Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (12/08/2008 8:29:14 PM)
Comment: Guys, my comment regarding Eli Manning had more to do with a solid defense making up for a less then stellar QB. (Punchline), not intended to minimize his SB win, but more to illustrate the less then flashy 'Aw Shucks' style of football he plays. I've felt Eli and Alex were pretty similar low key guys with Alex being a much better athlete. The Giants did it more with the D then the O and I feel we can do the same so long as one of our QBs can keep the O on the field for more then 3 and out.

Posted By: mike in MD (12/08/2008 6:46:08 AM)
Comment: The Eagles cut Spikes for cap room purposes saving $5 mil. They asked him to take a $3 mil pay cut & of course he said no. Also the Eagles went for a youth movement on their LB crew. There were a handful of teams wanting Spikes. My money is on the reason why Spikes was waiting so long was because... 1)He tried to get as much money as possible & see what his best options were 2)As in most Vets, he wanted to miss as much TC as possible but get in just enough to learn the D & get acclimated w/his new teammates. I believe he's got more than enough to upgrade the position for 1 year & will be a welcome addition for the D.

Posted By: ninermaniac (11/08/2008 7:17:22 PM)
Comment: Its about time Tak signed, hopefully he can hold up to the beating, but if they have a good rotation with Ulbrich it should work out. Matt, you can always text or type while driving because its not illegal like putting a cell phone to your ear, but i would recommend to have a SUV like Carole Migden

Posted By: Marco from Stockton (11/08/2008 11:00:09 AM)
Comment: This is the fourth team "TKO" has been with. Andy Reid would have re-signed him if they thought he would help them, same goes with the other 30 teams in the NFL. He isn't the saviour of the Niners. Yes the defense is better, but defense alone does not win championships except for the Ravens one year. You need an Offense and our offensive line still sucks. No QB as yet? We are in big trouble because Martz for all of his "genius" referneces was fired by the last two teams for a reason.

Posted By: Mike in Glendale (11/08/2008 9:07:05 AM)
Comment: Aaahh, forgot about Thomas. Maybe Grant goes PS as well.

Posted By: oneniner (11/08/2008 9:05:30 AM)
Comment: to those that watched the game....was the left side of the line that really bad...everythin i hav read suggests we need lots of work on that side....Staley + Snyder......I really dont trust Snyder....Matt do you feel stronger about the return of Allen?

Posted By: mike in MD (11/08/2008 8:57:01 AM)
Comment: Matt..I know Spikes passed his physical & the plan is to have him start @ TED. When it comes to injuries esp to his starters Nolan likes to make sure these guys are as fully ready as possible before getting back in action (ie. Baas, Lawson). With all the pounding he's going to get @ the TED do you think Nolan will start Ulbrich in the beginning or have Spikes alternate reps w/Ulbrich until we know his shoulder is @ 100% & will hold up? I know we'll know more heading into these last 3 pre-season games. When Spikes gets settled in & you get around to interviewing him can you ask him what he thinks about playing the TED? He's had his time in the spotlight & I think he's accepted he's a role player now & Willis is the young playmaker. But I think with his Veteran savvy & how much he still has in the tank he'll still get to make his share of tackles. I hope he's still motivated & it's not just all about the money & getting as much as he can before ending his career. JSmith, Clements, & JJ all say great things about him & I believe the guy just loves football so he'll be tearing it up out there next to Willis. I think there's going to be some great chemistry out there with the D. Man I'm psyched to have him even though it's just for this 1 year. We'll draft our Ted next year if Grant doesn't grow into that spot.

Posted By: P from SF (11/08/2008 8:45:51 AM)
Comment: And to the Eli Manning comment, I agree. I mean, did you guys watch Giants games through the season? The fans hated Eli, they thought he sucked so bad, I mean Rex Grossman bad. Yet they still won games thanks to Plexico's yac and the outstanding defense. Eli started getting it done towards the end of the season though and he peaked in the playoffs.

