J-E-T-S Game

For the first time in his life including Pop Warner, Nate Clements will miss a game. Niners try an onside kick, which fails.

Jets Drive

Three and out after the onside. Tight end Dustin Keller dropped a first-down pass. The 49ers are staying with the nickel defense on passing downs that worked so well last game.

49ers Drive

Micheal Robinson, who has carried much, fumbled to end a huge successful first drive. The 49ers had a great mix of plays and formations. It's a great thing it wasn't Frank Gore, who was gloomy last week after fumbling twice in Buffalo. The 49ers did prove they could move the ball against the Jets. Jets take over at their 16 after Calvin Pace recovered.

Jets Drive

Three and out again by the Jets. Isaac Sopoaga made a great stop on third and short for no gain. No first downs for the Jets and Brett Favre yet. Arnaz Battle fumbles the punt return and but the 49ers recover. One reason Brett Favre is 11-1 against the 49ers is partially because he started so fast and he read the defense so quickly. That isn't happening to start this game.

49ers Drive

Touchdown 49ers after Joe Staley recovers a Jason Hill fumble in the end zone. It looks like the 49ers can drive all day against the Jets. Mike Martz is calling an unbelievable game. He calls screens when the Jets blitz, crossing routes against zone coverage, it's like he knows what's coming. If it keeps going like this, the 49ers are going to blow them out. It was 8-play, 76 yard drive, with a 6-yard pass to Jason Hill and the recovery of the fumble by Staley. By the way, Staley hasn't given up a sack or a pressure since the Arizona game I believe.

Jets Drive

Jets completely changed their approach on that drive. They went with three receivers and a shotgun offense and tried to throw to no avail. They even tried a long pass Jerricho Cotchery and Tarrel Brown was painted on him. The pass was incomplete. The first quarter is over, and might be the best quarter the 49ers played all season except for the three fumbles. It should be 14-0.

49ers Drive

The 49ers go four and out. They ran Frank Gore four times and they were faced with a 3rd-and-7. Hill threw a good pass to Bruce, but he was well covered. Hill could have run for the first down. The offensive line is playing like a unit possessed and Vernon Davis is crushing people.

Jets Drive

The 49ers just came down to earth, particularly Donald Strickland, who lost receiver Chansi Stuckey from Stuckey's position in the slot. The big gain set up Brett Favre for a 2-yard run for a game-tying touchdown. So much for the blow out. 7-7.

49ers Drive

The 49ers need to calm down. They fumbled four times now but only turned the ball over once. Players in unfamiliar positions are fumbling: Michael Robinson as a RB; WR Jason Hill driving for the end zone, Arnaz Battle returning punts and Delanie Walker returning kickoffs. The 49ers go for it on 4-and-short from their side of the field and they get it, by 3 yards. H-back Sean Ryan threw a fine block. Vernon Davis then caught a 20-yard pass down the middle and he made a fine catch. Davis is the last person to leave the practice field because he catches extra passes. It's paying off. A sack of Hill is attributed to Adam Snyder. He hasn't protected well this year. Nevertheless they are the verge of scoring a TD with a third-and-goal from the 4.

49ers Drive Continued

Touchdown 49ers. Frank Gore walked in after taking a pass in the right flat. On KNBR, Gary Plummer said Gore was DE Bryan Thomas's responsibility. Thomas blitzed, Gore was left wide open. 49ers 14-7.

HALFTIME ANALYSIS

The 49es put together drives of 8, 8 and 14. They've been able to do what the Jets like to do; short passes and tough runs to keep the sticks moving. If Mike Martz keeps calling games like this one, he might even keep his job. Can you imagine how excited everyone would be if Martz hadn't messed up the end of the Cards' game?

This game completely belongs to the offensive line. They are blocking like demons and protecting Shaun Hill as if they were wounded grizzlies. I've never seen a quarterback have so much time.

THIRD QUARTER

49ers Drive

Frank Gore injured what looked like his left ankle after a 5-yard gain up the middle. Mike Singletary helped him to the bench while the game continued once Gore got to the sidelines. Gore got up and started to move his feet and a trainer almost had to grab him and throw him onto a cart. He's been taken the locker room presumably for X-rays. The 49ers punted, and we'll see how they continue with their best player injured.

Jets Drive

The defense wasn't impacted by the Gore injury. The press box said that Gore has a left ankle injury and that his return is questionable, which doesn't tell you much. Its the third three-and-out for the Jets today.

49ers Drive

Shaun Hill gets intercepted and the Jets return it to the 49ers' 45. Hill immediately went Isaac Bruce and started to motion to him. I think he expected him to cut outside rather than inside. This could be a game-changer. Earlier in the drive I can't believe Kris Jenkins jumped off-sides on fourth-and-short. Hill didn't do any motion, or any hard counts.

Jets Drive

Jets make easy work of the 49ers on the TD drive. Thomas Jones scored on a 17-yard scamper. The Jets o-line dominated on that drive and on the TD run, where Jones cut back and got to the end zone. It's 14-14. This where the Jets better talent could start to take over. Gut check.

49ers Drive

Jets can't stop 'em. Even with a pair of holding calls, one that nullified a 28-yard TD pass to Delanie Walker, the 49ers keep the drive going. If somebody tells you that Shaun Hill manages the game well, hit him. He's proving to much more than a game manager. Hill can play.

49ers Drive CON't

OK, maybe Hill is just a game manager. The 49ers settle for a field goal. Nedney squeezed the ball inside the right upright. 17-14. Hill still is playing so much better than anyone expected. Get Peyton Manning in here, Tony Romo, whoever you want, Favre and have them playing with this team and have them play better than Hill. I don't see it.

Jets Drive

Kickoff return for a TD?! Called back for holding call. Thank goodness for Ed Hochuli and his propensity for getting himself on TV. He loves to show off the guns and he did it on the return and then he called a hold on the Jets. The Jets aren't good enough to overcome Hochuli's holding calls, and the 49ers apparently are. Start cheering to see the Hochuli guns.

