Strong support for a week stay

Players embrace idea of remaining

SAN JOSE, Calif. - If it weren't for the sunshine and Silicon Valley setting, the Patriots would have sworn they were in Foxborough, not some Hotel California yesterday, the day after defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 30-21.

The Patriots, who now prepare for a Sunday night showdown with the San Diego Chargers, treated Victory Monday the same way they would have had they been hunkered down at Patriot Place instead of practicing at San Jose State this week.

"It will be a normal week for us. We will treat it right now like it's a home game," said coach Bill Belichick. "We are doing the same thing that we would do on Monday following a home game. It will be like that for the entire week. Then we will have our normal Saturday and travel like we would on a normal Saturday traveling day."

There is nothing normal about the Patriots setting up shop 3,000 miles away from home for a week, but the players, who had to endure only about an hour bus ride instead of a five-hour-plus flight home after downing the 49ers, are in favor of the arrangement.

"I kind of like it," said wide receiver Wes Welker. "It almost has that training camp aspect where everything is about football. All the film is right downstairs and you are in your little confinement. For me, I don't have to worry about traffic with going back to Boston."

Safety Rodney Harrison said cutting out a cross-country flight just makes sense in a long, grueling season.

"No question," he said. "I think to play a game like [Sunday], such a physical game and a long and grinding game and then have to fly back six hours to the East Coast, try to get yourself reacclimated and get some rest, then practice a few days and then fly right back, I thought that was the dumbest thing we could possibly do.

"For us to play a game and then come back here and be able to sleep in, get our rest, hydrate and get the bumps and bruises taken care of . . . it's really nice to be on a regular schedule, one that you don't have to fly six hours and anticipate that when you're playing a football game, 'God, we have to fly six hours after the game.'

"I think it's great for us. I'm 35 years old, so I need to feel as good as possible."

They run as one

The running-back-by-committee approach continues to pay dividends. Kevin Faulk had two rushing touchdowns Sunday and Sammy Morris provided balance to the offense with 16 carries for 63 yards. Overall, the Patriots outrushed the 49ers, 144 yards (on 43 carries) to 77 yards (on 18 carries).

Morris said that the good thing about the tailbacks - himself, Faulk, LaMont Jordan, and Laurence Maroney - is that they're willing to work together, no one is angry that the team doesn't anoint one leading man.

"I don't think anybody is looking to see [that]," said Morris. "I don't think it plays a factor in the way we approach practice or games. The biggest thing in finding the 'leading role' is for the media guys and programs. Once the game gets there, we let the coaches make that decision.

"In order to do that, you have to have the right character guys in the mind-set of 'we're all looking to make the most of our opportunities when we get them in the game,' and like I said, putting the team first is our biggest focus."

'Quick healer'

Belichick had an optimistic update on Jordan, who left Sunday's game with an apparent right leg injury following a 1-yard carry in the second quarter. "He came in and got treatment today. We will have to see how he is later in the week," said Belichick. "We didn't practice today and we won't practice tomorrow. We'll see where everyone is when we go out there and get on the practice field. But he looks like a pretty quick healer."

Impressive feet

While much has been made of Belichick not allowing Stephen Gostkowski to attempt a 49-yard field goal in Super Bowl XLII, it's worth noting that with a 6-point lead with less than five minutes to go in Sunday's game, Belichick let Gostkowski kick a 49-yarder.

The third-year kicker connected, as he has on all 10 of his field goal tries this year.

"That made it a two-score game and that was a huge kick," said Belichick. "It looked like that would have been good from a lot further than 49.

"Steve's been kicking the ball very well in all situations - kickoffs and all the field goal and extra point situations. Not only is he hitting them straight, but with good elevation, get-off time, and good hang time on the kickoffs.

"I think he's really done a good job in every opportunity he has had here in the past four games. He has been outstanding. He really has."

An active role

Former Patriot Tully Banta-Cain was excited to play against his former team. Banta-Cain, a reserve linebacker for the 49ers, finished with three tackles and was awarded a half-sack when he helped haul down Matt Cassel late in the first quarter. "It was a great experience for me just to get a chance to play against them," said Banta-Cain, who played for the Patriots from 2003-06 before signing with the 49ers as a free agent. "I have been inactive for four weeks, so for the fact that I'm active for my old team, I couldn't write it out better. It would have been nice to get the win, but at the same time it was nice to get to play."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.