PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : NFC PLAYOFFS : 49ers Find Dry Land in Arizona

The San Francisco 49ers, in search of dry ground and a reversal of fortune, have landed in the desert a loose and confident team.

As they prepare in Tempe, Ariz., for Sunday’s NFC title game against Dallas at Candlestick Park, the 49ers are not acting like a team that has lost the last two title games to Dallas.

“Us being loose is a good sign,” linebacker Ken Norton Jr. said. “We all know the magnitude of the game. But we don’t want to change, we want to keep our routine the same, laugh and joke.”

While 49er camp isn’t a comedy club, it’s a refreshing departure.

Quarterback Steve Young, for example, when asked what he had in common with his flashy teammate, Deion Sanders, deadpanned: “We’re the same, except I can’t dance,” Young said. “We’re both workaholics, we’re both professionals. I’m working on closing the gap on dancing. It’s just a matter of time.”

Norton, the former Dallas linebacker, said this team is a different 49er team than the one the Cowboys defeated in consecutive NFC title games.

Norton said the 49ers’ 21-14 victory over Dallas on Nov. 13 was an important first step in re-establishing confidence.

“One point stands out in that game,” Norton said. “Defense. Offense has been taken for granted in San Francisco for a long time. The last time we played them, our defense showed up.”

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Although ominous storm clouds followed the San Francisco 49ers from Santa Clara to Tempe, the team managed to get in a rain-free practice Wednesday at the Arizona Cardinals’ training complex. The 49ers will work out in Tempe today, then return home.

Players downplayed the possible distraction of leaving the state to get in a decent day of practice. “At this point, I don’t care,” receiver Jerry Rice said. “We can go anywhere and practice, so long as we stay focused.”

While the 49ers found solid footing in Arizona, they are not expecting the same come Sunday.

“I don’t care how much they cover the field,” Young said. “It’s going to be a mud slide.”

Rice said a muddy field would benefit him.

“I really have the advantage, because I know where I’m going,” Rice said. “It’s not going to slow me down much. I think the defensive backs might have a more difficult time.”

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Deion Sanders is bored. The cornerback is so gifted a cover man that many teams--the Chicago Bears most recently come to mind--don’t even bother passing to his side.

Sanders should have more of an impact Sunday, as he will most likely be used as a return man on kickoffs for the first time this season.

“That’s why I want to do a little more, because it’s truly frustrating,” Sanders said.

Sanders, however, doesn’t like his chances of playing a few downs on offense.

“When hell freezes over, that’s when I’ll play offense,” Sanders said.

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Left tackle Steve Wallace, sick with stomach flu, did not make the trip but is expected to join the team in time for today’s practice. Right guard Derrick Deese, bothered by a sore ankle, was held out of Wednesday’s practice but Seifert said he will start.