Play a few hit tunes and what do you think the 49ers do? They hit, of course.
That`s been the scene for the past few days as the 49ers stepped up their tempo and their temperament for Sunday`s game in Detroit.
Music blared through two big speakers at one end of the field to simulate the noisy conditions in the Pontiac Silverdome. The loudest noises at practice were made by the popping of pads.
As part of his back-to-basics movement after the 26-10 loss to the Bears, coach Bill Walsh has increased the intensity and concentration at practice by using brief scrimmages with first team against first team and other drills that are usually reserved for summer training camp.
”It`s pretty obvious we are trying to bring ourselves through a siege of misplays and botched plays,” Walsh said. ”The only way we can do it is to try and sharpen up everybody`s reflexes and everything that goes with it.”
The unusually spirited hitting may prove costly: Starting outside linebacker Todd Shell strained or stretched the muscles in his shoulder and neck area and is rated as questionable for the game Sunday.
