Posted By: Mad Mardigan (21/08/2008 9:57:34 AM)
Comment: Who would win in an arm-wrestling match? You or Barrows?

Response: I think we all know the answer to that. And for what would happen, two words: compound fracture. --Matt M.

Posted By: NYLA 9er guy (21/08/2008 9:04:07 AM)
Comment: Matt- Bravo on the exclusion of the comments. Thank you as well for the great service you provide. Your diligence and dedication is evident. I had one question, asked as a UVA graduate; What are Dennis Haley's chances of making the team? He seems to do well in the brief time he plays, but I would guess his chances are slim. Why I care I have no idea, but I'll blame you for getting me far too involved in following of this team. I was just a 49er fan for 30 years until I stumbled upon you. Keep up the good work. Best, Michael Shure

Response: Haley does a good job, but there aren't any spots available for more inside 'backers. But if there's an injury, Haley can be in the mix. --Matt M.

Posted By: shobbrobb (21/08/2008 7:33:01 AM)
Comment: Why did the organization give Alex Smith a contract extentsion after last season after such a disappointing career so far?And could that be looked upon as lapse in judgement on Scott McCloughan?

Response: It was not a contract extension. It was a "buyback." By doing what the 49ers did, it did not eliminate the final two years of Smith's original contract. In other words, it was a salary-cap formality. That was all part of the $24 million guaranteed. If the 49ers did not exercise that right, the 49ers still would have owed the money but his contract would have expired after this season. Like I said, it was a mere formality. Much ado about nothing. --Matt M.

Posted By: PD (21/08/2008 12:26:29 AM)
Comment: Hi Matt - Do the inactives travel with the team? (e.g. Arnaz Battle, Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie, David Baas, Michael Robinson etc.)

Response: No, they remain back in Santa Clara to receive treatment. The lone exception is generally if a QB is injured. He might still make the trip as a learning tool. --Matt M.

Posted By: Zed Rational (20/08/2008 4:21:15 PM)
Comment: Matt, Pro Football Weekly says that according to "Niners daily observers," Jed York has "has become the team's ownership face both internally and externally," and that John York is now rarely seen around 49er headquarters. (Tim Kawakami, of course, has been insisting for awhile now that the younger York took over as the "real" owner of the team during the middle of last season, despite denials from team officials.) Care to shed any light? Is Jed in and John out? If so, will it have any significant impact in the way the franchise is managed?

Response: Jed lives in the Bay Area and goes to the team's Santa Clara officies just about every day (if not every day). John comes and goes, shuttling from Ohio to here and back. I saw him out at practice all this week. He goes to all the games, too. Speaking of going to a game. I have a flight to catch. See ya. --Matt M.

Posted By: Louis (20/08/2008 4:12:19 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, I realize Nolan claims the defense is a hybrid front, but given that the key front 7 personnel seems better suited to a 4-3 (Justin Smith 4-3 end, Spikes WLB, Willis MLB, McDonald under tackle) why don't they play a base 4-3 all the time? Is it stubbornness on Nolan's behalf? Great blog as always Thanks

Response: Nolan believes he has greater flexibility in his 3-4 scheme to adjust depending on the opponent and the game situation. He said the transition is as easy and simple as turning that one OLB into a DE. --Matt M.

Posted By: Bryan from Mt View (20/08/2008 4:11:28 PM)
Comment: Loved your roster preview! Question- is their any position that the team might see fit to bring in a player cut in the final cuts by another team or have they, talent wise, moved beyond that?

Response: Sure, it's possible. They could be looking for more depth on the O-line, for instance. --Matt M.

Posted By: ninerindallas (20/08/2008 4:11:17 PM)
Comment: matt, wih the eagles just losing kevin curtis, and thier wr corps already pretty weak, any chance the 49ers trade ashley leilie to a mmid round pick in the upcoming draft?

Response: I can't see Lelie having any trade value. --Matt M.

Posted By: Berger (20/08/2008 2:16:48 PM)
Comment: I read somewhere that one of the reason's Spikes came here is to win a Super Bowl. Was there any mention of that to you?

Response: Yes. When I asked him what he saw that made him believe the 49ers could contend for the Super Bowl, he said, "I could talk all day about that." Then, he did. (Just kidding.) But he did go through every position on defense, and pointed out that he likes the collection on players on that side of the ball. Then he said what he said in the article about the offense. --Matt M.

Posted By: Darth (20/08/2008 1:50:22 PM)
Comment: Just wondering Matt. You have mentioned if they cut ties with Alex Smith that the 49ers will go after a vet. QB. Do you see Byron Leftwich or Daunte Culpepper as canidates? Thanks

Response: I don't believe they'll release Smith. Leftwich and Culpepper were out there for a while, and the 49ers didn't go after them. (Leftwich has since signed with the Steelers). --Matt M.

Posted By: henry (20/08/2008 1:45:21 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, good work per usual. Another reference to your June 26th forecast on the final roster, with de la Puente's elevation to starter for this game, would you say he's done a considerable amount of work to be elevated to 'chances are good' now? I'm impressed that he's been working regularly with the 2nd team (seemingly almost never swapped out by the other undraftees). Also, with Snyder's still inconsistency at LG, do you think they'll try Rachal at LG once the season begins if Baas proves to be healthy enough, Wragge kept at RG and not slid over?

Response: No, I'd keep de la Puente in the same category. His goal has to be to prove he deserves a spot on the p-squad. As for Wragge-Rachal, I think they'll keep Rachal at RG and Wragge could possibly get some work at LG later. --Matt M.

Posted By: NJM (20/08/2008 1:26:58 PM)
Comment: Matt -- just looking for your thoughts on this potential scenario... If JT plays poorly on the road against the Bears' first-team D (possible, given the talent in Chicago), and Smith lights it up in the second half (possible against a second-team unit), is it a moot point in the so called QB competition? If it is, why not just name JT the starter before the game and see how he reacts to the pressure of being the man?

Response: Obviously, that's the worst-case scenario for the coaching staff. They've come down this road with O'Sullivan a long way. That's part of the problem in not naming a starter. The competition is ongoing, and Smith should still have a chance to win the job -- though he hasn't worked with the first team since Aug. 4. Had they named a starter earlier -- much earlier -- they could have gone about their business of getting that player ready for the start of the regular season without any additional distractions. --Matt M.