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Singletary Moves on From Minnesota

The 49ers heartbreaking defeat didn’t have their head coach down on Monday. Mike Singletary seemed to be in usual spirits during his annual day after the game press conference.

“They just make a football play, that’s what happened,” Singletary said of Minnesota’s last second touchdown pass that helped the Vikings win 27-24.

Rather than dwell on the disappointing loss, Singletary wants his players to learn from the experience and use it to get better.

“I think you take it, you learn for it and you get ready for the next game,” he said. “Winners let it go – they move forward. Losers wallow in it.”

Singletary said his team got better in “some areas” but refused to specifically single them out.

Besides fielding a number of questions relating to the game’s surprising finish, Singletary was also asked about the status of running back Frank Gore.

Singletary said that Gore would have an MRI on his strained right ankle later today. Other than Gore, tackle Joe Staley had a knee contusion and will have an MRI later today as well. Also, safety Reggie Smith suffered a groin injury, linebacker Jeff Ulbrich had a right quad contusion, cornerback Dre’ Bly injured a toe, guard David Baas sprained his ankle, tackle Adam Snyder sprained his thumb and linebacker Takeo Spikes suffered a left leg contusion.

Asked more specifically about Gore, Singletary said the injury was not related to the ankle sprain he sustained against the Seattle Seahawks.

Singletary said he hasn’t determined how long Gore will be kept out of action.

“I’m going to do what’s best for him first, then I’m going to do what’s best for the team next,” Singletary stated.

More Notes From Monday:

-Staley looked good to Singletary earlier this morning and the MRI is more of a precautionary measure.

-Singletary said there was a point in the game where he felt the 49ers running game was getting into a rhythm, but Percy Harvin’s 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown stifled all of that. “We were starting to get what we were looking for in the running game.” After the kick, Singletary said the 49ers “had to get back to the drawing board.”

-Singletary on Vernon Davis’ seven catch, two-touchdown performance: “Yesterday was an improvement for him. I think he’s capable of a lot better than yesterday. Hopefully we will see more of that in the future.”

-Singletary also said the 49ers were not in a prevent defense on the game’s final drive. “We were playing a get to the quarterback defense,” he said.

Singletary Recaps 49ers Victory Over Seattle

Frank Gore will be “fine” according to 49ers head coach Mike Singletary. The 49ers starting running back nicked up his ankle in the team’s 23-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

“I’m glad to get another win under our belts,” Singletary said in his Monday press conference with the Bay Area media.

Singletary was asked a number of questions on the 49ers most recent game as well as their upcoming road game this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, who are also 2-0.

“It’s going to be a tremendous challenge and we look forward to going there,” he said.

Singletary was also asked to compare this year’s 2-0 team to the 49ers 2007 team that also won its first two regular season games.

“I don’t want to compare the two teams,” he said. “What’s important about this team is that there’s tremendous character on this team. All of the other things before now – that’s not really important to me.”

What’s important to Singletary is seeing improved play from his players on a weekly basis. At the current moment, a portion of his focus has been devoted to the offensive line. After applying gentile pressure on the unit throughout the week, Singletary said he was pleased with the improvement the group made against the Seahawks.

“They played better and they played more physical,” he said. “They did work as a unit and that’s important.”

Singletary said the right tackle position will continue to be shared by Adam Snyder and Tony Pashos.

Pashos did “a pretty decent job” and Snyder “certainly played better” according to Singletary.

Other Notes

-Singletary is not worried about the lack of production from second-year wideout Josh Morgan. “It will come,” he said of Morgan’s time to breakout. Singletary also praised Morgan’s blocking which allowed Gore to be so successful.

-Singletary on Gore’s career-best yards from scrimmage performance: “I enjoyed it while it was going on. I enjoyed every bit of it.”

Marvel Smith Exits With Class

Recently retired tackle Marvel Smith just concluded a conference call with the Bay Area media. He didn’t have to. The 9-year pro from Oakland certainly didn’t have to field questions on his personal health and the reasons for his retirement, but he did.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Smith said of his decision.

The two-time Super Bowl Champion and one-time Pro Bowler with the Pittsburgh Steelers signed with the 49ers in late March hoping to win the starting right tackle position, but ultimately decided to end his career to preserve his personal health.

Smith has undergone a pair of back surgeries and he thought he could continue playing in San Francisco. However, it soon became apparent to Smith that it was too difficult to consistently compete on the practice field and in games.

