49ers Stumble To Preseason Finish Line, Dropped By Chargers, 16-13

On a night that was woefully lacking in star power, Alex Smith punctuated his homecoming with two turnovers. That helped the San Diego Chargers beat the 49ers 16-13 in an exhibition finale Thursday night. NFC rushing champion Frank Gore didn't play, either, despite lobbying coach Mike Nolan for a few snaps. Gore's broken hand is pretty much healed, but Nolan preferred to treat him the same way the Chargers treat Tomlinson in the exhibition season. After rosters are reduced to 53 by Saturday, the 49ers (1-3) get a Monday night date with Arizona at home on Sept. 10. San Francisco was coming off a loss at Chicago in which the first-team offense managed only one first down in the first half, when its only scoring drive was a 6-yarder after a turnover. Two injuries of note from the game : DT Joe Cohen, battling with Isaac Sopoaga for the back-up nose tackle spot, went down with a leg injury, as did second year LBs Parys Haralson and rookie Jay Moore. No further details were available at post time.

Smith, who was a teammate of Reggie Bush at nearby Helix High, played four series and had turnovers on his last two. The first pick overall in the 2005 draft, he was intercepted by Clinton Hart late in the first quarter, then was sacked by Tim Dobbins and fumbled, with Jacques Cesaire recovering. Those turnovers set up field goals by Nate Kaeding, who finished with three. The lone highlight of the night was probably when 3rd string QB Shaun Hill threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zachary Hilton. As well, Bryant Young saw his first preseason action which was encouraging. Joe Nedney added two field goals for all the Niners' scoring.

Niners tight end Vernon Davis was booed late in the first quarter when he mockingly did the spasmodic "Lights Out" dance, the signature move of Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had an NFL-high 17 sacks last year. Davis, whose attitude seems to be a little overly cocky for a guy who hasn't done anything yet, not only is annoying fans with antics like that, but teammates as well. He has been a bit of a baby "T.O." in the 49ers locker room, and veterans like future hall-of-fame guard Larry Allen have gone so far as to take on disciplining him personally, so to speak. Allen is not a guy you want to annoy Vernon.

In Davis' defense, he must be trying to get in as much celebration value in the preseason as he can. Maybe focusing on improving his game would be in order. He gave an interview to the broadcast crew in San Diego, discussing in detail the Godiva chocolate colored suit that he was having "custom ordered". Where is Davis' head at? He better get it into the game and the season because if Davis, Smith, Gore and the Niners play like this now that it counts, this is going to be a long year.