Dec. 3, 2010MAIOCCO ARCHIVE49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEOMatt MaioccoCSNBayArea.comSANTA CLARA -- Coach Mike Singletary made it clear, stating in memorable fashion more than two years ago, that he wants winners.Well, he now has one.When kicker Jeff Reed officially signs to take over for ailing Joe Nedney later today, he'll become the only player on the 49ers' 53-man roster with a Super Bowl ring. Reed was on two Super Bowl champions with the Pittsburgh Steelers during his nine seasons with the organization.
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Running back Brian Westbrook (Eagles), tackle Barry Sims (Raiders) and outside linebacker Travis LaBoy (Cardinals) were each on losing Super Bowl teams.The 49ers enter their game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field with a 4-7 record, but they are just one game behind front-running St. Louis and Seattle in the NFC West. Remarkably, the 49ers are still in the playoff hunt.Tight end Vernon Davis is one of 41 players on the 49ers with no playoff experience. He said the fact he has not been to the playoffs since entering the NFL in 2006 is one of the reasons he got so emotional while delivering a pre-game talk to his teammates prior to the 49ers' game Monday night against the Arizona Cardinals.
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Long-snapper Brian Jennings is the only current 49ers player who was on the team in 2002 -- the last time the franchise made it to the postseason. The 49ers defeated the New York Giants in a wild, wild-card playoff game. Coincidentally, cornerback Will James (formerly known as Will Peterson) was in the Giants' starting lineup that day.
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Prior to recent injuries that elevated Sims and Westbrook into the starting lineup, the only 49ers starters with playoff experience were defensive end Justin Smith, nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and quarterback Troy Smith, who did not see any action at quarterback in his one playoff game with the Ravens.
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