The leader of the 49ers knows that he really lost his cool.
The 49ers head coach Mike Singletary got so frustrated with the poor play of his team that he couldn’t help responding to Harvey Dahl, former 49er, when the Falcons offensive lineman started engaging with Singletary near the sideline of the 49ers with Atlanta once again driving down field.
Roddy White scored a touchdown on a catch and run play of 90 yards and also had a touchdown reception of 31 yards. Michael Turner had three running touchdowns as Atlanta pummeled San Francisco on Sunday 45-10, snapping the five home game winning streak of the 49ers.
Singletary said, let me put it to you this way, really I do wish that I had a lot more etiquette in terms of coaching. I don’t though. I really love my players. When people respond in particular ways about my players, I might end up doing things that I shouldn’t do. Yes, I do need to get better when it comes to those things over time.
Although that player was talking with me, really I shouldn’t have said the things I said. What I said wasn’t bad, but it was something that really should have never happened.
Dahl, referring to their spat in the third quarter just said, he is a very fiery guy.
White caught eight passes for 210 yards receiving, his career high and record for the franchise, against what is normally a stingy 49ers defense. Six of his catches came during the first half for a total of 185 yards. Atlanta (3-1) coming into the game off of their bye week were sharp. They out gained the 49ers 477 yards to 279 yards. Matt Ryan went 22 for 32 passing for a total of 329 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and also had a running touchdown late in the game.
San Francisco (3-2) flunked their biggest test so far. They suffered their worst defeat since October 1, 2006 when they lost in Kansas City 41-0 under Mike Nolan, former head coach. According to Singletary the player were not prepared for the game.
Manny Lawson, 49ers linebacker said, we lost some of our composure out there.
On a gray afternoon in October, Candlestick Park got quiet early. At halftime the fans booed the 49ers off the field as they trailed 35-010. During the fourth quarter fans were leaving in droves.
Even after Singletary called a timeout mid first quarter and had a spirited pep talk with his team, San Francisco still failed to respond. On the next play of the game, White score the first of his touchdowns. The big day for White helped the Falcons get their first win on the road of the 2009 season.
On his touchdown run of 90 yards, White did a somersault to get to the end zone. His flip earned him a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
He missed the landing, Mike Smith, Atlanta head coach joked. If he had hit the landing it wouldn’t be a penalty of 15 yards. I told him that if was going to do something like that, he needs to do it like Olga Korbut. He just looked at me, as if he didn’t have any idea who Olga Korbut was. So I said, okay maybe like Mary Lou Retton. I figured that was in ‘86, but he didn’t know who Retton was either. It just right over the top of his head and also my head, Smith said laughing.
White broke Atlanta’s previous franchise record of 198 receiving yards that was set December 13, 1998 by Terrance Mathis versus New Orleans.
White said, I think up to this point I haven’t really been playing too well this season. Coach Smith and I had a talk together. He said to me that I need to just be myself again. He said to go out and just be like the old Roddy. There’s no pressure. Just get out there, just play.
The three turnovers by the 49ers were one more than San Francisco had committed during their first four games in total. Following the second touchdown by White during the first half, the ensuing kickoff was fumbled by Delanie Walker and Atlanta recovered the ball. It appeared as though maybe the ground had caused the fumble. However, the 49ers didn’t have any timeouts left so they couldn’t even challenge that play.
Even things that looked like they were going right for San Francisco ended up going wrong instead.
Dre’ Bly picked off a Ryan pass at the 10 yard line of the 49ers mid third quarter. However he got caught from behind as it appeared he was starting to celebrate the return. The ball was knocked loose by Ryan and Todd McClure, Falcons center, fell on the ball for Atlanta.
Bly said, Dre will be Dre. When I do make the play, and I have made lots, then I express myself.
49ers quarterback Shaun Hill struggled greatly along with the entire offense of San Francisco. Hills 7-0 perfect home record as a starting quarterback evaporated. San Francisco is clearly missing Frank Gore, their star running back. He won’t be back until after their bye week due to a sprinted ankle.
Shaun Hill only completed four of the first 15 passes that he threw. For the game he went 15 out of 38 for a total of 198 yards passing and was sacked three times.
Michael Lewis, 49ers strong safety, went out due to the third concussion he has suffered this season. Lewis went out early third quarter after he went helmet first into Turner attempting to tackle him. During an 11 day span during the preseason Lewis suffered two concussions.
