SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-8) FACE TENNESSEE TITANS (2-8) 10:00 a.m. (PST), Sunday, November 27, 2005 (TV-FOX, RADIO KNBR 680 AM, KSAN 107.

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Santa Clara, CA (November 21, 2005) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-8) FACE TENNESSEE TITANS (2-8) 10:00 a.m. (PST), Sunday, November 27, 2005 (TV-FOX, RADIO KNBR 680 AM, KSAN 107.7) THE WEEK AHEAD San Francisco travels to Nashville for the first time in team history to play the Tennessee Titans. The 49ers hold a 7-3 advantage in the series dating back to the team s tenure in Houston. San Francisco has won the last two contests in the series and has a 4-1 record on the road against the Titans/Oilers. COACHES Mike Nolan was named the 15 th head coach of the 49ers on January 19, He is 2-8 (.200) in his coaching career. Nolan is in his 19 th year in the NFL and 24 th in coaching. Nolan joins San Francisco after an impressive stint as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. He has held this position with three other teams: New York Jets (2000), Washington Redskins ( ), New York Giants ( ). Nolan began his NFL career in 1987 as linebackers coach and as special teams coach and defensive assistant with Denver. Jeff Fisher officially became the franchise s 15th head coach on January 5, 1995, after closing his first campaign with the Oilers as head coach/defensive coordinator. He replaced Jack Pardee on Nov. 14, 1994, coaching the remaining six games as head coach. Over the last six seasons, Fisher has led the Titans to four playoff appearances, two AFC Championship Games, two division titles and a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV. Fisher originally joined the Oilers in 1994 as the defensive coordinator, after serving as defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers ( ). Prior to heading up the 49ers secondary, Fisher served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (1991). He began his coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1986, where he handled defensive backs until becoming the NFL s youngest defensive coordinator in TENNESSEE TITANS WEEK SCHEDULE 11/22 Player s day off. 11/23 9:45 a.m. Conference call with Titans LB Keith Bullock. 10:00 a.m. - Conference call with Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher. 2:00-4:00 p.m. Practice (shooting available until team drills) Media availability after practice. 11/24 11:30-1:30 p.m. - Practice (shooting available until team drills) Media availability after practice Thanksgiving day schedule. 11/25 2:00-4:00 p.m. - Practice (shooting available until team drills).team travels to Tennessee 11/26 Walk-thru (closed to media) 11/27 10:00 a.m. (PST) kickoff vs. Tennessee THE LAST TIME October 3, 1999 San Francisco 24, Tennessee 22 QB Jeff Garcia subbed for the injured QB Steve Young and accounted for three touchdowns to pace the 49ers in a victory over the visiting Tennessee Titans. Tennessee jumped to a 10-0 lead early in the secondquarter following a 21-yard K Al Del Greco field goal and a 54-yard screen pass for a touchdown from QB Neil O Donnell to RB Eddie George. San Francisco put its first points on the board at the 4:04 mark of the second quarter when Garcia capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The run was Garcia s first NFL touchdown. The 49ers special teams unit set up the games next score. A 32-yard punt return by CB R.W. McQuarters had the team in excellent field position at the Titans 28- yard line. On first down Garcia threw to RB Charlie Garner for seven yards. On the next play, Garcia found Garner streaking down the middle of the field and into the end zone for a 21-yard score and a half-time lead. Tennessee narrowed the 49ers lead to at the end of the third-quarter on a 22-yard field goal from Del Greco. San Francisco answered four minutes into the final period on a 39-yard effort from K Wade Richey. On the ensuing Titans possession it was the 49ers defense who came up with a huge play. Driving and with the ball at the 49ers 24-yard line, O Donnell dropped back to pass looking for WR Derrick Mason. The ball was tipped away by CB Mark McMillian and intercepted by LB Winfred Tubbs who returned eight yards. Taking possession at the 21-yard line, Garner ripped off a 53-yard run down the 49ers sideline to the Titans 36. Three plays later Garcia threw his second touchdown pass of the day, this time to WR Terrell Owens from 22 yards out in the corner of the end zone for a lead. The Titans responded with Del Greco s third field goal of the day with 3:38 remaining. After forcing San Francisco to punt, Tennessee marched down the field on a six-play, 52-yard drive that ended in a 32-yard scoring toss from O Donnell to WR Yancey Thigpen. Tennessee went for the two-point conversion, but was stopped when LB Lee Woodall stuffed George for a four-yard loss. On the day the 49ers defense held the Titans to just 55 yards rushing in 21 attempts, and George was held to just 26 yards in 15 attempts a 1.7 yard average. Woodall finished with seven solo tackles and one sack. DT Junior Bryant added four solo tackles, including two sacks for 18 yards. McMillan and McQuarters added four stops each.

