SB Nation User Blog: Fooch

49ers-Bears: 5 Questions with Windy City Gridiron

Fooch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:29:09 -0000

It's a short week, but we were able to get some questions answered by Adam from our Bears blog, Windy City Gridiron. The Bears have had a very topsy-turvy season ever since making the big deal in getting QB Jay Cutler. Many folks were expecting a solid season from the Bears, but it's been a mixed-bag so far. They appeared to be a solid home team and poor road team, but that might have been flipped on its head after getting pounded by the Cardinals. Let's hope it's not a complete reversal this week. Thanks again to Adam for taking the time to answer some questions.

Fooch: Let's cut to the chase, the Bears have been incredibly inconsistent, but still find themselves only 1 game out of the wildcard spots. Big picture the rest of the year, do you have any idea what to expect from this team?

WCG: The Bears are right slap in the middle of gut-check time. Our GM Jerry Angelo hit a homerun in pulling off the trade for Jay Cutler, but failed miserably with the 3 free agent OLinemen he signed. Frankly, our OL stinks. On the defensive side of the ball, we brought in Rod Marinelli, who is well-known throughout the league as one of the best DL coaches, to help with our pass rush. The Tampa-2 defense hinges directly on the pass rush, but the last 3 or 4 games, it has disappeared. Big picture, for the rest of the year, we will continue to struggle on both sides of the ball if we can't figure out the OL and DL.

After the jump we get a few more questions answered...

Fooch: After half a season, what are your thoughts on the Jay Cutler trade? How has it changed since the deal first went down?

WCG: It hasn't really changed. Fact is, we got a 26 year old QB with talent not seen too often in the NFL for basically a couple of 1st round draft picks. People seem to be fixated on his attitude and maturity level, but I have no doubt that as he grows and gets more experience, he'll be fine. He's got all the tools, and has made some throws this year as a Bears QB that most Bears fans have never seen before. We just have to be able to protect him better.

Fooch: Matt Forte was high on fantasy draft boards but he seems to be struggling, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. Is the issue something with him, the offensive line, or some other aspect of the offense?

WCG: If you take away a couple of big runs this year, he's averaging even less that that. People have been giving him a hard time all year, but honestly, it's not remotely his fault. He is getting hit in the backfield half the time he has the football, because our OL is getting blown backwards on the snap. People are saying that he's not hitting the hole hard enough, or that he's lost his power from last year. The thing with Forte, and it goes all the way back to his days at Tulane... his biggest talents are his shiftiness and vision (and his ability to catch out of the backfield). Last season, we saw Forte's best runs coming from his ability to see the seams, and make the cuts to get to them; this year, there are no seams.

Fooch: After years of bringing a big time defense, the Bears defense now seems to have settled into a sort of blah level of average performance. Is the defense just getting old, or is there some other explanation?

WCG: There is a big misconception that the Bears defense is getting old. The fact is, most of them are still in their twenties. Entering the season, we had one of the best groups of LBs in the league, with Brian Urlacher (who was finally healthy), Lance Briggs, and Pisa Tinoisamoa. Three very fast, aggressive guys who make plays all over the field. Losing Urlacher and Pisa right at the outset hurt us, big time. Combine that with very little talent in the secondary, and a non-existent pass rush, and we've got problems. The only bright spot for our D has been the play of Briggs, who is having another pro Bowl season, and rookie safety Al Afalava. Aflalva is very aggressive, and hits like Mike Singletary used to, not to mention having Mike's eyes. He injured his arm (shoulder) last Sunday, but he is someone to keep an eye on when he's on the field.

Fooch: How do Bears fans view the return of Mike Singletary?

WCG: I think it will be bittersweet to a lot of old school Bears fans, especially considering the unrest felt right now towards Lovie Smith. It is weird seeing him wearing San Francisco colors, but I don't think too much will be made out of it from a fan-perspective. The media will have a field day, but I don't think it will be a distraction for either team. Can you imagine though if the game were to be played in Chicago? Now that would be interesting!

49ers-Bears: Ask 49ers fans from Niners Nation

Fooch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:08:21 -0000

Hey everybody, this is Fooch from Niners Nation, the SB Nation 49ers blog. Our squads are squaring off in what should be an interesting battle between scuffling teams. It's certainly even more intriguing given Mike Singletary's history with the Bears. I can only imagine the reception he would have received had this game been played in Chicago.

It's a short week so things are a bit truncated, but I thought I'd throw together a FanPost and try and answer any questions you might have about the 49ers heading into Thursday's game. I'm on the west coast so depending on when you get questions in it might take me a bit to get an answer to you, but either way I'll get you my thoughts. Also, I'll post a link to this at NN and get some of the readers there to offer some of their own answers.

So fire away.

49ers-Bears Tuesday Injury Report

Fooch — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:58:48 -0000

I know all of us were a bit concerned by all the players on yesterday's injury report. However, as today's report shows, virtually all the "limited" and "non-participants" were full participants today. Yesterday's report was a projection because there was no actual practice, so I'm guessing the team was just being a bit more conservative. Of course, Glen Coffee is not going to be playing, and given that we haven't seen any transactions today, it looks like Gore and Robinson will be handling the load at running back.

After the jump we've got press conference transcripts for OC Jimmy Raye and Alex Smith.

49ers
Out (Definitely Will Not Play)
CB Nate Clements (shoulder)
DE Demetric Evans (shoulder)
OT Joe Staley (knee)
RB Glen Coffee (concussion)

Limited Participation in Practice
LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder)

Full Participation in Practice
S Michael Lewis (quadricep)
RB Michael Robinson (stinger)
G David Baas (stinger)
CB Tarell Brown (rib)
RB Frank Gore (eye lid)
S Curtis Taylor (shin)
TE Vernon Davis (shoulder)
WR Jason Hill (ankle)
TE Delanie Walker (shin, knee)

Bears
Out
LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee)

Did not Participate in Practice
S Al Afalava (shoulder)
S Kevin Payne (back)
RB Garrett Wolfe (back)

Limited Participation in Practice
TE Desmond Clark (neck)
DT Tommie Harris (knee)
CB Charles Tillman (shoulder)

After the jump we've got transcripts for Jimmy Raye and Alex Smith...

Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Raye
Post-Walk Thru November 10, 2009
San Francisco 49ers

On why WR Jason Hill received more playing time against the Titans:

"He has been practicing well since his hamstring injury and making progress. That coupled with the fact that [WR] Isaac [Bruce] had a tender ankle and ran a seven route over on the left boundary and rolled his ankle, tweaked it a little bit. So, we were down in numbers in the three-wide package and Jason was the next guy up. We were fortunate that we had him up for the game because he was the guy who had gotten the work as all three backups going into the game. It turned out that he was able to play and he made some plays for us."

