During the game, analyst Brian Baldinger commented that there was “no ambiguity” between Nolan and Martz as to who was in charge. Well, you couldn’t tell that from the coverage of the game. The focus of the sideline cameras was on Martz, not Nolan, and after the game all anyone could talk about was the guy who supposedly takes orders from Nolan.

Martz’s star is on the rise again. And while many teams – including the Raiders -- have shied away from naming him a head coach in the past, because of his brash, some say arrogant, approach, he will be on many short lists for openings next fall. The Niners will have to beat other teams to the punch or risk losing him and retuning to squalor.

JTO

If there was any question about Martz’s player evaluation judgment, look at his move in encouraging the 49ers to bring career nomad J.T. O’Sullivan on board. While Nolan wasted money and time with No. 1 pick Alex Smith at quarterback for three laborious seasons, O’Sullivan has cone in and played better in three games than Smith did in three seasons as starter. And O’Sullivan is making strides from week to week. After absorbing eight sacks in week two’s win at Seattle, O’Sullivan was much more nimble vs. the Lions, scrambling away from the pressure and rushing for 32 yards and getting sacked just one time.

Giants’ Checklist

You can pretty much cross the bullpen off the Giants grocery list for 2009. A major question mark heading into the 2008 season, All-Star closer Brian Wilson has established himself as one of the games best end of game arms, becoming just the third Giants pitcher to notch 40 saves, reaching the benchmark number in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Los Angeles.

The flamethrower lives on adrenaline, and actually looked forward to facing slugger Manny Ramirez in the ninth. He fanned Man-Ram to lead off the ninth.

"I wanted that situation from the beginning of the game,” he said. “I actually wanted him to be batting third (in the inning), but first is fine. You know the crowd was going to be amped up and into it, and that gets me into it."
Meanwhile, the set-up jobs are being nailed down by lefty Alex Hinshaw and the fearless Sergio Romo -- two young arms so far removed from the big league picture heading into this season that their photos aren’t even in the Giants media guide.
After throwing three shutout frames in Sunday’s win Romo – who also K’ed Ramirez -- had worked 15 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 11 games. If the hard-throwing Merkin Valdez, can ever stay healthy the Giants bully can lay waste to any other relief staff in the bigs.

Foul Tips

What’s with NFL wide receivers? Either they’re complete megalomaniacs or they’re borderline recluses. The FOX TV crew praised WR Isaac Bruce for his unselfishness. But Bruce is also an odd duck, shying away from reporters to the point of facing his locker when giving interviews. Then again, maybe his socks ask better questions… Without any hint of irony, the NFL Network is using a lite rock version of Morrissey’s morose “Everyday is Like Sunday” as promo music… “Express” the film about Ernie Davis, the first African American Heisman Trophy winner, may be as corny as Iowa but the film has the vibrant hand-painted color of an old Sport magazine from the 1950s… There’s a lot of talk about the Giants possibly moving starting pitcher Matt Cain this winter in a deal to Milwaukee for first baseman Prince Fielder. We’ve all for it if it’s a straight up trade, but not if the Giants have to send rising star Pablo Sandoval with Cain. Sandoval is the real deal, a natural hitter with power and a charisma to match… If the Giants really want to add a power bat, how about inking Jason Giambi, whose expiration date is about to come with the Yankees… Another name to keep in mind next year is outfielder Nate Schierholtz. On Sunday he made the two best plays on any San Francisco outfielder all season. His diving catch to rob James Loney in the fifth inning should be enough to earn an opening day start somewhere in the vast emerald expanse of the China Basin yard.