Erickson says TV pacts are great

But he wouldn't like to see some Sunday games changed to Monday.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson called the NFL's contract extensions with the CBS and FOX networks tremendous for the league, but he's not sure how tweaking the late-season schedule will affect players and coaches when that phase kicks in.
"Certainly if they start changing the Monday night schedule, that's where a wrench could be thrown into the system," Erickson said Tuesday, a day after the networks committed a combined $8 billion to continue broadcasting Sunday afternoon games through the 2011 season.
Part of the new deal will give the prime-time networks (currently ESPN and ABC) the right to demand game changes if two bad teams are scheduled to play in the final seven weeks.
"If it's switching a Sunday afternoon game to Sunday night, certainly that's not that big of a deal," said Erickson, whose team, owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, is a disappointing 1-7 at the halfway point of the season. "If you start changing Sunday games to Monday, that would create some real headaches for travel planners."
Prefer the routine
Not to mention coaches and players who are creatures of habit and prefer the weekly routine of playing on Sunday, getting treatment on Monday, taking Tuesday off then practicing from Wednesday through Saturday to get ready for a Sunday kickoff.
"My guess is that they would have to make switches at least two weeks in advance, but we'll see," Erickson said. "I know it would be great for ratings to get better match-ups. I would have loved to have seen the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh game."
Instead, Erickson and his staff were preparing for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks (5-3), a 42-27 loss to the NFC West Division leaders at Monster (also known as Candlestick) Park.
"We didn't play like we have been on defense," said Erickson of Seattle's scoring outburst. "They are a good offensive team and we certainly had trouble stopping the run. Every time we got ahead, they answered with a score."
Rattay is back
Erickson said starting quarterback Tim Rattay returned to the lineup "and played pretty well, but he's not totally healthy," referring to a forearm injury on his throwing arm.
"When he is in the game we are a lot more explosive offensively," Erickson said. "He understands where he is going with the football."
Erickson is hoping the offense will gel when all-Pro center Jeremy Newberry (knee) returns, perhaps this Sunday when they welcome the Carolina Panthers (1-7) to San Francisco.
"He would give us a boost physically, which should help our running game," Erickson said. "If he's cleared to go, I'm sure he'll start."
Like the Niners, Erickson said the Panthers have been severely affected by injuries, especially the loss of tailback Stephen Davis.
"They are still dangerous," Erickson said. "Their record doesn't show it, but most of the games have been close ones. And their quarterback [Jake Delhomme] has been playing well."
After Carolina's visit, the Niners will travel to Florida to play Tampa Bay (3-5), then return home to host Miami (1-8).
williams@vindy.com