Posted By: P from SF (11/08/2008 8:41:34 AM)
Comment: I like the Spikes signing, D is looking good, but that's not what worries me. I am becoming more and more nauseas when I think of what's going on in the 2 mike's heads. It's becoming obvious that they want JTO to be the starter. Nolan hates Alex for not winning him games and putting his job on the line and Martz thinks JTO has the best balance of knowledge of the offense, arm strength, and awareness. He lacks the xp but that's exactly what TTM (stands for "the two mikes") intend to give him. Only if JTO fails miserably AND if Alex gets this offense down, and gets it FAST, will Alex get the job. Yea, you two are not fooling me, I see right through this all.

Posted By: JOn in Socal (11/08/2008 8:34:23 AM)
Comment: Don't worry, Nolan is going to switch Thomas to strong safety, Ulbrich to kicker and Willis is our new QB.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (11/08/2008 8:32:48 AM)
Comment: Takeo Spikes gets a 92 overall rating on Madden 08, couldn't find him listed in 09. Check out the neck on this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgd1I_PGJvc

Posted By: oldman9er (11/08/2008 8:04:41 AM)
Comment: Ulbrich backs up Spikes at TED... Thomas backs up Willis at MIKE... we take our chances with Grant on the P.S. Good news with Spikes... he's one hell of a player still. Now I'm only concerned with our interior DL.

Posted By: PhillyNiner (11/08/2008 7:41:07 AM)
Comment: What do you think this signing means for Thomas, Ulbrich and Grant? I don't see the 49ers carrying five ILB's. Do you think they will try to slip Grant past waivers for the practice squard or say goodbye to Thomas or Ulbrich?

Posted By: 16280 (11/08/2008 7:29:03 AM)
Comment: marc in nj, Our qb's are no worse than Eli Manning? I don't think many experts would agree with that. He just beat undefeated NE in the SB with a 4th Q game winning drive. NE's D isn't exactly chopped liver. Give the guy some credit. Our guys haven't done diddly squat. Next, winning pro teams are built with 3 priorities...solid QB (you have to score), a mean D Line (got to pressure the QB or they'll pick you apart given time), and a strong O line (you got to protect your QB and run the ball effectively which takes some studs up front). It just so happens that the Niners/McNolan have built a team featuring these three critical needs as the three biggest weaknesses. No QB in sight, a solid D except for the line with no pass rush or run stopper in the middle, and one of the crappiest O lines in the league. It sounds like in practice even our own inept rushers are easily getting to the QB. How many games will it take before we are searching the waiver wires for back up QB's to replace the injured ones we now have? For all the credit people give Nolan for building our talent base he has missed the mark on what really matters. Another LB? Whoopie F'in Do! As Matt said, our TED LB is not a big deal that will make or break this season.Nolan will be gone after one more ugly losing season.I just hope A Smith gets a chance to prove himself one way or another. We have to find the QB of the future.

Posted By: Number 42 (11/08/2008 7:24:07 AM)
Comment: From what I've learned on this site, I definitely watched in interest early in the first half of the Raider p/s game when P. Willis was locked up with (swallowed up by?) big guards while Raider running backs cruised by a few feet away. This looks like a emergency (but good) signing. They were lucky Spikes was still around.

Posted By: shobbrobb (11/08/2008 7:01:44 AM)
Comment: Marc-nj49er? come on bruh.we all are 49er fansalthough we disagree on a lot of crap,but to say or QB's are as good as Eli Manning? roflmao...come on bruh.wheres the punch line?

Posted By: Indiana Jim (11/08/2008 6:50:03 AM)
Comment: Of course he has a wireless card. I mean a card from his cell provider. I doubt Santa Clara facilities provide free wifi.

Posted By: Indiana Jim (11/08/2008 6:49:14 AM)
Comment: Ronnie - I think he has a wireless card.

