Niner Insider

When Martz Speaks, We Listen

Mike Martz speaks every other Thursday to the media and he's never boring. Among the news of his Thursday chat:

-Wide receiver Josh Morgan might not come back this season from the groin injury he sustained against the Cardinals.

-Martz said Tony Wragge, although he didn't mention him by name, has played well at right guard, but the team is impressed with Chilo Rachal's physical gifts and coaches want to find him playing time. Rachal might not be ready for this Sunday's game in Dallas.

-Martz sounded a little like former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan when talking about Shaun Hill. Greenspan said in testimony before Congress weeks ago that he misjudged Wall Street's ability to regulate itself. Martz said he misread the abilities of Hill.

"His decisions are quick," Martz said of him. "He doesn't hang on to the ball. ... There's no hesitation. That's why I'm a little surprised. ... You've got to really know what we're doing to do that. So he's further along in that regard than I would have expected him to be."

-Martz said that Hill didn't react well to the offense when it was first installed and that's why he struggled in preseason. What Martz didn't know was how much Hill learned while practicing behind J.T. O'Sullivan. Martz figured Hill wouldn't turn the ball over and that he'd "manage" the game well. What he didn't realize was that Hill could do a lot more. "We need a quarterback that can come in and manage things and he did a great job of that," Martz said. "The advantage of that now is his decisions and what he sees is further along than I would have expected, to be honest with you. [Quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner has] done a great job with him too when he wasn’t playing to preparing each week like a starter."

-Martz said he hasn't changed a thing since Hill became the starter, which doesn't seem right. It seems as if Hill's dropbacks are shorter and that he's moving outside the pocket more than O'Sullivan did. But that may be dictated by the defenses the 49ers have played.

-A few weeks ago in a Thursday chat, Martz said he a set number of touches he wanted to get Frank Gore every week, although he didn't say what the number is. On Thursday he said he didn't have a target number of touches for Gore. Martz explained that Gore's carries are dictated by defenses. Presumably, if a defense plays a safety back the cornerbacks play off, Gore will run. If not, the team will pass. Sounds logical.

On the injury front, linebacker Patrick Willis was limited Thursday with a hip problem, but coach Mike Singletary expects him to play.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 20 at 11:13 PM

Hill and Singletary- The Unlikely Duo

Mike Singletary and Shaun Hill appear determined to forge a different kind of relationship than that of predecessors Mike Nolan and Alex Smith. That bond proved ruinous, with Nolan misreading Smith's shoulder injury and the abandoned Smith turning to the media to say, in essence, that his coach wasn't listening to him.

Smith's once gently ascendent career continues to be derailed by his shoulder ordeal and Nolan was ousted by mid-season after his tired adherence to the status quo and his team's stubborn reluctance to win.

It's led to a makeshift alliance between Singletary and Hill, two men who played relatively innocuous support roles at the start of the season. Despite being thrust together, Singletary is making sure to establish an unobstructed and exclusive communication channel with his starting quarterback. He does it by assuring that the demanding Mike Martz doesn't puncture Hill's confidence.

"When somebody else, another coach, beats them up then I think somebody else has to come along and say 'Hey, you know what, it's going to be okay.'" Singletary said. "I remember coaches doing that for me, and it was a lifesaver when I thought I was the worst guy in the world as a player. So, it really makes a difference when you can do that."

Singletary contends that Hill needs "every drop" of Martz's hard coaching. And Hill, who's proven to be no fading flower, said that Martz's practice "heat" hardens him for the game.

"Shaun Hill (in practice) also has Mike Martz on his tail constantly all the time. Everywhere he looks; everywhere he moves," Singletary said. "Mike Martz is demanding, very demanding of him, which is a great thing. I think sometimes Shaun Hill is just really, really excited for game day, so that he can play with a little distance. So I think he's happy on game day."

One other point that Singletary might not have considered, Hill is not Martz's quarterback. Even at the end of the blow out win against St. Louis last Sunday, Martz inserted favorite J.T. O'Sullivan into the game even though Hill needs every snap. On some level, Singletary must feel this, and that's why he makes sure to support Hill.

And that's why Hill and Singletary might just make it. Both are accustomed to doing more to make a path for themselves. As a Hall of Fame linebacker, Singletary consistently played beyond his talent. Hill survived an NFL scouting system that completely shunned him. He wasn't invited to the NFL combine coming out of Maryland, nor did he attend any college all-star games. Even to get to division I Maryland his junior college coach had to trump up phantom interest from other D-1's to make the Terps sign him.

