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Singletary hopes to lead 49ers to strong finish

Dec 16, 2008 - 7:43 PM San Francisco (5-9) at St. Louis (2-12) 1:00 pm EST

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Mike Singletary has two games left to prove he is deserving of coaching the San Francisco 49ers on a full-time basis.

Luckily, one of them is Sunday against the atrocious St. Louis Rams, who most likely will not bring back interim coach Jim Haslett.

The 49ers have been playing well under Singletary, having won two straight before failing to score an offensive touchdown in a 14-9 loss to Miami last week. Shaun Hill completed 30-of-46 passes for 233 yards, and San Francisco ran 37 more plays than Miami.

Playing without Frank Gore (ankle sprain), the 49ers outgained the Dolphins, 318-248, but had to settle for field goals in the red zone.

"We didn't execute well enough in the red zone," Hill said. "Anytime you're kicking field goals instead of touchdowns, that really hinders you."

Prior to that loss, San Francisco posted an impressive 24-14 win over the New York Jets (9-5). Singletary spoke of his situation after that victory.

"I won't say that it's my team, because I'm really trying to help it become the players' team," said Singletary, who is 3-4 since taking over for Mike Nolan seven games into the season.

"Yes, I want the job, but I'm going to work as hard as I can, as honestly as I can. ... I'm not trying to impress anybody. I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm just being me, and hopefully when it's said and done, that's enough."

Haslett, who took over for Scott Linehan after St. Louis started 0-4, appears to face a much more bleak situation.

The Rams got a short boost when Haslett was named interim head coach, beating Washington and Dallas in consecutive weeks. They have lost eight straight since.

Steven Jackson ran for 91 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 loss to Seattle last week. T.J. Duckett scored from 1-yard out with 2:47 left and Olindo Mare kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired.

"I'm sure he (Haslett) wishes he could go out there and play and help his own fate," said Marc Bulger, who completed 19-of-32 passes for 207 yards and a score. "I know he would do a good job turning this place around."

St. Louis had beaten San Francisco six straight games before Hill tossed three touchdowns in a 28-point third quarter en route to a 35-16 win in Week 11.