Posted By: BayBossin (14/08/2008 10:48:20 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, What about Daunte Culpepper?? Nolan said if there was a worthy veteran out there he might consider bringing him on, well Daunte is more than credible.

Posted By: Jed (the original) (14/08/2008 6:34:04 AM)
Comment: Whoever posted that "oneincher" crack below, it's not me. I've supported Alex and view the JTO brigade as a pack of Star Trek conventioners. "Spock is way better than Alex." And the gag of impersonating posters is really stale. Get some new material.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (13/08/2008 11:18:35 PM)
Comment: If the waiver process passed without a claim, what becomes of the money on the current contract? Are the 9ers responsible for any/all of this years' base salary, or does the waiver phase remove those obligations? I could see a benefit for all involved if the deal were restructured and Alex sticks around for Martz's guidance while Nolan tip toes through the lame duck phase of his final year. Granted, no way Alex sticks around for Nolan at any price, but with the hefty contract he has, there's a major obstacle involving money and few teams willing to provide a starting job. Martz and the SF situation are probably 2 good reasons to stay.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (13/08/2008 10:28:25 PM)
Comment: Matt can you see a scenario where the 'QB Selection Drama' is used to bring down the value of an overpaid Top Draft Pick? By using the public forum to attract all this press banter, what would stop the Team from placing Alex on waivers at the end of camp while the market is flooded with castoffs looking for work? JTO clearly knows the system better at this stage, which doesn't surprise me, since he had the headstart last year, and Alex is now fading down the stretch. I could see this as an opportunity to run Alex through waivers and restructure his deal to perhaps make him more affordable? Seems like a low blow scenario, but why not? Thoughts? Alex certainly won't get claimed at this salary level when he can't win the starting job now can he? And though I think he's worth hanging onto for more work with Martz, he's certainly not worth this sort of money as a struggling pup in Year 4. JTO early, Alex on the slow-tutor 'B' squad for a few weeks into the season, perhaps he develops a little fight for the starters' job and Nolan succeeds at lighting the fire?

Response: If the 49ers cut Smith, they're not getting him back. There is no chance Smith would re-sign with the 49ers. --Matt M.

Posted By: James (13/08/2008 9:15:01 PM)
Comment: Because if he uses his real name, you are going to do what? That's ridiculous. Stop arguing Niner fans. Hope is okay when everyone has no losses.Reality bites later.

Posted By: oneniner (13/08/2008 9:09:22 PM)
Comment: GOD HELP US............O'Sullivan was involved in one of the more bizarre plays of practice, which occurred in the final team period. Cornerback Walt Harris burst up the middle on a blitz and batted O'Sullivan's pass, but unfortunately right back at him. O'Sullivan then tossed the ball to Foster for a positive gain. ..........Secondary coach Johnnie Lynn explained to his guys after the play that it would have been an illegal forward pass. .........."The quarterback can catch his own pass, but he's got to run with it only," said Lynn. "He can't throw another forward pass. You only get one." ...

Posted By: oneniner (13/08/2008 8:56:32 PM)
Comment: in a funny way, i kinda feel good about our situation knowing martz is running the show. It is obvious he his trying to toughen up "the franchise boy"......great Lowell Cohn's interview, definately a must read.

Posted By: THA GRINCH (13/08/2008 8:39:07 PM)
Comment: Fran I beleive Martz stated that it would take up o seven weeks for them to fully click..I could be wrong but then again Matt doesnt answer any questions..Martz even said they would look in chaos for a while

Posted By: mt (13/08/2008 7:59:30 PM)
Comment: Matt - Thanks for the link to Lowell Cohn's interview with Mike Martz. It was fascinating to hear him talk about Walsh. I think Martz might be the best hire for the 49ers since Walsh. I'll ask you this question, as opposed to Mr. Cohn, since you cover the 49ers on a daily basis. What does Martz think of Daunte Culpepper as a QB in his system? I remember the year when Culpepper was drafted. Walsh was interviewed evaluating the QBs and he said he thought Culpepper had the most upside, compared to Cade McNown, Tim Couch, Akili Smith and Donovan McNabb. I'd love to know what Martz thinks QBs in his system should be like. We know what everybody else thinks a Martz QB is - but it'd be great to hear it straight from him. Thanks.

Posted By: Frank (13/08/2008 7:29:54 PM)
Comment: I thought it would have been nice if Lowell had asked Martz how long he thought it would take the team to learn and semi-master his O and be reasonable productive. We all know it will take time, but is his expectation they will virtually be up to speed by week 1, week 4, week 8 or next year? Secondly, it seems to me that implied in what is discussed in Lowell's interview is a belief, though, maybe a conclusion, that smith does not have the toughness, resiliency, and leadership qualities Martz thinks are necessary. I know neither Martz nor Nolan would come out and say it, but, Matt, is it possible, with all the hints, that is what they are thinking - or have concluded?

Posted By: Shane0 (13/08/2008 7:22:24 PM)
Comment: News report: Alex will be gone by end of week. JTO will be starter. Interest in Cullpepper as backup.

Posted By: Biel in Frankfurt (13/08/2008 7:20:28 PM)
Comment: Niner Empire is right. As much as I hate NOlan and think he should get demoted, he has improved this Defense vastly from 2 years ago. We did alright that year with less talent and Norv Turner running the Offense! Leave the Offense to Mike Martz and he should atleast get us 3 more victories than we had last year.

