49ers' roster cuts on the way

<p>SAN DIEGO — The 49ers' first-team units spent most of Friday's exhibition finale up on blocks.</p><p>And while most of the 49ers' reserves might have been playing for jobs, they weren't necessarily going to be finding additional work with the 49ers.</p><p>That's because Mike Singletary said his mind was mostly made up even before the 49ers' 26-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers in the final exhibition game of the summer for both clubs.</p><p>But the motivation for many of the 49ers' hopefuls remained at an elevated level because they were, in effect, auditioning for jobs with the league's other 31 teams, too.</p><p>“It's their last opportunity to show not only this team what you can do, but every team out there that you belong on an NFL roster,” 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill said.</p><p>The 49ers must make 20 roster cuts today to reach the league's 53-man limit for the regular season. And Singletary already knew which way he was leaning.</p><p>“I have a very good idea as to who the 53 are, and I've told the guys there are a few slots there, competition-wise,” Singletary said .</p><p>But some of the players who survive today's final cuts should not get too comfortable, either. The 49ers are expected to scan the waiver wire around the league with particular interest in adding backups at offensive tackle and fullback.</p><p>Among the players who have reason to be uneasy are the 49ers' final three draft picks: tight end Bear Pascoe, safety Curtis Taylor and defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois.</p><p>First-year player Joe Jon Finley has been stationed ahead of Pascoe on the depth chart as the team's No. 3 tight end during all of camp, including Friday's game. Taylor and Jean-Francois are promising youngsters who face stiff competition from proven more-experienced players.</p><p>There is also competition at receiver, where there might be only two spots available among Jason Hill, Micheal Spurlock and Dominique Zeigler. Hill caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Nate Davis in the second quarter. The versatile Spurlock had a good showing, while Zeigler left early with an ankle sprain.</p><p>Fourth-year defensive back Marcus Hudson appears to have the inside track for a roster spot, while veteran pickup Eric Green faced an uncertain future.</p><p><b>DAVIS' SHOW</b></p><p>Rookie quarterback Nate Davis entered in place of starter Shaun Hill for the second series and played the remainder of the game.</p><p>Davis showed his poise once again, as he capped the first half with an impressive two-minute drill. Davis tossed a 21-yard scoring strike to Jason Hill with :56 remaining in the half. Davis completed 10 of 14 passes for 102 yards at the half.</p><p>That was pretty much all he did. The 49ers did not get many opportunities in the second half, though, as the Chargers controlled the clock. Davis' first completion of the second half came at the two-minute warning when he hit fullback Bill Rentmeester for a first down.</p><p>Davis finished 13 of 23 for 115 yards with one touchdown and one interception.</p><p><b>SITTING IT OUT</b></p><p>Backup quarterback Alex Smith did not suit up due to a right thumb sprain. Others who were not available for Fridays' game were safety Michael Lewis (concussion), linebacker Jay Moore (groin), linebacker Ahmad Brooks (knee), center Cody Wallace (viral meningitis) and receiver Brandon Jones (shoulder).</p><p>Also, Singletary gave the night off to three veterans — defensive end Justin Smith, receiver Isaac Bruce and running back Frank Gore — because he did not want to take any chances with the regular season approaching.</p><p><b>EXTRA POINTS</b></p><p>Veteran cornerback Nate Clements' struggles continued when he surrendered a 39-yard touchdown pass from Billy Volek to Kassim Osgood to conclude the only drive the 49ers' starting defense played.</p><p>Undrafted rookie running back Kory Sheets showed his explosiveness with a 24-yard gain on his first attempt. Sheets is on the bubble for a roster spot.</p><p>Outside linebacker Diyral Briggs, a rookie from Bowling Green, might not win a spot on the 53-man roster, but his strong showing would seem to solidify at least a position on the 49ers' practice squad. He had five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.</p>