"After reviewing game film on the flight home, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said quarterback Alex Smith's performance was fine in the first half Sunday at Seattle. In the second half? "Obviously there were some passes that were not good," he said.

That included Smith overthrowing Michael Crabtree early in the third quarter. Crabtree didn't see the pass coming and it sailed into the hands of Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, who returned it 32 yards for a touchdown and a 21-6 Seattle lead.

That was one of several miscommunications between Smith and Crabtree. (Singletary said that Crabtree ran the correct route on the play).

Asked if the misfire could stem from Crabtree sitting out all four preseason games, Singletary said: "Any time a player misses those games, especially a young player, it's going to show itself."

Crabtree had a neck sprain throughout camp and Singletary said he deferred the decision on the player's availability for preseason games to trainer Jeff Ferguson.

"When Fergie tells me, 'You know what, Mike? He's banged up.' And the kid is saying he's banged up as well, that makes sense to me," Singletary said. "Sure, I could say, 'I want you out there. I want you to play.' And then I have to listen to (the media) on a whole other route. And I don't need that.""