Debacle in Chicago seals starters' roles

Coach Mike Nolan, as is his custom, took notes on the sideline whenever the 49ers made glaring mistakes.

It's a wonder his pen did not run out of ink Saturday night at Soldier Field.

There were 35 plays on offense, defense and special teams in the first quarter, and Nolan might have looked as if he were writing a novel.

"There were 23 plays where we messed up," Nolan said. "That's a really bad first quarter."

The 49ers' poor performance against the Chicago Bears on Saturday made one decision easy for Nolan. Prior to Saturday's game, he was undecided whether to play his starters against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday.

"Had we played well for three quarters, I would've contemplated not playing the starters," Nolan said. "That's one of the good things that came out of the game. I'm not contemplating that any more."

The 49ers fell behind 17-0 to the Bears. The second-stringers rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the 49ers' 31-28 loss.

The biggest competition for a starting job is expected to be resolved today, as Nolan said he is likely to announce which player will start at right tackle. Rookie Joe Staley appears to be the favorite to win the job over incumbent Kwame Harris.

"Both players played well," Nolan said. "It's still very close, very tight. We'll talk more about that (Sunday night), as far as if there's anything to adjust."

Harris started the first three exhibition games, but Staley started sharing time with the first unit. The 49ers would like to get their starting offensive line together for another couple drives Thursday before the regular season begins Sept. 10, against the Arizona Cardinals.

Another intriguing competition is ongoing at wide receiver. A week ago, Nolan said Taylor Jacobs was the clear No. 3 receiver. When asked if that is still the case, Nolan was noncommittal.

"I want to see a little more," Nolan said of Jacobs. "I want to see a little bit more. He's done a good job, but the opportunities haven't come, either."

Jacobs has just two receptions for 22 yards in the exhibition season, while Ashley Lelie leads the team with 10 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. But only two of Lelie's receptions have come from quarterback Alex Smith. Nolan said Lelie's pass-catching is better than the other phases of his game.

The 49ers trimmed 11 roster spots Sunday to get to the 75-man roster limit 48 hours before the league-mandated deadline.

The two most notable cuts were linebacker Roderick Green and receiver Marcus Maxwell, who excelled in NFL Europa in the spring.

Green recorded 4.5 sacks last season in just nine games, including a couple impressive sacks against Seattle All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones. But Green became expendable with the improved play of second-year player Parys Haralson, as well as the additions of outside linebackers Tully Banta-Cain and rookie Jay Moore.

Likewise, Maxwell's chances were limited after the 49ers added some strength to its receiving corps. Maxwell had just one catch for 11 yards in the exhibition season, as he was pushed far down the depth chart with the emergence of Lelie, Jacobs and rookie Jason Hill.

"We could've waited a week, but it might give (Maxwell) an opportunity for another team to give him a week's look," Nolan said.

The 49ers placed receiver C.J. Brewer and defensive lineman Melvin Oliver on injured reserve. They also cut receiver Dominique Zeigler, fullback Steve Dildine, guard Nick Steitz, linebacker John Syptak, defensive back Sammy Joseph, punter Kenny Parrish and kicker MacKenzie Hoambrecker.

The 49ers probably will have eight players unavailable for Thursday's game, including receiver Darrell Jackson, who sustained a hamstring strain. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.