49ers World

Draft Review

2011-05-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

The 49ers selected players at many of their needs. But did they select the right players?

It's highly likely that the people who assign grades based on their own rankings and knee-jerk reactions will not assign a gold star to the 49ers' draft class.

But the only thing that matters is how the players perform, and if those selected are able to contribute to a rise in the 49ers' win totals over the next few seasons. So until those returns come in, it's just the 49ers' opinion vs. everyone else's.

OLB Aldon Smith Missouri (6-5, 260)

First round, No. 7 overall

He impressed the 49ers with his willingness to return after three weeks to play with a fractured fibula. He's young, having just turned 21, and still developing his pass-rush technique. He mostly played defensive end in college, so it's a projection to think he can be effective in the transition to outside linebacker, where he's slated to replace Manny Lawson. If he struggles with the new position, he should still be able to get on the field immediately on third downs when he'll line up at defensive end to get after the quarterback.

QB Colin Kaepernick Nevada (6-4 5/8; 230)

Second round, No. 36 overall

Yes, he's a project. But, as Harbaugh pointed out, all young quarterbacks are projects. Kaepernick comes from Nevada's "Pistol" offense and will have to learn how to take snaps under center and get out of the mindset of using his legs as much as his throwing arm. Harbaugh says Alex Smith is the favorite to be the 49ers' starting quarterback this season -- now that Smith has convinced Harbaugh that he'll re-sign once the NFL opens the door to free agency. Harbaugh has given Smith a copy of the new 49ers playbook. "There's some trust there," Harbaugh said.

CB Chris Culliver South Carolina (6-0 3/8; 199)

Third round, No. 80 overall

The 49ers began a run of cornerbacks in the middle of the third round. Within the next 10 pick, cornerbacks DeMarcus Van Dyke (Miami), Johnny Patrick (Louisville), Shareece Wright (USC) and Curtis Marsh (Utah State) went off the board. The 49ers drafted Culliver as a cornerback, where he played as a senior. He has experience at safety and has kick-return skills, too. Culliver adds speed and athleticism to the secondary. But is he a better option as a 2011 starter than veterans Nate Clements or Shawntae Spencer?

RB Kendall Hunter Oklahoma State (5-7 1/4, 199)

Fourth round, No. 115 overall

The 49ers brought in Hunter for a visit several weeks before the draft to gauge his ability to learn and adapt to an NFL offense. Obviously, Hunter left a strong enough impression. The club added the exciting runner as a player who should be able to take at least a handful of carries every game away from workhorse Frank Gore. Of the 10 players the 49ers selected in this draft, Hunter might be in line to have the greatest immediate production. His first task is to wrestle the backup job away from Anthony Dixon.

C-G Daniel Kilgore Appalachian State (6-3, 308)

Fifth round, No. 163 overall

The 49ers are set at both tackle positions and left guard. But there is uncertainty at center and right guard. Center David Baas is a free agent, and Eric Heitmann's future is in doubt after missing last season with a neck injury. Right guard Chilo Rachal has been inconsistent. The 49ers were high enough on Kilgore that they traded up 11 spots into the end of the fifth round to select him. Kilgore played both guard and tackle spots in college. He played center in a spread offense in high school. He also lined up there in the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game.

WR Ronald Johnson USC (5-10 3/4, 185)

Sixth round, No. 182 overall

The 49ers selected slot receiver/return man Kyle Williams in the sixth round last year. In Johnson, the 49ers got a similar player in about the same draft spot. Johnson got a glowing recommendation from 49ers receivers coach John Morton, who worked with Johnson the past four seasons as a USC position coach. "My ears and Trent's ears really perk up when you hear that," Harbaugh said. "The guy loves the game, loves practice. That's the best hours of his day is when he's out there on the practice field. Those things when they're coming from the position coach, and he's so passionate about it, that's the thing that really gets your attention." Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan are secure as the starters. Johnson will compete with Ted Ginn, Williams and Dominique Zeigler to get onto the field.

S Colin Jones TCU (5-11 1/2, 201)

Sixth round, No. 190 overall

Interestingly, Jones' best college game came on the biggest stage, when he put together a strong all-around performance against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Harbaugh was at TCU's pro day and chatting with quarterback Andy Dalton when Jones ran a great time in the 40. Dalton identified Jones for Harbaugh, who immediately took notice. "There's a guy," Harbaugh said, "that I cannot wait to watch him run down on a kickoff, full throttle, running his 4.3 with his mindset to get from point A to Point B and go hit somebody."

FB Bruce Miller Central Florida (6-1 5/8, 248)

Seventh round, No. 211 overall

This was the most curious pick of the 49ers' draft. At the combine, Miller was talking to 49ers linebackers coach Jim Leavitt. But in the days leading up to the draft, running backs coach Tom Rathman received the handoff. Miller was the Conference-USA defensive player of the year while recording 8.5 sacks as a defensive end. (That's three more sacks than Aldon Smith recorded during his injury-plagued final season.) The 49ers have Miller slated to be a fullback. But he's a guy Harbaugh said he just wanted on his team, period. "It's like a blinking light, 'I'm a football player, I'm a football player.'" Harbaugh said. "He may also be a pass rusher too. So, we're not closing the door on any options with that youngster. I think he is a football player."

C-G Mike Person Montana State (6-4 1/2, 299)

Seventh round, No. 239 overall

Person is in the same mold as Kilgore, whom the 49ers selected two rounds earlier. Both Person and Kilgore played left tackle during their senior seasons. "So, we looked at those guys, both Person and Kilgore, as guys that played the most difficult position on the offensive line," Baalke said. "(Both) had the athletic traits that we were looking for -- the toughness, the intelligence to develop and move inside." It was quite a day for Person. Later Saturday, he was named the winner of the Little Sullivan Award, as the outstanding amateur male athlete in the state of Montana.

CB Curtis Holcomb Florida A&M (5-10, 192)

Seventh round, No. 250 overall

The 49ers selected their second cornerback with their final pick. Holcomb was extremely grateful the 49ers and, specifically, defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, would take a chance on a small-college player. Holcomb was a starter throughout his college career with 12 interceptions. "I played on three out of four special teams," Holcomb said. "I'm a cornerback, a special-teams guy, an overall complete football player."

49ers QB Smith given playbook; coach expects him to return

2011-05-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

By Matthew Barrows - mbarrows@sacbee.com

Published: Sunday, May. 1, 2011 - 12:00 am
Page 7C
SANTA CLARA – Coach Jim Harbaugh has said he wants, even expects, quarterback Alex Smith to return to the 49ers every time he has been asked in recent weeks, and he stuck to that theme Saturday.

"I strongly feel that Alex is going to come back here," he said.

But perhaps the coach's actions speak louder than his words. Harbaugh also said he has given Smith the team's offensive playbook even though Smith, a free agent, isn't on the team. In normal circumstances, coaches don't let their playbooks off the premises for fear of them falling into enemy hands. Giving one to a player who might wind up on another team is unheard of. All of which points strongly to Smith returning for his seventh season. Smith has a standing, one-year offer from the 49ers.

"He has not signed," Harbaugh said. "There's a leap of faith there."

On Friday, teams had a short window to meet with veteran players before the lockout was temporarily reinstated. Harbaugh said he met with Smith for 30 to 40 minutes, mostly to catch up on family matters. Smith and his wife, Elizabeth, are expecting their first baby any day, which is another reason to think Smith will remain with the 49ers. Smith has not returned several calls seeking comment. Having the playbook would allow Smith to orchestrate workouts if the lockout drags on during the offseason. Smith has been part of a group of a dozen or so 49ers who have been training together in the San Jose area.

On Friday, Harbaugh said second-round draft pick Colin Kaepernick would have a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job. But Saturday, Harbaugh gave the edge to Smith in a hypothetical competition.

"Alex is definitely going to have the head start," Harbaugh said. "He's played in the NFL. … If I'm a betting man, I'm betting on Alex Smith."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/01/3592416/49ers-qb-smith-given-playbook.html#ixzz1L8RFNtVW

Uncharted waters, and the 49ers are rudderless at QB

2011-04-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

From Matt Barrows, The Sac Bee, April 5th

Dumbfounding fact of the day: The 49ers have an extra sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft that they received for perennial underachiever Kentwan Balmer and an extra seventh rounder they received for perennial overachiever Shaun Hill. The compensation for Balmer is 41 slots better than the compensation for Hill. Sigh.

With 12 total picks, the 49ers will head into the draft with more selections than any other team. And, yes, the picks they received in exchange for Hill and Balmer potentially could be packaged with others so that the 49ers can move up and target specific players.
Still, the 49ers would have been much better off if they had kept Hill.

They shipped him to Detroit for a seventh-round selection, and for far more money signed David Carr as the team's primary backup. Carr, of course, ended up being leapfrogged by Mike Singletary-favorite Troy Smith and falling to No. 3 in the quarterback pecking order. The new regime has opted to move on from Smith and may not be too enamored of Carr, either. As previously reported, Harbaugh gave Carr a low grade when Carr, the eventual No. 1 pick, was entering the draft in 2002.

Hill, meanwhile, showed the same kind of leadership and moxie in Detroit when starter Matthew Stafford suffered a separated shoulder last year as he did in San Francisco when Alex Smith dealt with shoulder injuries in 2007 and 2008. It's a safe guess that Hill is one of the veteran Lions players organizing workouts and practices during the lockout especially since Stafford is still recovering from his injury.

The 49ers, meanwhile, could use such a player. There's a modest contingent working out together in the South Bay, but it's an offensive lineman, Joe Staley, and a defensive lineman, Justin Smith, who are the primary organizers. Hill might not have the physical attributes Harbaugh is seeking in a future starter, but he is everything a head coach wants in a locker-room leader and he would have been an ideal "bridge" quarterback for 2011 while Harbaugh developed a youngster.

QB Smith gives a winning effort in losing cause

2009-12-07T19:49:00.000-08:00

From John Crumpacker, the San Francisco Chronicle

Since becoming the 49ers' No. 1 quarterback once again 6 1/2 games ago, the only thing Alex Smith has not done is win, at least not consistently. In six starts, he's 2-4, the latest being Sunday's 20-17 loss to Seattle.
The way the game unfolded, Smith's first career 300-yard passing game was wasted, through no fault of his own. In fact, he showed leadership on two drives in the fourth quarter that were undermined by a fumble and two dropped passes.

Frank Gore's fumble early in the period thwarted what had been a promising drive. Until Gore extended the ball trying to get another yard at the Seattle 22, it looked as if the 49ers were going to drive 98 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. "I was feeling great about it," Smith said. "You're already in field-goal position, so you're thinking that you have points to take the lead."

Instead, nothing.

On the next drive in the final period, Smith threw twice into the end zone, but Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree could not make the catches. Davis had his hands on the ball but could not secure it. The throw to Crabtree was hurried and he was not in position to make the play.

"It would have been a great play if he'd made it," Smith said of the throw to Davis, who did not look for the ball soon enough.

"I saw it at the last minute," Davis said. "I didn't know who he was throwing it to. I just wish I had looked earlier to see the ball." Smith's day - with 39 of 58 plays spent in shotgun formation - included 45 attempts and 27 completions, for 310 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. He said reaching the 300-yard mark in passing for the first time was "irrelevant" because it did not result in a victory.

49ers lose 20-17 at Seattle

2009-12-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

The 49ers blew it Sunday and didn’t bother trying to say otherwise. They dropped passes, fumbled a key possession and made questionable strategic decisions. More than the ball went through the 49ers’ hands: Their playoff hopes probably slipped away, too. When Olindo Mare hit a field goal as time expired to give the Seattle Seahawks a 20-17 victory, it felt like a kick to the gut. The defeat torpedoes what was supposed to be a pivotal NFC matchup against Arizona next week. There is no way the 49ers (5-7) can catch the Cardinals on Monday and it grows increasingly unlikely that they can catch them at all.

What was the game? Pick just about anything from the 49ers’ scrapheap of errors.

On their first drive of the fourth quarter, for example, running back Frank Gore’s fumble swung the tide. The 49ers were barreling down field toward a go-ahead score, having moved 73 yards in just five plays, before safety Jordan Babineaux knocked the ball from Gore’s arms with a solid right hook. Josh Wilson recovered the ball at the Seattle 26 and ran it back 43 yards. That set up Mare’s field goal that gave Seattle a 17-14 lead. The 49ers had 5:30 left to turn things around.
Smith did his part. He moved the team quickly into field goal range as part of his first-career 300-yard passing day. (Smith finished 27 of 45 for 310 yards). But the drive conked out at the Seattle 16, even though Smith twice hit receivers with potential touchdown passes.

Tight end Vernon Davis dropped the first one, failing to make a leaping grab between two defenders in the end zone. “I couldn’t see it until the last minute,’’ said Davis, who had 111 receiving yards and a touchdown. Michael Crabtree dropped the second one, a pass into tight coverage at the goal line. Smith and Crabtree each said the play was rushed because of pressure on the quarterback. It was designed to be a throw to the back of the end zone. Still, the drive got the 49ers close enough to tie the score 17-17 when Joe Nedney nailed a 34-yard field goal with 2:57 to play.

All that served only to set the stage for the 49ers’ final heartbreak. After a defensive stop, the 49ers’ got the ball at their 11 with 51 seconds to play. Rather than play it safe and take their chances in overtime, the 49ers concluded there was enough time to score. Even on third-and-3, the 49ers were in a gambling mood. They took deep shot downfield to receiver Josh Morgan. But instead of hitting it big, they went bust: an incomplete stopped the clock and forced the 49ers to punt.

Seattle got the ball back at about midfield with 21 seconds to play and two timeouts left. That proved plenty of time for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to spot a receiver racing down the right sideline. Butler, a rookie from Penn State, caught the ball in stride for just his eight reception this season.

The 49ers should be so lucky. They did not do their jobs on every play, and now they might spend a seventh consecutive offseason watching the playoffs on TV and wondering where things went wrong.

Two 49ers players reached milestones Sunday. Not that either of them cared. Vernon Davis broke the franchise single-season record for tight ends by catching his 10th touchdown pass of the season. His milestone 33-yard crab came on a fourth-and-1 with 6:16 to play in the first quarter. It broke the mark Davis shared with Ted Kwalick (1972) and Brent Jones (1994). Davis set a new career-high with 111 yards receiving. This marks his third 100-yard game, tying him with the Chargers’ Antonio Gates for most by an NFL tight end this season.

Alex Smith, like Davis, had an understated reaction to a personal milestone. He had the first 300-yard passing game of his career. Smith’s previous career high was 293 yards against Philadelphia on Sept. 24, 2006. Against the Seahawks, Smith completed 27 of 45 passes for 310 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Far from a wanted milestone, Frank Gore lost a fumble for the first time since Nov. 30, 2008 at Buffalo. It was a bad time. The 49ers were poised for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter when safety Jordan Babineaux knocked the ball loose from behind. Gore, who rushed for 207 yards in his last meeting against Seattle, had just nine carries for 25 yards.

In retrospect, however, it all might be a moot point as Arizona took care of business Sunday night against the Vikings, meaning next week's Monday Nighter wouldn't have been for the division lead even if the 49ers had pulled it out. They aren't dead yet, but the hole in the ground is dug and the coffin in open, just waiting on shovels...

49ers fire Martz

2008-12-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

By John Crumpacker, San Francisco Chronicle

It was one and done for Mike Martz as offensive coordinator of the 49ers as head coach Mike Singletary Tuesday afternoon fired the man who resurrected San Francisco's offense in 2008 after one season. The dismissal came after an early afternoon meeting in which Singletary expressed a desire for a different kind of offensive coordinator and by implication, a different kind of personality. He and Martz clashed several times during the last half of the season with Singletary serving as the team's interim head coach. "I am not what he is looking for offensively. I understand that," Martz said in a statement released by the club. "This is just a part of professional sports. I had an outstanding conversation with Mike Singletary this afternoon. I believe he will be an outstanding head coach."

For his part, Singletary said in a statement, "After an evaluation period I felt it was best to go in a different direction. This was not an easy decision because I appreciate Mike Martz, and I enjoyed working with him. He is a true professional, and I wish him the best in the future." Most poignantly, Singletary said, "I do recognize the need for a long term solution on the offensive side of the ball." That's because when the 49ers begin play in 2009 they will have a new offensive coordinator for the seventh straight season. It's a lousy way to build continuity on that side of the ball.

In his one season with the 49ers, Martz elevated the offense from 32nd and last in the NFL to 23rd, based on total yards. The team was 13th in passing offense and 27th in rushing offense. Frank Gore was a 1,000-yard rusher this season and Shaun Hill was the 12th ranked quarterback in the league, ahead of more well-known players at the position such as Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Jay Cutler, Jake Delhomme, Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger. Before Martz the 49ers had as their offensive coordinators Jim Hostler (2007), Norv Turner (2006), Mike McCarthy (2005), Ted Tollner (2004) and Greg Knapp (2003).

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It’s official: Singletary hired as 49ers permanent coach

2008-12-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

By Tim Kawakami, Mercury News

Minutes after the 49ers’ last-second victory over Washington was complete, the 49ers announced that interim coach Mike Singletary was no longer an interim. As reporters filed into Singletary’s usual post-game interview room, 49ers staffers handed out a press released headlined: “49ers announce that Mike Singletary will remain as head coach.” No financial terms were announced and they did not indicate the number of years for the new contract. But a Fox TV report indicated that Singletary had agreed to a five-year deal. “Mike Singletary’s leadership ability has galvanized the players and coaching staff to deliver improved results on the field,”

General Manager Scot McCloughan said in the release. “By turning the second half of the season around, he has accmoplished what few interim head coaches have been able to do.” After taking for Mike Nolan in October, Singletary finished 5-4. The 49ers finished with a 7-9 record. “After discussions with ownership, we agree that Mike has earned the head coach position,”
McCloughan’s statement continued. “I look forward to working with Mike to continue to build on the momentum he has created as we prepare for the 2009 season.” There was no announcement on the loudspeakers at Candlestick Park as the fans left the stadium. But word had begun to filter out about a half hour after the game.

After Joe Nedney made the 39-yard field goal to win the game, Singletary hugged quarterback Shaun Hill then left the field to roars from the remaining crowd.
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Niners' last-minute win earns coach a contract

2008-12-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

Matt Miaocco, The Press Democrat

SAN FRANCISCO - The 49ers played host to one of just three games around the NFL that did not involve a playoff team or any postseason ramifications.

While the truly important happenings were taking place on the field at most NFL venues, the significance to the future of the 49ers was not on display for all to see at Candlestick Park. Shortly after Joe Nedney kicked the game-winning 39-yard field goal on the final play of the game to lift the 49ers to a 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday, the most noteworthy development of the day occurred. The 49ers' locker room erupted into jubilation when newly crowned team president Jed York delivered the news everybody expected to hear. Mike Singletary will be retained as 49ers head coach for 2009. Singletary signed a four-year, $10 million contract, said a source close to the negotiations. "I don't think we could've written up a script any better than how it happened," York said.

The 49ers finished the season with a 7-9 record, winning five of their final seven games under Singletary's direction. The 49ers fired Mike Nolan on Oct. 20 after the club started the season with a 2-5 record. "I think they've got the right man for the job," 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis said. "I'm glad he got the job. He deserved it. He earned it." The NFL mandates that teams have to wait until after the final game of the season to promote an interim coach to a permanent decision. The 49ers quickly made it official, as they distributed a press release announcing Singletary's appointment as the media were filing into an area set aside for the head coach's postgame interview. "If you know which way you're going, get it done," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said. "He showed that there was a change, but he was able to adjust to the change, step right in and not really skip a beat. The players around him stepped up. The coaches around him stepped up as well. We ended strong, but it's not close to where we need to get. With coach Singletary we feel that's not going to be an issue."

York's announcement in the locker room was met with cheers. Nedney said he did not want comment on what the reaction would've been if Singletary had been passed over for the job."I knew it wasn't going to happen," Nedney said. "He's honest, intense and forthright. You have to have those qualities to bring together the chemistry of a team." York said he told the team that this would be the last time they end their season in December. Singletary also has the expectations of the 49ers being a playoff team next season, and he is promises that he will not take any shortcuts to get there.

"I think all the guys who are happy today are going to regret it," Singletary quipped. Singletary said it is important to get everybody on the same page. When asked about the content of that page, Singletary said, "The first paragraph on that page is what we have to do to get the team in the playoffs. Once we're in the playoffs, anything is possible." The 49ers have experienced a franchise-worst six consecutive losing seasons. Many in the organization believed Singletary did not have a strong chance to get the job when he took over for Nolan because management preferred to have a coach with an offensive background. However, Singletary's body of work took the guesswork out of it. Still, there is no clear indication of how Singletary plans to find stability with his offensive staff. Given an opportunity to declare offensive coordinator Mike Martz would return next season, Singletary declined.

When asked if he has made up his mind about Martz's future, Singletary said, "No, not 100 percent." Singletary has the contractual power to hire and fire his assistant coaches. But he said he would meet with McCloughan to discuss those decisions. Martz was on top of his game on Sunday. When the 49ers took over at their own 27-yard line in a tie game with 62 seconds remaining, Martz called all the right shots and quarterback Shaun Hill delivered.

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Gore running for a record

2008-12-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

By Daniel Brown, Mercury News

After his most extensive practice in weeks, 49ers running back Frank Gore looks ready to make a run at an unprecedented milestone. Gore updated his status to "probable" on the injury report after he ran hard and changed directions in team drills. He needs 22 yards in the season finale Sunday to become the first 49er to amass 1,000 rushing yards in three consecutive seasons.
"He's looking good," Coach Mike Singletary said. "He did a nice job today when he carried the ball. He ran well and he cut well. It was nice to see." Gore suffered a sprained ankle against the New York Jets on Dec. 7, and was sidelined the past two games. Singletary cautioned, however, that the personal milestone would not play a role in deciding whether Gore would face the Washington Redskins at Candlestick Park. The coach's concern is that Gore, compensating for the ankle, could suffer a more serious injury.

"I don't want him to reinjure anything trying to get 1,000 yards," Singletary said. "Hopefully he can do it, but if he can't, I want him to be smart and look at the longevity of the decision." The game could be Gore's last in Mike Martz's offense. The Sacramento Bee reported this week that Singletary met with 49ers officials and made progress toward a multiyear contract extension. The paper said that under the current plan, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky would be back, but Martz would not return.
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49ers shouldn't rush to make Singletary permanent coach

2008-12-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

By LOWELL COHN, The Press Democrat

You can make this assumption. The 49ers did not expect Mike Singletary to do this well — and he’s been brilliant, so brilliant it’s being reported the team will offer him the real, full-time head-coaching job after Sunday's season finale.

When they appointed him, Niner management was looking for a mop-up coach, someone to see this season through and then, goodbye, Mike. After that, the team could get on with the serious business of finding a full-time head coach, feeling it generously had given Singletary a chance to experience coaching, a chance to showcase himself around the league. All in all a fair quid pro quo. Singletary was wrong for the job in every way. He had no head-coaching experience. He didn’t know enough technical football — that X’s and O’s stuff. He was a novice when it came to offense, and he was coaching the 49ers, a team known for offensive innovation — well, the Niners used to be known for that. After they kissed off Singletary, Niner leadership would launch a search for a young, eager offensive whiz, an energetic guy who would make the offense zing. And this new coach never would be dependent on whether the offensive coordinator left for a better gig. In other words, the 49ers were thinking about long-term stability and Singletary was not part of that thinking.

And now he’s had the bad manners to win four of eight games when it seemed no one could do that. He’s had the effrontery to louse up the 49ers’ careful plans. Last Sunday, he had the flat-out nerve to win when it seemed the team was ready for a fall in St. Louis. A loss might have done him in. But he won and it had something to do with looking into Shaun Hill’s eyes, one of those deep looks Singletary gives you — it feels like he’s peering into your soul. Which leads to an important question: Is it smart for the Niners to appoint Singletary coach — if they in fact do that?

The answer is, no, absolutely not.

No disrespect to Singletary. He’s given the 49ers players and fans a feeling of pride and competence they haven’t experienced in years. But Singletary’s eligibility for the real job — not the mop-up job — depends on more than four or five wins. He disagrees with this point of view and apparently management disagrees, but they are wrong. All along Singletary needed to show management he had a plan going forward. He allegedly did this last Monday and knocked everyone’s socks off. Really? Who in the 49ers’ chain of command is competent to evaluate a plan, including the intimate details of offense and defense and the ability of new assistant coaches? This goes double for an offensive coordinator because the team surely will dump Mike Martz. Certainly John and Jed York can’t do that kind of evaluating. We’ve seen John York’s football acumen in the past. Jed York is too inexperienced. In fact, the Niners are short on football guys making important football decisions with repercussions for years to come.

General manager Scot McCloughan is probably the leader in the hiring of Singletary and he may or may not be up to this serious task. It’s unclear. It’s pretty clear eight games changed his mind because I don’t believe he was a Singletary supporter when Mike Nolan got the heave-ho. The 49ers should take their time, take a deep breath before taking this leap. They have made so many mistakes hiring coaches in the past. Does this mean hiring Singletary is a mistake? Not necessarily. But it is one thing for him to salvage this season, sort of. It’s quite another to be in charge for the long haul. A head coach is part administrator, part teacher, part visionary. Singletary needs to prove he has this combination, and he has to prove it under fire. What’s does under fire mean? It means the 49ers should interview him along with other impressive candidates. Sure, they should identify Singletary as the leading candidate — he’s earned that — but they need to interview several men and Singletary needs to demonstrate his clear superiority in the tension of competitive interviews.

If this does not seem fair to you, think about this. Fans of the 49ers have ripped management for not being professional, for not being big-league. If the Niners latch onto Singletary, hold on for dear life, that would be another symptom of not being professional, of not doing the necessary work. Of course, there’s the issue of being fair to Singletary. But there’s the much greater issue of being fair to the franchise. It’s troubling this news about Singletary is coming out before the 49ers play their final game, against Washington on Sunday. What if Washington absolutely destroys the 49ers at Candlestick? That would look bad for the perhaps soon-to-be coach. His team will have played poorly two games in a row — and the Niners did play poorly against the Rams until they played well at the very end. Two bad performances should go down as a demerit.

Look, I don’t expect the Niners to play poorly. They may even win. I’m merely making a case for caution and I’m asking a reasonable question: What’s the big hurry?

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It's time for the Yorks to hire Scott Pioli as 49ers' president

2008-12-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

This article and opinion, follows my call that the best thing the Yorks can do is hire someone to be "the man" and call all the shots. I suggested Holmgren - who is mentioned as an option - but is there a better choice out there to restore this proud franchise to what it once was?

From Nancy Gay, San Francisco Chronicle

So it's settled. We've seen enough from Mike Singletary over the past six games to know he's got the personality, charisma and leadership qualities necessary to turn a listless 49ers roster into a cohesive team that hits hard, tackles well and can efficiently move an offense downfield to score. It sounds so simple when you break it down like that, doesn't it? Teams such as the Giants, Titans, Colts, Steelers and Panthers get this done almost weekly, so they take quality football for granted. We don't. So bravo to young 49ers owner Jed York, who made the midseason move from Mike Nolan to Singletary knowing the risks - his interim choice had zero head coaching experience. That took guts. Now it's time for Jed to lead the York family in taking the next step in transforming the 49ers from a has-been franchise with a case full of dusty Lombardi Trophies into a 21st century football operation that can compete and win in today's NFL.

Hire a team president.

Make sure he is an experienced, dynamic football mind and personnel expert who knows how to navigate the complex world of NFL business and personalities. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean Mike Holmgren is the man for this job. Sure, Holmgren has strong 49ers' ties and a personal history. He's beloved here, with good reason. He would satisfy those who yearn for the good ol' days under Eddie DeBartolo. But that era is over. For all of Holmgren's great strengths as a coach and leader of men, his weaknesses as a personnel evaluator and glad-handing administrator were so obvious - Holmgren is a teacher, not an executive - that the Seahawks stripped him of his general manager duties in 2002. Holmgren is built to coach. He's not in his element studying film of a 20-year-old cornerback from McNeese State, or struggling to get his payroll under the cap limit.

If not Holmgren, then who?

Look at the most successful NFL franchise this decade, the winner of three Super Bowl titles since 2002, for the answer. Scott Pioli, 43, the Patriots vice president of player personnel, should be the Yorks' choice. This is the man - perhaps the most impressive young executive in the NFL - with whom the Yorks should entrust their entire franchise. Let him run it his way. Let Pioli completely reorganize the 49ers football operation from a payroll and personnel standpoint. Allow Pioli and his people to run free agency and the draft, lifting this burden from Singletary so he can focus on what he does best - motivating and coaching players.

