Roman's view was up close and personal

<p>SANTA CLARA — Safety Mark Roman has seen it before, but always under more favorable circumstances.</p><p>Roman played for the Green Bay Packers in 2004 and '05, so he saw quarterback Brett Favre work some magic with a handful of comeback victories during their time as teammates.</p><p>“Yeah ... yeah ... yeah,” Roman said Wednesday as the 49ers returned to work to face the St. Louis Rams on Sunday at Candlestick Park.</p><p>“I don't exactly remember when, but as a teammate of his, as long as he had a chance to win the game, you knew he had a good chance of getting it done.”</p><p>Roman had a front-row seat for Favre's theatrics Sunday at the Metrodome.</p><p>Although Roman might not have been the 49ers' defender solely responsible for the 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis that provided the winning points in the 49ers' 27-24 loss to the Vikings, he was certainly the closest defender to the play.</p><p>In retrospect, Roman said there's not much he could have done differently to prevent the play that will be shown on the career-ending Favre highlight reel — should he ever stay retired.</p><p>“The coverage just broke down and I ended up being the free guy trying to help out,” Roman said. “I had a small chance to make a play and I didn't do it. Football's a game of inches and they won by that much.”</p><p>Niners coach Mike Singletary said he did not fault Roman for the play, but he also did not absolve him of all responsibility.</p><p>“If he had been in position, he would have made a play,” Singletary said. “So, no he was not in great position, but the thing is, they just made a football play. There are some times the quarterback throws the ball and the guy is in position to make a play. So that's what happened.”</p><p>The Vikings were in a desperate situation after taking over at their own 20 with 1:29 remaining. After moving to the 49ers' 32, Favre escaped the pass rush of 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith and fired his pass just before Manny Lawson clubbed him from behind.</p><p>Favre threw the perfect pass, and Lewis made an even-better catch to secure the ball just beyond Roman's grasp and get both feet inbounds.</p><p>“Who was that (the defender)? Mark Roman?” Vikings receivers coach George Stewart asked. “He played it about as well as you can. At some point, you just have to say it was a great throw and a great catch.”</p><p>Roman is the 49ers' sixth defensive back after starting the first 48 games of his 49ers career. The game Sunday was his 100th consecutive game.</p><p>Safety Dashon Goldson, who replaced Roman in the starting lineup this season, was the other 49ers defender near the play. The 49ers were playing a zone coverage that calls for four defensive backs each responsible for one-quarter of the end zone. Nate Clements was the cornerback on that side, and he left the end zone to cover an underneath receiver.</p><p>The only defensive back with responsibilities in the end zone was Shawntae Spencer. He was left out of the action — on the other side of the field. But he said he should be just as accountable for the loss as the others.</p><p>“If I don't get that taunting (penalty), we win the game,” said Spencer, who received a call from his mother chiding him for getting penalized on a first-half play that kept a Vikings drive alive. Minnesota kicked a field goal on the drive.</p><h3>INJURY REPORT</h3> <p>Running back Frank Gore (ankle) and safety Reggie Smith (groin) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams.</p><p>Left tackle Joe Staley (thigh), guard David Baas (ankle), cornerback Allen Rossum (illness) and linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (thigh) did not practice but each is expected to be available Sunday.</p><h3>EXTRA POINTS</h3> <p>The 49ers are working on a contract extension for third-year cornerback Tarell Brown, league sources told The Press Democrat.</p><p>Receivers Brandon Jones and Jason Hill, neither of whom has suited up for a game this season, might be active this week, Singletary said. Receiver Micheal Spurlock is the most likely receiver to be de-activated. NFL teams are allowed to suit up only 45 players from their 53-man rosters.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via e-mail at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>