CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
August 21, 1997

San Francisco 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci stopped by to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on August 21, 1997.

Find out what Steve had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

ChatHost: Coach, welcome to CBS SportsLine! We've got a lot of questions for you from a lot of 49ers' fans.

Steve Mariucci: Hello folks! I'm ready for your questions!

Question: How is Rod Woodson coming along?

Steve Mariucci: Rod Woodson practiced today and yesterday. Unless he gets tight or sore, he'll play. He has had some back spasms for the past couple of days.

Question: Coach, how are you enjoying your new job?

Steve Mariucci: I'm enjoying my new job immensely. I look at it as a great opportunity and a huge responsibility. I am proud to be associated with this organization. I understand what I've gotten myself into and I'm anxious to take the bull by the horns.

ChatHost: From Jesster: "Look at it this way, you've inherited the most compulsive, loyal fans in the world! Coach, we're glad to have you!"

Steve Mariucci: Thank you very much!

Question: How does your job as a head coach affect your family?

Steve Mariucci: I've got four little kids and the job that I have just requires a lot of time. It's been that way for 20 years. My time constraints are even more demanding as time goes on. I have a 2-year-old daughter that I haven't seen in 2 weeks. During our last game, she saw my face on TV and started crying, but I think she was crying because the 49ers were losing and not because she missed me!

Question: Coach, did you enjoy your stay in Green Bay?

Steve Mariucci: I enjoyed Green Bay tremendously. I grew up a Packer fan and was excited about working for the organization. It was a privilege to come in with Holmgren... I owe a lot of people a lot for the opportunity that I was given.

Question: Are there any offensive linemen that the 49ers could pick up off waivers?

Steve Mariucci: We're watcing that waiver wire -- everyday in fact! We haven't discussed anybody in particular but are continually watching the wire everyday.

Question: Coach, how is Tim McDonald's shoulder?

Steve Mariucci: Tim McDonald is a little sore. It's possible he wont play against Denver.

Question: With four teams in the NFC West having new coaches, do you expect these teams to do anything different?

Steve Mariucci: Yes, for example, all the new coaches, except me, will be revamping systems and coaching staffs and basically starting from scratch and implementing their system. Here, I've retained many of the coaches and systems, because it's the system I grew up in and I certainly didn't change the defensive scheme because it's so good. We've got continuity from last year.

Question: How is Jerry Rice doing? I saw him take a couple of hard hits in Monday's game.

Steve Mariucci: Jerry Rice is doing great! In fact, in his interview after Monday's game, he was laughing and everything... His work ethic is awesome! Here's an example: Jerry had to report to camp on 49ers' Veterans Day which was on a Saturday. He showed up on Monday -- 5 days early!

Question: How is Druckenmiller coming along?

Steve Mariucci: Druckenmiller has played well. We are encouraged by his development.

Question: How do you think you will do against the Broncos?

Steve Mariucci: I hope to get started on both sides of ball and play efficiently. We wont play the starters very long.

Question: Will Edwards surpass Floyd?

Steve Mariucci: William Floyd is our starter and he will continue to start. He's having a good training camp.

Question: Coach, Kirby is doing so well. How is Garrison fairing with it?

Steve Mariucci: Garrison is doing well. We feel we have two very, good running backs.

Question: What do you think about another 49ers Superbowl!

Steve Mariucci: I haven't made any predictions for the Denver game or for the season. I just predict that we're gonna proceed to get better and better. And, we're looking forward to a great season!

Steve Mariucci: You know, here I am coaching Hall of Famers like Steve Young and Jerry Rice. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world! I'm very optimistic and I dwell on the positive and not on the negative. My style is more energetic.