Of course, Hill and Singletary could be closer than Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, but if the Hill-Singletary alliance doesn't result in wins, no one cares. And with playoff teams dotting the remaining schedule (Dallas, Buffalo, the Jets, Miami and Washington) their relationship and their relative talents will be sorely tested. But unlike their predecessors, at least they are giving themselves a fighting chance.

WHO IS THE RIGHT GUARD?: If Chilo Rachal performs well in practice this week he could overtake Tony Wragge at right guard. Mistake. The offensive line is finally coming together, particularly in pass protection, where Shaun Hill has only been sacked twice in the last eight quarters. Hill's ability to throw quickly and shorter quarterback drops are probably the main reasons, but Singletary cites the continuity on the offensive line as the chief factor, which is also true. So why re-jigger the lineup once again? Singletary has already changed quarterbacks, adopted a run-first philosophy, played different wide receivers, and gone back to a 3-4 style of defense. So why change an offensive line that's finally settling down?

HILL HONORED: Hill won the NFC Player of the Week for completing 15 of 20 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 142.3 passer rating in the 35-16 thrashing of St. Louis last Sunday. Hill hasn't played enough to qualify for an official ranking, but if he had, his 91.6 rating would place him fifth among NFC quarterbacks, just ahead of former 49er Jeff Garcia at 91.2.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 20 at 10:21 AM

Jennings Jinxed?

Tackle Jonas Jennings had surgery this morning, for the third time, on his frozen right shoulder and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve. Jennings played two games this year before his shoulder popped out of joint in the third game against Detroit and was listed an emergency third tackle for the last two games but didn't see any action.

This time the surgery, which is designed to tighten the shoulder, will require a six-month recovery. General manager Scot McCloughan said he wasn't sure Jennings would remain with the team next season.

"It's something we're going to address at the end of the season. But as of right now he's a 49er," McCloughan said. "It's not his fault that he got hurt. It's not his fault that the record is the way it is. I think he's done everything in his power to try and get back and try to be able to play for us. As you guys are well aware, when he did play for us he has played well."

In a way, Jennings has symbolized the 49ers' plight for the last four seasons. He was former coach Mike Nolan's first acquisition, signing a six-year $36 million deal shortly after Nolan was hired in January of 2005. Jennings came into his introductory news conference and immediately connected with the media with his natural bonhomie. At that setting, he said he was "Rollin' with Nolan."

But because of injuries, Jennings didn't roll enough and the warm feeling he engendered that day quickly soured along with the team's fortunes for the next four years.

Much like what occurred this year, Jennings started off well as the team's left tackle in 2005 and then threw out his right shoulder for the first time and missed the rest of the season. He returned in 2006, and played his best season. The 49ers' became a decidedly left-handed running team behind Jennings and left guard Larry Allen. The team won seven games, Frank Gore ran for a franchise record 1,695 yards and the popular Jennings was voted as a permanent team captain by his teammates along with quarterback Alex Smith, defensive tackle Bryant Young, cornerback Walt Harris and safety Keith Lewis.

Last season, a personal matter and an ankle injury requiring surgery held him to five games before he was again placed on injured reserve. Throughout his injury ordeals, his toughness was questioned by teammates and coaches, some of whom felt Jennings quit on them. He also quarreled with former line coach George Warhop at times last year. Warhop was fired along with head coach Mike Nolan on the week of Oct. 26.

The team signed 6-7, 320-pound Jacob Bender off the Jets' practice squad to take Jennings's spot on the roster and back up the tackle spots. McCloughan said Jennings could have stayed on the rest of the year as an emergency backup, but McCloughan liked the way Adam Snyder has played the at right tackle the last two games and he expects Barry Sims to return from the ankle sprain that's sidelined him the last two games this week, which cleared the way to place Jennings on I.R. for the third time in four seasons.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 18 at 05:55 PM

The Schedule Gets Harder

Can Mike Singletary conduct a non-eventful press gathering? Today the answer is a resounding yes. Singletary's comments were relatively short after recording his first win of his head-coaching career on Sunday after beating the Rams 35-16.