2 49ERS RADIO The 49ers-Titans game can be heard on The Bone (KSAN FM) and KNBR (680-AM). Joe Starkey returns to handle the play-by-play. He is joined in the booth by former San Francisco linebacker Gary Plummer, who provides color commentary and game analysis. John Shrader will handle sideline duties. TELEVISION The game will be televised on FOX with a scheduled 10:00 a.m. PST kickoff from Nashville, TN. Tim Ryan and Ron Pitts are in the booth. 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans W-7 L-3 T-0 (Pts. - S.F. 216, Tennessee 176) Record vs. Titans: Home (Monster - 3-2); Away (Astrodome - 4-1) Points vs. Titans: Home (Monster ); Away (Astrodome ) ers (H) 1975-Oilers (SF) 1978-Oilers (H) ers 28-6 (SF) ers (H) ers (SF) ers (H) 1993-Oilers 10-7 (SF) ers 10-9 (H) ers (SF) (H) = Houston RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME Mike Nolan joined the Oregon football team as a walk-on. Then one day his life took a fluke twist. Oregon s quarterback ran the option in practice and was tackled by the team s safety. On the same play, both suffered seasonending injuries. The backup quarterback was the secondstring safety. Just two days later Oregon s third-string safety flunked out of school. Within three days, Nolan had gone from a fourth-string walk-on to a starting safety in one of the nation s toughest football conferences, the PAC-8. (Now the PAC-10). I didn t do anything to deserve those breaks, said Nolan. I grabbed my chance. I started for three years on scholarship. A BLAST FROM THE PAST On the first day of training camp, Head Coach Mike Nolan showed the entire team a 20-minute video of the organization s glorious past, featuring QB Y.A. Tittle and HB R.C. Owens. The video then went on to the 1980s with clips of Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott. At the end of the video Lott spoke about carrying a tradition of winning onto the next generation of players. NOLAN ON TRADITION Said Nolan, It is one thing to walk into an organization and to have no history of success. That is a vast difference here with the 49ers. There is an expectation level of performance and you do have a responsibility to past players. That is the responsibility of the players, coaches and the entire organization to get this back on track. NOLAN ON WINNING THE NFC WEST During Coach Mike Nolan s press conference last Wednesday, he was asked when he would take down the Win the West sign that hangs outside of the locker room. Never, answered Nolan. That goal remains the same, and whether or not we reach it this season doesn t really matter, the target hasn t and won t change. I look at it this way, if you were going into battle and jumped in front of everybody and said come on guys about ¾ of you are going to die but let s go get em, you d see ¾ of the guys say I m back here, said Nolan. When you go forward, there is no choice in the leadership role. You have one choice, and that s to lead and you don t lead from a loser s perspective. You lead from a winner s perspective. FATHER KNOWS BEST There are the Shula s, the Phillips s, the Mora s and now the Nolan s the fourth NFL family to have a father and a son handle head-coaching roles. Mike Nolan is following in the footsteps of his father, Dick Nolan, who served as 49ers coach from There are a lot of great memories for me, said Nolan about growing up watching his dad, Dick Nolan, coach. I had a great relationship with a lot of the players, like Dave Wilcox (49ers linebacker from ). For them to throw me a towel was a big deal. Nolan is also the second NFL head-coach son of a head-coach father to follow a father who was an NFL defensive back. Dick Nolan was a cornerback and safety for the New York Giants and Chicago Cardinals from , playing in the Giants NFL Championship games in 1956, 1959 and The other NFL DB who produced an NFL head coach (David Shula) was Don Shula, who played the position for Cleveland, Baltimore and Washington from BORN TO PLAY Mike Nolan is one of four Head Coaches in NFL history whose father played in the NFL. The others are Joe Walton, Bill Belichick and David Shula. Steve Belichick 1941 Detroit Lions Dick Nolan NY Giants/Arizona/Dallas Frank Walton Washington Redskins Don Shula Cleveland/Baltimore/Washington LORD OF THE RINGS The night before Mike Nolan s first game, his oldest brother Rook met him at the team hotel with a special gift. The gift was his father, Dick Nolan s, 1956 NFL championship ring that he earned as a defensive back with the New York Giants. The ring was given to Rook when he moved out of the family house. Rook, who took his name since he was born during his father s rookie season in 1954, thought Mike should wear the ring during his first regular-season game as head coach. The younger Nolan wore the ring with the face down close to his palm. "I wasn't sure if it would distract me, so I put it on this way,'' Nolan explained. He wore it simply because his brother had asked, out of sentiment, not as a good-luck charm. He wanted to make it clear that he isn't superstitious as he didn t wear the ring against Philadelphia. "If I have any superstitions, it's to make sure I'm not,'' he said. WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE 49ERS MIKE HOLMGREN ON VICE PRESIDENT OF PLAYER PERSONNEL SCOT MCCLOUGHAN Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren worked with McCloughan in Green Bay before bringing him to Seattle and gave a lot of the credit of the organization s success to McCloughan. With the exception of the rookies that we drafted last year, Scot and Ted Thompson (Green Bay s General Manager) are responsible, said Holmgren of building the team. Scot is a college guy and he had a say in all those fellows that helped build this team. I ll give him a lot of credit for that. I think Scot is one of the bright young talents in this league, observed Holmgren. I fought like crazy to keep him here. He was given the opportunity to go to San Francisco in a very responsible position. He did the right thing for himself and his family, but having said that, I wish that he was still here. He knows football and he will work very hard. The personnel department is in good hands there.

3 RON WOLF ON SCOT MCCLOUGHAN As one of the most respected executives in the history of the National Football League, Ron Wolf developed an eye for talent during his legendary career that included building a Super Bowl Championship team as the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers. And one of his first moves upon taking over in Green Bay was the hiring of Scot McCloughan. He was one of my first hires when I went to Green Bay. I did that because he came highly recommended. One of my best friends is his dad, who was a great player and a scout with the Raiders and is still a scout with the Raiders, Wolf said. What happened with Scot was he came in there and we had a little procedure that we used to see whether a person could do this, being a scout or not, and he passed with flying colors, hired him and he never disappointed. As Wolf said, McCloughan passed the test, a personnel evaluation, with flying colors and his career took off from there. After spending four years with the Packers, McCloughan moved on to Seattle where he served as the Director of College Scouting for five seasons. So what is it that has accounted for McCloughan s fast track run up the NFL ladder? Number one, he s very good at what he does. He has a tremendous desire to improve. He knows he s not going to be perfect in what he does, but he understands what this whole process is about. He was brought