"The Voice From Above"

After calling plays from the sideline in the 49ers' exhibition opener, offensive coordinator Jim Hostler directed the offense from the press box Saturday night against the Raiders. Coach Mike Nolan is using the exhibition season to determine whether Hostler should be stationed on the sideline or upstairs this year. The decision is important because it will determine the chain of communication between the play-caller (Hostler) and quarterback Alex Smith when he's on the field.

League rules prohibit direct communications from the press box to the field, meaning a coach on the sideline must relay the calls to the quarterback when the offensive coordinator is in the box.
That was the case for the Raiders game with Smith and the other quarterbacks getting the calls from Hostler via quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti, who was on the sideline. Hostler, a first-time NFL coordinator, prefers to be stationed on the sideline where he can have direct communication with the quarterback, and in essence, to be able to look him in the eye. That's also the perspective with which he is most familiar, having been on the sideline as the quarterbacks coach last year, relaying former offensive coordinator Norv Turner's play calls from his press box perch.

However, Nolan would rather have his offensive coordinator in the press box.Nolan also said the coordinator can have more of a big picture perspective from upstairs.

Nolan could have Hostler down on the sideline and up in the box during the team's remaining two exhibitions and then make a decision for the season. He said he will take into account Hostler's preference.