Posted By: DMC (11/08/2008 6:32:30 AM)
Comment: Matt thanks as always. Been waiting for this signing for a long time. Takeo and Willis inside. It seems too good to be true. Too bad they waited so long because nowI will have to wait for the roster updates for Madden! There's a lot of people fretting about the coach and the QB situation but this is the best this team has been in a while. Let's give Alex and Mike this season to get this ship turned around. I mean were 0-0 the last time I checked.

Posted By: Ken Davenport (11/08/2008 5:51:22 AM)
Comment: QB situation who starts against the Packers. Nolan will not start Smith. He doesn't want a face off between A. Rogers and Smith. Nolan needs to end this QB farce. Whoever he picks as #1 needs to be working with the first team all the time to learn the system and get timing down with the other offensive players.

Posted By: Ronnie - Fresno (11/08/2008 5:46:19 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, did you steal some Pleasantonian's wireless internet to post that update?

Posted By: Cleveland Mike (11/08/2008 4:42:39 AM)
Comment: Matt...great reporting just watch yourself driving/reporting at the same time. We need you for at least another 25 years. Great reporting....as usual. Spikes can help alot if his head is screwed on right and his shoulder works. Great reporting Matty!!!!

Posted By: Frank (11/08/2008 2:15:55 AM)
Comment: Spikes is a fine addition...really solidifies the ILB corps. He'll help keep guys off Willis so he can have another banner season. Their collective strength up the middle will help offset some of our weakness there on the DL. Agree we need to get stouter there...but, it's still early, let's give the Franklin/Fields rotation a chance. It was interesting to see Sopoaga play inside...if McDonald emerges as many of us think he will, and he and Justin Smith team up for more line stunts, we could see some better overall DL play. Manusky does have some versatility along the DL...so he and DL Coach Tomsula just have to explore some different combinations to see what works best. As for the QB position, J.T. seems to have the lead...albeit a fairly small one. He has the most experience w/Martz...and that can't be overlooked. Plus, he has the most fire of the three, and I think both Martz and Nolan like that. Bottom line is, we'll have to be patient with the QB's...they've bitten off a lot just learning Martz' offense. Becoming proficient in it will take some time.

Posted By: TDilvr (10/08/2008 11:55:58 PM)
Comment: Great blog Matt. Have been reading it for a long time. It is looking more and more that A. Smith is NOT going to be the starter. It also appears that Hill is completely out of the "competition". Many here are blaming Nolan for this and calling for his head (FTR, I don't blame any of them as I am not a big Nolan fan either) but I believe that Martz is behind this. Obviously there is some frustration with A. Smith's lack of production thus far. Is there any indication at all that there is still a desire to have A. Smith on the team any longer? I believe it would be good for him to just ride pine this season giving him a full year to learn the offense (something he never got to do as a rookie)and also fully recover from his injury then insert him into the starting lineup next year?

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (10/08/2008 11:24:23 PM)
Comment: Let's remember the laws of football, Defense wins Championships. With another new offensive system / coordinator the learning curve is again an issue. We have gotten stronger in the secondary, so perhaps a pass rush gets another step. Our division can be won, we could split with the AFC/NFC East opponents and have the offense hit stride later in the season when it matters most. As always, 'ifs and buts' are always reasons to stay optimistic. Our QBs are no worse then Eli Manning who just won a SB with a team that really didn't feature a stud RB like Frank Gore. We have weapons, we have young talent, we will learn to play cohesive football in the coming months. My hope is the D remains consistant and Mad Mike works his magic quickly enough to earn us some Division Wins early. Spikes is here to keep Patrick CLEAN, he will thrive in that role, just pray he plays and remains healthy. Thanks, for doing what you do, (so well) Matt.

Posted By: Realfan49 (10/08/2008 11:01:08 PM)
Comment: Great news - a major up grade to the team. I credit Nolan for giving Moore a chance to prove himself but he was unable. Hopefully he'll connect with a team that has a more freelancing defensive style. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll have the best defense in our division by some margin. Between Nolan and Martz (who wouldn't be here if Nolan didn't persuade him to take the job) and the talent on offense (Gore, Bruce, Johnson, Staley, Jennings, Walker & Battle we'll have a serviceable offense. Special teams is already one of the premier units in the league. All points to a fantastic year. Biggest problem will not be QB but the schedule from hell.

