49ers' Singletary looking for a better result

<p>SANTA CLARA — The last time Mike Singletary went to Dallas on a business trip, he interviewed with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to become his next head coach.</p><p>Although Jones hired Wade Phillips, the experience was beneficial for Singletary.</p><p>“I was very impressed,” Singletary said. “Every interview I’ve had I’ve been very impressed, very thankful, very humbled by the fact that they took the time or thought enough to interview me. So it was a great experience.”</p><p>Singletary, as the 49ers’ interim head coach, was on a flight to Dallas on Friday afternoon. The 49ers will face the Cowboys on Sunday at Texas Stadium.</p><p>Singletary has also interviewed for NFL head-coaching jobs with Detroit, Atlanta and San Diego. He said Jones alluded to his familiarity with Phillips and former 49ers coach Norv Turner in telling Singletary why he would not be hired as Cowboys coach.</p><p>Said Singletary: “After that interview ... when I talked to Jerry Jones, he just said, ‘Mike, it’s just a matter of the fit. I don’t know you as well as I know a couple of the other guys, just being very honest. I wish I knew you more, but I know some of those other guys. I work with them. I feel more comfortable with them.’”</p><p>Even after that experience, Singletary has shied away from promoting himself to owners around the league. He said it is not his style.</p><p>“I never wanted to do any marketing, never wanted to network,” Singletary said. “Just let me do my job and hopefully the word gets out. Hopefully, somebody is interested down the road. I just trust in our prayers that those things work themselves out.”</p><p><b>NOT MORNING PEOPLE</b></p><p>The road has not been kind to the 49ers. And certainly, early starting times have seemed to take a toll on the club.</p><p>Since the beginning of the 2003 season, the 49ers’ road record is 9-35 (.205 winning percentage). But in road games that begin at 10 a.m., Pacific time, the 49ers are a pathetic 3-26 (.103).</p><p>Not only are four of the 49ers’ next five games on the road, but each of those games has an early start time. But Singletary is spending no time contemplating the effect that might have on his team.</p><p>“I don’t believe in all the 10 a.m. or 9 a.m.,” Singletary said. “You’re playing, so you’re playing. I mean, that’s football. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, it will get better.”</p><p><b>EXTRA POINTS</b></p><p>Wide receiver Bryant Johnson has played in all 10 games this season. But during a five-week stretch, he was held to just four receptions. What Johnson did not say at the time was that he was battling various leg injuries that began with a slight hamstring tear during training camp.</p><p>Johnson returned to form last week with four catches for 56 yards against the St. Louis Rams.</p><p>“Yeah, I feel pretty much as close to 100 percent as I have all year,” Johnson said. “It seemed like every week was something different. I tried to play through it, and I just wasn’t able to play like myself.”</p><p>Linebacker Patrick Willis returned to practice Friday after missing two days of practicethis week with a hip strain and an illness. He will start Sunday against the Cowboys.</p><p>Receivers Josh Morgan (groin) and Arnaz Battle (foot), and safety Dashon Goldson (knee) will not play Sunday.</p><p>Willis, running back Michael Robinson (stinger), safety Mark Roman (groin), tight end Delanie Walker (shoulder), cornerback Tarell Brown (neck strain) and tackle Barry Sims (ankle) are probable, meaning it’s a virtual certainty they will be available for action.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@press</p>