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According to San Jose Mercury News staff writer Dennis Georgatos, talks aimed at cutting Jeff Garcia's $10 million salary have ground to a halt, and the 49ers on Wednesday raised the possibility of releasing their three-time Pro Bowl quarterback if the impasse isn't resolved by March 3, the start of the new league year.

John McVay, the 49ers' director of football operations, said "there's no way in the world" Garcia will be back with his current contract.

"We have made what the organization considers a very, very fair offer," McVay said. "It's been on the table for some time. We've not heard back from them. If we can make it happen, let's do it. If not, we'll go forward" without Garcia.

Garcia's agent, Steve Baker, told Georgatos he remains optimistic the sides can resolve the impasse.

"I believe the 49ers are interested in working out a new deal," he said. "I know we're interested in working out a new deal. Usually in those situations something tends to get done."

Garcia's contract figure for this season was designed to force a re-negotiation that would allow Garcia, who turns 34 next week, to either stay put or move on while jobs remain available in the league.

McVay said his remarks were not an ultimatum but that Garcia's pay must fit in the team's salary-cap plan.

"He's our guy. We want him here," McVay said. "We're not being confrontational. We haven't drawn a line in the sand. ... We'll try up to the very last minute to get this done."

The 49ers have three other quarterbacks on the roster, including Tim Rattay, who went 2-1 in three starts for an injured Garcia last season. Coaches also are high on Ken Dorsey, a rookie last year, and the team recently re-signed Brandon Doman, who was edged out by Dorsey for the No. 3 job last season.

McVay declined to comment on reports that the 49ers have pitched cutting Garcia's 2004 salary by about half.

Also of interest. ...

In an article published Wednesday, Palm Beach Post staff writer Jamey Eisenberg, citing an unnamed NFL source, reported that Terrell Owens has the Dolphins on "a short list" of teams he would consider playing for after he exercises an escape clause in his contract that will make him an unrestricted free agent March 3.

The NFL prohibits contact between a pending free agent and any team other than his current one until March 3, but a league source said the Dolphins also would be interested in speaking to Owens once he becomes a free agent.

The source said the Dolphins' priority is to address their needs at offensive line and quarterback, but to also find a receiver. Owens is "a talent the Dolphins would have to consider."

"Anything is possible," Eisenberg's source said. "If things fell right, who knows?"

Even though Owens is interested and fits a need for the Dolphins, he still might be too expensive. The Dolphins are about $17 million over the salary cap for next season but will trim that before March 3 with cuts and by restructuring several contracts.

Owens' salary for 2003 reportedly reached $6 million, making him the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver. He has talked about asking his new team for a $20 million signing bonus, but about a dozen unnamed league executives have been quoted as saying they would be "shocked" if that happened.

On the field, Owens, 30, has been one of the best receivers in the NFL -- and caused some of the league's biggest controversies. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has caught at least 80 passes and topped 1,000 yards in each of the past four years.

But Owens also has criticized coaches and teammates and been scrutinized for touchdown celebrations, including posing on the star in Dallas, dancing with pompons and pulling a Sharpie out of his sock to autograph a football.

And as Sports Illustrated insider Peter King, one of Owens' more outspoken critics, opined Monday: "I've said this before -- I'd rather have Brandon Lloyd on my team than Owens any day of the week. Lloyd's the kid from Illinois who finally got off the San Francisco bench this year. He caught only 14 balls, but two were the kind of catches that'd make Jerry Rice's career-highlight film. Circus catches. The kind that made you say, 'Where has this guy been hiding?'''

King added: "After the season, I hear that a very influential member of the organization said if Owens was back in 2004, he'd rather be working for tips at a local golf course. ..."

Owens has said he would like to play for a team in the South and one close to making a Super Bowl run. The Dolphins also would have to address their quarterback situation because that is one of Owens' priorities.

The other teams on Owens' short list include Atlanta, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Jacksonville, Buffalo, Tampa Bay and the New York Jets also have been mentioned as possible destinations for Owens. ...

In a related note. ...

According to Contra Costa Times staffer Cam Inman, Cedrick Wilson can seize a bigger role because of the expected departures of Owens and Tai Streets, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next month. The former Michigan standout has made no secret of his desire to play closer to his home in the Midwest.

With Lloyd penciled in as one possible replacement, Wilson may need to fill the other spot if the team can't do so with a draft pick or free agent. ...

In an article published last Friday, ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli noted that team officials have begun hinting that tailback Garrison Hearst will have to rework his contract, to reflect what is expected to be a backup role in 2004, for the 11-year veteran to remain with the club.

At the same time, team officials acknowledge they fret a bit at the prospect of just handing the starting job to three-year pro Kevan Barlow, who has problems with fumbles and isn't all that reliable off the field in some ways.

Hearst is scheduled for a base salary of $2.5 million in 2004, has a salary cap charge of $3.5 million and is due a roster bonus on March 1. Hearst remains a steadying force in the locker room and, even when injured late last season, never forfeited his role as one of the team leaders. Barlow posted his first 1,000-yard performance, is according to Pasquarelli "undeniably talented, but still notably immature. ...

And finally. ...

Tight end Eric Johnson recently underwent a minor surgery on his broken left collarbone, which kept him out of the entire season. ... Reserve halfback Terry Jackson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, but he's also expected to be back in time for the first mini-camp.