Kyle Williams tears ACL, out for the season. Who will step up?

Monday morning on Twitter, Kyle Williams confirmed he tore his ACL Sunday against the Saints and will miss the rest of the season as he rehabs. Kendall Hunter hurt his ankle on the same play, but the extent of his injury is currently unknown. Due to these injuries, first and second round picks A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James may be activated next week against the Rams, but I do not…

November 26, 2012
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49ers Week 12 grades: Kaepernick

NEW ORLEANS – The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here is the grade for Colin Kaepernick. Colin Kaepernick: A-. I mark him down because he threw an interception and was flagged for two delays. But his performance was extraordinary. He had pressure all game and he never got sacked once. If Alex Smith had played, he would have been sacked five times. Kaepernick made unbelievable throws from the pocket…

November 25, 2012
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49ers Week 12 grades: Offense

NEW ORLEANS – The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: B-. These guys gave up pressure all game, but did not surrender a single sack because Kaepernick escaped every time. Anthony Davis was flagged for a hold which negated a beautiful throw by Kaepernick and a beautiful catch and run by Michael Crabtree which would have been a 35-yard gain….

November 25, 2012
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49ers Week 12 grades: Defense and special teams

NEW ORLEANS — The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense and special teams. Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith had 1.5 sacks – he’s coming on at the end of the season, just like he did last year. Ray McDonald almost sacked Brees on the first play of the game. McDonald didn’t do much the rest of the game. And Isaac Sopoaga was…

November 25, 2012
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49ers Week 12 grades: Coaching

NEW ORLEANS — The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here are the grades for the 49ers coaches. Coaching: B-. The 49ers committed a whopping 10 penalties – that’s on the head coach. Greg Roman did not establish the run in the first half for the third time this season. He did not get Vernon Davis involved in the offense for fifth time this season. Most of the offense’s big…

November 25, 2012
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Kap on Kap

NEW ORLEANS – Here’s what Kaepernick said after the game about his performance against the Saints. Q: Were you a good QB today? KAEPERNICK: I think so. We got a win. That’s all that really matters. Q: What did you think of the noise? KAEPERNICK: It was loud at times. We had to make sure we communicated the play well. There was a couple of plays we had a little…

November 25, 2012
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Harbaugh chooses not to choose next week’s starting quarterback

NEW ORLEANS – Here’s what Jim Harbaugh said after the 49ers beat the Saints 31-21. Q: Is Kaepernick your starting quarterback going forward? HARBAUGH: Colin played well in a tough environment. He acquitted himself very well. Q: Do you expect him to start next week? HARBAUGH: We’ll address that at a later date. Q: Was Alex able to play today? HARBAUGH: Yes, he was cleared yesterday Q: How do you…

November 25, 2012
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Whitner believes Kaepernick can become “one of the top guys in the NFL.”

NEW ORLEANS – Here’s what Donte Whitner said about Colin Kaepernick after the 49ers beat the saints 31-21. Q: Do you know Colin Kaepernick? WHITNER: I do know Colin Kaepernick. I work out with him every morning. Q: What’s he like? WHITNER: He’s a quiet guy who has lofty goals for himself. He doesn’t really tell you much of his goals if he doesn’t know you. He’s one of the…

November 25, 2012
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Boone calls Kaepernick “calm,” “cool,” “collected,” “awesome” and “unbelievable.”

