The Santa Rosa Press Democrat just posted my article for Thursday’s paper on the Niners outstanding rookies.
I focus on their breakout moments from this season. My idea was to ask each rookie to identify and discuss his breakout moment, but Harbaugh’s rookies didn’t feel comfortable with that type of reflection – not right now, not during the playoffs.
Luckily, Ricky Jean Francois is always up for reflection and discussion. He sat down with me in the locker room this week and discussed the breakout moments of Aldon Smith, Kendall Hunter, Bruce Miller and Chris Culliver.
To read my article, click here.
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That’s good stuff Grant. Cut that article out and put it in your scrapbook. That’s top-notch. Great job man.
I agree, Grant. You found a good, interesting, articulate source, got him to talk about something you knew your audience would be fascinated by, and you went at him in a very creative, novel way. Man, that’s a recipe for an excellent column! Very impressive.
Thanks for a great read.
Democrat asked Smith when his breakout moment came.
“It hasn’t happened yet,” Smith said.
Damn!
I love Aldon’s attitude. But you know when he’ll finally breakout?
Saturday…Big Time!
Great Stuff Grant!
Great article, Grant.
Outstanding article Grant! Thanks
Grant,
At a time when we’re reflecting back on 2011, let me say thanks to you for your stewardship of this blog. You’ve brought some innovative approaches to your posts and you have a deserved following here.
LC has probably been amused to watch you grow thicker skin, as he’s had to over the years.
You may have to expand your marketing approach though, as you still don’t seem to have anyone posting from Antarctica or Africa, although the other contents are represented.
Nice read, Grant!
Smith, Hunter, and Miller get the lions share of the attention with the rookie class, but Culliver has quietly become one of the great stories of the 2011 draft. Looking forward to seeing them outshine the Saints veterans on Saturday!!!
What an amazing job by the entire organization to find these guys and put them in positions to be so successful even with all the obstacles they had to overcome.
Don’t know about all of you but I’m totally useless as a productive human being right now.
51 more long hours and 23 minutes until gametime!
I’m in the same boat Crabs. If I could sleep for 48 hours and wake up Saturday I would.
Yep – same boat (and sick too boot :-(.
Did anyone see Inside the NFL yesterday – all three guys (Chris, Warren, and Phil) picked the Niners to beat the Saints.
And I thought that show had gone down the cr@pper since it left HBO :-)
Cris is a great guy when you get to know him, even if he did proclaim Ted Ginn Jr. the “Key to the Season” last year. He was a year early, hah.
Phil and Sapp picking the 49ers is a bit of a shock. Especially Simms – he hates the 49ers.
I like Collinsworth…he’s the only holdover from the HBO version. And, he usually speaks favorably of our team and gives them credit when no other East Coast talking head will.
It’s Warren Sapp I can’t stand – guy is a pompous…..jerk.
and phil almost fell down backwards when standing up after making that call….
maybe i have this wrong….but my perception is all that counts in my world
The Saints have never won a road playoff game and the Niners will be geeked out of their minds. I think they picked correctly. You are right, the show was way better on HBO.
All four guys on “The Huddle” show on NFL Network picked Saints. It’s funny how Jalen Rose is now an NFL expert.
Next week they will say we can’t win at Lambeau, what can you do? : )
but isn’t brees 5-0 against the niners
next week is next week and i still think it will be the NYG that wins that game….they are also on an end of season rise
“but isn’t brees 5-0 against the niners”
Yep, and the Saints are 0-4 on the road in the playoffs.
Stats are for baseball :-)
I as well can concentrate on little else, its a shame that we still r getting north attention from espn and nfl network its all Tebow, Giants, Green Bay, pathetic, hopefully that will change on Saturday.
@Drty 49
I don’t want anything to change.
We are who we are with the media coverage we have received.
There are a lot more ways that things will get worse than there are for reasons that things wil improve if the meia coverage increases.
I prefer that nothing changes when it comes to media coverage at this point. True I wanted more talk after the Niners beat Philly/Detroit/Giants, but maybe the lack of attention has helped the team focus more on what is at hand (next game) rather than what shirt to wear for the next ESPN interview.