On his background with the shotgun:

"Quite a bit, I would say extensive. There was a period of time where I coached with a couple of disciples of the Bill Walsh system that didn't believe in the gun that we didn't use it. But, in New York, Oakland, Atlanta and L.A. with Jim Everett, all of that was gun. I don't know if you want specifics, I don't know how to answer that question."

On whether you are limited in the types of runs you can call out of the shotgun:

"Somewhat, but it depends. When you make that decision, the kinds of runs that you are running, most of the time, are not direct runs because you don't have a lead blocker. But, they are runs that take advantage of the front and the alignment of the defense. They give you the same that is the likeness of pass and pass protection. They come not only in the draw variety, but across the formation kind of runs. We did have some success Sunday running the trap, but we had to relocate the back in order to do that."

On what QB coach Mike Johnson learned from watching college spread offenses in the offseason:

"You would have to ask Mike that. We discussed it in the offseason. I think what you need to understand is what we did Sunday has always been a part of what we do. We didn't invent the runs we ran Sunday out of the shotgun. We have had, and been practicing, our third down, our quarterback-not-under-the-center offense and runs since March. So, it wasn't something where, all of the sudden three weeks ago, because everyone thought we should be in the spread, that we went and looked at someone running the shotgun and came up with plays. It is a part of the offense that we have. What we did Sunday is a part of what we do."

On why he called it a third down offense:

"It is applicable to all downs, but what you had seen previously was when we were in the gun was basically on third down."

On the two interceptions QB Alex Smith has thrown when targeting WR Michael Crabtree:

"The one in Indianapolis was a tipped ball, and Sunday the one was a tipped ball that probably would fall to the ground harmlessly. The ball was thrown near the boundary and it was tipped and the linebacker came back within an eyelash of stepping out of bounds and got the rebound of the ball. I think tipped balls, you can't practice tipped balls. If the receiver and the defensive back are in a close confrontation, and they both get their hands on the ball at the same time, and there are other defenders near, that's why defensive backs work the tip drill. And, unfortunately for us, we've had two, not two but three deflections that have gone up in the air and the defense capitalized on them."

On whether he's comfortable going forward with the kind of offensive emphasis he showed on Sunday:

"I don't know that. I think sometimes the perception is that I should answer questions that give the defensive coordinators of the teams that we play a pre-game scouting report on what we're going to line up in. We have, as I said early on, the contingencies of what we do offensively to take care of the defenses that we play. If that is in fact the case that what we carry into the game is available for us and it helps us win the game, then I guess the answer to that would be yes."

On where the offense is as a unit:

"I think our record is 3-5. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. We're 3-5. I would say we're not near where we need to be. If it was better, I think we would have won more games or helped our cause in terms of winning more games. I think we made improvement, but there were areas of the game Sunday that were outstanding. The play was exceptional, was outstanding, but it's very difficult to overcome four turnovers."

On whether it's been difficult to find improvement given the changes in the offense:

"Yes and no. Continuity is very difficult to come by. We've changed a lot of places, and that's the nature of the NFL. If there's one thing that is constant about the NFL, it's change. And, unfortunately for us, in the first seven or eight weeks, we've had to change the quarterback. We've had to change the right guard. We've had to change the left guard. We've had to change the running back. We've had to change the wide receiver. We've had an onslaught of changes, but the way we manage that is a benefit to us if we can do it in an expeditious fashion so we can get on with winning games. It's been difficult, but we're probably going to have more changes going forward."

On the first touchdown pass from QB Alex Smith to WR Jason Hill in the back of the end zone:

"Well, what they did right was they applied the scramble rules that are in place that were taught in the red area, and Alex remained a passer. And, in most situations like that, the quarterback leaves his passer mentality and becomes a runner. But, he kept his eyes downfield and drifting and he was in a position where he could either throw or not take a negative and throw the ball out of bounds, and he remained a passer. That was the best thing about it. And then Jason applied his onside scramble rule, and we were able to get a completion for a touchdown, which gave us a completion of a T-2 at the end of the half and got points. And then we had a T-4 at the end of the game that got points. So, those things are very gratifying."

On whether he has met with head coach Mike Singletary about the receiving corps and WR Isaac Bruce's role:

"No, that meeting, I don't think has happened, unless I was excluded from it. We will visit that - we wanted to get through today and see where he is tomorrow, and in the meantime, we will increase the activity of [WR] Josh Morgan and [WR] Jason Hill. We'll see where he is, where his foot is or his injury is. And then we'll make a decision going forward."

On Bruce's injury:

"We'll see where he is physically. See where he is physically and then we'll make a decision going forward."

On the areas of the offense in Sunday's game that he was pleased with:

"Well, as I mentioned, I was pleased with our, as we refer to it, T-2 offense, which is our offense before the half, which was very good in Indianapolis that went down and got a score also. Our T-4 was very good, which we went down at the end of the game and got a score and an opportunity to onside kick the ball and have another chance to put the game into overtime. We were five for five in the red zone, three touchdowns and two field goals. We had a 19-play drive in that game that overcame three or four penalties and a negative that went down and got points. I thought our ‘me-to-you' factor was very good. Is he open? The pass to [TE] Vernon [Davis] was a great adjustment and throw. We threw the ball - he complete 29 balls, and we showed some ability in our deceptive game with our arounds and handing the ball to the wide receivers that made yards. So, I thought the playing area was very good. I was very disappointed that we had the mishaps that we had that led to 24 points for them, because, I think, without the turnovers, it would have been a different outcome."

On whether the T-2 and T-4 are similar plays:

"No, they're not."

On whether he can explain the time at the end of the half and the time at the end of the game:

"It changes because at the T-2, any points are good. When you're playing T-2 and you have the ball before the half, whether you get a field goal or a touchdown, any points you get are good. And, T-4, you're in a T-4 situation, you're either in an offense to try to either extend the game or win the game. So, the impetus of the play is totally different because you're operating against the timeouts. You're operating against a defense that's trying to prevent you from either extending the game or prolonging the game or, in a T-4 situation, winning the game at the end. That would be the difference."

QB Alex Smith
Post-Walk Thru - November 10, 2009
San Francisco 49ers

On which package does he like better, the T-2, or T-4:

"It's pretty similar. You hope not to be in the T-4."

