SAN FRANCISCO -- Observed in the locker room after the San Francisco 49ers’ 32-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals:
'Grinding the meat': 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was ecstatic about the 18-play, 89-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter that gave the 49ers a nine-point lead. Harbaugh called the drive “grinding the meat.” Several 49ers said they’ve heard the coach use the expression before.
McDonald OK: Defensive lineman Ray McDonald said his partially torn biceps responded fine. It was his first game since the injury. “I’m good,” McDonald said.
Davis' day opened things up: Fullback Bruce Miller marveled at tight end Vernon Davis’ 180 receiving yards, which tied for the third-most by a tight end since 1993. “Vernon creates mismatches,” Miller said. “It opens things up for us.”
Calling for respect: Several 49ers’ offensive players were signaling for fans to stop doing the wave late in the game when Arizona defensive lineman Calais Campbell was being lifted onto a stretcher. One 49ers starting offensive player said he didn’t think fans were doing it with malice and that he didn’t think fans knew the potentially serious nature of the injury. Still, the player said he wished fans held off on the act.