National Football League

San Francisco 49ers get in the spirit for Battle of the Bay

Published Oct. 15, 2010 10:13 a.m. ET

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This weekend's 49ers-Raiders game at Candlestick Park couldn't offer much less in the way of championship stakes. The 49ers (0-5) are one of three winless teams in the NFL, while the Raiders (2-3) are trying to avoid an eighth consecutive season with at least 11 losses.

Players, however, said the Battle of the Bay buzz is still there.

"Just because you don't feel it doesn't mean I don't feel it," 49ers receiver Josh Morgan said. "I'm excited. I'm really excited."

Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. compared the 49ers-Raiders showdown to the fiercest rivalry from his college days.

"It's like Ohio State-Michigan, you know?" said Ginn, who will be playing in his first Bay Bridge game. "It's just a dogfight. It doesn't matter who is ranked higher or who is ranked lower. We could be 0-5, and they could be 5-0, but when we play each other, it's going to be a dogfight because we're only 20 minutes apart."

The 49ers and Raiders have met 11 times during the regular season, starting in 1970 (a 38-7 victory for the 49ers in Oakland). The Raiders lead the all-time series 6-5, including a 4-2 record at Candlestick Park.

This marks their first meeting since 2006, when the 49ers won 34-20 and Alex Smith enjoyed one of the best games of his career. Smith completed 15 of 19 passes for 165 yards, with three touchdowns, one interception and a career-best 120.5 passer rating.

Smith, like Ginn, said there's an extra buzz for a 49ers-Raiders game -- despite what the standings say.

"People aren't very undecided on the issue. It's one or the other around here," Smith said. "There are Raiders fans and Niner fans all over this Bay Area. So, no question, there's definitely a rivalry feel."

Echoing comments that coach Mike Singletary made a day earlier, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said opponents are doing whatever they can to keep linebacker Patrick Willis in check. "Wouldn't you?" Manusky said, smiling. "I think every team is going to game plan Patrick Willis. He's one of the playmakers on the team. When they come to the line of scrimmage, you know the offensive line says, 'We've got to block that guy.' So, of course."

The problem is that teams are doing it more effectively than in previous years. Willis is tied for a mere 16th in the league in tackles this season.

"Hopefully we'll get him to No. 1. It's a long season,'' Manusky said.

Manusky didn't do much to downplay the notion that the 49ers would try to exploit the Raiders at left tackle, where Mario Henderson and Jared Veldheer split time.

Manusky also said that William James will retain the third cornerback spot now that he is fully recovered from an ankle injury. James made his 49ers debut last week, taking over for Tarell Brown. "He did quite well. I don't think as well as he wanted to, but he hasn't played football in a while, and he did OK," Manusky said.

Gore (5,883) needs 48 more rushing yards to pass Ken Willard (5,930) for third place on the 49ers' all-time rushing list.

Opposing quarterbacks have thrown eight touchdown passes against the 49ers in the past 13 games at Candlestick Park. That's the fewest TD passes against an NFL home team during that span (since Nov. 16, 2008).

As expected, the 49ers re-signed cornerback Tramaine Brock to the practice squad and released fullback Jehuu Caulcrick.

For more on the 49ers, see Daniel Brown's Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers . E-mail dbrown@mercurynews.com