Jets Drive Con't

Where was this defense all year? Unbelievable. These guys are all over the play. Donald Strickland and Aubrayo Franklin are different players. It's amazing. Dumbing down the defense and allowing Franklin to be a one-gap players has remade this defense. Who knew?

49ers Drive

Go ahead. Tell me Shaun Hill is a game manager. Shaun Hill just threw his a TD pass to Byrant Johnson to go up 24-14 with 6:15 left. Terrific drive for a score.

Jets Drive

A three out for the Jets. Brett Favre can look so different from week to week. But on this day, he looks like an old man, who's playing in his 18th season.

49ers Drive

Three and out.

Jets Drive

2:28 left and I'm headed to the locker room.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | December 07 2008 at 01:01 PM

Post Game

The secondary really won this game, that and two chipshot field goals missed by Bills kicker Rian Lindell. Also, Shaun Hill managed the game well in the poor weather. He accounted for one turnover (a lost fumble) on a miserable day in Buffalo. He also managed to throw a TD on the opening drive, a score they held up all day.

"I'm really excited about Shaun and what he brings to the offense. ... and just to see how he handles what we needs to get done and when it needs to get done," a very calm Mike Singletary told Gary Plummer and Joe Starkey on KNBR.

Singletary said the team is responding to Hill's toughness. Takeo Spikes, the former Bills linebacker, said the team was destined to win this game. Both Spikes and Singletary gave credit to the defensive coaching staff for setting up their red zone defense. Spikes said that spends Tuesday and Wednesday nights watching film with Nate Clements and Patrick Willis to get a jump on the week of preparation.

The win also makes a defeat of the Jets next Sunday in Candlestick a possibility.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 30 2008 at 01:09 PM

BILLS-49ERS

FIRST QUARTER

49ers First Drive

The 49ers score on their most impressive drive of the season. A long one where the 49ers overcame an off-sides penalty (Vernon Davis) and a 4-yard loss inside the red zone by Frank Gore. It looks like offensive coordinator Mike Martz is getting it; in order for Shaun Hill to be effective, he needs to run Gore often. Seven rushes by Gore on that TD drive punctuated by a 12-yard TD pass to Isaac Bruce. It allowed Hill plenty of time. He was 4-of-5 on the drive and had plenty of time.

Bills First Drive

Buffalo went seven plays and converted two third downs before punting. The 49ers brought pressure on nearly every play, instead of dropping eight, which is what I thought they might do. The Bills went with three or more receivers on five of their plays. The Bills obviously believe they can throw against a defense ranked 29th against the pass.

49ers Second Drive

The 49ers punt, but this game is setting up well for them. Rookie Leodis McKelvin, who had two interceptions last week, is really struggling with Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. The 49ers were forced to punt when Jason Hill didn't run past the first-down marker on third down. The Bills blitzed in that drive but still had trouble getting pressure.

SECOND QUARTER

Bills Drive

Buffalo is driving as the 49ers can't stop them on third down and defense is also confused. They are blitzing but failing to cover down field. They allowed Josh Reed a free pass past the first down marker when the 49ers failed to cover him after a cornerback blitz. With that said, the 49ers are finally getting varied on passing downs. Going with a 3-3-5 alignment at times, instead of the predicable four-man rush. Bills miss a 20-yard field goal. Wow. That's got to be a huge lift for the 49ers. Mike Singletary said the 49ers window for error is small, but things are setting up for them in this game. The 49ers are reeling on defense. In the last drive they tried to go with a 3-4 even against the Bills 3- and 4-receiver sets. It wasn't working, so they switched to their big nickel package with Donald Strickland coming as the extra defensive back.

49ers Drive

Could the 49ers being running too much? Is that possible under Mike Martz? Possibly. They went with a couple of runs to Gore, despite the glaring target of rookie McKelvin playing at corner. The rookie is struggling. It's another example of the coaches' inability to adjust to game situations. The 49ers were forced to punt.

Bills Drive

The 49ers force a punt and a poor kick sets them up at the 46. It still appears as if the 49ers are searching on defense. They should drop more players into coverage. The Bills receivers have trouble getting open and Trent Edwards, sometimes, has trouble reading the field.

49ers Drive

Great field position and no movement because of a dropped pass by Dominique Zeigler on third down. 49ers punt but only to the 21.

Bills Drive

49ers recover the fumble, Patrick Willis and aa Bills linemen knock the ball loose.

49ers Drive

Joe Nedney just hit a 51-yarder in the freezing rain of Buffalo, what a great kick. It's 10-0 and in this weather, that's a big lead.

Bills Drive

Bills started in 49ers' territory after the squib kick hit a Bill. With 15 seconds the Bills couldn't do anything, largely because Rodrick Green pressured Trent Green.

First Half Analysis

No speeches at halftime, please. The 49ers should just concentrate on getting warm on a miserable day, particularly Shaun Hill, who came out without sleaves. He might want to get some gortex after a hot shower, the man looks cold. If Mike Singletary does want say something, he might want to talk about finishing, one of the six edicts that his team hasn't done yet.

This would be a big win for Singletary and the first time a NFC has gone East to beat an AFC team this year. The 49ers are, so far, showing more effort, even though the Bills are vying for a playoff spot. Walt Harris did start the game despite his sore hamstring and the secondary has done fine work. Maybe Harris doesn't want Tarrel Brown starting in his spot.

Hey, the next time you see the replay of Shaun Hill's 12-yard TD pass to Isaac Bruce watch when he comes to the fans behind the end zone. He wants to hand the ball to a guy in a 49ers jersey in the first row, and a Bills fan knocks it out of Bruce's hands. It's pretty funny.

Do you think the Bills are re-thinking their decision to give the 49ers the ball on the opening drive? The 49ers drove for a touchdown when it wasn't raining. The 49ers now have a 10-0 lead and the weather is supposed to get worse with possible snow in the second half.

