--Quarterback Shaun Hill made a convincing argument for the full-time starting job with his play in the second half of the season. The 49ers were 5-3 with him as a starter, a record that included disappointing last-second losses at Arizona and Miami.
His 87.5 passer rating was the best for a 49ers starting quarterback since Jeff Garcia went to the Pro Bowl in 2001 after compiling a 94.8 rating. But Hill has been given no assurances that he'll return as the starter.
"I don't know what to think, to be honest with you. I really don't," Hill said. "You really never know really what the perception is. I feel like I definitely played hard. Sometimes it wasn't as good as I wanted it to be, but everyone in this league has those moments."
--While the 49ers offense showed a lot of improvement this season, Mike Martz said he expected more.
"We should be a top-10 offense," Martz said. "I feel that we're either a top-10 offense or I failed."
And why did the 49ers fall short?
"There were a lot of reasons, but that's for another day," Martz said.
--Tight end Vernon Davis saw his production drop from 52 receptions in 2007 to 31 catches this season. But he said he feels satisfied that he did what was asked of him. After all, he did a lot more blocking than in the past.
"I'm pretty much happy with what I did," Davis said. "I helped in run blocking and pass protection. I helped the team."
--Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes, who signed a one-year contract with the 49ers in training camp, made it known that he wants to return to the 49ers in 2009.
Spikes said he believes the 49ers are close to turning the corner, and he wants to be part of the transformation to a playoff team.
"It's not like we need a lot," Spikes said. Then he added a few words directed to general manager Scot McCloughan: "Bring me back."
"I feel like this is home," Spikes said. "And I feel there is unfinished business."
Spikes said he has never regretted leaving a team in his career. He has played with the Bengals, Bills and Eagles. But, he said, this is different.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The first paragraph on that page is what we have to do to get the team in the playoffs. Once we're in the playoffs, anything is possible." -- Coach Mike Singletary, on his statement that everybody in the organization has to get on the same page.