Posted By: Jeff B (10/08/2008 10:55:52 PM)
Comment: Matt, you are a hardcore reporter and I respect that! Just don't kill yourself reporting about the Niners - I'd rather you live than hear about Spikes' signing 20 minutes earlier...

Posted By: Chase (10/08/2008 10:54:28 PM)
Comment: Way to be Matty

Posted By: JR (10/08/2008 10:47:03 PM)
Comment: Noland wants JT to be his QB because Noland values a firery leader type over Smith's calm persona. Noland is/was that way - a lot of rah rah and little talent -and can't stomach Smith leading "his" team. Noland has proven to be clueless on offense and he's too stubborn to change. Yes, it's only preseason, but the poor decision making pattern and the stench from last year are all too familiar.

Posted By: oneniner (10/08/2008 10:39:50 PM)
Comment: I luv the "big time" experience Spikes brings to the table....huge pluz for Willis.....

Posted By: oneniner (10/08/2008 10:35:55 PM)
Comment: you guys need to relax!!!.....as much i dont lik nolan's plan, lets wait and see.....sure it makes sense for A.Smith to get reps with the 1st team, but maybe he just needs to know the overall offense, and hopefully the lack of chemistry wont be a huge problem......its preseason..chiiiillll

Posted By: Danny Rand (10/08/2008 10:32:38 PM)
Comment: I love the addition of Takeo to our defense. And the comments about getting a better NT (at least for 1st & 2nd downs) is spot on. Alex Smith -- like Nolan -- should also get a final chance to make this team a winner again. The talent on defense (Willis, Clements, Spikes, Lewis, Smith, Goldson, Harris) is astounding, and I think the talent on offense (Gore, Davis, Bruce, Smith, Staley, Walker, Morgan) is good too (when coached properly). Nolan needs to loosen the reigns a bit and let this team play to its potential. And, from what I've read, going to a 4-2 would not be a bad idea at all...

Posted By: JR (10/08/2008 10:21:10 PM)
Comment: Spikes is not what the niner defense needs the most. The fact that he's still around (not signed)tells you he's not that well thought of throughout the league. What the D needs is help on the d-line since Fields and Franklin are mediocre at best. This spells the end of B. Moore and possibly Ulbrich, eventhough Ulbrich is better than Thomas who they signed and isn't a starter but they are too embarassed to cut. This team looks dreadful on offense and if you think not having their "starting" receivers made a difference, you're in denial. QB is the most important position and we don't have a good one in the bunch. Noland went out of his way to down play the two TO's from JTO, when he's always there's one who plays it safer on offense than him. Kicking a field goal from the 4 yd line during an preseason game???? Give me a break. I only hope Martz talked some sense into him after the game.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (10/08/2008 10:11:34 PM)
Comment: For all you folks stoked about the D...well when you play 28 minutes in the first half because your offsense SUCKS and always goes three and out....you never had a chance. This team is doomed because of Nolan.

Posted By: Brandon Moore (10/08/2008 10:04:06 PM)
Comment: life sucks rite about now :(

Posted By: Mike in Glendale (10/08/2008 9:51:46 PM)
Comment: Starting lineup: Sope, Franklin, McDonald on the D-line; Lawson, Spikes, Willis, and J. Smith at linebacker; Clements, Harris, Goldson, and M. Lewis in the secondary. Backups: Balmer, Fields, Ulbrich, Grant, Haralson, Spencer, R. Smith, Roman, Brown, Strickland, and Hudson. (This assumes that neither TBC nor K. Lewis make the cut, and that guys like Holmes and Moore - maybe Cohen - end up on PS.) Did I miss anyone? Can we all rejoice over how far this unit has come since Nolan took over? When's the last time we've had this much talent on D? Is anyone else excited to see the hybrid/chameleon Nolan/Manusky defense?

