Hicks to get first career start Sunday

[Bornthrilla]

www.sf49ers.com/newsroom/DisplayNews.asp?newsid=2175

Barlow, Rattay Out For Cardinals
Wednesday, December 08, 2004


Kevan Barlow and Tim Rattay will not be in uniform this Sunday when the 49ers take the field against the Arizona Cardinals. Rattay will miss the game with a torn plantar fascia in his right foot and Barlow will miss his start with concussion symptoms.

Barlow sustained a concussion against the Rams after being hit in the third quarter. He remained in the game until the final two series of the fourth quarter. Barlow had started all 12 games up until this week and has rushed for 629 yards.

Rattay will miss his fourth game of the year after tearing his plantar fascia on the third play from scrimmage against St. Louis. The quarterback remained in the game, playing through the painful injury.

With Rattay out, the 49ers have signed former fifth-round draft pick Brandon Doman to the practice squad. Doman has been with the team for parts of the past three seasons, including training camp this year.

Ken Dorsey will start at quarterback and Maurice Hicks will start at running back.

San Francisco also added offensive lineman Scott Peters to the practice squad and released TE Doug Zeigler and T Thomas Herrion.

[DECKS]

If he can get 100 yards and not fumble the job may be his for a while.

I'm not surprised he's starting because that hit Barlowe took against the Rams was wicked!

[Brandmasta]

www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/football/nfl/san_francisco_49ers/10375241.htm?1c

Dorsey, Hicks get starting calls

By Cam Inman

CONTRA COSTA TIMES


SANTA CLARA - Quarterback Ken Dorsey is excited. So is running back Maurice Hicks.

Might this finally be some positive energy coming from a 49ers offense that's been stagnant most of this season?

Coach Dennis Erickson announced Wednesday that Dorsey and Hicks will start Sunday's game against the host Arizona Cardinals, earning the nods because injuries will keep out quarterback Tim Rattay and running back Kevan Barlow.

"It's an opportunity to play, and I can't ask for anything more," said Dorsey, who grew up in Orinda and is 0-3 as a fill-in starter this season. "It's an opportunity to show what you can do and to show you've gotten better from each start. It's something to be excited about."

Added Hicks: "I have the next couple weeks to show everybody what I can do. It's really big, the next couple weeks."

The 49ers offense failed to produce a touchdown for the fourth game Sunday during a 16-6 loss at St. Louis, a defeat in which Rattay and Barlow sustained their injuries.

Rattay tore a muscle in the arch of his right foot -- a condition called plantar fasciitis. Erickson said Rattay won't be able to put weight on the foot for two weeks, so he'll also likely miss a Dec. 18 home game with the Washington Redskins.

Will Rattay ever return in what's been an injury-riddled season for him?

"I don't know that for sure. I really don't," Erickson said. "I think he will and he thinks he will."

After Rattay sustained a separated shoulder in the season opener, Dorsey started the next two games, losing 30-27 at New Orleans and 34-0 at Seattle. Rattay's second forearm strain in 21/2 months set up Dorsey's last start, a 23-13 drubbing at Chicago on Halloween night.

Dorsey still is seeking his first career touchdown pass, having completed 62 of 115 passes for 591 yards, with four interceptions and nine sacks. He played with an injured groin against Seattle and a "crushed" thumb at Chicago, injuries he said are healed.

Dorsey said he's not worrying about whether this could be his final audition for a longer stay with the 49ers, who might draft a quarterback with what is shaping up as the No. 1 overall draft pick.

"This is a building block of sorts for something I hope is a lot better," said Dorsey, a Miramonte High School product.

As for Hicks, he failed to make the 49ers' opening-day roster and wasn't promoted from the practice squad until last month. He's averaging 4.6 yards per carry, with 31 carries for 144 yards.

"I'm sure you can see what I can do," Hicks said. "I'm not a big-headed person. There's things I can work on. One big thing is to give quarterbacks time to get the ball out."