On why he performs well during the end of halves and games:

"I have no idea. I don't know."

On a theory that he performed better in a spread-offense similar to his college playing days at Utah:

"Spread out? Maybe, perhaps, I don't know. It could be you think that anytime that you are spread out and you're in the gun, all quarterbacks are going to see things better. I don't know, I'm not sure."

On his experience running the two-minute drill at Utah:

"It was more T-2's than T-4's."

On whether he likes playing better in a shotgun formation:

"In certain situations, yes, if there is no threat of a run. Sometimes is nice to mix it up and get back there. I think that in third down situations, pressure situations is when you get back and see it and maybe buy yourself half of second to get the ball out. Other than that, you'd like to keep a balance between the run and pass situations in the game to keep that and be under center."

On either having the opportunity to review film from the Tennessee game or going straight to game film to prepare for Chicago:

"I watched it quickly yesterday morning, then you move on pretty fast. I watched a lot of Chicago yesterday and it's such a short week."

On having one of his best offensive performances overshadowed by his interceptions:

"I felt that, in a sense, that I saw things well. You turn on the tape and it wasn't like I saw anything new. When I rehashed the game in my mind, it looked very similar to what I looked at when I turned on the tape which is a good thing. I felt like I saw everything well. A couple of balls were thrown tight - there was one on the boundary the safety was coming trying to make a play on it, it gets tipped in-bounds and the one that [WR] Josh [Morgan] had tighter coverage. There those are kind of the job hazards that kind of come with the territory. That is going to happen, I think that as a quarterback the important things are if you are making good decisions, are you throwing the ball where you want to throw it, are you getting the ball out on time, those are the types of decisions that you're looking at. That's how you prevent turnovers from the quarterback's perspective, by making sound decisions and throwing the ball accurately on time."

On whether he was relaying his throwing tendencies to the opposing defense with his eyes:

"The one on the boundary could have gone up. That half second maybe allowed that safety to come over and make a play that allowed that ball to stay in-bounds. The other two didn't feel like I was late at all. But the first one I could say, critically looking at it, I could have gone up quicker."

On whether working on his body language could have prevented that turnover:

"That was a third-and-long and we were trying to ‘hi-lo' the corner on the boundary. It was a matter of trusting what you see from that defender and letting the ball go."

On what Jason Hill did right on his first touchdown:

"The great thing he did - initially he started back down towards me, trying to give me a throw and saw that the inside receiver was kind of running in the flat there and a lot of passing is about spacing, so I think he immediately saw that, put his foot in the ground, turned and ran upfield, at least giving me two throws. Once he came down a little bit, his defender bit and he turned and slipped upfield and was open in the back of the end zone."

On whether defenses are playing WR Michael Crabtree differently:

"I guess I don't know. We are moving on so fast from this Tennessee game, it's hard to look at things like that. I think the more he plays, the more he is going to give people to think about, the more routes he's going to give corners to think about and the more comfortable he is going to be with things."

On why he hasn't been able to develop much chemistry with WR Josh Morgan:

"I don't know. It's a matter of what the defense is giving us sometimes, maybe sometimes what we are asking him to do. I think it's a combination of things."

On his ability to draw offsides penalties and whether it is something he has worked on a lot:

"It was something I never did as a younger guy. I never did it in college. I never did it much my first couple years. I just think I'm more conscious of it now in certain situations. I'm more conscious of using it to your advantage."

On how difficult it is to develop a rapport with WR Michael Crabtree:

"I think the thing you miss when he comes in like that is you miss the training camp practices where you can really build the fundamentals of your routes together. It's timing. When he comes in within the week we are doing our game plans and he is doing a great job of getting himself up to speed and not missing a beat and it's just a matter of us all working together to get that done."

On whether there is any sense of significance to this game:

"Every game is the biggest game at that point. That's the truth of it. This week, you play and you learn from it and you move on already and we're on to Chicago. Yes, this is the biggest game of the season and the next week that will probably be the biggest game. Right now, the focus is on Chicago and that's it. It's them coming in and getting a win and it is the biggest thing."

On how much losing four in a row weighs on the team:

"It might, but we can't let it weight on us. We have to continue to work to play harder, to execute better, and to win a game and that's what we have to get done."

On whether building a rapport with Crabtree is just a matter of time:

"I think so. Time and repetitions, but it's different. I think there are things that we ask him to do that he may be more comfortable with because he has a history with them. Yes, a little bit of that is just going to be time and repetitions."

Get a piece of Joe Montana for $49 million

Fooch — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:05:03 -0000

Get a piece of Joe Montana for $49 million

Montana has put his home/property in Calistoga on the market for $49 million. Forget raising money for charity, let's use NN's reader power to raise money and buy Montana's home!

Mike Singletary Approval Rating, Week 9

Fooch — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:50:22 -0000

We're back for another week of the Mike Singletary Approval Rating, but the ship definitely seems to be taking on some water. Over at ESPN, Singletary's rating has taken a big dive, dropping from 87% to 68%. The rating here tends to be a bit higher than at ESPN, but I'd still imagine a bit of a drop-off from last week's 90% approval rating.

Since the end of Sunday's game we've had a whole assortment of comments from people complaining about this, that, and the other thing, in relation to the game. People are unhappy with Alex Smith, they're angry with Jimmy Raye, or maybe they even just don't like ownership. What's been most interesting is that people have been less inclined to jump on Mike Singletary. In fact, during yesterday's press conference thread, people seemed to support Coach Singletary plenty.

However, it was LondonNiner's comment in one FanPost that caught my attention because it's an issue that I'd imagine folks need to address at some point:

So is Singletary bullet proof? Is it the case that none of the defeats are ever on him? For the record, I am not saying it is his fault. I’m definitely not saying I want him out. If there was a ‘beginning to waver’ button in Fooch’s next Singletary approval vote, I’d go for that. I would definitely not vote ‘No’.
. . .
But is the tide starting to turn? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe yesterday was the first defeat we’ve had this season when Singletary has NOT confidently predicted afterwards that we’d make the play-offs. Is he starting to doubt himself? It’s a long road back to relevance for this team, never mind dominance, and there can be no doubt that Singletary and Raye have not got the players, or at least the offensive players, to win divisional titles yet. But you DO need to see signs of improvement, and yesterday felt like we’d gone backwards in terms of the aggression, the passion, and the direction … in short all of the things you expect from a Mike Singletary team.