Posted By: Niner Empire (13/08/2008 7:13:54 PM)
Comment: Sipping Funny Juice, if you're so confident in what you say then why don't you use your real "Posted By" name when commenting? Hahaha. Are you afraid I'm going to be right and you'll look stupid? LOL

Posted By: ShaneO (13/08/2008 6:51:56 PM)
Comment: Nolan on whether they are going to talk 2nite about who starts against GB: "Well, hopefully this afternoon. We're meeting on several things, but hopefully that's one of the topics." why cant this douche just stop jerking our chain!!! i swear he gets off on F--king with us as fans as well as the media. Obviously your going to talk about it, its the biggest issue in SF right now.. just say your gonna talk about it cuz obviously you dont have the balls to say JTO is leading the QB race... damn this guy and his bullshit!!!

Posted By: Niner Empire Sipping Funny Juice (13/08/2008 6:33:38 PM)
Comment: No team with Mike Nolan as coach will win 8 games.

Posted By: Niner Empire (13/08/2008 6:30:28 PM)
Comment: Mark my words fellas, this "Quarterback Controversy" and all of our worries will be a thing of the past a month from now. One of these guys is going to shine. Martz knows what he's doing, and when it's all said and done the QB who will win us the most games will start. 8-8 season at worst :) Go Niners!!!

Posted By: Fathead (13/08/2008 6:09:18 PM)
Comment: Great post Tim. Turd. You sound like my 19 year old son's friends who think they can run a football team because they've mastered Madden '07.

Posted By: Tim (13/08/2008 5:58:04 PM)
Comment: Hey Rich! Speak for yourself.

Posted By: Fathead (13/08/2008 5:55:43 PM)
Comment: Rich - best post I've seen in weeks. Thank you for putting things in it's proper perspective.

Posted By: http:// (13/08/2008 5:55:29 PM)
Comment: Mat- Zeigler will be on practice squad at minimum. Might make 53- but who knows. Colvin will probably be PS too. Look for the niners to keep at least six recievers especially with what Nolan has seen in TC with all the injuries and with Martz's pass orientated offense. 6 WR... Bruce, Battle, Hill, Johnson, Morgan. It'll be between Leilie and Ziegler. Johnson isnt completly safe but he'll make the 53. Call me crazy but they may just keep 7 if Leilie steps up. Ziegler may get picked up off the PS during the season (if he is even PS eligable?). Niners prob want to keep him so they might all make the 53 (kinda like Damane Duckett last year)

Posted By: dcsham (13/08/2008 5:46:16 PM)
Comment: Life was so much simpler back in the day when we knew the Niners were a good bet for the Superbowl every year...we could take it for granted and just have fun rooting for the Jacks, the Crabs, and CR...fun times.

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (13/08/2008 5:40:50 PM)
Comment: We sit here watching and reading about performance in practice, drawing our brilliant conclusions, posting our clever takes...and we have no idea what's really going on. Condolences to Smith and his friend's family,

Posted By: 9er Tim (13/08/2008 5:38:30 PM)
Comment: The O line would be at its best right now if... LT Jennings w/ Simms. LG Snyder w/ Rachal learning to take over. C Heitmann w/ Wallace. RG Wragge w/ Bass (Bass needs to get up to speed, still might not take over Tony though). RT Staley w/ ? (it doesn't matter Simms or Jennings would fill in). Definitly need to draft a tackle next year though.

Posted By: BrodietoParks (13/08/2008 5:34:48 PM)
Comment: Yes thanks Matt an article that isnt about the quaterback crap is a real nice change hope u keep it up

Posted By: 9er Tim (13/08/2008 5:29:20 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the blog without the QB comp! I think Tony is going to be a solid starting lineman. He may take over for Heitman next season (although I think keepin H would be the best idea). Chilo is going to be a beast as well. I don't know about Snyder and even Bass at that. I don't think Bass will get off to a good, late start. So far Snyder isn't doing well either. It suprizes me because Snyder usually did ok as a tackle. Did Bass ever un-seat Smiley? Not a lot out of Bass considering he was a 2nd rounder. It would be nice to have Larry Allen back for one more go. Staley needs to step up at LT too. Our line has potential but its all bad right now.

Posted By: steve (13/08/2008 5:27:38 PM)
Comment: there are 10 other guys besides the quarterback who have to learn the offense. why not give them some time with the quarterback who knows the system the best, so they can pick it up, while the other QB's are still learning with the second team? sure, you want to develop chemistry and all that, but smith and hill can learn the positions and routes and plays almost as well with the second team, while JTO teaches the first team receivers, backs, and linemen the offense. then you get back to deciding who's best. maybe it's a little late for this kind of thing, but it may have taken the first game for nolan to realize it was necessary.

Posted By: Mat (13/08/2008 5:19:02 PM)
Comment: What's the deal with Dominique Zeigler? He looked really good in the camp I went to, and he was the second most productive guy behind Morgan in the game. Is there any chance he's making the team? We know who the top 4 guys are, Bruce, Johnson, Battle, and Morgan. How does Zeigler stack up against Lelie and Hill though?

Posted By: Shaun F. (13/08/2008 5:08:50 PM)
Comment: I know you can't say whether you think Nolan will get fired after a couple games, but which coach on the coaching staff do you think would be the first to get promoted if a move had to be made?

Posted By: Rafael (13/08/2008 4:58:05 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, Do you think it's possible that they're giving Jt all the reps because he will be the most prepared for game 1, but that they expect to maybe hand over the reigns to Smith once he's gotten more acclamated to the new system? Wishfull thinking I guess. Hoping there's a method to the madness. =/

Posted By: 949er (13/08/2008 4:57:02 PM)
Comment: Matt - In hindsight, do you get the impression that Nolan's comments (or lack thereof) this week concerning the QB situation were in any way influenced by his non-public knowledge of Alex's personal situation this week? Thanks, and I'll take your answer off the air.

Posted By: Hardcorefonz (13/08/2008 4:51:42 PM)
Comment: PRIMERO!!