Hill was 9-15 for 109 yards while Gore got 28 yards on 14 carries.

THIRD QUARTER

Bills Drive

After a long kickoff return, it might be J.P. Losman who's going to start at quarterback. Edwards has a groin injury. Jeff Ulbrich is in the game, so their might be another injury. A holding call forces a punt. Nate Clements flopped when he returned the punt while out of bounds, hoping to get a personal foul call. He didn't get it.

49ers Drive

Wow, the 49ers narrowly escaped a safety after Shaun Hill went into the end zone and then threw the ball away. Bryant Johnson came back for the ball or that would have been a 2-pointer. Gore fumbled during the drive and then recovered his own fumble. The 49ers know they have to finish and they know they have to secure the ball, and they look very tight trying to do it.

Bills Drive

A 50-yard run by Marshawn Lynch set the Bills up for a short field goal. Now it's 10-3 and the momentum is shifting. The 49ers are blitzing often and keeping a lot of players at the line of scrimmage, which can set up the big run. Donald Strickland made a knockdown in the end zone to force the field goal. Now the 49ers need to do something on offense. They need a trick play or to run the no-huddle, something to shake them up.

49ers Drive

Gore fumbled, he hit the ground, but he was tripped by David Baas and after a review, the Bills get the ball after a long drive by the 49ers. It was a good call. The 49ers did shake it up with passing. Shaun Hill has come out and is getting offense moving. That's the difference between Hill and the team's recent quarterbacks. He always has the ability to move the ball, and the others didn't. Sometimes, you just knew that Alex Smith and JTO weren't going to move the team at times. The Bills challenged whether the ball was tipped, it wasn't.

Bills Drive

The Bills went for it on 4th-and-2 from the 49ers' and Ray McDonald disrupts the pass after four seconds. The secondary did their job that time. Huge play. If the 49ers win, it will be because of their secondary particularly Walt Harris. Of course I can't see secondary from the TV replay, but it appears the secondary is staying on top of receivers, meaning they aren't letting them get deep for the big play. However, that conservative style opened up a 14-yard completion to the tight end Derek Schouman to keep the drive alive earlier. The Bills are throwing underneath with effectiveness and the 49ers aren't getting any pass rush, which is another credit to the secondary.

49ers Drive

Sack, fumble on third down, but Shaun Hill recovers in the pile, out fighting a couple of defensive linemen. Hill's ability to bench press over 400 pounds might have helped him there. But the 49ers will have to punt from their own end zone. The Keith Lewis gets caught for a personal foul. The Bills will have the ball at 49ers' 25. Lewis's emotion lifts the special teams, but he can get caught for the PF. The defense has got to continue to bend-not-break.

Bills Drive

The defense stops them, and Rian Lindell, reviving the ghost of Scott Norwood, misses the field goal again. He's missed two short field goals, hitting the up right both times. The omen meter is listing strongly towards the 49ers. They still lead 10-3. I really like to see the 49ers attack the edges of the Bills' defense now. The Bills DE's are undersized.

49ers Drive

The 49ers have to punt after getting one first down and now the Bills will have a chance with two minutes remaining and one timeout. It's so clear on offense, the 49ers desperately need a pass protecting right tackle and a ramming fullback. Adam Snyder completely whiffed on defensive end Chris Kelsay, which didn't allow Hill a chance on third down. The inability to get a good lead block hurts the team when they are trying to run out the clock.

Bills Drive

On this drive, Walt Harris, who's having a tremendous game, is out and Tarrel Brown is replacing him. Watch for that.

The 49ers get pressure on the last two plays, and Bills can't get a first on 4th down. The 49ers will win. The first time a team from the West has defeated a team in the East on a 10:00 a.m. start. What a win.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 30 2008 at 10:02 AM

DALLAS

Chilo Rachal will start at right guard.

49ers First Drive

Shaun Hill looks sharp. He only had one incompletion and that was on third down when the 49ers didn't block Ware for some strange reason. Hill had to throw it away. Nedney missed a long field goal on the first drive.

Cowboys

Frustrating Terrell Owens? Check. That happened on the first drive. Owens didn't have a reception on a failed third down, Tony Romo's pass to TO was off. The 49ers got good pressure

.

49ers

Where's the pass interference?! Hill had Jason Hill but he got mugged by CB Anthony Henry and no call in the end zone. The 49ers get a Nedney field goal. Nevertheless, Shaun Hill is breaking new ground. He's playing well against a good team. He struggled last year against the Buccaneers' defense and two weeks in Arizona. In this game he started 7 of 10 for 98 yards with two passes thrown away. He's also gotten blitzed constantly and been pressured on the last four throws of the drive. He completed three of them for 56 yards, including a 34-yarder to Issac Bruce, who left the game earlier with a gash in the back of his head. On Bruce's first reception, his helmet flew off and the back of it dug into head. He went to the locker room for stitches and returned. He's also having a big day. The 49ers did get jobbed on the call, but Hill's composure is impressive.

Cowboys

Three-and-out. Three passes to Owens and no completions. They tried to go deep to him but the 49ers had him double-covered.

49ers

The good news, the 49ers are beating up the Cowboys and moving the ball. The bad? No touchdowns. They could be up 17-0 with a made field goal and two TD's in the red zone. Instead, it's 6-0. Pass protection hasn't been good and the Cowboys continue to blitz. Hill has completed two long passes, one to Bruce and another Vernon Davis. In Friday's practice, they wore out Davis. He's should get a lot of action today.

Cowboys

TD TO! 75 yards. He beat Nate Clements and I'm not sure what Clements was doing. They had Owens covered short and Clements deep, but he was flat-footed when Owens came at him. He ran into him and got called for a PI. Then Owens caught it and shedded the Clements tackle. So much for frustrating Owens. 7-6 Boys.

