Add another Rice to the Niners

49ers rebut Condoleezza Rice rumor

By Daniel Brown

Mercury News

Article Launched: 10/26/2008 07:52:47 PM PDT
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nother Rice in San Francisco?

The NFL Network reported Sunday morning that an unnamed high-ranking 49ers official is willing to explore the idea of hiring Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as team president.

"If she's interested in talking to us, I'm interested in talking to her,'' the official told Adam Schefter of the NFL Network's "GameDay Morning."

The report added that Rice has told friends as recently as last week that she would love to become president of an NFL team and is planning to return to California in January.

49ers officials dismissed the topic before kickoff Sunday. Team spokesman Aaron Salkin said: "We don't respond to rumors."

He went on to say, "We have our office structure in place." He pointed out that Chief Operating Officer Andy Dolich handles the business side while General Manager Scot McCloughan handles the football side.

Also on the NFL Network, ousted 49ers coach Mike Nolan gave his first national television interview. Nolan said last week marked the first time he reflected on the 2005 draft in which the team selected quarterback Alex Smith over quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Braylon Edwards.

"We made the decision based on the information that we had at that time,'' Nolan said. "It's been unfortunate in Alex's case because he's been hurt for two of his four seasons in the NFL.

"He did play a lot early, but we never seemed to get over the hump. He's had

outstanding coaches, several different (offensive) coordinators, which you could look at as a negative, but when you've had coordinators such as Mike McCarthy, Norv Turner and Mike Martz, you've had some outstanding coaches and that should only bode well for you and make you a better player."

Nolan, who finished his 49ers career with an 18-37 record, said he would love to coach in the NFL again. "Very much so, yes,'' he said.

In the only starting lineup change in Mike Singletary's coaching debut, David Baas started at left guard in place of Adam Snyder. Baas' previous 13 career starts came at right guard.

The 49ers played mostly a 3-4 defense, allowing linebacker Manny Lawson his most significant playing time of the season. Lawson had a team-high nine tackles, including a sack and a quarterback hurry.

"It felt good to play, but it kind of negates the feeling if you don't win,'' he said.

The 49ers announced plans to honor new Hall of Famer Fred Dean during halftime of the New York Jets game Dec. 7 at Candlestick Park. Dean, the pass-rushing defensive end, played on 49ers championship teams in Super Bowls XVI and XIX.

On Josh Wilson's 75-yard interception return for a touchdown, he had to hold off former Maryland teammate Vernon Davis. The 49ers tight end raced down the field and just missed making a touchdown-saving tackle.

"We used to have a lot of foot races,'' Wilson said of Davis. "He didn't catch me. He had a good angle, and he just touched me."

The initial word was that none of the four injured players who left the game will miss more time: return man Allen Rossum (hamstring), tackle Barry Sims (ankle), tight end Delanie Walker (elbow), receiver Arnaz Battle (foot).

Jason Hill recorded his first NFL touchdown a 2-yard catch from Shaun Hill in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers have given up 230 points in eight games. Singletary's 1985 Bears team gave up 208 — including three playoff games.

Fullback David Kirtman made his debut on special teams after joining the team recently from the San Diego practice squad.

From San Jose Mercury News