49ers' suggestion box always open

Coach Mike Singletary again Monday expressed his satisfaction in witnessing the 49ers’ leaders voice their desires to the coaching staff.

Last week, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye made it known where he stands on the issue of players poking their noses into the coaches’ business.

“As I tell them, it’s democratic, but it’s not 50-50 because they don’t spend as much time looking at it or preparing as we do,” Raye said. “So their suggestions are all listened to, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll all be used.”

Raye listened and implemented a lot of the suggestions he heard from quarterback Alex Smith and others as part of the 49ers’ game plan in their 20-3 victory Sunday over Jacksonville Jaguars.

A week earlier in the 49ers’ locker room following their 30-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers, there was palpable unease in the room. Singletary had not yet gained his composure to speak with the media, so reporters were allowed into the locker room earlier than usual.

Four or five groups of players were speaking amongst themselves in hushed tones. The players seemed to be comparing notes about their questionable offensive approach.

Singletary heard some of this on the sideline during the game, as the 49ers rallied from 20 points down at halftime. The 49ers’ offense went with an air attack that emphasized a spread formation, and Smith threw three second-half touchdowns.

“Vernon (Davis) came to the sideline and said, ‘Coach, I’m telling you, this is exciting. This is fun. I know we can do this. This is who we are,’” Singletary said.

Singletary is very perceptive. He studies body language of his players as they come off the field. He sensed the team’s overall dissatisfaction and encouraged Smith to voice his preferences to Raye.

Davis and Michael Crabtree shared their opinions with the media after the game. A lot of other players had opinions they kept private. But Singletary wanted all those recommendations to be shared with the coaching staff.

“For the first time since I have been here, there were a group of players, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, who stepped up,” Singletary said.

“In the midst of all the different coordinators, there is a trust factor that has to be in place for a player to come forward. That to me is very, very important. One of the things we talked about was leadership. We talked about ownership, and one really can’t come without the other.”

STALEY REHABS

When left tackle Joe Staley was told after his Nov. 1 knee injury that he could expect to be out six to eight weeks, he looked at the 49ers’ schedule. He noticed the 49ers’ Dec. 14 game against the Arizona Cardinals was exactly six weeks away.

“I was going to do everything in my power to make it six weeks,” he said.

The 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The same day, the Cardinals play the Minnesota Vikings. If the 49ers win and the Cardinals lose, it would set up a Monday night game for the NFC West lead.

Staley began running Monday. He will not play Sunday against the Seahawks but believes there is a strong chance he’ll be in uniform against the Cardinals.

Veteran Barry Sims has filled in admirably for Staley. But Singletary said Staley will return at left tackle when he’s healthy. He also said he is pleased with Adam Snyder at right tackle.

Meanwhile, cornerback Nate Clements, who sustained a broken shoulder blade four weeks ago, is not expected to be back for the 49ers until, perhaps, the final regular-season game.

PRO BOWL CAMPAIGN

Tight end Vernon Davis leads the 49ers with 57 receptions for 670 yards and nine touchdowns. Moreover, Singletary considers Davis the best-blocking tight end in the league.

All that adds up to a no-brainer, Singletary said.

“There should be no excuse for him not making the Pro Bowl this year because he is definitely, in my eyes, far and beyond any tight end in the league,” he said.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.