Posted By: Ima Ninerfan (23/07/2008 6:47:38 PM)
Comment: I smell a couple of crack heads! Namely, Jeremy and "Mind of McCloughan."

Posted By: Matt (22/07/2008 3:03:47 PM)
Comment: Cheese on Big Macs??? That'll never sell.

Posted By: 9er1 (22/07/2008 1:25:33 PM)
Comment: WHAT??!!! An NFL coach made the comment "One game at a time?!??" The next thing you're gonna tell me is that they're putting cheese on Big Macs!!!

Posted By: 9er1 (22/07/2008 1:13:53 PM)
Comment: Cigaro - I agree 100%! These sports cliches are just ridiculous nowadays. You can't even hear an interview anymore without hearing "It is what it is!" I mean my God, can it get any more stupid or generic than that?! The next thing you're going to tell me is that Nolan was overheard in an interview in October saying "We just gotta work harder and continue to fight." Ridiculous. Cliches must be the most boring form of interview-speak ever. Give me the loud, abrasive, funny interview guys any day over those guys who are afraid to say the *WRONG* thing and get in team PR trouble. And the NFL channel in the off-season has the largest amount of cliches per interview I have ever heard in any sports forum. Unfortunately.

Posted By: The Scoop (22/07/2008 11:48:38 AM)
Comment: Big Larry Allen wants back with the 49ers, but is stalling his decesion so he can miss the dog days of training camp. The 49ers have predetermined plans for their offensive line and given Allen's advanced age and offseason weight gain he woul most likley not be in playing shape until well into the regular season. I am guessing that Larry Allen will not be a 49er.

Posted By: Cigaro (22/07/2008 11:37:26 AM)
Comment: "One game at a time" what an original philosophy. I have never heard that one before! Sports Interviews are always about 99 percent cliche and one percent substance. Matt Really does not have to conduct these interviews, he should just construct sentences and insert the same 50 sports cliches that appear over and over again and it will pretty evenly match the piece.

Posted By: oneniner (22/07/2008 10:14:17 AM)
Comment: "One game at a time is Nolan's motto for '08" - means he has no freaking idea what is going to happen, ...sounds like someone scared to speak his mind or someone scared to take a stand....Coach Nolan where is the believe?

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (22/07/2008 9:21:23 AM)
Comment: While I still think LA can play, it would be wise if the 9ers just moved on, there are cheaper and younger options availible to us. The interior line shows great depth and it would be better for us to develop that talent than to sign LA as an expensive backup. I would be disappointed if Scot decided to sign LA, it is better to let a player, even a future Hall of Famer, go a bit to early than way too late. I don't know why everyone still wants to get rid of JJ. Our OT depth still isn't great and when both are healthy, JJ is a better player than Sims. Playing RT should allow JJ to stay on the field a bit longer and even rotate with Sims. If we got rid of JJ, Sims is our starter and while he may be an upgrade from Kwame (debatable), he is not THAT much better. Plus, we are then in the same position we were 2 months ago where we have to wait until cutdowns to get a player worse than JJ, or start shuffling the line again. From a strategic standpoint, getting a player like Suggs (particularly if JJ is packaged) causes too many ripples in the team.

Posted By: Andrew (22/07/2008 9:00:40 AM)
Comment: The "one game at a time" mantra - given the lofty and unrealistic/unmet goals set by Nolan the past 3 years - is the right goal going into this year. It seems that Nolan has learned his lesson.

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (22/07/2008 8:51:05 AM)
Comment: The LA rumors are picking up steam: Larry Allen hasn't retired yet, and it's unclear whether the 11-time Pro Bowl guard wants to return to the 49ers - but coach Mike Nolan said Monday that Allen has indicated he would like to play this season for somebody. Nolan said he has not spoken to Allen, 36, but said the free agent told offensive line coach George Warhop recently that he would like to play a 15th NFL season. Warhop has been his position coach dating back to their years with the Cowboys. Nolan said he made a few calls to Allen but had not heard from him. The agent, Marv Demoff, couldn't be reached Monday, but early last month he said he was talking to "a couple other teams" and said Allen was continuing to work out.

Posted By: Nevyn (22/07/2008 7:42:12 AM)
Comment: There's no way Suggs is worth signing away from Baltimore while tagged. Especially when it looks like he is just going to play this year under the tag, meaning he'd cost Baltimore 110% of that to tag again next year.

Posted By: Houston 9er (22/07/2008 7:29:27 AM)
Comment: For once I actually agree with 19er. 2 1st round picks for Suggs?? That would be a HORRIBLE move.... Good player I would definitely want but that price is WAY too high

Posted By: oneniner (22/07/2008 5:57:18 AM)
Comment: "I know it's a bit of a reach thinking we would use two first rounders on him, but I think he would be worth making the move.".....Dude, you cant be serious?