Previous coach Mike Nolan would grant players the day off on Monday after a win. Not Singletary, he wanted to players to come in and watch the film with coaches.

"I feel that the day after the game, I'd like to see the players and I think that you have something to share with one another," Singletary said. "When you win a game, you want to come in. You just won the game the day before, you come in talk about it a little bit more. But other than that, bring them in let them work out. Let them get the lactic acid out and kind of bond a bit."

Singletary's comment reflects something guard David Baas said after Sunday's game. Baas said Singletary uses his experience as a former player well and having players come in on Monday to discuss the win is an example.

The coach was also asked about giving the speaker helmet on defense back to Mark Roman for the last two games after middle linebacker Patrick Willis wore it for a few games.

"We just thought that it would be better with all the communication going on in the back end that Mark Roman would get it back and have the speaker in his helmet and Patrick [Willis] would just control the front seven and that would be easier on Patrick so that he's not trying to turn around and relay messages," Singletary said.. "Then the ball is snapped and he's not ready."

Singletary was also asked about offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The two had another animated discussion on the sidelines, just like they did in Arizona. Singletary was asked about "creative friction" with Martz.

"I've got to be very, very honest. When I look at Mike Martz, I'm really pleased with everything that he’s doing," Singletary said. "There's nothing that's an issue for he and I. We don't ever have an issue where [it's like] 'I disagree with that, well, why don't you do that.' We don't have that. It's 'Mike, I'm thinking about this.' Or 'What do you think about that?' Normally, we're on the same page. So there has been not even a creative friction. Right now, it just works."

As for injuries, Singletary said running back Michael Robinson (stinger) should be fine for the game in Dallas Sunday, and so should cornerback Tarell Brown (neck) and safety Michael Lewis (knee), Singletary wasn't so sure about rookie receiver Josh Morgan (groin) who might his second straight game with a groin strain.

Finally, Singletary was asked about beating the Rams. What does it mean to beat a team that statistically, is the worst the league?

"I'll put it this way: we won the game. It's hard to win a game in the NFL," Singletary said. "We're trying to build something here and that's really all I'm thinking about. I'm not thinking about what a cynic might say or what anybody else [might say]. I really don't care. The most important thing for me is to stay focused on the team and where we're trying to go and what we're trying to do and build. That's it."

Which brings up a question, will the 49ers beat anybody but the Rams again for the rest of the season? They have Dallas, Buffalo, the Rams and Miami on the road, with the Jets and Washington at home.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 17 at 07:22 PM

On Board with Singletary

Notes and Quotes from the 49ers' locker room:

To a man, players spoke glowingly of Mike Singletary following the 49ers' 35-16 flattening of the Rams. A moist-eyed Singletary entered his post-game news conference after receiving a game ball from his players.

"He didn't really say anything," linebacker Patrick Willis said of his head coach's reaction to getting the ball. "He tells us all the time how thankful he is that he's here and that he's coaching us. We feel the same way."

Players talked about how they always know where they stand with him.

"Things are black and white with him," wide receiver Isaac Bruce said. "If he doesn't like something, he says it. I can trust him."

When Bruce was asked about playing against the team he spent 14 years playing for he said, "The past is the past. I live in the present and I look forward to the future." Bruce did admit he loves the people of St. Louis.

He probably wishes he was slightly more productive. Bruce caught one pass for 20 yards. After the game he escaped from the 49ers' locker room early to cross the corridor and visit his former teammates.

Players said former Rams coach Mike Martz put together a brilliant game plan, but the 49ers only used a fraction of it. Martz cut back on things after the 49ers sped to a 35-3 halftime lead. Nevertheless, it felt good to Martz, who went through a brutal week. His nephew, 38-year-old Steve Martz is still in the hospital after getting shot in Baja California while racing motorcycles with friends.

Martz said his nephew will be in the hospital for another week. On a much smaller scale, Martz took much of the blame for the disastrous ending in the Cardinals' loss Monday night.

So Martz probably reveled in this 49ers' win more than any other victory this season.

Read More »

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 16 at 05:22 PM

RAMS-49ERS

The 49ers hold the Rams scoreless after a missed 40-yard field goal by the Rams.

St. Louis was able to move the ball through short passes. Of the six passes by Marc Bulger, he only held the ball longer than two seconds once, and on that one he was creamed by Rodrick Green after he released the ball.

