SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2005) -- Ken Dorsey will get his second start of the season for the San Francisco 49ers, who hope their fourth quarterback change in six games will breathe some life into their floundering offense.
The 49ers (2-7) haven't scored a touchdown in 39 straight possessions -- more than three games -- and have just eight offensive TDs all season. None of the four quarterbacks on their roster has thrown a touchdown pass this season, and the offense has managed just 1,957 yards in nine games.
Dorsey went 7 of 18 for 40 yards in his first start against Tampa Bay, but left in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle. Cody Pickett finished San Francisco's win over the Buccaneers and started the next two games, but is just 14 of 35 for 140 yards and two interceptions.
No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith is expected to be Dorsey's backup, but isn't ready for a full week of practice after missing the last three games with strained ligaments in his knee. Smith, who threw five interceptions in his two starts before getting hurt, has a 17.5 passer rating -- even worse than Pickett's 28.3 and Dorsey's 47.0.
"Hopefully we can get back to having some fun and scoring some points," said Dorsey, who started seven games for San Francisco last season. "It's not a competition. As a group, we all have a lot of respect for each other. We all like each other. We prepare together and go into every game together."
Tim Rattay, who was traded to Tampa Bay during the Niners' bye week, threw all five of San Francisco's TD passes this season. The 49ers have managed just 701 yards in four games since his departure, and Joe Nedney's 10 field goals are their only points in the last three games.
The 49ers also promoted rookie Adam Snyder to the starting lineup at left tackle, replacing struggling veteran Anthony Clement.
Snyder, a star left tackle at Oregon who started at right guard for the 49ers last week, will attempt to fill in for Jonas Jennings, the free-agent signee who played just parts of three games before going on injured reserve last week with a shoulder injury.
Rookie Ben Emanuel, a fifth-round pick waived by Carolina and signed to San Francisco's practice squad last month, will start at safety in place of Tony Parrish, who's out for the year with a broken leg.