Three years ago, Hicks ran for the most yards in an NCAA Division I, I-AA or II game, totaling 437 yards as a senior at North Carolina A&T. But last fall, after getting cut by the Chicago Bears, he found himself working at Federal Express.

Barlow, who suffered a concussion against the Rams, has started the past 16 games, dating back to the final four last year.

"If it were up to me, I'd play," Barlow said, "but (sitting out Sunday) is the safest thing to do right now and to be cautious."

Said Erickson: "He had a headache yesterday and today, so we wouldn't hold him out if it wasn't pretty serious."

[Aggie One]

Opportunity arrives for A&T alum Hicks

12-10-04

By Greg Beacham The Associated Press
News & Record

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Not too long ago, former N.C. A&T star Maurice Hicks was carrying packages for Federal Express. On Sunday, he'll haul the freight for the San Francisco 49ers.

With running back Kevan Barlow ruled out with a concussion, Hicks will get his first NFL start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. It's the biggest highlight yet in a rapid rise for a former small-college star who was on the Niners' practice squad last month, in NFL Europe a year ago -- and in a FedEx freight truck last year while he looked for a job in football.

Hicks hopes to prove the 49ers haven't overestimated his abilities -- and he believes he can provide the spark lacking in San Francisco's poor rushing attack this season. Only the Oakland Raiders have rushed for fewer yards than San Francisco's 993.

"We haven't been over 100 yards in a while, so I'm going to try to accomplish that goal," Hicks said. "The next couple of weeks, I just want to show everybody what I can do. I've just got to keep playing, and good things will happen."

Hicks was a star at A&T, where he once rushed for 437 yards -- a record for Division I or I-AA -- despite sitting out the fourth quarter of a loss.

He went to training camp in 2002 and 2003 with the Chicago Bears, but fell just short of making the roster.

"I know I'm a hard worker," he said. "I just kept looking for an opportunity."

While he lugged freight for FedEx in Chicago and worked out on his own, he compiled a personal highlight reel to send to teams. Early on, he called San Francisco -- the only team that flew him out for a predraft workout two years earlier.

"We knew about him, and we knew what he could do," coach Dennis Erickson said.

The 49ers called him back, and he was sent to NFL Europe with a contract. He impressed coaches in training camp, but began the season on the practice squad after final cuts. Hicks was disappointed, but not discouraged.

"It was hard when you've worked so hard to get so far, and it's coming to an end," Hicks said. "But I knew in my heart that it would work out."

While the 49ers flailed in a winless preseason and a terrible regular-season start, they grew tired of backup running back Jamal Robertson's fumbles and unimpressive play. Last month, Robertson was abruptly cut -- and Hicks was promoted.

He quickly caught the eye of many fans with his frantic running style on kick returns and in his role as Barlow's backup. When Barlow became tentative and passive, Hicks began to look like a viable alternative.

And when Barlow took a shot to the head last Sunday against St. Louis, Hicks had the chance he'd imagined during those days at FedEx. What's more, he'll start against the Cardinals, whose featured back was his idol.

Though Emmitt Smith probably won't play because of a toe injury, Hicks will know No. 22 is watching -- and maybe he'll even fulfill another dream.

"I love to watch him run," Hicks said with a fan's enthusiasm. "I've seen him standing across the field, but I haven't actually talked to him."

[AggieGroove]

Ok Mo, great game!

How about 31 carries for a 139 yds. Reminds of his MEAC days....I think Barlow has just been relegated to seond string!

Aggie Pride!

BTW, he had 5 catches for 40 or so yds.....

WOW!

[SixtiesAggie]

Looked a little tired or may have had an injury after that last carry. Kudos for the 34 carries for 139 yards. Shows that he is durable

Great showing. Now to repeat again next week.

[DECKS]

The job should be his after todays performance! Erickson clearly prefers him over Barlowe. To bad he's likely to be fired by seasons end.

[AGGIE Til I DIE]

He looked good today. I too say it sort of reminded me of his days at "T".

