49ers-Falcons: San Francisco Lets One Get Away—Again; Quick Hits and Notes

The San Francisco 49ers' offense struck quickly against the Atlanta Falcons, scoring on an early touchdown reception by Vernon Davis.

Davis was originally called down on the one-yard line as he stretched into the end zone, but a challenge by head coach Mike Singletary overturned the call, and the 49ers were first on the board with a 7-0 lead.

The 49ers' defense was able to hold the Falcons deep on their second possession of the game and allowed Dominique Ziegler to block the Falcons' punt from the end zone. Taylor Mays made a leaping catch of the ball, and then came down with both feet in the end zone, dotting his i’s and crossing his t’s.

49ers up 14-0.

The 49ers then went on a scoring drought aided by two Alex Smith interceptions and an intentional grounding call that allowed the Falcons to pull to within one point (14-13)  in the third quarter.

With time running out, the Falcons were driving for a go-ahead score when Nate Clements intercepted the ball for what could have been a victory-preserving play. But instead, in a certain deja vu from last year, Roddy White, never giving up on the play, streaked down the field and stripped Clements of the ball, and the Falcons recovered.

In last year's game against the Falcons, it was White who stripped the showboating Dre' Bly of the ball after an interception. Bly no longer plays for the 49ers, and is currently a free agent.

Aided by a couple of White receptions and a tired 49er defense, the Falcons were able to set up for the game-winning field goal with just two seconds left on the clock.

Falcons win 16-14.

Several news agencies are reporting that Coach Singletary’s job is safe at the moment. However, nothing has been said about whether he has job security at the conclusion of the season.

Singletary has two years left on his contract.

Michael Lewis is the third 49er to jump ship this year. It seems Lewis was disgruntled about being benched when he was told he would remain the starter.

Earlier in the year, defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer left the team for personal reasons, and then was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. Balmer was said to have been upset with his ability to rise up the depth chart.

Second-string running back Glen Coffee retired, as he no longer had the desire to play the game, as he claims it was in direct conflict with his personal faith.

It appears that Lewis was not missed. His replacement, the rookie Taylor Mays, not only had a touchdown on special teams, but also had a team-high 11 tackles and was not a liability in coverage.

X-rays on injured TE Delanie Walker’s ankle were negative. He is listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Speaking of the Eagles, they may come limping into Candlestick Park next Sunday night.

Starting quarterback Michael Vick was sandwiched while diving into the end zone on a play against the Washington Redskins. Vick left the game and did not return.

X-rays on his ribs were negative; however, the cartilage between his second and third ribs is injured.

Vicks’s status for Sunday’s game will be determined later this week.

Starting running back LeSean McCoy is also listed with a rib injury. His is said to be a fracture, and his status is also undetermined.

Rookie WR Riley Cooper and starting CB Asante Samuel are both listed with concussions and are being evaluated today.

Anthony Davis was vindicated last week for his personal foul call against Kansas City Chiefs DE Shaun Smith. Davis was flagged for the foul when he was seen throwing a punch to the ribs of Smith.

Davis later said that Smith had grabbed him in the groin area. After the incident, Smith was pulled off the field and could be seen getting berated by head coach Todd Haley.

The NFL fined Smith $10,000. Davis, however, was not fined.

This is the second time Smith has been accused of such behavior. Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack also accused Smith of grabbing him when the two teams played earlier in the year.

Before last week's game against the New Orleans Saints, the team released fan-favorite OLB Diyral Briggs. Briggs was released in order to promote CB Tramaine Brock from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos pounced on him and signed Briggs to their practice squad.

Brock's spot on the practice squad was filled by re-signing LB Bruce Davis, who had been released earlier in the month.