EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the San Francisco 49ers' 16-10 victory over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium:
Aldon Smith's return meant a significant reduction in the snap count of last week's hero, Ahmad Brooks, who did not seem to take a liking to the development. "We're working through something," Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I answered the question." Pressed on it a bit, Harbaugh said: "We need Ahmad Brooks to win a championship." Brooks, you'll recall, was at the center of a trade rumor that had him going to Cleveland last month. At his locker, Brooks declined to comment on his situation. "I'm not taking questions today," he said. "Maybe later in the week. ... Yeah, we're working through something." Brooks did not play in the second half and played only the first two-plus series.
Running back Frank Gore and receiver Michael Crabtree are in contract years. Gore rushed for a game-high 95 yards on 19 carries, and Crabtree led the Niners with 85 yards receiving, including a 48-yard TD catch-and-run. Gore said he was happy for Crabtree because "he's been frustrated" of late. Gore even talked of his own future, which may or may not include the Niners. "I showed other teams what I can do," he said, later acknowledging he would prefer to stay with the 49ers.
Harbaugh has been known to break out the thesaurus now and again when it comes to describing the play of his team. This time? "They were competing like the dickens." Um, Charles or Little Jimmy?
