The seeds of yesterday's win over Jacksonville were planted last week in Green Bay. Those of us who were there that day picked up on a vibe in the visitor's locker room. The 49ers players are never happy about a loss. But in Green Bay, the atmosphere was different. Players were talking amongst each other more. There was a palpable sense of frustration. A couple of the players voiced their frustration at the time - that if the 49ers simply moved to the spread offense at the start of games, they would put defenses on their heels.
"It was basically after the Green Bay game," tight end Delanie Walker said today. "Because we saw what we can do when we were in the spread offense, when we take the ball and spread the defense out. That's really when the light went on and the guys were like, maybe we should say something to the coaches and see if we can make a change. They tried it last week and I think everybody was happy with the solution."
According to Mike Singletary, the ambassadors who relayed these frustrations from the players to the coaching staff were Vernon Davis and Alex Smith. Davis said something to Singletary during the Green Bay, and of course, he said things after the game to reporters that were then read by Singletary. Smith's involvement was more subtle. Singletary said he came to Smith and asked for suggestions about the offense and then told Smith to share those ideas with offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. The result: The best offensive game plan of the season.
*******************
Singletary seems to be keeping an open mind toward retaining back-up left tackle Barry Sims when Joe Staley (knee) returns to the lineup, perhaps for the Dec. 14 Monday night showdown with Arizona. "I won't go there right now," Singletary said when asked if Sims was among the team's five-best linemen. Singletary did say that when Staley returns, he'll play left tackle. That suggests that either Sims or Adam Snyder could be at right tackle when Staley returns. Snyder certainly has had issues at right tackle, but Singletary went out of his way to praise both him and right guard Chilo Rachal today.
As for Staley, he went through a full workout this morning that included a fair amount of running. When he got hurt, he circled the Cardinals game for his return because it was six weeks after his injury. Doctors gave him a 6-8 week prognosis. Now that game is shaping up as one that will decide the NFC West race once and for all.
*******************
Singletary said that there was no excuse for Davis not making the Pro Bowl this season. But that doesn't mean he's easing off on the tight end. Davis had three drops in Sunday's game, and Singletary reminded him of that today. "The great tight ends catch those balls. It's as simple as that," Singletary said he told Davis.
*********************
Singletary also said he was surprised that Michael Crabtree had a couple of flubs, including one on a beautifully thrown pass by Smith in the end zone. The ball simply went through Crabtree's hands. Said Singletary: "He needs to join Vernon after practice and just work on catching the ball."
********************
Singletary doesn't want to get ahead of himself. But the reality is that yesterday's win, coupled with Arizona's loss, has opened the door a crack in the NFC West. Should the 49ers win Sunday in Seattle (4-7) and the Cardinals lose at home to Minnesota (10-1), then the following week the 49ers could reclaim the division lead with a win over Arizona. They'd have the same record, but the 49ers would have the tiebreaker by virtue of two head-to-head wins over Arizona. "I told the players last week, it's all in front of us. Everything we have is in front of us," Singletary said.
*******************
As far as injuries:
Josh Morgan has a hip bruise, Kentwan Balmer has a shoulder sprain, Parys Haralson has a thumb bruise and Curtis Taylor has a hip strain. Taylor's is the most serious, and he will have an MRI today. He was seen walking in the 49ers locker room. Singletary said that Nate Clements (shoulder) probably won't be back until the team's Jan. 3 finale in St. Louis.
-- Matt Barrows
