Erickson's work week resumes

With the luxury of a bye week, the San Francisco 49ers' coaching staff got a rare chance to watch as many NFL football games on television as long as it wanted on Sunday.
They had the opportunity to watch New England and Philadelphia go to 6-0.
They had the opportunity to watch their next opponent, the Chicago Bears, lose to Tampa Bay, 19-7.
They also had the opportunity to watch Miami win its first game, 31-14, against the St. Louis Rams.
That last one felt good because the Rams are in the same division -- NFC West -- as San Francisco.
They'll get another shot against St. Louis
The loss dropped the division-leading Rams to 4-3. That can only help San Francisco, which would like to repay St. Louis for a 24-14 defeat on Oct. 3. The teams play again Dec. 5.
The loss to St. Louis came on a Sunday night -- same as this weekend's Bears game, again on ESPN.
Both cellar-dwellers, San Francisco and the NFC-North Division Bears, have 1-5 records.
"We're excited about having an opportunity to play Chicago," coach Dennis Erickson said by phone from the 49ers' Santa Clara, Ca. office Tuesday. "Every week is different. If we play like we're capable of playing, we can win. Sunday's game in Chicago will have a lot of emotion for everybody involved."
San Francisco beat the Bears in the 2003 season opener.
During their recent mini-break, the players had five days off before returning to practice Monday morning. The coaches worked until Thursday, then had the weekend off.
"Sometimes we try to get away from it if we can," Erickson said of NFL-related work during the bye week.
Last game was Oct. 17against New York Jets
San Francisco's last game was Oct. 17 when it lost to the then-unbeaten New York Jets, 22-14.
The break gave some 49ers time to heal, but, for others, a whole season will be needed.
"We were beat up from the start," Erickson said of injuries since preseason. "Andre Carter is questionable, but he should be playing," the coach said of the defensive end who didn't play against New York due to a back injury suffered in the Rams game. "Cornerback Ahmed Plummer is questionable, but, we like to think he's able to play."
Center Jeremy Newberry (knee) and linebacker Saleem Rasheed (knee) remain out, but quarterback Tim Rattay will play despite being somewhat questionable after pulling a muscle in his arm.
"I like how he's playing right now," Erickson said. "He's a very good passer and makes things happen. He can get the ball down field. He's excellent on the short game, but he's a good, long passer, too."
After being out most of the season, defensive end John Engelberger (abdomen) returns. He played part of the Jets game.
"Anytime you can heal up is great," the coach said.
Against Chicago, any help will be welcomed.
"They're great on defense," Erickson said, "but, offensively, Tom Jones is running well."
Jones scored Chicago's only touchdown, but the Bears continued to struggle at quarterback with Jonathan Quinn and Craig Krenzel filling in for injured Rex Grossman.
On Tuesday, Krenzel got word that he'll start this Sunday.
But the 49ers coach sees no difference in the two, at least in the time he's seen them play.
Prepared for both Quinn and Krenzel
"We'll be prepared for both of them, actually, but it doesn't make any difference to us. They do the same things, offensively," Erickson said of the system the quarterbacks would operate in. "They're going to run. Their successes are running and play-action passes and great defense. I don't see that changing at all. We're going to play against their offense."
Some of last Sunday's games may have been a surprise to some people, but not to Erickson.
"This league is so unpredicatble," he said of previously winless Miami's win over St. Louis. "You saw what the Bengals did Monday night, they pretty much dominated. From one week to the next, you never know what's going to happen."
bassetti@vindy.com