Just touched down in the exotic Caribbean nation of Miami, and after six and half hours without sustenance (Thanks, American) I am now happily wolfing down a surprisingly good fettuccine alfredo in my hotel room. Here's a quick recap of everything 49ers' related:
I never thought that Patrick Willis would be fined for his big hit on Jets receiver Brad Smith, but I checked just in case. The league reported back, and ... drum roll ... no fine. First, it was legal in that Willis drove his right shoulder into Smith. The only reason it might have looked suspect was that Smith was being tackled from behind when Willis hit him, which is what led to that awkward Sgt. Elias moment (who gets it?) when Smith was on his knees.
It looks like Arnaz Battle came back too quickly from his foot injury. Battle, who took over punt-return duties against New York because Allen Rossum and Nate Clements couldn't play, aggravated his foot sprain and is out for tomorrow's game. Mike Singletary said the hope is that Rossum (ankle, probable) would be back to handle punts against the Dolphins. If he can't, the job would be up to Dominique Zeigler, whose experience returning punts in games - wait for it - consists of one opportunity while in high school.
Frank Gore did not practice all week and is questionable. It's looking very unlikely that he will play, but you never say never, especially when it comes to someone who's come back from two ACL tears.
The temperature in Miami currently is 66 degrees. I was just watching the local news and the weatherman says he thinks the showers that had been forecast for Sunday might not materialize. That's good new for Zeigler.
-- Matt Barrows