And the Yorks should stay out of the way while he does it.

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Rams might miss Bruce even more today

2008-12-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

From Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee

ST. LOUIS – With 60 receiving yards today, Isaac Bruce will surpass Tim Brown (14,935 yards) and take over second place among NFL leaders. With Jerry Rice comfortably in the lead with 22,895 yards, that would leave two 49ers in the top slots. Of course, Rams fans might not see it that way. Bruce, after all, goes so far back with the franchise that he played a season for the Rams in Los Angeles. The taciturn Bruce characteristically made light of his place on the career receiving yardage list in an interview last week. But he admitted that returning to St. Louis, where he still has a home, will be memorable. "It means a lot," he said. "We've shared some things – ups, downs, in-betweens. It's special." Offensive coordinator Mike Martz provided some context.

Martz was Bruce's receivers coach in St. Louis in the mid-1990s and later returned to the Rams as their offensive coordinator and head coach. He said that Bruce always will be revered in St. Louis because for years he was the organization's lone bright spot. "He kind of represented St. Louis for many years," Martz said. "When we weren't doing well, he was kind of our featured player in the mid-'90s. … He played in the first game that was played in that stadium (the current Edward Jones Dome), so there's attachment, I'm sure, for Isaac in St. Louis, too." And while moving ahead of Brown is no big deal for Bruce, his teammates are taking it very seriously.

"It would be an unbelievable honor to be on the field with him at that time and be able to witness that," quarterback Shaun Hill said. "I know if you ask Isaac about it, he'll probably downplay it and all of those things. But that's an unbelievable honor, and hopefully we can get him to that." Bruce, who is in his 15th season, hasn't been as prolific in San Francisco as he was during his heyday in St. Louis, where he once went four consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards. But his numbers aren't too shabby as a 49er, either. Bruce leads his team in receptions and yards, and he has developed a quick rapport with Hill, who took over at quarterback at midseason. Half of Bruce's 52 receptions have come in the past four games, in which he has averaged 83.3 receiving yards.

That's why 60 yards doesn't seem so farfetched, especially against a Rams pass defense that ranks 24th in the league. Brown, meanwhile, isn't broken up about being knocked into bronze-medal position. In fact, he hadn't been keeping track of the totals. "I knew somebody would overtake me," he said in a brief telephone conversation. "When you look at some of the systems nowadays, if you play long enough, you know you're going to get the yards." Which begs the question: How long does Bruce, 36, plan to play? "If the Lord says, 'Isaac, that's enough football,' I'll stop tomorrow," Bruce said. "If the Niners have me back, then I'll make a decision."
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ESPN's Bill Simmons thinks the 49ers may go after Cassel

2008-12-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

From ESPN's Bill Simmons,

Here's my wild theory: The Patriots will franchise Matt Cassel in fear that Tom Brady might not make it back in time for the 2009 season. By mid-July, when it becomes clear Brady is fine, Cassel quietly will go on the market … and, of course, the Niners will be sitting there waiting for him. As soon as Cassel becomes available, San Fran will toss the Pats a 2010 No. 1 and a 2011 No. 2, then rip up his contract and give him something like $55 million for seven years with a $24 million signing bonus. Everybody wins. Well, until Gregg Easterbrook follows that sequence with an 8,500-word column about the Pats cheating the system again and suggests Bill Belichick should be thrown in a maximum security prison and tortured until he admits his sins and we can ban him from football once and for all.

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Smith wants to stay with the Niners

2008-12-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

From the Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Alex Smith believes he isn't finished with the San Francisco 49ers, and he seems willing to take a big pay cut to prove it. After two months of silence on his future, the former No. 1 draft pick expressed his eagerness Wednesday to stay with the 49ers next season, even if it means restructuring his contract. "I came here to be a great player," Smith said. "Obviously, I've had some setbacks and things have gotten in my way, and I'm working my way around them. I want to get back out here, and that's something that really inspires me. I think it's easy to look at some alternative choices ... but I really feel the right thing to do is to do it the right way." Former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan chose the Utah quarterback with the top pick in 2005 — and then pretty much ruined him during four tumultuous seasons of injuries and inconsistency amid a revolving cast of teammates and offensive coordinators.

Smith, who has missed this season on injured reserve with shoulder woes, realizes his lucrative contract would have to be altered to prevent the 49ers (5-9) from being forced to cut him for salary-cap purposes. He said he's "absolutely" willing to do so. "It'll be difficult, (but) I think it is something that gets me going," Smith added. "You start to get that chip on your shoulder, trying to prove everybody wrong." Smith took every snap of his second NFL season in 2006, but his career went sideways when he separated his shoulder on a sack by Seattle's Rocky Bernard in September 2007. He tried to return too soon from the injury, and his poor play caused a schism between the quarterback and Nolan. While he won't overtly blame Nolan for his struggles, Smith probably doesn't miss the fired coach, who has repeatedly found subtle ways to criticize Smith. The quarterback has no problems with Mike Singletary, formerly Nolan's right-hand man, who took over the club in late October and could return next season.

"I think coach Singletary has done a great job from the sense of eliminating gray," Smith said. "The players have a better understanding of what they're being asked (to do) and what they're responsible for, and what's expected of them. I think in that sense, there's less gray. He's made it more black and white." Smith's career numbers — 4,679 yards passing in 32 games, along with 19 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions — are nothing special, but he's still just 24. Smith also threw to one of the NFL's worst groups of receivers in each of his three campaigns, missing out of this year's arrival of Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson alongside emerging youngsters Jason Hill and Josh Morgan. Smith injured his shoulder again during training camp this year, undergoing his latest surgery in late October. He hasn't begun throwing the ball again, but plans to do so in January after several months of careful rehabilitation.

Rather than leave the Bay Area for rehab, as many injured players often do, Smith stayed in town and participated in regular study sessions with quarterbacks Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan and Jamie Martin. He has attended meetings and games throughout the season, trying to remain a part of the team during its sixth consecutive losing season. Smith and Hill are good friends who attended a San Jose Sharks game together last week, and he's pleased by Hill's success as the 49ers' starter during the second half of this season. Smith doesn't know what Hill's accomplishments will mean for his chances to stick around — and he also realizes there's no guarantee the 49ers want him back, although general manager Scot McCloughan has been unwavering in his support for Smith.

"Obviously, I've got some more time on my hands now and I'm left to think about things," Smith said. "It's all speculation at this point. I've tried to stay focused on doing what I can, and that's getting healthy. That time will come soon enough when I have to deal with that stuff."

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A half dozen years of hard-to-stomach football

2008-12-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

By Scott Dryden, 49ers World

Miami 14, San Francisco 9

Miami ; 1-15 in 2007 to at worst a 9-7 record this year, and maybe more. Along with Atlanta this year, the list of hapless down and out teams that manage to sort things out in short order continues. So why are the 49ers still mirered with losing record after losing record for the 6th straight season?

One word - Ownership

While the turn around efforts of Mike Singletary, Shaun Hill and company the past few weeks have been commendable, the mess left by John York's decision making blunders remain.

It all started with Steve Mariucci's dismissal in 2003 after leading the team to a 10-6 record in '02 and a division crown. (the team's last). Then replacing him with formal NFL failure, Dennis Eriksen, a man with no idea how to be a head coach in the pros, who led the landslide, all the way to the bottom with a 2-14 mark in '04 and let the franchise's most stabilizing player - QB Jeff Garcia walk away along the way. Then, York replaced Eriksen with Mike Nolan in '05, a man with no head coaching experience at any level. While Nolan is an accomplished defensive mind and drafted well on that side of the ball, leaving behind good talent, he had little to no idea how to build or run an NFL offense and it showed.

Drafting a "face of the franchise" QB first overall from a spread formation offense and trying to put him under center was the first indicator. Alex Smith was a flash in the pan at Utah and aside from the second half of a 2006 game at Seattle, never once looked like he had the chops to run an NFL offense. It's a shame too, because his attitude was first rate, and yet, Nolan screwed that up too. Leaving Mike Martz behind won't help Nolan's legacy. Martz will blow up or implode sooner or later. Mike Singletary or whoever is the next head coach would be wise to start fresh and get rid of Martz, who is playing possem til he gets the next head coaching gig he has stated he wants.

That gets us back to the Yorks and to the present. Singletary seems to have the right mix of hard-nosed attitude and leadership qualities to make a long term go as a head coach. Let's hope he gets the chance. However, based on history, I wouldn't put it past the Yorks to do something stupid like let him walk away and let Martz have a shot or some "el cheapo" option to match their financial balance goals rather than head coaching candidate requirements goals. The other issue and Nolan legacy that needs to be corrected is the GM spot. Current GM and former Nolan assistant GM Scot McCloughlan should have been gone along with Nolan. First, that they let Nolan switch places with his assistant rather than fire them both 2 years ago was ridiculous. Second, leaving McCloughlan in place up til now shows no concept by the Yorks for his part in the team's further dismise.

Watching the 49ers, and their "genius" Mike Martz's offense manage 3 field goals against the resurgent Dolphins brought 6 years of frustration to the boiling point for me. Another meaningless November/December game for the 49ers, who try to put a positive spin on things by saying they are "shooting for .500" rather than actually being competitive in the weakest division in football. Meanwhile, the team across the field looks to go from 1-15 to a possible 11 win season and a division crown in 1 season. Couple that with what's going on in Atlanta with Matt Ryan , Mike Smith and co. resurging after last year's 3-13 mess left by Mike Vick and Bobby Petrino, and you have to point the finger of blame at ownership.

Arthur Blank (Atlanta) and Wayne Huizenga (Miami) care - and put their money where their mouths are - and John York doesn't.

One can only hope that the Yorks may come to their senses just long enough to hire 1 decent football organizational mind to oversee things, otherwise the 49ers will continue to resemble the thrift-minded mis-managed Bengals and Cardinals teams of so many decades past. I think looking to the homecoming of Bay Area native Mike Holmgren might be a wise idea. Just because Holmgren has stated he won't coach, doesn't mean he wouldn't entertain upper management offers from his hometown team. He has stated before that coaching the 49ers would be his "dream job"

Offer him the President/GM job, renew Singletary on a 2 year deal and go from there. Let Holmgren shop for the grocerys (much as Parcels has done in Miami), and if he decides he wants to cook again, let him cook.

Anything is better than another year of the hash the Niners keep serving us.

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Singletary must wait to see if he'll stay with 49ers

2008-12-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

By Matt Barrows, The Sac Bee

MIAMI – Mike Singletary has won on the road. He's beaten bad teams and teams with better records. And if he wins again today, he'll be 3 for 3 against AFC East teams with playoff aspirations. But while fans and players alike are rooting for Singletary to win the 49ers' coaching job for 2009 and beyond, they shouldn't expect an early Christmas present. That's because league rules prohibit interim coaches from signing long-term deals during the season. The earliest the 49ers could sign Singletary – who is in the final year of his contract – to a new contract is Dec. 29, the day after the season finale against Washington at Candlestick Park. Ironically, the NFL's Rooney Rule, which strives to create more head-coaching opportunities for minority candidates, prevents the 49ers from making an early deal. The Rooney Rule states teams searching for a new head coach must interview at least one minority candidate. If an interim coach were given a long-term deal during the season, so the thinking goes, that would circumvent the interview process.

That situation arose earlier this year when the league voided a contract for St. Louis interim coach Jim Haslett. Haslett's original deal included a clause that said that if he won six games after he took over, he would get the job outright for next season or be rewarded with a million-dollar payday. It was excellent motivation but, unfortunately, against the rules. But what of Singletary? Since he's African American, shouldn't his case be an exception? No, said league officials in New York who responded to queries about Singletary's situation by e-mailing excerpts of the Rooney Rule. According to the league, unless an assistant coach has a prior agreement to take over as head coach – as is the case in Seattle with defensive assistant Jim Mora – teams can't make a commitment to an assistant during the season that extends beyond the end of the club's playing season. League officials did say once the season ends, the 49ers would not be required to interview any other candidates.

The 49ers, meanwhile, seem content to live by the letter of the law and are in no rush to commit to a long-term deal. General manager Scot McCloughan declined a request to discuss Singletary's situation. Singletary also insists he is in no hurry. As his wins – and popularity – have mounted, he's tried to brush aside questions about his future in San Francisco. Singletary wants to avoid lobbying for his job and hopes his final record will do all the arguing for him.

"I'm really not auditioning," he said. "I'm really not trying to show anyone anything. I'm just working. I'm doing what I love to do, and that's all that I can do. After that (I) let the film speak."

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Hill and Pennington have something in common

2008-12-13T11:09:00.000-08:00

By Matt Miaocco, The Press Democrat

MIAMI — Quarterback Shaun Hill has not done much wrong in his seven NFL starts. Over the past two seasons, Hill’s record as a starting quarterback with the 49ers is 5-2. The 49ers’ record during that period when Hill was not starting is 5-17. His 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions, to go along with a 97.3 passer rating, is further proof Hill is playing well. But there is one negative — perhaps the only negative — that continues to be associated with Hill. Let’s face it, the man does not possess the strongest arm in the NFL. When the 49ers play the Miami Dolphins this morning, it will match two quarterbacks who have heard the same critique over and over and over.

“It’s perception versus reality,” Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington said. “The reality of it is I don’t think a coach is going to put any quarterback on the field that can’t make the throws necessary to allow the offense to be successful, including the down-the-field throws. “In this league, you have to be able to throw the ball down the field. How hard it is, is meaningless. I think timing, accuracy, understanding when to take a shot, when not to take a shot, and being able to move your football team — that’s more important.” Pennington was run out of the New York Jets organization during training camp in favor of Brett Favre. Pennington went to a team that compiled a league-worst 1-15 record last season, and the Dolphins are now 8-5 and in a tie for first place in the AFC East.

Pennington is the fifth-leading passer in the league with a rating of 93.7. He has thrown 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is doing a great job taking care of the football. Pennington has been sacked 22 times and has fumbled twice. He has not lost a fumble this season. Compare that with J.T. O’Sullivan, who began the season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback. In 7½ games, O’Sullivan threw 11 interceptions and lost six of 11 fumbles, not including another fumble that resulted in a safety. So did the Jets gain anything when they discarded Pennington for Favre? The big-armed Favre has an 88.2 rating with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
“I’ve said time and time again that more games are lost in this league than are actually won based upon the turnover ratio and things like that,” Pennington said. Not surprisingly, Hill has long-admired Pennington’s style.

J.T. O’Sullivan won the 49ers’ starting job in training camp, as Hill’s strength is not his ability to get the ball down the field — a favored element in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s scheme.
But after O’Sullivan’s turnovers continued to pile up, interim coach Mike Singletary made the call to Hill, who brings stability and good decision-making to the field. “He’s always been one of my favorite guys to watch,” Hill said of Pennington. “He’s always been kind of underappreciated and underestimated, and the guy just goes in and wins. “I just like his demeanor out there. Obviously, the guys play for him. He’s not the flashiest guy, that’s for sure. But he gets the job done and he gets it done really well. No matter what, it just seems like his teams are winning.”

So far, the same can be said of Hill.

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Should Shaun Hill Get More Love?

2008-11-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

By Scott Dryden, 49ers World

Niner fans wonder what off-season moves the team can make. Can they trade for Donovan McNabb or Derek Anderson? How about signing Matt Cassel or even bringing home Jeff Garcia? Some fans might think the 49ers should spend their money elsewhere particularly if Shaun Hill continues to play the he has. This guy is good, but is he "Franchise QB" good? Who knows where he'll finish in passer rating and touchdown to interception ratio or completion percentage, but if it's anywhere close to where it is now (94.3, 7 td's, 3 int's, 60.3 completion percentage) I would expect many to call for him to be the team's starter for 2009.

I will say this much for him. Shaun Hill COULD be the QB the 49ers want. How many quarterbacks in the league could post a passer rating that high with an offensive line that doesn't protect well and a receiving corps that lacks a impact player? If Hill played for the Cowboys he'd probably be a MVP candidate. In the second half against Dallas, Hill looked a lot like Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Both excel at moving in the pocket, both can make the impromptu play and both have the confidence of their teammates. In leading the 49ers to two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Dallas, Hill had one stretch where he completed five straight passes for 87 yards, including the two scores. On three of those passes, he was pressured, but was able to either move out of the pocket, or slide away from pressure and throw. He had completions of 22, 30 and 18 yards against a defense that was warding against the long pass. With more seasoning and time as a starter, he's the type of quarterback who could get better. Also consider that in five of his seven appearances, he has compiled a rating of over 100, and in his first start, his completion percentage of .815 set an NFL record.

If Shaun Hill was Alex Smith, given the expectations there were for him, fans would be hailing the coronation of another proficient 49ers quarterback. It is a tough situation to be in for Hill, and I'm not discounting what he has accomplished with yet another garbage 49ers squad; he's 3-2 playing for this year's mess. I still firmly believe rather than signing or trading for a QB, that the future is in a 2009 draft pick, but as a fill in til that guy to be named later is ready, Hill might be a perfect fit.

His humble beginnings, (six of his first seven seasons spent mostly as a third quarterback), less than artistic style (even running back Frank Gore says Hill plays ugly) and lack of support from offensive coordinator Mike Martz (he remains enamored with O'Sullivan) has conspired against Hill. But if Hill continues to play well, the 49ers should concentrate their off-season spending energy on getting talent to surround him - but focus future QB needs on a smartly used '09 draft pick.

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A sign of things to come? Raiders 18 - 49ers 6

2008-08-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

From 49ers.com

The 49ers tried out J.T. O’Sullivan, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill in Friday night’s first preseason game, but none of the quarterbacks involved in the three-man race for the starting job could lead the offensive unit to the end zone in an 18-6 defeat by the Raiders. Smith was the only one of the three without an interception, leading to the highest QB Rating of 72.0. The fourth-year player completed 5 of 9 passes for 51 yards and led his unit to a field goal. O’Sullivan started the game and gunned some crisp passes, including three strikes of 11, 22 and 20 yards to the rookie Josh Morgan. Morgan made his first start as Bryant Johnson sat out with a hamstring and finished as the leading receiver with 4 catches for 68 yards.

"That’s the best way to learn, is reps," said Morgan. "That’s the best teacher right there. You make mistakes but you learn on the run. It was very valuable." Head coach Mike Nolan said he liked O'Sullivan's competitiveness, but the journeyman quarterback also forced things, including a desperate lateral pass to DeShaun Foster when he found himself surrounded by a sea of black and silver. Foster caught that one, for a loss of four, but O’Sullivan wasn’t as fortunate on two other plays that led to turnovers. “I just feel disgusted about the turnovers - I guess would be the way I feel about how I played,” said O’Sullivan. “Other than those two plays, I don't really remember anything else.” O’Sullivan was picked on a deep ball try back to Foster on his next series and then coughed up the ball at the end of a quarterback scramble on his final drive of the night, which came at the start of the second quarter. “Just trying to do too much and not making a good decision, that's what it comes down to,” said O’Sullivan of the interception. “That's just 100 percent not acceptable.” Sullivan finished 5 of 8 for 71 yards, with one interception, one fumble and a 51.6 QB Rating. Hill enjoyed the most passing opportunities, but also finished with the worst overall rating at 40.2. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 83 yards, and was intercepted on an underthrown deep ball. “Looking at it and looking back on it I think I could have flipped my hips real quick, spun my feet around, got my feet underneath me and made the throw,” said Hill. “I probably would have taken a hit but I would have been more accurate. Instead I kind of tried to throw it on the run to the left and left it short.”

All in all, the 49ers offense committed four turnovers and only six points. Nolan reserved judgment and comparison of his three quarterbacks until after he reviews the film on Saturday. “I would love to see more points on the board because that’s the biggest measurement of all,” said Nolan. “We came away with just a couple of field goals so there’s nothing to speak of in that respect.” The 49ers first-team defense played little, and likewise gave up little. The unit lined up for the first snap in a 4-3 with Ray McDonald cracking the starting lineup versus an extra linebacker. Oakland’s JaMarcus Russell fired one deep but cornerback Walt Harris was there to break up the play, which didn’t count unfortunately due to an off-sides penalty by McDonald. The second-year player atoned for his mistake with a sack to end the Raiders’ first series on their side of the field. Newcomer Justin Smith looked to have first knocked Russell off balance with McDonald wiping him up for the loss. Harris broke up another long ball to Javon Walker to help limit Oakland to only 13 passing yards in the first quarter, but the run defense is an area Nolan would like to see tightened up. Although most of his starters cleared out during the Raiders’ second series, Oakland racked up 49 rushing yards in the first quarter, and 248 by night’s end. “Our seconds and thirds – we had some faults on the run defensively, “said Nolan. Following the O’Sullivan fumble, the mostly second-team defense was able to prevent Oakland from finding the end zone on a 4th and 2 from the 11-yardline with safety Dashon Goldson and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain wrapping up Michael Bush after a 1-yard gain to give the offense the ball back on downs. Unfortunately after a three and out by Smith and company, Andy Lee’s punt was returned 53 yards by Johnnie Lee Higgins for the first score of the game and an Oakland 7-0 lead. “We have to get better on special teams,” said safety Dashon Goldson. “We had a breakdown when Higgins ran it back on us. Everyone was out there trying to make things happen and make a tackle, but we have to slow it down and have guys do their job.”

On the following series, Smith pieced together a 10-play, 53-yard drive, mostly relying on a pair of passes to Arnaz Battle for 23 and 10-yards apiece plus a personal foul penalty. The offense penetrated to the 5-yardline before settling for a 22-yard field goal by Joe Nedney to trail 7-3 at the half. Andrew Walter opened the half for Oakland and marched his team 75 yards in 13 plays finished off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Bush. A delay of game on the extra point attempt against San Francisco led to the Raiders trying for a two-point conversion, which they got on a Walter throw to Chaz Schilens for a 15-3 Oakland advantage. Oakland’s final score arrived with their first series of the final quarter. On 2nd and 10, Louis Rankin rumbled for 72 yards before cornerback Marcus Hudson chased him down to prevent a touchdown. Still, the explosive play set up a 23-yard chip shot by kicker Aaron Elling. “I was just trying to take points off the board,” said Hudson. “As the defense, that’s what we do anyway we can. It’s better than them getting seven, they got three. We took points off the board because we didn’t quit.” Tight end Delanie Walker flashed his speed with a 40-yard kickoff return after the score, priming Hill for a 10-play, 37 yard fourth-quarter drive. Kicker Ricky Schmitt completed the drive with a 38-yard field goal to close out the scoring efforts in the 18-6 Battle of the Bay loss.

Camp Preview: Offensive Line

2008-07-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

From 49ers.com, July 14th

OFFENSIVE LINE (14) New: G Brian De La Puente (Rookie), T Chilo Rachal (Rookie), T Alan Reuber (2nd Year), G/T Barry Sims (10th Year), G Jeb Terry (4th Year), T Joe Toldeo (3rd Year), C Cody Wallace (Rookie)Returners: G David Baas (4th Year), T Damane Duckett (4th Year), C Eric Heitmann (7th Year), T Jonas Jennings (8th Year), T/G Adam Snyder (4th Year), T Joe Staley (2nd Year), G Tony Wragge (4th Year)

Departed: G Larry Allen, T Kwame Harris, G Justin Smiley

The importance of the offensive line has been a focus of Nolan and McCloughan since their arrival in 2005. The 49ers feel they have improved the offensive line and are excited about the starting group. Center Eric Heitmann will be joined by Adam Snyder at left guard, David Baas at right guard, Joe Staley at left tackle and Jonas Jennings at right tackle. Nolan knows the importance of keeping this core group together. “The continuity from this point forward is instrumental in us being successful on the offensive line,” Nolan commented. Baas, Heitmann, Jennings and Snyder have all been part of an offensive line that made excellent progress in 2005 and 2006. Staley joined the group in 2007 and responded with an outstanding rookie season. “The offensive line is the heart and soul of any football team,” offered Martz. “If you have a really good offensive line it allows you to do what you want.” Although San Francisco will have many of the same faces in 2008, several players will shuffle positions around Heitmann at center. “We’ve done this to get our best five offensive linemen on the field at the same time,” explained Nolan. “In a perfect world, they all stay put at their positions, and I would like to think that’s what we have created right now.” Heitmann, who is in his seventh year out of Stanford, was named by his fellow players as the Bobb McKittrick Award winner given to the team’s top offensive lineman each of the past two seasons. He played every snap as the starting center in 2007 and was also the Ed Block Courage Award recipient after his courageous return from a broken left leg suffered late in the 2006 campaign. Baas started all eight of the club’s contests in the second half of 2007 at right guard after last year’s starter Justin Smiley went down with a shoulder injury and will begin the year as the starter at that spot in 2008.

Jennings, Snyder and Staley are all moving positions from last season. Jennings, who has proven to be an excellent player when healthy, will move from left tackle to right tackle. He played some at right tackle as a rookie with Buffalo in 2001, but has spent the majority of his career at left tackle. Snyder is a versatile lineman that has experience at both tackle and guard during his three seasons with San Francisco. He started 11 games at left tackle in 2007 after Jennings was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Staley is slated to move over to the left tackle position after a sensational campaign a year ago at right tackle when he became the first rookie in club history to start all 16 games. “The reason I think Joe will be a good left tackle is his mental toughness,” commented Nolan. “Last year, we traded up to get Joe in the draft, and it was probably one of the best moves we’ve ever made.” Tony Wragge is another versatile offensive lineman that can play any position on the line. Wragge saw action in five games as a reserve for the 49ers last season, while converted defensive lineman Damane Duckett spent most of the 2007 campaign as a practice squad player learning his new position. San Francisco used the draft again in 2008 to add depth by selecting tackle Chilo Rachal (USC) and center Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) in the second and fourth rounds, respectively. Rachal played guard in college but has been converted to tackle with the 49ers. The 49ers also signed 10th-year NFL veteran Barry Sims and three players with NFL experience – Alan Reuber, Jeb Terry and Joe Toledo – to boost its depth. Undrafted free agent Brian De La Puente (California) will also battle for a roster spot.

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Johnson hopes to prove worthy of long-term gig

2008-07-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat

Bryant Johnson picked an unlikely spot for a receiver to try to build up his career. He chose a team that has ranked 32nd, 29th and 32nd in passing yards the past three seasons. "I'm fired up to be part of this offense," Johnson said before packing his bags and leaving town recently at the end of the 49ers' organized-team activities.

Johnson was looking for a fresh start after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He took a quick visit at the start of free agency to meet with the Buffalo Bills. There were reports out of Buffalo that Johnson and the Bills agreed to terms. But after being available on the market for another couple weeks, Johnson had to face the facts. He was not going to receive the kind of lucrative contract he sought.

"In the situation I was in (with the Cardinals), I wasn't a starter," Johnson said. "I feel I'm in a great situation to prove myself here and sign a long-term deal and finish my career here." When asked about his thoughts on eventually signing a long-term deal with the 49ers, Johnson said, "I think there's a possibility. It's all predicated on how I perform this year. Everything so far is positive." Johnson signed a one-year deal, $2 million deal with the 49ers on March 17. He received a $750,000 signing bonus, a base salary of $1 million and $250,000 in workout bonuses. Johnson said he felt comfortable signing with the 49ers because he is rejoining his former receivers coach, Jerry Sullivan, and also because of the Mike Martz factor. Receivers want to play in this pass-happy offense.

Johnson, 27, was a first-round pick of the Cardinals out of Penn State in 2003. Johnson (6-3, 213) has good size and speed. He averaged 18.5 yards per reception in his second NFL season. Johnson was always around 40 receptions with the Cardinals. Based on his role in the offseason program, Johnson looks to have a chance to be the 49ers' top wideout this season. He said he is looking forward to taking the lessons he learned playing behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and applying them as potentially the No. 1 receiver with the 49ers. Johnson is slated to start at split end for the 49ers. "This is my first chance of being able to step in and not be overshadowed by Larry and Anquan," Johnson said. "Everybody wants to have the chance to be the go-to guy. But in the position I was in, I thought I did a good job when I was called upon to come in and not lose a beat. It was a learning experience to play behind two Pro Bowl receivers. Also, playing with Kurt Warner was great. He helped me tremendously." Johnson ranked third on the Cardinals last season with 46 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns. Combined, Fitzgerald and Boldin caught 171 passes for more than 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns.