When things aren’t broke, make the other guy break it.
@DS “When things aren’t broke, make the other guy break it.” exactly right!!!
Let them keep ignoring us right up until the Lombardi trophy presentation.
@DS9, I don’t really want things to change either it just sucks to watch ESPN all day and get nothing on your team.
You shouldn’t watch ESPN all day, even small doses have shown to be harmful to your health.
@drty 49
Do you have xbox live? They have an espn app which will let you see clips of any of the shows on ESPN when the Niners are brought up.
There are not that many clips, so you have the whole rest of your day to pull weeds in the backyard. lol
Technology: Making yor life a little easier and more enjoyable each day.
DS,
Do you have a gamer tag?
any one catch the rise and now the fall of leigh stenberg story
The real life Jerry Maguire, “Show me the rehab!”
smile….but he had some significant connections to the niner’s past glory days….
Absolutely.
I am not counting the Giants out yet, probably going to get A little backlash from this, but I believe the Giants have as much of a chance to win their game as we have a chance to win ours.Not a bad thing.
more so in my opinion…greenbay is suspect and had a nice run for sure but that game will be smash mouth
@jgWindsor
I noted your earlier post as to NYG over the Pack; I have been feeling that all week but holding it in. Then again, I don’t know if WE want the Giants to win. ‘Tough to beat the same team twice….
Go Niners!!
Drty – The Giants are firing on all cylinders but I like our chances a little better than the G-Men’s chances.
If we win, I’d rather play Giants at home again rather than go to Green Bay.
I’m sure most Niner fans are pulling for a Giants upset.
actually, i am not wanting to see the giants again… will be harder to beat them again the second time around…for this season that bridge has been crossed and i just don’t want to go back over it….want fresh meat and hopefully NYG tenderize it
@BP, you r probably right, but when I am home its what I do, sports, all day.my name is Nate and I am an addict.
Mike and Mike, give a slight edge to Giants, what if. Can u say Another home game….
I think even if GB wins that the Giants r going to hurt them physically and mentally, cmon 9ers, we have a huge opportunity on our hands.
@Crabs 4sho would love another home game, its hard to bet against GB, but the similarities between the last Giants SB team and this team r unmistakable and nobody gave them A chance to beat NE
Drty – Very good point.
49 hours until game time. Like 9erGirl says, it feels like eternity.
Grant, excellent read and perfect angle using RJF’s perspective. These rooks will all contribute to the 9er win on Saturday!
I wouldn’t worry too much about seeing the Giants again, I remember the last time they rolled through 3com for a playoff game, and it would be better than traveling, but no matter who we playing its all good because it will mean we r still in it.
Stats r for BB, but I do like trends, especially when they go in our favor.
Good work, Grant.
This rookie class is pretty special.
Is there any word on Nate Byham? I’m hearing some rumors that he may come off IR.
So if we all had to bet our house, car, spouses or loved ones on this game, do you go Saints or Niners? I have a feeling Alex S. is going to be the key in all this. I hope it is positive, but what ever happens good things could be on the horizon, This is Harbaughs first year. If we can keep building and if we do get to the ceiling on Alex, Kapernick could develop into something, Hopefully we can all enjoy this game no matter the out come, focus on the positives and keep dark and negative thoughts and Freddie P. Soft away from us! Here is hoping for a great weekend of games!
Excellent article, Grant – well-timed, well-written, and offering insights not only into the rookies but also into the character and intelligence of R. Jean Francois.
This is awesome! Great 49ers songs for the playoffs
http://www.chatsports.com/san-francisco-49ers/a/49ers-rumors-Which-should-be-the-official-San-Francisco-49ers-anthem-10-9-255
Nicely done Grant! I loved the bit about Aldon and Gore.
I must have missed the Cleveland game where the picture’s taken from. The caption says the 49ers won 201-10. That has to be some sort of record! :)
Not blowing sunshine where it doesn’t shine but the kid has his on distinct style I will give him that…
Great article, but what about special teams?