up the right way, Wolf said. He learned from his father then he got into the business on his own. He has an exceptional eye for talent. He learns very quickly. I m sure that he won t have any problem adjusting to the nuances of the National Football League and the rules and regulations that are involved there because he is very bright and confident. McCloughan is also relatively young (34) for someone in his position. No problem, says Wolf. I think the fact that the success and the experience that he s had in Seattle, I don t think age matters here. It goes without stating that in today s football, it really has become a young man s game, Wolf said. He s a young man and he will be able to withstand all of the pressures that go along with that job. MIKE MCCARTHY Mike McCarthy earned a reputation as a developer of quarterbacks during his 12 seasons in the National Football League, having tutored Pro Bowlers Rich Gannon in Kansas City, Brett Favre and Matt Hasselbeck in Green Bay and Jeff Blake, Jake Delhomme and Aaron Brooks in New Orleans. Former Dallas Cowboys FB Darryl Johnston and current FOX commentator recently said, Mike is an excellent teacher and has had success wherever he has coached. As long as Alex Smith and the rest of the 49ers offense follows McCarthy, the offense will develop much like the Cowboys team I was a part of that started at 1-15 in 1989 before developing into a Super Bowl team. Said McCarthy on the ways he works to develop an offense, Number one, you have to build a system. I ve been fortunate enough to be in the West Coast system my whole coaching career. I think Bill Walsh when he looks around and sees all the different variations, he probably shakes his head because he obviously ran it in its purest stages and was obviously very successful with that. But, we re going to use the system, the terminology, the principles that obviously started with the 49ers in the glory days. We re going to put our players in the best position to be successful. I always felt the beauty of the West Coast system is that it gives you great flexibility to operate in. Whether you want to change by design, injury or whatever the need is, you have great flexibility to do that. JOHNNY PARKER Johnny Parker is in his first season with the 49ers as strength and conditioning coach. Parker is an 18-year NFL veteran who has spent time with Tampa Bay (2002), New England ( ) and the New York Giants ( ). MORE ON PARKER Parker has reached the Super Bowl in each of his previous NFL stops. In his only season in Tampa Bay in 2002, the Buccaneers captured their first Super Bowl title. He was part of the Giants staff that guided the team to wins in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. He was also a member of the Patriots staff that advanced to Super Bowl XXXI. New York Giants Defensive End Michael Strahan RE: San Francisco 49ers Performance: The 49ers have been up and down a bit this year, but they played pretty hard against us ( ). They are going to cause problems for a lot of teams as they continue developing together. New York Giants Running Back Tiki Barber RE: Giants rushing game against the 49ers: It was a tough sled. This is a defense that plays very well. They re very aggressive and they always keep an extra guy down in the box. It was tough yardage all day. Two or three yards at a time, a couple of 10 yarders, but it was a grind it out game. Seattle Seahawks Running Back Shaun Alexander RE: The 49ers defensive performance They change things up on us. They were in places that we didn t expect. They did a good job forcing us to do different things. Their X s and O s were very good. They put us in some tough situations. Seattle Seahawks Running Back Shaun Alexander RE: The 49ers defensive performance Give them credit, they played hard all day. They fought hard all the way and made it close at the end. They re going to be a good team. They ve got good coaching and a lot of good players on defense. They have a very good front seven and they have some young players who weren t in there early in the season but are now making contributions. OFFENSE NOTES BIG PLAY BRANDON Pretty soon, the B in WR Brandon Lloyd s nickname will stand for big-play. The third-year pro from Illinois has emerged as a bonafide deep threat. Lloyd had his first career 100-yard receiving game after finishing with four catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas ( ). His previous best was 93 yards receiving at the New York Jets ( ). The Dallas game marked another milestone for Lloyd, as he had the first twotouchdown game of his career with an 89-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and a 13-yard reception in the third quarter. He is tied for first in the NFC with 18.2 yards per catch and has added four touchdowns on the year. NFC YARDS PER CATCH LEADERS NAME TEAM REC YDS AVG. TD Terry Glenn DAL Brandon Lloyd SF Santana Moss WAS INSTANT CONNECTION The 89-yard touchdown pass from Tim Rattay to Brandon Lloyd against Dallas ( ) was the 49ers longest play from scrimmage since RB Garrison Hearst s 96-yard touchdown run vs. NY Jets (9-6-98) in a overtime win. It is the sixth longest play in 49ers history. LONGEST COMPLETIONS IN 49ERS HISTORY 97t Steve Young to John Taylor at Atlanta ( ) 96t Joe Montana to Jerry Rice at San Diego ( ) 95t Joe Montana to John Taylor at L.A. Rams ( ) 93t Steve DeBerg to Freddie Solomon vs. Atlanta ( ) 92t Joe Montana to John Taylor at L.A. Rams ( ) 89t Tim Rattay to Brandon Lloyd vs. Dallas ( )

4 LONG CATCH Brandon s Lloyd s 44-yard reception in the second quarter against Seattle ( ) tied for the third longest reception of this career. He had a 44-yard reception vs. Seattle ( ). Those two catches are third to the 52- yarder he had at St. Louis ( ) and the 89-yard touchdown pass he had vs. Dallas (9-25) earlier in the season. ANOTHER CAREER DAY Brandon Lloyd established a CAREER-HIGH with seven receptions against Arizona ( ), besting the six he had at the New York Jets ( ). Lloyd had his second NFL 100-yard receiving day against the Cardinals after finishing with seven receptions for 102 yards. He had his first 100-yard receiving day vs. Dallas ( ) when he finished with four receptions for 142 yards and matched that effort against Seattle ( ) with seven receptions for 119 yards. PASSING THE CENTURY Brandon Lloyd had his third 100-yard receiving game of the season and in his NFL career after finishing with seven receptions for 119 yards against Seattle ( ). Lloyd had four receptions for a career-high 142 yards vs. Dallas ( ) and then had seven receptions for 102 yards the next week at Arizona ( ). Lloyd s seven receptions against Seattle matched the seven he had in the Cardinals game for a career-high. LLOYD S 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES OPP DATE REC YDS AVG. TD Dallas Arizona Seattle J MOTION WR Johnnie Morton comes to the 49ers from the Kansas City Chiefs, immediately establishing himself as the team s most experienced receiver. He enters his 12 th season in the NFL and continued his penchant for big plays with a 30-yard reception with against St. Louis ( ). He has 16 catches for 184 yards on the season. BATTLE TESTED WR Arnaz Battle became a significant contributor on both special teams and at wide receiver, seeing action in 14 games during the 2004 campaign. He set a CAREER- HIGH with eight receptions last season. Battle led the team in receptions in the team s first three contests and has a CAREER-HIGH 18 receptions for 189 yards and two scores. SLASH A multi-purpose threat, wide receiver Arnaz Battle even relived some of his college quarterbacking days from the Fighting Irish as he completed two passes for 27 yards against St. Louis ( ). Battle, a former college quarterback at Notre Dame who idolized Joe Montana as a youth in Shreveport, Louisiana (he even wore Montana s #3 at Notre Dame), completed his first NFL pass with a 24-connection pass with Brandon Lloyd in the second quarter. Battle completed his second pass of the game later in the second quarter with a three yard pass to RB Frank Gore. BORN TO RUN RB Kevan Barlow looks to regain the form that led him to become a 1,000-yard rusher in only four starts. 