This version is led by Hall of Fame linebacker, now interim coach, Mike Singletary.

Singletary, who was elevated to coach on Oct. 20 after Mike Nolan's dismissal, has led the 49ers to three wins in their past four games. And the Dolphins have noticed.

"What do you remember? You remember his eyes," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said of the former Chicago Bear. "You remember his intensity. You remember all of those things.

"More importantly, what has he done for that team right now."

Singletary, who was an assistant head coach with the 49ers for three seasons, has already defeated two AFC East teams - the Jets and Bills.

"It's a totally different team since the coach took over," defensive tackle Jason Ferguson said. "The last three or four games, they are playing like they are on a mission right now."

Singletary signaled his intensity hasn't waned by sending tight end Vernon Davis to the locker room as punishment in his first game as coach.

"[His intensity] is obvious. When you see what happened on TV when he took over and there's a fight on the bench, now [Davis] is playing great," Ferguson said. "The whole team has taken over his personality."

Singletary said he had a meeting with current Dolphins vice president Bill Parcells when Parcells was coaching in Dallas two years ago. Singletary said Parcells gave him more than three hours to talk Football and said he was "very fortunate" to spend time with Parcells.

"I definitely think [Singletary] has done a lot, he's an intense coach, the players like playing for him," tackle Jake Long said. "He was a great player, an intense guy and you can see it on TV, he's doing great things for that team and they want to go out and win for him."

The odd couple

Sparano said he has developed a friendship with outspoken linebacker Joey Porter.

"Joey and I have a really good relationship. I enjoy talking to him," Sparano said. "He broadens my horizons every now and then and he makes me think outside the box, and I get him to think a little bit about Frank Sinatra, so that's a good thing."

Injury-free

Sparano said the Dolphins are healthy going into Sunday's game.

"[We're] doing good. I think we had a good week, probably one of our better weeks that way as of late. They're ready to go," Sparano said. ...

Former Titans and Broncos safety Calvin Lowry had a tryout Friday. ...

The Dolphins will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program on Sunday.