Other 49ers will require closer watching

Caught a snippet of the taped Mike Singletary interview that the TV crew ran during the game, and yes, he definitely doesn't seem thrilled with all the attention focused on his physical training camp.

From us, from fans, and from his players.

He's right to point out that this camp is probably nothing compared to camps in the past and he said he wished he could bring his current players back to some of his old Chicago Bears practices.

But Singletary also smiled and said he knows this is a different time. (Though maybe not in some other camps, as highlighted by the smack-up NY Jets drills and practices featured in the first episode of "Hard Knocks.")

He also doesn't love it when he believes it's suggested–by me, at least once or twice–there might be a correlation between the intensity of Camp Singletary and an increase in summer injuries or possible dead legs in December.

That's his right. He wants his team tough. He has gotten them tougher Patrick Willis since he took over, no doubt.

He believes he's practicing his players hard, but not nearly as brutally as teams worked in past eras.  (He also brings some of this attention to himself and his team by talking so much about physicality and smashmouth, but oh well.)

Singletary is not wrong. He's right, but I'll make one additional point that I don't think he'd disagree with, either, generally:

-The length of the offseason, with all the OTAs and the field work that's done now is 10 times more than it was even 10 years ago, which takes a toll on players, too.

It's not the same toll, practice for practice, as training camp, but when players are going through 12 to 16 extra days of on-field team work, that is basically the replacement for extra hitting in the summer time.

He meant the play itself: Smith swooped in to grab a pass that bounced off the hands of Indianapolis Colts receiver Sam Giguere.

But Smith's phrase -- "I saw an opportunity" -- could just as easily apply to the big picture. The free safety enters his third year competing for playing time, and his performance Sunday in a 37-17 exhibition victory made a strong impression on coach Mike Singletary.

Beyond the interception, Smith also provided tight coverage on Anthony Gonzalez in the end zone when Peyton Manning threw to the receiver on third-and-goal from the 3. Smith was so on top of Gonzalez that the pass hit Smith in the back.

"It's not only his performance in this game, it's what he's done from the start of training camp," Singletary said. "He's had a chance to make a move, and he's responded really well."

Smith played in 10 games last season but was slowed by a groin injury. He looked fully healthy as he streaked down the sideline, scoring the 49ers' first touchdown and registering the first of the team's four interceptions.

"I felt like there was pressure going into training camp," Smith said. "Coming into my third year, I really haven't played too much. It was kind of like make-it-or-break-it time for me. So I feel like I have to have a big camp.

Limping off: Tight end Vernon Davis sustained what the team called a knee strain. Davis said a preliminary examination revealed nothing troubling and that the injury seems minor. "So far, it's good," he said. "They checked it out, and it looks good."

Other 49ers will require closer watching. Reserve cornerback Will James was carted off the field after an apparent ankle sprain; return man Kyle Williams suffered a sprained toe; and reserve defensive lineman Derek Walker has a hip contusion.

"We'll just wait and see how it works out after we get some X-rays," Singletary said.

Ratings game: Alex Smith managed only a 7.4 passer rating against the Colts' first-team defense, but his backups fared better against the Indianapolis bench.

David Carr had a 134.1 rating and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Curtis. Carr got sacked three times but said some of that is growing pains from learning a new offense.

"I'm getting there," said Carr, who was signed as a free agent in March. "I definitely didn't feel extremely comfortable out there with some things."

Nate Davis finished with a 118.8 rating, completing 5 of his 6 attempts for 84 yards.

For Davis, the afternoon was extra sweet. He played his college ball at nearby Ball State and had lots of family and friends in attendance. Davis, in his second year, acknowledges that he's still learning the nuances of the offense, but game days bring out the best in him.

"On game day, you have to step your level up," he said. "Just go out there and move the ball."

Getting started: Kevin Jurovich, the rookie from San Jose State, caught a 20-yard pass from Davis in the fourth quarter.

Return game: Williams fared the best among the punt-return candidates, taking his only attempt back 36 yards. At the other end of the spectrum was Bobby Guillory, who fumbled his attempt -- a major transgression to Singletary, who wants ball security above all on special teams.