49ers

Two sacks, a blocked punt and it's 9-6 Cowboys. The 49ers are collapsing. They are making mistakes on every play since the TD pass to TO. Clements was caught flat-footed and they tried to punch the ball loose instead of making the tackle. Marcus Hudson missed a block on the kickoff and Rossum was tackled at the 16. Bajema missed a block and Hill was sacked after 1.5 seconds. And no one blocked the Polk who blocked the punt. They've got to regroup.

Cowboys

They force a punt; the defense is doing its job except for one play. Allen Rossum just went down without getting hit. He's had groin and hamstring trouble. This looks like a serious injury. The Cowboys downed the ball at the 1. Owens dropped a pass on the last drive. He's caught 1 of 4 passes thrown to him but it was a 75-yard TD.

49ers

Three runs from 1. Come on. The 49ers don't take a chance, they get 3 yards on 3 Gore carries and then the Cowboys return the punt to the 49ers' 35. That's been so conservative that you actually give Dallas an opportunity. Rossum has a right ankle strain and is going to the Locker Room for X-rays.

Cowboys

Field goal by Nick Folk after a three-and-out for no yardage. The defense is really playing well, but I don't understand what the Cowboys are doing. They aren't running and they many using their three-receiver set. Why aren't they running? The 49ers are also getting some bad luck.

49ers

Three and out by Niners. Hill missed Gore on third down, he had him on DeMarcus Ware, but he didn't throw the ball out in front enough.

Cowboys

Another field goal for the Boys. It's 15-6. The Cowboys got in position with a 45-yard completion to TO, that shouldn't have happened. Romo is off; he's missing open receivers all over the place. The only thing he has is Owens. He HAS TO BE DOUBLED. And the 49ers didn't do that.

49ers

Fumble, botched snap, Cowboys recover. Zach Thomas should have scored but didn't because the whistle blew.

Cowboys

Touchdown to Bennett the tight end and it's 22-6 Dallas.

HALFTIME

With the end of the half, Shaun Hill threw the ball into the Texas Stadium turf in disgust. I put this half on the coaches. They never should have started Rachal in this game, a rookie on the road in a loud stadium against a team with a fierce pass rush after the offensive line was finally coming together. Rachal didn't make any big mistakes, but clearly the pass protection was set back in the first half and Hill didn't have time.

Secondly, with Tony Romo clearly missing on his short throws and with the Cowboys bent on passing, the 49ers should have doubled Owens on every play. On his 75-yard TD he was was doubled and Clements just blew the coverage. But on his 45-yarder that set up another field goal, he wasn't. Clements is still the highest paid corner in the league, but the 49ers have to recognize he can't handle TO one-on-one.

Thirdly, on KNBR, Gary Plummer made a great point. With Rossum out of the game with an ankle injury, the 49ers are continuing to use cross field kickoff returns with the slower Delanie Walker. They need to adjust and go with a straight ahead wedge return. That's what got them the TD in Arizona on the opening kickoff a few weeks ago.

THIRD QUARTER

Wonder if Singletary kept his pants on at halftime.

Cowboys

Another TD by the Cowboys and another long pass to Owens of 53 yards, which set up the short TD pass to Patrick Crayton. Owens was doubled on the play, but Mark Roman was late coming over and Owens blew by him. It's no good to double Owens if you don't stay with him and pay attention to him. I'm surprised, I didn't think the 49ers would get blown out.

On the TD, Crayton beat Parsy Haralson in coverage, a huge mismatch and Haralson looked upset talking to Mike Singletary on the sidelines.

49ers

Another field goal by the 49ers. Dallas is still blitzing. After a second quarter when they had minus 2 yards in offense, they seem to be driving again. But they aren't sharp enough to score. It's 29-9. Rossum is out for the day.

Cowboys

49ers stop the Cowboys and now there's a challenge on whether a Romo pass was a lateral. The 49ers recovered. I don't know if there's visual evidence.

They win a challenge.

49ers

Picked off in the end zone. Bad decision, bad pass.

Cowboys

This is one of those games you just want to end. Big hit by Clements knocks tight end Jason Whitten out of the game. He came into the game with tender ribs. The 49ers have been using a different defense on some passing downs, going with a 3-3-5 alignment that keeps Manny Lawson on the field. Lawson has the only sack on the day, but overall the defense hasn't worked. On TV they showed a graphic 31 drop backs by Romo, one sack, hit three times. Not enough. By the way Walt Harris is out with a pulled hamstring. Another field goal by the Boys. It's 32-9 and thankfully it's now the 4th quarter.

49ers

Three-and-out, three straight incompletions by the 49ers including a long pass to Bruce on third down. Bruce didn't give it much of an effort on that play. Receiver Dominique Zeigler made a shoe-string tackle on Patrick Crayton on the punt return. Zeigler said this week he hasn't made a tackle since Pop Warner. He made a nice one there.

Cowboys

KNBR does a great job on their broadcasts, but Joe Starkey keeps calling Cowboys running back Tashard Choice, "Chance." The jet lag from covering yesterday's Big Game might be getting to him. Dallas is forced to punt, chosing not go for it on 4th-and-inches. Nate Clements just decked Screndrick, the rookie corner. That's two big hits for him.

49ers

Do you believe in miracles? Eighteen yard TD pass to Isaac Bruce and now it's 32-16. Two more TD's with 2-point conversations and it's overtime! Not likely. Even though this game has been a disappointment, Shaun Hill has held up well under immense pressure. He plays like Tony Romo, with his ability to slink around in the pocket to buy time. Romo did that so impressively today. Onside kick and another bad call by the refs. They said the 49ers were offside when they weren't.

Cowboys

Walt Harris is out of the game with his hamstring injury. Romo stared off so poorly, but now he is 21 of 36 for 322 yards and three scores. He wasn't nearly that good, particularly in the early going. The Titans lost. Buffalo won big over the Chiefs where the 49ers will be next Sunday. The 49ers have done a really nice job on Jason Witten. One catch for 11 yards so far. Dallas isn't backing off their passing formations. They have gone with their 3-receiver set a majority of the time, even though they're up. Another field goal, 35-15.