49ERS DRIVE

Frank Gore keeps making mistakes. He has been called for false starts often this season, he has dropped passes, and after a 37-yard gain on the 49ers' first drive, he fumbled when safety OJ Otogwe punched the ball out of his grasp.

RAMS DRIVE

Stupendous tackle by Patrick Willis on 3rd-and-1 to prevent a first. Man, he's fast.

49ERS DRIVE

Touchdown! 39-yard drive, with Frank Gore going the final 5 yards for the TD on a run the middle. He could have walked in. The offensive line mowed over two Rams' linemen on the play, putting them their backs. A little redemption for Gore after the fumble. After the score, Vernon Davis took the ball and started dancing down the field as if he scored the TD. The man is half-crazed. 49ers 7-0.

RAMS DRIVE

Rams kick a short field goal after a long drive (15 plays, 75 yards in 8:11). It's 7-3. The 49ers did well to keep them out of the zone. Just like the 49ers did last season, Nate Clements is plastered on Torry Holt all day, and he's done an excellent job. The left side of the Rams' offensive line is collapsing Justin Smith and the 49ers' right side. That might change because Orlando Pace just went down. The 49ers took Smith out for two straight plays as the Rams continued to run left and Rams got a net of 0 yards on two straight plays without Smith. That's the end of the first quarter and the Rams have a 3rd-and-8 at their 15-yard line. Smith is back in now.

49ERS DRIVE

Mike Martz can install big plays with a Shaun Hill quarterbacked offense. The 49ers just went 69 yards in five plays, and Hill never used a 7-step drop. A 42-yard pass-and-run by Bryant Johnson was the centerpiece, but Hill also found Isaac Bruce for a 20-yard gain. The drive was capped by a 5-yard pass in the back of the end zone to Vernon Davis for his second TD in two games, his only two scores of the year. Bruce wants this game badly. After his ctch

RAMS DRIVE

Fumbled snap; the 49ers' recover. The center got the snap count wrong, because Bulger was surprised by the ball.

49ERS DRIVE

TOUCHDOWN 49ERS. The short 16-yard scoring drive was all Frank Gore. He broke four tackles on two of his four runs, including two when he bounced the goal line play to the right. He ran through one tackle and then stiff-armed Fakhir Brown to score. Gore carried the ball four times. 21-3 49ers.

RAMS DRIVE

Intercepted on a deep pass by Walt Harris and a long return. A tremendous block by Nate Clements on rookie receiver Donnie Avery. Bulger threw into double coverage.

49ERS DRIVE

Touchdown Shaun Hill on a 1-yard run. 28-3 49ers. Hill has been masterful in this game; he scrambled and then found DeShaun Foster for a long gain down to the 1. Foster was in the entire drive with Gore on the sidelines with a towel around his neck. On radio Gary Plummer said his is likely the short passing game Mike Martz has put in for Shaun Hill, and he said that J.T. O'Sullivan might be able to run such an offense. I disagree. Hill has excelled in this game at the impromptu play and he has done very well with pocket presence, something JTO struggled with.

RAMS DRIVE

Another interception this time by Nate Clements over the middle.

49ERS DRIVE

Touchdown. Hill to Bryant Johnson. It's 35-3. Great pass on a fade route to Johnson over Fakhir Brown. The 49ers called a double fade route on the play. Hill will end the first half 12-of-14 for 191 yards two passing TD's and one rushing score. If Mike Martz didn't like Hill before, he has to like him now.

By the way, Frank Gore was in on the last drive, so he's OK. Although, the 49ers might want to take him out now.

THIRD QUARTER

49ERS DRIVE

The 49ers opened with a run-oriented four-play drive that resulted in their first punt of the day. Hill was sacked on third down. The 49ers only consumed 3:34 of the clock. It's the first time all season, they've had to chew clock. In fact it's the first time possibly since the Steve Mariucci era they had to run out the clock. They're not used to this.

RAMS DRIVE

Safety Michael Lewis just went down. He's played a terrific game. Trainer Jeff Ferguson is looking at his left knee. Mike Singletary also came out to check on him. The 49ers already have Dashon Goldson in pajamas on the sidelines. It might be Keith Lewis for the rest of the day. Parys Haralson sacks Bulger after more than four seconds in the pocket and the Rams' punt. They say in press box that Michael Lewis's left knee sprain makes him questionable to return.

