http://cbs5.com/sports/49ers.mike.nolan.2.461096.html
Nolan's press conference started at 12:28pm PST.
Good to talk about a win. Offense, defense and special teams were good. The Bengals were the 6th rank offense. The defense did a good job stopping them. They have weapons at receiver. Nolan is pleased that they were able to play well. They played against a defense that gets a lot of turnovers and the 49ers did not turn the ball over.
The offense and the defense rely on each other to help each other out.
Did they change up the plays to help Shaun Hill? Quick passes, etc.?
No. This is built to utilize whatever you have to use. It takes some of the West Coast offense and some of the stuff that Joe Gibbs used to use. They do not need to change anything on offense to help Hill.
Did Nolan ever think about putting Hill into the game earlier in the season?
Only if something had happened to Trent Dilfer.
What did Hill do to perform better than Dilfer or Smith?
Hill's strengths are his instincts and his ability to make a play when he gets into trouble. Not every play is perfect and it is important to be able to get yourself out of trouble.
Nolan knows that the offense has been better and he hopes that continues.
If Hill continues to play well, could he be looked at as more than a No. 2 next season?
Sure. This may be his opportunity to fight for a job. It is a competition.
There have been ongoing talks to resign Hill, but nothing has been done.
Hill has never played in a full game. Nolan is very pleased how he has played. He will make them a better team no matter what his role is.
What kept Hill in the backup position?
There are several guys over the years "waiting in the wings."
Is there a quarterback controversy?
No. Controversy shows indecision on what is taking place.
Alex Smith got back Saturday night. Nolan will speak to him soon. He was in for treatment yesterday morning and this morning.
Nolan has not spoken B.Y. regarding his retirement since last week. Everything that B.Y. has done on and off the field has been a great example to the 49ers and city of San Francisco.
If there a sense of ergency to sign Shaun Hill?
Nolan wanted him to sign earlier in the year. He wants to sign Hill.
Regarding the fourth down call in the fourth quarter...
Nolan felt that with how his offense was doing, it was a good idea to go for it. The offense had a lot of confidence at that point. Knowing what he knows now, he obviously would not have gone for it.
Were the 49ers lucky that the Bengals made a lot of errors?
The game is not perfect. There are lots of human errors. The reason that some of Palmer's balls may not have been accurate was because of pressure. Being physical against the receivers messed up their timing.
Darrell Jackson had some good plays on Saturday. Who's decision was it to go after the rookie cornerback Leon Hall on consecutive pass attempts?
The decision was made by the quarterback. It was not the intention to attack a player. The quarterback simply decided to go there.
Nolan would like to think that the Jackson we saw Saturday was a better representation of what he was capable of. It was nice to see that Hill had some confidence in Jackson.
Is it possible that the talent on the team are better suited to play in a short passing style of offense?
The objective is to get the ball into the player's hands. In the West Coast offense, you want to get it to them fast. You try to play to your strengths. "When it works, it looks good. When it doesn't work, it doesn't look good."
Ted Tollner and Jim Hostler's relationship has gotten better each week. They have gotten to know each other better. They communicate a lot. Tollner stays in the booth at halftime to work on some things so when Hostler gets back, he is able to better assist him.
Would Tollner be coming back next season?
There is a possibility. Tollner wants to be in the NFL. He is not here on a long term deal right now. His deal ends when the season ends.
Nolan has had no conversation with the owners regarding his future with the team.
Tampa Bay will be a difference challenge because they are an aggressive defense.
Nolan would like to see Jason Hill continue to get in the lineup.
What are you hoping to see from Hill in these next games?
"Run a perfect route on the slant on fourth and two and catch it. He is getting better and better though. He's good."
Conference is over.