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (22/07/2008 2:18:00 AM)
Comment: With the moves made by Miami and NYG this week it's certainly possible to see Jonas as a viable option for a trade. The only issue would be his price tag. Can Sims cover the duties? If so, deal Jonas. I'd have less of a problem paying a defensive stud like Suggs who plays to win, not just to get paid. If Jonas were to go anywhere and free up cap space, any picks returned in Rds 2/3/4 would be ideal.It's more about saving the salary cap money for the younger guys you plan on keeping long term. Jonas was a good move at the wrong time and we overpaid. If there's an opportunity to correct it, I'm sure Scot will.

Posted By: Jeremy (22/07/2008 12:09:34 AM)
Comment: Given his penchant for former Ravens players, and Suggs statement that he does not plan to be around for any of training camp, what would be the possibility of us making a move for him? I know it's a bit of a reach thinking we would use two first rounders on him, but I think he would be worth making the move. Especially since that would give us a young versatile (Nolan's fav) guy that could give us a legitimate pass-rush. Plus as you said previously we should get two comp picks, maybe we could move JJ as a package. Especially since they recently lost Ogden to retirement. All unlikely, but given the position Nolan is in this year I figure nothing is totally out of the question.

Posted By: neener (21/07/2008 10:42:12 PM)
Comment: Can we please STOP talking about next year and get through THIS year. Superbowl...good grief, DREAM big I guess, but a more realistic goal would be a winning record, or making the playoffs. As far as QB goes, pleeeeese, Hill is a great guy, but Alex is our 'best' hope. If this 'little game' is there to 'motivate' him, I am not sure it will work. People make a lot of excuses for him... small hands...too many offensive coordinators...shoulder injury (OK, that one is real) I think he just needs to really believe in himself. OK I am tired of ranting and will leave you with a quote from starwars Luke "I do not believe it" Yoda "Then you will fail"

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (21/07/2008 10:20:28 PM)
Comment: Mind of McCloughlan? I feel bad for the guys with the Blackberries.....I'm guessing you started typing around dinner hour? I think you covered all the bases, now something strange will happen and Martz will skip to Hawaii and fill in where June Jones left off......

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (21/07/2008 10:10:22 PM)
Comment: Matt one question I would raise regarding Big LA is the benefit he might provide to Chilo? Granted the plan is for Chilo to play on the right side, but having his idol/mentor on the squad could provide valuable leadership,(assuming Larry could be had for a reasonable price)? I'd certainly entertain the notion of Larry for spot duty and veteran presence if he'd be willing to agree to that sort of arrangement? Besides, I'm still hoping Jonas won't make the opening day roster and could provide some additional Draft picks by then following a trade to Atlanta? Larry then slides into the vacancy for depth? I can play Jr GM can't I?

