Other 49ers' receivers find opportunity with Jerry Rice gone.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

STOCKTON, Calif. _ Jerry Rice never stopped being productive in his 16 years with the 49ers.

But for all his on-field brilliance and unmatched legacy as a receiver, his off-season departure is being embraced as an overdue opportunity for the 49ers' young receivers and a relief for the coaches who had felt obligated to get him the ball despite his diminishing skills.

"If you have a great receiver, he needs to get his six catches and 100 yards," Coach Steve Mariucci said. "The trick is when you have several weapons, how do you balance that?

"Jerry was one who was very productive. You wouldn't want to come away from a game, saying, `He had two catches. What were we thinking?' Now, what ...