49ers don't make the grade

After every 49ers game this season, Press Democrat staff writer Eric Branch will grade the team's performance. Following are his grades for Sunday's loss at St. Louis.

Quarterbacks

D

Troy Smith (7 of 19, 62.0 rating) made you wonder what might have happened if they had started Alex Smith, who, while better, had a killer turnover, one of his trademarks.

COh, my. Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon combined for 16 carries, 57 yards and zero memorable plays.CMichael Crabtree (6 catches, 122 yards) resurfaced after appearing on milk cartons. Josh Morgan had a horrendous drop in the first half.DDavid Baas' off-the-mark shotgun snap on the third offensive play helped set the tone. The Rams had four sacks and caused four QB fumbles, recovering one.BRams RB Steven Jackson (24 carries, 48 carries) went nowhere. The Rams' most effective runs were reverses.BPatrick Willis - who else? - had an enormous sack and forced a fumble with St. Louis leading 9-0 with the ball at the Niners' 10-yard line. Willis had a game-high 12 tackles.DSlumping Rams QB Sam Bradford (107.0 rating) got better against this once-again shaky group. Nate Clements' pass interference penalty set up St. Louis' first TD. Shawntae Spencer, inexplicably, didn't bother to make a tackle.CTalk about extremes. Ted Ginn's punt-return TD looked like a season-saver. Jeff Reed's 34-yard missed FG was a killer.FThis, obviously, was the type of performance that will get a coach fired.

C

Oh, my. Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon combined for 16 carries, 57 yards and zero memorable plays.

Wide receivers/tight ends

C

Michael Crabtree (6 catches, 122 yards) resurfaced after appearing on milk cartons. Josh Morgan had a horrendous drop in the first half.

Offensive line

D

David Baas' off-the-mark shotgun snap on the third offensive play helped set the tone. The Rams had four sacks and caused four QB fumbles, recovering one.

Defensive line

B

Rams RB Steven Jackson (24 carries, 48 carries) went nowhere. The Rams' most effective runs were reverses.

Linebackers

B

Patrick Willis - who else? - had an enormous sack and forced a fumble with St. Louis leading 9-0 with the ball at the Niners' 10-yard line. Willis had a game-high 12 tackles.

Defensive backs

D

Slumping Rams QB Sam Bradford (107.0 rating) got better against this once-again shaky group. Nate Clements' pass interference penalty set up St. Louis' first TD. Shawntae Spencer, inexplicably, didn't bother to make a tackle.

Special teams

C

Talk about extremes. Ted Ginn's punt-return TD looked like a season-saver. Jeff Reed's 34-yard missed FG was a killer.

Coaching/overall

F

This, obviously, was the type of performance that will get a coach fired.