"I'm just going to have a lot more opportunity here, as opposed to just coming in on third downs or certain situations," Johnson said.

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Position By Position Battles - Quarterbacks

2008-07-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

With the training camp count down to 24 days, we thought we'd evaluate the positions going into camp, starting with everyone's favorite, quarterback.

ALEX SMITH

Alex Smith rolled right in a game last year against the Saints at Candlestick and then he glared at an open receiver 7 yards away. A voice rang out from above the 49ers' press box as Smith continued to cling to the ball and stare. "THROW IT! (BLEEPING) THROW IT!" He eventually did, completing the pass. But with Smith's inexplicable delay, the play went for 2 yards instead of 8 or 10. The voice may have belonged to a fan. More likely, it was one of the 49ers coaches. Their booth is upstairs from where the media sits and at times, their voices can be heard through the open window, particularly when they yell. Can Mike Martz tap Alex Smith's talent?
The story illustrates Smith's major challenge as he attempts to retain his job against challengers Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan - the ability to think and act quickly. If one quote illuminates Smith's checkered four-year career, it's the oft-mentioned one his former coach at Utah issued. Urban Meyer, who now coaches the Florida Gators, said the day Smith was drafted that unless Smith knows exactly what the offense and defense is doing, he'll be "non-functional." Last year, offensive coordinator Jim Hostler put too much on Smith. Hostler expanded the playbook and forced the quarterback to rifle through a series of reads on every play and made him responsible, at times, for recognizing blitzes. It compounded Smith's perfectionist tendencies and froze him. One 49ers defender complained privately that in drills without a pass rush, Smith would sit back and stare at the patterns instead of throwing.

So can Smith know his own offense and the opposing defense enough to unlock his abundant talent when a defensive staff works 500 hours in a given week trying to confound him? And on offense, Smith himself said it's impossible to know the entire Mike Martz scheme, making it sound as if Martz's offense was "The blob," - a breathing, moving and ever-expanding organism?

Martz, nevertheless, may save him. He recognized what Norv Turner saw two years ago - that he must unclutter Smith's mind. Give him one or two reads and then instruct him to either throw it away or take off all the while making Smith process everything faster - the huddle, his drop, his recognition, his delivery. Turner constantly hounded Smith to hurry in practice, sometimes doing it while he dropped to throw. When 49ers.com slapped a mic on Martz during one of the June OTA practices, Martz was captured imploring Smith to hurry three times. I thought of a story I did on him in the Chronicle a few weeks after he was drafted while watching Smith this spring in OTA's easily out-perform his challengers.

Smith and his family graciously allowed a photographer and me to go to his parents' home in San Diego for a profile. With his Dad, Doug, a former prep football coach and now a high school principal, Smith watched his game tapes. I asked the Smiths to pop in a tape and talk about what they saw. We watched parts of different games while father and son broke down the plays. Smith looked and sounded like football's version of a young Jason Kidd. He was a step ahead on everything and he exuded confidence, even a cockiness. On the screen, Smith digested the defense in an instant and fired the ball to an open receiver despite having five of them in the pattern on nearly every play. In Smith, there's something special. But can it be tapped or is there too much baggage after disappointments, injuries, a once-poisoned relationship with his head coach and four coordinators in four years? Can Smith remove all of that plus his own immense, play-stopping intellect to get to the pool of talent below? In training camp and the season the answer will un-spool.

SHAUN HILL

Hill is the anti-Alex. While Smith was tossed into the lineup as a 21-year-old rookie, Hill threw one incomplete pass in his first five seasons in the league. Smith was a first overall pick, Hill was undrafted. Smith was looked upon as the franchise quarterback, Hill needed to beat out Jesse Palmer and then former University of Akron player Luke Getsy the last two seasons just to claim his roster spot.

Shaun Hill is a gamer.

While Smith can look impressive in practice, coach Mike Nolan said Hill saves his best for games. Hill also "throws through" or throws to an area before a receiver breaks, something that Smith struggles with. But like Smith, last year, Hill also had a defining play. It came in the third quarter of his first start against the Bengals at home. Faced with a third down in a tight game, Hill settled in a shotgun formation. At the snap, tight end Vernon Davis didn't move, seemingly forgetting the snap count. It allowed defensive end Robert Geathers a free pass at Hill. But he avoided Geathers with two quick steps, one towards the line of scrimmage and the other to his right. As Geathers flew past, a composed Hill continued to run right and threw a completion to running back Maurice Hicks for the first down. Hill executed the play so adroitly, you had to look at the replay a few times to see what happened. But can Hill maintain this excellence of play? He tore up the Bengals completing 21 of 28 passes for 197 yards. While subbing for the concussed Trent Dilfer a week earlier against the Vikings, he completed 22 of 28 passes for 181 yards. Minnesota gave up more passing yards than any other team in the league last year. Cincinnati ranked 26th in that category.

When Hill faced Tampa Bay, which owned the stingiest pass defense in the league, he was 11 of 24 for 123 yards. In all of his appearances except Tampa Bay, his completion percentage was high and his yardage was low, which confirms his lack of arm strength. The overriding questions for Hill: Is he athletic enough and is his arm strong enough to overthrow Smith for the starting job? He faces another challenge. The 49ers paid Smith about $7 million this offseason to continue his contract, meaning Smith has strong advocates within the organization.

J.T. O'SULLIVAN

The former UC Davis player deserves some sort of award. Who can name a quarterback who has existed on the fringes of nine NFL rosters in seven seasons? It's an unusual feat. Martz has an abiding belief in O'Sullivan and seemingly insists that he be part of the competition for the starting job.

Sims seems like a sound signing

2008-07-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

The 49ers' signing of former Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Barry Sims may not stir up as many waves as recent additions like Justin Smith and Nate Clements, but fans shouldn’t underestimate what Sims brings to the fold.Sims is perhaps best remembered for his false start fiascoes in Oakland (he actually led all NFL offensive linemen in that category last year), but judging him simply on that standard would be quite unfair. Sims has started 118 games in the last nine years, demonstrating both durability and a high enough level of play to remain in Oakland's weekly lineup. That's not to say he is a Pro Bowler at the position, but Sims is certainly a capable player at the right tackle spot, which is, coincidentally, a huge area of concern for the 49ers.Besides the obvious -- veteran leadership -- what does Sims add to the 49ers? Examining the signing in a worst-case scenario, Sims simply brings some quality depth along an offensive line which sorely needs it. The 49ers should field a line of Joe Staley, David Baas or Chilo Rachal, Eric Heitmann, Adam Snyder and Jonas Jennings (assuming he's healthy). Sims fits neatly as the primary backup at tackle and allows the 49ers to move several players around to their natural positions.

If the Sims signing should serve notice to any member of San Francisco's O-line, it is undoubtedly Jennings. It’s hard to fault the talented Jennings for his injury-filled history, but the Sims signing is clearly an indication that Jennings' job is on the line. Sims will push Jennings, and the camp battle should be ferocious for the No. 1 right tackle spot. Jennings should work hard to be in the top shape of his life, and Sims should push him to play the best football of his career. Furthermore, competition such as this should not be overlooked because it generally incites a higher level of play from each combatant associated. Beyond simply pushing Jennings, Sims will allow the 49ers to slide Snyder inside to his more natural guard position along with Rachal, a rookie second-round pick from USC. Thanks to the lack of depth, Rachal had been working at the right tackle spot, but adding Sims should facilitate Rachal's move back to guard, where he could be exceptional for the 49ers.

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Is Hall too full for BY?

2008-06-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

Matt Barrows, Sac Bee, June 13, 2008

Holy smokes - the Hall of Fame class for 2013 is shaping up to be one of the best ever. Brett Favre is a can't-miss first ballot guy as is Jonathan Ogden. You have to think that Michael Strahan, who is fifth on the all-time sack list and holds the season-single record in that category won't have to wait beyond 2013. (Given their dive-and-sack routine in 2001, maybe Favre should be Strahan's presenter. Buzz-zing!). In addition, Warren Sapp, Junior Seau and Orlando Pace (if he retires) are all strong possibilities. The question is whether two 49ers - Bryant Young and Larry Allen - will go into the Hall at the same time.

BY has three things going against him.
First, he played on a lot of crappy teams. Sure, his 49ers career began with a Super Bowl title, and from 1994 to 2002 Young and the 49ers made the playoffs seven times. But during the last five years of his career, the time when players like Young finally get the recognition and national attention they deserve, he was playing in meaningless games on dreadful teams. Second, his statistics are rock-solid but not mind-blowing. I know, I know. Young mostly played a position that called for him to do a lot of dirty work and to make sacrifices so that others could get the glory. And while teammates and opponents respect that, HOF voters will look to stats. BY's 89.5 career sacks are outstanding, but they're not as good as Strahan's (141.5) or Sapp's (96.5).
And finally, Young never called attention to himself. That modest business-like demeanor won him the admiration of coaches, teammates, opponents, the local fans and local media. But the ugly reality is that self-aggrandizement attracts attention and that attention sometimes gets you into the Hall. Just look at the Michael Irvin-vs.-Art Monk dynamic. Monk had better numbers than Irvin yet the flamboyant Irvin beat him into the Hall. As disgusting as this sounds, if Young had had some silly sack dance and had made outrageous comments, I bet he'd have a better chance of being a first-ballot guy. Then again, sometimes respect and dignity are more important than a yellow blazer.
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Keena Turner - vice president of football affairs

2008-06-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

Tom FitzGerald, San Francisco Chronicle

Former 49ers linebacker Keena Turner, a link to the team's glory days, has been named their vice president of football affairs. In his new role, according to Jed York, the vice president of strategic planning, Turner "will be in charge of all programs related to player well-being and success including counseling, faith-based and player-development programs."

Turner, 49, who helped the 49ers win four Super Bowls, will serve as an adviser to the coaching staff and head the club's alumni program. Since he retired in 1990 after an 11-year career, all of it with the 49ers, he has represented the team at public events and assisted in player development. He has also done TV commentary on preseason games.
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Niner Notes

2008-06-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee, May 29, 2008

Quarterback race is more like a marathon

In a perfect world, the 49ers will emerge from OTAs on June 20 with a distinct pecking order at quarterback. The player at the top of that order will head into training camp July 24 as the No. 1 quarterback. He'll get most of the first-team reps, he'll look fantastic in preseason games and he'll enter the season as the unquestioned leader of the team. "At this point I'm hopeful," Mike Nolan said of having a clear-cut No. 1 on June 20. "But I won't hold myself to it." Nolan knows the reality will be messier. The question is whether we're talking Barack-vs.-Hillary messy. The 49ers quarterback competition certainly has the potential to drag on and on and on like the Democratic nomination process.

Consider this not farfetched scenario. I figure Alex Smith will take the early lead in the coaches' minds. After all, he looks great on a practice field. He's tall. He can scramble. And he has the best arm in the 49ers' quarterback stable. Nolan already has commented that Smith added seven pounds of muscle following the 2007 season and looked as physically impressive as he has seen the young passer.

Shaun Hill, meanwhile, is not going to win many best-body competitions. He doesn't have Smith's arm strength, and he has a funny throwing motion. (Though, not as funny as Mariah Carey's). That's why up until last season, Hill has been a career No. 3 quarterback. He simply hasn't been an impressive enough practice player to warrant a closer look.

A Closer Look At the Newest 49ers

2008-05-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

As coaches and GMs love to say on cutdown day, it's a numbers game. There are only 53 roster spots available per team at the start of the regular season. The 49ers added six draft picks. Some draftees - Kentwan Balmer, Chilo Rachal, Reggie Smith and Cody Wallace - are virtually assured roster spots. Josh Morgan and Larry Grant have work to do to stick on the final roster.
Here is the breakdown of what each new addition means to the team:

Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer
What it means for him: Chosen in the first round, Balmer must make an immediate contribution. The 49ers are keeping an open mind. They plan to use him at nose tackle and left end before settling on a spot for him. Either way, he figures to get a lot of playing time as a rookie.
What it means for others: Aubrayo Franklin enters the second year of a three-year, $6.1 million contract. Isaac Sopoaga, who was Franklin's back up last season, recently signed a five-year, $20 million deal. Sopoaga will make twice as much as Franklin, which might be a clue which player's starting job is the most tenuous. The plan is to move Sopoaga to left end. Justin Smith, Sopoaga, Balmer, Franklin, Ronald Fields and Ray McDonald figure to be on the team. Guys such as Joe Cohen, Atiyyah Ellison and Melvin Oliver have to battle to stick around.

Guard Chilo Rachal
What it means for him: When minicamp opens on Friday, Tony Wragge will line up at right guard with the first-team offense. But the door will be open in training camp for Rachal (second-round pick) to get in there. If he shows he can handle the move up to the NFL, Rachal has a good chance to be an opening-week starter.
What it means for others: David Baas will miss a portion of training camp. It's a lot like his rookie season. He was projected as a starter as a rookie, but a hamstring injury kept him sidelined most of camp. He could not recover from missing so much time in training camp. Baas did not move into the starting lineup until injuries forced the issue late his rookie season. Again, he was scheduled to be a starter. Now, he has a long road in front of him to get back on the field after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle last week. After being cleared, he still has to regain his upper-body strength and win his way back into the starting lineup.

Defensive back Reggie Smith
What it means for him: Some view the third-round pick as a Cover 2 corrner. Others see him as a safety. The 49ers envision Smith as a physical, in-your-face cornerback. Because Nate Clements takes the opponents' best receiver and does not get much help, the 49ers want the corner on the other side to be physical at the line of scrimmage. The other corner generally has safety help over the top. If, over a period of time, Smith proves he can't cover NFL receivers, the 49ers have the option to move him to free safety.
What it means for others: Walt Harris is a 13-year vet who eventually must be replaced. The 49ers want to make sure they have some candidates ready to take over. Shawntae Spencer signed a reasonable contract extension in 2006 and has a deal in place through 2012. He has experienced difficulty staying healthy. When healthy, Spencer has not been the most consistent performer, either. Tarell Brown, whom many believed was a second-round value found in the fifth round, is not fully recovered from a partially torn ACL from the final game of the season. The injury did not require surgery. The club expects him to be ready for the start of training camp. After 2005, when the 49ers were picking up free-agent corners off the street and sticking them in the starting lineup, the club has at least built some depth at this spot. A decent player will probably be let go after camp. Marcus Hudson and Donald Strickland, along with Smith, Brown and Spencer will duke it out for backup spots.

Center Cody Wallace
What it means for him: The fourth-round selection comes to the 49ers as a backup to Eric Heitmann. It would be very difficult for a rookie to win a starting job at center over a guy who has been around like Heitmann. So much of the center position is having a grasp for the team's protections and a concept of what the defense is doing.
What it means for others: Heitmann is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. Perhaps, they're lining up their contingency plan. Or, Nolan mentioned that Heitmann is capable of moving to guard, too. With Wallace on the team, obviously the 49ers are not projecting Baas as the next center. This is a big season for Baas, who is signed through 2009. If he has yet to establish himself as a starter, the club might decide he does not fit into their future plans. The 49ers want Adam Snyder to play guard, but I can't help but think the 49ers have the makings of a good long-term offensive line with Joe Staley and Snyder at the tackles, Baas and Rachal at the guards and Wallace at center.

Receiver Josh Morgan
What it means for him: There is not a bona fide No. 1 receiver on the team, so the door is wide open for this sixth-rounder to prove he can be of value to the 49ers. Playing time will be difficult to find as a rookie. He'll have to adjust to Mike Martz's offense and Jerry Sullivan's detailed coaching. He will have to battle through the frustration of learning things that are completely new to him. But Morgan definitely has a chance to stick around. If he takes advantage of some chances, he could work into a significant role. He better come to training camp in great shape. Rookies have never worked like they will during their first NFL training camp. And rookie receivers, in particular, are susceptible to leg injuries.
What it means for others: Jason Hill and Ashley Lelie must get off to a great starts to work their way into positions to get more practice reps. Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle don't seem to be going anywhere. Morgan, conceivably, could push Hill or Lelie back a notch.

Linebacker Larry Grant
What it means for him: The good news for this seventh-round pick is that he projects at a position where the starting job is up for grabs. He'll have an opportunity to compete for the starting "ted' linebacker job. Although it's unlikely he'll win the starting job, Grant can still make a major impact on special teams as a rookie. But the 49ers might keep only four inside linebackers, which means that while he has an outside chance to win a starting job, he is also fighting for a roster spot.
What it means for others: If the 49ers had grabbed Curtis Lofton in the first round, Dontarrious Thomas would have been replaced as a starter before ever starting a game. Grant's acquisition appears to mean that Brandon Moore is, again, pushed to the background. Nolan said Thomas, Jeff Ulbrich and Grant would line up and compete at the "ted," while Brandon Moore will be Patrick Willis' backup at the "mike." The "ted" is the strong inside linebacker position. The team is obviously not convinced Moore has the ability to get off blocks effectively enough to play on the strong side. The door remains open for the 49ers to pursue veteran Takeo Spikes, who is returning from season-ending surgery on his rotator cuff. The Eagles released him (failed physical) earlier this offseason. Because Spikes would play the strong inside position, he would be taking on more blockers, thus exposing himself to more collisions.
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Nolan's Final Draft: A Master Piece of Wasted Opportunities

2008-04-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

The 49ers totally screwed the pooch again on the most crucial day of Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan's careers respectively. Draft day. If Nolan doesn't get the Niners off to a good start this season, he will undoubtedly be given his pink slip and McCloughan, Nolan's former assistant and now his "boss", (yeah, right, you really laid down the law, Dr. York) will be shown the door with him....and they did nothing this weekend to help keep that from being a reality.

Start with needs -- a wide receiver would be nice. With apologies to Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill, newcomers Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce, or any wide receiver. "Any" were there. Better than any, in fact. Devin Thomas was there for the picking and he was a first-round pick until pickers began plucking. So was James Hardy. And what about DeSean Jackson? Sorry. Niners pass, even though coach Mike Nolan said it: We need offense.

What else? Another linebacker -- one of those hybrids known as a "rushbacker" would be just the ticket. Or a versatile inside/outside linebacker who can move around and fill spots next time Manny Lawson blows out a knee.

This isn't their fault. They actually had one in mind and not the one I figured they'd look at in Quentin Groves but rather -- Penn State's Dan Connor, who went to Carolina one pick before the 49ers could nab him in the 3rd round, if you're wondering. Instead, they had their eye on Oklahoma's blockier, slower version of Connor, Curtis Lofton. They figured they'd wait until Round 2 to take care of the position. Two picks before their Round 2 shot came up, the Falcons stole him out from under their noses. So they took guard Chilo Rachal, another reasonable need given the injury status of David Baas and the who-knows-where-he-even-is status of Larry Allen, the free-est of free agents.

But what the Niners really needed was a defensive lineman. One of those nice pass-rushing kinds of guys , to play opposite Justin Smith, who will stop at nothing until he's shaken hands with a quarterback and told him how much his stuff stinks.

Instead, they took Balmer. Defensive tackle who will be asked to replace Bryant Young (like anybody could do that) at left end or maybe play a little nosetackle in the 3-4 ... where Isaac Sopoaga would seem to be in a blood feud with Aubrayo Franklin to start. Only Sopoaga is now being billed as a left end. It boggles the mind. Balmer presumably is a burr under the disappointing Franklin's saddle and asked to play . . . At end. At tackle. At discombobulation? Oh, and did I mention this? If it's end, as a sack guy Balmer collected exactly 3.5 last year when he had his one really superior year at North Carolina. That to go along with $45 million dollar man Justin Smith's whopping 2 sacks last year for the Bengals.

Later on, Reggie Smith, in the 3rd from Oklahoma is a solid project corner. Center Cody Wallace in the 4th was a good choice, but that's about it. Josh Morgan, WR from Virginia Tech, the only offensive skill player taken, has off field issues that smell like Thomas Clayton Part II. Nolan finished off with what I say will be his final 49er draft choice by selecting......wait for it.....oh shucks.....another Linebacker!!!!, Larry Grant from Ohio St. in the 7th, to add to the already deepest position on the team.

In summation, they did little to desuade me from expecting the worst. This final act for Nolan, Alex Smith and "GM" Scot McCloughan is in the hands largely of the self-proclaimed "genius" offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz. While Nolan keeps focusing on defense, with the worst offense in the league, Martz will have to make chicken salad out of chicken s@#t to give them any hope of .500. Defense is great Coach Nolan, but you have to score to win.

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Draft Day 1 Recap

2008-04-27T12:31:00.001-07:00

The 49ers went for might instead of flight on the first day of the NFL draft, opting for linemen on both sides of the ball instead of a wide receiver to run down the field and catch it. With their first pick in the draft, 29th overall, the 49ers tabbed Kentwan Balmer, a versatile 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive lineman from North Carolina who can play either nose tackle or end. The club seems more inclined to play Balmer at nose tackle but he could also end up replacing the retired Bryant Young at left end.

It was an ecstatic Balmer who spoke to reporters Saturday in a conference call as he mentioned how his father, Charles Balmer, was an avid 49ers fan in the 1990s. No mention if dad is still as enthused now that the team is struggling.Ten picks later, at the eighth spot in the second round, San Francisco went for something of a surprise in guard Chilo Rachal of USC, who was picked higher than most people expected, including the player himself.Rachal, 6-4 and 319 pounds, is expected to compete for a job and could end up taking over for Larry Allen at left guard.Balmer's brawny presence on the defensive line, especially at nose tackle, will occupy blockers and allow Pro Bowl inside linebacker Patrick Willis, that tackling machine, to get to the ballcarrier. Rachal beefs up an offensive line that was responsible for 55 sacks in 2007, including the one that led to quarterback Alex Smith's shoulder injury and a ruined season.

The 49ers go into the second day of the draft with four picks, one each in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh rounds. With his first two picks, Nolan also considered Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling and Oklahoma inside linebacker Curtis Lofton.In going for linemen on both sides of the line of scrimmage, Nolan passed up an opportunity to select one of several wide receivers available at 29 and 39, in particular DeSean Jackson of Cal, Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma, James Hardy of Indiana and Limas Sweed of Texas.

The coach said it's possible the 49ers will pick a wide receiver with one of today's picks but the fact he did not choose one on Saturday indicates he didn't believe any wideout deserving of late-first- or early-second-round status.

Day 2 Recap .... and opinion of picks on Sunday Night.
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49er 1st round selections, 1998-2007. Hope for the Willis Trend to Continue

2008-04-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

Just hours before things kick off at Radio City Music Hall for the annual NFL "Selection Meeting" AKA the draft, lets look back at the last 10 years of 49er 1st round picks, and hope....like heck that the trend started only last year, continues on an upswing.

49er 1st round selections, 1998-2007

1998
R.W. McQuarters CB ,Oklahoma State
A bust during two seasons in S.F., he reemerged as a useful special teams player and helped the N.Y. Giants win a Super Bowl last season.

1999
Reggie McGrew DT ,Florida
Arguably the team's worst top pick ever, his not-so-illustrious career consisted of nine tackles and zero starts.

2000
Julian Peterson OLB ,Michigan State (right)
Terrific and versatile linebacker has made four Pro Bowls, including past two for Seattle Seahawks.
2001
Andre Carter DE ,Cal Bears
Faded in S.F. after a 12 1/2-sack season in '02, but has perked up again for Washington Redskins.
2002
Mike Rumph CB ,Miami
Proved to be a poor one-on-one cover man and managed only three career interceptions.
2003
Kwame Harris T ,Stanford
Failed to demonstrate adequate pass-protection skills at left tackle; will try to reinvent himself with Raiders.
2004
Rashaun Woods WR ,Oklahoma
Another contender for worst 49ers pick ever, managed seven career catches and helped doom G.M. Terry Donahue.

2005
Alex Smith QB ,Utah
Jury remains out because of injury trouble and poor supporting cast, but early returns aren't favorable.
2006
Vernon Davis TE ,Maryland
Still better known for his weight room prowess than his on-field production (774 yards, seven TDs in two years).
2007
Patrick Willis ILB ,Mississippi
NFL defensive rookie of the year became the first S.F. rookie to make the Pro Bowl since Ronnie Lott.

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49ers 2008 Schedule

2008-04-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

From the Press Democrat

49ers' 2008 schedule
(All times are Pacific)
Sunday, Sept. 7, vs. Cardinals. 1:15 p.m. (Fox): Bryant Johnson, who was the No. 3 man in Arizona behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, has a chance to be the featured wideout with his new team. For the third year in a row, the 49ers open the season against the Cardinals.

Sunday, Sept. 14, at Seahawks, 1:05 p.m. (Fox): It was the win in Seattle late in the 2006 season that stands as the highlight of the Mike Nolan/Alex Smith era with the 49ers. They might need another one in '08 to get another chance in '09.

Sunday, Sept. 21, Vs. Lions, 1:05 p.m. (Fox): New offensive coordinator Mike Martz was available to the 49ers after he was fired. Let's see if he was correct when he said the 49ers' talent is much better than he inherited in Detroit.

Sunday, Sept. 28, At Saints, 10 a.m. (Fox): The old NFC West broke up after the 2001 season. Still, the way the schedule has fallen, this will be the 49ers' fourth trip to New Orleans in seven seasons. The 49ers have not beaten the Saints in four matchups since they're no longer division foes.

Sunday, Oct. 5, Vs. Patriots, 1:15 p.m. (CBS): Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli will be hammered with questions all week about how they let Joe Staley get away. And all they got out of it was a No. 7 overall draft pick.

Sunday, Oct. 12, Vs. Eagles, 1:15 p.m. (Fox): This is certainly a big season in Philadelphia, where Donovan McNabb is looking to bounce back strong from an 8-8 season. Second-year quarterback Kevin Kolb was drafted last year to eventually take over.

Sunday, Oct. 19, At Giants, 10 a.m. (CBS): Alex Smith was asked recently whether Eli Manning's quick turnaround from "bust" to Super Bowl hero serves as inspiration. "I guess you just realize what a short memory this game has and that's the exciting thing, as long as you've got the year ahead of you, that's such a great opportunity," Smith said. "If you look at Eli two years ago and what was being said and what was going on there in New York, and if you look at it now, a lot has changed in that time. That's the exciting thing about this game, you have a chance to do that and erase last year."

Sunday, Oct. 26, Vs. Seahawks, 1:15 p.m. (CBS): It'll probably be the last visit to San Francisco as a member of the Seahawks for Mike Holmgren, as Jim Mora set to take over as head coach in 2009. Holmgren-to-49ers speculation will be unbridled this week.

Sunday, Nov. 2, BYE WEEK

Monday, Nov. 10, at Cardinals, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN): What? A Monday night game? Against the Cardinals? This is the second year in a row the 49ers have played against the Cardinals on Monday night. It worked out pretty well for the 49ers last season.

Sunday, Nov. 16, Vs. Rams, 1:05 p.m. (#-Fox): No matter what turns are in store for this season, we all can agree this is the most winnable game on the schedule. Too bad for the 49ers it comes on a short week.

Sunday, Nov. 23, At Cowboys, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): Ah, another reunion with Terrell Owens. It's probably a good thing few players on this team were around when he was with the 49ers. This will be the 49ers' final trip to Texas Stadium, as the Cowboys are scheduled to move into their new stadium in 2009.

Sunday, Nov. 30, At Bills, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): They're serving Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar, the place that invented the delicacy. Any idea what the weather's like in Buffalo this time of year?

Sunday, Dec. 7, Vs. Jets, 1:05 p.m. (#-CBS): The Jets are coming off a 4-12 season. Who will be their quarterback at this stage in the season, Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens . . . or Matt Ryan?

Sunday, Dec. 14, At Dolphins, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): Niners make their first trip to Miami since 1995. In that game, Elvis Grbac, subbing for an injured Steve Young, leads team to a 44-20 victory in a Monday night game. I can't think of any other NFL city I'd rather visit in mid-December.

Sunday, Dec. 21, At Rams, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): Cheers of "Bruuuuuuuuuce" will unquestionably greet the 49ers' receiver, as he is still one of the more popular football players in town.

Sunday, Dec. 28, Vs. Redskins, 1:15 p.m. (#-Fox): Former 49ers defensive end Andre Carter plays against his former teammates for the first time. Carter, by the way, is the only 49ers player since 2000 to record at least 10 sacks in a season. He did that in 2002 when he piled up 12.5 sacks. Will the 49ers have finally found a pass-rusher this season?
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Mock Draft #1 - 10

2008-04-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

Here is my predictions and analysis for the first 10 picks of the 2008 Draft.Based on needs addressed in free agency and those still remaining, and of course, the most glaring areas of concern for each team.

