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49ERS NOTES
Davis riles up Bears, but fails to 'destroy' them
49ers quarterback Alex Smith shuffles a pass to running back Frank Gore just before the Bears' Adewale Ogunleye takes him down.
JOHN BURGESS / The Press DemocratPublished: Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO — Tight end Vernon Davis offered subdued praise for the Chicago Bears' defense after the 49ers' 10-6 victory Thursday night at Candlestick Park.
“They did a good job,” Davis said. “They played some pretty good defense.”
Suffice it to say, the 49ers' offense did not “destroy” the Chicago Bears' defensive front like Davis suggested this week might happen.
The 49ers managed just 216 yards of total offense, and Davis was largely quiet in the game with three receptions for 16 yards. It was his lowest offensive output of the season.
But Davis got into a pregame woofing match with Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. Davis said he instigated the trash-talking.
“I was just trying to get my team fired up,” Davis said. “I told him that he better be ready, that we're coming hard and we're coming to win.”
On Tuesday, Davis was not dispensing compliments to the Bears defense.
“I think we can destroy their front,” he said. “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.”
The next day, Davis said he meant no disrespect to the Bears. He said he was just showing confidence in himself and his 49ers teammates.
When asked if Davis' comments served as motivation, Ogunleye said, “I don't want to answer that question. I go out there every day regardless of who is on the other side of the ball and play my best game. ... I don't care what another guy says. I can care less.”
BRUCE INACTIVE
Veteran receiver Isaac Bruce was inactive for the first time in his two-year career with the 49ers. Bruce appeared on the injury report Wednesday for the first time with an ankle sprain.
Third-year player Jason Hill replaced Bruce as the team's No. 3 receiver. He saw limited action, as the 49ers primarily utilized a two-tight-end formation. Hill caught one pass for 5 yards.
Bruce led the 49ers last season with 61 catches for 835 yards and seven touchdowns. But in the first eight games this year, he had just 20 receptions for 244 yards and no touchdowns.
Bruce, a 16-year veteran, ranks second in NFL history with 15,152 receiving yards. He is fifth on the career receptions list with 1,020, and ninth in touchdowns with 91. Bruce has started 200 of the 221 games in his career.
SPIKES INJURY
Starting linebacker Takeo Spikes sustained a hamstring strain late in the first half on a play in which Bears running back Matt Forte gained 37 yards on a screen play. Spikes did not return to the game. Initially, rookie Scott McKillop replaced Spikes in the game.
But when the 49ers opened the second half, veteran linebacker Matt Wilhelm got the call. Wilhelm had five tackles, including one for a loss.
“At halftime, I think the coaches got together and decided my size and height was a better matchup against (Bears tight end) Greg Olsen,” Wilhelm said.
Also on the 49ers' preliminary injury report were: tackle Adam Snyder (shoulder sprain), safety Mark Roman (knee contusion), receiver Arnaz Battle (quadriceps contusion) and safety Michael Lewis (shoulder stinger).
EXTRA POINTS
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, who is listed at 317 pounds, recorded his first career interception in the second quarter when he picked off Jay Cutler at the goal line.
Franklin returned it 10 yards.
“I was pretty tired out there,” Franklin said. “It had been a long drive. I tried to run with it, but I didn't have the legs left to go anywhere.”
The last time the 49ers recorded more than four interceptions in a game was Sept. 14, 1997, against the New Orleans Saints. The 49ers picked off six passes that day.
In addition to Bruce, the 49ers' other inactive players were running back Glen Coffee (concussion), cornerback Nate Clements (shoulder), tackle Joe Staley (knee), defensive lineman Demetric Evans (shoulder), as well as cornerback Keith Smith, center Cody Wallace, and third quarterback Nate Davis.
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.
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