49ers

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made an appearance on the sidelines. That's one of the worst scenes in sports, Jerry Jones on the sidelines. Niners are driving. Hill escaped the pocket and threw to Bryant Johnson twice and then to DeShaun Foster for a 9-yard score. It's 35-22 and the 49ers will go for 2. Hill does a Harry Houdini to escape the rush but the receiver fell down in the end zone and the pass is incomplete. It stays 35-22.

Cowboys

The Boys recover the onside kick. The Cowboys will now run it. Marion Barber is the best fourth-quarter RB in the league. This game is so strange the 49ers did a lot of things right. They moved the ball, they stopped the Cowboys running game, they had TO frustrated early and Romo was off his game. But they did what the Mike Singletary says they must do - Finish. Owens just went over 200 yards receiving. Insult to injury. officially 7 catches 212, a TD.

What's Mike Singletary going to say after this game? With losses, his intensity and "Can't-Coach-With-'Em" speeches might where thin. Wonder Mike Nolan is thinking? Will he give thanks on Thursday that he's no longer the coach? The Cowboys are going to score again. They're on the 49ers' 15. The 49ers just burned their last timeout. On radio, they said it's 25 degrees in Buffalo right now. The Cowboys kneeling and this game is over.

Thoughts?

I'm going to go have a cookie. Maybe several.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 23 2008 at 09:36 AM

On Board with Singletary

Notes and Quotes from the 49ers' locker room:

To a man, players spoke glowingly of Mike Singletary following the 49ers' 35-16 flattening of the Rams. A moist-eyed Singletary entered his post-game news conference after receiving a game ball from his players.

"He didn't really say anything," linebacker Patrick Willis said of his head coach's reaction to getting the ball. "He tells us all the time how thankful he is that he's here and that he's coaching us. We feel the same way."

Players talked about how they always know where they stand with him.

"Things are black and white with him," wide receiver Isaac Bruce said. "If he doesn't like something, he says it. I can trust him."

When Bruce was asked about playing against the team he spent 14 years playing for he said, "The past is the past. I live in the present and I look forward to the future." Bruce did admit he loves the people of St. Louis.

He probably wishes he was slightly more productive. Bruce caught one pass for 20 yards. After the game he escaped from the 49ers' locker room early to cross the corridor and visit his former teammates.

Players said former Rams coach Mike Martz put together a brilliant game plan, but the 49ers only used a fraction of it. Martz cut back on things after the 49ers sped to a 35-3 halftime lead. Nevertheless, it felt good to Martz, who went through a brutal week. His nephew, 38-year-old Steve Martz is still in the hospital after getting shot in Baja California while racing motorcycles with friends.

Martz said his nephew will be in the hospital for another week. On a much smaller scale, Martz took much of the blame for the disastrous ending in the Cardinals' loss Monday night.

So Martz probably reveled in this 49ers' win more than any other victory this season.

Read More 'On Board with Singletary' »

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 16 2008 at 05:22 PM

RAMS-49ERS

The 49ers hold the Rams scoreless after a missed 40-yard field goal by the Rams.

St. Louis was able to move the ball through short passes. Of the six passes by Marc Bulger, he only held the ball longer than two seconds once, and on that one he was creamed by Rodrick Green after he released the ball.

49ERS DRIVE

Frank Gore keeps making mistakes. He has been called for false starts often this season, he has dropped passes, and after a 37-yard gain on the 49ers' first drive, he fumbled when safety OJ Otogwe punched the ball out of his grasp.

RAMS DRIVE

Stupendous tackle by Patrick Willis on 3rd-and-1 to prevent a first. Man, he's fast.

49ERS DRIVE

Touchdown! 39-yard drive, with Frank Gore going the final 5 yards for the TD on a run the middle. He could have walked in. The offensive line mowed over two Rams' linemen on the play, putting them their backs. A little redemption for Gore after the fumble. After the score, Vernon Davis took the ball and started dancing down the field as if he scored the TD. The man is half-crazed. 49ers 7-0.

RAMS DRIVE

Rams kick a short field goal after a long drive (15 plays, 75 yards in 8:11). It's 7-3. The 49ers did well to keep them out of the zone. Just like the 49ers did last season, Nate Clements is plastered on Torry Holt all day, and he's done an excellent job. The left side of the Rams' offensive line is collapsing Justin Smith and the 49ers' right side. That might change because Orlando Pace just went down. The 49ers took Smith out for two straight plays as the Rams continued to run left and Rams got a net of 0 yards on two straight plays without Smith. That's the end of the first quarter and the Rams have a 3rd-and-8 at their 15-yard line. Smith is back in now.

49ERS DRIVE

Mike Martz can install big plays with a Shaun Hill quarterbacked offense. The 49ers just went 69 yards in five plays, and Hill never used a 7-step drop. A 42-yard pass-and-run by Bryant Johnson was the centerpiece, but Hill also found Isaac Bruce for a 20-yard gain. The drive was capped by a 5-yard pass in the back of the end zone to Vernon Davis for his second TD in two games, his only two scores of the year. Bruce wants this game badly. After his ctch

RAMS DRIVE

Fumbled snap; the 49ers' recover. The center got the snap count wrong, because Bulger was surprised by the ball.

49ERS DRIVE

TOUCHDOWN 49ERS. The short 16-yard scoring drive was all Frank Gore. He broke four tackles on two of his four runs, including two when he bounced the goal line play to the right. He ran through one tackle and then stiff-armed Fakhir Brown to score. Gore carried the ball four times. 21-3 49ers.

RAMS DRIVE

Intercepted on a deep pass by Walt Harris and a long return. A tremendous block by Nate Clements on rookie receiver Donnie Avery. Bulger threw into double coverage.

49ERS DRIVE

Touchdown Shaun Hill on a 1-yard run. 28-3 49ers. Hill has been masterful in this game; he scrambled and then found DeShaun Foster for a long gain down to the 1. Foster was in the entire drive with Gore on the sidelines with a towel around his neck. On radio Gary Plummer said his is likely the short passing game Mike Martz has put in for Shaun Hill, and he said that J.T. O'Sullivan might be able to run such an offense. I disagree. Hill has excelled in this game at the impromptu play and he has done very well with pocket presence, something JTO struggled with.

