NFC WEST Satisfaction: Win has 49ers rolling

Next up for San Francisco (6-2) is the Kansas City Chiefs (4-4).
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Coming off a big win at Oakland's Network Associates Coliseum and holding down first place in the NFC West at the halfway point of the NFL season, San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci still can't get no satisfaction even though the Rolling Stones -- the team's good luck charm -- are on tour.
"We have to remain hungry," Mariucci says despite the team's two-game division lead over the Arizona Cardinals. "There are still some areas we need to address and improve. There's no way on God's Earth we can be satisfied."
Last victory
Satisfied, no. Happy, maybe after Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the Raiders in what Mariucci calls "the most hostile environment in sports."
The 49ers ran off the final 30 plays before Jose Cortez booted a 23-yard field goal in overtime.
"Oakland's version of the Dawg Pound is 'The Black Hole' and they have other areas of the stadium that are just as bad," said Mariucci in a telephone interview from the team's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif.
"It's not easy to ignore all those distractions. Their fans are passionate and loyal -- I think they started tailgating on Friday. But we took their best shot and came out ahead."
Mariucci credited quarterback Jeff Garcia, who completed 25 of 36 passes for 282 yards, for what have been his best NFL game.
"He's thrown for more yards and he's thrown for more touchdowns, but I don't remember a performance and exciting," Mariucci said. "He converted on third down after third down after third down by using his arm, his head and his legs. It was a gutsy, gritty performance."
Mariucci said his team stayed relaxed even though Cortez missed a chip-shot attempt at the end of regulation.
Had faith
"I knew we were either going to win the game or go into overtime," Mariucci said of his calmness after Cortez's miss. "We were not going to let them send Jerry Rice and Rich Gannon and Tim Brown back on the field.
"Last year, we went three-of-four in overtime games and I knew we were wearing down their defense," Mariucci said.
The six-year coach called the win over their Bay rivals "a gutcheck to find out what we're made of. We were the fifth-youngest team when the season started and with all the injuries, we're probably younger."
But growing up.
"My pregame speech was short and sweet: 'Are you guys as confident as I am?' They nodded, we said our prayer and went out," Mariucci said.
With their open week long over, Mariucci gave his team Monday and Tuesday off before launching preparations for this Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs (4-4), who are coming off their open week.
Recharging batteries
"Osaka seems like seven years ago," said Mariucci, referring to the team's exhibition opener on Aug. 4 in Japan. "I gave the team Monday off to sleep in, enjoy the win and shut it down emotionally for a while so we can recharge our batteries. The Chiefs will be well-rested and have a good offense. I'm glad we're at home."
As for the Stones, Mariucci said he wasn't aware that since 1981, in every year that the "World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band" has launched a world tour (1981, 1989, 1994 and 1997), the 49ers have either won the Super Bowl or played in the NFC Championship Game.
Friday and Saturday, the Stones play Pac Bell Park, home of the National League champion San Francisco Giants.
"I've seen the Stones twice in concert," Mariucci said. "I really enjoy the energy those guys show. Maybe we have the power of Keith Richards on our side."
williams@vindy.com