Buccaneers-49ers: Mike Williams Will Play Sunday

Update: Head coach Raheem Morris has confirmed that Mike Williams will play Sunday against the 49ers.  He did not say whether he would start so it is possible that he would sit out the beginning of the game.  Apparently, Morris sat down with team captains Ronde Barber and Josh Freeman to help make his decision.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without top wideout, Mike Williams, this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.  Williams was arrested and charged earlier this morning with driving under the influence.  His blood alcohol level was measured below the state limit of .08, but he was reportedly speeding and weaving in traffic.  He also submitted to a urine test but those results will not be available for about four to six weeks.  Williams was released later this morning.

However, there are conflicting reports on whether he will play against the 49ers on Sunday.  Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Williams will start on Sunday but then Schefter reported that another official said that Williams would not play against the 49ers.

Oakland Raiders @ San Francisco 49ers: Pre-Game

Date: October 16, 2010

Time: 1:00PST

Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Records: Raiders (2-3) 49ers (0-5)
Spread: 49ers (-7)

Injuries

Oakland: Out - RB Michael Bennett (hamstring), LB Travis Goethel (back), DT John Henderson (foot), LB Thomas Howard (knee), WR Chaz Schilens (knee); Questionable - QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder), LB Quentin Groves (hamstring), WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (knee), RB Darren McFadden (hamstring); Probable - OG Robert Gallery (hamstring), OG Daniel Loper (ankle), CB Jeremy Ware (ankle)

San Francisco: Out - S Curtis Taylor (quad), TE Delanie Walker (ankle); Probable - OT Joe Staley (shoulder), QB Troy Smith (abdomen), OG Adam Snyder (quad), OG Adam Snyder (quad)

Inactives

Oakland: QB Bruce Gradkowski (3rd QB), RB Michael Bennett, LB Travis Goethel, DT John Henderson, OLB Thomas Howard, RB Darren McFadden, DB Walter McFadden, WR Chaz Schilens

San Francisco: QB Troy Smith (3rd QB), OT Alex Boone, WR Jason Hill, OT Barry Sims, FS Curtis Taylor, TE Delanie Walker, WR Kyle Williams, OG Tony Wragge

News out of San Francisco is that the players have finally given up and stop listening to head coach Mike Singletary.  It was just a matter of time until this happen.  How long can you listen to a head coach who is not willing to make changes and just blame players for inability to execute when in fact it's your philosophy that is the problem.

If the 49ers continue to lose, Jed York will not have any choice but to get rid of Singletary at the bye week.  York cannot afford to lose the fans and making one of the assistant coaches the head coach is better than keeping Singletary in at the helm.

On the other side of the bay, the Raiders are doing there best to show up the 49ers.  Adam Schefter is reporting that the Raiders are calling teams to advise them that they are ready to make a deal and no one player is untouchable.  This is a annual event for Al Davis' but it seems very interesting at this point when the Raiders are 2-3 and with a win could be .500.

Adam Schefter: 49ers Interested in Shawne Merriman

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers might be the future destination of Shawne Merriman.  Schefter states that Merriman would prefer to play for Miami, Baltimore, or Dallas but the 49ers will likely have first choice with their 0-5 record.  Schefter doesn't list that this information came from an official source but we all know that Jed York likes to text message Schefter.

Current 49ers defensive coordinator, Greg Manusky, use to be the San Diego Chargers linebacker coach and was there when Merriman was at his best.  During the two years that Merriman played under Manusky, he totaled 27 sacks and 92 tackles.

Gregg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com says that the 49ers "even debated trading for Merriman before he was released."

Takeo Spikes says he is still the starter

On Monday, Adam Schefter reported that the San Francisco 49ers were going to bench both veteran defensive starters Takeo Spikes and Michael Lewis.

In Monday's press conference, Mike Singletary denied that report and said he was not sure where that came from.  Then today on Chronicle Live, linebacker Takeo Spikes denied that report.

"I saw that on TV as well, and it was a shocker, a big surprise to me.  "I talked to our head coach, and he immediately shot that down with me by saying, 'I expect you to be our starter this weekend.'

Personally, I was a bit surprised by the rumor that Spikes was going to be benched but not Michael Lewis.  Lewis has started to show his age and his lack of speed hurt the 49ers in the Chiefs game.

I would not be surprised to see Reggie Smith replace Lewis in the starting lineup.  I also suspect that although Spikes will still be the starter, we may start seeing more of NaVorro Bowman especially against teams with more speed.