RAMS DRIVE

Another interception this time by Nate Clements over the middle.

49ERS DRIVE

Touchdown. Hill to Bryant Johnson. It's 35-3. Great pass on a fade route to Johnson over Fakhir Brown. The 49ers called a double fade route on the play. Hill will end the first half 12-of-14 for 191 yards two passing TD's and one rushing score. If Mike Martz didn't like Hill before, he has to like him now.

By the way, Frank Gore was in on the last drive, so he's OK. Although, the 49ers might want to take him out now.

THIRD QUARTER

49ERS DRIVE

The 49ers opened with a run-oriented four-play drive that resulted in their first punt of the day. Hill was sacked on third down. The 49ers only consumed 3:34 of the clock. It's the first time all season, they've had to chew clock. In fact it's the first time possibly since the Steve Mariucci era they had to run out the clock. They're not used to this.

RAMS DRIVE

Safety Michael Lewis just went down. He's played a terrific game. Trainer Jeff Ferguson is looking at his left knee. Mike Singletary also came out to check on him. The 49ers already have Dashon Goldson in pajamas on the sidelines. It might be Keith Lewis for the rest of the day. Parys Haralson sacks Bulger after more than four seconds in the pocket and the Rams' punt. They say in press box that Michael Lewis's left knee sprain makes him questionable to return.

49ERS DRIVE - Focus: David Baas

With the game in books pretty much in the books, I'm going to hone in one player. This drive it was David Baas. First play, got push but not enough, Gore ran up his back. Baas seemed confused on who to block on his second play as Gore got 10 yards on the right end. Trap to Baas's side, couldn't get block no gain. Good pass protection by Baas on an incompletion, blocked two guys. Sack by the Rams, but Baas did a really good job moving easily to block two players. Coverage sack on the blitz. 49ers punt.

RAMS DRIVE - Focus: Nate Clements

First play, Clements switches with Mark Roman on a short pass to the right. Clements gets completely turnaround on a completion to Holt. Clements follows Holt to the left side of the formation. Plays man, and the ball goes to the right. Plays zone ball goes to the middle. Pass to Stanley, Clements jumped route and he should have called for P.I. but no call. Clements just playing right corner now and not following Holt. Man coverage on Stanley pass to the right. In all, they throw to Clements twice, he gives up a completion to Holt and then breaks up a pass to Stanley that should have been a penalty. Rams kick a field goals to make it's 35-6.

49ERS DRIVE - Focus: Frank Gore

Gore is covered in the flat by linebacker Pisa Tinoisomoa. Gore open in the flat, Hill throws wide to Billy Bajema. Gore makes one-handed catch on check down and gains 1 yard on the three-and-out. The team lacking the killer instinct. Rod Brooks on KNBR said that Mike Singletary is telling his team to not lose focus. Terrel Brown walks gingerly off the field; looked like he might have gotten concussed.

RAMS DRIVE - Focus Justin Smith

Smith not blocked, gets pressure, but Bulger gets pass off. Smith doubled teamed on pass rush. Smith makes tackle down the field on a completion after getting stoned at the line of scrimmage. The 49ers are reviewing a long completion by Avery. It should be incomplete. On the completion to Avery, Smith didn't get a pass rush against Adam Goldberg, who's in for the injured Orlando Pace. Call stands, which is strange. The Rams' coaching staff just got nailed for a personal foul. It's first and 25 from the 49ers' 37. Now back to Justin Smith. He lines up at DT on a 4-man line. Works on stunt on the right side, and screen goes to the left. Smith at RDT in 4-man line. Bull rush causes quick pass incompletion. RDT again, runs a big looping stunt and doesn't get home. In game for the field goal but doesn't get much pressure as the field goal is good. It's 35-9.

49ERS DRIVE - Focus Isaac Bruce

The way things are going, Mike Singletary won't be happy with how the 49ers are finishing this game. That's one of his edicts - Finish. By the way, this is only the third time in three years the 49ers have scored over 30 points. Bruce in press coverage against cornerback Jason Craft. False start on Vernon Davis. Bruce in slot against Fakhir Brown, false start running back Michael Robinson. Bruce in press coverage with Craft. False Start Adam Snyder. Lined-up against Brown on left side, was open pass to right, dropped by Robinson. Run right, Bruce as the lone receiver runs Brown off deep down the field. A Ram is hurt on the far side, time out. The 49ers went through four straight penalties and apparently, Mike Singletary never said a word. Gary Plummer on radio said there's a guy assigned to Singletary to keep him from blowing up. Interesting. Wonder who it could be. Draw to Robinson and Bruce gets a good block on cornerback Jonahthan Wade after faking the smoke pass. By the way, rookie cornerback Reggie Smith is active for this game and is covering punts. It would be interesting to see him get in the game.

Rams Drive - Focus Patrick Willis

Quick pass to right, Willis was covering RB Pittman on the play. Pittman gets 2 after shedding a tackle from Willis, but he was so quick to even catch Pittman. Deep pass to Dane Looker, Willis covers Looker deep on the incompletion. Good play. Draw, Willis dropping again, and Pittman gets a good gain. Willis gets smashed by a lineman before the tackle is made. Willis blitzes, as Manny Lawson hits runner behind the line. It forces a punt.

49ers Drive - Eric Heitmann

Gets block on short set on a 3-yard pass. Great pull and block on the linebacker on a short gain to Foster. Gets good protection with help on David Baas's man on first down pass and run by Robinson. Wildcat formation, Heitmann doesn't get block Glover. Another wildcat, Heitmann good turn block on Glover, first down on option run by Robinson. Foster left end, Heitmann pulls, doesn't get block, but Foster breaks tackle anyway. Heitman stymies man, Foster fumbles, and Heitmann stil blocks his guy. Turnover Rams.