1. Miami Dolphins – Chris Long, DE, Virginia
If the Dolphins stay at this position there would be only three players I feel as value here: Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, and Chris Long. With Ronnie Brown as your franchise back and needs elsewhere, McFadden is out, and that comes down to the defensive lineman. For the Dolphins, a team that will utilize a 3-4 defensive scheme, Chris Long is perfect. Glenn Dorsey is a beast in the inside, but his transition to a nose in a 3-4 is questionable. Actually, I see Sedrick Ellis as more of a possibility than Dorsey. But, if the Dolphins do stay at #1, which I know they will try to trade out, Long should be the pick. Long was dominant as an end in a 3-4, which is an extremely difficult position to succeed at. 3-4 defensive schemes need three talented men up front to be successful, and Long is certainly a strong start.

2. St. Louis Rams – Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
First off, my buddy Walter Cherepinsky has been saying for months that the Rams would select Gholston. I was a little hesitant because of the Rams' struggles at offensive line, but with the signing of G Jacob Bell and hopefully a fully healthy Orlando Pace back, the Rams will be able to help a struggling defensive line. Leonard Little is going to be 34, and James Hall was released. Gholston would be an immediate upgrade, and if Jim Haslett does indeed switch the defense to a 3-4, Gholston can play OLB. The depth at offensive tackle, also allows the Rams to pursue one in the second round.

3. Atlanta Falcons – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
This pick should have Matt Ryan's name all over it, but with the likeliness of Brian Brohm, Joe Flacco, or Andre Woodson sitting atop round two, the Falcons can instead get the big and athletic Dorsey, who many draft experts consider the top prospect in the draft. Atlanta owns three 2nd round picks and could easily move back in the 2nd round to get its quarterback if it so wishes. Dorsey is too good to pass up. The Falcons have signed some free agent DTs this offseason, but far from starting/big name material. As long as Dorsey has fully recovered from his injury, I think this pick makes better sense than drafting Ryan. Ryan is a solid quarterback, but many scouts believe really has yet to differentiate himself from the other quarterbacks in the draft. Dorsey is the top DT in years. OT Jake Long would also make sense, but the talent at the offensive tackle affords the Falcons to find one later in the draft.

4. Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Defensive tackle may be more of a pressing need and with Sedrick Ellis still available it would make sense, but Al Davis' moves don't always make sense. Plus, Davis gave starting DT Tommy Kelly an outrageous salary already. Davis loves speed and McFadden certainly has it. Even though, they resigned Justin Fargas, Davis is not shy of drafting the BPA. McFadden and JaMarcus Russell would create a nice offensive backfield. When you are picking #4, you are far more than just one player than the playoffs, and Al Davis knows that, so why not invest in a guy that will bring fans to the game and make for an exciting offense.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
I don't think the Chiefs would ever think of a situation where both Jake Long and Matt Ryan are available at #5, but that is the case. With Brodie Croyle as the quarterback of the future for now, and the Chiefs desperately needing offensive tackle help and Jake Long available, this pick is a no brainer and a dream pick for the Chiefs.

6. New York Jets – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
With Vernon Gholston and Darren McFadden off the board, the Jets instead find a cornerback to go opposite last year's first round pick Darrelle Revis Besides Revis, the Jets really lack depth at the CB position. Justin Miller is better suited as a special teamer than a starting cornerback and is still coming back from a knee injury. The Jets were interested in Asante Samuel (as one everyone else), so they want another cornerback. Sedrick Ellis is another possibility to add depth at NT, but McKelvin would create a nice tandem with Revis.

7. New England Patriots (from SF) – Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida
Asante Samuel is now filthy rich in Philadelphia and with that cornerback is one of a few positions where the Pats could possibly have a need to fill. However, with the depth at cornerback and the Pats now infamous for not giving big paydays to cornerback, I believe the Pats go with plan B if Vernon Gholston is unavailable and go with Harvey, a very similar player who will take the position vacated by released OLB Roosevelt Colvin. The Pats are usually known for not drafting young LBs, but have shown interested in Harvey whose stock is rising.

8. Baltimore Ravens – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston
The quarterback position is in disarray and with Matt Ryan still on the board (highly possible if the Falcons pass on him) then I think this pick is a no brainer. Coach Harbaugh would immediately have his franchise quarterback, a position the Ravens have lacked. If Ryan is off the board, look for the Ravens to go after a cornerback, such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, where its two corners are aging and both coming off injuries.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Well the Bengals thought they had their big DT with the Shaun Rodgers trade and then the Dewayne Robertson trade however both trades backfired and the Bengals are still looking for that DT. If Ellis drops to #9 the Bengals won't hesitate to take him. Not only does he fill a need, but at #9 his value is way too good to pass up. With the signing of Antwan Odom, DE is no longer a need, and if Ellis is off the board, look for the Bengals to take OLB Keith Rivers.

10. New Orleans Saints – Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
The biggest weakness for the Saints is obviously the cornerback, but the Saints just signed free agent Randall Gay and the top 2 CBs are already off the board. The Saints just traded for Jonathan Vilma and the addition of of Rivers would be a huge upgrade to its linebacking corps. Aqib Talib and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are tempting, but with the depth at CB, the Saints can get one in the 2nd round. Rivers is the best LB in the draft and after him and Dan Connor there is a drop off.
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Gore-less future spells trouble for Martz's offense

2008-04-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

Having sought strength in numbers by acquiring a small army of targets for Alex Smith's sometimes errant passes, 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan must now turn his attention back to the running game in light of reports that Frank Gore, the team's most dangerous offensive weapon, will be sidelined indefinitely with a degenerative condition in his right hip. Although team doctors have yet to determine the severity of Gore's medical woes, the news is devastating to a young team in the midst of a rebuilding process. Initially diagnosed as an inflamed bursa sac in his right hip, the condition is eerily similar to that which abbreviated the career of baseball star Albert Belle, and though immediate treatment may help to prolong Gore's young career, his days as an elite NFL running back appear to be numbered. For his part, Gore remains cautiously optimistic.

"Obviously, this came as a shock to me," he told reporters during a Tuesday press conference. "As a player, you're conditioned to work through the pain. I knew something was wrong, but I never thought it was too serious. At this point, I'm just going to concentrate on working with the doctors and getting back on the field."

But when? Should Gore miss the upcoming season -- an increasingly likely prospect -- offensive coordinator Mike Martz will be forced to build his rushing attack around DeShaun Foster, the Carolina Panthers castoff who has yet to emerge as an every-down back in the NFL. And while McCloughan has done his best to bolster a receiving corps that proved a serious liability last season, it is hard to imagine the 49ers contending in the NFC West without a credible running game.

The Niners will undoubtedly address the situation in the draft, and though they may not land the cream of this year's crop -- Arkansas back Darren McFadden -- there will be plenty of viable options when they make their selection with the 29th pick of the first round. Even so, it would be hard to overestimate the crushing impact of Gore's loss. For a team already struggling to recover from a wasted season and scrambling to fill out a roster riddled with question marks, this is one setback even the most pessimistic 49ers fans could never have envisioned.

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Time is a healer for Alex Smith

2008-03-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

S.F. QB is overcoming injury, conflict
By Matthew Barrows - The Sacramento Bee

SANTA CLARA – When we last left Alex Smith, the 49ers quarterback was a broken man. It was mid-December, and Smith was on his way to Alabama for a surgical procedure few NFL quarterbacks had undergone.His relationship with his head coach was in tatters. His throwing shoulder was mangled so badly that he heard clicking noises whenever he threw. He was weary, said he felt burned by the media and was stuck on the sideline as third-stringer Shaun Hill led the 49ers on a late-season revival.

Fast forward three and a half months, and, well, everything appears to be on the mend. The shoulder surgery was a success. Smith is out of the sling he wore for six weeks, and he is throwing 40-yard passes as he continues his rehabilitation.He also has spoken with coach Mike Nolan several times and says their 2007 feud, which revolved around Smith's shoulder injury, has been smoothed over. "That wasn't a reflection of either of us," Smith said Thursday in his first group interview since last season. "We're both better than that, and I think we're looking forward to obviously erasing that and proving not only to the people in this building, but everywhere, that we're going to move on and we're going to do better than that and we expect better." The coach-quarterback relationship deteriorated last year when a struggling Smith said he felt Nolan was minimizing his shoulder injury. Nolan, in turn, grew frustrated with Smith for taking his problems to the media. At the time, both men acknowledged a communication gap.

"We've talked and continue to talk about it, kind of understanding what happened last year, and (we're) moving on," Smith said. "I think we both understand each other, and there are definitely things I look back at and wish I could do over again. You learn from it and don't want to let it happen again." Smith said he hopes offensive problems that plagued the 49ers last season also are being fixed. He said he already has begun learning the new offense from coordinator Mike Martz – learning plays and working on drop-backs – and that he was excited to get on the field with new wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. Just as Martz is Smith's fourth offensive coordinator in four seasons, Bruce is his fourth No. 1 receiver over the same span."It's more competition, like I said, and I think it's something that's going to help this team," Smith said. "The better players you have in here that push each other, we're all going to get better from it. You talk about a guy like Isaac Bruce coming in with that much experience, not only in the NFL, but with coach Martz's system. I'm excited to have a guy like that in here."

Another difference is that Smith will not begin the offseason atop the team's depth chart at quarterback. Coaches have promised an open competition at the spot, and that battle will begin in early May with the team's first minicamp. Smith said he expects to be close to 100 percent when it begins. He said his right shoulder is almost at full strength and that his weight-room routine is back to normal save for a few over-the-head exercises.

As for throwing a football, Smith said trainers are regulating how much he throws each day as if he were a major-league pitcher. He recently has been throwing three times a week, starting with light tosses and gradually building to 40-yard throws.

Smith said a typical session includes 60 to 80 passes.

"They're decent," Smith said of the zip. "I'm definitely not out here gunning these things. But to throw the ball 40 yards, you've got to be throwing it decent."
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March Mock Draft # 11 - 21

2008-03-30T10:04:00.001-07:00

Here is my predictions and analysis for the middle third of the 2008 Draft.Based on needs addressed in free agency and those still remaining, and of course, the most glaring areas of concern for each team. Next time will be picks 1 - 10.

11. Buffalo Bills – Domique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
For the first time since around December, I don't have Malcolm Kelly in this slot. Kelly's stock has tumbled due to his inability to workout and questions about his speed. DeSean Jackson would be intriguing, but he is too similar to Lee Evans, and the Bills like its return man in Roscoe Parrish. The Bills instead go after another position of need and draft its shutdown cornerback. At 6-2, Rodgers-Cromartie has the size to match any receiver, but also 4.33 speed to hang with any receiver. His knack has always been his small school status, but with strong workouts and a great Senior Bowl, he has proved his ability.

12. Denver Broncos – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
With the retirement of Matt Lepsis, the left tackle position now seems vulnerable, and with Ryan Clady still on the board, this pick makes sense. At 6-6, 320 lbs, Clady is the ideal LT, and actually has a higher ceiling than Jake Long. Jake Long is more NFL ready, but I see Clady as having the better NFL career down the road. DT Kentwan Balmer or even WR DeSean Jackson is a possibility, but Clady is better value here if he even lasts to #12.

13. Carolina Panthers – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Both tackles were resigned by the Panthers, but with the departure of guard Mike Wahle, the Panthers may move Travelle Wharton inside creating a vacancy at the tackle position. Williams' stock has climbed up the draft boards, and now looks to be the third tackle off the board. DE Phillip Merling is also a possibility, but after last season, Jake Delhomme's health has to be priority #1.

14. Chicago Bears – Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Grossman is out of Chicago, actually he just signed a one year deal. But, I don’t see the Bears wanting to draft another first round quarterback. I think the Bears will focus on protecting that quarterback, and the massive Otah (6-6. 340) is a great way to do that. DeSean Jackson is tempting with the departure of Bernard Berrian, but no receiver can get a ball if the quarterback doesn't have time to throw it to him.

15. Detroit Lions – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
The Lions in the last week have gotten CBs Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly. Neither CB is going to fool you for the shutdown cornerback that each team covets, but both are solid and allow the Lions to pursue other positions. The Lions were finalist in the Julius Jones' sweepstakes, but lost out to Seattle, and the lost may be a blessing in disguise with the chance to get Mendenhall. There is no hiding that Matt Millen likes to draft offensive playmakers, well that is Mendenhall, only he uses his skills with his feet than his hands.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Aqib Talib, CB, Kanas
With the Cardinals moving Antrel Rolle to safety there is now a hole at the CB position. With Edgerrin James' best years behind him, drafting Jonathan Stewart would make sense, but the Cards can get a solid RB in the 2nd round. Aqib Talib may lack explosive speed, but makes up with his size and playmaking ability. Always a threat to make an interception and go the other way.

17. Minnesota Vikings – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
The Vikings already had a need at defensive end before the news broke that Kenechi Udeze had cancer, but now that need is much greater. Our prayers are with Udeze and his family. Merling brings speed, size, and athleticism where he could be the premier sackmaster the Vikings have yet to find. Merling seems to be surpassing Derrick Harvey as the third best DE in the draft. Even without Udeze's cancer, the defensive end need was still there.

18. Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Houston just signed RB Chris Brown, which actually makes this pick that much more possible. Stewart just had surgery and with his timetable set for around July, the Texans have insurance with Brown. The Texans still need that stud RB to complement Schaub and Andre Johnson. Stewart has the great combination of size and speed the Texans are looking for. With a solid back, the Texans should be able to improve after a successful season. CB Mike Jenkins is another option.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Well the Eagles got its stud CB in free agency with Asante Samuel and helped with its DE rotation by signing Chris Clemons to a five year contract. With that, the Eagles are able to help its offense and draft the athletic playmaker in Jackson. He may be only 5'9, but if you watch any game film, you know the talent this guy has. The Eagles have decent receivers in Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, but lacks the deep threat that Jackson can be.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Joey Galloway seems to have found the fountain of youth and never ages, but the Buccaneers lack a young playmaker on the otherside and eventually become the #1. Michael Clayton was suppose to be that guy, but the only thing good about Michael Clayton lately has been the movie. Malcolm Kelly's stock has slipped recently, but with a strong workout April 9, Kelly should improve his stock. His 6'4 frame is very enticing.

March Mock Draft #21 - 32

2008-03-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Here is my predictions and analysis for the bottom third of the 2008 Draft.Based on needs addressed in free agency and those still remaining, and of course, the most glaring areas of concern for each team. Next time will be picks 11 - 20.

21. Washington Redskins – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Defensive end is the major weakness on this team, but with both Harvey and Merling off the board, new head doach Jim Zorn goes with the massive 6-4 Sweed who will be the tall receiver the Skins want in its new West Coast Offense. DEs Lawrence Jackson and Quentin Groves are possibilities, but Zorn is an offensive guy and the Redskins have been trying to find that tall receiver to complement its speedster. Sweed's stock drops this far due to a wrist injury his senior season.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Cowboys are said to be interested in troubled cornerback Pacman Jones, but nothing yet has happened. The Cowboys three main needs are CB, WR, and RB. With Jenkins falling to Dallas at #22, his value is way too good to pass up. Jenkins would be opposite Terence Newman, and would immediately bolster Dallas' defensive backfield as one of the best in the league. Felix Jones is tempting, but with the Seahawks recent signing of Julius Jones, the Cowboys believe he will fall right into their laps at #28.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Branden Albert, G, Virginia
With Alan Faneca now in New York, the Steelers have a major void to fill and Albert is by far the best guard in the draft. At 6-6, 310 lbs, Albert may be able to transition to tackle a few years down the road. Tackle is another option, but with the top 4 off the board, Albert is far better value and should immediately come in and start.

24. Tennessee Titans – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan
Vince Young has had a great start to a very promising career. Amazing he has done this with very little help and talent from his wide receivers. It s not like Justin Gage and Roydell Williams scared many defenses last season. The Titans did get a "major" pickup in former Titan Justin McCareins, but he was released by the Jets, who actually needed a #3 receiver. Devin Thomas' stock has soared recently and for good reason, he has the size and playmaking ability to be a #1 and to be Vince Young's new best friend. The Titans could look at Lawrence Jackson or Kentwan Balmer with recent free agent losses of DEs Antwan Odom, Travis LaBoy, and DT Randy Stark.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
With the recent signings and of TJ Duckett and Julius Jones, the Seahawks no longer have a need at RB. The Seahawks now could add that receiving threat tight end in Fred Davis or Martellus Bennett, but they are more second round value. The interior of the defensive line struggled in the playoffs, and Marcus Tubbs is coming off an injury and return is questionable. Brandon Mebane did a decent job as his replacement, but an upgrade can be made.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
The Jags have some issues at its defensive end position and usually like their DEs big, which is the reason they bypass Quentin Groves. Calais Campbell had a disappointing combine and stock is on the decline. Jackson may not be the sexy pick, but fills a major need for the Jags and fits well in their defensive scheme.

27. San Diego Chargers – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The past few months I have had the Chargers picking up safety Kenny Phillips who would make a nice combo with Eric Weddle, but after looking at the Chargers' depth chart the one position that stands out is right tackle. The Chargers released starting RT Shane Olivea, and with that only has Jeromey Clary at that position. Cherilus actually may be the best pure right tackle in this draft and would come in immediatley as the starter. Cherilus would be a nice tackle mate with star in the making Marcus McNeil.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Jerry Jones is going to make sure he doesn't miss out on one of the stud RBs and take his fellow Razorback in Felix Jones. Of course the Cowboys may try to use both first round draft picks to move up and draft the other Razorback in Darren McFadden. With Julius Jones now in Seattle, the Cowboys are looking for a complement to Marion Barber. The Cowboys are infamous for trading down with this pick to teams trying to get into the first round to grab a QB, so that could very well happen.

29. San Francisco 49ers (from IND) – Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
The 49ers are investing in their 3-4 defense after another major signing (Justin Smith). Groves, as expected, had a great combine and looks to be a perfect fit for the Niners' defense. With 4.5 speed, Groves should be the pass rusher on the outside the Niners' defense needs. A wide receiver such as James Hardy is a possibility, but Groves' is such a perfect fit in their system. Plus the 49ers just signed WR Bryant Johnson and can get a solid receiver at #39, but Groves would probably be gone.

30. Green Bay Packers – Antoine Cason, CB/S, Arizona
The Packers need depth behind Al Harris and Charles Woodson, both getting up there in years. Cason is a very interesting prospect because he has the playmaking/cover skills to be a first round pick, but lacks the ideal speed for an NFL CB. Last season, Arizona considered moving Cason to the safety position, but didn't. I believe if Cason is drafted at 30, he seems to be ideal to the Packers as a safety rather than a cornerback. After having a sub 4.5 40, Cason looks to be a first rounder. CB/S Reggie Smith is a possibility too.

31. New England Patriots - Forfeited pick

32. New York Giants – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Well LBs Kawika Mitchell, Reggie Torber and FS Gibril Wilson are gone and the fact that Dan Connor and Kenny Phillips are still on the board makes this an enticing pick for the Champs whichever route they go. With Phillips as the elite FS in this draft, and still available at #31, I say the Giants go with him. Phillips, I believe is better value and fills a major void. However, if Phillips is gone, Dan Connor would be a solid pick.

Start with Rice No. 1, Moss No. 2 in best WR debate

2008-03-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

By Mike Sando, ESPN.com

Jerry Rice caught passes from two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He played for the most influential offensive coach of his era, surrounded by a roster flush with talent. The most prolific receiver in NFL history also flourished after the league changed rules to favor the passing game, fueling statistical inflation on a scale previously unseen. Rice had a lot going for him, in other words, but not enough to dissuade seven expert panelists from naming him the greatest receiver in NFL history. Singling out Rice was the easy part.

"Jerry Rice, he's so obvious, it scares me," said panelist Boyd Dowler, a longtime scout and coach who finished his playing career in 1971 with 474 receptions, five championships and an eventual spot in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Top 10 WRs of All TimeRaymond Berry, Boyd Dowler, Mike Holmgren, Ken Houston, Warren Moon, Keyshawn Johnson and Ted Thompson helped ESPN.com evaluate the best wide receivers in NFL history. ESPN.com weighed their contributions, balancing rankings with anecdotal evidence, to create the following list. (Click here for ZOOM Gallery.)Unanimity turned to ambiguity when ESPN.com asked Dowler and fellow panelists Raymond Berry, Mike Holmgren, Warren Moon, Ken Houston, Ted Thompson and Keyshawn Johnson to rank the greatest receivers after Rice. Panelists placed 13 players in the second through fifth overall slots. They ranked seven others between sixth and 10th. That left 20 all-time greats fighting for nine spots, and much work to be done.

"You reach a certain point and it's hard to do," said Berry, the NFL's career leader in receptions and receiving yards when he retired from the Baltimore Colts in 1967. "I've seen too many great ones, and it's hard to find a standard." An exhaustive analysis of the panelists' rankings, supplemented by more than six hours of interviews, gave New England's Randy Moss a slight edge over Green Bay legend Don Hutson for the second overall spot. Michael Irvin was fourth, followed by Paul Warfield, Charley Taylor, Steve Largent, Cris Carter, Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison. (Click here for bios of panelists.) "Moss has the best hands of anyone today," said Thompson, the Packers' general manager. "A lot of guys can catch. He can catch on any platform, as we say in scouting. He can adjust and catch it over the top of somebody's head, catch it falling down -- and it doesn't matter if he is covered." All 10 receivers put up numbers that ranked them among the top producers of their eras. But panelists unanimously discounted raw statistics as a meaningful tool. They explained how changes in the game made the number of receptions less relevant than ever. They placed more value on touchdowns and yards per reception. They also singled out toughness as a leading characteristic of the great ones. "They've got to have big-play ability," said Moon, one of three panelists enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with Berry and Houston. "They have to have toughness. They have to be able to get off man-for-man, bump-and-run at the line of scrimmage. And they have to be able to make the big play at the right time."

A look at the top ten:

1. JERRY RICE

Career: Played for 49ers, Raiders and Seahawks from 1985-2004. Holds NFL records for receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), TD receptions (197), TDs (207). Quick quote: "Jerry had a tremendous combination of speed, size, toughness, smarts." -- Holmgren, Rice's offensive coordinator in San Francisco

2. RANDY MOSS

Career: Set NFL record with 23 TD catches last season with Patriots.Quick quote: "Randy Moss catches the ball so well almost without looking at it sometimes. He is scary physically." -- Boyd Dowler, retired scout and former NFL receiver.

3. DON HUTSON

Career: Played for Packers from 1935-45. Held 18 NFL records when he retired. Elected to Hall of Fame in 1963.Quick quote: "Lean and swift, and boy, he could catch the heck out of it." -- Hall of Famer Berry, who studied films of Hutson in detail.

4. MICHAEL IRVIN

Career: Played for Cowboys from 1988-99. Had 750 career receptions for 11,904 yards. Elected to Hall of Fame in 2007.Quick quote: "People might not like some of the other things, but when he was on those stripes, he was as competitive as there is." -- Hall of Fame QB Moon

5. PAUL WARFIELD

Career: Played for Browns, Dolphins from 1964-77. Averaged 20.1 yards per catch. Elected to Hall of Fame in 1983.Quick quote: "Warfield was a lot like Charlie Joiner. Every step meant something to those guys. Warfield got into his route and it was like somebody falling off the face of the earth. That's how quick he could be into it." -- Hall of Fame safety Houston

6. CHARLEY TAYLOR

Career: Played for Redskins 1964-77. All-time leading receiver with 649 catches for 9,110 yards when he retired. Elected to Hall of Fame in 1984.Quick quote: "Those types of athletes who played more than one position --- Charley Taylor -- are worth the price of admission just to see them line up. That is an athlete right there, a subject in itself." -- Berry

7. STEVE LARGENT

Career: Played for Seahawks from 1976-89. Had 819 catches, 13,089 yards, 100 TDs. Elected to Hall of Fame in 1995.Quick quote: "He was as crafty as anybody I could recall. He wasn't a big guy, but he knew exactly how to lean on people and his hands were unbelievable." -- Packers GM Ted Thompson

8. CRIS CARTER

Career: Played for Eagles, Vikings, Dolphins from 1987-2002. Had 13,899 yards receiving, 130 TD receptions.Quick quote: "I've never been around a guy as competitive as he is. He is so confident. He was a hard worker, which I enjoyed because whatever I got in practice, I knew that's I was going to get in the game." -- Moon

9. TERRELL OWENS

Career: Has 129 TD receptions in career with 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys. Quick quote: "My biggest knock on him is he drops too many balls, but he makes a lot of big plays and he's as good as there is after the catch and he makes difficult catches." -- Moon

10. MARVIN HARRISON

Career: Has spent entire 12-yard career with Colts. Set NFL record with 143 receptions in 2002. Quick quote: "Of all the things that impresses me, it's how he goes about his job, how he goes about his business. He's not a fanfare guy. He's just a football player." -- Holmgren

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Niners forfeit draft pick for tampering with Bears Lance Briggs

2008-03-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers forfeited their fifth-round pick in next month's NFL draft after commissioner Roger Goodell said they tampered with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs.

In a statement released by the league Monday, Goodell also said the teams will switch picks in the third round of the April 26-27 draft. Chicago, which had the 12th pick, will get San Francisco's seventh pick and the 49ers will get Chicago's choice. Goodell said the 49ers violated the NFL's anti-tampering policy by contacting Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about his client during the 2007 season. "The 49ers organization respects Commissioner Goodell's ruling today, however we do disagree with it," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement. "This was not a malicious act; we believe that our intent was within the NFL guidelines. Going forward, we will take the necessary steps to ensure we are in compliance with the NFL's interpretation." Briggs, an all-Pro in 2007, had been designated as Chicago's franchise player, signing a one-year tender that meant he could not leave the Bears.

He had been expected to leave as a free agent after last season but instead re-signed with Chicago for $36 million over six years. Briggs will earn $21.6 million in the first three years of the deal and $13 million of the contract is guaranteed. "We are appreciative of the efforts of the league office on this matter and support the commissioner's decision," Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said in a statement.

There had been reports of contact between the 49ers and Rosenhaus last season, and the Bears filed a tampering charge with the NFL. Goodell said both teams cooperated with his investigation into the allegations.

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Spikes Not Spiked Yet

2008-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

Kevin Lynch, San Francisco Chronicle

There's a wee bit of news on the Takeo Spikes front. The team is unconcerned about the middle linebacker's ability to recover from shoulder surgery and the 49ers believe he'd be ready by training camp. When Spikes did visit, the parameters of a deal were discussed and Spikes believes he might get a richer contract elsewhere. Two teams have shown interest and one of them is New England. If no team steps up with a better offer, Spikes would likely sign with San Francisco and be the team's "ted" linebacker next season.

The 49ers also have their eye on a "ted" linebacker in the draft. The team has been bent on getting one since Patrick Willis pounced on the scene last year. Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton could probably be available to them in the second round. Lofton shares Willis's passion for the game. The Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year notched double-digit tackles in each of his games last year. However, Lofton ran a 4.77 40-yard dash at the combine and a 4.67 40 at his pro day. He supposedly plays much faster on the field. Also, he doesn't pass the eyeball test in shorts and a tee-shirt. Great catch by Marcos, noticing on NFLdraftscout.com that 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan attended Auburn defensive end/linebacker's Quinten Groves's pro day. Imagine if the 49ers plucked Groves in the first round and Lofton in the second and signed Takeo Spikes with Mike Nolan and the well-regarded Mike Manusky putting all the pieces together.

Renoberger could be right and Isaac Sopoaga could start as the left defensive end in the 3-4, but if they played a game tomorrow it would be Ronald Fields. Both are likely to get plenty of playing time. By the way, Manny Lawson typically plays on the strong side, with Tully Banta-Cain rushing over the open side. That changed somewhat last year after Lawson tore a knee ligament in September. Many bloggers seem impressed with 40-yard dash times and wonderlic numbers. Both metrics are unreliable predictors of NFL success. Frank Gore and Julian Peterson all had low wonderlics and have become terrific players.

The highest wonderlic scores for recent 49ers include Alex Smith and converted tight end to tackle Patrick Estes. Smith hasn't reached stardom for a variety of reasons, and Estes is clinging to the NFL with all his might. I recently did an running back analysis for another publication and many of the combine studs fizzled in the NFL. Derrick Blaylock, Tatum Bell and particularly Michael Bennett should be amassing Hall of Fame credentials by now. Bennett even clocked a 4.13 at his pro day in Wisconsin, supposedly the fastest time ever for an NFL player. He went over 1,200 yards as a rookie and has bounced around the league since.

