Erickson sticking around San Fran
Coach Dennis Erickson is in no hurry to leave the San Francisco 49ers just yet.
Erickson responded to the circling rumors about his future Monday, saying he thinks he’ll still be employed by the Niners (2-11) at least until January. He met with owner John York and general manager Terry Donahue one day after San Francisco’s 31-28 overtime win over Arizona, but believes all discussion of the coaching staff’s future will wait three weeks.
“It wasn’t really any different than any other meeting that I have with (York),” said Erickson, who meets with the owner after every game when York isn’t home in Ohio. “We talked about the game. We talked a little bit about personnel. … At the end of the year, we’ll all get together – him, I and Terry – and talk about everything.”
Erickson also said he hasn’t been contacted by Mississippi about its head coaching vacancy despite widespread reports naming him as the top candidate – but he also didn’t exactly deny interest.
“Right now, really, my concern is playing the Redskins on Saturday and then go from there,” Erickson said. “I mean, everybody has to look at options.”
Erickson’s future became a hot topic last week while the 49ers were preparing for their second straight victory over Arizona – the only team they’ve beaten this season. He’s 9-20 near the conclusion of his second season with San Francisco, and York might expect his coach to take the fall for this disastrous year.
York seems dissatisfied with the team’s coaching staff, and Erickson certainly is dissatisfied with the lackluster roster assembled by York and Donahue. While Erickson is owed $7.5 million over the next three years, York might try to entice Erickson to quit by firing his assistants.
York declined to speak to the media Monday, but in the parking lot at Sun Devil Stadium after the 49ers’ dramatic win, he expressed his disappointment with the season – and the assistant coaches who have presided over it.
“I don’t think it will be possible to have all of them back,” York said of the assistants.
Chandler may start again
Marc Bulger can’t get healthy fast enough for the St. Louis Rams.
One day after missing a 20-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers with a sprained shoulder, Bulger resumed light throwing Monday.
The Rams are aiming for him to return next week against the Eagles.
“He’s a little sore, but who knows?” coach Mike Martz said. “We may have him, but I’m not going to count on it.”
That means another week with 39-year-old backup Chris Chandler, whose first start of the season was forgettable and included a career-worst six interceptions. Chandler has played for seven teams, and Martz said at times it appeared his quarterback was running another offense.
At one point in the second half against Carolina, the frustrated Martz showed his lack of trust in Chandler by calling nine straight runs for third-string running back Arlen Harris.
The alternatives are not very enticing for the Rams (6-7). The backups are rookie Jeff Smoker, who’s still learning the offense, and Jamie Martin, who was out of the NFL since October 2003 before signing last week.
Giants sticking with Eli
Despite horrific struggles in recent weeks, Tom Coughlin still believes Eli Manning is going to be an outstanding quarterback for the reeling New York Giants.
Coughlin reiterated Monday that the No. 1 pick in the draft will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-1), adding that giving Manning a week off to clear his head wasn’t an option.
“The rookie player that has this type of opportunity, and this type of experience, it is a priceless experience that does not come without pain,” Coughlin said in a conference call as he reviewed a 37-14 loss to Baltimore.
Not only is Manning winless in four starts since taking over from Kurt Warner, his statistics are dreadful. He has completed 42 of 110 passes for 516 yards, one touchdown and six interceptions. His quarterback rating is a 33.8 percent – the lowest in the NFL for anyone with 100 pass attempts.
And the Giants have lost their last three games by at least 21 points for the first time since 1980.
Urlacher to have MRI
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is to have an MRI on his left hamstring this week, and his status for the final three games is unknown.
Urlacher sustained his third leg injury of the season in Sunday’s 22-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.