Game will speak louder than Davis' words

<p>SAN FRANCISCO — Coach Mike Singletary does not seek to be in the spotlight tonight when the 49ers face his former team.</p><p>Singletary, the Chicago Bears’ Hall of Fame linebacker of decades past, will coach against the Bears for the first time as a head coach at Candlestick Park. But his preference is that the national television audience to be focused on the players.</p><p>“I am excited about the game, excited about the challenge and excited that the country will have a chance to see the 49ers — the young 49ers — come of age in the second half of the season,” said Singletary, whose team is mired in a four-game losing streak.</p><p>Team captain Vernon Davis did his part this week to draw at least some of the attention away from Singletary when he said he believes the 49ers can “destroy” the Bears’ defensive front.</p><p>“If the spotlight is on me, let it be on me,” Davis said Wednesday. “I’ll be ready to play my game.”</p><p>That was not exactly what Singletary had in mind when he talked about the focus of the game being on the players.</p><p>“I can’t say I am glad (Davis said it), but at the same time, it’s not one of those things where you sit back and really think a whole lot about it,” Singletary said. “I just think he said it. OK, it is out there. I’m sure they will read it and have their reaction, but we just have to be ready to play.”</p><p>Davis said he meant no disrespect to the Bears with his words to the media on Tuesday.</p><p>Davis said, “I think we can destroy their front. The guys up front, I think we can destroy them. I don’t see anything spectacular about their front line. Their linebackers, I think we can handle them pretty well. I like (Adewale) Ogunleye. I like the way he’s playing up front. He’s about the only player I like on their defensive line.”</p><p>In the big picture, does it mean anything?</p><p>The Bears will undoubtedly be aware of Davis’ comments. But it’s highly doubtful those words will have any significance after the game kicks off.</p><p>“There’s no concern,” Davis said, “because when you’re a winner, you want your opponent to come hard. You’re looking for competition. And that’s what it’s about. It’s all about competing. It’s not about putting anybody down.”</p><p>Quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Alex Smith sat at their lockers Wednesday afternoon comparing notes on Davis’ words. Both said they did not pay much attention to Davis’ remarks. Linebacker Takeo Spikes said the defense will go out in tonight’s game to do its part and “have Vernon’s back.”</p><p>Said center Eric Heitmann, “Guys get emotional and say things. It happens every week. It’s happened in the past for me at the NFL level and the college level. If you worry about what another team thinks of you, you don’t play to your ability.”</p><p>Singletary spoke to Davis about his comments. He said Davis was speaking out of frustration that the 49ers’ offense has not been performing up to expectations.</p><p>“I think if you read between the lines, I don’t think he was being disrespectful at all,” Singletary said. “I think basically he was saying, ‘You know what, we can do this. Let’s not sit back and talk about what the Bears are going to do. Let’s go out there and do what we can do.’</p><p>“You have grown to know Vernon as well. He can get a little excited and that is what he did. As a team, we just have to be ready to go ... but I know what he meant.”</p><p>Davis, who is tied for the NFL lead with seven touchdown receptions, said his words were inspired by confidence.</p><p>“I wasn’t trying to stir anything up,” Davis said. “I wasn’t saying it to put anybody down. I was just being confident in me and my teammates because I know our ability and what we can do.</p><p>“I think we need a spark. As a (49ers) captain. I’m here to help motivate my team, get them fired up and get ready to play. That’s what it’s about.”</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>