2004, however, was not lost for Barlow as he established several CAREER-HIGHS last season. He rushed for a CAREER- HIGH seven touchdowns in 14 starts, tied his CAREER- HIGH with 35 receptions and he led the team with a CAREER-HIGH 244 carries last season. He leads the team in rushing with 151 carries for 508 yards. He is on pace to finish the season with 812 yards. If he breaks 1,000 yards it will be Barlow s second career 1,000 yard rushing season. He rushed for 1,024 yards in YARDS AND RUNNING Kevan Barlow had his first 100-yard game of the season and the fifth of his career after finishing with 101 yards rushing on 26 attempts for a 3.9-yard average against Tampa Bay ( ). Barlow s previous best running effort of the 2005 season came vs. Indianapolis ( ) when he ran for 99 yards. It was Barlow s first 100-yard rushing effort since he had 103 in the season-ending game of the 2004 season at New England (1-2-05). The 49ers are 3-2 when Barlow rushes for 100 yards or more. FINDING HIS STRIDE Kevan Barlow had his best rushing game of the season against Tampa Bay s top-rated defense ( ). He finished the game with 26 carries for 101 yards. Barlow s 26 rushing attempts are second to the 30 he had at Philadelphia ( ). Barlow s 29-yard run at the end of the first half helped set up a 47-yard field goal by Joe Nedney. The 29-yard jaunt is Barlow s longest run of the 2005 season, besting the 27-yard run he had in the third quarter vs. Dallas (9-25). RUSHING YARDS (since 1998) Denver 17,114 Pittsburgh 16,421 San Francisco 15,649 GORED Third-round draft pick RB Frank Gore has paid dividends as a boon to the 49ers 2005 draft class. Gore has the highest rushing average of running backs selected in the 2005 draft with a least 20 carries Rookie Running Backs RD(PICK) ATT YDS AVG. TD Ronnie Brown 1(2) MIA Cadillac Williams 1(5) TB Marion Barber 4(109) DAL Frank Gore 3(65) SF Cedric Benson 1(4) CHI Alvin Pearman 4(127) JAX J.J. Arrington 2 (44) AZ Brandon Jacobs 4(110) NYG Cedric Houston 6(182) NYJ Verand Morency 3(73) HOU Darren Sproles 4(130) SD Ciatrick Fason 4(112) MIN M. Hedgecock 7(251) STL N. Broughton 7(222) WASH Deandra Cobb 6(201) ATL Lionel Gates 7(236) BUF Justin Green 5(158) BAL Ryan Moats 3 (77) PHI Damien Nash 5(142) TEN Rick Razzano 7(221) TB Eric Shelton 2 (54) CAR Manuel White 4(120) WAS ROOKIE RUN Frank Gore s 72 yard touchdown against Washington ( ) is the fifth longest run from scrimmage by a 49ers rookie. Gore s 72-yard touchdown run is the longest touchdown run and the longest run from scrimmage by a 49ers player since RB Kevan Barlow scored on a 78-yard touchdown run vs. Pittsburgh ( ). LONGEST RUN BY A 49ERS ROOKIE 1. 89T Hugh McElhenny at DallasTexans T Hugh McElhenny vs. Dallas Texans T Jimmy Thomas vs. Chicago December 6, T Dexter Carter at Atlanta October 14, T Frank Gore at Washington October 23, 2005

5 ROOKIE RECORD With 65 carries for 326 yards and one touchdown, rookie running back Frank Gore is on pace for over 500 yards. If he continues the pace, Gore will have one of the top rushing performances for a 49ers rookie. TOP 49ERS ROOKIE RUSHING LEADERS Name Year ATT YDS AVG TD Ken Willard Roger Craig Earl Cooper Wilbur Jackson Hugh McElhenny John Henry Johnson Kevan Barlow Billy Kilmer Dexter Carter Don Libson Amp Lee Gene Babb Frank Gore Pete Schabarum William Floyd MO BETTER RB Maurice Hicks had a historic first career start, rushing 34 times for 139 yards and catching five passes for 29 yards at Arizona (12/12/04). He rushed for one score and tied a 49ers single-game mark for most touches in a single game with 39. Hicks became just the third 49er and first 49ers free agent to rush for over 100 yards in his first career start. 49ERS RUNNING BACKS WITH 100 YARDS OR MORE IN FIRST CAREER START Kevan Barlow (vs. Ari ) Maurice Hicks (at Ari ) Ricky Watters (at NYG 1992) RUNNING HARD Maurice Hicks, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee following the Tampa Bay game ( ), returned after missing two games against Seattle ( ) and made an immediate impact. Hicks took his first rushing attempt of the 2005 season for a 50-yard run in the third quarter. It is the longest run of his NFL career, besting the 35-yard run vs. Carolina ( ). Hicks finished the game with 11 carries for 83 yards. LEFT ADDITION As the first major free agent signing of the 2005 season, T Jonas Jennings started all 52 games during his four seasons with the Buffalo Bills ( ). He was a major factor in Buffalo rookie running back Willis McGahee s 1,128-yard season in The 6-3, 325 pound product from Georgia started three games in 2005 before being put on injured reserve with shoulder surgery. A music aficionado, Jennings has a pre-game ritual of listening to his custom ipod before the game. With over 8,000 tracks, Jennings prepares himself by listening to everything from blues, gospel and R&B. JONAS JENNINGS ON MIKE NOLAN Jonas Jennings was one of the most sought after free agents in the 2005 offseason. He acknowledged that you have to have a great organization with a clear voice from the top when he decided on where he would play in He respects first-year Head Coach Mike Nolan and is in step with his vision to return San Francisco to the NFL s marquee franchise. I am all about starting from ground zero. Even growing up in the projects and making it to where I am now, Jennings said. It has always been that way for me, so it is nothing for me to adapt to that. We all knew it was a going to take a little time, but we don t look at it like a rebuilding season. Coach Nolan s plan and my goals for the team are the same. They are beautiful together. That is why I did not need to take any more trips after that. I was ready to get started. PASSING THE ROOKIE TEST G/T Adam Snyder, the team s third-round draft pick from Oregon, took over as the starting left tackle in place of T Anthony Clement against Seattle ( ) and played well. Clement had been starting at left tackle in place of the injured Jonas Jennings (shoulder). Against Chicago ( ) Snyder made his first NFL start at right guard when Eric Heitmann moved from guard to center when Jeremy Newberry was inactive to rest his knee and shoulder injuries. HIGH PRAISE FOR SNYDER Against Seattle ( ), the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Adam Snyder was plugged in as the starting left tackle and not only drew praise from his side of the field but also from the opposition, specifically from veteran defensive end Grant Wistrom of the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks. Wistrom, a 6-4, 272-pound is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, but he wasn't able to make much headway with Snyder most of the afternoon. Of Seattle's four sacks, Wistrom didn't have any. By day's end, he seemed convinced the 49ers just might have a solid prospect with their third-round draft pick. "He did a pretty darn good job," Wistrom said. "He works hard and tries to finish plays. I didn't have much film on him, but you can tell