Keep up the good work!!!

[Bornthrilla]

From the Niner's official website:

49ers Win It In Overtime Back
Sunday, December 12, 2004



Maurice Hicks made the most of his first start.

Give the gameball to one player on this game. Maurice Hicks earned it after an inspiring performance that saw the first-year player gain 139 yards on 34 attempts as he and Ken Dorsey carried the 49ers to their second victory of the season, both coming against the Arizona Cardinals.

San Francisco did have to work for the win, despite taking a 28-3 lead in the third quarter. The Cardinals staged a furious rally and almost returned the comeback favor the 49ers had on them earlier in the season at Monster Park. But some key plays from the defense and the legs of Hicks proved the difference on this day.

Hicks, making his first career NFL start, had four carries for 42 yards in extra-time, including a huge 17-yard gain that set-up the game-winning field goal from Todd Peterson. Facing second-and three from the Cardinals 30-yard line, Hicks took the handoff from Dorsey and cut off tackle to his right and raced downfield before being knocked out of bounds by Quentin Harris at the 13-yard line.

The 49ers wasted no time in sending Peterson on the field and he drilled home the final margin.

"To find a way to help my team win is just a fantastic feeling," Hicks said. "It just feels so good."

"Maurice is a fun back to block for," Brock Gutierrez said. "He hits the hole hard, he keeps his feet moving and never gives up."

Dorsey finished the game completing 18-of-34 passes for 191 yards and three scores for a passer rating of 99.0. Starting for the injured Tim Rattay, Dorsey connected twice with Cedrick Wilson for scores and threw his first career touchdown to Brandon Lloyd for the first score of the day.

Wilson led the receiving efforts with five receptions for 83 yards and his two scores, but his biggest reception came on the 49ers game-winning drive. Facing third-and-17 from the 44-yard line, Dorsey drilled a pass to Wilson who caught the ball in traffic for a 19-yard gain to keep the drive alive.

Dorsey was sacked just once in his 34 passing attempts behind an offensive line that played its best game of the year.

"We know that to have a chance to win the o-line has to control the trenches," Kwame Harris said. "We did that today."


Inactives
The following 49ers are inactive: QB Brandon Doman (3rd Q7B), QB Tim Rattay, CB Ahmed Plummer, CB Rayshun Reed, RB Kevan Barlow, DT Daleroy Stewart, T Jerome Davis and WR Derrick Hamilton.

The following Cardinals are inactive: QB John Navarre (3rd QB), RB Damien Anderson, S Michael Stone, LB Leon Joe, G Alan Reuber, TE Lorenzo Diamond, WR Reggie Newhouse and DT Wendell Bryant.

[Bornthrilla]

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/12/sports2011EST0592.DTL

49ers 31, Cardinals 28, OT
BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer

Sunday, December 12, 2004


(12-12) 18:59 PST TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) --

Dennis Erickson may not have much time left as San Francisco's coach.

If this was his last game, though, he will go out a winner, thanks to an unlikely pair of stars -- Ken Dorsey and Maurice Hicks.

The 49ers blew a 25-point lead, but regrouped to win the game 31-28 on Todd Peterson's 31-yard field goal with 8:38 left in overtime.

Afterward, Erickson shut down any talk about reports that his job was in jeopardy.

"I'm not going to answer any questions about rumors that are out there and meetings and all the different things," Erickson said. "I'm not going to waste your time or mine talking about rumors."

It was the exact same score as in the teams' first meeting on Oct. 10, when visiting Arizona blew a 16-point lead with 5 minutes to go in regulation and lost in overtime on Peterson's 32-yarder.

"It's amazing," Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown said. "It's a funny league for that to happen. For the tables to be turned and us be the ones to come back, and not to seal the deal. It hurts. We needed this game."

Dorsey and Hicks, starting in place of injured quarterback Tim Rattay and running back Kevan Barlow, made the big plays for San Francisco (2-11) -- which had a 28-3 lead early in the third quarter.