Rams Drive - Ray McDonald

Playing DT, doesn't get pressure on first two rushes. Shows good speeed on a play to the outside on an third-and-out.

49ers Drive - Mike Singletary

Rod Brooks on KNBR said Singletary had an animated discussion with Mike Martz before the last drive. Martz probably wanted to keep piling it on, and Singletary probably wanted to play ball control. Singletary talked to Foster before he came out on the field, probably talking about ball control. Trainer Jeff Ferguson talked to Singletary briefly during the drive, probably telling him a player is out. It might be Michael Robinson who looks like he might have a shoulder injury.

I'm heading to the locker room.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 16 2008 at 01:14 PM

Wrap Up. What Are They Thinking?

As best I can tell hearing Mike Singletary's post-game news conference and Shaun Hill's interview on KNBR, here's what happened at the end of the game when the 49ers achieved a first-and-goal from the 2 with about 40 seconds left, down by five points.

Hill said that he heard, "spike it" through his helmet speaker and then he saw a slew of new players rushed onto the field and then he had to watch as his team got set so he could spike the ball and stop the clock. Hill showed great composure not spiking it too early, which would have drawn a penalty. So who decided to change personnel groups for a "spike" play? The only justification I could understand was Martz wanted the quick change and then to push into the end zone for the score. Obviously, a bad idea.

Nevertheless, the crisis is averted temporarily when the spike finally comes after a 25-second run off.

The 49ers still have 20 seconds and three downs to score, where everyone would think, "Pass it three times to the end zone with a spread look." Do it mainly because the 49ers are horrible at short-yardage plays. But Martz instead went with short yardage. To his credit, Frank Gore had a touchdown on the second-down play, but he just stumbled. A time out was called to review the play, and the 49ers still had a chance. Three seconds left and the ball at about the 2-and-a-half, and the 49ers go short yardage? They haven't gotten 2 plus yards from their short-yardage formation in the Mike Nolan/Mike Singletary era.

The explanation?

"Coach Martz thought there would be a cavity inside," which sounds like a medical issue. All kidding aside, what is Martz thinking?

Singletary looked as if he might break down after the game and he barely clung to his thin veneer of composure.

"It's very difficult to put into words everything I feel," Singletary said in measured tones. "I'm (trying to be) very calm."

Singletary also revealed a little of what he told his team in the locker room.

"I came in and told the team what it is," he said. "We're that team that got ourselves up and ready to go. We are that team with a vision that did not get earned."

Singletary was talking about his five-point motto he has pinned up throughout the 49ers' facility: 1. Total ball security. 2. Execute. 3. Dominate in the trenches. 4. Create great field position. 5. Finish.

Again Singletary. "We played together; we played to win. In the end, we did not finish."

Asked if he was happy with the effort, Singletary said, "I can't say, 'Happy.' if we can't get that we might as well go home. We've got to grow up. The guys are playing real hard, but it's just not good enough."

It might take a couple of days to fully discuss and digest this game.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 10 2008 at 10:34 PM

POST GAME

I've never seen a coach more animated than Mike Singletary in his post-game address to the media. We got the eyes-popping, fired-up, pre-Super Bowl game Singletary. He first started out apologizing for the team's performance and then he went on a tirade that he interrupted in mid-sentence.

"You don't want me to go any further," Singletary said, to which Santa Rosa Press Democrat columnist Lowell Cohn said, "Yes we do. You're doing fine."

Singletary said, "This is going to change. It's going to change because they (and he pointed to the locker room) want it to change."

What was most surprising, when asked to explain what happened on the sidelines with tight end Vernon Davis, he told the truth and recounted the conversation. Davis caught a 7-yard pass and then was nailed for a personal foul when he play-slapped safety Brian Russell. At that point, Davis was pulled and when he came to the sidelines and felt Singletary's glare, he looked at Singletary and said "What?!" After a conversation on the bench, Singletary told Davis that he would benefit the team more if he went in to take a shower and then joined the team on the sideline and that's when Davis got up and left. Singletary wasn't sure if he'd impose any disciplinary action on Davis.

"I told everyone at the beginning of the week, I will not tolerate players that think it's about them when it's about the team," Singletary said still in high-decibel mode. "We cannot make decisions that cost the team and then come off (to) the sideline and it's nonchalant. I would rather play with 10 people and just get penalized ... rather than play with 11 when I know that person is not sold out to be a part of the team. It's more about them than it is about the team. Can not play (with those players). Can not win with them; can not coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners."

Singletary then said that Davis tried to talk to him in the locker room, and Singletary told him, "You don't want to talk to me right now."

For his part, Davis said he didn't think he did anything wrong.

"If the coach thinks I did something wrong, then I have to listen to him," Davis said, "He's the boss."

Singletary wants Davis to be more careful about what he does, to play smarter, which many in and out of the team have advocated. Maybe with Singletary, Davis will be forced to take all aspects of his game more seriously.

Singletary also had words for Takeo Spikes after fullback Leonard Weaver caught a 62-yard touchdown pass, after scoring on a 43-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game. It looked like Spikes thought it was a zone coverage when it was man, which left Weaver wide open on the second touchdown play. Spikes also walked away from Singletary when he came to the sidelines but that didn't seem to irk Singletary as much as the Davis stunt.

Singletary also apologized to the team, which many players objected to, including Manny Lawson.

Read More 'POST GAME' »

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 26 2008 at 06:24 PM

Seattle- Second Half

A new thread and maybe a new game, who knows? It would be fitting if Mike Singletary's middle linebacker Patrick Willis ignited a comeback. He just nailed Maurice Morris for a huge loss on a draw play and then made a tackle for no gain on a screen to force a punt and get the crowd going.

