SAN FRANCISCO -- The Atlanta Falcons weren't even finished piling up takeaways, yards and points in Sunday's 45-10 rout of the 49ers at Candlestick Park when San Francisco coach Mike Singletary lost his sideline poise.Rather than take out his frustrations on one of his underachieving players, Singletary instead engaged in a third-quarter shouting match with Falcons right guard Harvey Dahl.
During an early third-quarter drive that was dominated by running back Michael Turner (22 total carries for 97 yards) chewing up the 49ers' 3-4 defensive front, Singletary and Dahl argued back and forth, with both of them very animated and obviously irate. Neither was penalized for the jawing match.
But Singletary, whose 3-2 team surrendered 477 total yards and handed the surging Falcons (3-1) 17 points off two lost fumbles and an interception, was contrite after the game, saying his sideline behavior was unacceptable.
"I'll put it this way: I wish I had more coaching etiquette. I don't," said Singletary, an emotional coach who was remarkably composed after watching his much-improved team stumble so badly at home. "I love my players and when someone responds about my players in a particular way, I may do some things I shouldn't do. I have to get better at those things as time goes on. I don't even want to talk about it anymore."
In 2008 during his debut contest as interim coach after Mike Nolan was sacked, Singletary gained infamy for ordering tight end Vernon Davis off the field and into the locker room. He also dropped his pants and pointed to his backside during a halftime speech excoriating his players, and benched quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan along with Davis in that memorable Oct. 26 contest.
This year, Singletary is more careful about showing that "Iron Mike" demeanor that got him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I don't know the player," he said of Dahl. "It was something I shouldn't have done and you move on."Dahl, who has been identified as one of the NFL's dirtiest players in annual player polls, grinned and clammed up when asked what he may have said to rile up Singletary.
"He's just a fiery guy," Dahl said repeatedly.
His offensive line teammates laughed at Dahl's response. "C'mon! Tell the truth!" center Todd McClure shouted.
"He's a fiery guy and that's all I'll say about it," Dahl said, bursting out in laughter.
San Francisco 49ers Photos
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud (28) in the second quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP
Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) scores against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
AP
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill (13) leaps as he passes against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
AP
San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary appears before their NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
AP
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, left, and running back Frank Gore, right, talk on the sidelines in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
AP
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons passes the ball during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Ryan
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Turner
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Turner
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Michael Crabtree, the San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick, watches the 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons on the sidelines at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Crabtree
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Shaun Hill #13 ofthe San Francisco 49ers passes the ball during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shaun Hill
Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-12-2009 @ 7:25AM
boo said...
when the adrenline passion hypes up anything and everything may be said. we all have these moments throughout our life time.
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 7:50AM
RICKNVA57 said...
The 49ers made a big mistake. Singletary was a great player but he sucks as a coach
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 8:19AM
mdcsl said...
The 49ers have already won 3 games this year. How many games did they win last year? How is he a bad coach, by not putting up with all the B.S. from the cry baby players? More teams need coaches that don't put up with the under preforming whining cry baby's.
10-12-2009 @ 8:47AM
flsnupe said...
I'm convinced that I can write a story about the best type of do do this side of the Mississippi, and someone out there would swear that this do do stinks or they know where some better do do is. Singletary is doing a helluva job bringing that franchise back. To say anything otherwise is arguing over mor e do do.
10-12-2009 @ 11:11AM
CHUCKIE said...
I'm surprised Mike didn't run out on the field and chop block the guy! "Fiery" doesn't do him justice.
10-12-2009 @ 8:03AM
porterllc said...
I'm a big Falcons fan, but Mike Singletary is a class act. Dahl obviously isn't in the league of Mike Singletary and had he played during Singletary's days he would've been put in his place.
Dahl shows "no class" as a player.
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 8:14AM
jtrynoble said...
Yes Boo I agree with you in that when emotion becomes out of control sometimes things can be said or done which will define our character. Coach Singletary is in my opinion a great player, a man who now will become a great coach as well. For it's not easy to accept defeat. The 49er's and their fans should be very proud to have a man such as Coach Singletary directing their program.
My Best Regards,
Poppa T.Noble
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 8:45AM
willis said...
singletary did not hear he was reading lips yo lol
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 8:52AM
Steve said...
I wonder if the other coach could decide to make this a RACE Issue, The guy doing the yelling in the first place sure looks like the type that wou;d, or is he Just a sore loser. GREAT WAY TO INFLUANCE the young Americans, What happened to " Itys not if you win or lose, But how you played the game" O wait, The NFL, is full of Stupid thugs anway, what does one expect??? !!!!! Some are Good, but most are a bunch of As***les!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 9:11AM
funcoachsteve said...
"Iron Mike" was Ditka..."Samurai Mike" was Singletary!!
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 9:43AM
reruda said...
NFL Rules Make me wonder what the heck the rules are for?
During the Pats vs, Broncos a player was flagged for taunting...earlier a player SPEARED a receiver while he was on the ground...players have become crippled from cheap shots like that... where is common sense??!!
It's bad to talk mean to a player but not to break his spine when the player has been stopped?!?!
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 9:52AM
cjlrcl919 said...
Given the unsportsmanlike antics of these "modern" players on the field these days, it only follows that the "modern" coaches should act like fools as well. After all, the Minori ... er ... "modern" ... players are clamoring for more minori ... er ... "modern" coaches.
heh heh heh
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 10:14AM
kappy4491 said...
Well said
10-12-2009 @ 10:25AM
carl1385 said...
The players arent "dirttier" the rules are more rigid and restrictive and the umpires enforce them. Besides which you are a bigot and decidedly not funny
10-12-2009 @ 11:36AM
jejozi said...
Ya know, crap like this has been going on since the beginning of time. I have to laugh when know nothings pine for "the good old days", thinking that everyone playing sports prior to the 70s were gentlemen athletes. Nothing could be further from the truth, particularly in football and hockey. Heck, even baseball had beanball wars with guys getting blasted in the head, not to mention things like the Marichal/Roseboro incident. And considering that all the rules concerning player safety hadn't been enacted yet, what today are called cheap shots were just "hard football", following unwritten rules" or "that's the way the game is played".
10-12-2009 @ 10:21AM
Randy said...
Singletary is a remarkable coach. He's old school to the brink! You gotta love that. How can you say he sucks as a coach. Thats the dumbest thing I have heard this whole season. What NFL are you watching?
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 10:24AM
syankee15 said...
Singletary's players are playing gunshy. They are scared to death of making a mistake and facing the wrath of Samurai Mike
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 10:53AM
robertjeber2 said...
It takes two to tango, although a coach has to be a lot lore laid back. The NFL has become more fiery in general; but the football is still good.
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 11:04AM
dsmith8463 said...
Fiery. I love fiery in a coach. How about the Bills trade Coach ( take his pulse I think we've lost him) Jauron for Iron Mike.
Reply
10-12-2009 @ 2:30PM
copnfeel said...
The best thing that has happened to the Niners is bringing in Mike Singletary/Absolutely love him..Enthusiastic, tough, non nonsense...and competitive. Best start in ten years. Although that game was pathetic to watch on all levela against the Falcons, the niners are still a very good team this year and will improve.I would have loved to be a fly on the wall after that game..