Dorsey ready for chance to lead 49ers

Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 | 9:48 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

After spending most of his rookie year watching from the sideline, Ken Dorsey is ready for the next step in his development as an NFL quarterback.

Dorsey, a former University of Miami star, has played with San Francisco's first-team offense throughout the spring and summer. Now the 49ers want to see what Dorsey can do in his first professional start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders.

Dorsey didn't play in the regular season last year as a rookie, and he saw time only in the latter stages of exhibition games. He took over as San Francisco's No. 1 quarterback in May when projected starter Tim Rattay injured his groin and underwent surgery.

Dorsey has remained in the top role during training camp while Rattay has been limited by his groin recovery and a forearm injury that surfaced early last week.

"I like where Ken's at," 49ers coach Dennis Erickson said. "He's getting better and better and has improved all the time. He understands what's going on and has been practicing really well. He's a winner and he believes in what he's doing. But you can get to a certain point and then you've got to get into game situations. That's what's going to take him to the next level."

Dorsey has grown into the No. 1 role since the team's spring minicamps.

Erickson said Thursday that he expects Rattay, who hasn't practiced since Aug. 2 because of his forearm injury, to return to full drills Monday and be the starter for the team's Sept. 12 regular-season opener against Atlanta.

Tomlinson, the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 200 yards in four games, last year became the first to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes.

Tomlinson's contract will be an extension to the two years he has remaining. He's scheduled to earn $5.5 million this year and $6.5 in 2005.