NFC WEST Erickson: Offensive errors cost Niners a chance to win opener

San Francisco battled back from a 14-0 deficit.
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SANTA CLARA, Ca. -- Despite a season-opening 21-19 loss to Atlanta, San Francisco coach Dennis Erickson said the 49ers didn't get outplayed.
"We played well on defense for the most part, but, offensively, we made mistakes early and it killed us in the end," Erickson said of turnovers such as a fumble after blocking an Atlanta punt on the first series and then a goal line interception and 85-yard return by the Falcons' Aaron Beasley.
Although Atlanta had a 14-0 lead, San Francisco battled back, before Tim Rattay's conversion pass that could have tied the game with 40 seconds remaining was batted down.
"In games where you battle back and forth and make a mistake here or there, it just kills you," said Erickson, San Francisco's second-year coach whose record in NFL openers dropped to 2-4. "They got the ball down in our territory a couple times because of turnovers and they took advantage of both and got 14 points when we didn't take advantage twice."
Peterson's play impresses
One defender whose play Erickson was encouraged by was that of All-Pro linebacker Julian Peterson, who played in just one preseason game after a long holdout.
Peterson sacked quarterback Michael Vick twice and forced two fumbles.
"You're not going to completely keep Vick in check, but we did sacked him and put heat on him," Erickson said.
"Julian was a little rusty to start, but that's how it is when you've only had six or seven plays in the preseason. As time went on, he started to dominate as we thought he would. But it took him time to get going."
Although the 49ers lost Jeff Garcia to the Browns, Terrell Owens to the Eagles and Garrison Hearst to the Broncos since 2003, replacements showed promise.
"Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson and tight end Eric Johnson played extremely well," said Erickson. "It's Wilson's fourth year, but first year starting. He was our third receiver last year and played a lot behind Owens and Tai Street. You don't lose players without it hurting a little. We're young but getting better."
Dorsey to start
The Atlanta game marked Rattay's fourth start, but Garcia's long-time backup sustained a shoulder injury and will be replaced by Ken Dorsey, who will make his start first against New Orleans.
This is the second NFL season for Dorsey, a former Miami (Fla.) standout.
"I followed him because I'm a huge Hurricanes fan," Erickson said of his connection to Miami as a former coach. "He's very smart and has a tremendous concept of what's going on offensively."
To be successful, the 49ers must run the football better.
"We didn't run with any efficiency against Atlanta," Erickson said. "They had eight people up front and blitzed. We've got to find ways to run and take advantage of the blitz. We handled it a few times, but we've got to find way to take advantage of it and make big plays."
The coach said that Deuce McAllister is one of better backs in this league.
"He's one of the guys we've got to stop -- him and receiver Joe Horn. Basically, we've got to stop their running game."
In transactions earlier this week, San Francisco signed defensive end Dennis Johnson and signed and waived tight end Kevin Ware. The 49ers also signed fullback Matt Stanley to the practice squad and waived him.