Running Backs Coach Tom Rathman

"He wants to be a smash mouth football team; a tough, physical football team. That's what I want my group to do--be the toughest guys on the football field. His approach to the game is similar to my approach to the game." - Tom Rathman, Running Backs Coach

It was a happy day in 49erland when it was announced that former 49er fullback and running backs coach, Tom Rathman, would be return to take the job he previously had with the team. The hiring made sense on so many levels...

1. Rathman has connections to the 49ers golden years of the past when he was the lead blocker for Roger Craig. He brings a winning tradition to a team that hasn't had a winning season in seven years.

2. He's proven himself to be a productive coach. Under his tutelage, rookie RB Kevin Jones had the best season of his career, rushing 1000+ yards. With the Raiders, Rathman developed Justin Fargas and company into a solid RB corps after years of mediocrity.

3. He shares the same smash mouth, ball control philosophy as Coach Singletary. His goal will be to turn the 49ers RB corps into a violent, physical group that can move the pile at will. He'll be crucial asset in finding a fullback that can blow holes through the line for the RBs to run through.

4. When it was announced that the Niners were in search for a new offensive coordinator, Rathman's name seemed to come up a lot. While a popular choice, it's also not so much a smart one, especially considering his lack of experience calling plays. If there is some merit to his ability to make the calls, he can sit back as a position coach while learning the ropes, then fill in as the successor if the next offensive coordinator decides to bounce for another job--something us 49er fans are far too familiar with. Again, that's all just speculation, but hey, it'd be pretty cool if it happened.

Of course, this hiring was just a piece of the puzzle. The bigger question: Who will be the next offensive coordinator? I expect the answer to come soon. According to Sing, they were supposed to have the answer two weeks ago.

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I think my mock draft is already out of date. I know I said I wouldn't talk about the draft until the Senior Bowl but eh, what can you do? Here's the new one without analysis...

Mock Draft 2.0
1. DE Brian Orakpo
2. RB Shonn Greene
3. FS Rashad Johnson
4. RT Augustus Parrish
5. NT Terrance Taylor
6. QB David Johnson
7. RS Marcus Thigpen

NEXT: Senior Bowl