995. He ran for 847 yards last season, including an 88-yard game against the 49ers.

San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci said Hearst will have to earn the starting tailback job over Terry Kirby, who led the 49ers last season with 559 yards.

“I can envision using both players at the same time,” Mariucci said. “He’s certainly a threat. And a great blocker. It’ll give us a heck of a one-two punch.”

Hearst hopes his numbers will rise behind an improved 49ers line. “Hopefully I’ll have a chance to get to the hole before four or five guys are on top of me,” he said.

Guard Eric Moten, acquired via one of Bobby Beathard’s trademark draft-day deals, was released by the San Diego Chargers in a salary cap move. Beathard wouldn’t say what Moten was due to make this season, but it reportedly was about $2 million.

“He was too high in the cap,” the general manager said. “Moten’s been real good for us, but these are the things that happen in this system.”