Depth chart changes in the secondary

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just sent out their depth chart for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Houston Texans, and there are some changes in the secondary. Dashon Goldson is officially the starting free safety while Reggie Smith is injured. Madieu Williams is officially second-string. Shawntae Spencer is still the starting right cornerback even though he’s injured. Tarell Brown is his backup, and Tramaine Brock is third-string. Chris Culliver is…

August 23, 2011
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49ers depth chart

SAN FRANCISCO – Here’s the 49ers depth chart for today’s preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. A bracket around a player’s name means they are injured. Update: Despite what the depth chart says, the press box announcer says Tramaine Brock and Tarell Brown will be the starting cornerbacks tonight, and Dashon Goldson will start at free safety. Josh McCown is officially on the depth chart now, as well. 1ST STRING…

August 20, 2011
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Quarterback rotation

On Monday Coach Harbaugh alluded to a “pitch count” for Alex Smith in the first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Friday, and Matt Maiocco reports he should play most of the 1st quarter, with Colin Kaepernick playing the second and third quarters. That means you’ll get to watch the rookie take around 40 snaps. Whatever pitch count Smith is on doesn’t factor for Kaepernick, who has a…

August 10, 2011
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Davis clears waivers, signed to practice squad

It’s been said ad nauseam that it takes much more than a rocket arm to be a successful NFL quarterback.
But the point has rarely been illustrated so vividly as it was this week. Consider the case of Nate Davis, 23, who can throw a pigskin to Pleasanton but, with his services available, could only inspire yawns from 31 NFL teams.

September 8, 2010
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Singletary tepid on his backup QBs

When Mike Singletary confronted the media Monday, I asked the coach if he felt comfortable with his backup quarterbacks. As is often the case, Singletary gave us more than we expected.
“When you say comfortable, I’ll put it this way,” he said. “I feel good about Alex Smith. I feel very good about where he’s at. I think we have to do a great job of protecting our starting quarterback. When it comes to David Carr, I think David Carr is a guy that I could grow to feel comfortable with. I think he’s a guy that has a good command of the offense. I think he understands, I just think that he’s still thinking a lot and he’s still having to get the rhythm and all the other things, but I think David Carr, I could grow to feel comfortable with him.”
Boiling down the response, it sounded a lot like Singletary saying, “Comfortable with my backups? Let’s just pray Alex Smith doesn’t get hurt.”

August 31, 2010
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Roster battles: the fight card

One preseason game left. Sixty minutes of football. Twenty-two players to be cut within five days. The mathematics of the NFL summer makes for some interesting mini-dramas this time of year.
Coach Mike Singletary said he and his staff have “a decent idea” of what their ultimate 53-man roster will look like. But he admitted the final preseason game, Thursday against San Diego, could help settle a few spots. These are among the most contested:
Brit Miller vs. Jehuu Caulcrick
You figure Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon are safe among the halfbacks. Michael Robinson is needed for special teams, and Moran Norris is the guy at fullback. The 49ers could stop the backfield there, or they could go with a second fullback.

August 30, 2010
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Center is Baas’ job to lose

Last week, the 49ers pushed the idea that they were starting David Baas at center because they already knew what they had in Tony Wragge. It looked like an open competition for the temporary spot created by Eric Heitmann’s broken fibula.
Now it seems clear that Wragge won’t get a real shot at the job. While Baas continues to get all the work with the first team, Wragge isn’t even getting most of his snaps at center. He has primarily been working at left guard with the second team as Adam Snyder recovers from a concussion. Getting the No. 2 reps at center the past two days has been Cody Wallace.

August 19, 2010
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