I've pondered the idea of adding some kind of "wavering" option to the poll. However, for a general approval rating, I do think it is best served as black and white. People are certainly welcome to post explanations for their votes, but for the purposes of the poll, I still prefer a straight up or down vote on Singletary.

But nonetheless, I'm curious how many folks are wavering. I'd imagine we'll have a good mix of folks who are sticking with yes, and others who teetered over to the no column. Either way, let's hear what you think.

Poll

Do you approve of the job Mike Singletary is doing as head coach?

San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears: A Prospector's Guide

Fooch — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:22:36 -0000

The 49ers host the Chicago Bears in the first Thursday game of the season on the NFL Network. At some point today I'm hoping to hear from someone in the NFL's media department as to whether the game will be airing somewhere online. NBC streams the Sunday Night Football game, so I'd certainly hope the NFL Network would do something similar. We'll see. Either way, the 49ers face a quick turnaround and will hopefully get their act together sooner rather than later.

The 49ers host the Chicago Bears in what will be the 62nd meeting between the two teams, dating back to 1950. The last time San Francisco played the Bears at home was in 2003, when they defeated Chicago, 49-7, at Candlestick Park. The 49ers have a 6-1-1 record when playing on Thursdays, having last defeated the Seahawks, 24-14, at Seattle
(12/14/06).

The 49ers look to snap a four-game losing streak after falling to the Tennessee Titans, 34-27, last week. In that game, TE Vernon Davis recorded career-highs with 10 receptions and 102 yards, while QB Alex Smith completed a career-high 29 passes on 45 attempts for 286 yards and two touchdowns. However, four costly turnovers (3 INTs and
1 fumble) by San Francisco proved to be the difference as the Titans scored 24 of their points following takeaways.

49ers-Bears Connections
Coaching Connections
• 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and Bears QBs coach Pep Hamilton were both with the New York Jets in 2003. Raye then served as asst. head coach/senior offensive assistant while Hamilton served as offensive quality control coordinator.
• 49ers TE coach Pete Hoener served under Bears head coach Lovie Smith as the Bears offensive line coach in 2004.
• 49ers OL coach Chris Foerster and Bears head coach Lovie Smith coached together during their tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2000. Foerster served in the same capacity while Smith served as LBs coach.

Players
FORMER BEARS - 49ers head coach Mike Singletary was drafted by the Bears as the 38th overall pick in the 1981NFL Draft. Singletary spent 12 seasons with the Bears while also helping the team win a Super Bowl Championship in 1985 ... 49ers pass rush specialist coach Al Harris was the 9th overall draft pick by the Bears in 1979 and played with Chicago from 1979–84 and then again from 1986-88 ... 49ers TE coach Pete Hoener served as offensive line coach for the Bears in 2004.

FORMER 49ERS - Bears DT Anthony Adams was originally a 2nd round pick (57th overall) by the 49ers in the 2003 NFL Draft and was on the team until 2006 ... Bears QB coach Pep Hamilton served as an offensive assistant/quarterbacks with the 49ers in 2006.

ILLINOIS TIES – 49ers TE coach Pete Hoener served as an OL coach at Univ. of Illinois from 1986-88, and offensive line coach at Illinois State in1977. Hoener also played football and earned a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in 1974 ... 49ers LB coach Vantz Singletary began his coaching career at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois and tenured at there from 1992-96.

CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS – Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner was the head coach at San Jose State in 1992. Turner was also an offensive coordinator/QB coach at Stanford from 1989-91. Turner is a native of Martinez, CA ... Bears Asst. Head Coach/DL Rod Marinelli coached the defensive line at the University of California from 1983-89 and was promoted to assistant head coach from 1990-91 ... Bears Assistant DB/Safeties coach Gill Byrd played as a defensive back for San Jose State from 1978-82. Byrd was born in San Francisco, CA ... Bears LB Lance Briggs is a Sacramento, CA native ... Bears WR Rashied Davis (2000-01) and DT Jarron Gilbert (2005-08) played at San Jose State University.

HELLO AGAIN – 49ers WR Isaac Bruce was a teammate of Bears T Orlando Pace with the Rams from 1997-2007, as well as LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (2003-2007). 49ers CB Dré Bly also played with Pace from 1999-2002 while with St. Louis.

"U" KNOW ME - 49ers RB Frank Gore and Bears WR/PR Devin Hester lettered together at the university of Miami, (Fla.) for two season (2003-04). Gore also lettered with Bears TE Greg Olsen during the 2004 season.

BAYOU BROTHERS - 49ers S Curtis Taylor and Bears S Craig Steltz both were letter winners at Louisiana State from 2005-07.

WARRIORS! - 49ers DT Isaac Sopoaga and Bears LB Pisa Tinoisamoa lettered together at Hawaii during the 2002 season.38th overall pick.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 61
Series Record: 49ers Lead Series 30-29-1
49ers Home Record vs. Bears: 49ers Lead Series 18-12
First Meeting: 9/24/50, 49ers lose, 32-20
Last Meeting: 10/29/06, 49ers lose, 41-10
Current Streak: Lost 3
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 6 (12/6/69-11/16/75)
Longest Bears Win Streak: 3 (Four Times)
Most 49ers Points: 52 (9/19/65), 52-24; (12/23/91), 52-14
Most Bears Points: 61 (12/12/65), 61-20, at Chicago
49ers Shutout: 2; (11/19/50 & 10/22/61)
Bears Shutout: 5 Times (Last: 12/17/00 - 49ers win 17-0)

CHICAGO 41, SAN FRANCISCO 10
At Chicago, IL, October 29, 2006

The Chicago Bears jumped out to a 24-0 1st quarter lead and took a 41-0 lead into the half before coasting to a 41-10 victory over San Francisco. The Bears converted four 1st half turnovers into 28 points, including three turnovers in the 1st quarter. Four of Chicago’s 1st half scoring drives started inside San Francisco territory due to the three turnovers and a 42-yard punt return. Chicago recovered 49ers fumbles at the 49ers 15-yard line and 13-yard line and intercepted a pass at the 49ers 41-yard line in the 1st quarter. The Bears then returned a punt 42 yards to begin a drive at the San Francisco 24-yard line early in the 2nd quarter that led to another score.

