Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004 | 9:19 a.m.
SUN WIRE REPORTS
If the San Francisco 49ers earn the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft, general manager Terry Donahue actually is planning to use it.
Given the 49ers' overall frugality and Donahue's annual desire to have as many draft picks as possible, it's been widely assumed Donahue would attempt to trade the No. 1 pick if the club stays on pace for the worst season in franchise history.
Nothing in the 49ers' recent history suggests they're eager to agree to a hefty contract and an exorbitant signing bonus. But on Wednesday, Donahue said the 49ers currently plan to use the pick on the best player available.
"I would expect that we're going to pick a player," Donahue said. "That would be my expectation. You're asking me that today. I'm not going to commit to that. It's December."
"He's been a joy to have, a great addition to this club," coach Brian Billick said said of Sanders, 38, who has missed six games with injuries playing primarily nickel back. "We'd love to have him back."
Palmer's left knee was sprained when he was tackled in a game against New England on Dec. 12. He sat out a 33-17 loss to Buffalo last Sunday.
"It was a learning experience," the receiver said after returning from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. "Don't put yourself in certain situations or stuff like that can happen."
Coach Mike Holmgren has heard it before. He's had plenty of talks with Robinson since taking the talented receiver with the ninth overall draft pick in 2001. He plans to have another sit-down this week.
Coach Mike Mularkey listed both running backs as questionable, saying they'll be evaluated on a daily basis.
"The standards are very high here. It's championship football. We want to win a Super Bowl and that's it, period," Gruden said Wednesday. "There's a lot of frustration here right now, and I'm glad there is. I know I'm frustrated, but at the same time I'm confident we'll get this thing turned around."
Darius hinted that he would appeal, but declined to say for certain, wanting the focus to remain on Ferguson's recovery from the vicious shot that put the wideout in the hospital for two days.
"The money is no issue from a standpoint that a person's safety is the most important thing," Darius said. "I'm glad he's doing well."
With the Cowboys (5-9) still mathematically alive in the NFC playoff chase, Testaverde, 41, will start the game, coach Bill Parcells said, because he gives the team the best chance to win, an assessment owner Jerry Jones agrees with for Sunday's game.
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