49ERS DRIVE - Focus: David Baas

With the game in books pretty much in the books, I'm going to hone in one player. This drive it was David Baas. First play, got push but not enough, Gore ran up his back. Baas seemed confused on who to block on his second play as Gore got 10 yards on the right end. Trap to Baas's side, couldn't get block no gain. Good pass protection by Baas on an incompletion, blocked two guys. Sack by the Rams, but Baas did a really good job moving easily to block two players. Coverage sack on the blitz. 49ers punt.

RAMS DRIVE - Focus: Nate Clements

First play, Clements switches with Mark Roman on a short pass to the right. Clements gets completely turnaround on a completion to Holt. Clements follows Holt to the left side of the formation. Plays man, and the ball goes to the right. Plays zone ball goes to the middle. Pass to Stanley, Clements jumped route and he should have called for P.I. but no call. Clements just playing right corner now and not following Holt. Man coverage on Stanley pass to the right. In all, they throw to Clements twice, he gives up a completion to Holt and then breaks up a pass to Stanley that should have been a penalty. Rams kick a field goals to make it's 35-6.

49ERS DRIVE - Focus: Frank Gore

Gore is covered in the flat by linebacker Pisa Tinoisomoa. Gore open in the flat, Hill throws wide to Billy Bajema. Gore makes one-handed catch on check down and gains 1 yard on the three-and-out. The team lacking the killer instinct. Rod Brooks on KNBR said that Mike Singletary is telling his team to not lose focus. Terrel Brown walks gingerly off the field; looked like he might have gotten concussed.

RAMS DRIVE - Focus Justin Smith

Smith not blocked, gets pressure, but Bulger gets pass off. Smith doubled teamed on pass rush. Smith makes tackle down the field on a completion after getting stoned at the line of scrimmage. The 49ers are reviewing a long completion by Avery. It should be incomplete. On the completion to Avery, Smith didn't get a pass rush against Adam Goldberg, who's in for the injured Orlando Pace. Call stands, which is strange. The Rams' coaching staff just got nailed for a personal foul. It's first and 25 from the 49ers' 37. Now back to Justin Smith. He lines up at DT on a 4-man line. Works on stunt on the right side, and screen goes to the left. Smith at RDT in 4-man line. Bull rush causes quick pass incompletion. RDT again, runs a big looping stunt and doesn't get home. In game for the field goal but doesn't get much pressure as the field goal is good. It's 35-9.

49ERS DRIVE - Focus Isaac Bruce

The way things are going, Mike Singletary won't be happy with how the 49ers are finishing this game. That's one of his edicts - Finish. By the way, this is only the third time in three years the 49ers have scored over 30 points. Bruce in press coverage against cornerback Jason Craft. False start on Vernon Davis. Bruce in slot against Fakhir Brown, false start running back Michael Robinson. Bruce in press coverage with Craft. False Start Adam Snyder. Lined-up against Brown on left side, was open pass to right, dropped by Robinson. Run right, Bruce as the lone receiver runs Brown off deep down the field. A Ram is hurt on the far side, time out. The 49ers went through four straight penalties and apparently, Mike Singletary never said a word. Gary Plummer on radio said there's a guy assigned to Singletary to keep him from blowing up. Interesting. Wonder who it could be. Draw to Robinson and Bruce gets a good block on cornerback Jonahthan Wade after faking the smoke pass. By the way, rookie cornerback Reggie Smith is active for this game and is covering punts. It would be interesting to see him get in the game.

Rams Drive - Focus Patrick Willis

Quick pass to right, Willis was covering RB Pittman on the play. Pittman gets 2 after shedding a tackle from Willis, but he was so quick to even catch Pittman. Deep pass to Dane Looker, Willis covers Looker deep on the incompletion. Good play. Draw, Willis dropping again, and Pittman gets a good gain. Willis gets smashed by a lineman before the tackle is made. Willis blitzes, as Manny Lawson hits runner behind the line. It forces a punt.

49ers Drive - Eric Heitmann

Gets block on short set on a 3-yard pass. Great pull and block on the linebacker on a short gain to Foster. Gets good protection with help on David Baas's man on first down pass and run by Robinson. Wildcat formation, Heitmann doesn't get block Glover. Another wildcat, Heitmann good turn block on Glover, first down on option run by Robinson. Foster left end, Heitmann pulls, doesn't get block, but Foster breaks tackle anyway. Heitman stymies man, Foster fumbles, and Heitmann stil blocks his guy. Turnover Rams.

