SF's other coordinator

<p>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- This first-year coordinator does not have the tag of being too conservative.</p><p>This first-year coordinator is not the subject of endless complaints and scrutiny. Heck, few people even know this first-year coordinator's name.</p><p>Greg Manusky played 12 seasons in the NFL as a part-time linebacker and full time on special teams. He rarely found himself at the center of attention, other than his 1991 selection onto the All-Madden Team.</p><p>Since 49ers coach Mike Nolan hired Manusky in February as defensive coordinator, he has remained under the radar while things have not gone so well for first-year offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.</p><p>Manusky (rhymes with husky) is the coordinator that nobody is talking about, so that must mean he is doing a good job.</p><p>"For a first-time play-caller, he's done a nice job," Nolan said.</p><p>The 49ers enter today's game against the New York Giants on a three-game losing streak. But no fingers are being pointed at Manusky and his unit.</p><p>Manusky has helped assimilate five newcomers into the starting lineup.</p><p>Rookie linebacker Patrick Willis and cornerback Nate Clements have made the most significant impacts for a unit that is playing a lot better than its No. 20 league ranking.</p><p>In fact, the only reason the 49ers have two victories this season is because of the defense.</p><p>The 49ers would have a better ranking if the offense could put together some drives and chew up the clock.</p><p>"The way I look at it, it doesn't matter," Manusky said. "The only thing that matters is the W on the board. I stress that. If we're losing, we can always do more. And if we're winning 31-30, it's still a win."</p><p>In the first five games, the 49ers have managed just 56 first downs. Therefore, the defense has been on the field for an average of 68 plays a game, while the 49ers' offense has averaged just 53 snaps.</p><p>It is logical to think the 49ers' defense will wear down if it continues to be on the field so much.</p><p>Manusky's reply to that?</p><p>"I don't care where the other team gets the ball," he said. "I don't care how quickly we have to get back on the field. I don't care about any of that. All I care about is that we do the best job we can do and help the team win games."</p><p>Manusky spent the previous five seasons as San Diego Chargers linebackers coach under Marty Schottenheimer. Nolan spent 11 seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator before the 49ers hired him as head coach.</p><p>Nolan handled most of the coordinator duties his first two seasons with the 49ers before firing Billy Davis, who held the coordinator title during that time. Nolan said he does not interact much with Manusky during a game.</p><p>Instead, they map out their plan during the course of the week.</p><p>"Most of my work goes into setting up the game," Nolan said, "whether it be the plan that we put in for the plays we use and all that. That's where most of my help with him goes. We meet every day of the week, and then on Friday and Saturday we solidify some of the calls.</p><p>"We watch film together. I give suggestions for this situation or that situation, all the things that can happen which helps him always be prepared for something new that might happen in a game."</p><p>Manusky worked with Dallas coach Wade Phillips, who was defensive coordinator of the Chargers. But the 3-4 style of defense of the 49ers is 100 percent Nolan-approved.</p><p>"I see the continuation of the philosophy that Mike Nolan established when he came to San Francisco," Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. "Greg has grown in that role very well."</p><p>This defense likes to mix things up. In the first five games, the 49ers blitzed 43 percent of the time on third-down passes. Because they lack a top-tier pass-rusher, Manusky has gotten creative. The 49ers have seven of their 11 sacks on blitzes.</p><p>"Greg is great," Nolan said. "He's got really thick skin, he's smart and he's a real quick learner. He's going to be really good, and so is Jim (Hostler)."</p><p>Manusky certainly has empathy for Hostler, whose offense ranks last in the league and is on pace to be the league's worst offense since the start of the 16-game season in 1978.</p><p>"He's doing the best he can do," Manusky said. "We're all working hard and doing the best we can do."</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt. maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>