Nolan under pressure after third straight loss

SANTA CLARA

The airwaves and emails were flying Monday after the 49ers’ fourth-quarter collapse against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Coach Mike Nolan is the target of most of the outrage.

The 49ers lost their third consecutive game against a third consecutive opponent that was playing without key offensive players. But the 49ers lost again.

The Eagles outscored the 49ers 23-0 in the fourth quarter en route to a 40-26 victory.

The fans who remained for the end of the game at Candlestick Park were actually quite happy with the outcome. That’s because the joint was filthy with Eagles fans. The majority of 49ers boosters vanished after quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan’s third turnover of the fourth quarter, an interception, was returned for a game-clinching touchdown in the closing minute.

On Monday, Nolan said he understands why 49ers fans are so upset.

“Sure,” he said. “We’re losing. We’ve lost three in a row.” Nolan added, “The only thing I’m concerned about is winning and trying to win. And everything that’s an effect of the winning or losing is peripheral. The fans want to win, I want to win, and everything we do is geared toward winning. And it will stay that way.”

The 49ers own a 2-4 record (.333 win percentage). Nearly halfway through Nolan’s fourth season with the 49ers, his overall record is 18-36 (.333).

But the pressure has never been more intense, as the 49ers travel to face the New York Giants on Sunday, followed by a home game against the Seattle Seahawks.

If the 49ers lose the final two games heading into the bye week, club sources expect general manager Scot McCloughan to meet with John and Jed York to discuss their options. Certainly, Nolan’s job performance and his future will be Topic No.1.

When asked if he has talked with the Yorks about his job status, Nolan answered, “I have not had any conversations whatsoever about anything other than just trying to win games.”

Owner John York declined a request to speak about the state of his team when approached prior to Sunday’s game.

Unwinnable challenge

Nolan spent a replay challenge after the Eagles’ David Akers was credited with a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that gave Philadelphia a 27-26 lead. According to league rules, a challenge can only be made on a field goal when the kicked ball crosses the goalposts lower than the top of uprights. If the ball crosses above the top of the upright, the play is not reviewable.

“On the play in question, the official underneath ruled that the field goal had gone inside the uprights and not over, thus making it a reviewable play," said an NFL spokesman.

However, replays seemed to indicate the ball was above the upright. Referee Ron Winter ruled that there was no indisputable visual evidence to overturn the call on the field, the league said.

Despite failing on his two tries Sunday, Nolan ranks 10th among NFL coaches with at least 10 challenges, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Sando. Nolan is 12-18 in his career on replay challenges, including an abysmal 6-14 record during home games.

Keasey out for year

Fullback Zak Keasey will undergo season-ending surgery today to repair a torn biceps tendon in his right arm. Keasey started four games this season, the first starts of his career. The 49ers will use a combination of players to replace Keasey, such as tight ends Delanie Walker and Billy Bajema, as well as third-string running back Michael Robinson.

Trade deadline

Today is the annual NFL trade deadline — a date that usually comes and goes without much fanfare or activity.

The past two years, the 49ers had talks with the Buffalo Bills about cornerback Nate Clements and the Chicago Bears about linebacker Lance Briggs. Neither trade was made. The 49ers ended up signing Clements as a free agent in 2007, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell penalized the 49ers a draft pick this year for allegedly tampering with Briggs.

Recently, the Detroit Lions contacted the 49ers to gauge their interest in receiver Roy Williams, a league source said. The 49ers are not believed to be interested. Williams was not known for putting in the extra time required to master Mike Martz’s offense.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at 49ers.pressdemocrat.com. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com