Category Archives: Past 49ers players

Young to Alex: the pressure is on

Posted on September 2, 2010 by staff

Caught Steve Young on KNBR’s “The Razor and Mister T” on the drive to Candlestick Park tonight. After the requisite reminiscences, the Hall of Fame quarterback got to the important stuff: Alex Smith. And Young managed to not only praise Smith, but zing another NFC West quarterback who entered the league as a high first-round pick.
“I think Alex is a competent quarterback,” Young said. “I think Alex understands the game, and I’m telling you there’s a reaction – similar to Matt Leinart. He can’t get out of third gear. He throws the nice ball, he can drop back. But when things get fast – fast, fast – you can tell, he just can’t quite keep up. You really can’t win jobs when you can’t keep up.”
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Posted in Past 49ers players, Quarterback talk | 83 Comments

Breaking down Jerry Rice’s greatness

Posted on August 6, 2010 by staff

I made a guest appearance on a radio show in Miami today to talk about Jerry Rice’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. The segment was short, so I’m going to foist all my well-rehearsed lines on you. Four things I’ll always remember about Jerry Rice:
THE JOY
I was a young editor/writer working for NFL Publishing sometime around 1990 when I first got to see Rice in person. It was at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, where I had the plum assignment of interviewing several players for future GameDay magazine stories in between sips of daiquiri.
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Posted in Past 49ers players, Pro Football Hall of Fame | 10 Comments

Roger Craig: 49ers ready to ‘annihilate the West’

Posted on June 20, 2010 by staff

There is no escaping the 49ers. After a week of offseason practices, I’m breaking away from your favorite team to help cover the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. And as I mentioned previously, former 49ers running back Roger Craig is serving as Grand Marshall.
Craig was in high spirits during a short pre-race press conference, sharing the podium with perky HNL anchor Robin Meade, who just sang the National Anthem.
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Posted in Past 49ers players | 16 Comments

49ers already missing ‘Old Reverend Bruce’

Posted on June 7, 2010 by staff

One day it may look like a swindle. The 49ers traded a potential Hall of Fame wide receiver to a division rival and got absolutely nothing in return. But this was no ordinary deal. San Francisco traded Isaac Bruce to the Rams so that he could officially finish his career with the team that made him famous.
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Posted in Past 49ers players | 3 Comments

Roger Craig waving the green flag at Infineon

Posted on June 2, 2010 by staff

Roger Craig always was one of the most versatile guys on the field. Apparently, he still is. Craig already has been involved in a fishing show this spring, and today Infineon Raceway announced that the former running back and three-time Super Bowl champion will serve as Grand Marshall of the Toyota/SaveMart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in June.
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Posted in Past 49ers players | 3 Comments

Willis gets an endorsement, Fagan gets a title

Posted on May 16, 2010 by staff

The links are on me: Soon-to-be Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson thinks Patrick Willis is the best linebacker in the NFL right now. Where are they now: Former DE Kevin Fagan is a successful high school coach in Florida. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Past 49ers players | 1 Comment

The mound, the mogul and the misdemeanor

Posted on May 9, 2010 by staff

The links are on me: Rookie RB Anthony Dixon’s finds time to watch his kid brother on the mound back in Mississippi.   Where are they now? Ed Galigher, DT (1977-78) and his wife are in real-estate development.   Another … Continue reading →

Posted in Past 49ers players | 1 Comment

Trading stocks, teams (maybe) and opinions

Posted on May 7, 2010 by staff

The links are on me: Ronnie Lott and Steve Young go to the floor for charity, the Rams keep communication open with Brian Westbrook, and one “scientist” picks Patrick Willis over Nnamdi Asomugha.
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Posted in NFC West, Past 49ers players | 5 Comments

Alex Boone’s secret, and Jeff Stover’s whereabouts

Posted on May 5, 2010 by staff

Everyone has been talking about T Alex Boone’s physical transformation this offseason. Turns out he got a major assist from former NFL O-lineman LeCharles Bentley.
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Posted in Past 49ers players | 6 Comments

Former Niner in the octagon

Posted on May 3, 2010 by staff

Former DT Matt Mitrione, who was with the 49ers during much of the 2004 offseason (they cut him at the beginning of training camp that year), has moved on to a different line of work. You think it was tough … Continue reading →

Posted in Past 49ers players | 7 Comments

Steve Bono’s son bringing the lumber

Posted on April 29, 2010 by staff

Look who’s batting .468 and hitting scoreboard-clearing home runs for Palo Alto High: Christoph Bono, son of former 49ers QB Steve Bono. No word yet on whether he has faced Elvis Grbac’s son.

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Darryl Pollard talks charity

Posted on April 28, 2010 by staff

Here’s a quickie interview with former 49ers cornerback Darryl Pollard (1987-1990). Not sure I’d call him an “NFL legend” like the author, but he has some good things to say about charitable giving and personal responsibility.

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Strong 49ers representation among HOF finalists

Posted on February 5, 2010 by staff

Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Charles Haley have a combined eight Super Bowl rings with the 49ers. All three are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.   Rice, the holder of every significant receiving record in NFL history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Past 49ers players | 13 Comments