49ers’ Nick Bellore faces a daunting task

With the Jets' final pick in the 2011 draft, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and many of their coaches wanted to select Central Michigan inside linebacker Nick Bellore. Head coach Rex Ryan, per tradition, was allowed to make their final pick and he selected Colorado wide receiver Scotty McKnight as a favor to quarterback Mark Sanchez, who grew up with McKnight. Ryan, who later called Bellore to offer him a free-agent contract he accepted, explained the Jets hadn't drafted him because "you're not the quarterback's best friend!" Bellore's unique NFL start was chronicled in "Collision Low Crossers," written by Nicholas Dawidoff, who was given tremendous access for his book on the 2011 Jets. [...] that is. The spotlight will be squarely on Bellore on Thursday night when the 49ers host Arizona in their first game this season without inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who sustained a season-ending Achilles tendon tear Sunday. The swap of the star for the special-teamer is a blow to a team that has allowed an average of 35.7 points and 458.3 yards during a three-game losing streak. After being viewed as strictly a special-teams player, Bellore, 27, could be getting his chance because of...