So Shaun Hill comes in and immediately drives the team 56 yards for a field goal. He completes passes with short drops and plenty of checkdowns to Frank Gore over the middle. This is the offense the 49ers should run. They've never had the personnel to run the Mike Martz system. They certainly don't have pass protection to do it, they don't have the quarterback and they probably don't have the receivers. What they have is West Coast offense personnel with a quarterback in Hill who throws short accurately and has a quick release. Many will wonder why Hill didn't start from the get go. He did look awful in training camp, but he's a gamer and Martz is tailoring the offense to his skills. It's 20-6.

There goes a 242-pound fullback out running the entire 49ers' defense into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN! We can talk Mike Martz, JTO, and Shaun Hill all day, but it's this defense that's really been the story as to why the 49ers are about to go 2-6 with their fourth straight loss. It's now 27-6 and if you have leaves in the front yard, rake 'em.

Vernon Davis is out of the game after committing a personal foul. Singletary pulled him out and then Davis refused to talk to him. Singletary then talked to him on the sidelines. Without Davis and Walker who's out with an elbow injury, the 49ers are going with TE Billy Bajema. They are driving however.

Davis in now leaving the sidelines. I think Singletary just told him to take a shower. Wow. And the 49ers just scored a TD, Hill to Hill. Shaun to Jason. It's now 27-13 with 9:57 left.

There goes Leonard Weaver again. The 49ers are making him look like Reggie Bush! Big, long, game-sealing touchdown and see ya later for this game. It's now 34-13. A horse-whipping. Gary Plummer on radio said Weaver beat Takeo Spikes one-on-one again. Singletary just had a conversation with Spikes as well and Spikes wasn't listening. Looking at the replay, it looked as if Spikes thought it was zone instead of man. Ouch.

On KNBR, they are saying Davis left the sidelines on his own! That's a new one. He was having a conversation with Mike Singletary when he grabbed his helmet and gloves and left the field. I'm headed to the locker room.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 26 2008 at 02:56 PM

Seattle - First Half

We're moments away from the official beginning of the Mike Singletary era. Is it a good omen that it's alumni day and the 49ers are in their throwback uniforms? In the tradition of middle linebackers, Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds is here for the first alumni day maybe ever.

The team also announced that Fred Dean will accept his Hall of Fame ring at halftime of the New York Jets' game on Dec. 7.

For those who don't know - here are the inactives for this game:

CB Reggie Smith, S Dashon Goldson (knee), DE Ray McDonald (knee), T Jonas Jennings (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks, T Kirk Barton and C Cody Wallace.

One more note, for those of who wanted the team to draft Red Bryant, you'll see him today, he's on the Seahawks.

Seattle 3-0

Not much difference in this 49ers team from the Mike Nolan era in the first two drives. The 49ers said they worked on ball security all week, but there was J.T. O'Sullivan fumbling on his second play of the game, which led to a three and out.

On defense, the 49ers allowed a field goal drive and on their one 3rd-down-and-longer-than-a-yard, they didn't blitz. In fact they didn't blitz at all during the Seattle march.

Ay Carumba! O'Sullivan fumbled again this time in the Seattle red zone and defensive end Patrick Kerney brought it all way to the 49ers' red zone. O'Sullivan was hit and sacked by Julian Peterson on the play, but the ball left his hand even though he wasn't hit that hard. He got roundly booed. They talked about the size of Alex Smith's hands, but what about J.T.'s? He might be getting a mental block about this ball security issue. The turnover erased a 56-yard yard pass-and-run by Delanie Walker. Mike Martz caught the Seahawks in a blitz on the Walker play. 6-0 Seattle.

Now we are seeing some wrinkles defensively. A lot more Manny Lawson and some different fronts, particularly on passing downs. Twice the 49ers used a three-safety alignment with Keith Lewis, Michael Robinson and Mark Roman. Seattle is driving however. At the end of the first quarter, they are at 49ers' 26 with a 2nd-and-1. The secondary coverage is not tight at all and Wallace is finding plenty of room throwing short.

Seattle 13-0. The Seahawks just went 14 plays and 63 yards for a TD against a passionless defense. On the drive Aubrayo Franklin got flat-backed by Chris Spencer and linebacker Parys Haralson got blocked by a wide receiver. It looked like Seattle could have driven Seattle right into the Bay if they weren't stopped by the end zone.

NO CONDI

A report by Adam Schefter on the NFL Network said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had expressed interest in an executive job with the 49ers, possibly as president of the team. Before Sunday's game, a highly placed source with the team dismissed the idea that she would be coming on board, The source said that it was possible Rice made an overture and that owner Jed York, mostly as a matter of courtesy, would be willing to listen.

A football fan and former Stanford provost, Rice has said her dream job would be NFL commissioner.

The 49ers are on the board after one of the most fractured 41-yard drives you'll ever see. Three penalties, a fumble and an near interception, and sack later, the 49ers put Joe Nedney in position for a 42-yard field goal. Barry Sims was injured on the drive. The 49ers pushed left guard Adam Snyder out at right tackle and replaced Snyder with David Baas. Where's Condi? It's now 13-3.

The 49ers offense continues to sputter and now the 49ers are getting hurt. Sims has an ankle injury and is in the locker room, his return is questionable. Delanie Walker just went out in serious pain with what looked like a left shoulder or arm injury. The 49ers force a punt when Wallace missed a wide open Bobby Engram. The 49ers are getting lucky defensively.

They just said Walker has an elbow injury, his return is questionable.

The 49ers decided to go for it on fourth down from Seattle's 28-yard line and JTO threw a horrible pass that was intercepted by Josh Wilson who returned it 76 yards for a TD. And now Shaun Hill is in the game with score 20-3.

Those who came to the game will now have the treat of seeing the start of two eras. The first being the Mike Singletary era and the second the return of the Shaun Hill era. Next, the Condi Rice era? Where's Condi? That's what the 49ers need is a failed Secretary of State and National Security advisor and expert on the defunct Soviet Union running the team so far into the ground they strike magma. The 49ers don't need Condi Rice, they need Jerry Rice and someone who knows how to run an NFL franchise.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 26 2008 at 12:47 PM