1.  Defensive leadership and an emotional approach for the whole team have been the keys to the San Francisco 49ers' resurgence since the devastating loss to Philadelphia.

2.  Defensive line coach Tom Ramage has been there 23 years, offensive line coach Roger French 16.

3.  Defensive lineman Erik Howard said: "It's been a long week.

4.  Defensive players have been told not to start publicly ripping into their offensive teammates.

5.  Defensive tackle Aaron Williams has been bothered by a strained Achilles' tendon but is expected to return to practice before the Sun Bowl.

6.  Defensive tackle Sean Phillips, who had surgery to remove torn cartilage in his knee two weeks ago, has been cleared to practice.

7.  Defensive tackle Tom Barndt has been charged with DUI, stemming from an auto accident Sunday night in Covington.

8.  Defensively, Philadelphia has been shredded by swing passes, draws and the cutback running of Tiki Barber.

9.  Defensively, the Coyotes have been doing the job for the past month, not including a recent 7-2 drubbing in Dallas.

10.  Defensively, the Tide has been hurt by a pair of academic losses, end Chris Hood and linebacker Steve Harris.