SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Erickson downplays first return trip to Seattle since being fired

The 49ers' coach wants to avoid personal involvement in Sunday's game.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
For the second straight week, homecoming is a predominant theme at the San Francisco 49ers' headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif.
Sunday, the 49ers snapped a a three-game losing streak with a 24-17 win over former coach Steve Mariucci and the Detroit Lions.
This Sunday, in a nationally televised night game, 49ers coach Dennis Erickson, who replaced Mariucci in February, will make his first trip to Seattle since being fired by the Seahawks after the 1998 season.
As Mariucci tried to do last week, Erickson is downplaying his personal involvement because the 49ers have so much at stake, playing their first-place NFC West Division rivals.
"I put a lot of sweat and tears into that program, but that was a long time ago," said Erickson in a telephone interview. "It's not like Mooch, who was here a year ago. It's been five years since I was there.
"To be honest, it will be nice to go back because of my family that lives there, but the biggest thing is the game because we're 2-3 and they are 3-1."
Background
Erickson was the Seahawks coach from 1995-98, compiling a 31-33 record. In 1999, he returned to the collegiate level at Oregon State until being hired by team owner John York in February.
Although his parents live in nearby Everett, Wash., Erickson will be making his first visit to Seahawks Field, which opened a year ago. He doesn't miss the dank, dark Kingdome, the Seahawks home when he was coach.
"It was getting kind of old, so they made the right choice," Erickson said. "I hear the field turf that they have is one of the best surfaces in the league so that's a real plus."
Since Mike Holmgren took over for Erickson, he's cleaned house. Only a handful of players from Erickson's tenure are still there, including linebacker Chad Brown, offensive tackle Walter Jones, guard Chris Gray and cornerback Shawn Springs, who is out with a shoulder injury.
Turnaround
Erickson credits the Seahawks' turnaround from last year's 7-9 campaign to the hiring of defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, once the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
"They're playing a lot better on defense because Ray Rhodes nice is doing a nice job for them," Erickson said. "He knows his stuff."
On offense, Erickson says the 49ers must find a way to contain tailback Shaun Alexander, who has rushed for 319 yards on 71 carries.
"He one of the league's better backs," Erickson said. "He's got speed and some explosiveness."
With Springs sidelined, Erickson says Brown is their "dominant player. He plays the run well and he lines up as a pass rusher in their pass defense."
Better running game
Erickson credited the win over the Lions to a much improved running game.
"I thought we [run-blocked] real well. [Fullback] Fred Beasley played tremendous for us, but you never hear much about him," Erickson said.
For the first time this season, the 49ers' entire starting offensive line may take the field Sunday as guard Eric Heitmann returned to practice Wednesday after battling an ankle sprain.
Cornerback Jason Webster, who has been out since training camp with a knee injury, is scheduled to begin running this week and could return for the Oct. 19 game against the Buccaneers.
williams@vindy.com