Rattay preparing for bigger role with Niners

By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Tim Rattay has spent the last three years preparing for responsibilities he knew he might never get with the San Francisco 49ers.

After all, he was the backup to Jeff Garcia one of the most durable quarterbacks in team history, one who's made three straight Pro Bowls and started 53 consecutive games. Garcia is a hometown hero in the prime of his career, and many backups to such star quarterbacks never get a shot.

But everything changed a week before training camp when Garcia injured his back during a private workout. He hasn't practiced regularly because of a bulging disc and suddenly, Rattay has been thrust into the first big responsibilities of his career.

Rattay started the 49ers' exhibition opener in Kansas City last weekend, and his performance was nearly perfect. The undersized seventh-round draft pick was 8-of-9 for 90 yards, including a sharp 39-yard touchdown pass to rookie Brandon Lloyd.

``I feel good about things,'' Rattay said Monday as the 49ers began preparations for Thursday's Battle of the Bay against Oakland. ``We played well on both sides of the ball. ... I don't change anything (as the starter). It'll just be the same. I've always practiced the same since I've been here.''

The 49ers have four promising quarterbacks Garcia, Rattay, second-year pro Brandon Doman and rookie Ken Dorsey but three are nothing more than prospects. Garcia is the only one who's started an NFL game, and Rattay is the only backup who's ever played in the regular season.

Coach Dennis Erickson is grateful to have four competent signal-callers.

``I've been around a lot of teams that didn't have one,'' he said. ``All three of (the backups) did some things very well.

His coaches and teammates have no idea how Rattay would react to the pressure and pounding of a regular-season game, but everyone seems to have a quiet confidence in the taciturn former Louisiana Tech star even as they wait for more news on Garcia's injury, which probably will keep him out of Thursday's game as well.

``I think everybody is wondering what's really going on with his back,'' said offensive lineman Derrick Deese, who also missed the exhibition opener with an injury. ``Jeff has told us it's going to be fine. ... I think everybody has confidence in (Rattay), though. He wouldn't be out there if we didn't.''

Rattay threw just three passes in his first two NFL seasons. He played in four games last fall, including significant minutes in a victory over Washington when Garcia and one-third of his teammates were slowed by a flu bug.

He was 26-of-43 last season for 232 yards and two TDs while studiously attending to every backup quarterback's duties, from play-signaling to imitating the other team's quarterback in practice.

Rattay has spent much of his practice time with the first-teamers in training camp, which has eased his transition to a larger role. Erickson is emphasizing more downfield passes to jump-start the offense, which often foundered in the short-yardage, ball-control schemes of former coach Steve Mariucci.

All three quarterbacks had strong games against the Chiefs. Dorsey threw two TD passes in the second half, and Doman was 11-of-12 for 101 yards.

``The other guys did really good jobs,'' Rattay said. ``Everybody has their own different style, their own way of doing it. We're confident, but we just hope (Garcia) gets better soon and gets out there with us.''

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^WILLIAMS WILL WAIT:@ Jimmy Williams came to work on Monday morning with high hopes. He left with another disappointment in a year full of them: The 49ers' promising kick returner must wait at least another week to return from injury.

Williams tore a ligament in his left knee late last season, ending a promising campaign as a returner and backup cornerback. He hasn't practiced since surgery to put a cadaver tendon into his knee, and he began training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

``It's just frustrating not being out there,'' Williams said. ``It's been almost like a year away. I just want to put the helmet on and the cleats on and go stretch. I miss being with the team, seeing yourself on film.''

Williams thought the 49ers would take him off the PUP list on Monday, but the medical staff decided to wait another week before testing his knee in workouts.

``I was ecstatic coming in here,'' Williams said. ``It's a letdown.''

He didn't travel with the team to Kansas City, instead watching the game at home with his wife and their Yorkshire terrier. He couldn't concentrate on the action, however.

``She just kept talking,'' Williams said with a grin. ``I said, 'I'm glad I'm not here with you on game day.' ``

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^FLANIGAN BEGINS AGAIN:@ Defensive tackle Jim Flanigan was the logical candidate to take over Dana Stubblefield's starting spot this season, but injuries have stopped the veteran from assuming the role.

Flanigan hasn't been able to practice much or play because of strained muscles in his calves. The injury is mysterious; it might be related to back problems, but the 49ers aren't sure.

``It's been an extremely frustrating camp,'' Flanigan said. ``I came in here in great shape and ready to go. The hardest part has been not being able to get out on the practice field.''

Flanigan still could assume the starting spot if he returns for the regular season, since the 49ers would prefer to keep rookie Anthony Adams' responsibilities to a minimum at first. Adams played more snaps in San Francisco's first preseason game than nearly any other player.

``I'd like to get a couple of weeks of practice in, but assuming I get this cleared up, I'll definitely be ready for the opener,'' Flanigan said.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)