SAN FRANCISCO – Vernon Davis caught his second touchdown pass in as many games Sunday, and this time he wasn't hit with an illegal-celebration penalty.
But that doesn't mean the 49ers' hot-headed tight end was free from controversy.
For the third consecutive game, television cameras caught Davis in a compromising position, this time jawing with teammate DeShaun Foster after Foster lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.
"Man, you guys see everything," coach Mike Singletary said when asked about the sideline rift between the tight end and running back. "You know what? All I can tell you is this – sometimes in a family you have disagreements."
Foster made a quick exit from the locker room after filling in for Frank Gore in the fourth quarter. Foster, who had 11 carries entering Sunday's game, ran the ball 10 times for 17 yards.
Davis, meanwhile, sloughed off the encounter as one teammate trying to motivate another. He and the team's running backs routinely get in each other's faces after they make mistakes, he said.
"That's how we push one another. I told Frank early on in the season … I said, 'Frank, if you see me make a mistake, drop a pass, miss a block, you (should) come to me. … You (should) come to me and tell me, 'Yo Vernon, pick it up. Get in my face.' That's what it's got to be about. That's how good teams become great. Don't take it personally. Don't be mad. You've got to know how to deal with it. That's what it's about."
Disharmony? What disharmony? – The 49ers' public relations staff has been trying to quash rumors of discord between Singletary and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Still, Singletary took what seemed to be a veiled shot at Martz after the game when asked if an offense's job was to simply pile up the yardage and points.
"Well, not at the expense of the defense," Singletary said. "Not at the expense of the team. We're talking about the offensive coordinator and the defensive coordinator taking care of each other … sometimes the offense can go and move the ball, but the defense has to be ready to get them the ball. Special teams have to do a great job of field position … we have to help each other.
"And that's when we become … a great team. Otherwise, you have a bunch of gurus, but not winners."
Martz has long been known as an "offensive guru."
Waving the red flag – The 49ers are 0-6 on replay challenges this season. The latest failure came on a 29-yard catch by Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery along the sideline. One official initially said Avery was out of bounds while another said he was in.
As the play was being reviewed, however, Rams coach Jim Haslett erupted on the sideline and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, making it a net gain of only 14 yards.
Et cetera – Safety Michael Lewis injured his left knee, and fullback Michael Robinson had a shoulder stinger. Both returned to the game. Cornerback Tarell Brown left the game because of a neck strain.
• With Delanie Walker (shoulder) out Sunday, newcomer Sean Ryan saw his first action of the year. Ryan, a tight end, lined up as a fullback on Gore's one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
• The 49ers' 35 first-half points were the most they've scored in a half since 1992 when they put up 42 points against Atlanta.
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