Allen Rossum News

It's no mystery that since releasing Allen Rossum , and losing Nate Clements to injury, the 49ers punt return options have been somewhere between awful and abysmal.

Nothing makes Frank Gore happier than getting his yards in the context of a win, so Monday night was a big one for him as he carried the ball 25 times for 167 yards and a touchdown in San Francisco's 24-9 win over Arizona.

Mike Singletary today reiterated how nice it was to see Ahmad Brooks shine on national television, but he also said that Brooks' becoming an every-down player was a "next-season question." In other words, Brooks will continue to be a third-down pass rusher for the 49ers.

Some of you, have been after me about finding out why returner Allen Rossum was released.

RATING: ALERT VIEWERThe 49ers came to life in the second half and made a game of it.

Coach Mike Singletary said Wednesday that the coaching staff is considering starting Dre Bly over the struggling Tarell Brown .

The questions are getting more persistent about going with the spread offense for 49ers coach Mike Singletary .

The 49ers came to life in the second half and made a game of it. Alex Smith was at home in the spread/shotgun offense, but he looked utterly inept in the first half.

A pretty quiet third quarter gives rise to a huge 4th quarter. Let's finish this thing off 49ers.

The top quote from Mike Singletary's Wednesday press conference went like this: "I'm excited that the country will have a chance to see the 49ers - the young 49ers - come of age in the second half of the season." Singletary has used the "y" word a few times in recent weeks.

Tennessee at 49ers * Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: 49ers by 4. TV: Ch. 13, Ian Eagle , Rich Gannon .

His lucky streak just ended. The 49ers announced that their top offensive lineman will be out six weeks as a result of a sprained right knee he sustained in Sunday's 18-14 loss at Indianapolis when a pile of players rolled over his leg on the first offensive play.

When 49ers head coach Mike Singletary took over as interim head coach midway through last season, he wasted no time getting the 49ers faithful on his side.

Brandon Jones might be the latest to give it a go. The wide receiver, inactive for the first three games of the season as he recovered from a shoulder injury, will be active for Sunday's game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

"Not only are the Raiders terrible, but they look uninterested. If the Eagles win by 17 or less in this one my head will explode, that's not a bluff either.

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle wonders if Alex Smith can play well as a starter.

They've softened up quite a bit this season. As the featured receiver in coordinator Jimmy Raye 's offense, Davis is having a career year.

Considering the timing of his transfer, Jake Owen knew it might be difficult to make a significant impact in his first season at Coastal Carolina.

After signing with Dallas last Wednesday, return man Allen Rossum is right at home with special teams coach Joe DeCamillis , with whom he worked for five years in Atlanta .

Michael Crabtree will make his NFL debut in his home state as planned. The San Francisco 49ers' rookie wide receiver is set to take the field for the first time at Houston on Oct.