NEW ORLEANS – Here’s what Alex Boone said about Colin Kaepernick after the 49ers beat the Saints 31-21. Q: How did Colin play? BOONE: Awesome. Q: What was your impression of some of the throws he made? BOONE: Unbelievable. I think he did a great job. He had some pressure today, but he got out of it and made some great plays. I’m proud of him coming to this stadium…

November 25, 2012
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49ers @ Saints live blog: Fourth quarter

NEW ORLEANS — This is the live blog for the fourth quarter of the 49ers Week 12 game against the Saints in the Superdome. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box. 3:52 On third and two, Kaepernick hits Crabtree for a five-yard gain. 3:54 On third and 10, Kaepernick throws a 24-yard rope to Walker. Alex Smith does not do that. 3:56 Kyle Williams is…

November 25, 2012
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49ers @ Saints live blog: Third quarter

NEW ORLEANS — This is the live blog for the third quarter of the 49ers Week 12 game against the Saints in the Superdome. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box 3:06 Kaepernick is still the QB. He hands off to Gore on first down. Gore gains 4 up the middle. 3:07 Gore gains another four yards on second down, and on third and two…

November 25, 2012
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49ers @ Saints live blog: Second quarter

NEW ORLEANS — This is the live blog for the second quarter of the 49ers Week 12 game against the Saints in the Superdome. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box 2:08 Kaepernick audibles to a QB sweep on first down and picks up one. Gore drops a pass on second down. 2:08 The Saints show blitz, Kaepernick tries to re-mike the blocking but the…

November 25, 2012
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49ers @ Saints live blog: First quarter

NEW ORLEANS — This is the live blog for the first quarter of the 49ers Week 12 game against the Saints in the Superdome. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box. 1:23 Frank Gore calls tails, and the coin lands on heads. The Saints elect to receive. 1:25 After the return, the Saints start at their 26 yard line. 1:28 The Saints gain two yards…

November 25, 2012
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49ers @ Saints live blog: Pregame

NEW ORLEANS — This is the live blog for the pregame of the 49ers Week 12 game against the Saints in the Superdome. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box. 11:01 I walked from my hotel to the Superdome. It took my dad and me about a half an hour. It seemed like the entire city was out tailgating. It was very festive and a…

November 25, 2012
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Kaepernick to start, and dinner New Orleans style

I’m in my hotel. I’m about to walk to the Super Dome in an hour. I want to link to this to let you know the chatter is still that Colin Kaepernick will start. Some of you wanted to know what I ate for dinner last night. I went to Commander’s Palace in the Garden District. I had turtle soup for the first time and I loved it. For the…

November 25, 2012
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Prediction: 49ers win high-scoring game

The 49ers will beat the Saints 41-27 on Sunday. Colin Kaepernick will play even better than he did against the Bears. The loud Super Dome will not faze him. He will torch the Saints terrible defense with his arm and his legs. The 49ers offense will demoralize the Saints defense early. It will be clear in the first quarter the 49ers offense can do whatever it wants. The Saints are…

November 24, 2012
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49ers-Saints matchups: Part V – Jimmy Graham vs. Willis and Whitner

The 49ers play the Saints Sunday at the Superdome. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. TE Jimmy Graham vs. LB Patrick Willis and SS Donte Whitner This is the one matchup the 49ers will not win. Jimmy Graham is too tall and too athletic. Drew Brees frequently throws the ball up and gives Graham chances to make great catches. He made a bunch of great catches against…

November 24, 2012
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Saints-49ers matchups: Part IV – Darren Sproles vs. NaVorro Bowman

The 49ers play the Saints Sunday at the Superdome. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. RB Darren Sproles vs. LB NaVorro Bowman When the 49ers front-seven has struggled against running backs this season, they’ve struggled against big, tough running backs. Sproles is a small, quick back who catches passes more often that he carries the football. He is Brees’ go-to possession receiver. When Brees needs six yards,…

November 24, 2012
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Saints-49ers matchups: Part III – Bushrod and Grubbs vs. Aldon and Justin Smith

The 49ers play the Saints Sunday at the Superdome. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. LT Jermon Bushrod and LG Ben Grubbs vs. Aldon and Justin Smith These two O-linemen are over matched. They will not be able to stop either Smith one-on-one, and they will not be able to handle the T/E Stunt. They couldn’t handle it in the playoffs last season. The two Smiths racked…

November 24, 2012
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