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Niners Have Dropped The Ball In Desperate Quest For Wideouts

2008-03-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

Matt Maiacco, The Press Democrat

The 49ers continue to search for answers at wide receiver. It is one area of the 49ers' roster in which Scot McCloughan and Mike Nolan have really struggled since coming on board in 2005.
With their release of Darrell Jackson today, the 49ers officially admitted their failure in giving up a fourth-round draft pick to acquire his services a year ago. Jackson was inconsistent last season. He had several critical dropped passes, including one in the end zone against the Rams that could've won a game. Jackson did not fare well for much of the season, as the 49ers received all-around lousy play the passing game. Still, just last week, McCloughan said he expected Jackson and Isaac Bruce to be the starting receivers. In the meantime, the 49ers added receiver Bryant Johnson. Based on what McCloughan said, that means Jackson was no worse than the No. 3 receiver on the team.

Nolan last night called Jackson to inform him he was released. The 49ers aren't doing much talking to the local media these days, so we can only assume why this move was made now.
Perhaps, they figured Jackson was not worth $4 million in salary. That's a reasonable assessment.

The 49ers have no salary-cap issues, but the basic economics of the game dictate that you can't pay a guy that kind of money if you believe his production will not justify his salary. After all, Bryant Johnson is scheduled to make $2 million on his one-year contract. If he was going to be starting ahead of Jackson, that wouldn't have made sense. A year ago, the 49ers traded for Jackson. They coughed up a fourth-round draft pick to the division-rival Seahawks. Obviously, the Seahawks got the better end of that deal. The Seahawks, who have ruled the NFC West for a while, knew what they were doing.

Here are some of the other things that have gone wrong for the 49ers at the wideout spots since 2005:
--Brandon Lloyd was the 49ers' leading receiver in 2005, but he was universally disliked. He made incredible catches but was terrified to go across the middle or block. Any mention of Lloyd has to be regarded as this regime's best move when it comes to wideouts. After all, the 49ers traded him the Redskins in 2006 for two draft picks.
--Rasheed Marshall was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 draft. The 49ers tried to convert the former West Virginia quarterback to wide receiver/return man. He didn't fare well in either duty. His 49ers career consisted on one reception for negative-1 yard.
--Johnnie Morton was at the end of his career when the 49ers signed him in 2005. He caught 21 passes, and was generally a non-factor. The 49ers released him following the season, and he went on to get his butt kicked as an ultimate fighter.
--Brandon Williams was selected with the 84th overall pick. The 49ers envisioned him as a slot receiver/return specialist. He never caught a pass and was ultra-boring as a return man. After just three games of his second season, the 49ers released him to bring in ancient returnman Michael Lewis.
--Antonio Bryant is the most talented receiver the 49ers have had since the departure of Terrell Owens, but his off-the-field issues resulted in a four-game suspension at the end of the 2006 season. This came after Nolan met individually with an unsigned Bryant and felt assured that he had matured enough to be given a chance to join the 49ers. But after Bryant's suspension, the 49ers arrived at the conclusion that he could not be counted on. He was dumped after one season.
--Taylor Jacobs was acquired in a trade with the Redskins for Mike Rumph. There was nothing wrong with that trade because Rumph was going to get cut, anyway. Jacobs had a great offseason last year but never carried it over to the games. He began last season as the No. 3 receiver, but he had a few drops and ran a wrong route against the Steelers that resulted in an interception return for a touchdown.
--Bryan Gilmore is a favorite of receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, who fought hard for him to make the team out of camp last summer. Gilmore was cut. But after Jacobs faltered, the 49ers re-signed Gilmore for the fifth game of the season. Despite being out of work for the first month of the season, Gilmore immediately stepped in to become the No. 3 receiver. Gilmore played 26 games with the 49ers mostly as the No. 3 receiver (he also started three games), yet he caught only 15 passes.
--Ashley Lelie was signed a year ago to a two-year, $4.2 million contract. Lelie was signed as a deep threat. Yet, he rarely got on the practice field during training camp and had zero impact during the season. After a loss to the Ravens, Mike Nolan admitted he had a conversation with opposing defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who said the Ravens were prepared to double-team Lelie because of his speed. However, Lelie rarely got on the field that game. Lelie finished the season with 10 catches for 115 yards.
--Jason McAddley was another player Sullivan really liked after coaching him with the Cardinals. McAddley caught seven passes in 2005 and never played another down for the club.
--LeRon McCoy stole 10 game checks from the 49ers, who placed him on their 53-man roster after five games. He never suited up for a game. And when the 49ers released him prior to the final game of the season to make room for QB Drew Olson, he left the organization for good.
--Jason Hill was a third-round draft pick with a lot of potential. He was hampered by injuries as a rookie. When he was healthy, he was never really given a chance to show what he could do. Hill saw action in just five games and caught just one pass.
--Marcus Maxwell was worth a seventh-round draft pick. Big and fast, Maxwell was seen as a guy who had a chance to develop. He spent just four games on the 49ers' active roster his first two seasons. (He was kept on the practice squad most of that time.) He tore it up in NFL Europe, but did not get much of a chance last year in 49ers training camp. The club released him and he's now with the Bengals.
* * *
It should also be noted, on the positive side, that the current regime renegotiated Arnaz Battle's contract in March 2007. He is signed through 2009 at a very reasonable price. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Battle were the most reliable wideout on the team again this season.
* * *
So that brings us to the moves the 49ers have made this offseason. The club has signed Johnson and Bruce.

The 49ers were not at all interested in Johnson at the start of free agency because they figured he would get more money than he's worth. As it turns out, there were no takers. Johnson fell into the 49ers' lap at $2 million for one year. That's not a bad price for a one-year test drive.
Bruce is near the end of his career, but he has one thing going for him: He's the only receiver on the roster who knows Mike Martz's offense. The 49ers signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract.

You gotta believe these moves will work out better than the other moves the 49ers have made in recent seasons. But, seriously, how could they turn out worse?
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After Disappointing Year, 49ers' Jackson Is Waived

2008-03-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee

Coach Mike Nolan called Jackson on Friday night to tell him that he would be waived, according to Jackson's agent. The call came on the same day the 49ers signed another wide receiver, former Arizona Cardinals wideout Bryant Johnson, to a one-year deal. "I always had a great deal of respect for Darrell as a player in the NFL," Nolan said in a statement Saturday. "I appreciated his dedication and work ethic during his season with the 49ers. He always had a positive attitude every day he came to work. While we are going in a different direction, I know he can still produce and be an asset to an NFL team this year."

The 49ers traded a 2007 fourth-round draft choice to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire Jackson in April. The eight-year veteran has nearly 7,000 receiving yards but struggled last year in the 49ers' 32nd-ranked offense. He finished the season with 497 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and dropped a number of passes. His agent, Brian Mooney, said Jackson was surprised by the decision but happy that it was made well before teams start meeting for minicamps.

"There are no hard feelings," Mooney said. "We appreciate them doing this when they did. It gives us a chance to hit the market aggressively."

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Niners Lose Defensive End, Reportedly Adding Receiver

2008-03-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tom FitzGerald, San Francisco Chronicle

The 49ers said goodbye Friday to defensive end Marques Douglas, but they are reportedly saying hello to former Arizona Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson. Douglas, an unrestricted free agent who became expendable when the 49ers signed Justin Smith, agreed to a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Douglas, 30, started for the 49ers for three years after leaving the Baltimore Ravens in 2005.

ESPN. com reported that Johnson had agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Johnson, 27, made 210 catches for 2,675 yards and nine touchdowns in five years with the Cardinals, who drafted him in the first round (the 17th overall pick) in the 2003 draft out of Penn State. The 6-foot-3 receiver had 46 catches last year for 528 yards and two touchdowns. He has played third fiddle to Pro Bowlers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and was looking for a team where he could play a larger role.

The 49ers brought in free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes on Thursday but have not signed the former member of the Bengals and Bills.

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Nolan & Martz Will Sink Or Swim - Together

2008-03-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Mike Martz will last a year, maybe two, as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator. The question is: How will this end? The worst-case scenario is, of course, is that the 49ers experience their sixth consecutive losing season and miss the playoffs. Mike Nolan gets fired and with him, the entire staff, Martz included. The best thing the 49ers can hope for is that Martz turns around a terrible offense and rescues the fast-sinking career of quarterback Alex Smith. He leaves after a year or two to get another NFL coaching job, with the 49ers' thanks.

Without question, Martz is one of the NFL's preeminent offensive minds. He was the creator of the "Greatest Show on Turf" offense of the St. Louis Rams. He can scheme, as well as make effective use of his players' particular talents and abilities. In his seven years with the Rams (the first as offensive coordinator), Martz built a unit that had few rivals in its day. The Rams finished in the top 10 in total offense in six of those years and never worse than No. 5 in passing. St. Louis led the league in total and scoring offense for three consecutive seasons (1999-2001) and made the Super Bowl twice. And Martz made stars out of quarterbacks seemingly with pedestrian skills. Kurt Warner, a former Arena League player, was transformed into a two-time MVP. Marc Bulger, a little-known sixth-round draft pick, became a two-time Pro Bowler. Even Jon Kitna, who had mostly an undistinguished career, surpassed 4,000 passing yards in each of the last two seasons under Martz in Detroit.

While there is no questioning of his credentials as an offensive coordinator, Martz has flaws that makes him a ticking time bomb. Not the most diplomatic kind, he's been known to alienate, from players, fellow coaches, management to the media. He was an easy scapegoat when the Lions, 6-2 at the season's midway point, collapsed to a 7-9 finish. His stubbornness and even arrogance sometimes gets the best of him. Case in point: In the 2001 Super Bowl, his heavily favored Rams lost to New England partly because of his refusal to adapt to the Patriots' defense by running the ball more. And last season, he virtually abandoned the running game -- to the chagrin of the Lions' management -- that hastened his ouster.

Even with the league's bottom-ranked offense, Martz should be able to make enough hay with either Smith or Shaun Hill at quarterback. He will also have a healthy Frank Gore, which makes the offense more potent and versatile. His ability as a play-caller alone should be worth a few more points and additional yardage per game.

The question is: Will that translate to more wins, thus saving Mike Nolan's job?

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Niners Should Look At Losman

2008-03-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Would the Niners be willing to take a chance on a less disappointing first-round quarterback? J.P. Losman was overthrown in Buffalo by rookie Trent Edwards, and he needs a fresh start; coincidentally, San Francisco should be looking for someone to overthrow the immensely unproductive Alex Smith. Trading for an underachiever often famously gives a struggling player a boost thanks simply to the scenery change, moreover both Losman and his possible new team could use this transaction.

Statistically, Losman has had a more impressive career than Smith, although that's like being proud of getting better grades than the kid in your class who eats crayons and wears Velcro sneakers through his teens. Losman has completed a vaguely fair 59.1 percent of his passes, which is also fairly better than Smith's unfortunate career 54.4 percent rate. Similarly, the fact that Losman has 31 touchdown passes compared to 29 interceptions doesn't look all that stupendous until held up against Smith's stat line, which indicates that he has 19 scoring tosses weighed against a woeful 31 picks. They all contribute to the fact that Losman has achieved a barely middling 77.3 rating, which looks better next to Smith's woefully inadequate 63.5 mark.

And, not to make excuses, but Losman was treated as poorly during his tenure as a hungover clown at an Adderall kid's birthday party. Most notably, he was victimized in 2005 by then-head coach Mike Mularkey, who doltishly never understood that most non-Roethlisberger-named quarterbacks are bound to struggle in their first starting season and accordingly yanked Losman out of his spot on multiple occasions. The hit to the player's confidence resonated for some time. Losman was also hindered by the contemporary history of mundanely predictable play calling for the Bills along with the fact that the team has recently had exactly one genuine threat at wide receiver in Lee Evans. The quarterback didn't live up to his promise, but the community college's chancellor isn't going to attain Ivy League membership for his employer.

That didn't stop a handful of the team's backers from blaming it all on Losman. Some Bills fans turned him like a roving pack of junior high school girls who decided that their classmate who got braces over the summer needs to have a miserable school day every day. At the same time, Losman didn't help his cause, often recklessly and needlessly gambling on attempts along with displaying a frustrating tendency to hold the ball entirely too long while making decisions, often obliviously seeming to forget while looking for a receiver that he was in the midst of a football play. While Losman managed to have a strong season in 2006, throwing for 3,051 yards and 19 touchdowns with 14 interceptions while obtaining an 84.9 rating, the team still finished 7-9; he then regressed this past season before he was benched for likely the final time as a Bill. It all led to Buffalo's interminable playoff drought continuing under his watch no matter where the balance of blame lies. That's why being sent to a team that's enduring a quarterback void of its own could be mutually beneficial. A Venice, Calif., native, Losman would return to his home coast and get a new opportunity to work for a franchise that should be willing to take a chance on a prospective upgrade. He's occasionally displayed a strong arm and scrambling abilities, and it's feasible that he could mature enough as a player under Mike Martz's guidance that those flashes could turn into tendencies.

It would be worth bringing in Losman not just to challenge Smith but also in case Shaun Hill turns into a pumpkin and if the team realizes that Trent Dilfer A) is turning 36 on March 13, B) perhaps faces retirement thanks to the aftermath of his December concussion, and C) is a great guy who isn't very good as a quarterback. Dealing for Losman would give him a chance to live up to his potential and give the 49ers another option behind center, especially for those who remain unconvinced regarding Smith even after his contract extension. More importantly, Smith needs to stay motivated lest he thinks that his longer pact is evidence that he's performed satisfactorily. A training camp battle is a sure way to get the best out of every quarterback and also determine who is the best quarterback.

As for Losman, both he and the 49ers have a need to leave setbacks in the past, and in that regard both can help out each other. If nothing else, sticking with their current respective situations means things will likely simply stay rotten; discarding suffering is as good a reason as any to attempt a new partnership between Losman and San Francisco.

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49ers Remember Favre

2008-03-05T06:32:00.000-08:00

With Packers quarterback Brett Favre retiring, we thought we would get some thoughts from 49ers past and present on their memories of him. Here's a sampling and hopefully, I'll get some more as people call back throughout the day. Did anyone enjoy the game more than this guy?

Former NFL linebacker Gary Plummer:

"He was like a kid at recess playing sand lot football, which is such a stark contrast to what a great competitor he was, like running all the way down the field to pick up Donald Driver." Plummer told two stories about Favre:-We were playing them in the playoffs in '96. It was one of those days at Lambeau, cold, muddy, we were playing in slop and freezing rain. At one point, he was trying to get us to jump offside on fourth-and-short. The defensive linemen in front of me, were just about to jump on his hard count. So I had to literally get behind them and grab them by the butt so they wouldn't jump. Favre saw me doing this and started cracking up. He was laughing so hard, he had to call time out because the clock was running down. -The year before, we're playing him in the playoffs again, and he threw a ball 30 yards to Keith Jackson from his knees. It was unbelievable. He's sliding on his knees to his left and completes the pass. Impossible throw.

49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer:

"I've said many times, he was the best quarterback to ever play the game. Everyone who plays football is competitive, but he had a competitive greatness. If he was a little faster, he would have been a linebacker, a little stronger he could have been an offensive linemen, a little quicker he could have been a corner. His toughness was unparalleled, just look at his consecutive start streak. "He meant a lot to me personally. The quarterback fraternity used to be a lot closer and at dinners and outings, he really reached out to me and my wife. It meant so much to me that he would do that to young, little arrogant quarterback." Dilfer told this story about Favre: It was 1997 and we (Dilfer was with the Buccaneers then) are playing a nationally televised game at Lambeau Field. It's a huge game for me and for the franchise. We hadn't beaten them there in a long time (since '89). I took the team down and scored a touchdown in three plays to take the lead with 52 seconds left. I had a 35-yard scramble on the drive, we scored on the road in front of a big crowd, on national television. The drive was everything you wanted from a quarterback.
We had a really good defense, so I think we've won. Then Favre comes back and he throws the winning toe-tapping touchdown to Antonio Freeman at the back of the end zone with no time left. We had a blitz on, and Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks are right in his face and he got the ball off anyway. You know they talk about spygate, but the Packers knew exactly what kind of blitz we were going to run in that situation. It was the most crushing defeat I ever experienced, and I've had a lot of them.

Chargers Linebacker and former 49er Derek Smith:
What stands out for you with Favre: "The sack he gave Michael Strahan (to get the record for most sacks in a season). He has respect for the game and respect for another great player. He's a gambler and a slinger."

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Trio Signs: Foster Speaks - Softly

2008-03-04T06:29:00.000-08:00

Kevin Lynch, San Francisco Chronicle

The 49ers announced that linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and running back DeShaun Foster had signed their contracts. Foster was then on a conference call with Bay Area reporters and his answers were short and low key. In fact, Foster had to get closer to the speaker phone so he could be heard. "You don't sound excited at all to be with a new team." colleague John Crumpacker said at one point. "No, I'm kind of quiet, that's me." Foster responded with a short chuckle. DeShaun Foster will let his play do the talking.

Here are the highlights of the interview:
-He did say that he's had a brief conversation with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and he believes Martz will install a balanced offense. "I don't think it will be pass-happy or anything like that," Foster said.
-He said a couple teams were interested in him, but wouldn't name them. He wanted to remain a starter but apparently the other teams weren't offering a starting job. -When asked what he knew of the 49ers' offense the last few years he said, "I know they ran the ball. That was a big key for me."
-Foster missed only three games in the last three seasons. He said putting on weight and being lucky has kept him healthy.
-Foster said he caught more passes early in his career and is looking forward to doing more of it. "They really use the running backs here, it's kind of exciting," he said.
-Foster said he was more of a Rams fan than a 49ers follower growing up in the Orange County hamlet of Tustin. "I'm more of a Rams fan because they were closer. But I was a 49ers' fan, because you have to go with whoever is winning."

Niners edge Steelers, wear ultimate NFL crown

2008-03-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Greatest Football Team Ever!

1989 San Francisco 49ers

vs

From USA Today,

By a slim 23 votes out of more than 2,400 cast, the 1989 San Francisco 49ers, led by Joe Montana, held off Terry Bradshaw's 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers and have been declared the greatest NFL team of the Super Bowl era. In the semifinals, the Niners defeated Tom Brady and the 2007 New England Patriots by less than a percentage point in one semifinal, while the Steelers knocked off the 1985 Chicago Bears 52%-48% in the other semi. In the opening round, the Patriots pulled off a major upset with a resounding victory over the top-seeded 1972 Miami Dolphins 58%-42%. The other matchups went as expected with the No. 2 seeded Bears dominating the 1998 Denver Broncos 71%-29%. The third- and fourth-seeded teams, the 1978 Steelers and the 1989 49ers both won their quarterfinal matchups with 62% of the reader vote.
USA TODAY received 2,439 votes on the 49ers-Steelers matchup.

A combination of reader nominations and analysis from USA TODAY's NFL team produced the eight-team field.

The eight seeds:
1. 1972 Miami Dolphins - (17-0)
2. 1985 Chicago Bears - (18-1)
3. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers - (17-2)
4. 1989 San Francisco 49ers - (17-2)
5. 1992 Dallas Cowboys - (16-3)
6. 1966 Green Bay Packers - (14-2)
7. 1998 Denver Broncos - (17-2)
8. 2007 New England Patriots - (18-1)*

* (Did not win Super Bowl)

*********

I've been saying this all along!! Nice to see that impartial voters out there see greatness for what it truely was and is. Playoff run in '89 of 126 points to 26 points allowed, and the largest score and margin of victory in Super Bowl history - Nuf said!

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On The Subject Of Briggs, Wide Receivers, Etc...

2008-03-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Contrary to my comments last night lamenting that the Niners should still be seeking out able hands to fill out the receiving corps, a team insider had this opinion.

From Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat,

"...don't expect the 49ers to sign another wide receiver in free agency. When the signing period began, the 49ers did not see many players capable of being No. 1 receivers. But there were a whole bunch of receivers who were going to get paid like No. 1 receivers. According to reports: Bernard Berrian got a six-year, $42 million contract with $16 million guaranteed from the Vikings; Jerry Porter got six years, $30 mil with $10 mil guaranteed from the Jaguars; Donte' Stallworth got seven years, $35 mil with $10 mil guaranteed from the Browns.

The 49ers apparently don't have any interest in oft-injured Javon Walker, whom the Broncos released, or D.J. Hackett, despite rumors to the contrary.

It doesn't seem to make much sense to bring in another No. 2 or No. 3-type receiver. The 49ers already have Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson. WR coach Jerry Sullivan talked late in the season as if he thought Ashley Lelie was ready to excel. Then, there's also youngster Jason Hill. You can also expect the 49ers to spend a first-day draft pick on a wideout."

* * *
On the subject of often rumored LB Lance Briggs, he has reportedly resigned with the Bears. Terms have not yet been announced.
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Don't Stop At Bruce

2008-03-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

So far in free-agency, the 49ers have addressed the most pressing need - at wide receiver, with the addition of 15 year veteran and future hall-of-famer Isaac Bruce. While this is a quick fix which may yield a year or at most 2 years of help to a struggling unit, it won't be enough. Upon review of the U.F.A. (Unrestricted Free Agent) list, there are several viable options for the Niners to beef up the wide-out position. Since this team has never drafted a legitimate target in the 1st round (with the one notable exception being the greatest receiver ever), I don't have a lot of faith in their ability to find one this April's draft.

Many of these guys would be a considerable upgrade on Brian Gilmore, Ashley Lelie, Darrell Jackson, and even Arnaz Battle. If they stop targeting improvement with the Bruce signing, they will be simply continuing the recent trend, (since T.O.'s departure in 2003), of stocking leftovers and table scraps as "playmakers". Here are some bonifide playmakers to keep an eye out for, including the recently rumored Javon Walker.

- Bryant Johnson (WR) UFA - 6'3"/213 - 5th Season (Cardinals)

- Javon Walker (WR) UFA - 6'3"/ 215 - 6th Season (Broncos)

- Jabar Gaffney (WR) UFA - 6'1"/200 - 6th Season (Patriots)

- Nate Washington (WR) RFA - 6'1"/185 - 3rd Season (Steelers)

- D.J. Hackett (WR) UFA - 6'2"/208 - 3rd Season (Seahawks)

- Randy Moss (WR) UFA - 6'4"/210 - 10th Season (Patriots) (They don't have a hope in hell, but it's fun to dream, isn't it?)

Oh, and while they're at it, why not take a flyer on local (Fresno St. product) former 1st overall QB David Carr. Why you ask? A couple of reasons:
1. A better 3rd QB option that J.T. O'Sullivan (sounds like an Irish Pub, not a QB)
2. Maybe 3rd team's a charm for Carr
3. Already one 1st overall bust on the team, there's room for another

But seriously, he showed enough in Houston, maybe not Carolina, that had he had help, they may have amounted to something. Wouldn't hurt to at least bring him in for O.T.A.'s and camp.
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Walker Could Be Winging West

2008-03-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

While the Randy Moss free agency watch continues, more than a third of the league has its eye on Javon Walker.

At least 10 teams have been in contact with the agent for the wide receiver who was released Friday by the Denver Broncos, including all four NFC East clubs, according to a source. The 49ers, Bills, Bucs, Panthers, Raiders and Vikings also have reached out to agent Kennard McGuire regarding Walker. No visits had been scheduled as of early Saturday. The Cowboys and Eagles have a couple connections working in their favor in pursuit of Walker. Dallas receivers coach Ray Sherman coached Walker in Green Bay. Walker is friends with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and the two have been training together in Arizona for several weeks.

Among the others teams showing interest, Walker is said to be intrigued by the prospect of playing in Mike Martz and Jon Gruden directed offenses in San Francisco and Tampa, respectively.

* * *

On the subject of Walker, Matt Barrows of the Sac Bee had these notes Saturday.

- Just got off the phone with Kennard McGuire, who represents Javon Walker. I asked McGuire if he thought the 49ers would ratchet up their interest in his client. McGuire said he and Walker haven’t decided which teams they will flirt with. “Javon’s just getting back from vacation,” he said. “We’re going to sit down pretty soon and talk.” There’s no doubting that Walker is a rare talent at receiver. He led the Broncos in receiving in 2006 with 69 receptions, 1,084 yards and eight receiving TDs. Teams, however, will be careful to check out the knee injury that forced Walker to miss most of the 2005 season. “It wasn’t an issue last year and it’s not an issue now,” McGuire said when I asked about Walker’s knee. Really? I was under the impression that Walker missed half the season after requiring surgery on his right knee.

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Justin Smith Signs In San Francisco

2008-03-01T07:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday - 7:50 am (PST) - The NFL Network is reporting that the 49ers have come to terms with Bengals DE Justin Smith late Friday evening. He took a helicopter tour of the South Bay Friday afternoon with Mike Nolan. He had dinner last night with Nolan and, perhaps, a few coaches. Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, who confirmed the helicopter ride and dinner Friday evening, said he was not sure who would be joining Smith and Nolan for dinner.

The deal is reported to be for 6 years/$45 million with $20 million guaranteed.