“I thought it would feel better,” Smith said of his back. “There wasn’t anything helping me get better.”

Smith said his primary focus is making sure he keeps himself healthy for the rest of his life so he doesn’t have health issues down the road.

When asked about his fellow competitor for the starting right tackle position Adam Snyder, Smith had nothing but positive things to say.

“He’s in the NFL for a reason,” Smith said. “From what I saw he’s definitely a quality lineman. I see him having a great season this year.”

Smith also said he would follow the 49ers closely this season. Watching the team’s last preseason game was actually therapeutic for him.

Looking back over his entire 9-year career Smith accomplished a lot. As a young boy growing up in Oakland, Smith could never have imagine what would happen in his future.

“I would have never believed that,” he said.

No Decision Made on Starting QB

In his conference call with the media on Sunday, head coach Mike Singletary did not name a starting quarterback.  Singletary and the coaching staff will review the film from the game and be very detailed in their evaluation before coming to such a decision.

“I have to look at some more film,” Singletary said. “It takes me a little longer than some other people.”

Alex Smith injured his thumb against the Raiders making a tackle after his pass intended for Josh Morgan was intercepted by linebacker Ricky Brown.  Smith will be evaluated and is day-to-day.  Singletary insisted that the injury will have no impact on which quarterback is ultimately selected to start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13.

Other notes from the conference call included:

-  The main thing that jumped out to Singletary after watching the game was the physicality. “The execution of the offensive line was a challenge going into the game. We had to have it in order for our quarterbacks to develop. The running game allowed them to have a bit of a comfort zone.”

- Adam Snyder injured his right knee and ankle in the game.  He will be evaluated before any update is given on his condition.

- Singletary praised the play of both the offensive line and running backs.  “I think it goes hand in hand. If you put a running back behind an offensive line that is not good, he could be the greatest in the world and you’d never know. For a rookie, the more [Glen Coffee] plays the better he’s going to get.”

- Singletary was pleased with the effort of the defense which has forced six interceptions in the first two preseason games.  “It’s nice to see that early on. We certainly would like for that to be a trademark of the defense. The most important thing is do your job, the reason those turnovers happen is because guys are in the right place.”

- Linebacker Scott McKillop, guard Chilo Rachal, safety Reggie Smith and cornerback Carlos Thomas were a few of the young players who stood out to Singletary. “There are a few guys who did a nice job.  Scot McCloughan and his staff have done a great job of bringing in guys who can play, so I take my hat off to him.”

- The 49ers will travel to Dallas next Saturday, a game in which the starters will probably see more playing time.  “For us, the thing I really want to focus on is it’s our first road game and we’re playing a talented football team. I know they’re considered an elite team. We have to continue to take steps and move forward in being the team we want to be.”

Singletary Praises Snyder’s Play

Head coach Mike Singletary just concluded a conference call with the Bay Area beat writers. He was asked what stood out to him from Friday night’s 17-16 victory over the Denver Broncos and he immediately said the play of Adam Snyder caught his attention.

“The thing that has jumped out at me so far is Adam Snyder,” Singletary said. “I think he did a nice job. I think he did everything we asked him to do.”

Singletary said that Snyder hasn’t won the starting right tackle job just yet, but he’s excited about what he saw in Snyder. Singletary also said that free agent acquisition Marvel Smith is getting better and growing his strength and confidence in his back.

Other notes from Singletary’s conference call included:

-Running back Thomas Clayton will have an MRI later today on the knee injury he suffered in the second half.

-The team will wait on more information on the injury to fullback Zak Keasey’s forearm before looking for a possible replacement in free agency. “We’re in discussions, it depends on how things work out,” Singletary said

-Singletary thought both Shaun Hill and Alex Smith “did a decent job.” He said there wasn’t any separation between the two. “I think we’re going to evalutate the film and go from there.”

-Glen Coffee was a player that Singletary was pleased with. “Very excited about what I saw out of him. Tough runner, I thought he did a decent job in his pass protection. Glen is going  to be a great addition to our football team.”

-Singletary said there wasn’t any separation in the starting wide receiver competition either.

-The 49ers play-calling was approved by Singletary. “I thought Jimmy (Raye) did a nice job. He kept a good rhythm. The play selection was good. For the first preseason game, the offense executed fairly well. I really thought Jimmy did a nice job in mixing it up a bit, I thought he was good overall.”

-Singletary also said he would have to watch more film to evaluate backup players and the team’s pass rush.