Rams Drive - Ray McDonald

Playing DT, doesn't get pressure on first two rushes. Shows good speeed on a play to the outside on an third-and-out.

49ers Drive - Mike Singletary

Rod Brooks on KNBR said Singletary had an animated discussion with Mike Martz before the last drive. Martz probably wanted to keep piling it on, and Singletary probably wanted to play ball control. Singletary talked to Foster before he came out on the field, probably talking about ball control. Trainer Jeff Ferguson talked to Singletary briefly during the drive, probably telling him a player is out. It might be Michael Robinson who looks like he might have a shoulder injury.

I'm heading to the locker room.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 16 at 01:14 PM

Rams Preview

The St. Louis Rams are the worst team in the NFL, statistically, emotionally by nearly ever metric (except win-loss record). Viewed in yardage, the 49ers are better in every significant category, pass offense, run offense, run defense, pass defense and all the special teams' categories.

St. Louis will also be without their best player, Steven Jackson, who will miss the game with a thigh injury.

But that hardly assures a 49ers' win. Remember this is a team with 17 turnovers in its last six games, so any team can have a chance against them.

Nevertheless, here's what we noticed about the woeful Rams through internet searches and off-the-record talks with players and coaches.

-Even the Rams best players, such as wide receiver Torry Holt and left tackle Orlando Pace, aren't finishing plays. In Holt's case, it might be he's just getting older and his knees are creaky.

-Holt is no longer the down field threat. That's now been passed on to rookie receiver Donnie Avery, a burner who will need to be chucked at the line of scrimmage. Holt, however, is a cagey route runner who can get himself open. In the second game last year, Nate Clements covered Holt almost exclusively and held him to seven catches for 55 yards and a score. The 49ers will probably put a safety over the top of Avery to ward against the long completion.

-The most rousing win of the Rams' season, a 20-point victory over the beleagured Boys from Dallas, came against a 3-4 defense, which is what the 49ers are mostly playing. Jackson ran for 160 yards in that game and the Rams were able to take advantage of aging linebacker Zach Thomas.

-The Rams cornerbacks, Fakhir Brown and Ron Bartell are tough cover men who like to knock receivers around. It's too bad for the 49ers that their two toughest receivers, Josh Morgan (groin) and Arnaz Battle (foot) will miss the game.

-Shaun Hill has to watch out for safety O.J. Atogwe, who has 11 interceptions in the last two seasons. Hill threw three interceptions to Cardinals safeties on Monday night (two were nullified by penalty).

-The 49ers had trouble defending the "A" gaps between the guards and center Monday and the Rams have quick defensive tackles in La'Roi Glover and Adam Carriker. Pisa Tinoisomoa is a quick and forceful middle linebacker.

-The Rams blitzed Trent Dilfer in the last game last season, a 13-9 Rams' win. They also played a lot of eight-man front.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 15 at 08:57 PM

For the 49ers, it's getting Hilly

The debate won't die on the 49ers' collapse at the end of the Cardinals game. I got some solid responses to my assertion that offensive coordinator Mike Martz didn't lose the game for them. My theory being that Martz had the correct call for the last two plays.

The first call on second-and-goal from the 1 was the bounce play left where Frank Gore should have scored if he hadn't stumbled. The other was the fullback dive to Michael Robinson that netted the yard had the ball been correctly spotted at the 1.

Some of you objected to the last assertion, believing the Cardinals would have changed their defense if it was just 1 yard instead of 2. I don't think so, because defenses respond to what the offensive formation is. If the 49ers go with their three tight-end tank formation, the Cardinals will counter with their short-yardage group. One yard isn't going to make up that much of a difference.

Lost in some of this was the horrible mis-mark of the ball for the last play. When Gore stumbled, he actually got the ball to the half-yard line. He didn't stumble backwards.

To break up the monotony and get past the Monday night nightmare, I decided to do a Q and A with San Francisco native Jason Hill, who caught three passes on the final drive Monday night and nearly scored on his last completion.

Hill grew up in San Francisco as one of six kids and attended Sacred Heart Cathedral High before going to Washington State. He was taken in the third round of the 2007 draft after posting the fastest 40-yard dash time in the NFL combine that year (4.32).

