SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Erickson clears the air over Owens' sideline rant

The laid-back coach laid down the law.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
The whirlwind surrounding the San Francisco 49ers during the past 72 hours is something Coach Dennis Erickson hasn't experienced in a while.
During Sunday's blowout loss to the Vikings in Minnesota, television cameras captured wide receiver Terrell Owens lashing out on the sidelines at offensive coordinator Gregg Knapp after quarterback Jeff Garcia didn't audible a fourth-and-1 play into a pass.
Turns out, Erickson, not Knapp, called for running back Kevan Barlow's run that was stuffed by the Vikings.
The first-year Niners coach also said Garcia was forbidden from calling an audible because the game was played in the noisy Metrodome.
Monday, the national media had plenty of coverage of Owens' second tantrum in eight days.
Surprised
Speaking Tuesday from the 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Erickson said he's a little surprised that the Owens outburst garnered such attention.
"I haven't been around that type of thing for a while," said Erickson. "I used to deal with this a lot when I was at [the University of] Miami and a little bit with Seattle [Seahawks]. I'm a little surprised, but not totally shocked."
Erickson said he sat down on Monday with 49ers general manager Terry Donahue and discussed discipline options.
Then the coach known for his laid-back style met with his standout receiver and laid down the law.
"It will no longer be tolerated, basically," Erickson said.
"He understood where I'm [coming from]," Erickson said. "Right now, we just want to move on and hopefully T.O. will do what we ask him to do."
Following Sunday's 35-7 loss, Owens said the team has "no heart" and suggested Garcia should be replaced by backup Tim Rattay.
Still the starter
Erickson says Garcia remains his starter despite his worst performance since taking over in 1999.
Garcia, who has been nursing a back injury since training camp began and a groin pull for the past few weeks ago, completed 11-for-23 passes for 108 yards and three interceptions.
Erickson said Garcia's health was a factor.
"He didn't play like he's capable of playing for whatever reason," Erickson said. "Jeff is normally a very accurate passer, but Sunday he was anything but."
Left tackle Derrick Deese, who has missed three starts with a high ankle sprain, has been cleared for today's practice. Erickson said the veteran's return should help shore up the pass protection for Garcia.
Familiar faces will dot the visiting sidelines Sunday at 3Com Park. For Erickson, he'll have a reunion coaching against Lions quarterback Joey Harrington, who played at Oregon.
"He's a very competitive guy, very athletic and a great competitor," Erickson said of Detroit's second-year starter. "He's smart and really picks things up fast. I really like him for his potential."
For the rest of the 49ers, ex-coach Steve Mariucci will be the dominating personality.
williams@vindy.com