49ers Blog and Q&A

With Arnaz Battle out for this week with a foot sprain, the 49ers are debating whether to activate practice-squad receiver Dominique Zeigler, a second-year player out of Mike Singletary's alma mater, Baylor. The 6-2, 185-pound Zeigler is perhaps the most natural pass catcher on the team and seems to turn in at least one dazzling snag every week. Zeigler said he attributed that skill to playing baseball as a kid. "You don't catch the ball in baseball, it kind of knocks your teeth out," he said. Zeigler's been on the practice squad for two years and has played just about every receiving position. Lately, he's been getting work as the slot receiver behind Battle and Jason Hill. The 49ers would have to waive someone if Zeigler were placed on the active roster ....

**********
We spoke with Mike Martz after the morning walk through. Martz and his family received bad news Sunday when they learned his 38-year-old nephew, Steve Martz, had been shot in the midsection in a bizarre incident in Baja, Mexico. Steve Martz is an off-road racer and he and several riders were checking out a race course when, according to Martz, a man in camoflauge opened fire on them. Here's a newspaper account of the incident.

Mike Martz said his nephew and two other men approached a locked gate on the course when the shots were fired. Steve Martz's fellow riders put him on the motorcycle and took him 17 miles back to the main road. Authorities then had to decide whether to truck him to a hospital or call in a helicopter. Luckily, they chose the latter. Said Martz: "He wouldn't have made it if they didn't have a helicopter. He lost three pints of blood. Usually, if you lose that much you don't make it." Steve Martz was flown to Tijuana where his spleen was removed. He was later airlifted to San Diego's Sharp Memorial Hospital where he is recovering. Mike Martz said his nephew is out of critical care but probably will spend another seven days or so in the hospital. "It was a scary moment for all of us."

Asked why the man shot his nephew, Martz said, "I think that area down there is kind of a dangerous area. Even though it was on the course and they were just going through the road. They were at a gate that was locked up, and I don't know why. Nobody knows why. But he didn't hesitate. He shot him."

**********
Apparently, NFL coaching changes are a boon to the banner-making industry. In the spot where Mike Nolan's "Win the West" banner once hung, Mike Singletary has hung his own rather wordy mantra. Players must learn and recite it before taking the field Monday. (kidding) ...

49ers formula for success

1. Total ball security
2. Execute
3. Dominate in the trenches
4. Create great field position
5. Finish

-- Matt Barrows