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In an article published late Friday, Associated Press sports writer Greg Beacham, the San Francisco 49ers will decide on Monday whether to release quarterback Jeff Garcia.

Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler and San Francisco's starter since 1999, is in the midst of a difficult contract re-negotiation with the 49ers, who want to reduce his salary significantly from the $9.9 million he is due to make next season -- or cut ties with him.

"We are going to look at all of our options this weekend," 49ers general manager Terry Donahue said Friday. "We have a wide variety of choices. We told [agent] Steve [Baker] we would notify him Monday afternoon as to what we are going to do."

By all accounts, talks haven't been going very well.

In fact, San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Kevin Lynch reported this morning that negotiations between the two sides "are withering," and in all probability the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback will enter the free-agent market.

"We structured the contract so Jeff would most likely know his NFL future by next week, either signing a new contract or becoming a free agent," Baker said Friday. "While we have and will keep the line of communication open, I believe at the present time Jeff will become a free agent."

And in a column published Friday, ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli advised readers that Garcia "is pretty much disgusted" by what he perceives to be a lack of respect for him and, unless the Niners dramatically increase their offer, he is prepared to move on.

According to Lynch, both sides appear entrenched in their positions. In an interview Wednesday, a conflicted Garcia entertained the notion of leaving.

"What it comes down to is I want what is right for me for once," he said. "I have to look at myself and look at what is going to make me happy in my life. ... That's not so much being selfish. That's being human and being tired of being run over in so many ways."

With the moves of the last few days, it appears the 49ers are rebuilding, far from the feeling co-owner John York left with the team after their 24-17 loss to Seattle in the season finale.

Possibly trying to alleviate the pain of a disappointing season, York told the team he wanted everyone back so the 49ers could make a playoff run in 2004.

But with team officials looking to clear "dead money" off the books, the 49ers will undergo dramatic change.

Left tackle Derrick Deese was released, running back Garrison Hearst asked to be waived and the impending release of guard Ron Stone, who rejected a $1 million pay cut, will save the team an additional $1.4 million.

On top of that, wide receiver Terrell Owens could still be traded and unrestricted free agents, wide receiver Tai Streets and cornerback Ahmed Plummer, want to leave. ...

And speaking of Owens. ...

The big fella claims the NFL and the 49ers are responsible for his contract predicament -- not his agent.

Owens, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver, is still under contract to the 49ers after his agent missed the NFL deadline for notifying the team of his intention to void the final three years of his deal. Owens and agent David Joseph claim they weren't told that the deadline had been moved up 10 days to Feb. 21.

"I can assure you that neither my agent nor myself made a mistake like this," Owens told Sporting News Radio on Friday. "For people to go out and say my agent made a mistake is utterly ridiculous and insane."

Owens said neither he nor his agent ever received notification of the advanced deadline. Joseph has filed a grievance with the NFL Management Council through the players' union, but a hearing hasn't been scheduled.

Owens hoped to land a big contract as an unrestricted free agent, but unless Thursday's league ruling is overturned, the 49ers will be free to keep Owens' rights or trade him. San Francisco officials had no comment on the situation Friday.

At this point in time, the mercurial receiver isn't sure whether he'll demand a trade or not.

"Right now, I just want to be put in the situation where I am able to succeed as a person and basically take my talent through the roof," he said. "I want to go to a team that has a championship in mind. Right now, I don't really know what direction the organization is going in."

Owens criticized the 49ers for showing "no loyalty" and ripped team consultant Bill Walsh during the interview, but didn't rule out returning to his only NFL team.

"With these distractions going on, I'm going to prepare myself harder than I ever have," Owens said. "I don't foresee myself being in San Francisco, but if that's the case, they know the type of player they are going to get."

Do they ever. ...

For what it's worth, I agree wholeheartedly with SI.com senior writer Don Banks, who pointed out on Friday: "In many ways, Owens is much more attractive as trade bait than he would have been as a free agent."

And while some observers believe that any team attempting to trade for Owens will want to sign him to a new contract, that isn't necessarily the case. Owens is due $17.7 million in base salaries over the final three years of his deal, with the breakdown being $5.3 this year, $5.9 in 2005 and $6.5 in 2006. Those are pretty steep numbers to fit under the cap, but there are some teams who can manage it.

For example, what if receiver-needy Baltimore, which has more than $20 million of cap room (the most in the league as an example. What if the Ravens to offer the 49ers its second-round pick in exchange for Owens and San Francisco jumps at the deal?

As Banks put it: "The Ravens could say to Owens, 'You're going to play at the $5.3 million you're due this season, with no eight-figure signing bonus, and if you're on your best behavior and produce, we'll give you a new deal and that big payday next year at this time.'

"Owens may not like the hardball angle, but he has no leverage now that he's under contract for three more years."

Stay tuned. ... I'll undoubtedly have more on both Garcia and Owens in coming days.