Dug this one out from the Oakland Tribune back in 2004
Rattay in the spotlight as 49ers open new era
Roger Phillips, STAFF WRITER
SAN FRANCISCO -- It was during the first preseason game of his rookie year that Tim Rattay made a powerful impression on Greg Knapp, at the time the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers were playing in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, and were in the midst of running their two-minute drill. Knapp was about to suggest a play to Rattay, but the QB beat him to the punch, running a couple of suggestions past his coach.
"And he was right on," recalled Knapp, now the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons, who will open the season against Rattay and the 49ers this afternoon at Candlestick Park. "He was right on, and I thought, 'You know what? This guy's got a future ahead of him. The game is not too big for him.'"
Knapp spent four years tutoring Rattay before leaving the 49ers to join Falcons first-year coach Jim Mora in Atlanta.
And when Knapp departed, he shifted his attention to honing the skills of Falcons quarterback Michael
Vick and to crafting Atlanta's offense.
Rattay, meanwhile, is about to embark on his first season as the 49ers' starting quarterback, which means the effectiveness of Knapp's efforts is about to be put to the test.
Knapp admits he will be watching Rattay with more than a detached interest throughout the 2004 season.
"It's only natural when you spend four years of your career as a coach helping to develop him," Knapp said during a phone interview this week. "You hope for the best for him. You just hope it doesn't happen against you."
Rattay gives much of the credit for his development to Knapp.
"
Knapper was awesome for me," Rattay said. "I got lucky with him being the quarterbacks coach when I was a rookie. He just really drilled me in fundamentals and footwork. I owe him a ton for my development and me still being in the league."
Today's game marks the start of a new era for the 49ers, who cleaned house after finishing out of the playoffs with a 7-9 record last season, Dennis Erickson's first as their coach.
Rattay replaces Jeff Garcia, just one of the many changes for the 49ers. Also gone are receivers Terrell Owens and Tai Streets, running back Garrison Hearst, offensive linemen Derrick Deese and Ron Stone, and tight end Jed Weaver.
Defensively, safety Zack Bronson and cornerback Jason Webster are gone, Webster having signed with the Falcons as a free agent.
In addition to Rattay, some of the players who will begin today to try to make their mark on the 49ers as starters are receivers Brandon Lloyd and Cedrick Wilson, and running back Kevan Barlow.
But the transfer of power from Garcia to Rattay is the most significant, with Rattay seeking to become the latest outstanding quarterback for a franchise whose storied past was forged by the efforts of Joe Montana and Steve Young.
"Obviously there's super tradition here with all the guys that have been here," Rattay said. "It's fun to be in an organization that expects and demands excellence. It's fun to be in that situation because I expect and demand a lot of myself, and our team does. It's good to play for an organization that demands that."
Though Rattay made his first three NFL starts last season, winning two, his true test begins today.
His one loss last year came in Green Bay to a Packers team whose defensive coordinator at the time was Ed Donatell. Rattay was sacked four times by the Packers in that game, and it seems a safe bet the Falcons will try to put a lot of pressure on him today. After all, Donatell is now the Falcons defensive coordinator, and Mora also is a fan of the blitz.
On defense today, the 49ers' major concern is Vick, who is at least as dangerous when he takes off and runs as when he passes.
Vick was slowed during the preseason by hamstring injuries, and played sparingly in exhibition games. Vick's limited preseason play may be a problem early this season for the Falcons, who have adopted the West Coast offense.
Shortly after Knapp was hired, he arranged a meeting with Vick away from the Falcons' facility. The purpose was for them to get to know each other.
"We're both growing together," Knapp said. "It's kind of exciting to go through this with a young player with this kind of talent."
Vick said, "I think he is a great teacher. He understands players and understands what guys like to do. The best part about him is that he is just a great person to be around."
The 49ers are hoping Vick is still a work in progress. Their main concern entering today's game is that they minimize the damage Vick does when he is magically transformed from a quarterback into a running back.
The guy could be the best athlete in the NFL, 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said.
"Not only do you have to shut down some powerful receivers in Peerless Price, Dez White and the new rookie (Michael Jenkins), a great tight end (Alge Crumpler) and a good running game with (new offensive line coach Alex) Gibbs there, you have to worry about him. So it's going to be a headache."
I'm a big believer in him, Knapp said. I had a chance to work very closely with him for four years. I think he is going to have success. I hope it doesn't start this week. I hope it starts the following week.
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