No looking back for Mora
The News Tribune
SAN FRANCISCO – When the Seattle Seahawks take on San Francisco today, it will not be a sentimental homecoming for coach Jim Mora.
Mora cut his teeth with the 49ers, serving as a secondary coach and defensive coordinator from 1997 to 2003.
Mora said he learned the value of accountability as an organization while working for the 49ers during the tail end of San Francisco’s run as one of the premier teams in the league, with legendary coach Bill Walsh still there serving as the team’s general manager.
“You felt like you were around a very special place,” Mora said. “They always talk about the 49ers standard, the 49ers way of doing things. And there was always this feeling that permeated through the place that you were a little different, a little bit special, and you kind of protected that.
“So as I’ve gone through my career, that’s something that I’ve tried to duplicate.”
So fond Mora was of Walsh that he had his mentor sit in during his positional meetings and evaluate his performance. Mora said he still has the hand-written notes from those evaluations filed away in his office.
“For me, having the ability to go in on a daily basis and sit down with a legend like Bill Walsh and just pick his brain, it was great,” Mora said.
San Francisco also is the place where Mora first cultivated relationships with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive line/assistant head coach Dan Quinn.
Knapp began his relationship with the 49ers as a training camp arm in 1992 and worked his way up to offensive coordinator, staying with the organization for 11 years.
“For a young coach, at that time I was 28 years old, I’m in a room with Mike Shanahan, Joe Montana, Steve Young and Steve Bono,” Knapp said.
“And that really helped me grow as a coach, to learn quarterback play from some great players and coaches in the business.”
Quinn was hired by then-coach Steve Mariucci to be Mora’s defensive quality control coach, later moving on to coach the defensive line.
Quinn said working with four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bryant Young helped set the bar for what he expects at the position.
“Bryant Young had a big influence on me because I felt like this is a standard of what a professional football player is,” Quinn said.
“And that’s a high standard. I was really fortunate to see a guy who was not only at the top of his game as a player, but he was at the top of his game as a teammate, as a leader and as a man.”
Mora returns to San Francisco with new 49ers coach Mike Singletary attempting to revive the once-proud franchise. Singletary is 6-4 since taking over as head coach for the fired Mike Nolan part way through the 2008 season.
The 49ers (1-0) are looking to build on their 20-16 win over NFC Champion Arizona last week in the desert.
Mora understands this is an early test for the Seahawks, who want to return to the top of the NFC West.
“It’s awfully early in the season to be calling it a must win or anything like that, but it’s a big game, an important game, and a game we want to win,” he said. “But certainly there’s added emphasis. It’s the 49ers, it’s on the road, they had a big win, and they’re a division opponent. It’s a big game.”
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
SEATTLE (1-0) at SAN FRANCISCO (1-0)
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m., Candlestick Park, San Francisco
TV: Ch. 13
Radio: 710-AM, 97.3-FM
The series: The Seahawks lead, 11-9. They have won five of the last six games at Candlestick and nine of the past 12 overall in the series.
What to watch: Can Seattle stop San Francisco running back Frank Gore. Seattle has held Gore to 76.4 yards per contest in the last four games, but Hawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu knows Gore can break loose at any time. “We’ve had some success against him, but he’s had some success against us, too,” he said. “We haven’t forgotten that.” .. Offensive tackle Walter Jones (knee), wide receiver Deion Branch (hamstring) and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (calf) are questionable and will be game-time decisions. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) also is questionable, but is expected to play. If Mebane can’t go, Craig Terrill or Red Bryant will start in his place.
TNT pick: Seahawks, 27-24.
Prime numbers
SEATTLE
No. Name (position)Ht./Wt.Year
97 Patrick Kerney (DT)6-5/27211th
Has a sack in each of his last four games against the 49ers.
84 T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR) 6-2/203 9th
Looking for breakout game after quiet performance against Rams.
79 Red Bryant (DT)6-4/3182nd
Inactive vs. St. Louis, Hawks need his bulk up front to stop Gore.
54 Will Herring (OLB)6-3/2353rd
Replacing Leroy Hill, just needs to be solid.
ST. LOUIS
No. Name (position)Ht./Wt.Year
21 Frank Gore (RB)5-9/2175th
Niners will lean on him to get ground game going.
13 Shaun Hill (QB)6-3/2208th
He has to make plays at the end of game for 49ers to win.
52 Patrick Willis (LB)6-1/2403rd
Athletic, sure tackler who creates havoc defensively.
22 Nate Clements (CB)6-0/2059th
Top playmaker anchors back end of defense.
Eric D. Williams, The News Tribune