Posted By: Cody Pickett (10/08/2008 9:45:52 PM)
Comment: The signing of Takeo, who can play either OLB (his long-time position) or ILB gives Nolan/Manusky enormous flexibility in switching back & forth from 3-4 to 4-3. In the 3-4, the DLs are Sopagoa, Franklin & McDonald/Balmer, with Willis & Spikes at ILB and Lawson & JSmith at OLB. When switching to a 4-3, JSmith takes 2 steps forward (from OLB to DE), while Spikes moves just a few yards laterally (from ILB to OLB). Very neat.

Posted By: markegan (10/08/2008 9:29:46 PM)
Comment: Marco from Stockton - We don't have that because your Raider QB probably ate them all. The only think your sorry Faders are going to win this year is for the fattest offense.

Posted By: joncampo (10/08/2008 9:24:16 PM)
Comment: Jed, save the day. Fire Nolan now! He has no clue how to run a team or an offense. We are counting on you

Posted By: Jon in Socal (10/08/2008 9:18:40 PM)
Comment: The Spikes signing makes us a VERY strong 4-3 team. Because Spikes is North of 30 and coming off a season ending injury, I wonder if he is going to be a part-time starter as the weakside OLB. Great group with Lawson, Willis and Spikes as the 4-3 group. Spikes is a Pro-Bowl 4-3 weakside OLB, no wonder Nolan wants to put him in as a 3-4 TED. Just one more position switch

Posted By: Marco from Stockton (10/08/2008 9:18:31 PM)
Comment: Now if they only had a QB, Wide Receiver, O Line, and D Line.

Posted By: shobbrobb (10/08/2008 9:17:51 PM)
Comment: My wish list.......Mike Holmgren....Brady Quinn and Micheal Crabtree,Oh and a stud D-lineman for this time next year,Come on Jed im counting on ya!

Posted By: jdawggy79 (10/08/2008 9:10:49 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the good news Matt. I hope you have a "hands free" phone setup because I'd hate for you to get a ticket as a result of your work ethic. This is a good signing...I like the fact that Spikes already has chemistry with Justin Smith. This defense should be quite a force to reckon' with. Lastly, I'm sick and tired of all the whiny niner fans complaining about Alex Smith. The guy's had an unfair shake...4 coordinators in 4 years? Anybody would have a tough time adapting. Make him the starter already and let him learn Martz' offense by the numbers. Didn't any of you watch that Seahawk game in 2006? Those same seahawks were the ones who ousted Romo and the Cowboys out of the playoffs! The talent is there for Smith, he just needs a little more grooming. Patience is a virtue. P.S. RIP Isaac Hayes...we'll miss you.

Posted By: Rick (10/08/2008 9:10:07 PM)
Comment: Seems like a verypositive move but the offense needs to ba able to keep the defense off the field so they stay fresh. Nolan needs to name Smith the starter so the offense can get in a strict focus mode like the defense. Do not bring in an aging vetran to quarterback.

Posted By: QB (10/08/2008 9:04:53 PM)
Comment: Will Mike Vick be available next year?

Posted By: gw2 (10/08/2008 9:04:45 PM)
Comment: Dang! This sounds GOOD! A brand new starter with just a stroke of the master's pen.

Posted By: whocares (10/08/2008 8:47:07 PM)
Comment: Oh I see, Nolan wants competition at every position, but Spikes is just given the job before he even steps on the field? Nice consistency and hypocrisy Nolan. Bring on '09 so we don't have an idiotic, dishonest, and ridiculous coach.

Posted By: Codie (10/08/2008 8:35:15 PM)
Comment: I was just wondering might the signing of Spikes lead the niners to play more 4-3 than 3-4 in their hybrid scheme? Spikes has been an olb his entire career and their lb core would great in the 4-3 alignment with spikes, plus Just Smith could put his hand down at d end.