he's no quitter." When told of Wistrom's remarks, the young 49er beamed. "I knew going into the game that he was going to be a guy who would play 60 minutes," said Snyder, an All-Pacific-10 choice as a senior left tackle. "So, to hear something like that from a guy like him means something." MARKED IMPROVEMENT Although the 49ers had only 208 yards of total offense against Tampa Bay ( ), the game was a breakthrough of sorts for the offensive line. The 49ers offense did now allow any sacks for the first time since a game at Baltimore ( ). San Francisco did not have any turnovers for the first time since playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers ( ). PUTTING THE WORK IN Ken Dorsey began the season as the emergency third quarterback behind both Tim Ratty and Alex Smith. Following the trade of Tim Rattay to Tampa Bay on October 18, Dorsey was bumped to the second-string quarterback. Since the third quarterback usually does not get many snaps during practice, Dorsey would spent an additional 45 minutes after practice on Wednesday s and Thursday s working on his technique s by throwing passes to practice squad players or using a net as an imaginary receiver. He started his first game of the season against Tampa Bay ( ). Said Dorsey on his promotion to the backup quarterback role, It motivates you even that much harder, because the coaches have put their trust in you to do the job. They entrusted with a job, and I intend to do that job to the best of my ability. HARD WORK PAYS OFF Ken Dorsey made his second start of the 2005 season against Seattle ( ), finishing 18-of-29 for 249 yards with one touchdown for a quarterback rating. Dorsey finished with a CAREER-HIGH 249 yards passing, besting the 206 yards he had vs. Washington ( ). Dorsey added a long 44-yard completion to Brandon Lloyd in the game. It is the second longest completion of his career to the 59-yard pass he had to Rashaun Woods at New England (1-2-05).

6 COWBOY PICKETT QB Cody Pickett played on both special teams and also played in relief of Ken Dorsey at quarterback in the fourth quarter. He registered his first special teams tackle while seeing action on the 49ers punt team in the fourth quarter and completed one pass for 10 yards to WR Brandon Lloyd on the next series. It was Pickett s first action at quarterback the game vs. Buffalo ( ). He had to change his helmet in between series from a regular helmet to a quarterback helmet to receive the signals. A versatile athlete, Pickett played wide receiver and safety on the scout team before the move back to quarterback. THE RODEO WAY Cody Pickett was a four-sport athlete in football, basketball, golf and rodeo at Caldwell (ID) High School. He qualified for National Rodeo Finals (team roper) in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and led the Southern Idaho Conference in rebounds with over 10 per game on basketball court and earned Idaho State Player of the Year honors in hoops. His father, Dee, was a championship roper on the professional rodeo circuit and was a 1984 World Champion Cowboy. Dee was inducted into Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in August of 2003 and previously played quarterback at Boise State. FOURTH QB Cody Pickett became the fourth quarterback to start a game for the 49ers vs. the New York Giants ( ). The others are Tim Rattay, Alex Smith and Ken Dorsey. With Pickett becoming the 49ers' fourth starter at quarterback this season, it marks the first time since 1974 that the team has started four different signal callers during a season. That season the four starters were Joe Reed, Dennis Morrison, Tom Owen and Norm Snead. ALL IN THE NUMBERS The past five No. 1 overall selections in the NFL have chosen jersey numbers in ascending order. PLAYER YEAR UNIFORM NO. Michael Vick David Carr Carson Palmer Eli Manning Alex Smith Said Smith on choosing number 11, I used to wear No. 7 in high school to honor my favorite player John Elway. But No. 7 wasn t available when I was a freshman at Utah, so I chose No. 11. By the time No. 7 was free, people identified me with No. 11, so I decided to stick with it. I want to create my own way in the NFL, not take a number that was associated with another player. I want the number 11 to remind people of Alex Smith. DEFENSE NOTES YOUNG AGAIN DE Bryant Young had a memorable season opener against St. Louis ( ). Young paced the 49ers with three of San Francisco s seven sacks. His three first half sacks, tied a CAREER-HIGH set coincidentally against St. Louis ( ). The last player to notch three sacks on opening day was Kenard Lang of the Cleveland Browns ( ) vs. Baltimore. MULTI-SACK Bryant Young had his third-multiple sack of the 2005 season after finishing with two against Tampa Bay ( ). It was his 20th multiple sack game of his career. He finished with three sacks vs. St. Louis ( ) and two sacks at Arizona ( ). Young forced a fumble on a six-yard sack QB Chris Simms that was recovered by LB Julian Peterson at the Tampa Bay 26-yard line with 1:42 left to play and then clinched the victory with a twoyard sack of Simms on the game s final play. ELDER STATESMAN With his three sacks against St. Louis ( ), one against Dallas ( ) and two against Arizona ( ), Bryant Young is in sole possession of third place on the 49ers all-time sack list with 77.5 sacks. 49ERS ALL-TIME SACK LEADERS Cedrick Hardman ( ) Tommy Hart ( ) Bryant Young (1994-curr.) 77.5 Charles Haley ( ,1999) 66.5 FOREVER YOUNG Bryant Young was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week following the 49ers opening day win vs. St. Louis ( ) when he matched his 2004 season total of 3.0 sacks with three against the Rams. He is on pace for 14.2 sacks which would easily surpass his CAREER- HIGH of 11.5 sacks in 1996 and is on pace for his third double digit sack season (11.5 sacks in 1996 and 11.0 sacks in 1999). TOP ACTIVE SACK LEADERS PLAYER TEAM YRS SACKS Michael Strahan NYG Simeon Rice TB Kevin Carter MIA Jason Taylor MIA Warren Sapp OAK Chad Brown NE Bryant Young SF Willie McGinest NE La Roi Glover DAL NFL PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH THEIR CURRENT TEAM THE LONGEST Name Team Pos First Season Brett Favre Green Bay QB 1992 Jason Hanson Detroit K 1992 Troy Brown New England WR 1993 Jason Elam Denver K 1993 Brad Hopkins Tennessee T 1993 Will Shields Kansas City G 1993 Michael Strahan NY Giants DE 1993 Larry Allen Dallas G 1994 David Binn San Diego TE 1994 Rich Braham Cincinnati G 1994 Isaac Bruce St. Louis WR 1994 Dwayne Carswell Denver TE 1994 Bryant Young San Francisco DE 1994 WELL RESPECTED The only remaining player linked to the Super Bowl years, Bryant Young was the recipient of the Len Eshmont Award last season, symbolic of the player who best exemplifies courage and leadership. It marked the fifth time (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004) he received the award. He is the first five-time winner of the award in team history. SMITH SCORES Derek Smith recovered a touchdown in the end zone against Arizona ( ) for the second in his NFL career. Smith last scored on a 46-yard fumble that was returned for a touchdown vs. Miami ( ) last season. THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE LB Derek Smith reached the 100-tackle mark for the eighth straight year, tying fellow linebacker Jeff Ulbrich for the team lead with 167 in Smith has reached the 100-tackle mark every year of his career. Smith leads the team with 88 tackles. He is on pace to finish the season with 140 total tackles. Smith has added one interception and four passes defensed on the season.