Free Agent Friday - Day One Recap

2008-02-29T19:25:00.000-08:00

A recap of the first day of free-agency chronologically by Matt Maiocco , The Press Democrat

9:41 a.m.: I asked (via text message) Justin Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, if his client will visit the Vikings after meeting with the 49ers today. His answer: "That's our intent!"
10:58 a.m.: This has nothing to do with free agency, but the 49ers have announced that Candlestick Park will be Candlestick Park once again in June after the naming-rights contract with Monster runs out. Did anyone really call it Monster, anyway?
10:59 a.m.: The 49ers' first official signing is in the books. The club has signed return specialist Allen Rossum, whom the Steelers cut eight days ago. Rossum's deal is one year for the veteran minimum.
11:36 a.m.: I've heard the 49ers have started serious talks with recently released Rams receiver Isaac Bruce. Mike Martz, understandably, really wants him.
11:52 a.m.: OK, I arrived at the 49ers' team complex in Santa Clara a few minutes ago after my hour-plus drive from home. It's my understanding that Justin Smith has not yet arrived. The 49ers obviously do not want Smith to leave today without a contract. But how high are they willing to go to sign him. I've been told the club is prepared to spend in the neighborhood of $8 million annually.
12:12 p.m.: Don't hold your breath waiting for an Alan Faneca signing with the 49ers. Although it's true that the 49ers made initial contact, it does not appear they are real serious players. The word is that Faneca is going to the Jets for $20 million guaranteed, which is what was reported here on Wednesday.
12:17 p.m.: Frankly, I'm surprised the talk of Faneca has gotten this far. That's a heck of a lot of money to pay at a position that GM Scot McCloughan is on record as saying should not get big, big bucks. Right now, the 49ers have David Baas, Adam Snyder and Tony Wragge as potential starting guards. Also, you can be sure they'll add another couple players -- think second tier free agent and/or the draft.
12:20 p.m.: If the early reports about Kwame Harris are true (five years, $27.5 million with $10 million to sign from the Raiders), it makes that Joe Staley acquisition look really, really good. After all, Harris was Staley's backup. If Harris can command that kind of money, how much is Staley worth right now?
12:35 p.m.: Just another confirmation of a confirmation. LB Dontarrious Thomas, I'm told,"It's a done deal."
12:59 a.m.: While there's a lull, I thought I'd pass along a link to the latest Cohn vs. Cohn, in which they relive the experience of Steve Young meeting the young Cohn a few years back.
1:11 p.m.: To my knowledge, Isaac Bruce is the only receiver the 49ers are pursuing. McCloughan said yesterday that there are a dearth of No. 1 receivers in free agency, and that is a position that is not a lot of value for the buck. Martz's offense is complex, especially for receivers. Bruce would be the only receiver with prior knowledge of the system. This draft got a lot deeper with the influx of junior WRs. Martz has been darn good about finding guys to fit his system in the draft.
1:21 p.m.: There is a report Lance Briggs will visit with the Buccaneers. I can't confirm that. But, for the 1,000th time, I can say that the 49ers aren't in the mix.
1:45 p.m.: Still waiting to confirm the presence of Justin Smith and Isaac Bruce in the building. Hopefully, official word will be coming shortly.
1:49 p.m.: The 49ers have locked the back gate, just outside the media trailer. Apparently, the entrance/exit to be used is through the back. I can't get back there now. There is also word that the club does not plan to let the media have any contact with any free agent(s) who might be in the building.
1:52 p.m. Justin Smith is HERE. It's been confirmed.
2:30 p.m.: The waiting game continues . . . in the meantime, some have wondered about the end of NFL Europe. Just ran into Fitz Ollison, who formerly worked for the 49ers. He is joining the All American Football League, which kicks off April 14 in college towns. It is seen as a league that will cater to a bunch of the players who might have found themselves on NFL Europe rosters in the past. Teams are located in Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Michigan.
2:42 p.m.: The NFL Network is on in the background. They're running old stuff from the combine. They're showing the linebacker drills and, man, Jason Tarver is getting some major face time on TV. Tarver is on the 49ers' coaching staff as defensive assistant/outside linebackers.
3:14 p.m.: Isaac Bruce is not here. (Never was here today.) And Justin Smith has left the building (without being detected.
3:15 p.m.: I can only presume at this point that Smith has left without a contract agreement and his free-agency tour continues. As for Bruce, I believe there is still a strong possibility that he ends up in a 49ers uniform this season.
3:24 p.m.: The guys at the Star Tribune write that Smith is tentatively scheduled to visit the Vikings on Saturday. Earlier today when I communicated with Smith's agent, he said it was their "intent" to visit the Vikings. He hasn't returned my text messages or calls since.
3:54 p.m.: OK, it's official but not official. QB J.T. O'Sullivan has agreed to terms with the 49ers, said his agent Steve Baker. The contract will be signed in the coming days.
3:58 p.m.: Here comes word from Jim Steiner, Justin Smith's agent: "Nothing to report (with the 49ers). He is scheduled to go to (Minnesota) tomorrow."
4:13 p.m.: Don't think the 49ers are going to over-extend on Smith. They're willing to pay him a very nice contract, but I'm told their ceiling is about $8 million a year.
4:25 p.m.: OK, so let's take a look at the 49ers' own free agents. Obviously, the O'Sullivan agreement closes the door on Trent Dilfer's return; the additions of Rossum and Foster mean Maurice Hicks won't be back; the attention Kwame Harris is receiving means there is no way he'll be returning to the 49ers. (Word last night was that Harris was going to get a lucrative deal with the Raiders, but he will make additional visits.) The 49ers remain interested in Marques Douglas, but unless he settles for something around $2 million a year, he'll be playing elsewhere. (The Buccaneers are a possibility.)
4:35 p.m.: Is it still Friday?
4:38 p.m.: Saw Jed York through the fence a little while ago. I asked if his team has signed Isaac Bruce, yet. He just smiled and said he'd be reading this blog to find out. Nice.
4:44 p.m.: When Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer were struggling, and before Shaun Hill became Shaun Hill, I thought the 49ers might be tempted to go after free-agent QB Billy Volek. Today, he re-upped with the Chargers.
4:59 p.m.: Just received word that Isaac Bruce has not agreed to terms with the 49ers, but the sides are pretty darn close. They're trying to find a dollar amount on a two-year deal that works for both sides. The deal is expected to be agreed upon tonight or tomorrow.
5:06 p.m.: Little-known fact about Isaac Bruce: He ranks No. 3 all time in NFL receiving yards behind Jerry Rice and Tim Brown.
5:09 p.m.: An hour-and-a-half ago, I was on with the Razor and Mr. T. Click here and then scroll down to hear our little chat.
5:12 p.m.: So, right now, the only free agents I'm aware of the 49ers pursuing are Justin Smith and Isaac Bruce. I'd be a little surprised if they're still involved in the Alan Faneca race. Smith left the building without a contract and appears to be on his way to Minnesota. Bruce is very close to a deal with the 49ers -- just a few dollars apart on an expected two-year deal.
5:44 p.m.: My apologies for not answering any questions over the past two days. I've been a little busy. I think I've covered most of the questions somewhere here during the minute-by-minute recap.
5:46 p.m.: I might have jumped the gun last night when I reported O'Sullivan agreed to a deal. Later, I was told that although O'Sullivan's joining the 49ers has been a safe bet for more than a month (since Martz was hired), he did not officially agree to terms until today. The same goes for the report of Bruce's signing. There is little doubt Bruce will sign with the 49ers, but it is a tiny bit premature at this point. They're still a few dollars apart. It certainly won't be a deal-breaker.
5:56 p.m.: Finally, a little news: Justin Smith is still in the Bay Area. He took a helicopter tour of the South Bay this afternoon with Mike Nolan. He will have dinner tonight with Nolan and, perhaps, a few coaches. I just spoke with Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, who confirmed the helicopter ride and dinner tonight. He said he was not sure who would be joining Smith and Nolan for dinner. Steiner said Smith is still "scheduled" to go to Minnesota tomorrow. But it's pretty clear the 49ers are going to pull out all the stops to sign Smith before he has a chance to leave the Bay Area.
6:19 p.m.: The NFL Network report has now been confirmed. Isaac Bruce agrees to a two-year, $6 million deal.
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Free Agent Friday - Bruce Signs, No Decision on Smith

2008-02-29T17:36:00.000-08:00

Adam Schefter of NFL Network has just reported that the San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Isaac Bruce.Bruce spent the past 14 seasons with St. Louis, including six (2000 to 2005) when Martz was head coach. The Rams released Bruce on Thursday to avoid paying him a $2 million roster bonus.

As for Bengals DE Justin Smith who was seen arriving at 49ers Headquarters to meet with GM Scot McCloughan, Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat reports that Smith has left the 49ers facility. Maiocco assumes that Smith left without a contract agreement.

Free Agent Friday - Faneca Offered Contract By Niners, Others

2008-02-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! Sports reports that Pittsburgh Steelers guard Alan Faneca will not be visiting with any teams and will simply decide between several offers that he has received.The New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers are reportedly in the mix, and Faneca could have a deal signed by Sunday. He is expected to ink a deal that ranges between four and five years at $32-$40 million.

* * * *

Alex Marvez of FOX Sports reports that former Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce is on his way to meet with the 49ers at their facility. Bruce spent the past 14 seasons with St. Louis, including six (2000 to 2005) when Martz was head coach. The Rams released Bruce on Thursday to avoid paying him a $2 million roster bonus.

Free Agent Friday - As Of 9 AM (PST)

2008-02-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Two confirmations on DE Justin Smith, Bengals

According to ESPN's John Clayton, free agent defensive end Justin Smith has informed the 49ers he will make San Francisco his first stop. He is scheduled to meet with the 49ers at their Santa Clara facility on Friday.

Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat is reporting having received additional confirmation early this morning that Bengals DE Justin Smith will be visiting the 49ers.
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Free Agent Friday - As Of 8 Am PST

2008-02-29T08:18:00.000-08:00

Several web sites are reporting the 49ers have agreed to a 2-year deal for Vikings linebacker Dontarrious Thomas and a 1-year deal for Lions quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan. A insider with the Rams said that if Isaac Bruce was ever cut, it would take about five seconds for 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz to pick him up. Bruce was released by St. Louis Thursday.

Bengals defensive end Justin Smith will visit the 49ers today. He also plans on visiting the Vikings. The signing of O'Sullivan would seem to mean that Trent Dilfer won't return. Dilfer said he won't make a decision on retiring until mid-March. While the 49ers are saying that deals for Thomas and O'Sullivan are premature, Thomas was already on the 49ers according to wikipedia! A terrific special teams player, Thomas has never been a starter, but has been productive when he was an injury replacement, including an eight-tackle performance and the only sack of his career against the 49ers and Alex Smith in 2006. At 241 pounds, scout.com believes the four-year veteran is well suited for the ted linebacker. Thomas will have to beat out Brandon Moore.
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Overnight News - Free Agent Signings - As of 1am (PST)

2008-02-29T01:04:00.000-08:00

According to Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat, there is word that the 49ers have agreed to terms with QB J.T. O'Sullivan (Lions), LB Dontarrious Thomas (Vikings) and RB DeShaun Foster (cut by the Panthers). Terms of their deals are not yet known. Interest in O'Sullivan and Thomas was first reported earlier today by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.O'Sullivan, originally drafted by the Saints, has also been on the Packers, Vikings, Patriots and Panthers. He spent last season with the Lions, Mike Martz's old team. Last season, he completed 13 of 26 attempts for 148 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions. Thomas has spent four seasons with the Vikings. He has 143 tackles and 1.5 sacks during those four seasons.Last season, Foster had 247 carries for 876 yards and 3 touchdowns with Carolina.

****
Signed
RB DeShaun Foster (cut by the Panthers - 2-yr / $1.8 mil)
QB J.T. O'Sullivan (Lions - 1-yr / NFL min w/ $40,000 signing bonus)
LB Dontarrious Thomas (Vikings - 2-yr)
CB Allen Rossum (Steelers - 1-yr, $870,000)

Foster will help shoulder the load behind running back Frank Gore. O'Sullivan will serve as the 49ers' third quarterback as Alex Smith and Shaun Hill compete for the starting job. Thomas is an interesting signing. Some believe that he will replace Derek Smith, who was released by the team, while others believe that he was signed for depth. Rossum will serve as the team's kick-returner.

Confirmed Interest
DE Justin Smith (Bengals - visiting 49ers on Friday)
WR Isaac Bruce (cut by the Rams)
DE Marques Douglas (49ers)

It has been reported that Smith will visit both the 49ers and Vikings on Friday. It is not yet known which team he will visit first, although I get the impression from Maiocco's blog that he may start in Santa Clara. Wherever he visits first, it is unlikely that team will want him to leave without a contract. After being unable to come to an agreement on a new contract in St. Louis, Bruce was cut by the Rams. 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz is very familiar with Bruce and likely influenced the decision to go after him. Bruce is 35 years old. The 49ers are interested in bringing back Douglas, but are willing to risk letting him test free agency.

Rumored Interest
G Alan Faneca (Steelers)
LB Lance Briggs (Bears)

The rumored interest in Faneca came up late Thursday night. Rumors have been back and forth regarding Briggs. The NFL is currently investigating rumors that the 49ers tampered with Briggs last offseason.

Out of the Running
WR Muhsin Muhammad (Bears - signed by Panthers)
WR Bernard Berrian (Bears)
LB Calvin Pace (Cardinals)

Internal Moves
QB Alex Smith (exercised a multimillion-dollar buyback clause)
RB Michael Robinson (3-yr contract extension)

Lost
T Kwame Harris (Raiders)
G Justin Smiley (Dolphins)
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First Hour - Free Agent Notes - Thursday Night

2008-02-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

From Matt Maiocco , The Press Democrat

Smiley agrees to five-year deal with Dolphins

The free-agent signing period has barely started and the 49ers have already lost a player. Guard Justin Smiley has agreed to terms with the Dolphins on a five-year, $25 million contract than includes a $9 million signing bonus, he said. He is scheduled to fly to Miami early Friday morning to sign the contract and make it official.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," Smiley said on the phone just moments ago. "Miami called as soon as they were able to call me and told me they'd like to have me down there. They called me right after it (free agency) started. They offered me that (contract). I feel very blessed. It feels good to have security. I want to go down there and give them every penny's worth and play hard for them." Smiley said he is slated to play right guard for the Dolphins. Smiley resides in Ellabel, Ga., and attended Alabama.

"To me, it seems like a good fit, me being from the South," Smiley said. "There are a lot of other factors you have to weigh when you're considering a situation like this. I talked to them just a little while ago, and this is flattering that they came after me like this." Smiley was a second-round pick of the 49ers in 2004. He and the 49ers were far apart in contract talks, dating back the past two seasons. He said he has not yet spoken to the 49ers.

"It's a bummer because those guys mean a lot to me," Smiley said. "Being around those other offensive linemen and the organization, it made a positive impact in my life. The fans of San Francisco, they're faithful. I always hoped I could be a 49er, but it didn't work out." Smiley started all 32 games in 2005 and '06. He played most of the '06 season with a torn left labrum. He sustained a dislocated right shoulder in the eighth game last season and had season-ending surgery Nov. 13. He probably will not take part in any contact until training camp, as a precaution. Smiley will undoubtedly have to pass a physical with the Dolphins. He said that should be no problem, as his rehabilitation is ahead of schedule.

* * *
There appears to be a front-runner in the race to get Bears WR Bernard Berrian, and it's not the 49ers. The Vikings have reportedly sent a jet to California to pick him up.

* * *

Check Back Here For Hour By Hour News On Free Agent Movement As It Relates To The Niners.

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Free Agency Signing Period Begins

2008-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

The New NFL Logo - To be unveiled on draft day

For NFL GM's, this week is Xmas Day Part I. (The Draft being Part II)!

Free Agency Officially Begins Today @ 9:01 PM (PST)

The next week, or so, and draft weekend will play the biggest parts in determining what the future will hold for the 49ers this year and moving forward. Let the fun begin!

Two On "D" Back In The Fold

2008-02-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

From Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat

Roderick Green re-signs with 49ers

The 49ers re-signed pass-rush specialist Roderick Green today, the club announced. Green, 25, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. He saw action in seven games for the 49ers last season. Green recorded two sacks and just three tackles. The 49ers waived Green during training camp, citing his lack of versatility. He was signed to help the team's struggling pass rush on Nov. 5, when the club placed tackle Jonas Jennings on injured reserve.

Sopoaga never left . . . but he's back

The 49ers and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga (right) reached an agreement today on a five-year contract extension, his agent Ken Zuckerman said. Sopoaga was scheduled to hit the open market Thursday night as an unrestricted free agent. But the 49ers did a pre-emptive strike by reaching the agreement. "Paraag (Marathe) and I have been going at this for a while," Zuckerman said of the 49ers' chief negotiator. "We have a foundation laid. We talked a lot. They wanted him. He wanted to stay. Really, the only thing was getting to the right number." Zuckerman declined to release the contract numbers. We speculated in this space last week that Sopoaga would be looking at a deal similar to what Jay Ratliff signed with the Cowboys. That deal was five years, $20.5 million with $8 million to sign.

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Free Agent Rumor Mill

2008-02-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

Various news sources are reporting players that the 49ers may show some interest in this week, whether it be on Thursday, the start of free agency, or sooner for those players that were cut by other teams.

RB DeShaun Foster

- ESPN's John Clayton expects the 49ers to sign free agent running back DeShaun Foster "in the next couple of days." San Francisco was quick to contact Foster after he was cut last Thursday. The Niners would reportedly use him as a complement to Frank Gore, but he'd be the biggest threat for carries Gore's faced since Kevan Barlow in '05.

DE Justin Smith

- Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com is reporting that the 49ers are negotiating with defensive end Justin Smith.

WR Bernard Berrian

- John Czarnecki of ESPN states that Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian keeps talking about wanting to play for the San Francisco 49ers. Could this mean that there have been initial talks to acquire the unrestricted free agent? ProFootballTalk.com listed Berrian as a player that may already have a deal in place. Although, they did not say with whom.

WR Muhsin Muhammad

- According to ESPN, the 49ers are one of three teams that may be interested in acquiring the services of wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. ESPN states that he "would likely fill the slot in San Francisco, as Mike Martz needs speed and quickness outside." The other teams that may be interested are the Redskins and Panthers and ESPN seems to feel that a spot in Carolina would make the most sense.

WR Javon Walker

- According to the Denver Post, the San Francisco 49ers are one of nine teams that are expected to at least inquire about a trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker. The other teams include Tampa Bay, Dallas, Washington, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Chicago and the New York Jets.

LB Lance Briggs

- Various rumors that the 49ers are interested in linebacker Lance Briggs. However, the NFL is currently investigating charges that the 49ers tampered last season making overtures to the linebacker.

LB Calvin Pace

- Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat states that the 49ers will make a strong push for Cardinals linebacker Calvin Pace. Six or seven teams are expected to bid for Pace. It'll take at least $14 million guaranteed to sign Pace, and according to a league source, the 49ers are willing to pay at least that price.

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Return To Glory Won't Be Solved By Players Or Coaches

2008-02-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

In April 2000, Eddie DeBartolo (right) relinquished his stake as the 49ers' majority owner after being implicated in a bribing scandal. With Eddie gone, the golden era of 49ers football was nearing its end. Denise DeBartolo York and her husband John York (below) took over the team. And in their eight years at the helm of the team, one thing has become patently clear: They just don't get it. Because Denise, Eddie's younger sister, showed no enthusiasm or interest in running the franchise, that responsibility was deferred to John, who admitted in an interview in 2003 that he really wasn't into it, either. A medical researcher by trade, Dr. York was neither a football aficionado nor adept at public relations. And under his stewardship, the 49ers headed for a prolonged decline.

Aloof and often inaccessible, York has been a meddlesome owner who's had a few dust-ups with the media, of all people. In 2002, after a game, York reportedly confronted a 49ers beat writer, berating him and repeatedly poking him in the chest. Apparently, York was unhappy about a recent story that shed light on his micromanagement of the team, the juiciest nugget being that bottled water was taken away from the team's offices and placed under lock and key, in an effort to cut cost. Such matters aside, the 49ers actually performed well in spite of him, making the playoffs in 2001 and 2002. But after losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a divisional playoff game in January 2003, coach Steve Mariucci was shockingly fired three days later.

It was not York's finest hour. Mariucci's firing was handled extremely poorly, with just about everyone in the building knowing the ax was dropping -- except Mariucci. His wife Gayle heard the news on the radio. York did the firing but forced GM Terry Donahue to be the frontman for the news media while York capped the exercise by announcing to all of his front-office personnel that "everyone is expendable."

The 49ers have not had a winning season since.

York's choice of Donahue to replace Bill Walsh as the GM also was disastrous. While Walsh rescued the 49ers from salary-cap hell, Donahue's questionable drafts and free-agent signings -- in addition to his hiring of Dennis Erickson as coach to succeed Mariucci -- laid the foundation for the steady decline of the 49ers fortunes. At the end of the 2004 season, York canned both Erickson and Donahue. But York's troubles continued, on and off the field. In 2005 an internal training video, filled with risqué material and borderline racist/homophobic language, was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle. It was the final chapter of a power struggle between media relations director Kirk Reynolds and Donahue. While Donahue publicly denied the charge, it was widely believed that he was the source of the leak as a way to embarrass the organization and particularly Reynolds, who was summarily fired.

After yet another losing season in 2007, York vacillated for several days about firing coach Mike Nolan, who is 16-32 in his three seasons, but ultimately decided against it. But Nolan was stripped much of his powers on personnel decisions and Mike Martz was brought in to revive a woebegone offense. At the end, it probably doesn't matter who's the GM, coach, offensive coordinator, down to the water boy. As long as the Yorks continue to own the 49ers -- and now you can add son Jed to the mix -- it probably won't make any difference.

They just don't get it.

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49ers Sign Veteran Return Specialist Rossum

2008-02-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

The 49ers signed cornerback Allen Rossum Sunday, according to the NFL Network's Adam Schefter. He was released by the Steelers on February 22nd and, since he is a vested veteran, was able immediately sign with any team. The terms of the contract are unknown at this time.While Rossum is listed as a cornerback, he is also a return specialist capable of fielding both punts and kickoffs. You may remember Rossum from last season's week three game against the Steelers when Rossum returned a kickoff for a touchdown.He played in only 4 games last season as a result of a hamstring injury. Rossum is entering his 10th NFL season. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1998 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 to 2006 becoming their all time leader in kick off and punt return yardage.
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How To Spend John York's Money

2008-02-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

The 49ers have a little less than $30 million in salary-cap room, which means they have probably budgeted no more than $20 million in 2008 cap space for free-agent signings. They still have to sign their draft class, and teams typically like to have at least a $5 million cushion heading into the season to account for players who go on injured reserve and other emergencies, as well as the possibility of offering contract extensions. They can get a lot done with $20 million when the signing period begins Thursday at 9:01 p.m. (PT), but as Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan said they aren't just going to spend the Yorks' money just to spend it. The team can definitely sign at least one big-ticket guy, and they can structure a contract in a way that won't kill them for the future. They did that last year with Nate Clements. The Niners had plenty of cap room, so they gave him a $10 million roster bonus, which counts immediately against the cap. Therefore, Clements had a $11.1 million cap figure in his first season. The next three years, he will count $5.55 million (2008), $5.68 ('09) and $8.17 million ('10) against the cap. The 49ers can get out of that deal prior to the 2011 season and they'll be just fine, as far as the cap goes. The 49ers will also have the ability to make a run at several so-called Second Tier free agents - such as lesser-known players at guard and inside linebacker spots.

Lance Briggs doesn't fit with the 49ers. He may be an elite linebacker and a sexy free agent on the horizon, but signing him both would not address the positions of need, and add unnecessary depth at an already deep position. Having said that, that doesn't mean Nolan won't push to sign him, being a one track defensive minded coach. Games in the NFL are won on the outside. If teams are going to spend money on defense, spend it on cornerbacks and pass-rushers. If there's a need on the interior of the line, feel free to spend it there, too. But don't spend huge money on a linebacker who does not rush the passer when you already have an outstanding young player who runs around the field and makes tackles. Why sign somebody who does the same thing as Patrick Willis but who'll make at least twice as much money? I don't think the position is so important that you need to invest so much money for two players at that spot. Would the linebacker crew of Willis, Briggs, Manny Lawson (above) and anybody else be a among the league's elite units? Heck, yes. But nobody in that group can be counted upon to scare an opposing offense in pass-rush situations. Briggs has 5.5 sacks in five seasons.

Briggs is really good at playing downhill and attacking the line of scrimmage. But you want to know something? The 49ers' run defense was pretty darn good last season. Run defense is the least of the 49ers' concerns. The 49ers ranked No. 22 in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. But that was only because the team was so bad and the opposition always had a lead in the second half, so they stayed with the run. Only the Dolphins and Jets had more rush attempts against them. If you look at average yards per rush attempt, the 49ers were fifth-best in the league, yielding just 3.8 yards per carry. Getting a space-eater defensive tackle would be the top priority on defense, and there are some premier Warren Sapp/Kris Jenkins/even Bryant Young type DT's in this draft. Such as Glen Dorsey, (left from the LSU Tigers). Unfortunately, they will be off the board by the 29th pick.

D-Line The Focus Now With Hill Signed

2008-02-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

The Niners recently agreed to a three-year contract with former third-string quarterback Shaun Hill, who won consecutive starts last season after the ineffectual duo of Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer succumbed to injuries. The contract is believed to be worth $6 million, with incentives that could boost its value to $11.5 million -- hardly a blockbuster deal, but one that clearly signals the end of Smith's tenure as San Francisco's undisputed starter. But while some dare to envision a future blissfully divorced from the most visible cog in an offense that ranked last in the league in an assortment of critical categories last season, the team must now address the futures of its remaining free agents, starting with defensive linemen Marques Douglas and Isaac Sopoaga.

With the Tennessee Titans having slapped the franchise tag on Albert Haynesworth and the Niners eager to plug the hole created by the retirement of four-time Pro Bowler and 14-year mainstay Bryant Young, (above), the presence of veterans like Douglas and Sopoaga could help stabilize the line play on a team in need of an extreme makeover on both sides of the ball. But at what cost?

Douglas, (left) who has ranked among the league's most consistent tackle contributors during his three-year tenure with the 49ers, recorded 71 takedowns last season -- 55 solo -- to complement his three sacks. And though Mike Nolan is reportedly delighted with the ninth-year pro's work ethic, questions linger about his long-term future with a rebuilding franchise. Douglas, who will turn 31 next month, has made no secret of his desire to stay with the club, calling San Francisco "a home away from home." But the North Carolina native, whose sack totals could never be confused with those of an elite lineman, just finished a three-year, $4.5 million deal, and will likely be seeking a substantial raise. Will he be worth the money on a team still clawing its way toward respectability?

The Niners face another difficult decision with Sopoaga, 26, a part-time nose tackle blessed with uncommon strength and potential who has yet to assert himself as a front-line starter. In four years with the team -- the first of which was cut short by a season-ending back injury suffered in training camp -- his production has remained maddeningly inconsistent, but a new, more lucrative deal would seem to guarantee him an expanded role on San Francisco's defensive line. Should newly appointed general manager Scot McCloughan gamble on talent that is not yet fully developed, or should he be prepared to watch Sopoaga sign for big money elsewhere?

The 49ers would prefer to bring back both linemen, and are reportedly negotiating with them in good faith. Just don't expect both to return, even as they pledge their allegiance to Niner Nation. With premium free agents like Haynesworth disappearing from the market, Sopoaga's price tag is surely rising while Douglas becomes increasingly attractive to contenders in need of dependable leadership on their D-lines. If McCloughan has serious doubts about either's ability to contribute to the Niners in the not-too-distant future, when the rebuilding process presumably begins to yield dividends, he should resist the urge to overspend and let them walk.

Briggs On His Way To The Bay??

2008-02-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

With the departure of Derek Smith, it is clear that the Niners are trying to clear cap room and position space on the depth chart for an inside linebacker, such as the much coveted Lance Briggs from the Bears. The 49ers figure to find another inside linebacker somewhere, and it could be Briggs, the Chicago Bears' No. 2 linebacker who will be a free agent on Feb. 29. Ulbrich is not the long-term answer, while Briggs and Willis -- the 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year -- would make an excellent tandem.

Smith had one season left on his contract, but $3.28 million is too much for an aging player. The 49ers instead will try to use that money to sign Briggs.

Meanwhile, Smith will look for work elsewhere. The New England Patriots are always looking for 30-something linebackers, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him join Zach Thomas, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel.

It would be great if they add Briggs to replace Smith. But I don't know about you all out there, but if that's the only significant upgrade made this offseason, either through free agency or the draft, and it's on the defensive side of the ball, at an already deep position - I WILL LOSE IT! We are talking boycott until Nolan is canned. They better address the offense!

Veteran LB Smith Released

2008-02-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

Derek Smith, the 49ers most prolific tackler since signing a free-agent contract in 2001 from the Washington Redskins, was released Tuesday.

The team sent out an e-mail of the news at 11:00 a.m. and it contained a quote from head coach Mike Nolan. "Decisions like this are a difficult part of a great business. Derek has been an important member of the 49ers, and you don not make these kinds of decisions without battling the emotion that is natural when you are dealing with a player that has done so much for your organization. We made the decision because we have quality linebackers who we think are the future of the 49ers. Derek was a model professional during his seven seasons with the 49ers, and he influenced a lot of the younger players with his work ethic.

Smith was due to make $3.45 million in salary next season.Smith's agent, Frank Bauer, met with team general manager Scot McCloughan during the Senior Bowl last month to discuss options. The team never discussed a reduction with Smith. In his seven years with the team, Smith was durable and consistent, leading the team in tackles for five straight seasons. In 2005, he experienced his best season with a team-record 163 tackles according to 49ers coach's review.

The league, which handles official tackle statistics, put his tally at 116. Nevertheless, Smith clearly shined in a season where the 49ers won only four games and he was the co-recipient, along with kicker Joe Nedney, of the Bill Walsh award, which is given to the team MVP as determined by the coaching staff. Smith might be still on the team if he hadn't strained an eye muscle in 2006, which limited his effectiveness. He had to change his stance in order to alleviate the double-vision he experienced when he looked down. In typical Derek Smith fashion, he never told anyone about the injury until coaches went to him to ask him if something was wrong. He underwent corrective surgery last season, but didn't return to his 2005 self. By mid-season, Jeff Ulbrich replaced Smith in the team's nickel package. Knowing Smith, he probably looked upon his release as an opportunity for a new experience and a chance to sign with a potential Super Bowl-winning team.

While he never sought media attention, Smith was always honest and never shrank from the press when things went sour. In a rare moment in 2005, before the 49ers played Philadelphia and wide receiver Terrell Owens, Smith was outspoken about his former teammate, saying Owens wasn't an ideal teammate and needed to practice with his injury (a pulled groin). After the 42-3 loss in which Owens caught 5 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, Smith was the last player to leave the locker room and answered every question. He did say that Owens had a big day a was a great player.

Smith also wore his hair long that season in tribute to his friend and former Arizona State teammate Pat Tillman, an army ranger who was killed in Afghanistan that year.