DO YOU LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO DURING THE OFF-SEASON?: I actually bought a house in Sacramento. I wanted to get away from the family a little bit, it's a little cheaper up there, a little nicer.

SO YOU TRAIN THERE IN THE OFF-SEASON?: Yeah, I actually go to Roseville high school. I reached out to them. I know that Tedy Bruschi went there, I figured they had a pretty nice weight room. I just contacted the coach and told him who I was and he said fine. So I get there early about 6:30 in the morning. I get a lift and a run in before and stay out (the football team's) way.

HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH LAST YEAR AND THE NAGGING INJURIES THAT PREVENTED YOU FROM PLAYING?: "It was tough and I think I might get an opportunity and then I'd get a groin injury. That's what I'm telling (rookie) Josh (Morgan who has a groin injury now) that the better days will come. Now for me the better days are starting to come to life.

ON THE LAST DRIVE, WERE THEY ZONING YOU UP?: "I was just finding openings and Shaun was just finding me. It was good play calling. On a couple ones on the sidelines, I'm pretty much reading them and going where they are not. I think on the one, (14-yarder) the corner was playing off and I just kind of fell underneath him."

IT SEEMS SHAUN HILL LIKES TO HOOK UP WITH RECEIVERS PLAY AFTER PLAY LIKE HE DID WITH YOU WHEN HE CAUGHT THREE IN A ROW THERE?: "You know that's just how life goes. You find a favorite food, a favorite restaurant, you keep going back to it. You get into the flow of the game, and it just goes that way."

IF HAD'T YOU TRIPPED DOWN AT THE 1 ON THE LAST DRIVE, WOULD YOU HAVE SCORED?: Oh yeah, I thought I would of scored. I think I got enough juice and moves in me. I tripped at the 6. I was trying to set up my move and my feet got tangled."

ARE YOU STILL THE FASTEST RECEIVER ON THE TEAM?: "I would like to think so. When I'm all healthy and stretched out, I would like to think so. But I don't want to race any of these guys. I don't want to risk getting hurt. Everyone thinks they are the fastest. Everyone got their chance at the combine and I think I got the fastest time."

IS IT EASY TO PLUG IN WITH SHAUN SINCE YOU GUYS HAVE PLAYED TOGETHER WITH THE SCOUT TEAM AND THROUGHOUT TRAINING CAMP?: "Yeah, I think it helped us a little bit, but it's more so you got to catch the ball to whoever throws it to you. Whether it's J.T. Alex, Jamie, whoever. It helps you yeah, but you still got to get open.

COMMUNITY STUFF: On Tuesday, Issac Bruce, Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Donald Strickland and Jason Hill will volunteer in the warehouse for the San Francisco Food Bank. It's part of the 49ers' season-long Respect campaign, which is teaming with communties to fight hunger.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 13 at 01:26 PM

Mike Martz is not to Blame

The 49ers signed former Stanford receiver Mark Bradford to their practice squad Wednesday. The move might have been in response to injuries at wide receiver. Arnaz Battle (foot) didn't practice today after missing the Cardinals game with the injury. Josh Morgan (groin strain) was declared out of Sunday's match up with the visiting Rams.

Tight end Delanie Walker (shoulder) also missed Wednesday's practice but he still might be available for St. Louis.

Wednesday brought more rehash of Monday night's debacle, where the 49ers bollixed the last two plays of the game despite getting a first down from the 1 with 20 seconds remaining. Despite failing to get the proper down and distance from the sidelines for the final play, coach Mike Singletary said he won't make any adjustments in the coaches' booth. Mike Martz said Tuesday he didn't get the down and distance before the final play from the booth.

Earlier this year, Mike Nolan missed throwing the red flag to review plays when his personnel in the booth didn't tell him plays should have been challenged. But Nolan insisted on staying with the team's same system of review.

Now Singletary is doing the same thing despite the breakdowns that led to the loss on Monday night.

"So it's nothing about (changing policy and personnel in) the booth or anything," Singletary said Wednesday. "They were doing a great job getting us the information that we needed, it was just a matter of we had no authority on the field to get those things, nor did we have the time."

