NFL Banged-up Niners prepare for champs

Offensive linemen Derrick Deese and Eric Heitmann are not likely to play.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
With 10 games remaining after a disappointing 2-4 start, things won't get easier for the banged-up San Francisco 49ers.
The Niners, who are owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, must leap out of the frying pan of Sunday's 20-19 loss against the Seattle Seahawks (the 4-1 NFC West Division leaders) into the fire of hosting the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"There's not much room for error if we want to stay in the [playoff] race," said Niners coach Dennis Erickson in a telephone interview Tuesday from the team's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. "Obviously, all of our remaining games are huge and have become magnified after this start."
The Niners have lost three games by a combined five points, including 27-24 in overtime to the Rams in St. Louis and 13-12 to the Cleveland Browns at home.
It's quite a turnaround from the previous two seasons when the Niners won 10 games by four points or fewer, and another by six in overtime.
Slow start
Sunday's game in Seattle required a strong comeback after the Seahawks jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first 20 minutes.
The Niners struggled to run the ball, especially after left tackle Derrick Deese and left guard Eric Heitmann reinjured ankle injuries and left the game.
At halftime, Erickson said the team made blocking adjustments that helped the Niners improve from 38 yards rushing in the first half to 73 in the second when they had three scoring drives.
Until quarterback Jeff Garcia was able to run "the play[fake] pass," Erickson said, "we had no consistency."
The Niners generated two touchdown scoring drives to open the second half, but a botched extra-point kick had them trailing 17-16 and it sapped much of their momentum.
Holder Bill LaFleur couldn't get the snapped ball upright immediately, causing kicker Owen Pochman to double-clutch and miss to the right.
Owens dropped three
Despite the costly lost point and three dropped balls by controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, the Niners took the lead 19-17 midway through the fourth quarter and had one last chance late after the Seahawks regained the lead.
But Seahawks linebacker Chad Brown, the former Steeler who went to the Seahawks in 1997 when Erickson was Seattle's head coach, stripped Niners running back Garrison Hearst of the ball to end San Francisco's rally attempt.
"Obviously, it wasn't one of his best games," said Erickson of the Owens' drops. "We certainly got him the ball. But I look for him to come back strong."
The Niners won't be able to afford many mistakes against the Buccaneers, whose defense boasts some of the best players in the NFL.
"Actually, they are very talented on both sides of the ball," Erickson said of coach Jon Gruden's team, "but [defensive tackle Warren] Sapp, [defensive end Simeon] Rice, [safety John] Lynch and [linebacker Derrick] Brooks are as good as anyone at their position in the league.
"Rice is something else as a pass rusher and Lynch calls the shots for the secondary," Erickson said. "He's really the catalyst for that defense."
On the injury front, the news is not good for the 49ers. Erickson said Heitmann and Deese are doubtful for Sunday's game. Kyle Kosier and Kwame Harris will replace them.
Third-year tight end Eric Johnson, who has been out all year with a broken collarbone, is expected to be placed on the injured reserve list and miss the entire season.
And the return of cornerback Jason Webster from a knee injury has been pushed back until November.
williams@vindy.com