News of the day

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A newsy Monday to be sure, here are the highlights:

Dre Bly took the very unusual step of apologizing to the media for his showboating antic in yesterday's 45-10 loss to Atlanta. Bly addressed the media at Mike Singletary's Monday morning news conference. Several times during his mea culpa, Bly used the word "inappropriate" to describe his actions and that included his hand by the helmet maneuver when his team was down 35-10 to the Falcons in the second half of Sunday's game and for his comments after the game when he said, "Dre has got to be Dre."

Allen Rossum was released.

Allen Rossum was released.

Bly's main message was to apologize for bringing any negativity to the team. Bly went to coach Mike Singletary Monday morning to apologize. Singletary said he didn't realize that Bly had put his hand behind his head during his interception run back, but he caught it on television Sunday night. Singletary said he didn't need to approach Bly, because Bly came to him first.

CONCUSSIONS: On a much more serious note, the 49ers have two players with head injury concerns. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich hasn't played since sustaining a concussion while covering the opening kickoff against the Rams. Ulbrich will undergo a battery of tests at Stanford this week to determine what his next course is going to be.

When asked if he would like to play with his kids and die as a old man, Ulbrich said, "I would like to do that. I have to take all those considerations into account to make my decision."

Ulbrich, who's now the longest tenured active 49er along with long snapper Brian Jennings (10 years each), said the game has changed.

"It's evolved. Players are bigger and faster, but I don't think your skull gets any thicker and I don't think your brain gets tougher," Ulbrich said.

The 49ers also have to be concerned with safety Michael Lewis who sustained his third concussion since the preseason opened.

ROSSUM GONE; MORE CHANGES POSSIBLY COMING: The team released veteran kick returner Allen Rossum and will now leave the return chores up to Arnaz Battle and Delanie Walker. Despite Walker's controversial fumble on a kickoff return; Singletary praised his return ability.

Singletary also said changes might be coming, particularly at right guard, where Chilo Rachal resides. Rachal gave up two pressures in the first half alone. Rachal and right tackle Tony Pashos also got mixed up on their assignments during a crucial sack in the second quarter after the 49ers recovered a Falcons fumble. The sack took them out of field goal range and the game turned from that point. On the sack, the Falcons only rushed three and got to Hill at the three-second mark.

The options are to go with the man who Rachal replaced last year, Tony Wragge or to move Adam Snyder inside to right guard. It all begs the question, "Who is the right guard?"

PREPARATION: Singletary blamed himself and his coaching staff for not preparing the team. While Shaun Hill and Alex Smith did additional research on the Falcons coming out of the bye, the coaches should have done the same thing. Then, maybe, they would have seen that Atlanta has the capacity to blitz and play man coverage with lots of blitzes.

With the 49ers strong run emphasis, teams are apt to change their defensive approach. The Vikings were predominantly a cover 2 team but against the 49ers they went with eight men in the box and played more man coverage.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 12 2009 at 01:59 PM

Listed Under: Monday Morning Quarterback