7 ACTIVE PLAYERS WITH SIX OR MORE CONSECUTIVE 100+ TACKLE SEASONS Player Team Streak Zach Thomas Miami 9 Derrick Brooks Tampa Bay 9 Derek Smith San Francisco 8 Donnie Edwards San Diego 8 CONSISTENT SAFETY Tony Parrish started all 121 games of his career, the longest streak by a defensive back since Herman Edwards (135). He started all 64 games while he played with Chicago ( ) and has started all 56 games with the 49ers ( ). Parrish started in one postseason game with the Bears (2001) and two postseason games with San Francisco (2002) before breaking his leg against Chicago ( ). PARRISH PEAKS Tony Parrish s 34-yard second-quarter pick against Dallas ( ) was his second career interception return for a touchdown. His other trip into the end zone was when he was a member of the Chicago Bears. He returned a 38- yard interception for a touchdown against Tampa Bay ( ). It was also the first 49ers interception return for a touchdown since cornerback Ahmed Plummer s 68- yard scamper against Chicago (9-7-03). BALL HAWK Tony Parrish led the 49ers in interceptions for the thirdstraight season with four interceptions in He tied a CAREER-HIGH with two interceptions at Tampa Bay (11/21/04). It was the third time he has tallied two picks in a single game. 49ERS TEAM LEADERS IN INTERCEPTIONS FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS Dick Moegle Dave Baker Tony Parrish 20 total 21 Total 20 total INTs INTs INTs INTs INTs INTs INTs INTs INTs INT Since 2001, Tony Parrish is tied for the second in the league lead in total interceptions, with 25. MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN NFL, Darren Sharper MIN 27 *MNF 2. Tony Parrish SF Tory James CIN 25 Deltha O Neal CIN Ed Reed BAL 21 Patrick Surtain MIA Dre Bly DET Anthony Henry DAL 20 Greg Wesley KC Nate Clements BUF 18 Sammy Knight MIA 18 DOUBLE THE MONEY Tony Parrish had two picks against Dallas ( ). It was his fourth two-interception game and first twointerception game since he had two at Tampa Bay (11-21) last season. BACK ON THE ATTACK LB Julian Peterson got off to a hot start in 2004, notching 34 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 sacks and two passes defended in his first five games, but was sidelined with a seasonending Achilles injury five games into the season in a game vs. Arizona ( ). He returned with a vengeance in 2005 notching 2.5 sacks, eight tackles and one pass defensed in his debut against the St. Louis Rams ( ). He leads the 49ers linebackers with 2.5 sacks and has 40.5 tackles one fumble recovery and four passes defensed on the season. SAFETY FIRST From special teams standout to starter in one short year, Mike Adams has firmly established himself as a force in the secondary. Adams stepped into action from the practice squad and provided depth and playmaking ability to an injured 49ers secondary in A speedy cover man with ample size, Adams has impressive ball-hawking skills as evidenced by his first quarter interception that sealed the 49ers opening day victory against the St. Louis Rams. With the loss of Tony Parrish to injury, Adams has had to become the leader of the secondary by making all of the calls. He is second on the team with 51 tackles and has one fumble recovery and one sack on the season. It was cool. I talked to Tony before the game. He called me to let me know about extra things to watch out for. I guess he s been watching film while he s in a cast. I felt comfortable. I gave all of the right calls and got everyone lined up. TOP-FLIGHT Since 2002, Peterson ranks second in among the NFC linebackers in total sacks. Peterson finished the game against St. Louis ( ) with eight tackles and 2.5 sacks. The 2.5 sacks are a career-high, besting the 2.0 sacks he had three times (most recently at St. Louis ). TOTAL SACKS FOR NFC LINEBACKERS, LaVar Arrington WAS Brian Urlacher CHI Julian Peterson SF 14.0 Chad Brown NE Mark Fields CAR 11.5 CONVERSION LB Andre Carter has made an impact with his size and speed, moving from the defensive end position to outside linebacker. Carter was hampered by a back injury in 2004 and is looking to regain the form that produced 27.5 sacks from He had three tackles and 0.5 sacks at his debut in the new position against St. Louis ( ). He added four tackles against Dallas ( ). Carter was the first defender in the NFL to notch a sack against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts ( ) and has 20.5 tackles on the season. He added another sack against Tampa Bay ( ) and Seattle ( ). Carter now has 30.5 career sacks and is tenth place on the 49ers all-time sack list. NOSE FOR THE BALL Cornerback Derrick Johnson s 78-yard touchdown return against Arizona ( ) is the fifth longest fumble return for a touchdown in team history. The rookie corner from Washington became the second member of the 49ers 2005 rookie class to start when he lined up at left cornerback due to the injury to Ahmed Plummer (ankle). He has shown a knack for turnovers, picking off from the preseason where he had three interceptions (one for a touchdown) and a fumble recovery. Johnson also notched his first career sack against Tampa Bay ( ) LONGEST FUMBLE RETURNS FOR A TOUCHDOWN 99t Don Griffith vs. Chicago December 23, t Lee Woodall vs. Buffalo December 3, t Dwaine Carpenter at Chicago October 31, t Dwight Hicks at Washington October 4, t Derrick Johnson at Arizona October 2, 2005 SPENCER SHINES Second year cornerback Shawntae Spencer has emerged as one of the top young cornerbacks in the NFL. Not even invited to the Pro Scouting Combine in 2004, the University of Pittsburgh product led the team with 12 passes defensed in He has added to that impressive total in 2005 with 49 tackles, a team leading seven passes defensed and two interceptions on the season.

