SAN FRANCISCO, 17 November 2003 — Unheralded quarterback Tommy Maddox salvaged the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season a year ago and the San Francisco 49ers will be hoping to have unearthed a similar savior in Tim Rattay.
Whether they have found their man will become clearer tonight, when Rattay starts just his second game in a San Francisco uniform as the 49ers (4-5) host the struggling Steelers (3-6). A reserve for three seasons after being drafted 212th overall in 2000, Rattay impressed in his NFL debut against the St. Louis Rams going 19-of-29 for 236 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-10 victory. That performance quickly endeared him to 49ers fans, who have come to expect great things of their team.
Rattay was playing instead of incumbent QB Jeff Garcia, who has been sidelined by a variety of injuries, most recently a partially torn ligament in his left ankle.
The 33-year-old Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler in the midst of an up-and-down season, is annoyed that he has been relegated so quickly but insisted he would use the demotion to motivate himself for a return.
As for Maddox, he came from the scrap heap to lead the slow-starting Steelers to a playoff berth in 2002, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors along the way.
However, things have not worked out so well for him this season.
He has already been intercepted 11 times, three of the picks being returned for touchdowns and another to the one-yard line.
