Garcia, Owens talk out differences before ending three-game
losing streak
SAN FRANCISCO – Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It truly was for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday morning when quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Terrell Owens finally talked out their differences. It came only hours before defeating the Detroit Lions to end a three-game slide.
“It was something that was finally discussed between the two of us and put at rest and in that sort of way I felt very positive about the resolve,” said Garcia during his post-game interview room. “I’m the type of person that doesn’t like to have other types of distractions. I don’t like to have any sort of negativity in the locker room and, in many ways, I think we were able to finally put that aside and just move forward and create positive situations.”
Garcia and Owens – who were entangled in a war of words through the media since the outspoken receiver’s rant after the Niners’ loss to the Vikings – happened to go for breakfast at the same time without any of their teammates in the cafeteria. Instead of sitting at separate tables and letting everything fester for another week, the two teammates talked out their differences.
“It was something that was very mutual. It was something that we were both sitting in at breakfast, the only two that were in there at that time, and it was a situation where I think both of us were very uncomfortable,” Garcia said. “It wasn’t creating a positive situation. We needed to put that to rest. It was a very mutual thing. Who walked over to who doesn’t really matter. What matters is that both of us were opened to ending the negativity and creating a positive situation.”
With the negativity out the window, Garcia and Owens immediately hooked up for the Niners’ opening touchdown on a six-yard pass play. Garcia finished the game 15-of-27 for 192 passing yards, while Owens tallied five receptions for 79 yards to lead the Niners to their first victory since week-one.
“It was good to have something positive happen like that early in the game and, hopefully, we can get to that point where not only does it happen at the end of the game but continues to happen throughout the game,” Garcia said. “Considering the distractions that took place this week, it was a difficult week. But I think we did our best job to ignore it, to try and move forward.”
The worst seems to be behind them.
“T.O. and I in many ways were able to put our differences aside and come to a positive solution, a solution that is going to allow us to work together and maintain a positive attitude,” Garcia said. “I think that’s the best thing that came out of this week is that we were able to put our differences aside and find a way to make it happen on the football field.”
And just in the nick of time when former head coach Steve Mariucci and his Detroit Lions strolled into town looking to steal one in Mooch’s return to Candlestick Park.
“The anticipation of this game has gone by already. We played in a hard-fought game. I thought it was a hard-hitting game on both sides,” said Mariucci, trying to downplay going up against the team that fired him last season. “We came here to win the game and had a few chances, but when you give the ball to a team like that with two short fields after a couple of turnovers and they score 14 points, it puts your defense in a tough spot.”
Mooch’s 1-4 Lions gave the Niners a run for their money. After falling behind 17-0 early in the first half, they battled back to cut the gap to 17-10 at the break. In the second half, Garcia’s one-yard bootleg for a touchdown was answered by an Olandis Gary TD run to keep the spread at seven going into the final quarter. Detroit had two possessions with a chance to tie – but were forced to punt and then the Niners ran out the final 3:19.
“They won today. They deserved to win and on we go,” Mariucci said. “I saw some former players certainly, some of my old staff and that sort of thing, and they’re doing a heck of a job and it was good to see them… It was a little different being there on the other side of the field.”
It was the first since Mariucci departed, but not the first time he was on the other side facing the Niners. Mariucci was a member of the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff under John Robinson when they played on Monday Night. He was also with the Green Bay Packers for a playoff game.
“But not as a head coach, so it was a little different and, of course, knowing the Niner players so well and coaches so well made it a bit different… I suppose it was a little bit of everything. It was a little hard. It was exciting. It was different,” said Mariucci, who wasn’t short on words for Garcia. “That’s what he’s been doing for years. He’s been making plays with his legs and that’s what separates him from some other quarterbacks. He can pull it down and run for a first down.”
Garcia was happy to see his old coach as well.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Mariucci. I love the guy as a coach and as a friend,” Garcia said. “As much as it’s hard to see him on the other side of the field, it’s great just to see him.”
It was also promising to see the Niners possibly turn their season around – which was the most the important thing for owner John York.
“It was a game that meant a lot to this organization because we needed to come back and get a win. We dropped three in a row. We needed a win today,” York said. “Our need for a win today far outweighed playing Detroit and Steve Mariucci.”
Niners’ coaching great Bill Walsh was also glad to see the positive result.
“Let’s just hope we build on it,” Walsh said. “If we look at the last part of last season was the same, we weren’t in sync last year for a good part of the year. Jeff’s statistics dropped way off. Yet today we made some plays. It’s something to build on. There’s every reason to be optimistic and be positive.”
