SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers will get another opportunity Friday to practice in weather conditions similar to what they can expect to see Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park.
According to an NFL spokesman, the league has representatives from the football operations department at Candlestick Park. They have daily meetings with the 49ers and review specific field maintenance plans.All natural turf fields, such as Candlestick Park, must be covered if precipitation is expected during the week preceding each game.
Here are some other checklist items for Friday, as the 49ers prepare to face the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.--Coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback Alex Smith, receiver Michael Crabtree and safety Donte Whitner are scheduled to speak to the media on Friday.RELATED: Watch today's 49ers press conference here at 1:55pm
Whitner recently won the Garry Niver Award, as presented by the San Francisco Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, for his professionalism and cooperation in dealing with the media. He'll certainly be asked about comments from Giants running back Brandon Jacobs.Whitner delivered a game-changing hit last week on which New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas sustained a concussion. Thomas fumbled on the play, ending the Saints' first possession of the game."To get knocked out, that means they hit you on the head," Jacobs said. "I wish like hell one of them would try to hit me in my head. . . . I want one of those. That means they're staying high, they're not digging into the ground, trying to make tackles at the shoestring."--On Thursday, cornerback Tarell Brown (thigh), receiver Ted Ginn (knee), center Jonathan Goodwin (calf) and linebacker Patrick Willis (knee) did not practice. Ginn's availability for Sunday's game appears to be the most in doubt. Tight end Delanie Walker (jaw) and safety Dashon Goldson (ankle) saw limited work on Thursday. The team's training and medical staff will see how those players feel Friday to determine how much they'll participate in Friday's practice.
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