Posted By: Meana (10/08/2008 8:35:13 PM)
Comment: You guys are crazy but that is good the 49ers got spikes, but we are not going to be really food if don't have QB. So we need to somebody step up or go and get Vet.

Posted By: Jeff (10/08/2008 8:33:12 PM)
Comment: Spikes is a nice upgrade for the defense, but we should have signed Pennington when we had the chance.

Posted By: shobbrobb (10/08/2008 8:14:58 PM)
Comment: Good job bringing in Spikes. I wish they would be as agressive bringing in help for the offense.Nonetheless they have improved the defense

Posted By: Jeremy (10/08/2008 8:10:53 PM)
Comment: Great sign, now we just need a QB. Am I crazy?

Posted By: 9erinSouthCaro (10/08/2008 8:04:20 PM)
Comment: I'm sure your insurance company is pleased with you decision making. Are you in good hands?

Posted By: Andrew from Rishikesh (10/08/2008 8:03:51 PM)
Comment: Matt nobody does it better. This sport eats up 30 somethings so I do not rejoice in Spikes signing. When you get in Nolans' doghouse it's a one way ticket out of town. I know many of your readers want Nolan out but what should we have expected? The man never held a head coaching post or gm postion and he's given the keys to the kingdom without any checks and balances in place. He was set up to fail. This franchise needs a Parcells or Jimmy Johnson to run the show. Martz may work, he's been to two super bowls. If he gets this offense in gear he should run for mayor.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (10/08/2008 7:47:26 PM)
Comment: Matt, when/if you get the time, could you please post some stats on Spikes. Do you think Nolan will try him out at the QB position? Thanks.

Posted By: http:// (10/08/2008 7:45:22 PM)
Comment: does this mean that ulbrich is going to be gone now too?

Posted By: mike in MD (10/08/2008 7:43:22 PM)
Comment: TonyM..without a doubt we need that prime beef NT. Grady Jackson re-signed w/Atlanta for 1 year. I thought he could have helped us too. We can go to the 4-3 if the 3-4 can't stop the runs up the middle. But I'm psyched to get Spikes...way to go McNolan & our man Paraag, GREAT WORK FELLAS!!!

Posted By: Jon in Socal (10/08/2008 7:38:46 PM)
Comment: Drive safely! Let's see how he looks tomorrow.

Posted By: mike in MD (10/08/2008 7:38:19 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt..was just about to turn off the computer. Have been waiting for the news since this afternoon. YESSSSSSSSSS, your the man Matt, now get some ZZZZ's tonight!!

Posted By: TonyM (10/08/2008 7:37:49 PM)
Comment: Matt, Thank you for putting your life on hold to suppkly us with timely information (and ahead of Barrows). I know this move will make us better, but I still dont understand why the Niners dont make a move for a veteran anchor at NT. Guys like Grady Jackson, Traylor or Ted Washington. These guys will not payy all downs but they can hold down the middle on first and second. It's obvious Franklin gets manhandled way too much and Fields is not any better. Signing Spikes will help but we need beef at NT.

Posted By: AthensGaNiner (10/08/2008 7:36:52 PM)
Comment: Thanks for two things:1) Reporting this as soon as you found out and 2)Pulling over to inform us instead of doing it on the go. I've known people who got their ticket punched that way, and we like having you around. Thanks again!

Posted By: Chuck (10/08/2008 7:36:02 PM)
Comment: first to say...congratulations on pulling over and posting this. Maiocco is money!

Posted By: Mike in Sac (10/08/2008 7:35:41 PM)
Comment: Matt, thank you for all of your hard work. It is appreciated.

Posted By: Simran (10/08/2008 7:33:37 PM)
Comment: LOL, thanks Matt. You're dedication does not go unnoticed. I pray you're still covering the team when we finally become good again.

Posted By: Houston 9er (10/08/2008 7:33:02 PM)
Comment: Wow! Now thats dedication. Thx for the info Matt.

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (10/08/2008 7:29:23 PM)
Comment: First...to say congratulations on the signing!!