Tolzien's assignment for 49ers is a Brees

Jan. 13, 2012 |

Scott Tolzien is having a ball playing Drew Brees in practice this week.

Not a bad gig for the little-known practice-squad quarterback, who wasn't even drafted after a stellar career at Wisconsin or active on game day for the NFC West champion 49ers (13-3) this season. He realizes full well that his behind-the-scenes role is a key to San Francisco's preparation for its NFC divisional playoff game against the high-powered Saints on Saturday at Candlestick Park.

"It's kind of cool," Tolzien said. "With all the success they're having, it's kind of fun to be running their plays and trying to figure out the rhyme behind the reason of why they're having so much success. The surprising thing is it's not really out-of-the-box thinking or anything, it's just typical stuff. It's a good game plan, but the players have to execute it for them to have success. They have a lot of good players over there who are making plays for them."

While Tolzien shares Brees duties in practice with fellow rookie and No. 2 quarterback Colin Kaepernick, they are taking pride in giving the Niners defense the best possible Brees impression they can.

"I think the No. 1 priority, just like any week, is to give the defense the best look possible," Tolzien said.

Tolzien was claimed off waivers from the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 4, just in time for the 49ers' season-opening home win against the defending division champion Seattle Seahawks.

During the preseason, Tolzien completed 25 of 40 passes for 302 yards with a touchdown and an interception. When the Chargers released Tolzien, the 49ers grabbed him immediately.

Rams interview two candidates: The St. Louis Rams interviewed Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for their coaching vacancy while awaiting word from Jeff Fisher.

Chudzinski also interviewed for the Jaguars head coaching job, but lost out to Mike Mularkey. The Panthers set a franchise record for total yards last season, scoring 47 touchdowns.

Allen is in his first year as defensive coordinator in Denver.

Getting a new gig: Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris is headed to the Washington Redskins to coach the defensive backs.

The 35-year-old Morris was fired by the Bucs last week after a 4-12 season. He had a 17-31 record in three seasons at Tampa Bay.

In the draft: Alabama running back Trent Richardson, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick declared for the NFL draft.

The three juniors were first-team All-Americans.

Richardson and Kirkpatrick are both projected as potential top 10 picks while Hightower is regarded as a potential first-rounder.

LSU All-American cornerback Morris Claiborne has decided to leave school a year early to enter the NFL draft.