Davis looking for redemption
No one wants to get back on the field more than Bears tight end Kellen Davis, who had what could charitably called a “bad night” against the Texans last Sunday night.
“I had a bad run last week,” Davis said. “I want to come back and bounce back hard.”
He lost a fumble after a 6-yard reception on the Bears’ first play from scrimmage, and that turned out to be his only catch, even though he was targeted five times. And that’s not even the play he would most like a do-over on.
That came on a deep ball with just under four minutes left. Davis couldn’t snare on to a high pass that he leaped for and got his hands on but couldn’t hold before falling to the ground, getting shaken up and having to come off the field to boos.
“That’s a play that I’ve always made,” he said. “To come up short really, really made me upset and disappointed in myself. I’ve got to come back from that and make some more plays for this team.”
The boos from the home crowd capped off a lousy evening.
“It feels great man. It feels awesome,” Davis said sarcastically. “Drop the ball, hit the ground, get hurt and then everybody boos you. It’s definitely not fun, and it’s not easy, but it’s part of this game and it’s something that we just have to deal with.
“They’re great fans. I hope not to mess up in the future, but I’m not perfect, so hopefully they won’t boo me.”
Lethal attack:
When it comes to offensive weapons, the 49ers might be even more dangerous than the Texans.
Behind running back Frank Gore, San Francisco is No. 1 in rushing yards and No. 1 in average gain per running play. Of course, the Niners also have impact tight end Vernon Davis to go with wide receivers Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.
“Their tight end is as good as any tight end out there,” coach Lovie Smith said. “There are a lot of things that we’re going to have to deal with. When you’re the No. 1 rushing team, and you have a great tailback — Frank Gore is a great tailback — there are a lot of things to concern us.”
But the Bears have the No. 2 defense in points allowed and they’re No. 4 in rushing yards allowed.
“Every game we do what we do,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We should have a plan for just about anybody we play.”
The Bears’ defense is also No. 9 in sacks, and the 49ers are last in the league at avoiding sacks.
Homefield advantage:
Coach Lovie Smith isn’t buying kicker Robbie Gould’s complaints about the too-soft playing surface at Soldier Field.
“It’s November in Chicago,” Smith said. “There’s a certain type of surface you’re going to get at Soldier Field, if it is soft and things like that, to me it’s to our advantage. That’s the only way we can look at it.
“As long as both teams are playing on the surface, that’s never going to be an issue you’re going to hear me talk about.”
Injury update:
Linebacker Brian Urlacher (knee/coach’s decision) and defensive tackle Matt Toeaina (calf) did not practice Friday. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hand) and defensive tackle Henry Melton (back) had full participation.