49ers hope good play continues in Sept.

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

Frank Gore believes this season will be different, that the San Francisco 49ers are finally ready to take that step to the playoffs after all the missed chances in an 8-8 season a year ago.

In coach Mike Singletary’s mind, they have to.

The Niners are unbeaten in the preseason heading into their exhibition finale Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers. And while everybody knows these games don’t count, San Francisco could use some momentum heading into its season opener at NFC West rival Seattle on Sept. 12.

The team has a returning quarterback in 2005 No. 1 pick Alex Smith — not to mention the same offensive coordinator in Jimmy Raye for consecutive seasons for the first time in seven years.

“It feels a lot different, especially just by the guys, man, how we work and have been together,” Gore said. “Especially having Alex, he’s stepping up like a man. Especially having Jimmy Raye back, we don’t have to start over. Around the time in camp, everybody who has the same coordinator, they can just move on from what they did last year and clean up all the mistakes. This year we have the chance to do that.”

Yet Gore is eager to see the entire offense intact. Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis has yet to play because of a strained right knee, while second-year receiver Michael Crabtree is nursing a neck injury and also hasn’t played.

Josh Morgan, the 49ers’ healthy starting wideout at the moment, wants to do everything he can to have a breakout season and take pressure off Crabtree and Davis. Those two are likely to draw regular double-teams.

There are plenty of play-makers for Smith to look for in this offense.

“You always want to do better and see yourself get better every year,” Morgan said. “I call it the crazy 8’s, man. My goal is 80 catches, eight touchdowns, 800 yards. I think that’s a reasonable goal.”

The 49ers know the importance of a fast start — and maintaining consistency for an entire season. They began 3-1 in 2009 and there was instantly talk of playoffs. Then things changed and San Francisco dropped its next four games and five of six. The 49ers also lost six straight road games, five in a row by a combined 19 points, before winning their season finale at St. Louis.

Consistency will be a big key if this team is going to end a seven-year postseason drought. Going 3-0 so far in the preseason is nice, but means little at this stage.

“I wouldn’t say momentum because nothing really counts in the preseason,” Morgan said. “But I do feel we’ve got that camaraderie as a team. We are basically gelling together.”