49ers want rain in London's forecast

HERTFORDSHIRE, England - The site of Sunday's game between the 49ers and Broncos has a retractable roof. But Wembley Stadium's top is only partially retractable, meaning the field isn't protected from the elements, but the fans are.

This somewhat unusual feature isn't a problem for the Niners, who, apparently, wouldn't mind if Wembley also had a sprinkler system without an off switch.

The 49ers have done little to disguise their weather preference for Sunday's game - the wetter the better. Playing with a quarterback making his first start in three years against the Broncos, owners of one of the NFL's most prolific passing offenses, San Francisco is hoping for more of the periodic rains that have marked the first four days of their European adventure.

"Yeah, pretty much," defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said. "We're a mudder football team."

In contract, the Broncos are a pass-happy bunch. Denver quarterback Kyle Orton is on pace to throw for 4,891 yards this season - that would rank third in NFL history - and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, a former 49er, ranks second in the league in receiving yards and has 14 catches of more than 20 yards, an NFL best.

In contrast, Denver (2-5) ranks last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (68.4), average yards per rush (2.9) and is the only team in the league without a run of more than 20 yards. Making matters worse, their leading rusher, Knowshon Moreno, tweaked a nagging hamstring injury Wednesday in practice although coach Josh McDaniels expects Moreno to play Sunday.

"It doesn't hurt," Niners defensive end Justin Smith said of possible game-day rains. "And if we can get them in a running game, that's even better."

Of course, not much has gone right for San Francisco (1-6) this season. And there's no guarantee the weather will cooperate. Sunday's forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of rain with a game-time temperature of 50 degrees.

Still, left tackle Joe Staley is hoping for the best - like something approximating the steady downpour during the Giants' 13-10 win over the Dolphins at Wembley in 2007.

"I think the weather out there is going to be old-fashioned football weather," Staley said. "Not really a finesse game, I don't foresee that kind of game at all. It's going to be a real physical game."

The 49ers' desire for a run-oriented game has something to do with running back Frank Gore, who has two straight 100-yard games and ranks fifth in the NFC with 573 rushing yards. But their inspiration also has plenty to do with new starting quarterback Troy Smith, who has been with team for less than two months and has thrown 89 career passes.

Due to his lack of playing time, Smith, 26, a backup for the past three seasons in Baltimore, is largely unknown. Even to offensive coordinator Mike Johnson, who has spent part of his week studying film of Smith and talking to the former Heisman Trophy winner about his strengths in an effort to put together a proper game plan.

In his seven-plus weeks with the 49ers, Smith has spent most of his practice time running the scout-team offense while Johnson has been huddling with Alex Smith. He practiced with the first-team offense for the first time Wednesday, about 100 hours before kickoff.

"I'm still trying to figure out some of the things he does well," Johnson said. "Watching him practice and now that I have a chance to see what he can do (I can) put a game plan together. ... I get three days to kind of see what he does well."

Johnson did get a look at Smith three years ago when he was a receivers coach with the Ravens. Smith, then a rookie, started Baltimore's final two games of the season - completing 32 of 60 passes for 370 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

At that time, Johnson said Smith needed to polish his footwork, his drops and his reading of defenses.

He's noted Smith's improvement in those areas since he arrived in Santa Clara. And he thought Smith was at his best Wednesday.

"I thought he was different yesterday than he was in what I had seen in practice," Johnson said. "I think he kind of turned it up a little yesterday knowing that he's going to be the starter this week."

Johnson said he wouldn't "hide" Smith, but acknowledged the playbook will have to be pared back.

"He's a going in there and doing everything he needs to do," Staley said. "We're just trying to make it as simple as possible for him."

EXTRA POINTS

TE Vernon Davis (ankle) missed his second straight practice Thursday. Davis is expected to play Sunday. RB Anthony Dixon (hamstring), CB Nate Clements (ankle) and CB Tarell Brown (back) were limited.

The Niners will hold their final practice today at The Grove, the five-star resort in the countryside where they've spent the week. They will then pack up and move their headquarters to London. They will hold a walkthrough Saturday at Wembley.

The NFL has issued credentials to 605 media members this week, with most going to British media. About 100 credentials were given to CBS, which is broadcasting the game.

S Chris Maragos, who was released Wednesday, was signed to the practice squad. With Brown doubtful with his back injury, Maragos was released to call up CB Tramaine Brock from the practice squad.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Eric Branch at eric.branch@pressdemocrat.com and follow him at twitter.com/Eric_Branch.