San Francisco is 2-0 against Arizona this season, and 0-11 against everyone else.

Were the 49ers out to win one for their embattled coach?

"We just wanted to win this one for the organization," Dorsey said, "the coaches, the players, everybody. It was definitely a team effort. We needed this one."

Dorsey threw for the first three touchdowns of his two-year NFL career, two of them to Cedrick Wilson. Hicks carried 34 times for 139 yards and a touchdown. His runs of 7 and 17 yards set up Peterson's game-winning kick.

The biggest play of that drive, though, came on third-and-17 from the San Francisco 44, when Dorsey threw 19 yards to Wilson.

"Ken, boy, fires that thing in there," Wilson said. "That's the best play that we've made in a long time."

Hicks, who went undrafted and was with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe last season, played the fourth quarter and overtime with bruised ribs.

"I couldn't see myself coming out because they needed me at a tough time," he said.

McCown, back at quarterback for Arizona (4-9) after being benched for three games, directed three second-half touchdown drives, then Neil Rackers' 22-yard field goal with 59 seconds to go sent the game into overtime.

McCown went 26-of-44 for a career-best 307 yards with one interception but no touchdowns.

Emmitt Smith, who missed one game with a sore big left toe, capped Arizona's last TD drive with an 8-yard run, then McCown ran for the 2-point conversion to cut it to 28-25 with 2:40 to play.

Terry Jackson's fumble was recovered by David Macklin for Arizona at the 49ers 20 with 2:16 left in regulation. On third-and-goal from the 4, tight end Freddie Jones was open, but Joselio Hanson knocked away McCown's soft toss over the middle.

A muffed punt, a missed field goal and an interception helped the 49ers to a 21-0 first-half lead.

Arizona lost its fourth in a row.

Asked who was to blame for the team's slow start, coach Dennis Green said, "I'm at fault. I'm the head coach, so I'm at fault."

Andy Lee's punt skidded off the leg of Karl Williams and the 49ers recovered at the Arizona 11.

The 49ers initially settled for a field goal, but Darnell Dockett was called for a penalty for leaping on a teammate to try to block it, and Dorsey's 5-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd made it 7-0.

Arizona drove inside the 49ers 20 on its next possession, but Rackers missed a 34-yard field goal. San Francisco took over and went 75 yards in 11 plays, Dorsey hitting Wilson just inside the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.

McCown overthrew Larry Fitzgerald and Tony Parrish returned the interception 25 yards to the Arizona 44. Dorsey's 40-yard pass to Aaron Walker set up Hicks' 1-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0.

Dorsey's 27-yard pass to Wilson on third down gave San Francisco its biggest lead, 28-3, with 9:57 left in the third quarter.

"Some of the mistakes that we made, in my opinion, are elementary mistakes," Smith said. "Sometimes you have to overcome coaching. Sometimes you just have to do that, and that's called making a play and being a football player.

Notes:

Arizona offensive tackle L.J. Shelton left the game with ligament damage in his left knee. An MRI was scheduled Monday. ... Ex-Miami coach Dave Wannstedt was the TV analyst for the game. ... Lee's 53-yard punt in overtime gave the 49ers field position on their winning drive.

[Bornthrilla]

49ers running back Maurice Hicks had a big run in overtime, setting up the game-winning field goal on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Chronicle photo by Liz Mangelsdorf

[DOOMS]

Even though Mo fumbled Barlow had better call Ricky Williams and see if there's some room at that holistic healing school cause his days as an NFL back appear to have small numbers.

[DECKS]

When did he fumble? I thought it was Terry Jackson that fumbled.

[Brandmasta]

They shuffled in Terry Jacson in on that play, and it was Jackson that fumbled, not Mo.

[DOOMS]

well damn! In the highlights Berman clearly said that Maurice Smith had one fumble. He damn near went out of his way to say it. Lying bastid.

Now I gots to go get the nfl game package if the only dude I can rely on for highlights can't even get 'em right.