Offseason Getting Shorter and Shorter

2008-02-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

Quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill are expected to be ready to take part in the 49ers' offseason program, which is ALREADY scheduled to begin March 17. Both players are coming off surgeries. With new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the competition for the starting job begins early. Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, will have to earn the position this offseason. Therefore, the competition for 2008 should be fierce from the get-go. Hill was scheduled to be a free agent, but the 49ers signed him to a three-year, $6 million contract that included a $1.95 million signing bonus. If he hits all his playing-time and performance incentives, his deal would be worth $11.5 million over three seasons.Hill underwent surgery the first week of January on a broken and dislocated right index finger. He played with that injury late in the season and still managed to give the 49ers their best quarterback play of the season. Hill completed 68.4 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception in 2.5 games. The 49ers won both of his starts.The 49ers got off to a 2-1 start with Smith healthy. But he sustained a separated right shoulder in Week 4, missed two games and was ineffective when he tried to return to the lineup.Moreover, Smith and coach Mike Nolan publicly feuded. Nolan said Smith's poor play had nothing to do with his shoulder injury until Smith broke his silence and admitted his shoulder was injured. Several weeks later, Smith underwent season-ending surgery.The rehabilitation from Smith's surgery was expected to last three months. When the offseason program begins, it'll be a little more than three months since his surgery. The 49ers will likely work Smith back slowly to ensure he will be ready for the minicamps, organized team activities and training camp.Smith and Hill will compete for the starting job.

The team will also look to add a No. 3 quarterback with the club expecting veteran Trent Dilfer to retire. Dilfer did not play in 2006 because Smith took every snap from center. Last season, Dilfer struggled mightily in his backup role. He completed just 51.6 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions. One reason Hill is looking forward to playing for new offensive coordinator Martz is because he sees similarities in his game and another quarterback who thrived under Martz. Hill said his style is a lot like Rams quarterback Marc Bulger."I play the same kind of game he does," Hill said. "He has a quick release. He doesn't have the strongest arm in the world, but he gets the ball out on time and in rhythm." The 49ers own the No. 29 draft pick in the first round, and so far they have 16 or 17 players ranked with first-round grades. They usually have 20 to 22 players ranked as first-round talents.The club had yet to assign grades to quarterbacks, defensive ends and wide receivers, so they appear to be in good shape as far as getting a player they like with the No. 29 pick. The 49ers have selected two players in the first round both of the past two seasons.

Joe and the Niners Still Reign Supreme

2008-02-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

The debate is over. The mighty Patriots have fallen and Tom Brady no longer is perfect in the Super Bowl.The only quarterback that even remotely resembled our legendary Joe was Eli Manning and his Montana-like drive to win the Super Bowl. That clinching drive reminded some of the final minutes of Super Bowl XXIII as Manning threw the game winning touchdown with 35 seconds left. Montana to Taylor happened at 34 seconds to go.With the Giant upset, the Patriots can no longer be considered a powerhouse dynasty when compared to our 80's and 90's 49ers during their two decade run of dominance.

These teams not only won, they took opponents out in convincing fashion. The Patriots were expected to win and they choked under the pressure of the Giant defensive line.In Montana's fourth Super Bowl, he set records and led the 49ers to a 55-10 victory over John Elway and the Denver Broncos. The 49ers were expected to win and they did so in record breaking fashion over a tough team and a future Hall of Famer. In Brady's fourth Super Bowl appearance, he resembled a young Dan Marino in Super Bowl XIX as he was constantly hit and beat up throughout the game. The Montana to Brady comparison is no longer even remotely close.

Montana's 49ers were perfect during their run, including Steve Young's title in Super Bowl XXIX. The Brady and Belichick era Patriots now have one of the most disappointing losses in NFL history to deal with. Most championship teams are best known for winning the Super Bowl, but the contrary is true here. The 2007 New England Patriots and their perfect 16-0 regular season was still a great accomplishment, but great teams are remembered for winning titles. Despite the many great successes of this season, this team is now infamous for losing to the underdog New York Giants right on history's doorstep..Not the kind of legacy you are looking to have when history was right on their doorstep. So as 49er fans, all we have left at the moment is our rich history. Although our current 49ers are still a huge question mark, we can all rest easy now.The latest threat to Joe Montana's championship legacy is now over.

Even if the Patriots go on to win their fourth Super Bowl in the future, last night's loss tarnished their dynasty while the 49er accomplishments continue to sparkle in history's eyes as being truly extraordinary.The 1984 18-1 49ers were far superior teams to this year's Patriot team. Although, the 2007 Patriots share the same record as these two great teams, they simply didn't close the deal in the Super Bowl. The Patriot offense was stifled and their defense showed their age when Manning made play after play on the final drive. The 49er defenses during their championship runs were far better than the Patriots' current unit. I'll even take a rookie Ronnie Lott over a seasoned Asante Samuel.

Offensively, the Patriots may have set multiple records, but the 49ers revolutionized offensive football when Bill Walsh implemented the West Coast Offense that sprung up so many copycats throughout the league in recent years. Now 49er fans can rejoice as our legacy lives on. Tom "Golden Boy" Brady is no doubt a great quarterback, but now he will never leave the shadow of true Super Bowl perfection that is Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers.

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Just a site note. With the next major events on the NFL schedule being the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, I will continue my hiatis, but return on March 1st, in anticipation of the March 2nd start of free-agency, leading up to the draft in April.

Nolan Nearly Delirious For Mere 'Exhibition' Win

2007-12-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

Lowell Cohn, Press Democrat

This is what I know. The 49ers were losing before the Bucs declared the game an exhibition.After Jeff Garcia threw a touchdown pass late in the second quarter, putting Tampa Bay ahead 13-7, Jon Gruden removed Garcia from the game. It had something to do with the correct priorities -- Gruden needs Garcia for the playoffs. He doesn't need Garcia against the Niners, who currently don't matter in the National Football League.After Garcia came out, the Bucs bagged the game and the Niners won. That's how the game played out and if you see it differently, if you take hope from the 49er win, you are kidding yourself.Niner coach Mike Nolan helps you kid yourself -- he is a kidder and a fooler and a purveyor of fantasies and a trickster. The 49ers now have won two in a row and, even if they lose next week in Cleveland, Nolan can tell his bosses he won two of his final three. That sounds good. Last year, he won two of his last three and he probably bragged about that, too.But if you look closely, you'll notice he lost four of six to finish things out in 2006. With Nolan, things always require scrutiny. He offers false promise and his team does not come together. I am sorry to sound critical, but I can't praise Nolan for winning a mere exhibition game.Nolan was happy, verging on delirious, after beating the semi-interested Bucs. Of course, he was."We shot ourselves in the foot early in the season," he said by way of justifying himself. It was an interesting statement and it makes you question the word "early." Before the current two-game, umm, winning streak, the Niners had lost two of three and, get this, 10 of 11. So they didn't only shoot themselves in the foot early. They shot themselves in the foot most of the time.

Basically, they are foot shooters.Among other limitations, Nolan has a short and highly selective memory and he wants to convince people his interpretation of reality is better than theirs. At his postgame news conference, he declared open competition at quarterback next season between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. That's assuming Nolan himself has a job next season."To be a good football team, you need competition," the coach lectured. Well, wait a minute. Hill has been a pleasant surprise, has performed well in a desperate situation. But he is not Joe Montana and he's not Steve Young and he's almost certainly not Smith.I mean, let's be real about this. We have not exactly entered the Shaun Hill Era. You can badmouth Alex Smith all you want -- he's been a disappointment -- but he is a better athlete than Hill and he has a better arm and a more promising future.Hill has superior instincts than Smith. Give him that. But he will be a career backup. Nolan will try to make you think differently, but it's another of Nolan's illusions. He deals in daydreams.When Nolan, the myth maker, left the interview room, congratulating himself on the splendid progress of his team, Bryant Young came to address the media. He was saying goodbye to the home fans and to his exemplary career and to the Niners as they are now and as they used to be. He represents an end, not a beginning. Keep that in mind. He is the last Niner to win a Super Bowl -- it seems so long ago.So we praise Young, but we wonder about the 49ers, about who they are and where they're headed. I asked what he hopes for his team as he prepares to walk away."I hope they establish themselves back on top," Young said. "In time, it will happen."He didn't say how much time. Nolan has had three years and made no progress. Young might be talking decades or centuries.Young considered quitting after last season, he said. Oh, this is the saddest part. He came back because he believed in Nolan -- as we all did at the time.

In 2006, the 49ers won seven games and Young, in his loyal, earnest heart, felt he couldn't abandon his teammates on the verge of greatness. He was getting old and his body hurt, but he had come this far and he carried the standard of former Super Bowls and his teammates needed him. So he returned. It was his duty.He had swallowed Nolan's illusion, wanted to believe the best about his coach. Who can blame him?"I felt we would win 10 games or more and be right in position to go to the playoffs," he said of this miserable season. "It is what it is. When you make those types of commitments, nothing's ever promised."Well, things definitely were promised, but the promises never materialized.

Staley: No Apologies For Trade With Patriots

2007-12-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

MATT MAIOCCO, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

SANTA CLARA -- Some see it as another instance of the big, bad and savvy New England Patriots continuing to feast on the terminally incompetent that litter the NFL landscape. Sure, in April the 49ers gave up their first-round pick in '08 to the Patriots for the No. 28 selection in '07. Sure, the 49ers are among the worst teams in the league. But seven months after the fact, the trade isn't looking too bad for either side.The Patriots expect to get a top-10 pick out of the deal -- right now it would be No. 5. Meanwhile, the 49ers could not be much happier with the player they obtained in the swap -- Joe Staley."Watching the film of the other tackles that went in the draft, Joe's done an outstanding job," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "So, yeah, (I'm) very pleased.

The fact that we coached him (in the Senior Bowl), I know that we felt very good about him. So that was good."What we'd do over is our record."Staley has been one of the bright spots for the 49ers in a season filled with disappointment. The 49ers carry a 4-10 record into their penultimate game of the season, Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The rookie from Central Michigan has started every game at right tackle after winning the job in training camp from incumbent Kwame Harris.Staley's future appears to be in the high-rent district of left tackle. He said coaches have told him that he will make the switch to the other side of the line next season. Staley is expected to unseat oft-injured Jonas Jennings, who is scheduled for a $3.45 million salary.Still, it is difficult to convince anyone other than offensive line connoisseurs that the 49ers made a wise trade with the Patriots.

Those on both sides of the Staley debate point to the same defining game. Staley has surrendered six sacks this season, but 3½ came Oct. 21 in one dreadful game against the New York Giants.Staley was thoroughly manhandled by Michael Strahan, perhaps the greatest all-around defensive end of his generation. Critics will say Staley showed in that game he does not have what it takes.But those who believe the 49ers made the wise move in selecting Staley are impressed with his mental toughness and the determination he has displayed in using that game as a lesson for getting better."I think from that game on, I've played my best ball," Staley said. "I've kept improving and kept getting better every week."As far as my mindset, I let Michael get into my head because he's one of those guys I've looked up to. It was the fact it was Michael Strahan. I played mind games with myself. You got to play your game and you can't let other people dictate what you're going to do."And Staley certainly is not letting others affect his attitude toward himself. When he hears people talk about the Patriots' supposed thievery of the 49ers, he knows not to take it too seriously."Most of those things are said by people who haven't watched us," Staley said. "I think I've played well. How often does a guy from Florida watch the right tackle for the 49ers? You don't keep stats (for offensive linemen) and you don't know what our real assignment is. If people say I didn't play well, that's their decision. I feel I've played well. I have confidence in myself."

McCLOUGHAN HAPPY

Amid speculation new Miami Dolphins executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells might consider Scot McCloughan for his general manager, McCloughan said he is not interested in any other job.When asked if he is staying with the 49ers, McCloughan said, "Definitely. One hundred percent."McCloughan holds the title of 49ers vice president of player personnel. He is the top scout in the organization, and someone Nolan leans on heavily in making personnel decisions."You got to finish what you started, you know? You have to," McCloughan said. "I gave a commitment to (Nolan) and the organization. I have to fulfill that."Nolan, whose future with the 49ers has yet to be determined, said team ownership is committed to keeping McCloughan."It's my understanding that Scot wants to stay, but that's a decision that he has to make," Nolan said."I think the ownership has been committed to Scot since the day he arrived and has remained committed. That hasn't changed."

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School Is About To End For Nolan

2007-12-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

Mark Purdy, Mercury News

The fun resumed Wednesday at Santa Clara Junior High School, 49er campus. First, naughty Alex stood up and apologized to the class for being too noisy. Everyone then spent a couple of hours on the playground. Afterward, Principal Nolan told open-house visitors that he and naughty Alex were still pals. "We spoke," Nolan said. "Our discussion went well. . . . We've communicated well." Right. Whatever. If the two were actually communicating that well, this week's ridiculous kerfuffle would never have happened. But it did. And when 49ers quarterback Alex Smith reacted to reports of locker-room name-calling by saying he was undermined by Coach Mike Nolan, it pretty much made everybody on the premises look like seventh-graders. It also allowed every commentator in the vicinity, including me, to throw out his or her two cents on the situation. (My take: If Nolan and Smith both don't stay, both must go.) But who are we kidding? Those two cents are worth less than one cent. Because we have no say in the matter.

Principal Nolan acknowledged that Wednesday, pointing out that in the NFL, no job is guaranteed year to year. "John and Jed will be here," Nolan said, "but the rest of us . . ." He meant John and Jed York. The owners. John and his wife, Denise, are the team's principal proprietors who live in Ohio. Their son, Jed, is the family representative on the premises. At Santa Clara Junior High, they are even more powerful than the principal. Today, I'm going to take an educated stab at what will happen come January, using information I've gleaned throughout this nightmare season from knowledgeable voices inside and outside the organization. January will not be pretty. Anyone who believes that the Yorks will be content to gloss over the stink of 2007 and make no significant changes does not know the Yorks. Did you notice? By scheduling coincidence, the 49ers' last game will be in Cleveland, just an 80-mile drive from the Youngstown home of John and Denise. They'll be on hand, along with close friends. If the 49ers lose badly that day, it would surely seal Nolan's fate. But that fate is almost surely sealed, regardless. As of today, I give Nolan a 20 percent chance of returning. It was once much higher. But with each loss, Nolan's chance of coming back probably drops another 5 percent. If the 49ers lose all three remaining games, it will drop to 5 percent. Or almost nothing.

If you are wondering why the Yorks have stayed mostly silent during the team's drastic downhill slide, the answer is easy. The losing slide has stunned them - as it has most of the team's fans. As recently as two months ago, even though the offense had struggled, the 49ers had a 2-2 record with continuing playoff expectations, plus the hope that Smith would recover from his shoulder injury and return as the same guy who led that last-minute winning drive in the season opener against Arizona. Back then, there was no need to think about making big changes. Even as the 49ers' losing ways continued into November, radical housecleaning was unlikely. Keeping Nolan and revamping the offense seemed to be the most practical solution. But not anymore. After all that has happened, how can the 49ers bring back Nolan and believe he'll field a better team that will sell tickets next season? The York family is not Idiot Central. And they aren't selling the franchise.

Yes, I know. In the past, I have been accused of being too easy on the York family, too willing to defend its foibles. John York would probably dispute that notion. I guess if you call someone oddly naive and strangely capable of bad judgment rather than labeling him a menace to football and mankind, it passes as softball commentary. I do strongly defend this: the idea that the Yorks are trying to win. They have stumbled and bumbled. They have yet to prove they can hire a winning executive or head coach. People they trusted have let them down. But it doesn't mean the Yorks blithely don't care. They spent a lot of free-agent money last off-season proving they do. And now, just like their team's fans, the Yorks have to be very angry about what has happened with their team - and this totally unnecessary pie fight between Smith and Nolan. As for January, here is how I see things unspooling: After the final game, Nolan will be given a few days to defend himself and outline his plan for avoiding another 2007. At the very least, the plan would include firing his offensive staff, reviewing why the talent evaluation of offensive personnel was so off-base, and figuring out a plan for Smith (or another quarterback) to be more effective.

The Yorks will politely listen to Nolan, then dismiss him anyway. Decisions will be made about restructuring and which front-office football employees will stay. The idea of hiring a proven major name as a head coach will be seriously examined (the Yorks spent millions on free agents, so why not on a coach?). If that idea is rejected, then a strong general manager will be sought. He will hire the new coach. Jed York, who is young but has the most NFL smarts in the family, will take a significant role in this process.

Could I be wrong? Sure. There remains that 5 percent possibility Nolan will save his job. But as I learned in junior high, 95 percent is always more than 5 percent. Even if he gets straight A's these last three weeks, Principal Nolan had better be ready to clean out his office.

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Adrian Peterson stopped, but rest of Vikings run over 49ers 27-7

2007-12-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports writer

After the 49ers schemed all week against Adrian Peterson, their plan to stop the NFL's leading rusher worked splendidly — and that was the extent of San Francisco's successes in another big win for the resurgent Minnesota Vikings. Though, to be fair, nobody could have planned for a game that began with a 311-pound man returning an interception for a touchdown on the very first play. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams rumbled into the end zone just 14 seconds in, and Chester Taylor made an 84-yard scoring run in Minnesota's fourth straight victory, 27-7 over hapless San Francisco on Sunday.

Though Peterson managed just 3 yards on 14 carries, the Vikings (7-6) still jumped to a 27-0 halftime lead while getting back above .500 for the first time since the season's opening week. Minnesota is in the sixth spot in the NFC playoff picture, controlling its own destiny in a season that nearly went out of control. "I think if you told our guys a month ago that they were going to be the hunted instead of going hunting, they probably would have asked you, 'Well, how's that going to happen?'" Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. With patient offense and another strong game from a resurgent defense, that's how — and even without help from Peterson, who finished with a career-low 3 yards on 14 carries. San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis made eight tackles to win the meeting of two high-profile rookies.

Robert Ferguson caught a 19-yard TD pass from Tarvaris Jackson, who passed for 163 yards. Minnesota's only dynamic offensive play was Taylor's TD run, the third-longest in franchise history and the bulk of his 101 yards rushing. Yet nothing fancy is necessary to beat the 49ers (3-10) these days. "We weren't trying to force anything," Peterson said. "Chester is capable of coming out and having big games, too. You can't just focus on one guy on our team." Frank Gore rushed for 68 yards, caught eight passes for 49 yards and lost two fumbles for San Francisco, which has yet another injured quarterback after its 10th loss in 11 games. The Vikings defense turned in its third straight solid performance, limiting the 49ers' league-worst offense to 79 yards in the first half. After Trent Dilfer went out with a concussion shortly before halftime, third-stringer Shaun Hill went 22-of-28 for 181 yards and a score in the first significant NFL action of his six-year career.

"Trent's just a warrior, one of the best guys I've ever met in the game or out of the game," Hill said. "That being said, I had a job to do when I got in there, and I was excited." Dilfer's day was painful from the first snap. Williams, the Vikings' two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, was able to hang on to his own deflected pass and had the presence of mind to run with it. "That really changed the momentum in the game," Williams claimed. "We do a tip drill every week, and it paid off today, as you saw." Williams eluded Dilfer for the fourth touchdown of his career. It was even his second of the season, following a 54-yard return on Atlanta's first possession in the Vikings' season opener. "It's rare to get one of those in a career, and he's had two in a season," Childress said. "I'm just glad he didn't have to run as far on this one so we didn't have to get him some oxygen." Taylor made the third-longest run from scrimmage in Vikings history in the second quarter, breaking at least three tackles down the Minnesota sideline and sparking boos from the thin Candlestick Park crowd.

"I thought our defense stepped up to the challenge," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "They did give up some plays a couple times on some missed tackles. The 84-yard run was one in particular. It was right in the face of a blitz. How it came out, I do not know." Dilfer was hurt when he scrambled for a first down in the final minute of the first half. Backup cornerback Charles Gordon made the tackle with a shoulder to Dilfer's head. With Alex Smith in street clothes because of his injured shoulder, San Francisco turned to Hill, who spent four years with Minnesota before joining the 49ers last season. Hill's only regular-season snaps were kneeldowns on the Vikings' final plays in 2005. Hill immediately led a 12-play, 61-yard scoring drive culminating in Arnaz Battle's short TD catch, completing six of his first seven passes and celebrating jubilantly in the end zone — but he threw an interception on the Niners' next drive.

Notes:@ Taylor also made the longest run in Minnesota history last season, romping 95 yards against Seattle. ... Nolan said the 49ers haven't decided whether QB Alex Smith will have season-ending shoulder surgery next week, contrary to a media report. ... San Francisco's Maurice Hicks returned two kickoffs for 55 yards apiece.

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-There's nothing constructive that I can say about this team this week, so don't hold your breathe for any pearls of wisdom from me in the next couple of days. Mike Nolan and this entire organization are one incredible joke right now. I am sick of watching this s@#t from these idiots week in and week out. They are just fortunate that Miami plays in this league, and that they don't play the Dolphins this year.-

Robinson...Why Not?

2007-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Are there other options for the future at quarterback? Maybe Nolan & company need to consider in the wake of Alex Smith's demise and no help coming from Trent Dilfer or the draft next year.

"I support the guys who are playing and doing their jobs," Nolan said before backing Trent Dilfer as his starter this weekend. Dilfer did his job -- if you count four interceptions and 171 passing yards as working hard. Nolan hasn't been eloquent this year, but this week he really has no choice. Alex Smith's shoulder still isn't right, and he should probably sit for the rest of the season. The third-string quarterback, Shaun Hill has one snap in 6 years to go along with a broken finger on his throwing hand. Who's the next option, Michael Robinson?

They way things are going, that might not be such a bad idea. Maybe Robinson's toughness could give the 49ers a spark. Remember, he was a quarterback at Penn State(below). Tennessee's Vince Young hasn't been throwing great this year, but the combination of his running, timely passing and the Titans' strong overall ground game has equaled relative success. While Robinson isn't even close to Young's level, the 49ers still might want to consider inserting him under center.

The Vikings, the 49ers' upcoming opponent, are using the same formula, going with punishing running backs and a mobile, tough quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson. They've evened their record and will go to 7-6 after they dismantle the Dilfer-led 49ers. For San Francisco, changing to Robinson would put two of its most dangerous weapons on the field at the same time and give the team a passer who can move when the rush gets hot - which is often.

Crazy thinking, probably, but this season is over. Gone. Why not see if Robinson has any of that college magic left at his old position? Dilfer proved last week he is completely washed up. Dilfer's win over Arizona two weeks ago was an aberration; four picks and 171 passing yards in Carolina proved the sun shined on an old dog a pair of Sundays ago. At this point, going with Dilfer is like conceding defeat.

Really, though, the only light at the end of the tunnel is that the end of the season is near for the 49ers. The Vikings are just another freight train coming their way.

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Rookies Are Reason To Tune In On Sunday

2007-12-06T06:26:00.000-08:00

John Crumpacker, San Francisco Chronicle

For the record, Adrian Peterson enjoys the scene from the original "Rocky" movie when Sylvester Stallone calls out to Talia Shire, "Yo, Adrian!"The 49ers would like to amend that famous line to "Yo, Adrian, you're not going anywhere today," but of course words never stopped a running back from gaining yards, least of all one as talented as Peterson. While the 49ers' season has long been a lost cause, they can at least offer up the compelling match-up of Patrick Willis and Peterson on Sunday when they play the Minnesota Vikings at Candlestick: Their brilliant rookie against the Vikings' brilliant rookie. Patrick the Ubiquitous versus Adrian the Unassailable.

It's the perfect encounter. There's Willis, a linebacker who is seemingly everywhere on the field, trying to stop Peterson, a running back who covers more ground than anyone in the NFL. Willis leads the NFL in tackles with 128, while Peterson leads the league in rushing with 1,197 yards."They will meet," coach Mike Nolan said. "It's one of the more interesting challenges of the game. It'll be fun." Peterson seems to think so as well. In a conference call Wednesday he said, "He's one of the best linebackers in the league. I'm definitely looking forward to going against him. ... I definitely like his fearless style of play."

Willis, however, did not allow himself to get caught up in the "Me versus Him" aspect of Sunday's game even though it's an easy theme to get behind with two rookies leading the league in their respective categories. Willis said he has the "same motivation I had for the last 13 weeks - go out and be the very best I can be on game day. Every week a running back is the best running back to me because he's the one we face. I don't put any more into it than I did last week." The 49ers' defense had better put more into it than it did last week when the Carolina Panthers ground out 166 yards. DeAngelo Williams (82 yards) and DeShaun Foster (58) may be solid professionals, but they're not in Peterson's league as a pure runner.

At 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, with Barry Sanders-like moves in a taller man's body, Peterson fairly defines what a running back should look like. Despite missing two games and a quarter of another with a knee injury, he still leads the league in rushing by more than 100 yards over Pittsburgh's Willie Parker. And his 6.5-yard average per carry is far and away the best figure in the NFL. With Peterson and the capable Chester Taylor (615 yards), the Vikings have the No. 1 rushing offense in the league at nearly 177 yards per game. San Francisco's run defense is 26th, which suggests Peterson will pad his league-leading total Sunday.

"It starts up front," defensive end Marques Douglas said. "We know the task is out there. They're the No. 1 rushing team. We have to swarm to the ball. We have to stop two explosive runners. Our job up front is to hold up the big guys (on the offensive line) so Patrick can run. When you look at the stats sheet and see a linebacker has 17, 18 tackles, you know you're doing your job." About those tackles of Willis, 18 against Arizona and 18 against Carolina, Peterson said, "He's a freak. ... That's not normal."

Willis and Peterson met while training at the API training center in Tempe, Ariz., prior to April's draft. The work there paid off for both young men as Peterson of Oklahoma went No. 7 in the first round to the Vikings while the 49ers summoned Willis of Mississippi at No. 11. They meet Sunday, an irresistible force (Peterson) trying to get away from an always-moving object(Willis)."He's fast for his position as a linebacker, but if you line us up, I think I can get him being a running back," Peterson said.

It's worth watching, that's for sure.

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Nolan likely to return for 2008 campaign

2007-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

By MATT MAIOCCO, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Mike Nolan is expected to be back next season as the club's head coach despite the team's myriad struggles, including a 31-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, said sources close to 49ers co-owner John York.The 49ers (3-9) have clinched their franchise-worst fifth consecutive losing season.Nolan is completing the third season of a five-year contract that pays him a reported $1.6 million a year. York has not commented publicly on Nolan's job status. Two weeks ago, Denise DeBartolo York told the San Francisco Chronicle she expected Nolan back next season but that he would likely be asked to relinquish his personnel powers.York is not inclined to make a coaching change after the season, if he can avoid it, because he likes the structure Nolan has put in place with the organization, sources said. The 49ers were believed to be on the right path for the first two seasons of Nolan's tenure, so York does not want to blow things up after one bad season.However, this season has been worse than anyone around the team could have expected.The 49ers on Sunday were knocked out of contention for the NFC West title. With four games remaining, the 49ers trail division-leading Seattle (8-4) by five games.Nolan appears to have maintained the support of the locker room through the team's travails."Coach Nolan, I know how much he wants it," running back Frank Gore said. "I want it for him. Coach Nolan is a hard worker. We'll get there.

We just need to keep working and keep focused."Quarterback Trent Dilfer said he liked the message Nolan sent to the team with his sideline talk in the second quarter after the 49ers fell behind, 17-0."He's been great through all of this," Dilfer said. "His message was just stay the course and keep believing. Just because things haven't gone our way early on doesn't mean we should stop believing. That's a great message."Cornerback Nate Clements, who came to the 49ers with an eight-year, $80 million contract in the offseason, said he did not want to comment on anything he can't control."I don't think about that," said cornerback Nate Clements. "Nobody is thinking about their jobs being on the line. We're just focused on playing football. I don't get into all that other stuff. I'm just here to play ball."

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Nolan's sideline rant could define his era with 49ers

2007-12-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Tim Kawakami , MEDIANEWS STAFF

MARK IT DOWN: Mike Nolan's last stand and public passion play began midway through the second quarter of the 49ers' 12th game of this morose 2007 season. Please note that the 49ers had just given up a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown, and they trailed the woeful Carolina Panthers 17-0. Remember that Nolan gathered his entire team around him, then screamed, gestured and raged, until his face flushed and his eyes looked like they were ready to pop all the way to the South Carolina border. Make sure it's noted that, at first, the 49ers responded -- holding steady for the rest of the quarter and jumping back into the game with two touchdowns in the third quarter.

But let it be recorded that the 49ers eventually stalled, inevitably collapsed, and repeatedly blundered their way to yet another defeat, this time by a 31-14 score to a Panthers team that had not won at home in nearly a year. When the history of the Nolan Era is chiseled into stone, we are probably going to memorialize that explosive second-quarter sideline moment, and we will know one of two things:

Either that tantrum galvanized this team for the rest of 2007 and earned Nolan a chance to coach into 2008 and prove his worth once and for all ...

Or it was the loudest, reddest-faced example of Nolan fury and frothiness, signifying nothing, no progress, and certainly no 49ers' significant victories.

