49ers quarterback Dorsey making most of opportunity

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Ken Dorsey is settling in as the San Francisco 49ers' No. 1 quarterback of the moment.

It's not clear whether the second-year player still will be in that role when training camp begins July 30. But Dorsey has done nothing to hurt his chances since taking over the first team in May after projected starter Tim Rattay tore a groin muscle.

"What he's done is he's come out in all these minicamps and he's gotten better and better every time he's practiced," 49ers coach Dennis Erickson said Tuesday. "There isn't a level where he goes up and down. He just stays pretty steady and gets better like you'd hope a guy like that would."

Dorsey will continue to direct the first-unit offense this week as the 49ers conduct their final spring minicamp. It's the same responsibility he's held throughout the team's spring workouts since Rattay was injured on the opening day of San Francisco's first minicamp.

Rattay, designated to replace three-time Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia, had surgery May 11 and is now walking without crutches for the first time since his operation. His rehabilitation is scheduled to extend into August, but Rattay said last week that he will be back on the field for the beginning of training camp.

Dorsey has steadily improved in Rattay's absence.

"I feel comfortable with where I'm at," Dorsey said. "Right now, I know that I still have a ways to go to get where I want to be. But I'm learning each and every throw, each and every step I take on the field, eliminating the mistakes and just doing the right thing with the football."

He was 38-2 as a starter at Miami, guiding the Hurricanes to a 34-game winning streak and a national championship in 2001.

The Niners have been getting a closer look at those qualities this spring.

"He's a guy that's made the most out of every opportunity that he's had in his playing career," Erickson said. "To me, he exudes leadership by coming out here with confidence, executing and doing the things that he does."