49ers Clubhouse

Contra Costa Times

Erickson's style aggressive

February 13, 2003

Chances are no one will say new 49ers coach is conservative
By Cam Inman
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
SAN FRANCISCO - Soon after 49ers coach Dennis Erickson explained his offensive philosophy Wednesday at his introductory news conference, reporters quickly turned to the architect of the 49ers offense.
"I'm excited about what he does. He brings a new dimension to our offensive team," 49ers consultant Bill Walsh said. "We've been concerned about getting the football down the field all last season.
"If anybody can do it, Eric can. Did I say Eric? Eric who? Where am I?"
Where he was was at the threshold of a new era in 49ers football, one that promises to feature a more aggressive approach under Erickson.
The 49ers ranked 14th in passing each of the past two seasons under coach Steve Mariucci, who was fired Jan. 15. Quarterback Jeff Garcia's 2002 average of 10.2 yards per completion ranks as the lowest mark ever by a 49ers starting quarterback.
"When you look at our team and the knocks that were against this team, aggressiveness was sometimes a question mark," Garcia said. "Not to say that we felt that as a team, but that seemed to be the knock outside of this organization. If Dennis can bring that to this team, a finishing attitude in terms of philosophy and mentality, then that is a great thing for this organization."
Under Erickson, the Seattle Seahawks led the league in passing offense (274.4 yards per game) in 1997.
"He's always looking to throw the ball down field, looking for the big plays first. Everything else is secondary," said Warren Moon, who quarterbacked that Seahawks squad.
Erickson was fired the following year, after his fourth season, and he then spent four seasons at Oregon State before being introduced Wednesday as 49ers coach, fittingly, at The Four Seasons Hotel.
Erickson didn't vow to make radical changes to the 49ers offense, saying so while occasionally glancing at Walsh, who was sitting at a nearby table with 49ers owner representative John York, general manager Terry Donahue, other team officials and a strange mix of players -- Garcia, offensive linemen Dave Fiore and Ben Lynch and linebacker Frank Strong.
"When you talk about the offense that has been in place for all these years with Bill and what he has done, and Steve (Mariucci) and George (Seifert), why change it?" Erickson asked. "We are going to maybe add a thing or two, but it's pretty much going to be the same.
"My style of coaching is very aggressive, so we might be a little bit more aggressive with certain things."
That talk brought smiles from Garcia. It also probably went over well with marquee wide receiver Terrell Owens, who wasn't present but did get in some quality time with Erickson the previous night.
Erickson and Owens happened to be on the same flight from Portland to the Bay Area on Tuesday night. They bumped into each other in first class and got to know each other, or at least got reunited, said Erickson, who coached Owens in the 1996 Senior Bowl.
Did he tell Owens he would be calling certain plays -- i.e., "Go Deep!" -- more often?
"We talked about it a little bit," Erickson said. "Everybody wants the ball, and we'd be pretty stupid if we didn't get it to him."
Erickson said he planned to retain Greg Knapp as the offensive coordinator, as well as offensive line coach Pat Morris and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner, all of whom are under contract. Knapp called plays the past two seasons for the 49ers offense, which last year totaled its third-worst scoring output in 20 years.
Asked if he or Knapp will be the one calling plays, Erickson joked: "It's hard to answer right now. I do know that I will call the good ones."
Added Walsh: "(Erickson) knows how to move the football. He has a great football mind. He'll be directly involved. I'd assume, myself, that he'd be calling the plays. I'm sure he's not ready to say that himself. But we have an offensive guru here, and I'm looking forward to observing and enjoying the whole process."
Ah, but do the 49ers have enough threats to make Erickson's offense -- typically a single-back, three-receiver spread formation -- succeed?
Besides Owens, who's led the league in touchdown receptions the past two years, the cupboard virtually is bare. Tai Streets is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at month's end, and unproductive J.J. Stokes may be cast aside as a salary-cap casualty. Cedrick Wilson was the 49ers' fourth receiver last season.
"We'll certainly be looking at what free-agent (wide receivers) will be available and be looking at that position strongly during the draft," York said.
Added Garcia: "I do believe we have receivers who can get down the field, but it was just not an emphasis in our offense."
Donahue said he expects Erickson to want a fast receiving corps, all the while keeping the offense harmonious.
"Dennis is enough of a pro in knowing how to come in and not send the offense into a spiral. ... He'll do it masterfully, and yet, he will not be a coach that doesn't put his own signature on the team," Donahue said.
Erickson beat out three NFL defensive coordinators during the 49ers' month-long coaching search, but his offensive tendencies aren't all that won over York.
"I'm not sure that was it. It was the fact he could talk both sides of the ball," York said, "and he was extremely aggressive."

