Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Highlights and interpretations from Mike Nolan's day-after-game news conference at 49ers headquarters today:

Nolan: The coach said tight end Vernon Davis is blocking well for the run and pass. He thinks Davis must improve his route running and knowledge of the offense to earn quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan's trust in the passing game. Also, Davis must do better controlling his emotions and putting the team first.

Analysis: Nolan is right on with his interpretation. The rest of us can determine whether Davis' invisibility as a receiver makes him a draft bust. Frequently changing coordinators has probably set back Davis, who has had a hard time mastering Mike Martz's new offense.

Nolan: The coach would not identify his top priority for fixing the defense, claiming there wasn't enough time to get into the subject.

Analysis: Every team in the league knows where the 49ers are vulnerable. The rest of us lack the same resources and levels of expertise. Withholding that information serves no strategic value other than to spare Nolan from talking about it. A defensive head coach in his fourth season with a team should publicly identify and explain top priorities on his side of the ball.

Nolan: The coach appeared mystified by the 15-yard penalty assessed against the 49ers' Justin Smith for grabbing the back of Matt Cassel's helmet. Nolan wasn't sure about the rule in question. He also said he had a hard time clearly seeing Smith grab the helmet, and that Smith appeared to let go quickly.

Analysis: The penalty was a tough one for the 49ers. I'm seeking clarification on the rule. Please let me know if you can cite the applicable language from the 2008 rulebook. I could not immediately find anything in the digest of rules.

Nolan: The coach is having a staff member check five-game won-lost records for 2007 teams that finished last season with strong records. Nolan said it's important to keep hope after a couple of tough defeats. He said he thought the 49ers should be one or two games better in the standings at this point.

Analysis: The 49ers are who we thought we were, record-wise. Wait, they are one game better than we expected. I'm not sure which games Nolan expected to win. Arizona in the opener, OK. But was he expecting to win at Seattle, at New Orleans and against the Patriots? I did expect better from the 49ers' defense, particularly the secondary.

Those were a few of the highlights. I'll be heading home tonight, but hopefully not before dipping into the mailbag again.