8 PRACTICE SQUAD MAKES PERFECT First-year cornerback Bruce Thornton made his first NFL start when he lined up at left cornerback in place of the injured Ahmed Plummer (ankle) vs. Indianapolis ( ). He had his first career interception in the third quarter when he picked off a QB Peyton Manning pass that was intended to WR Marvin Harrison in the end zone. In fact, Thornton limited the explosive receiver to only two catches for 17 yards. Matched up against the receiver all game, Thornton finished with an interception, two tackles and one pass defensed. For his performance, Thornton received honorable mention by the NFL for its defensive player of the week. Thornton has 12 tackles and six passes defensed on the season. DEFENSIVE SCORES The 49ers jumped to a 14-0 first quarter lead on two fumbles that were returned for a touchdown against Arizona ( ). On the game s first play, DT Bryant Young forced QB Josh McCown to fumble on a nine-yard sack. LB Brandon Moore recovered the ball at the Arizona ten-yard line and advanced to the one before he fumbled the ball into end zone where LB Derek Smith recovered for a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, DT Travis Hall forced RB Marcel Shipp to fumble and rookie CB Derrick Johnson scooped up the loose ball and raced 78 yards for a touchdown. DEFENSIVE SCORES PART TWO Against Arizona ( ), the 49ers scored on two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns. This was the first time this happened since November 14, 1965 in a win at Detroit. LB Dave Wilcox scored on an eightyard return and DE Clark Miller scored on a 75-yard return. It was the first time the 49ers had two defensive touchdowns in a game since October 28, 2001 at Chicago in a overtime loss. In that game, LB Julian Peterson scored on a 26-yard interception return and S Zack Bronson scored on a 97-yard interception return. SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES SPECIAL TEAMS RANKINGS Despite a host of injuries to key players on offense and defense, San Francisco s special teams unit has held steady and provided consistency throughout the season. San Francisco ranks sixth in the NFL, averaging only 20.5 yards per kickoff return. Furthermore, the team has allowed only 7.6 yards per punt return with no touchdowns. ACTION JACKSON RB Terry Jackson is making a name for himself as one of the NFL s most-reliable special teams players, notching 94 career special teams tackles during his six NFL seasons. He came close to besting his CAREER- HIGH 22 special teams tackles set in 2002 after finishing with 17 last season. Against St. Louis ( ), Jackson recovered an onside kick in the second quarter and notched another against Indianapolis ( ). It was the first successful onside kick for the 49ers since at the NY Giants. He is first on the team with 16 special teams tackles. OTIS MY MAN Otis Amey returned a second-quarter punt 75 yards for a touchdown on opening week. The play changed the momentum of San Francisco s victory against St. Louis. He was the fifth 49ers rookie to return a punt for a touchdown and the first to do so on a punt return. He also became the second 49ers player to score a touchdown on his first touch. WR Nate Singleton s first NFL reception was a six-yarder from QB Steve Young on September 18, 1993 vs. Atlanta during the third game of his rookie season. It was the 49ers sixth-longest punt return for a touchdown by a 49ers rookie. Hugh McElhenny established the team mark with a 94-yard punt returned for a touchdown vs. Chicago on October 16, Here is a list of other 49ers that set and maintained the precedence of scoring a touchdown on their first touch: Player Scoring Play Date Opp. Joe Perry 58-yard TD run Buffalo Hugh McElhenny 42-yard TD run Chicago John H. Johnson 8-yard TD run Washington Kermit Alexander 90-yard KO ret Minnesota Clifton McNeil 70-yard reception L.A.Rams Nate Singleton 6-yard reception Atlanta Otis Amey 75-yard punt ret St. Louis MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF Rookie Otis Amey made a name for himself in his NFL debut against the St. Louis Rams ( ). After being known as Fred Amey all through training came, Amey let team officials know that he refers to be called by his middle name Otis. If Amey keeps playing like he did in his debut, the 49ers will be happy to keep calling him whatever he wants. COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR K Joe Nedney has never missed a field goal (56 of 56) of less than 30 yards during his nine NFL seasons. Nedney is looking to bounce back from a season-ending hamstring injury in 2004 that sidelined him for the entire campaign while playing for Tennessee. He is on field goals attempts this season and is a worthy candidate for NFL Comeback Player of the Year. CAREER DAY Joe Nedney set a CAREER-HIGH with five field goals against Tampa Bay ( ). He had four field goals in a game six times. The last time he had four field goals in a game was at Baltimore ( ) when he played for Tennessee. Nedney s five field goals are one shy of the 49ers team record. Jeff Wilkins had six field goals vs. Atlanta ( ) and Ray Wersching had six at New Orleans ( ). Four of Nedney s five field goals were from 40-plus yards (45, 47, 41 and 46), the most ever in a single game from the yard range for Nedney. LONG KICK Joe Nedney kicked a 48-yard field goal and a 52-yard field goal in the third quarter against the New York Giants ( ). His 52-yarder is one shy of his record. Nedney kicked a 53-yarder two times in his career -- at Detroit ( ) while a member of Arizona and at Dallas ( ) while with Tennessee. GREAT STRETCH Before San Francisco s game against Seattle ( ) Joe Nedney scored 43 points in a row for the 49ers, the most consecutive points by one player since Matt Stover had 49 in a row for the 2000 Ravens. Nedney has scored 14 field goals in the last four games. Nedney finished 3- of-4 at Chicago ( ). He finished 5-of-6 with four field goals from over 40 yards (40, 47, 41 and 46) vs. Tampa Bay ( ). He was good on a 48-yarder and a 52-yarder vs. the Giants ( ). He finished 3-of-4 at Chicago and 4-of-4 (33, 31, 40 and 22) against Seattle. DANDY ANDY In 2004, P Andy Lee punted 96 times for 3,990 yards and a 41.6-yard average. The last time a 49ers punter averaged over 40 yards per punt was 1998, when Reggie Roby averaged 41.9 yards. Lee sailed the fourth-longest punt in team history with an 81-yard bomb at Tampa Bay (11/21/04). It was his career best and the longest punt of the year in the NFL, making him the first 49ers rookie to notch the longest punt of the year since Larry Barnes did it with an 86-yarder in his 1957 rookie season. In 2005, Lee has fared well, placing 11 kicks inside the 20-yard line. He has a 42.5 gross average and has not had a punt blocked this season.