Despite the loss, RB Frank Gore played a solid game. Gore registered his third 100-yard game of the season with 12 carries for 111 yards. He had a season-long 53-yard run in the 4th quarter to set up the 49ers first points on a 23-yard FG by PK Joe Nedney. QB Alex Smith stood strong in the pocket against the Bears 2nd-ranked defense, completing 16 of 26 pass attempts for 146 yards, including a 16-yard TD pass to WR Antonio Bryant in the 4th quarter. The Bears chalked up 289 yards in the 1st half and then were held to 113 in the 2nd half. The Bears went ahead 10-0 before the 49ers offense even had a chance to run a single play. After marching down the field for a field goal to open the game, the Bears recovered a RB Maurice Hicks fumble on the ensuing kickoff to begin at the 15-yard line. Two plays later, RB Thomas Jones scored on a seven-yard run for a 10-0 lead.

After falling behind 34-0 in the 2nd quarter, Smith tried to get the 49ers back in the game, hitting Bryant on a 16-yard pass to the Chicago 30-yard line. However, Bryant fumbled on a hard hit by SS Todd Johnson and the Bears recovered with 1:12 to play. Instead of running out the clock, Bears QB Rex Grossman executed a perfect two-minute drill down to the San Francisco 27-yard line, where he connected with TE Desmond Clark for a touchdown and a 41-0 lead.

2009 Statistics

49ERS (rank)		BEARS (rank)
3-5 (T-2nd NFCW)	Record	4-4 (t-2nd NFCN)
21.8 (19th)	Points per game	22.5 (t-16th)
285.6 (27th)	Total Offense	332.4 (19th)
101.4 (21st)	Rushing Offense	90.5 (28th)
184.3 (22nd)	Passing Offense	241.9 (11th)
29:41 (18th)	Possession Avg	29:47 (17th)
21.8 (t-17th)	Points allowed/gm	23.9 (22nd)
334.3 (19th)	Total Defense	326.0 (15th)
93.3 (5th)	Rushing Defense	119.5 (21st)
241.0 (24th)	Passing Defense	206.5 (12th)
17 (t-18th)	Sacks	16 (t-23rd)
48.5 (2nd)	Punting Avg (Gross)	40.3 (30th)
-3 (t-22nd)	Turnover Differential	-1 (t-20th)

Week 10 Prediction Games

Fooch — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:21:46 -0000

For the first time since the advent of the season long prediction contest, the 49ers will be playing in a game before the weekend, hosting the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Due to this timing issue, howtheyscored and I have come up with a short-term fix for this week. Each week we normally have everybody predict scores for six games, including the 49ers matchup. Since some folks might not get predictions in before Thursday, here's what we're going to do:

I will post 7 different games. 5 games will be locked in as prediction games for everybody. Then, there will be the 49ers game and a wildcard game. If you want to predict the 49ers game, you will NOT be able to score any points for the wildcard game (thus meaning you don't need to make a prediction for it). If you forget to make your selections before the 49ers game, you can still use the wildcard game as your sixth game. One option you also have: make just your prediction for the 49ers game by Thursday, and then add your remaining five picks later in the week. If you decide to do that it is essential that you submit those scores by replying directly to your 49ers prediction (instead of posting a new comment at the bottom of the page). If you have ANY questions about this, please ask so we can make sure there is no confusion.

Prediction format and scoring rules are after the jump. As always, the times are pacific.

Chicago @ 49ers - Thursday 11/12 5:20pm

Baltimore @ Cleveland - MNF 11/16 5:30pm

New England @ Indianapolis - SNF 11/15 5:20pm

Jacksonville @ NY Jets - Sunday 11/15 10:00am

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh - Sunday 11/15 10:00am

Philadelphia @ San Diego - Sunday 11/15 1:15pm

Dallas @ Green Bay - Sunday 11/15 1:15pm - ***WILDCARD GAME***

Just a reminder: If you make a prediction for the 49ers game, do not submit a prediction for Dallas/Green Bay. If you forget or don't want to make a 49ers prediction, DO make a prediction for Dallas/Green Bay.

IMPORTANT NEW RULE

Up until now, folks have just posted their scores in any particular fashion, although howtheyscored has made requests for a specific format. Given the amount of time and effort howtheyscored has to put into determining the final results, I am implementing a requirement for how to format your scores (based on the spreadsheet howtheyscored has created). If you fail to follow this format, any incorrectly formatted scores for the week will be disqualified. The format is "Team A @ Team B: A score - B score." That basically is visitor @ home: visitor score - home score." Here's an example of how to do it:

Using Baltimore @ Cleveland below, if you think Cleveland will win 24-14, here's how it HAS to look:

Baltimore @ Cleveland: 14 - 24

If you think Baltimore will win 24-14, it needs to appear as this:

Baltimore @ Cleveland: 24 - 14

If you'd like you can bold the winner (Baltimore @ Cleveland: 14 - 24), but that is not required (although probably a good backup in case you reversed the score by accident.

If you make a mistake in the formatting I'll reply to your score reminding you to correct it. To correct it, simply reply to your picks and post them in the correct format. Do not post your scores again at the bottom of the thread. I'll make sure and include these directions each week so people do not forgot and lose out on points. As I mentioned above, we're doing this to make howtheyscored's life easier in figuring out the scores. The # of regular commenters has increased dramatically since last season, so we're anticipating a greater # of prediction contest participants. While this is a new rule, I don't think it's all that difficult for folks to follow it.

SCORING RULES

Every score is made up of two parts: Point total and point differential. First we see how close your prediction’s point total is to the actual score’s point total. The closer you are to zero, the better. Then, we see how close your prediction’s point differential is to the actual point differential. Again, closer to zero is better. Then, we add those two numbers together. That number gives you a raw score for your prediction.Then, we rank each game by raw scores. The players with the five lowest raw scores get points. The lowest get five points. Next lowest get four. And so on.

As an example of the scoring system, in week 7, the Vikings lost to the Steelers by a score of 17 - 27. The actual score had a point differential of 10 (27-17=10) and a point total of 44 (27+17=44).

For that game, let's look at three predictions: 1) 17 - 23, Pitt; 2) 23 - 27, Pitt; and 3) 17 - 27, Pitt.

Remember, nobody who predicted the Vikings to win the game was eligible for points.

The first prediction had a point differential of 6 (23-17=6). This was 4 away from the actual point differential. It had a total score of 40 (23+17=40). This was 4 away from the actual point total. All in all, that gives the prediction a raw score of 8.

The second prediction had a point differential of 4 (27-23=4), which was 6 away from the actual point differential. It had a total score of 50 (27+23=50), which was 6 away from the actual point total. That gives the prediction a raw score of 12.

The third prediction had a point differential of 10 (27-17=10), which was 0 away from the actual point differential. It had a total score of 44 (27+17=44), which was 0 away from the actual point total. That gives the prediction a raw score of 0.

