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SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 15, 2002 Niners secondary is first choice for Cota Former Ashland High standout signs one-year contract with San Francisco on Wednesday By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Chad Cota has found a new home in the National Football League. The former Ashland High and University of Oregon standout signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers Wednesday, nearly six months after being released by the Indianapolis Colts in a salary cap move. The eight-year NFL veteran flew to San Francisco on Monday, worked out Tuesday and then signed with the team after undergoing a physical on Wednesday. Cota could not be reached for comment but his wife Christina said, "He’s excited. He’s been in limbo the whole summer and now he’s going to a team he rooted for when he was a kid." Cota, 31, got his chance with San Francisco after rookie safety Kevin Curtis was put on injured reserve with a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Curtis suffered the injury during the 49ers’ exhibition game loss to Kansas City last Saturday. Prior to signing Cota, the 49ers had just three healthy safeties — starters Zack Bronson and Tony Parrish and top reserve Ronnie Heard. Cota had been in talks with several teams this summer, including Tennessee and Green Bay, but until Wednesday nothing had worked out. "It’s been real frustrating," Cota told a San Francisco reporter earlier this week. "I’ve been in free agency before and things went real smoothly." Indianapolis cut Cota in February to eliminate his $2 million salary from its payroll. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound strong safety had a credible season in 2001, starting all 16 games for the Colts and finishing with two interceptions and 71 tackles, third-best on the team. In his three seasons with Indianapolis, Cota started every game and has made 81 starts in his seven NFL campaigns. "He’s had a good career but he’s having to fight for a spot on their (San Francisco’s) roster," Christina Cota said. "He knows there are no guarantees." Cota launched his pro career with the Carolina Panthers in 1995 following a standout career with Oregon in which he helped the Ducks to their first Rose Bowl appearance in 37 years. Cota wasn’t drafted until the seventh round but made an immediate impact with Carolina as a rookie, intercepting six passes and performing superbly on special teams in helping the Panthers win the NFC West Division title and earn a berth in the NFC championship game. The following season he led Carolina in tackles but left the team in March of 1998 to sign a three-year, $5.4 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. Cota spent just one season with the Saints before inking a four-year, $9.6 million contract with the Colts that included a $2 million signing bonus. Cota enjoyed a brilliant prep career at Ashland, leading the Grizzlies to an unbeaten season and their first state championship in 1989. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S