49ERS COUNT ON STOKES : PRO BOWL VETERAN SHARPE SENT TO JAIL FOR DRUG CONVICTION.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

J.J. Stokes' rookie campaign with the San Francisco 49ers was marred by a holdout, an injury and criticism over his work habits.

But he wound up with the third-best performance by a rookie receiver in team history as a part-time player in 1995. This season, he's moving into the 49ers' lineup full time as the replacement for the retired John Taylor.

``He's been working hard. You can tell,'' said quarterback Steve Young, who was critical of Stokes at times last season. ``There's the physical part and the mental part and I think he's put them both together this year. He's going to make some big plays for us.''

Ex-UCLA star Stokes joined teammate Jerry Rice in an offseason conditioning regimen and reported to the team's training camp Wednesday with rookies, free agents and selected veterans rather than waiting until today, when the full squad assembles.

``The workout was good for me this summer,'' Stokes said. ``I think it's going to help me in the long run.''

The early camp arrival is in contrast to last year, when he missed nearly two weeks while haggling over a contract. San Francisco acquired him with the 10th overall pick last year.

Stokes said it took him a little while to become familiar with the 49ers system.

``I had to look at (the playbook) so much, I felt like I was in school again studying after hours. It was rough, but I dealt with it,'' Stokes said.

Sharpe to jail: After years of second chances, three-time Pro Bowl lineman Luis Sharpe was sentenced to one year in prison for violating probation by using cocaine and methamphetamine.

``I don't know what else to do here,'' Maricopa County (Ariz.) Superior Court Judge Michael D. Ryan said after ticking off Sharpe's lengthy history of drug use and police run-ins.

Noting Sharpe twice has been wounded in drug-related shootings, the judge added: ``I hope you understand and reach the realization while you're in prison that you have to make a dramatic change in your life. . . . If you appear in front of me again, it's consecutive terms in prison.''

The 6-foot-5 Sharpe, handcuffed and dressed in a light-blue prison outfit and sandals, nodded in agreement. He couldn't speak because his jaw, broken last month when he was shot in the neck, was wired shut.

The judge also ordered Sharpe to spend 35 months under house arrest once he's released from prison. He must undergo long-term drug treatment upon release, perform 40 hours of community service a month and pay more than $3,000 in fines.

Sharpe, 36, played 13 seasons with the St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals until a knee injury ended his career in 1994. He was picked for the Pro Bowl three consecutive years starting in 1987. In '83 and '84, he was an alternate.

The articulate UCLA grad had hoped to become a sports broadcaster. But drug addiction sent his life into a downward spiral.

K.C. keeps Carter: The Kansas City Chiefs matched a contract offer from the Minnesota Vikings to retain the rights to cornerback Dale Carter, a mainstay in one of the NFL's top defensive units.

Carter, chosen to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, had said he wanted to play for Minnesota to be with his brother, wide receiver Jake Reed, and to rid himself of ``the baggage'' he's acquired in Kansas City.

Rams runners: If Lawrence Phillips somehow ends up in jail instead of on the football field, the St. Louis Rams have a contingency plan.

The Rams signed former Cincinnati 1,000-yard rusher Harold Green to a free-agent contract July 10 just in case things don't work out with their troubled first-round pick. They also have several other available bodies.

New Dolphin: The Miami Dolphins, who recently released their two tight ends from last season, announced the signing of free-agent tight end Kerry Cash, who played with the Oakland Raiders last year, to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.