Since the lower your raw score is, the better your prediction, the third prediction is ranked as the best and gets the most points (and since it was a perfect prediction, there is no arguing that it was the best). The first prediction had the next lowest raw score, so it ranks as the second best prediction of the group, netting the next most points. The second prediction, therefore, came in third.

If anybody has any questions at all about this, or anything else, feel free to email me at ninersnation@gmail.com.

Mike Singletary press conference transcript: 49ers not interested in Larry Johnson

Fooch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:57:22 -0000

Ok, so Mike Singletary didn't say it would NEVER happen, but when asked about Larry Johnson, Singletary said:

On whether the 49ers are interested in RB Larry Johnson:
"Right now, I hadn't even thought about it. No. No. Not right now."

The 49ers do have a need for running back depth, but it's not happening with LJ. He actually doesn't clear waivers until tomorrow afternoon. The 49ers would be looking to wait until after he clears waivers, meaning he'd basically have 2 days to learn even a little bit of the playbook. Also, the Texans are bringing Johnson in for a workout, and the Redskins haven't ruled out trying to sign Johnson (if he clears waivers). I'd imagine he'll be locked up before the end of the day tomorrow.

Earlier today I mentioned I was looking for info on Jason Hill in the press conference. We didn't get a completely clear answer, but Singletary did address the wide receiver position.

On why WRs Josh Morgan and Jason Hill played so much:
"I think right now, we have to meet as a staff and really look at our receiving situation. It's a good situation, we have a lot of talent there. We just have to figure out the right combination of time for all of our guys."

On how much he will play Bruce in the future:
"I think it makes sense for us to get together as a staff and really figure out the best thing that we need to do going forward and we will do that. We will do that this week and we will do it today."

On what he saw from [WR] Jason Hill that this was the game he wanted Hill to play:
"Practice. I mean, Jason Hill - I just saw it in practice. He's a guy that could have really gotten a bad attitude and said, ‘Hey, forget it. I'm out here. I was out here last year, I was making plays. It didn't happen. This year, maybe I need to go somewhere else.' But, he's a guy - we've talked a few times. I know [wide receivers coach Jerry] Sullivan has talked with him as well. He's had a tremendous attitude out here and just busting his tail trying to make plays. He's got all the DBs mad at him because he continues to make plays. What he did in the game did not surprise me. I'm very excited about what he was able to accomplish."

Not exactly clear-cut information, but the writing is definitely on the wall for Isaac Bruce. He's had an amazing career, but it looks like his time is winding down.

Feel free to use this thread to discuss Monday Night Football as well.

We have the complete transcript after the jump...

Head Coach Mike Singletary
Press Conference November 9, 2009
San Francisco 49ers

Opening statements:

"Good afternoon. First of all, obviously this is not the most exciting time in the world right now. I would say the biggest thing is we just have to continue working we just have to continue going forward. In the loss we had yesterday, it was unfortunate some of the things that happened in the game. The things that we talked about all week, doing the things we needed to do, going out and playing together. The offensive line, for the most part, did a decent job. Obviously there was one sack there, [T Adam] Snyder's guy came underneath. It was just a good pass rush, the one that caused the fumble by [QB] Alex [Smith]. But overall, I thought the offensive line did a good job. I was very encouraged when I came in and looked at the film last night. The running backs, Frank Gore ran hard. I thought our receivers did a good job of blocking downfield. As far as Alex is concerned in terms of throwing the football, I thought Alex did a good job of throwing the football. I thought the first turnover he had, throwing the ball to [WR Michael] Crabtree, the ball just takes an unlucky bounce back and the guy was able to come back and make a pick. That doesn't happen too often. The second turnover that went to [WR] Josh [Morgan], I thought there were a couple of things that could have happened there. Josh could have made a little better play on the ball coming back to it. I thought the defender got there a little bit early, but we didn't get that call. Other than that, I think Alex had one play that was really on him and they did a good job defensively. He thought it was Cover 4, and basically the DB came off and Alex was trying to get the ball there on time and the guy made a nice play. When I look at the offense, for the most part, unfortunately it was one of the better offensive performances I have seen since I've been here. If you take away the turnovers, we have a chance to really have a good offensive game and have some excitement and momentum going forward. But it didn't happen that way. We did have the turnovers, and I think that is something we have to continue to work on. Outside of that, what do we do going forward? You have four losses and obviously that is not where you want to be, but it is where we are, dealing with reality. I think the most fortunate thing we have right now, the blessing that I would call, is we have a coaching staff that is continuing to work their tails off putting our guys in position to win. We have a young team that has to continue to fight, stay together and execute consistently. The guys are playing hard, that's not even a thought. I have had questions about, ‘Do you think they will start bickering in the locker room?' and those sort of things. No. We won't have that, haven't had that. That won't start. We have eight games left in the season and we have to go out and do the very best we can to win those football games. Other than that, questions."

On whether Smith was locking onto receivers too early:

"I really don't think so. I really don't."

On whether Smith and Morgan have chemistry together:

"I think it could be a combination of things. I think Josh is still maturing into a receiver. He is going to be a great receiver one of these days, it just hasn't happened yet. But, he is working his tail off to get there. That's where it's at. You just have to continue working at it."

On the injuries suffered Sunday:

"[RB] Glen Coffee has a concussion. He will probably be out this game. [S] Michael Lewis has a quad strain. That will be day-to-day this week. [S] Curtis Taylor has a shin contusion. [RB] Michael Robinson had a little bit of a stinger. [CB] Tarell Brown, a rib contusion. [G David] Baas had a little bit of a stinger. [TE] Delanie Walker, a little bit of a knee sprain. I think that will be a day-to-day thing but I think he will be okay for the game. [RB Frank] Gore, eye contusion. Anything I say just add contusion onto it and you'll be in good shape. [TE] Vernon Davis, shoulder contusion."

On why WRs Josh Morgan and Jason Hill played so much:

"I think right now, we have to meet as a staff and really look at our receiving situation. It's a good situation, we have a lot of talent there. We just have to figure out the right combination of time for all of our guys."

On whether WR Isaac Bruce was injured against the Titans:

"He has a sore ankle. He has had a sore ankle for a few weeks, a couple of weeks. Nothing big, but just kind of a little bit of pain there. He is trying to work through it. That's all it was."

On how much he will play Bruce in the future:

"I think it makes sense for us to get together as a staff and really figure out the best thing that we need to do going forward and we will do that. We will do that this week and we will do it today."

