Before Monday's game, 49ers President Jed York voiced strong support for both coach Mike Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan heading into the 2010 season. "I feel that the passion is great, and I like the fact that he's able to instill what he wants into the players," York said of Singletary. "Even if that means he needs to retool it, he's not too stubborn as to say, 'This is who I am, this is what we have to be, you have to adapt to me.' He will adapt to his players as well, and I think you've seen that with the offense a little bit."
York made Singletary the 49ers interim head coach after seven games last season, then gave him the permanent job after the finale last season. Singletary, who signed a four-year contract, is 10-11 in the games he's coached. McCloughan, meanwhile, was hired by Mike Nolan to run the team's personnel department in 2005. He was made general manager early in 2008.
York cited the emergence of tight end Vernon Davis as well as quarterback Alex Smith's progress as evidence that McCloughan was doing a good job. "I think Scot has a great eye for talent, and I think he's great at working with coach Singletary," York said. "And together, they're not just trying to find good players. They're trying to find good players that fit the 49ers."
York also said it was "very important" to have continuity on offense, a comment that suggests that offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye also is safe for 2010. York said the decision to retain Raye would be "Mike's (Singletary) call," but York also had nice things to say about Raye and the offense. "It's a process," he said. "It's not something that happens overnight. But I think you are starting to see the offense come together a little bit. Guys trust Jimmy Raye. They believe in Jimmy Raye. Even though we aren't all the way where we want to be, I think we're moving in that direction."
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York said the 49ers would be a logical candidate to play in London in 2010 but that the team was not actively seeking a spot in the annual game. The London teams usually are determined at the Super Bowl.
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Left tackle Joe Staley (knee) warmed up before today's game, but he is not expected to play. Look for Barry Sims to make his sixth straight start at the position.
The 49ers' inactives for tonight's game:
Staley
OL Cody Wallace
DB Marcus Hudson (back)
CB Nate Clements (shoulder)
LB Diyral Briggs
DL Baraka Atkins
WR Isaac Bruce
Nate Davis is the 3rd QB
For the Cardinals:
CB Greg Toler
LB Reggie Walker
LB Will Davis
OL Herman Johnson
OL Brandon Keith
TE Stephen Spach
WR Jerheme Urban
Brian St. Pierre is the 3rd QB
-- Matt Barrows
