I’m waiting to hear from the Niners about media availability this week, but as a prelude to that here’s something for you to think about. We don’t know if the offense will be better this year, but let’s assume it … Continue reading
Top-5 defenders not named Smith, Willis, Bowman or Smith
Nothing’s going on at Niners headquarters this week, we’ve broken down the offense, now let’s talk about the defense. It’s the best defense in the league – we know that. It has no weak links. Last year I wrote that … Continue reading
2012 NFL Power Rankings
1. New York Giants Key losses: WR Mario Manningham, RB Brandon Jacobs, TE Jake Ballard (microfracture knee surgery). Key additions: RB David Wilson, WR Rueben Randle, WLB Keith Rivers, TE Martellus Bennett. Forecast: The champs got better. Wilson is an … Continue reading
A.J. Jenkins doesn’t attend graduation
I’m linking to my dad’s Saturday column. He drove down to Santa Clara with me this morning and he wrote on A.J. Jenkins’ decision to skip graduation and participate in the Niners rookie mini camp. I thought you’d find the … Continue reading
A.J. Jenkins vs. Chris Owusu
SANTA CLARA – At certain points in this morning’s Rookie Mini Camp, first round draft pick A.J. Jenkins looked like the best receiver on the practice field by far. At other points he got outclassed by undrafted players like Stanford’s … Continue reading
Moss steals the show
SANTA CLARA – The Niners called today’s practice a Veteran Football School On-field session. Most of the veterans showed up. Frank Gore didn’t, and neither did Mario Manningham or Brandon Jacobs, but that’s OK because VFS is voluntary. But Alex … Continue reading
The 49ers top-10 offseason battles
With rookie mini camps around the corner and OTAs around the bend too, let’s rank the Niners top-10 offseason battles in reverse order. 10. Michael Crabtree vs. his left foot. Will Crabtree win the battle against his left foot this … Continue reading
Predicting the 49ers 53 man roster and depth chart
Rather than grade the different areas of the Niners defense – which would all get varying degrees of A – I’m going to predict the Niners 53 man roster and depth chart. QUATERBACKS 1. Alex Smith 2. Josh Johnson 3. … Continue reading
Grading the 49ers: Punt returners
Before: Tedd Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams. Grade: B- Why: Until December, Ginn was one of best punt returners in the league and Kyle Williams was a talented backup. Then Ted Ginn Jr. injured his ankle and Kyle Williams sustained … Continue reading
Grading the 49ers: Red zone offense
Before: Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker, Kyle Williams and Frank Gore. Grade: F Why: Vernon Davis is a monster red zone target, but he got double covered constantly last season. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman wanted to establish his … Continue reading
Grading the 49ers: Third down offense
Before: Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker, Kyle Williams and Kendall Hunter. Grade: F Why: Double-cover Davis and the Niners were dead on third down. Crabtree was rarely open enough for Alex Smith’s taste, Kendall Hunter didn’t have reliable hands … Continue reading
Grading the 49ers: Quarterbacks
Before: Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Scott Tolzien. Grade: C+ Why: The Niners rolled the dice with two rookie backups last season – Kaepernick and Tolzien – who probably couldn’t have led last year’s team to the playoffs. So the … Continue reading
Grading the 49ers: Offensive line
Before: Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Adam Snyder, Anthony Davis, Alex Boone, Chilo Rachal, Daniel Kilgore and Mike Person. Grade: C+ Why: LT Joe Staley was a Pro Bowler and LG Mike Iupati was very good, but the mere … Continue reading
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