SANTA CLARA -- General manager Trent Baalke intimated Monday that rookie running back LaMichael James will soon get a chance to contribute to the 49ers' offense.Baalke, speaking on his weekly radio show on 95.7 The Game's"Bucher & Towny," said the 49ers' coaching staff will make the ultimate decision on playing time."But," Baalke said, "I'd say, it's safe to say that LaMichael is going to start getting his opportunities and (I'm) confident that he'll make the most of them when given the opportunity."James, a second-round draft pick from Oregon, has yet to suit up for a game this season. He has been among the 49ers' seven inactive players for each of the team's first 12 games.Also, Baalke said the 49ers plan to stick with veteran kicker David Akers after he missed from 51 yards in overtime Sunday in the 49ers' 16-13 overtime loss to the St. Louis Rams. Akers missed a 41-yarder in overtime on Nov. 11 against the Rams in a 24-24 tie.Last week, the 49ers brought in veteran free agents Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff for tryouts. Baalke was asked which kickers would be brought in for tryouts this week."I don't know that we're bringing in anybody this week," Baalke said. "There is no tryout. We brought a couple of guys in last week. Got a good look at a couple of guys, couple of guys we feel that if we needed to make a move, make a change, we would."David's been a clutch kicker for the great majority of his career. Unfortunately, he's missed a couple. And those things happen. But you don't hang the W's on him and you don't the losses on him. Once again, it's a team game. Win as a team and lose as a team. We're confident in David. And David has stepped up in the past and we believe he will continue to do so moving forward."
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