49ers frustrated by loss in New Orleans

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Vernon Davis claims he left his frustrations in New Orleans. The rest of the San Francisco 49ers can only hope to emulate their mercurial tight end after a 31-17 loss that exposed every problem in their promising start to the season.

One day after Davis reacted to his only reception late in the 49ers’ loss at New Orleans with what appeared to be a screaming diatribe at the San Francisco coaches, Davis insisted nothing was wrong that couldn’t be fixed with another win or two — oh, and maybe a few more passes for a player who’s growing tired of blocking all the time.

“I was just fired up,” said Davis, who didn’t play again after his emotional display with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Davis is an inspired blocker when he wants to be, but the 49ers’ offense foundered because it didn’t have nearly enough protection for J.T. O’Sullivan.

The 49ers quarterback was sacked six times and hurried on several additional plays to contribute to his unimpressive 18-of-36 performance with two interceptions and a fumble.

The San Francisco offense that’s been revitalized under coordinator Mike Martz wasn’t nearly as effective against the resourceful Saints, though the Niners still moved the ball fairly well for long stretches in a 312-yard performance. San Francisco’s biggest struggles were on defense, where Drew Brees and the Saints carved up a previously strong secondary for 363 yards passing.

Coach Mike Nolan plans no changes to his defensive lineup, seeing faults that can be spread equally over the unit.

“The explosive plays that occurred [on defense], they are inexcusable,” Nolan said.

“There are some mental lapses, mental errors. It wasn’t like somebody got whipped on an all-out blitz.”