On the play of Davis this season:

"Vernon Davis, he has been the same since the beginning of the season. He has worked his tail off. What he is doing now is just the investment he made in the offseason. He continues to get better and he is going to help this team win a lot of football games. He is committed, that's why he is a captain. He is the example that everybody on this team wants to look to as a guy who is doing it right. He is just really working his tail off and he is making a difference in the team."

On Davis' blocking:

"Normally, when a guy is doing something well and he starts doing something else well, what he was doing well originally drops. He continues to get better as a blocking tight end. He is one of those guys, you put another 20 pounds on him and he would be right there doing a heck of a job blocking those ends and tackles and everything else. He is just an extraordinary athlete and is beginning to put all the tools together. He continues to work out right out there on the field before practice, after practice, getting it done. That's why Vernon Davis is successful and he will continue to be so."

On the challenge of running out of the shotgun:

"The shotgun is just one of things where it depends on how much flexibility you have from your o-line. You can run traps, you can run power, you can run basically the same things. It is just a matter of it has to happen a little quicker. There's not much of an illusion to it when you have the fullback. It makes it different because you are keying on that lead guy. I just think that we have to see is how much of the shotgun look that we will keep going forward. We will expand it depending on who we are playing, depending on what they are trying to do to us. If we have to loosen up the front seven if they are trying to load up the box, maybe we do that. But we just have to wait and see."

On whether he liked the shotgun look:

"I like the things that work. I don't really get into a look or whatever. I look at, how many yards and how effective is it? How did it fit with our personnel and what we are doing? It is certainly something we have the tools to do. We have Vernon here in the tight end spot, and we have three wide outs. We have Gore in the backfield. Those are some great weapons to be able to use. I just think we have to really focus on cutting down on some of the other things we are doing that takes away from that because I think it is a powerful thing going forward."

On Titans RB Chris Johnson:

"Obviously, what you saw there was real speed. I don't know if there has ever been a running back as fast to the edge. Sometimes when you look at something on film, you go, ‘Okay, right. We will get him.' I thought for the most part, our defense did a pretty decent job, there were just a couple of times where he got out. When you look out there and see a guy turning the corner and Patrick Willis is running after him, you don't see that too often. Patrick is going to catch that guy. And he did, a few times. That is credit to him. But the guy made some good plays. They blocked on to us. We didn't do a great job getting off blocks yesterday. They did a good job staying on the blocks yesterday. It is just one of those things, I thought we had to do a better job getting off blocks and we didn't."

On whether the 49ers are interested in RB Larry Johnson:

"Right now, I hadn't even thought about it. No. No. Not right now."

On how the losing stretch is weighing on him:

"Do you mean is it one of those things where it takes me to a place? I will put it like this, as a football coach, I am very thankful to be doing what I am doing. But, there are a lot of guys waking up this morning where they are in a job that they don't want to be in and they are doing something and they wish they could be doing something else. I get up every morning, trust me, it is testing at times in this job, but I love this job and I love what I do. I feel that I am the luckiest man in the world to do what I do. Everything that comes with the job, just like you with your job, sometimes you have things that upset you, things that you wish were going another way, but this where it is at. In these moments, this is when I am at my best because in these situations, you just have to rise above and you have to put your best foot forward. You have to be positive. You have to look at where things are and just call it what it is. I can't get lost in the reality of the four losses. It's not something that you want. It's not something - it's not a place that you want to be, but that's where it's at. So, for me, it's just getting ready to, coming in this morning, being excited, talking to the coaching staff, having the coaching staff, ‘Hey, let's go. Let's get ready. Call your guys. Let them know we're on. Be ready to go tomorrow when they come in.' We're setting the game plan in place today, and let's get ready to go tomorrow. On that question, the thing that I want to do is I want all of you to understand this: If you talk to me after a game, nine times out of 10, if we lose the game, it's very rare that I will be sitting back and kind of being philosophical or whatever. I'm going to be ticked. OK? You can call it stress, you can call it whatever you want to call it. For me, it's human. It's just human. You guys in the media, it's just one of those things that, I don't ever think I'm going to have the right etiquette to stand up here and pontificate like some of the other coaches can do. That's not me. I'm a football coach, and I'm real, and what you see is what you get. All I can tell you today is that we've got eight games left, and we've got the right coaches, we've got the right players, we've got the right vision and we just have to go forward. Sometimes, that's all it is, nothing more, nothing less."

On the process of him deciding to become a coach:

"I'll take you through this: I think everything happens for a reason. I think, first and foremost, I told you before that I didn't want to coach, for all of these kinds of reason. I thought, as a player, at least you can go out there and hit somebody. At least you can do that. But, as a coach, you're dealing with guys, and they have to go play. And, you've got to go over there and you've got to make sure that you're doing all the right things on the sideline. But, I think all of the things that I thought before, getting into coaching, is what it is. It's in practice. What you do in practice, nine times out of 10, that's what you're going to get in the games. What you practice on, that's what you should do in the game. I think, for me, that's the best gaze that I have going into any game that we play in. That's why we have practices that are intense at times, in terms of making sure that every little detail is worked out and you still see at times we come up short. But, the guys are headed in the right direction. The guys are - there's not one eye, not one set of eyes in the room last night blinking. All the guys are looking at me and we all agree, you know what? Here's another game. You take the gun out and you point it at yourself, and we're shooting ourselves. We just have to go forward and expect the best and understand that the best will come because we will not see it any other way. I will not compromise. As far as coaching as concerned, it is what I love to do, and I was hesitant to get into coaching because of some of the - I'm standing up here today for this kind of thing because I hate losing. It's as simple as that. No one loves losing, but I hate losing, absolutely hate it - especially when you've got a team that can win. So, that's where I'm at with that. But, I absolutely love what I do."

On whether he wanted to coach the Chicago Bears:

"I wanted to coach at whatever place that wanted me. I didn't know where I was going to coach. And, it's like I said before, when my wife and I knew that we were going to be coaching, we put our house up for sale. We didn't know where we going to be coaching. We didn't know what level we were going to be coaching, had no idea, had no clue. We just knew we were going to be coaching. So, in terms of where we wanted to coach, I just felt that as we prayed, wherever the Lord would have us go, that's where we wanted to go. Where we ended up going, that's where we were going to coach, and we were going to coach as hard as we could and as long as we could."