I know which way I'm leaning on it, but I'm also prepared to let this play out, loss by loss, interception by interception.
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Testaverde, Panthers end home skid, beat 49ers 31-14

2007-12-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

MIKE CRANSTON, AP Sports Writer

Carolina coach John Fox heard all week that fans may stay away from the Panthers' game against San Francisco, disgusted with the team's five-game losing streak and its seven straight losses at home. There were roughly 17,000 no-shows Sunday, but the ones who did attend saw the Panthers finally end their home hex. They can thank their 44-year-old quarterback and Fox's decision to open the playbook. Testaverde threw two touchdown passes and became the second-oldest QB to start a game, leading the Panthers to a 31-14 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

"There was a lot of talk there would hardly be anybody here this week," Fox said. "I don't know what the count was, but all those people that were here today, I'm real happy for. This has been a long time coming for them, too." Using razzle-dazzle rarely seen under the conservative Fox, the Panthers (5-7) won at home for the first time in 377 days behind Testaverde, who at 44 years, 19 days became the second-oldest starting QB in NFL history. Testaverde also became the oldest starter to win, besting his own record set seven weeks ago in Arizona, Carolina's last victory.

"Any time you get on that kind of streak, it's tough to break," Fox said. "This wasn't just a monkey, it was King Kong." The Panthers' defense stepped up, too, forcing six sacks and six turnovers, including Richard Marshall's 73-yard interception return for a touchdown, spoiling the 49ers' confidence a week after they snapped an eight-game losing streak. "It's obviously very disappointing," said quarterback Trent Dilfer, who threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted four times. "We wanted to build on last week. We didn't."Instead, it brought to light quarterback issues for the 49ers (3-9), who are facing uncertainty about the severity of Alex Smith's shoulder injury, which kept him out of a third straight game. "As soon as the medical staff tells me there's a possibility of a change, as far as someone's health, I will take a look into it," coach Mike Nolan said.

It was odd seeing the visiting team dealing with QB issues, not the Panthers, who lost Jake Delhomme to a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3, then watched high-priced backup David Carr get hurt, then be ineffective. Testaverde, who started the season out of the league, has led the Panthers to their last two victories. Testaverde moved into second place on the old-man list, passing Warren Moon, who was 44 years, 8 days old when he started in 2000. Steve DeBerg, at 44 years, 279 days, holds the record for oldest QB from his 1998 start. Testaverde sat out Carolina's 31-6 Carr-led loss New Orleans last week with a sore back. Testaverde was healthy Sunday, Carr was demoted to third-string and the Panthers looked like a new team. While Testaverde threw for only 153 yards and had two interceptions, he directed an offense that took risks and snapped a streak of 12 straight quarters at home without an offensive touchdown. The Panthers ran a reverse, a lateral and even a direct snap to Steve Smith — with Testaverde lining up as a receiver — in building a 17-0 halftime lead.

"We mixed it up," Testaverde said. Showing poise in the pocket missing when Carr ran the offense, Testaverde tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to rookie Dante Rosario — who was 2 years old when Testaverde entered the league in 1987 — and a 1-yard pass to Jeff King that made it 31-14 early in the fourth quarter. That allowed the Panthers to overcome the two miscues that briefly let the 49ers back in it. Michael Lewis intercepted Testaverde on the first series of the second half, leading to Dilfer's 20-yard touchdown pass to Arnaz Battle. Nate Clements' 41-yard punt return set up Dilfer's 21-yard TD pass to Delanie Walker, cutting Carolina's lead to 17-14. As has been the case for the 49ers all season, the good fortune didn't last. Lewis muffed a punt and Rosario fell on it at the 49ers 11. Four plays later, DeShaun Foster's 1-yard TD run gave Carolina a 10-point cushion. The Panthers, who had a league-low 10 sacks in the first 11 games, came alive against the 49ers' shaky offensive line. Mike Rucker had 1 1/2 sacks and forced a fumble.

Frank Gore was held to 58 yards rushing on 12 carries, a week after he had his first 100-yard game in San Francisco's overtime win over Arizona. The lone bright spot was rookie linebacker Patrick Willis. The NFL's leading tackler had 18 more. "Today was not our best defensive performance by far," Willis said. "We made some critical mistakes out there that really hurt us."
Notes:@ Rosario and Walker each had their first career TDs. ... Panthers S Chris Harris (shoulder) and 49ers S Donald Strickland (knee) left with injuries, but they were not believed to be serious.
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Smith May Call It A Season Soon

2007-12-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Daniel Brown, Mercury News

Still unable to throw a football, Alex Smith might soon have to throw in the towel on 2007. The 49ers quarterback set a timetable for a potential season-ending surgery Thursday, saying that rest alone has done little to improve the discomfort he feels in his separated right shoulder. Smith said doctors will evaluate the shoulder Monday or Tuesday. If there is still only minimal progress, he might surrender and have an operation to reattach the ligaments near his collarbone. Recovery time is 10 to 12 weeks. "Obviously, you want to avoid (surgery), but if it had to be done, it's not a huge, huge operation," Smith said.

The quarterback has not thrown a football since warming up Nov. 18 before the St. Louis Rams game, in which he served as a backup. Since then, Smith said it hurts so much to lift his arm above his head that he does so only when he gets dressed. Time off was supposed to allow the damaged ligaments to fix themselves - "scarring down," Smith called it - but there has been no sign of progress. "They haven't healed at all," he said. It has already been an arduous road since Sept. 30, when Smith was hurt on a sack by Seattle's Rocky Bernard. The quarterback sat out for three weeks before coming back Oct. 28. Upon his return, Smith played poorly for three games, setting off a tense exchange between Smith and Coach Mike Nolan about whether the player was brought back too soon.

The quarterback saw Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Nov. 20, when an MRI exam revealed that the ligaments had yet to scar over. Still, Smith retains hope for a comeback over the season's final month. "If it really starts to scar down, and there's no need for surgery, then absolutely, I could come back for the end of the season and get back out there," he said. "That's what that evaluation will be."

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Niner News & Notes

2007-11-30T05:57:00.000-08:00

Willis Voted GMC Defensive Player of the Week
49ers.com
Linebacker Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers is the GMC Defensive Player of the Week for games played on November 22 - 26. Willis made 18 tackle, ½ sack and one pass defensed in the 49ers’ 37 – 31 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Willis ran down Sean Morey on a 62-yard reception in overtime preventing him from potentially scoring and winning the game for the Cardinals. Willis was selected from among five finalists by voters on NFL.com. The other finalists were safety Roman Harper of the New Orleans Saints, defensive end Patrick Kerney of the Seattle Seahawks, cornerback Asante Samuel of the New England Patriots, and safety Dwight Smith of the Minnesota Vikings. After the regular season, five players will be nominated for GMC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January.

Bewitching hour for Smith and his shoulder
Matthew Barrows, Sac Bee
Not only has Alex Smith not thrown a ball in nearly two weeks, he hasn't even lifted his right arm over his head. The strategy is to keep his injured shoulder as immobile as possible for two weeks - which will be this Sunday - and then re-examine it at that point. Smith said that examination could occur Monday or Tuesday. He is contemplating a return trip to Birmingham, Ala. to visit Dr. James Andrews or he could possibly fly to Los Angeles to meet with a doctor there that Andrews recommended. The visit will be an important one - the results could determine whether Smith plays again this season or possibly whether he will have surgery to reattach the ligaments between his collarbone and shoulder.

Gore deals with death of Taylor after mom's passing
John Crumpacker, San Francisco Chronicle
For the second time this season, Frank Gore has been hit with the type of tragedy that makes football trivial in comparison. Once again, he must compartmentalize his grief as he prepares to play a game. In September, he lost his mother, Liz Gore, to kidney disease. On Tuesday, he lost a friend and former teammate to gun violence when safety Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins was shot and killed in his home in the Miami area. Gore and Taylor entered the University of Miami together in 2001; they first met years before playing Pop Warner football."It's tough losing my mom, now losing my friend, who I played ball with," Gore said in his typically soft tone. "He was a tough dude, great football player. A lot of people don't know he was a great dude. At the University of Miami, all the boys are close. It's like losing my brother.
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One Win Doesn't Fix This

2007-11-27T06:43:00.000-08:00

With the list of possible replacements growing with names such as Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid or even toss in Jim Mora Jr., and Mike Singletary, if Mike Nolan thinks one win gets him a "Survivor immunity" until next year, he'd better think again. With his handling of the Smith situation, the Hostler situation and the on-field product being what it is, staying with this guy beyond this year looks like a crap shoot at best. For a brief moment on Sunday, 49er faithful everywhere must have been elated to see the team get an overtime win, until you look at the season's win column and realize...way too little, way too late, like always.

To be fair to Nolan, this has been a weird, frustrating and emotionally trying year. As one might reasonably expect, while his body has been in the bay area, his heart and mind have been in Grapevine, Texas , where about 200 friends and family, including several former NFL players and coaches, gathered for Dick Nolan's funeral. Nolan didn't miss a game, winging his way home in time for last week's yawner against the Rams, which shows great dedication. The sole act of showing up for work under what had to be the most extreme duress deserves great respect.

Having said that...and taking into consideration the hard-fought win this Sunday...

That doesn't fix the serious problems that have developed on a Niner team that was supposed to have been right in the middle of the playoff race, after investing very heavily in the free-agent market and stocking via the draft this off-season. What they need is a separate GM. Restructure the organization and hire an experienced general manager to share the considerable load of runinning this team. Nolan is spread too thin and as it stands now, he has as much, if not more control over his team than any coach in the league.

If Nolan could concentrate on what he is good at, defensive coaching, then maybe keep him around. To do that, a strong offensive coordinator, ala Norv Turner would have to reappear, since Nolan has shown no ability to run an offense, or direct those that should. The move to bring in Ted Tollner may have single handedly saved Nolan's hyde for the balance of the year, but it's still not enough. Personally, I think that if someone like Bay area native, Mike Holmren were to be available, and he has stated that he is not sure how long he wants to coach for, they should woo him. Holmgren, or his possibly available protege, Andy Reid, are Walsh disciples and share the same vision and eye for talent that Walsh had. Holmgren has a contract clause that allows him to leave the Seahawks if he finds a GM position he likes. If they get a guy like that in to call the shots, then ok...maybe give Nolan some more leash. You'd have a great back-up plan in the GM's suite then if a change had to be made.

Personally, I'd like to see Holmgren in as GM and Reid in as coach. Ain't gonna happen with this ownership, I know, but nice to think about right now. After looking at the on-field product, and losing the draft to dream about, front office changes are all we have left.

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The Recap From Nolan's Press Conference

2007-11-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat

INJURY UPDATE (3:45 p.m.): Cornerback Marcus Hudson is expected to miss "a few weeks" with a sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, a team spokesman said. No surgery is required. Also, cornerback Shawntae Spencer has a quad strain. The team has not received the results of his MRI examination, so his status is uncertain.
* * *
Coach Mike Nolan said the team will not get overconfident after its 37-31 overtime victory against the Cardinals. Here are some of the highlights from Nolan's weekly press conference:

--Nolan took complete responsibility for allowing the Cardinals an opportunity throw the Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half. When I asked if why they didn't take a snap and throw the ball out of bounds -- or do anything -- to run some time off the clock before sending out Joe Nedney for a 55-yard field goal, Nolan answered, "You're right."

Nolan said he was particularly impressed with the way his team handled the situation at halftime. "The adversity in that situation did not get the team down." --On the plane ride home, Mike Singletary, who sits across the aisle from Nolan, leaned over and said about Patrick Willis: "Patrick's special." After the film review, Willis was credited with 15 solo and six assists for 21 tackles. He had the big play to run down wide receiver Sean Morey in overtime to prevent what would've been the game-ending touchdown. Nolan said that play showed Willis' speed and desire.

--On the game-winning play, Ronald Fields got the sack; Tully Banta-Cain jumped on the fumble in the end zone. But, perhaps, the biggest effort on that play belonged to Derek Smith. The veteran linebacker gave the tight end on the play a chuck, knocking him into Anquan Boldin, who was the primary receiver. Warner saw that and had to hold the ball, allowing Fields and Banta-Cain to make the play.

--Nolan said his MVPs of the game were little Michael Lewis on special teams, big Michael Lewis and Patrick Willis on defense, and Trent Dilfer and Frank Gore on offense. He also credited the play of Bryant Young, Marques Douglas, Mark Roman and Walt Harris on defense.

--Nolan said he couldn't really answer how Ted Tollner helped, but he reflected on his own experience. He said when he had Bill Arnsparger helping him in '99 when he was Redskins defensive coordinator, it gave him more confidence.

--Back to that Hail Mary play, Nolan said his guys just got outjumped. He said he used to have Manny Lawson deep on those plays because at 6-6, he is also the team's highest jumper. He has also considered Vernon Davis back there but he didn't want to put too much on his plate, because if the Cardinals do something other than a Hail Mary, his defensive assignment would change. Ashley Lelie could do it, but he might not be strong enough to go up in traffic with all those bodies around.

--I had to step away there for a couple minutes to go on with Fitz and Brooks on KNBR. I'll be back on at 4 p.m. (or did they tell me 4:30?) with Ralph and Tom.

--Nolan said defensive coordinator Greg Manusky made a wise decision to put together a defense that was designed to allow some give and take. The Cardinals rolled up a lot of yards, but the 49ers also made a lot of plays. The 49ers are responsible for seven of the Cardinals' 17 sacks allowed this season.

--Kwame Harris saw some action as a second tight end on selected run plays. Harris did not replace any of the starting offensive linemen when he was on the field, Nolan said.

--Nolan told the Fox crew during their Saturday production meeting that Dilfer's game against the Rams was the 49ers' best-quarterbacked game in his three seasons with the 49ers. That's an interesting statement, considering Alex Smith has started 30 games for the 49ers. Anyway, Nolan said Dilfer's game yesterday was his best, yet.

--Nolan thanked the fans for "staying with us."

49ers Beat Cardinals in Wild OT Shootout

2007-11-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer

Kurt Warner had a big day that ended very badly for him and triumphantly for the embattled San Francisco 49ers. Warner was hit by Ronald Fields and fumbled in the Arizona end zone, and Tully Banta-Cain recovered for a touchdown and a wild 37-31 overtime victory over the Cardinals that ended the 49ers' eight-game losing streak on Sunday. Neil Rackers, whose 19-yard field goal as regulation ended forced the overtime, missed a 32-yarder that would have given Arizona the victory moments before the decisive play.

Warner completed 34 of 48 passes for 484 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice early. His completions included a desperation 48-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald to put the Cardinals (5-6) ahead 21-17 as the half ended. San Francisco is 3-8 this season, but 2-0 against Arizona. Warner's 62-yard pass to Sean Morey helped set up the field goal try that Rackers pulled to the left. The attempt was pushed back 5 yards by a delay-of-game penalty, even though Arizona had two timeouts remaining. Arizona outgained San Francisco 552 yards to 374, but the Cardinals had four turnovers to none by the 49ers. Arizona stopped the 49ers on three overtime possessions, but twice the Cardinals were pinned deep in their territory, with the help of a pair of blocking-in-the-back penalties against rookie Ben Patrick. Andy Lee's punt, combined with the penalty, pinned the Cardinals at their 3. On first down, Warner dropped back to pass, but hesitated. That's when he was hit by Fields and dropped the ball.

Frank Gore, looking like the powerhouse player of last year, ran for 116 yards on 21 carries and caught 11 passes from Trent Dilfer for 98 yards. There were three lead changes in the second half. Gore, slowed by a sore ankle much of the season, ran 35 yards virtually untouched to put San Francisco 31-28 with 1:15 left in regulation. But Warner completed five straight passes for 84 yards in the final 1:11. His last went 30 yards to Bryant Johnson, who slid out of bounds inside the San Francisco 1 with 6 seconds left.

After using their final timeout of regulation, Warner threw an incomplete lob to Johnson, then — with the ball inches from the goal line — Rackers kicked the tying chip shot. Fitzgerald caught nine passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He broke Larry Centers' franchise record with 30 touchdowns as a Cardinal. He also topped 1,000 yards receiving for the season. It was his 12th career 100-yard receiving game, third this season. The 49ers took a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter on Dilfer's 57-yard pass to Arnaz Battle.

But Arizona rallied. On fourth-and-1 at the San Francisco 2-yard line, backup quarterback Tim Rattay retreated to avoid the rush, then found Patrick deep in the end zone for a touchdown.

The Cardinals committed three early turnovers, two of them interceptions of Warner. The turnovers led to both first-half San Francisco touchdowns. Joe Nedney's 19-yard field goal was set up by Michael Lewis' 51-yard punt return. The 49ers led 17-10 when Warner scrambled to his left and lofted the ball to the end zone with the final seconds of the half ticking away. The 6-foot-3 Fitzgerald outjumped the crowd, grabbed the ball for the TD, then ran for the tunnel.

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Two for the price of one: Turner taking down two franchises

2007-11-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

Mark Kreidler, ESPN.com

Is Norv Turner finished in San Diego yet? Because it looks for all the world like they're keeping his seat warm in San Francisco. Oh, sure, it won't happen. Head coaches seldom voluntarily walk away from their bloated contracts in order to accept an assistant's job. There isn't really a rational line of thought under which Turner wakes up from his afternoon nap, has a sudden epiphany and declares, "I'm such a better coordinator than I am a leading man. San Diego can finish .500 without me. Let me go back to what I'm good at." We've bleated it before and we'll bleat it again: There is no substitute for figuring out where you excel in this world. No jury would convict Norv Turner for taking this third ill-fated ride of his on the NFL head coach merry-go-round, because, look, it's a really well-paying ride. But they need you up north, Norval. It's your calling. You must consider.

The head coach, Mike Nolan, is having communication problems with his putative starting quarterback. That quarterback, former No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith, has a lingering shoulder injury that seems to be growing in severity with every re-telling of the story (it's now scheduled to fall off completely next Tuesday). Smith, even while healthy, has been but a shell of the reasonably promising performer he was a year ago, when Turner was the offensive coordinator. The current offensive coordinator, Jim Hostler, left, has reached the point in his tenure that the club announced the Week 11 hiring of Ted Tollner as a sort of, you know, "helper" for the rest of the season.

By the way: What a rag-tag franchise the 49ers have become. What a wasteful mess of an organization with real, built-in value. When owner Denise DeBartolo York this week pronounced herself "devastated" to the San Francisco Chronicle over the state of things, she may really have done so oblivious to the fact that many, if not most, 49ers fans hold her and her husband, John York, directly responsible for said devastation up and down the franchise. From the day they fired Steve Mariucci without a Plan B, which led to the unhappy and virtually un-memorable Dennis Erickson era, the Yorks have consistently demonstrated almost no aptitude for the sports ownership thing. They have at times invested significant money -- it was never a matter of simple cheapskatery -- and it's clear from their words that, hey, all things being equal, they'd rather win than lose. They're just no good at it.

The latest from the DeBartolo-York axis is the word that, come the off-season, Mike Nolan will be yielding some of his organizational control to a yet-to-be-named general manager. That's not exactly ye olde vote of confidence for Nolan, but then 2-8 with possibly the worst offensive output in 49ers history does not inspire much. And that, bizarre as it sounds, brings us back to Norv. With Turner calling the shots as Nolan's offensive coordinator last season, Smith looked like a quarterback who might, with fair progress being marked at each turn along the way, become a bona fide force in the NFL. The offense as a whole wasn't setting the league on fire (26th overall, 303 yards per game), but Smith passed for close to 3,000 yards behind a shaky offensive line and with nothing more than an average receiving core. There was a chance to improve.

Right now, the 2007 season shapes up as almost a total loss for Smith, for Nolan and for the 49ers in general. Smith was lousy for weeks before getting officially banged up. He and Nolan publicly disagreed on the severity of his shoulder injury, with Nolan appearing to hint that Smith ought to get a little tougher. The injury turned out to be a Grade III sprain, which is severe enough to warrant consideration of surgery. So much for that theory. And the 49ers? Lost, simply lost. The offensive line is perhaps worse than ever, and whether it's Smith or Trent Dilfer or the recently signed Drew Olson back there throwing passes, it won't matter unless the San Francisco receiving corps gets over its recent bout of the dropsies. I don't know if Turner could fix all that. I do know that, in every iteration, Turner has proven himself a very capable and highly thought-of offensive coordinator -- as opposed, one has to note, to the weekly public-opinion beatings he takes as a head coach. It's probably even too much to speculate on what might have happened if the Nolan-Turner partnership had been given another year to run, in 2007. But, staring at the carcass on the field along Candlestick Point these days, it's tempting. And this, too: You hate for a decent guy like Turner to be the punchline to the joke about the time that the coach left one team and joined another, and both got worse.

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Nolan Receives The Dreaded 'vote of confidence'

2007-11-22T07:08:00.000-08:00

Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat

Yesterday, I wrote Mike Nolan is going nowhere, that I expected the 49ers to retain him as head coach for the 2008 season. Now that he's been given a vote of confidence, there's one point I failed to mention - and this is a big one. A lot of times coaches can talk themselves out of a job. It happens all the time. And over the past couple weeks, Nolan has not done himself any favors with his public comments about Alex Smith's injury, Smith's agent, and his coaching staff.
* * *
The main reason I made the educated guess that John York would stick with Nolan through next season is because I think York is still convinced Nolan's overall plan is a good one. The Yorks hired Nolan to be the central figure in the organization and create the organizational structure. Things were moving in the right direction for two seasons, so I didn't think one bad year would force them to tear up the model and throw it away, while still owing Nolan the final two years of his contract. But it must have been quite alarming to Nolan that Denise DeBartolo York was quoted extensively in today's Chron. There's John, Jed and Denise. John and Jed are around the team. John has not been available for comment, and Jed in an email said this is not his area. Suddenly, Denise is front and center as the voice of the organization. Even though she gave Nolan a vote of confidence, the mere fact that she was quoted on football matters begins to strip away at Nolan's power and control.
* * *
Denise said it is likely that the 49ers will hire a strong GM, according to the provocative article, and that Nolan should no longer have final say in draft and personnel matters. The example given was the Patriots' Scott Pioli, who holds the title of vice president, player personnel. The 49ers already have a vice president of player personnel. His name is Scot McCloughan, and he appears to do a pretty good job. But if the 49ers are looking for a Pioli-like figure, my best guess is that someone is in line for a promotion. Paraag Marathe, the team's director of football operations, is seen by the Yorks as a future star as a general manager.
* * *
Back to Nolan. He is picking fights when he should be taking the high road. Smith found out yesterday his forearm and shoulder are worse than Dr. James Andrews had anticipated, according to a source close to Smith. This comes after Nolan completely downplayed and mocked Smith's injury. ("I'm sore . . . has that affected my performance? Maybe, but I'm not going to talk about it.") The Smith camp contends that the 49ers' staff completely mishandled Alex's rehab. A source close to Smith said he was "lifting to failure" with his forearm muscle group. That means he was lifting weights until he could lift no more. As a primary form of strengthening it is considered ill-advised by many physical therapists, who say a quarterback doesn't need bulk/hypertrophy, he needs control/finesse for throwing. Smith's agent, Tom Condon, voiced these concerns - as well as saying that Smith required a painkilling injection to get through practice last week -- in an ESPN.com report. Again, instead of declining to comment, Nolan decided to take on one of the most powerful men in pro football. "I respect your question," Nolan answered, "but I don't respect the source." Not only is Condon extremely powerful, he is also a person Smith trusts, and someone whom Smith knows has his best interests at heart. Count that as another wedge been stuck between the coach and the QB.
* * *
On Monday, Nolan said he has a better coaching staff than a year ago, that offensive coordinator Jim Hostler is doing "an outstanding job," and he wasn't going to make any changes to the coaching staff. On Tuesday, Nolan hired Ted Tollner to help Hostler as an offensive assistant.
"When it comes to coaching changes, I believe I have a very strong staff, a very good staff," Nolan said in a prepared statement Monday. "I believe the staff is stronger this year than last year. We have come up short on the offensive side of the ball as far as production goes. I have said from the beginning that's a collective problem and I won't change that because it is."
* * *
Up until the past two weeks, the 49ers' problems have been confined to the playing field.
Not now.

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49ers News On Tollner, Smith, Olson

2007-11-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

From The Press Democrat

The word is official from the 49ers: Ted Tollner has been hired as an offensive assistant. He will help the entire coaching staff, a team spokesman said. Obviously, with his experience as an offensive coordinator he'll lend a lot of assistance to Jim Hostler. "Ted Tollner has been hired as an offensive assistant," Mike Nolan said in a statement. "He will work with offensive coordinator Jim Hostler and our offensive coaching staff. Ted has great experience with over 30 years in the NFL and in college coaching and is well respected in the football community. He will be a tremendous asset to the 49ers organization. We will continue to make every effort to improve our team."

Tollner has more than 30 years of coaching experience. He was head coach at USC and San Diego State. Since 1987, he has worked as an assistant with the Bills, Chargers, Rams, 49ers and Lions.This move comes one day after Nolan said of Hostler, "Jim is an easy scapegoat for everybody to jump on to. As you look at the entire offense and the production of the offense, and you look at what we do on the field, the production isn't as good as it was last year, although it wasn't off the charts. Let's recognize that last year it was (ranked) 26th. That is considerably better than we are right now, but I wouldn't put all of that on Jim. Jim is doing an outstanding job. He busts his tail and is always looking for ways to get better."
* * *
Also, a source close to Alex Smith confirms a report an ESPN.com that Dr. James Andrews told Smith today that his shoulder and forearm are "worse than anticipated." There was some talk that surgery might be needed to correct the problem if his shoulder and forearm don't show improvement. Smith might seek yet another opinion from a specialist. The 49ers did not comment on this report because their doctors have not received the report yet from Dr. Andrews, a team spokesman said.
* * *
Quarterback Drew Olson was signed to the practice squad to run the scout team offense with injuries to Smith and Shaun Hill (broken right index finger). With the uncertainty surrounding the backup QBs, Olson could find himself in uniform for Sunday's game. Olson was originally signed by the Ravens an undrafted free agent last season out of UCLA. He spent the season on the Raven's practice squad. Olson went to NFL Europa this past off-season. He was waived by Baltimore following training camp this past summer. He joined the Carolina practice squad in early November and then was signed to the Panthers 53-man roster for one week.
Offensive lineman Sean Estrada was waived from the practice squad to make room for Olson.

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Niner One Liners

2007-11-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

The 49ers have scored 10 touchdowns in 10 games so far this season...New England had 8 on Monday Night alone.

Apparently, Mike Nolan's idea of offensive football stategy is like golf...lowest total wins, like his 10 point per game plan. Sunday vs. the Rams...9 points or 1- par. Nice job Mike!

Mike Singletary will fast become the envy of the rest of the Niner coaching staff with his lifeboat docked and waiting to rescue him from this sinking ship..."The S.S. Baylor Job"

"He's been very supportive." That's what Nolan said about John York. Yeah, Mike, so is a jock strap, and it knows about as much about football as York does.

This season is severely damaging the 49ers' chances of getting public money for a new stadium in Santa Clara. Why would taxpayers want to give $160 million to a franchise that can't even figure out how to get a first down?

When asked Monday about the comments made by Alex Smith's agent, Mike Nolan smirked. "I respect your question, but I don't respect the source," Nolan said. "It's like me trying to pretend to be a doctor." - Nobody's asking you to be a doctor, Mike! They would probably be smarter at running an NFL Franchise!

What two things do Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers have in common...? They both are highly paid first round picks, and they both look like they'll never lead their franchises to a win as it's leader.

Embattled offensive coordinator Jim Hostler apparently will remain in his position for the remainder of the season...guess he can afford the turkey after all this week. Beats only being one.

"We've got a very exceptional and very unique on-side kick.", Nolan said in his press conference...Yeah Mike, when you're behind as much as the Niners, you get good at all the desperation, catch-up moves. Not necessarily something to rely on or brag about!

"I thought (quarterback) Trent (Dilfer) did a pretty damn good job in the game – I was pleased with his performance," Nolan said. One of us is crazy here, Mike. Either you for thinking Dilfer played well, or me for thinking I ought to listen to everyone I know and give up on this Daffy Duck team.

Oh, well, there's alway's the draft to look forward to! Hey we could have a top two pick....DUOH!! Oh well, enjoy "Mangenius", enjoy.

Miami coach Cam Cameron has to be the most hated or conversely, loved man in San Fran this year. His departure from San Diego cost the Niners an offensive coordinator, but he is making up for it with his wonderful head coaching style that is keeping the 49ers out of the 32nd and worst team spot. Thanks, Cam.
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