Dilfer honors friend
John Brodie thinks his old No. 12 jersey will be a perfect fit on Trent Dilfer with the San Francisco 49ers.
Brodie’s jersey was unofficially unretired on Friday after the 49ers’ first practice of training camp. The longtime San Francisco quarterback, who still has trouble speaking after a stroke nearly six years ago, grinned and laughed as he ceded the number to Dilfer, his longtime friend and golfing buddy.
Dilfer chose the number as a tribute to the 1970 NFL MVP, who made two Pro Bowls while playing in his native San Francisco from 1957-73. Dilfer also hopes the gesture will get the attention of the veterans committee that could elect Brodie to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“It’s probably the biggest honor of my career to this point,” said Dilfer, who led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory in 2001. “J.B. has been one of the biggest influences on my career. As soon as I got traded, it wasn’t 5 minutes when I called and asked if he would be honored by this.”
Brodie, who will turn 71 next month, still is recovering from a serious stroke in October 2000, but the excitement on his face made his feelings clear.
The 49ers acquired Dilfer in an off-season trade with Cleveland to land a reliable veteran backup for Alex Smith. When the Northern California native heard he was coming home, Dilfer hatched a plan to wear his hero’s number – and Brodie readily agreed.
“It certainly says something about John that he does that,” said coach Mike Nolan – whose father, Dick, was the 49ers’ coach during Brodie’s final six NFL seasons.
Dilfer and Brodie met through former NFL quarterback Chris Chandler, who is Dilfer’s friend and Brodie’s son-in-law. The quarterbacks soon struck up a friendship through golf and common football experiences.
After his NFL career, Brodie became an excellent competitive golfer during 15 years on the Senior Tour, even winning the 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic.
Top picks sign
First-round draft pick Marcedes Lewis signed a five-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a day before the team opens training camp.
The tight end from UCLA, chosen with the 28th overall pick, is expected to back up veteran Kyle Brady. But the Jaguars are counting on the rookie’s versatile skills to help replace Jimmy Smith, who abruptly retired in May and left the team with little experience at receiver.
Other first-round picks signing Friday included:
“New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney from the University of Minnesota;
“San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland;
“Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata from Oregon;
“Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter from Ohio State.
Agreeing to deals, but not officially signing first-round picks were Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle John McCargo and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes.
Roaf says he’s retiring
Willie Roaf says he’s retiring and going back to college. The Kansas City Chiefs are holding out hope the 11-time Pro Bowl tackle will return for a 14th season.
The 36-year-old Roaf told the Kansas City Star that he was retiring, a move that would leave a large hole on the Chiefs offensive line. Carl Peterson, president and general manager of the Chiefs, said neither he nor coach Herm Edwards had spoken with Roaf in several weeks.
“Certainly I am aware of what was written,” Peterson said. “I’d say right now, because of who Willie Roaf is, what he has contributed to the Kansas City Chiefs and what he’s contributed to the National Football League, we’re going to keep the door open for a while.
“Players do change their mind.”
Roaf told the Star he told Peterson and Edwards of his intentions weeks ago, including in a letter sent to the team.
“I guess they want me to reconsider,” Roaf said. “I’m solid on retiring and going back to school.”