SKINS NOTES: Expect more than one kicker in camp next year

Expect more than one kicker in camp next year

A shaky end-of-season performance from kicker Shaun Suisham will result in him facing competition for the job in training camp next year.

Coach Jim Zorn said that bringing multiple kickers to camp is normal. Suisham did not face competition in camp this year.

The kicker is a free agent at the end of the season and had a four-game streak of missed field goals this year. In Sunday's game, he missed a wind-aided 54-yard field goal, hitting under the ball and causing it to fall well short. Zorn usually will allow Suisham to kick up to 52 or 53 yards, but a strong wind spurred him on.

"I was watching in pregame and wanted to see how the wind was affecting him," Zorn said. "When he was kicking with the wind, he was just ripping them, he really was. But he got a little bit underneath the ball and it fell short."

The coach added that Suisham has been outstanding on kickoffs this season.

Punter Ryan Plackemeier may not face the same level of scrutiny. He's already signed to a contract and has made strides this season under special teams coach Danny Smith.

Practice resumes today, shortened week ahead

The Redskins were given Monday off as a reward for their victory against Philadelphia and will go to work today with a short week ahead.

The holidays will cut into tomorrow's practice, and the team will have an abbreviated session Friday before leaving for the West Coast. They wait until Saturday to leave for East Coast games.

Defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander and linebacker London Fletcher are expected to get today off. Alexander pulled his hamstring while covering Eagles running back Brian Westbrook on Sunday. Fletcher has been battling a foot injury all season and likely will play, extending his games-played streak to 135 games, the sixth-longest among active NFL players.

Offensive guard Pete Kendall is allowed to miss today's practice. The veteran has played every game this season.

Zorn, Singletary reunite

San Francisco's first-year coach, Mike Singletary, once shared a playing field with Zorn, though the Redskins coach emphasized this week that though Singletary was intimidating, he never was able to sack Zorn.

"I remember my first start with the Green Bay Packers in 1985," Zorn said. "I have him staring at me with those eyes that are big orbs through his facemask.

"He never sacked me, but a couple of the other guys hit me pretty good. His intensity level would just be pressing against the ceiling."

The 49ers are 4-4 since Singletary took over midway though the season.

'Mustache Monday' in San Francisco

The 49ers will wear throwback uniforms for Sunday's game, but the players are taking it a step further.

They're paying tribute to former San Francisco greats by growing out their facial hair for the game. Quarterback Shaun Hill called the effort "Mustache Monday," and said it was inspired by all the photos of former greats with facial hair that are on display at the team's training facility. -- Michael Phillips