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.

Chances are no one will say new 49ers coach is conservative

By Cam Inman
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

SAN FRANCISCO - Soon after 49ers coach Dennis Erickson explained his offensive philosophy Wednesday at his introductory news conference, reporters quickly turned to the architect of the 49ers offense.

"I'm excited about what he does. He brings a new dimension to our offensive team," 49ers consultant Bill Walsh said. "We've been concerned about getting the football down the field all last season.

"If anybody can do it, Eric can. Did I say Eric? Eric who? Where am I?"

Where he was was at the threshold of a new era in 49ers football, one that promises to feature a more aggressive approach under Erickson.

The 49ers ranked 14th in passing each of the past two seasons under coach Steve Mariucci, who was fired Jan. 15. Quarterback Jeff Garcia's 2002 average of 10.2 yards per completion ranks as the lowest mark ever by a 49ers starting quarterback.

"When you look at our team and the knocks that were against this team, aggressiveness was sometimes a question mark," Garcia said. "Not to say that we felt that as a team, but that seemed to be the knock outside of this organization. If Dennis can bring that to this team, a finishing attitude in terms of philosophy and mentality, then that is a great thing for this organization."

Under Erickson, the Seattle Seahawks led the league in passing offense (274.4 yards per game) in 1997.

"He's always looking to throw the ball down field, looking for the big plays first. Everything else is secondary," said Warren Moon, who quarterbacked that Seahawks squad.

Erickson was fired the following year, after his fourth season, and he then spent four seasons at Oregon State before being introduced Wednesday as 49ers coach, fittingly, at The Four Seasons Hotel.

Erickson didn't vow to make radical changes to the 49ers offense, saying so while occasionally glancing at Walsh, who was sitting at a nearby table with 49ers owner representative John York, general manager Terry Donahue, other team officials and a strange mix of players -- Garcia, offensive linemen Dave Fiore and Ben Lynch and linebacker Frank Strong.

"When you talk about the offense that has been in place for all these years with Bill and what he has done, and Steve (Mariucci) and George (Seifert), why change it?" Erickson asked. "We are going to maybe add a thing or two, but it's pretty much going to be the same.

"My style of coaching is very aggressive, so we might be a little bit more aggressive with certain things."

That talk brought smiles from Garcia. It also probably went over well with marquee wide receiver Terrell Owens, who wasn't present but did get in some quality time with Erickson the previous night.

Erickson and Owens happened to be on the same flight from Portland to the Bay Area on Tuesday night. They bumped into each other in first class and got to know each other, or at least got reunited, said Erickson, who coached Owens in the 1996 Senior Bowl.

Did he tell Owens he would be calling certain plays -- i.e., "Go Deep!" -- more often?

"We talked about it a little bit," Erickson said. "Everybody wants the ball, and we'd be pretty stupid if we didn't get it to him."

Erickson said he planned to retain Greg Knapp as the offensive coordinator, as well as offensive line coach Pat Morris and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner, all of whom are under contract. Knapp called plays the past two seasons for the 49ers offense, which last year totaled its third-worst scoring output in 20 years.

Asked if he or Knapp will be the one calling plays, Erickson joked: "It's hard to answer right now. I do know that I will call the good ones."

Added Walsh: "(Erickson) knows how to move the football. He has a great football mind. He'll be directly involved. I'd assume, myself, that he'd be calling the plays. I'm sure he's not ready to say that himself. But we have an offensive guru here, and I'm looking forward to observing and enjoying the whole process."

Ah, but do the 49ers have enough threats to make Erickson's offense -- typically a single-back, three-receiver spread formation -- succeed?

Besides Owens, who's led the league in touchdown receptions the past two years, the cupboard virtually is bare. Tai Streets is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at month's end, and unproductive J.J. Stokes may be cast aside as a salary-cap casualty. Cedrick Wilson was the 49ers' fourth receiver last season.

"We'll certainly be looking at what free-agent (wide receivers) will be available and be looking at that position strongly during the draft," York said.

Added Garcia: "I do believe we have receivers who can get down the field, but it was just not an emphasis in our offense."

Donahue said he expects Erickson to want a fast receiving corps, all the while keeping the offense harmonious.

"Dennis is enough of a pro in knowing how to come in and not send the offense into a spiral. ... He'll do it masterfully, and yet, he will not be a coach that doesn't put his own signature on the team," Donahue said.

Erickson beat out three NFL defensive coordinators during the 49ers' month-long coaching search, but his offensive tendencies aren't all that won over York.

"I'm not sure that was it. It was the fact he could talk both sides of the ball," York said, "and he was extremely aggressive."

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.