[ NFL FOOTBALL ]
49ers, Rams have
Hawaii reunionFormer UH linebackers
Tinoisamoa, Ulbrich reunite
in San Fracisco's victory
over St. Louis
SAN FRANCISCO >> Two former University of Hawaii linebackers took center stage at 3COM Park yesterday. Rookie Pisa Tinoisamoa got his first career interception, but Jeff Ulbrich got the win.
"It feels good, but it sucks when you lose. It doesn't even count," said Tinoisamoa, who also led the Rams with eight tackles in a 30-10 loss to Ulbrich's San Francisco 49ers.
Ulbrich contributed five tackles, including one of the 49ers' five sacks. The two were teammates at UH in 1999, but Tinoisamoa was not eligible to play in games yet.
"I always talk to him before we play each other. A little competition among the Hawaii alumni," Ulbrich said. "I wish him good luck. He's doing great."
The first time the teams met this season, Sept. 14 in St. Louis, the Rams beat the 49ers 27-24 in overtime.
But San Francisco (4-5) dominated St. Louis (5-3) yesterday from the opening kickoff, which Cedrick Wilson returned 95 yards for a 49ers touchdown.
Tinoisamoa wasn't on the field for that play, but from then on he was on the kickoff team. He also played every down of the game at linebacker.
"That means a lot, because coming out of UH a lot of people had me pegged as an in-betweener. So it means a lot," Tinoisamoa said.
Ulbrich would like to play on every down, too. But the 49ers use lots of different personnel packages. So while he is considered a valuable asset and team leader, Ulbrich isn't always on the field.
Linebackers coach Greg McMackin praised Ulbrich's play yesterday.
"He was all over the field," the former Hawaii defensive coordinator said. "He played base and in nickel and dime sometimes, and he played outstanding. He's so tough against the run, but we can use him at times in other roles, too. Our linebackers are all so athletic, we move them around. In certain situations they end up as corners or safeties."
McMackin's lone season at UH was 1999, when the Rainbows went 9-4 in June Jones' first season as head coach after having gone 0-12 the year before. Ulbrich was the star linebacker.
"That year, that turnaround year was the most fun I've ever had in coaching football," said McMackin, who has been teaching the game for 30 years, and coached six first-team All-Americans at Miami, including Warren Sapp.
McMackin said he listened to Hawaii's 13-10 victory over San Jose State on Saturday on the radio.
"Oh yeah, that was pretty," McMackin said of UH's defense in that game. "You know, the (defensive) coaches are the same we had that first year, George Lumpkin, Vantz Singletary, Rich Miano, and I know Cal Lee is a good coach. We always knew June could move the football, and it's nice to see those guys are doing a good job of coaching and the defense is coming around."
Dick Tomey is another Hawaii connection on the 49ers staff. He joined the team as a defensive assistant this season and said he loves being back in coaching after a two-year hiatus during which he did color commentary for UH football telecasts.
"It's been fun and I've learned a lot," said Tomey, who compiled a 158-110-7 record in 24 seasons at Hawaii and Arizona. "The greatest revelation is these guys want to be coached aggressively. They want someone who knows what they're doing, but also someone that they know cares about them. It's not that much different than college football."
Tinoisamoa, who is from the San Diego area, enjoyed the chance to play on the West Coast yesterday. He met up with relatives briefly after the game. He also appreciated getting to see the 49ers with Hawaii ties, despite the final score.
"It's always good to see someone from Hawaii. I saw Coach Tomey and Coach McMackin too, so it was cool, like a Hawaii reunion," Tinoisamoa said.
He said he's getting used to life in the heartland of the United States.
"Ahhh, it's not Hawaii, I'll tell you that," Tinoisamoa said. "But I'm having fun."
