Posted By: drspaceman (11/06/2008 3:28:53 PM)
Comment: Just read an article about how Hall-worthy Ogden is. That adds to articles about Favre, Sapp, McNair, and Strahan by the national media this offseason. Sapp and McNair getting into the HOF (at least on the first ballot) looks so-so, but at least there's been discussion on them. Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything on Bryant Young except maybe a small blurb by Peter King and Michael Silver. I don't know if he gets in right away. Does anyone outside of SF truly appreciate how great a player he was? And as for Roger Craig, I agree with Matt, he needs to get in as well. I mean c'mon, he was Marshall Faulk before Faulk was Faulk.

Posted By: Matt (11/06/2008 9:10:50 AM)
Comment: Hopefully BY doesnt become another on a long list of Niner and NFL greats that gets abused by an east coast, for lack of a better word, bias. BY should be a HOF, not first ballot but one day. Talk to guys he's played against, they all recognize his impact & greatness even if it doesn't show up on the stat sheet(Dana Stubblefield!) Other Niners that need to get in are Roger Craig obviously, but even guys like Dwight Clark and John Taylor should get consideration if guys like Lynn Swan and John Stallworth are in, who's stats are very comparable and who's championships match up. Also, George Seifert and Eddie D. need to be in on the coaching/ownership side. A dynasty as great as SF's can't be represented by a select few (Montana, Lott, Young, Rice, Walsh). Matt, lets get the bandwagon rolling on Roger in the Hall.

Posted By: Kelseyville9er (11/06/2008 7:43:53 AM)
Comment: Thanks Matt...Yeah, too many "big-name", multiple pro-bowlers standing in Young's way...Hopefully, the voters don't pull a "Fred Dean" on Young and make him wait indefinitely...

Posted By: 49ersKing (11/06/2008 7:01:41 AM)
Comment: I like the idea of practice not being open to the media. Why 'publicize' or allow an outside view in on what we're going to be doing and/or the QB "competition"? There's been enough speculation on who it might or might not be. Let the players practice with no distractions so we get the best answer at the respective positions. That being said, Nolan's respons is laughable. He kind of reminds me of George Bush. "Fool me once....and um...and...shame on me....but....ummm...fool me...Dont fool me twice!"

Posted By: Pete in New Hampshire (11/06/2008 5:48:43 AM)
Comment: I think the 49ers have playoff talent and that a Marty Schottenheimer, for example, would get them there. Maybe the addition of Martz will be enough, but if Nolan can't get this team competetive, he just can't coach.

Posted By: Dean (11/06/2008 4:51:36 AM)
Comment: Mike in Sac- Nolan has 16 national media events where his job tenure can be decided, doubt his reason for closing practices is due to fear of losing his job. More than likely does not need the distractions to the team the media presents.

Posted By: ninermaniac (10/06/2008 7:08:52 PM)
Comment: Its too bas that the 2 main vets are retiring this year. It would be great to have em back this year although their gas tanks are getting low.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (10/06/2008 4:50:30 PM)
Comment: Nolan's answer with regards to practice being open to the media is absurd! How do you do this when the team has a LONG history of being very open? Sounds to me like a guy scared as hell of losing his job, which is never good. Oh yeah, how about a trade of Spencer or one of the other DB's to Cleveland for a good draft pick? If I am not mistaken these guys are desperate for any kind of corner talent right now! Heck, maybe trade Harris? Let's face it, he is not our long term solution and we are not going to win the SB this year so lets stock up and let the kids play!

Posted By: http:// (10/06/2008 4:35:09 PM)
Comment: Matt, with spencer and walt harris not practicing today, who started for the 1st unit defense at corenback? and how did they look

Posted By: Kelseyville9er (10/06/2008 4:23:37 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, Looking at the "big name" players not playing in 2008 (Favre, Young, Allen, etc.), who's on your list for Canton in 2013?

Response: This might warrant a separate blog post, but . . . Favre, Allen, Strahan and Ogden are definite first-ballot selections. Sapp will get in, based on his seven Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro selections. Is Bryant Young worthy of Canton? I believe so. But the voters might be inclined to vote in people who have more Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections. Young made four Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro once. --Matt M.

Posted By: http:// (10/06/2008 4:15:04 PM)
Comment: Did anyone other than Goldson practice today?

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (10/06/2008 2:06:01 PM)
Comment: From Rotoworld: "NFL Network's Adam Schefter thinks "very strongly" that Alex Smith will be the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2008. Schefter points out that Smith has all the qualities (smarts, accuracy, plenty of arm strength) Mike Martz wants. Just like Martz, Smith is a perfectionist, though that could be a good or bad thing. Schefter says Smith has separated himself during OTAs, which coincides with reports coming from the Bay Area media. We concur that it would be a shock if Smith doesn't win."

Posted By: greg in Sac (10/06/2008 1:46:12 PM)
Comment: Looks like Goldson has a chance to shine. He would be a nice addition to the starting FS position. Matt: how did the Oline look and how did the dline look? Also what did the LBs look like? Did B. Moore play and how did he do and how did J. Moore look?

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (10/06/2008 1:38:42 PM)
Comment: Matt - you don't EVER miss a thing.... but big B.Y. should be on top of that notable retiree list. If I were a betting man, I'd put BIG money on it that more practices were closed this year to keep the media away from the QB competition. They don't need daily speculation on who will/will not win the job fed to the fans. All the media can do is fuel the fire and I'm guessing Nolan wants to resolve this issue ASAP in house and move on with it. If you guys see/report on every 4th practice, its tough to know who really has the edge and it makes it even tougher for you to potentially question Nolan's final choice for the #1 job in sports - the starting QB.

Posted By: Max from Italy (10/06/2008 1:36:13 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, did Alex Smith do well in todays' practice? Thanks

Posted By: Dino (10/06/2008 1:31:26 PM)
Comment: It's only OTA's and Spencer is already injured. Looks like another one of those years for him. Hey Matt, you wrote a while back that it normally takes a full year after coming back from a torn ACL. Do you think Manny Lawson has a realistic chance of breaking out this year or will he be easing in slowly and peaking towards the end of the season? With that being said, I really like the move of bringing Justin Smith to ROLB. Like you said, he does lots of things well so it's a good way to utilize his talent. Thanks for the updates.

Posted By: Bud San Jose (10/06/2008 1:29:17 PM)
Comment: Alright so far for 49er play calls for my fantasy team name I have... Red texas22, 90/0, sprint right option & black 59 razor.I know you guys know your stuff so let me hear it. Matt you too!!

Posted By: Jeff B (10/06/2008 1:28:32 PM)
Comment: Nolan doesn't make any sense. Sometimes I wonder what's going on inside that bald head...

Posted By: Dan (10/06/2008 1:24:53 PM)
Comment: Matt, who is winning the QB competition so far in your opinion? Alot of people around the league are saying that Smith is lighting it up and looking like a #1 overall pick... Now that there's been 6 OTAs already, is Smith gaining the early edge?

Response: Based on the three practices I've witnessed, Alex Smith is clearly the No. 1. Shaun Hill is No. 2, and J.T. O'Sullivan checks in at a distant third. --Matt M.

Posted By: Pat B (10/06/2008 1:12:58 PM)
Comment: Great stuff Matt but what about BY as another notable retiree this year??

Response: Ah, yes, just checking to see who'd have B.Y.'s back. His name has been added to the list. --Matt M.