Posted By: Mind of McCloughlan (21/07/2008 10:08:48 PM)
Comment: oneniner (and others), regarding the "who will/could realistically hire Martz" issue, I'm going to try to run through the possibilities (and maybe people will realize why it's not something to lose sleep over). Granted, some of these are educated "gut reactions", but here goes anyway. In the NFC East, no likely openings for 2009. If Dallas changes coaches, its widely believed they have an in-house replacement in Jason Garrett. The Giants just won a Super Bowl, and the Redskins just hired a new coach this year. Philly is a remote possibility, but I don't think Martz would be to that ownership group's liking. NFC South: Atlanta just hired a new coach. The Saints coach has some Martz-like tendencies, so it's doubtful they'd fire one pass-happy coach and replace him with another. Tampa and Carolina are not out of the question. NFC North: Chicago and Green Bay's head coaches are secure for 2008. Minnesota could be in play if Tavaris Jackson prevents them from making the playoffs, and Childress refuses to make changes, but again there's a questionable fit with the owner there. Martz was just fired by Detroit, so we can't realistically think he'll be going back there after one season (owner has to fire Millen first, and they might have to go 0-16 before that owner would actually consider it). NFC West: San Francisco (obviously) could promote him to HC. Seattle already has Holmgren's successor lined up. Linehan is in trouble in St. Louis, but this was a team that fired Martz not long ago; they know better than anyone else what they'd be getting into by bringing him back. I don't think Arizona is in play, as Whisenhunt did enough in 2007 to survive one bad year. AFC East: Miami has a first year coach (although the thought of Martz and Parcells trying to coexist is amusing). Even if something strange happens in New England, they have hotshot OC Josh McDaniels and veteran defensive coach Dom Capers as possible in-house replacements. Buffalo maybe, but doubtful (just a feeling. Marv Levy doesn't strike me as someone who'd roll the dice on Martz). New York Jets: maybe, but only because the team went for "win now" moves and it would really have to go badly to fire Mangini this year (and given the animosity between them and NE, their first interview choice would probably be McDaniels) AFC South: Indy has Dungy's successor. Jacksonville let Del Rio off the hot seat after 2007, so we'll assume he's safe for 2008. I don't see Houston or Tennesse changing coaches either, but those are just guesses. AFC North: Baltimore has a new coach. Pittsburgh made the playoffs in Tomlin's first year, and that ownership is very patient with coaches. Cleveland: maybe, but things would REALLY have to go south in 2008. Cincinatti is a realistic possibility, but that team's problems have been inmates running the asylum and a lousy defense; how would hiring Martz fix that? AFC West: San Diego is not happening unless A.J. Smith gets fired, so it's probably not happening. Denver: highly unlikely; hard to see the team dumping Shanahan without any groundwork being laid in advance. Kansas City...actually could happen, although they would have to be really, really bad; everyone knows they're in rebuilding mode, so the expectations for that team can't be too high for 2008. Oakland...could happen, but that's because no one has a clue what Al Davis is thinking, aside from his apparent dislike for his current head coach. Of all the possibilities, this one might be the most possible, hinging on the development (or lack thereof) of Jamarcus Russell. So, that's how I see things. There are only a handful of situations that might make sense, but even those are pretty iffy. It really isn't a matter of how much better he makes us in 2008 improving his own stock, because the reasonable "fit" just isn't there for the majority of NFL teams. In some cases, it's Martz's strengths not fitting with the prospective team's biggest needs (e.g., why fire an offensive coach and replace him with another when the team's problem definitely is not the offense?) In others, it's the team having an official or unofficial successor on staff. Martz is also a relatively known commodity at this point. He'll make an offense better, but he comes with some known baggage. There seems to be a trend where teams are favoring first-time head coaching hires over retreads. That doesn't mean it can't or won't happen, I'm not a psychic and lots of unexpected things can happen between now and January. It does only take one team to hire him away, but, if I were betting, I'd be banking heavily on it not happening.

Posted By: louie (21/07/2008 10:07:20 PM)
Comment: The whole season will ride on the QB. If the QB plays well, there's enough talent on the offense, including Martz, to do very well. The running game will be excellent with the addition of a legit second back in Foster and the best set of wide receiver talent we've had in a few years. Once the offense starts to pick up it's fair share, the defense will greatly improve in every aspect due to less time on the field, better talent and the chance to play a scheme that's designed with a real offense (points) in mind. BUT, it will all require a real QB.

Posted By: Chase (21/07/2008 10:00:50 PM)
Comment: Matt how has Goldson progressed this year. His ball skills seem to be far superior to Roman's. This being Nolan's make or break year wouldn't it be worth taking a shot on a player who could help the turnover margin, the one statistic that consistenly predicts winners.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (21/07/2008 9:46:48 PM)
Comment: All these Superbowl aspirations are nice, but will set you up for a big disappointment. Look at this years schedule...it is tough. Nolan will be lucky to break 8-8. If the Niners really turn it on, then Martz will be gone after this season to take a head coaching job....and then what do the Niners do? Keep Nolan and look for ANOTHER OC??! Nolan is a lame duck coach. I expect Martz to get the job next season, and then you can talk Superbowl. Until then, Nolan will do like he always does..."stay the course", and that means more uncertainty and poor communication.

Posted By: StevenG (21/07/2008 9:00:11 PM)
Comment: You mean the streak that had them end up with Jason Taylor? We should be so lucky... :)

Posted By: Mike in Sac (21/07/2008 8:29:18 PM)
Comment: I am with J in so cal. Nolan....he is such an easy target. Thomas, no longer a TED prospect, Justin Smith playing OLB, Rachel playing tackle...how many switches will this guy try (you all know there are more)? Then you have his inability to make decisions, Lelie riding pine, Smith trotted out with a limp noodle for an arm, poor clock management, and worst of all this joke of a QB competition. Nolan, JUST LET MARTZ make the call. He is the only guy with a clue on offense. The circus is back in town. I hope I am wrong but for all of you who think we can sneak up on folks...we have way to many questions to answer. Lets just hope we don't have a strak of luck like the Redskins.

Posted By: Rich, DE (21/07/2008 7:46:21 PM)
Comment: Hope Nolan is right in stating that the new offensive coordinator is going to fix the problems, kinda like a trickle down effect. Well, that and a quarterback.

