Goldson is Down

Dashon Goldson is getting assistance on what looks like a leg injury. He was able to walk off the field. Returner Allen Rossum left with a back contusion, and he was getting X-rays. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich is out with back spasms.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 21 2008 at 07:44 PM

Clayton Scores

Great TD run by Clayton, who cut back for the 17-yard score. If Clayton can combine vision with tackle-breaking ability, watch out! Tight end Delanie Walker, threw a great block on that play and it was on a defensive end - rookie free-agent Joe Clermond. The 49ers have now scored 34 points for two straight games.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 21 2008 at 07:38 PM

What a Half

I'm exhausted. The 49ers have to be pleased with their half of play, scoring 20 points and getting the offense on track. Alex Smith got his first-string snaps and couldn't get anything going except when he was handed a short field after turnover. Smith used to be feared on the run, but now he grounds balls when on the run. The decison has to made by now. O'Sullivan is your starting quarterback.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 21 2008 at 06:35 PM

Smith leads TD Drive

I didn't see much of a drop off once Alex Smith came in. He just led a touchdown drive against the Bears' first-team defense. I don't know why they took O'Sullivan out so early. Maybe he can come back in? I don't know. Of course, Smith got a short field after a Bears fumble on the kickoff return. Fullback Moran Norris was able to punch it through on short yardage for the score. The 49ers shouldn't pull their linemen on short yardage. It takes too long and doesn't seem to work. It's now 20-10 49ers.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 21 2008 at 06:01 PM

Whoops

The special teams once again let the team down. It looked as if Parys Haralson and Keith Lewis had returner Daniel Manning caught inside the 10, but they lost him and he had a big return. Then Rasheed Davis, the former San Jose Sabercat, burned safety Mark Roman on a double move to catch the touchdown pass. Bears lead 7-3.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 21 2008 at 05:17 PM

Running Wild

So will the 49ers be conservative? The answer on the first drive is yes. Four straight running plays get them down to the Bears' 15-yard line. One player I talked with when offensive coordinator Mike Martz was hired said Martz's running game is hard to figure out and that it he didn't use it enough. He did on that drive, including on 3rd-and-5 in the red zone, which is a little sketchy. Nevertheless a great sign to have the 49ers run so successfully against a good defense.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 21 2008 at 05:06 PM

Locker Room

If an exhibition game was ever glorious to the 49ers, it was this one. Not only did they blow out the Green Bay Packers, a team that hosted the NFC title game, the 49ers emerged with nary an injury. Nothing. Here are some of the notes from the locker room:>-Mike Nolan said that he's no closer to a decision on his starting quarterback. He was asked if he'd adhere to his off-season hope of naming a starter before the third exhibition game, which is Thursday in Chicago. "If it comes, it comes, if it goes, it goes," Nolan said of the Chicago deadline. "There's no set time table."

-Nolan said defensive end Ray McDonald as someone who stood out to him. He pressured the quarterback and had 1.5 sacks against the Packers first team. The 49ers are using him in tandem with Justin Smith, which worked well Saturday night. He also mentioned wide receivers Josh Morgan and Jason Hill.

-When asked what wrong tonight, Nolan said there was coverage breakdowns on special teams.

-There was press-box debate over Alex Smith's high pass to Hill in the end zone. Who was at fault, Smith or Hill?

-I marvel at Alex Smith. How is he able to bury his best friend and still play? I lost a childhood friend 10 years to brain cancer and I didn't travel to 49ers' game in Buffalo. I was devastated. Nolan acknowledged Smith's strength. "With all the adversary he faced, he did a nice job," Nolan said. "I was proud of him." Smith's good friend, David Edwards, committed suicide last Sunday and Smith went to a service held in his parents' back yard during the week.

-Nolan liked the continuity on the offensive line. He said that Tony Wragge has graded out among the top two or three linemen throughout training camp. He might be hard to unseat as right guard.

-Running back Michael Robinson said he could play now, but as a precaution, the team will probably hold him out until final preseason game against San Diego.

-Nolan said he wanted to keep the win in perspective. It was only a preseason game. But let's face it, it was a big one and their play was something they simply haven't showed until tonight.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 16 2008 at 09:57 PM

Fields Recovers Fumble

It will be interesting to look at the replay of the game to watch Rachal. His effort is there, he wants to hit somebody, but on second down, he missed everyone on a trap block. He did very well stopping a Packers' stunt on a pass to the end zone to Jason Hill. The throw was high, but Hill should have made a better effort. Pass interference on Jarrett Bush, who was trying to cover Cam Colvin, put the ball on the Packers' 1. Then Thomas Clayton scores going right over Rachal. The rookie is having a good game. How about this stat at 2:56 left in the third quarter - 49ers: 315 yards. Packer: 82.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 16 2008 at 08:21 PM

Eye on Jason Hill

Jason Hill is not running his routes with a lot of verve. Going over the middle he was tentative. On an out route, he slipped coming out of his break and didn't catch the pass that was right on the numbers. On third down, Hill was smothered by the left cornerback and Smith had to go to his second receiver and he threw too high to him.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 16 2008 at 08:15 PM

Jordy Nelson Big Return

When do the special teams begin to be a concern? Rookie receiver Jordy Nelson got a big return to set up a field goal by the Packers. I really liked Nelson coming of Kansas State this year.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | August 16 2008 at 08:09 PM