Gore says Nolan 'showed a lot of heart'

SEATTLE -- Shortly after the 49ers arrived here Sunday, coach Mike Nolan gathered his team to tell them of his father's death.

"It showed a lot of heart for him to still coach," 49ers running back Frank Gore said following the 49ers' 24-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday at Qwest Field.

"It's tough. I know. I've been through it with my mom. I'm happy he did it. I just wish it could've come out better."

Dick Nolan, who coached the 49ers from 1968 through '75, died Sunday at the age of 75. He had battled Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer for several years.

Initially, when asked about the emotions he experienced, Nolan said he would rather not "make this about me." Later, he said his father was on his mind at times.

"I thought about him before the game and I might have thought about him once or twice during the game," Nolan said of his father. "But to be honest with you, I might have done that during a normal game."

Said quarterback Alex Smith, "Obviously, I felt for him tonight. I'm frustrated tonight, disappointed. We're better than that."

Funeral arrangements for Dick Nolan are pending, but the services are likely to be held on Saturday. That would allow Mike Nolan to attend the service and be back in time for the 49ers' game the next day against the St. Louis Rams.

SMITH PROBLEMS

Seattle linebacker Julian Peterson said he believes Smith, his former 49ers teammate, is still bothered by the shoulder injury he sustained Sept. 30 when the clubs last met.

"I think he's still hurt," Peterson said. "A lot of the time he tries to throw the ball overhand and like he's kind of grimacing all the time to me. To me, it's like he shouldn't be out there. But desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess.

"It's kind of hard for them to pass the ball if he's not completely healthy. He can't really get the ball down when he wants to. You see the receiver jumping way high or the ball is too low. It's unfortunate for them."

Nolan said he did not want to blame Smith's problems on the injury.

When asked if he could explain Smith's ineffectiveness since returning from the injury, Nolan said, "I can't. I wish I could. I don't want to go to the sore-shoulder thing because I don't believe it's it."

Smith completed 12 of 28 passes for 114 yards, missing wildly on many of his incomplete throws.

EXTRA POINTS

NT Aubrayo Franklin sustained a right calf injury in the third quarter. His status for Sunday's game is uncertain.

The 49ers opened the second half with an onside kick that Nolan believes his team should have recovered. Marcus Hudson had the best chance at the ball but let it slip from his grasp.

Newly re-signed OLB/DE Roderick Green suited up for the game but played sparingly. He took McDonald's spot on the active roster. Three rookie draft picks were among the inactives: McDonald, Brown and Hill.

OL Tony Wragge suited up for the first time this season. Wragge was the backup at center and both guard positions, while Kwame Harris was the backup at both tackle positions.

You can reach Staff Writer

Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.