Posted By: Sammy Moore Jr (21/07/2008 7:13:33 PM)
Comment: Hey Randy in Santa Rosa - and rest of the Faithful: I read you Brother that the rest of the league is about to make a huge mistake of "taking us for granted" as wimps and ' 'gimme' when the season opens, and they will get their collective tookas' handed to 'em. And 4 or 5 wins at the beginning of the season will have all of them scratching their heads; the team will have gained confidence and an attitude ala '94 - then look out (I can feel it coming). And one other thing on maybe Martz being a 'one-season'wonder' for us. I, too would love for him to stick around, but if he does not don't worry, we have Tollner under wraps and he is nobodies dummy. And he would be familiar enough with all of Martz nuances after this season to have us not miss a beat in on the offensive side of the ball going forward in 09. And since Tollner is an old person like me, we could hang on to him a while. We are set.

Posted By: http:// (21/07/2008 6:04:35 PM)
Comment: jeremy your right.superbowl be a comin... can i get a p willie ?

Posted By: DMC (21/07/2008 5:47:45 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt. So if we offered Takeo a contract earlier and he wanted to hold off for more money, if he can't get a better offer from another team, is the offer still on the table ?

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (21/07/2008 5:45:12 PM)
Comment: Matt - ESPN had the same interpretation of Nolan's comments as I did regarding Larry Allen - That he may come back and they want him back. How did you hear this differently? Here is what they are reporting from espn.com: San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan said he believes guard Larry Allen might consider postponing his retirement to return for his 15th NFL season. Nolan still hasn't spoken directly to Allen, a free agent, but said Monday that offensive line coach George Warhop had a recent conversation with him. "He called a week or two ago to express his interest, but I haven't heard from him since," Nolan said Monday. "I just think because he's a free agent, he just left it up to his agent this time."

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (21/07/2008 5:07:37 PM)
Comment: When we are waiting for the QB decision to be made, just remember that Nolan is extremely slow in making decisions or changing his mind. We would like a "winner" declared right away so that Alex gets as many reps as possible (not that I'm biased) during TC. Nolan will put off the decision as much as possible to gain enough info and set back the offense. D.Thomas getting switched to Ted? I had to laugh. they signed him SPECIFICALLY to compete at TED and Nolan changes his position. Just add him to the list of players whose skills were misidentified in relation to the position competition. BMoore (x2), Battle, Rachal, Snyder, Smith, you name 'em, he switches 'em

Posted By: Indiana Jim (21/07/2008 4:37:59 PM)
Comment: "We know how we're going to set out with a plan. When we feel it's been determined by their performances, we'll make that decision." DING DING DING! Can you say: "Smith, and during OTA's?" I wonder who Mike Martz called after Nolan made that ridiculous third preseason game comment?

Posted By: oneniner (21/07/2008 4:28:19 PM)
Comment: Ok lets really face this question - what if we win big which teams out there could steal Martz away from us?.......which coaches (not nolan) are on the hot seat?

Posted By: Darius (21/07/2008 4:27:11 PM)
Comment: Matt - What do you make of the phone call Larry Allen made to the office line coach recently? Increased chance of coming to camp this year?

Response: Probably not. I don't expect the 49ers to be too interested in re-signing him. I think they want to go with Snyder at left guard. --Matt M.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (21/07/2008 4:11:12 PM)
Comment: With Martz handling the offense and Nolan handling the defense, we'll be in good shape this year. I hope teams believe the media, when it comes to season predictions for us. It will be all that much better when we smack them in the mouth. I predict 9-7 or better... I just hope we can hold on to Martz for consistency's sake. Rollin'

Posted By: oneniner (21/07/2008 4:09:06 PM)
Comment: "I'm not going to put the quarterbacks or coaching staff in a position where there's a timetable".....Name A. Smith the starter and stop this circus.....

Posted By: Eric B. (21/07/2008 3:57:25 PM)
Comment: Matt, thank you for all these updates. I've checked other 49ers blogs and THEY HAVE NOTHING about all this stuff. You're the best. I don't remember how I survived before I found your stuff.

Posted By: ninermaniac (21/07/2008 3:13:38 PM)
Comment: I think the main goal is to win the Superbowl, but in order to do that you have to take one day at a time, no procrastination and get it done and over with and you might be able to do some of tommorrows work today.

Posted By: Julian from Princeton (21/07/2008 3:07:46 PM)
Comment: Can't wait to see how Rachal does when the pads are on in training camp. The odds are against it, but I still dream of this kid becoming another Larry Allen. Keep up the good work Matt.

Posted By: 49erJeff (21/07/2008 3:07:38 PM)
Comment: Martz knowledge of the game should and will improve this offense. I never really cared for the guy, but now that he is on our side of the ball. I think/hope he'll get this team on a winning track. Thanks for all the info Matt.

Posted By: Jeremy (21/07/2008 3:02:21 PM)
Comment: I smell a Super Bowl appearance