9 LONGEST PUNTS IN 49ERS HISTORY Player Yards Game Larry Barnes 86 vs. Chicago Cardinals (9/29/57) Tommy Davis 82 vs. Minnesota (9/30/62) Tommy Davis 81 at St. Louis (11/25/62) Andy Lee 81 at Tampa Bay (11/21/04) SNAP ON One of the NFL s elite long snappers, Brian Jennings was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2004 as a need player, handling the long-snapping duties. Jennings Pro Bowl selection marked the 24 th consecutive season that the 49ers were represented by at least one player. He was named honorable mention NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his play in the blustery wind against Chicago ( ). SPECIAL DELIVERY S Keith Lewis made a name for himself by making gamechanging plays on special teams. He became the first player in 49ers history to block a punt (vs. Washington ), force a fumble (vs. TB ) and recover a fumble (at Arizona ) in the same season. Lewis tied for second on the team with 17 special teams tackles. MOORE OF A GOOD THING LB Brandon Moore has been a special teams demon and filled in admirably at linebacker. Moore saw his most significant action of the season in the fourth quarter against Dallas when he filled in for Julian Peterson after Peterson left with a hamstring strain. Moore finished with his second career NFL sack on a seven-yard sack of QB Drew Bledsoe in the fourth quarter against Dallas ( ) and added another against Washington ( ). Moore had his first career interception against Tampa Bay ( ). It was his first interception at any level (high school, college or professional). A LOOK BACK AT DICK AND MIKE NOLAN Dick Nolan was named head coach of the 49ers on January 19, Mike Nolan was named head coach of the 49ers on January 19, 2005 Passing the Torch - It was 1968 when Dick Nolan took over as the 49ers leader on the gridiron. He inherited a 7-7 squad in San Francisco after leaving his post as a defensive coach for the Dallas Cowboys. After just two seasons, Dick bolstered his roster and captured three straight NFC West Divisional Championships ( ) while his teams made two NFL Championship appearances. During that span, his son, Mike, could be found scampering around the 49ers locker room and intently watching his father s every coaching move on the practice field. Several decades later, Mike Nolan has picked up where his father left off. He became the 15 th head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and is ready to ignite his father s winning chemistry in his 2005 inaugural squad. The two are now not only bound by blood, but by history, tradition and a faithful following in San Francisco. Here s a look at some of Dick and Mike Nolan s career highlights. RICHARD C. DICK NOLAN - 49ers Head Coach Dick Nolan s NFL Career New York Giants third round selection from Maryland in 1954 collegiate draft. Started as a rookie at right cornerback and teamed with Tom Landry (left cornerback) in 1954 and 1955, and with Ed Hughes in Traded to Chicago Cardinals in 1958 for E Pat Summerall and HB Lindon Crow. Returned to the Giants as a safety from Joined Tom Landry s Dallas Cowboys as a player/coach in Dick Nolan s NFL Coaching Highlights When he joined the 49ers as head coach, Nolan installed the Dallas Cowboys Flex defensive scheme. Nolan moved the 49ers Training Camp from St. Mary s College (Moraga) to the UC-Santa Barbara campus at Goleta in Acquired Dallas Cowboys linebacker Harold Hays to strengthen the 49ers linebacker corps. With the loss of 49ers All-Pro WR David Parks to free agency (New Orleans Saints), Nolan acquired Cleveland Browns reserve WR Clifton McNeil (Grambling) for a high draft choice on September 2, 1968 (four days before the final exhibition game). Clifton McNeil s first season as an NFL starter results in his selection to the 1968 Pro Bowl and being named First Team All-Pro. McNeil is 49ers team leader in receiving (71 for 994 yards and seven touchdowns). Nolan leads the 49ers to post-season play in just his third season as a head coach (1970). It marked the 49ers first appearance in the playoffs since The 49ers participated in the playoffs from , being stopped by Dallas in all three appearances. Nolan s toughest defeat came at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1972 NFC Playoff Game at San Francisco s Kezar Stadium. With less than two minutes remaining in the game and the 49ers up 28-16, QB Roger Staubach rallied his Cowboys for two touchdowns in the final 1:10. With just 0:56 seconds remaining in the game, Staubach took the snap from center and threw a ten-yard strike to reserve E Ron Sellers who curled in front of 49ers DB Windlan Hall at the goal line to complete the Cowboys comefrom-behind victory. It marked the last time the 49ers would advance to the playoffs until Mike Nolan s NFL Coaching Highlights Launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Oregon in Held positions as a linebackers or defensive backs coach at Stanford, Rice and LSU from before joining the NFL ranks under former Broncos coach Dan Reeves. Nolan went on to serve as defensive coordinator for the NY Giants ( ), Washington ( ), NY Jets (2000) before joining Baltimore in 2001 where he was the Ravens wide receiver coach. In 2002, he became the defensive coordinator for Baltimore and coached eight rookies on the defensive roster by season s end. Baltimore finished first in the AFC with a team-record 25 interceptions and was second in the NFL in fewest yards per rush. In 2003, Nolan s defense finished third in the NFL. Baltimore ranked first in the AFC with 17 fumble recoveries and led the NFL in sacks (47). Nolan was named to USA Today s All-Joe Team following the 2003 season and NFL Assistant Coach of the Year by the Football Digest. LB Ray Lewis was named the AP s NFL Defensive Player of the Year. LB Terrell Suggs was named the AP s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year while setting a Ravens rookie record with 12 sacks. In 2004, Nolan s defense finished tied for second in the NFL in average rush per carry (3.6 yards). S Ed Reed was named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Over the past two seasons, Nolan s defenses have yielded nine Pro Bowl starters. His stingy defensive units also produced the last two NFL Defensive Players of the Year.