Tim Rattay not rattled



San Francicso's QB operated a hurry-up offense in college.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- At Louisiana Tech, Tim Rattay ran an offense that often featured five receivers and no tailback. The Bulldogs rarely even huddled, going to the line of scrimmage before the coaches called the play.
Perhaps that's why the quarterback seems so comfortable in San Francisco's hurry-up offense -- dubbed the red-ball scheme -- that helped the 49ers score two late touchdowns while rallying from a 16-point deficit in a 31-28 overtime victory over Arizona on Sunday.
After struggling through the first 3 1/2 quarters without an offensive touchdown, the Niners (1-4) closed regulation with scoring drives of 80 and 77 yards. Rattay was cool and confident while he hurried, completing 13-of-19 passes and finishing with touchdown throws to Eric Johnson and Brandon Lloyd.
Franchise record
"You could tell they were getting tired," said Rattay, who set a franchise record with 38 completions. "We just got in that tempo and wore them down a little bit."
The red-ball offense clearly plays to Rattay's strengths: quick decision-making and smart analysis of defensive schemes. The 49ers have enjoyed success in previous games during times when Rattay was free to move things along quickly.
"We've talked about that, getting in and out of the huddle and not giving those guys time to rest," Rattay said. "It was the attitude of getting back to the huddle, and let's go."
Coach Dennis Erickson has taught his share of talented offensive players, and he relishes the chance to rely on Rattay's wits. The 49ers also have a roster of receivers -- Lloyd, Johnson, Cedrick Wilson and Curtis Conway -- who excel in ball-control situations on the short routes usually exploited by Rattay.
Feel, vision, selection
"Tim does that very, very well," Erickson said. "He is exceptional at that. A lot of quarterbacks can't do that. He has great feel and great vision to see what's going on, and he makes good play selections."
So there's a natural question being asked by most San Francisco fans who have watched the offense struggle through most of the first five games: If Rattay is so good at the red-ball scheme, why don't the 49ers use it all the time?
It isn't that simple, the quarterback said.
"It's too hard to pass it 50 times a game if they know you're passing," Rattay said. "I guess it's just kind of a feel thing, whenever Coach Erickson thinks we need a change of pace. You'd like to be up by seven and then have the change of pace, but we haven't been able to do that."
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