49ERS QB Dorsey silencing skeptics

The former Miami standout will get his first start Sunday.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Most NFL scouts thought Ken Dorsey was a skinny, immobile quarterback with mediocre arm strength. He was worth a look at the 2003 combine, but certainly not a draft pick.
That was a baffling diagnosis to those who knew Dorsey as one of the winningest quarterbacks in college football history -- a confident leader who went 38-2 and won a national title as a four-year starter at Miami (Fla.)
So when the San Francisco 49ers chose Dorsey in the seventh round last season, the move was met with skepticism from NFL insiders and wild approval from their fans, who immediately took to the local kid with the impeccable resume.
And just two games into his second season, Dorsey is expected to be the 49ers' starting quarterback Sunday in New Orleans. He hasn't won the job outright -- Tim Rattay will be limited by a separated shoulder -- but after an impressive training camp, most believe he's on the way.
"You never really think it's going to come this soon when you're the backup, but you've got to prepare every week like you're going to be the starter anyway," Dorsey said.
Confidence
Rattay might be healthy enough to suit up against the Saints, but coach Dennis Erickson is comfortable entrusting his offense to Dorsey, who got his first NFL experience in last week's 21-19 loss to Atlanta.
Dorsey relieved Rattay in the second quarter and led two scoring drives, including an exciting 83-yard march that got fans on their feet. He threw precise passes, managed the clock and generally showed a poise beyond his experience.
That's not surprising to the 49ers, who have roundly praised Dorsey's work ethic and abilities since the day they chose him.
"People just don't know how a kid is going to be sometimes," 49ers general manager Terry Donahue said. "You can examine it and take measurements and try to figure it out, but until he gets out there on your practice field and in games, you just don't know."
The 49ers rejected the conventional wisdom around Dorsey after a pre-draft workouts for local prospects. Dorsey zipped the ball across the field, showing an arm strength built up by intense off-season workouts.
Studying Garcia
During his first season in San Francisco, Dorsey won the No. 3 job and spent the year studying Jeff Garcia, picking up tips on mobility and game preparation. When Garcia was cut last March, the 49ers immediately promoted Rattay and Dorsey.
But Dorsey pushed Rattay for playing time even in training camp, where coaches noticed his improved velocity and decision-making. When Rattay spent much of camp sidelined with a sore arm, Dorsey shook off a back injury to get extensive preseason action.
Dorsey is saying all the right things about being comfortable in his backup role, shooting down any speculation that he'll be auditioning for the full-time job Sunday. In his mind, that's a distant prospect.
"We're all hoping Tim comes back as soon as possible," he said. "He's worked real hard to get to where he is. ... Tim had an understanding about how good Jeff is, and I have an understanding about how good Tim is. We're very close-knit, so you want each other to do well."