On what changed in his mind that led him to want to coach:

"What changed in my mindset as I want to coach? It's a hard thing to explain. When I said my wife and I, we prayed about it, that's what we did. We felt that through prayer there were certain doors that were open and then we had to field the right fit and the right situation that came about. And that came, which was from Baltimore, and that's where we went. As far as all of the other things, I think everything that's happened in my life has prepared me for moments like these. I can't lie to you. I would love to come in and have it be we're 6-0, we're 7-0 and we're going forward. ‘Wow, what a brilliant guy. Wow, where has he been.' But, it's not like that. But, I would much rather have it this way, where you come in and you start off right, you know you can do it, and then all of a sudden all these changes. You're changing the quarterback. You start finding out about yourself. You start finding out about the people around you and you start finding out what you're made of. And then you come back together and the thing starts working again. Then you feel better about what you've accomplished and you feel better about the people you've been around because you've been exposed. There's nothing that exposes you like a tough time. There's nothing that exposes - you don't get to know people until you go through tough times. You don't get to know your spouse until you go through tough times, or kids. So, I would much rather have it like this because when it does swing around, we'll be enjoying it a lot more, and it'll be much more of a richness to it going forward and an appreciation for it because it doesn't come easy. There are a lot of little things that have to work right in order for the big thing to really come into fuition. So, I feel good about that. I feel good about these next eight games. I feel good about these next eight games. I feel good about the situation we're in and I feel good about our guys having to work through some things, as well as our coaches, to climb back up again and get ready for that next one and let's go."

On what makes him think his team will turn it around:

"You know what sir? I don't know where you're from, and I don't know what you really meant by that. I understand that you're not my players, thankful that you're not my players. I do want to win. But, let me say this: You have to know guys that you spend days with. You have to know guys that you spend hours with. It's just like you when you're at home. I don't know how much time you spend with your kids, but it's important that when things happen, you know, you have a pretty good idea of how your kids are going to respond. If you tell me that one of my kids slapped you or one of my kids spit on you or something like that, I've got a pretty good idea of who it would be because I know them. I would say, ‘OK, that was Jackie.' Or, ‘You know what? That was Brooke.' When I think about our guys or when I'm talking about our guys, I know them. I know them, and when you spend as much time with these young men and you know what they're made of, then you have a pretty doggone good idea of how they're going to respond. That make sense?"

On whether he contacted the Bears before he decided to get back into coaching:

"Well, I'll put it this way: When I knew we were going to be coaching, the thing that I did was I called Dick Jauron, who was then at the Bears, the head coach. And, I told Dick Jauron exactly this, I said, ‘Coach, my wife and I prayed about it, we've decided that we're going to be coaching. I'm not asking you for a job, but I am telling you that this year, in the very near future, I will be coaching. I don't know where, don't know when.' And, that was it. He said, ‘Well, Mike, good. Let me get back to you and see what's happening here.' And I said, ‘Once again, I understand, I'm not asking. If there's something there, great, but let's just not do something just to do it.' So, he got back to me eventually and just said, ‘Mike, the way things are here, it just looks like it's going to be a tough situation to work out.' I said, ‘Fantastic. I thank you.' And he just let me know that I'm not supposed to be there. So, that was it."

On whether he has any particular emotions coaching against the team he played for:

"Not in particular. I'm just excited for the game. But, not emotions outside of the emotions that I have for any other team."

On the positives and negatives of playing the game on such a short turnaround:

"I think, whatever positives and negatives we have, it's the same for the other team. So, it really doesn't matter a whole lot. We've just got to get ready to go."

On what he saw from [WR] Jason Hill that this was the game he wanted Hill to play:

"Practice. I mean, Jason Hill - I just saw it in practice. He's a guy that could have really gotten a bad attitude and said, ‘Hey, forget it. I'm out here. I was out here last year, I was making plays. It didn't happen. This year, maybe I need to go somewhere else.' But, he's a guy - we've talked a few times. I know [wide receivers coach Jerry] Sullivan has talked with him as well. He's had a tremendous attitude out here and just busting his tail trying to make plays. He's got all the DBs mad at him because he continues to make plays. What he did in the game did not surprise me. I'm very excited about what he was able to accomplish."

49ers-Bears Monday Injury Report

Fooch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:21:13 -0000

The 49ers and Bears did not hold formal practices today, but due to the truncated schedule, they have provided an injury report based on what would likely have happened if there had been practice. Suffice to say, this is not a pretty practice report. The 49ers were beat up pretty badly yesterday and find themselves needing to turn around quickly to face the Bears this Thursday.

Glen Coffee is out and Michael Robinson is banged up, so I'd hope the team signs somebody today or tomorrow. Whomever they do sign (if anybody) will not have much time to learn the playbook and would really just be an emergency option this week. I'm not expecting a big name signing, but at this point any body is a good body.

I don't have the today's press conference transcript, but I'll post it here as soon as I get it.

49ers
Out (Definitely Will Not Play)
CB Nate Clements (shoulder)
DE Demetric Evans (shoulder)
OT Joe Staley (knee)
RB Glen Coffee (concussion)

Did not Participate in Practice
S Michael Lewis (quadricep)
RB Michael Robinson (stinger)
DE Justin Smith (not injury related)
LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder)
S Curtis Taylor (shin)

Limited Participation in Practice
TE Vernon Davis (shoulder)
WR Jason Hill (ankle)
TE Delanie Walker (shin, knee)

Full Participation in Practice
G David Baas (stinger)
CB Tarell Brown (rib)
RB Frank Gore (eye lid)

Bears
Out
LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee)

Did not Participate in Practice
S Al Afalava (shoulder)
S Kevin Payne (back)
RB Garrett Wolfe (back)

Limited Participation in Practice
TE Desmond Clark (neck)
DT Tommie Harris (knee)
CB Charles Tillman (shoulder)

Mike Singletary Monday lunchtime press conference

Fooch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:14:49 -0000

Coach Singletary will be addressing the media today at 11:45am. Things got a little bit feisty during the post-game press conference, so we'll see how that carries over to today. What do I want to hear out of this press conference? Well, I'd certainly like to get some clarification on the future role of Jason Hill. Isaac Bruce was benched midway through yesterday's game and Hill was quite productive in his place. Hill seemed to be in the doghouse much of the season, but might finally have re-emerged. I'm also curious to hear about the injury situation. The 49ers had a rather lengthy injury report after the game, so it will be interesting to see how the team will be addressing the depth issue.

One thing I don't want to hear is a bold proclamation about making the playoffs. I have no problem inferring it's still an option, but to make some bold playoff prediction at this point would be more or less useless.

Head on over to 49ers.com's video section to view the press conference, and feel free to discuss it here.