Singletary may have a point there. The referees told Shaun Hill before the last play that he had three seconds and they would start the clock once the ball was set. It left Hill no time to call an audible when he realized the ball was spotted at the 2-and-a-half, nor did he have any time to spike the ball and get another play call for the new field position. Obviously, coaches in the booth didn't have time to relay where the ball was with only three seconds left. The referees, who were horrible all night, didn't tell 49ers' coaches where the ball was going to be spotted.

But Martz was under the impression from someone in the booth that the referees were going to put 12 seconds back on the clock, which never happened and that's a screw up.

"That's what we were told over the headset from upstairs," Martz said of the mysterious 12 seconds. "We have some experts up there that are affiliated with that and to not go any further about it, they said you should get 12 more seconds back on the clock, and we didn't get it. Now why we thought that, I don't know."

That expert that Martz referred to might be Paraag Marathe, who's been in the booth since last year to keep track of rules and some time management. Marathe is the team's salary cap expert and chief negotiator on player contracts, but he might be miscast in the coaches' booth and certainly the thinking the 49ers would get 12 seconds back on the clock before the final play added to the confusion. The insistence on keeping Marathe in the booth or anyone who continues to miss challenges and issue wrong information on time is really mystifying.

Martz took the brunt of the criticism for the end-of-game debacle, and his admission that he called for a spike and a change in personnel didn't help. But I admire his stunning candor in revealing his role. And even though the team lost up to nine seconds with Martz's error, they still had first-and-goal from the 1, four downs and 20 seconds on the clock. That's plenty of time to get the yard needed, so Martz's gaffe wasn't what lost the game.

In fact, Martz made two excellent calls on the last two plays of the game. The first was the bounce play to the left, where running back Frank Gore had a free corridor to the end zone and he simply stumbled. The second play, a fullback dive to Michael Robinson, would have worked easily had the ball been at the 1.

Martz also made adjustments going into the game for Shaun Hill. The 49ers ran more than they passed, and Martz rarely had Hill dropping seven steps. So, quit waterboarding your Mike Martz voodoo dolls, he's not to blame for the loss on Monday night. That should be left to coaches' booth and the officials.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 12 at 11:49 PM

Wrap Up. What Are They Thinking?

As best I can tell hearing Mike Singletary's post-game news conference and Shaun Hill's interview on KNBR, here's what happened at the end of the game when the 49ers achieved a first-and-goal from the 2 with about 40 seconds left, down by five points.

Hill said that he heard, "spike it" through his helmet speaker and then he saw a slew of new players rushed onto the field and then he had to watch as his team got set so he could spike the ball and stop the clock. Hill showed great composure not spiking it too early, which would have drawn a penalty. So who decided to change personnel groups for a "spike" play? The only justification I could understand was Martz wanted the quick change and then to push into the end zone for the score. Obviously, a bad idea.

Nevertheless, the crisis is averted temporarily when the spike finally comes after a 25-second run off.

The 49ers still have 20 seconds and three downs to score, where everyone would think, "Pass it three times to the end zone with a spread look." Do it mainly because the 49ers are horrible at short-yardage plays. But Martz instead went with short yardage. To his credit, Frank Gore had a touchdown on the second-down play, but he just stumbled. A time out was called to review the play, and the 49ers still had a chance. Three seconds left and the ball at about the 2-and-a-half, and the 49ers go short yardage? They haven't gotten 2 plus yards from their short-yardage formation in the Mike Nolan/Mike Singletary era.

The explanation?

"Coach Martz thought there would be a cavity inside," which sounds like a medical issue. All kidding aside, what is Martz thinking?

Singletary looked as if he might break down after the game and he barely clung to his thin veneer of composure.

"It's very difficult to put into words everything I feel," Singletary said in measured tones. "I'm (trying to be) very calm."

Singletary also revealed a little of what he told his team in the locker room.

"I came in and told the team what it is," he said. "We're that team that got ourselves up and ready to go. We are that team with a vision that did not get earned."

Singletary was talking about his five-point motto he has pinned up throughout the 49ers' facility: 1. Total ball security. 2. Execute. 3. Dominate in the trenches. 4. Create great field position. 5. Finish.

Again Singletary. "We played together; we played to win. In the end, we did not finish."

Asked if he was happy with the effort, Singletary said, "I can't say, 'Happy.' if we can't get that we might as well go home. We've got to grow up. The guys are playing real hard, but it's just not good enough."

It might take a couple of days to fully discuss and digest this game.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Nov 10 at 10:34 PM