"There are so many things I have to talk to the players about, it just works out better if I'm down on the sideline," said Martz, who is installing his offense with the 49ers this summer.

--Newly signed linebacker Takeo Spikes is not content to just play second fiddle to Patrick Willis, who led the league in tackles as a rookie.

"If there is a play out there to make, I am going to go out there and make it," Spikes said. "I tell them (his teammates) to meet me at the ball. I tell all the guys, 'Meet me at the ball, all the time.'"

--Jeff Ulbrich has the most to lose with the signing of Spikes. Ulbrich had been penciled in as the starter, but now that Spikes is on the team, that role might be changing.

"(Spikes) is a great football player and a great addition to this team," Ulbrich said. "He'll push me and I'll push him. If my role changes from defense to special teams, I'll embrace that."

--The 49ers' pass rush has looked good through the first three exhibition games. There is competition for roster spots. Among those competing for a job is OLB Tully Banta-Cain, who started last season. He had a disappointing season with 3.5 sacks.

"Now, I'm in a situation where I'm basically back to that use-when-needed category," Banta-Cain said. "That's fine, but I never accept that as a player. I see myself as a player who can play every snap and every down."

Coach Mike Nolan said he considers Banta-Cain more than just a third-down pass rusher.

"He can rush on third downs. But he should be an every-down player," Nolan said. "We did not dilute him by playing him in base. He needs to be a good base player. We did not sign him to be a specialized designated pass rusher. In order to make our squad, he's got to do more of the every-down stuff than just the one dimension."