Posted By: Cal (01/09/2008 8:09:39 AM)
Comment: So I assume Colvin and Zeigler will be the two WRs to make the practice squad?

Posted By: Parker (31/08/2008 1:34:05 PM)
Comment: You've been missing the preseason games Jake. Add Chilo Rachal next to Morgan's name.

Posted By: Max from BayArea (31/08/2008 9:49:57 AM)
Comment: The Smith-JTO debate gets to be tiresome and should be put to rest for now. Smith IS NOT going to do any better than JTO. Just let Smith relay the plays and learn from the sideline like JTO did. Smith needs a bit of time to improve his timing and accuracy during practice, not in real games. I am skipping all Smith vs. JTO posts, plus some others. LOL

Posted By: Darren (31/08/2008 8:22:46 AM)
Comment: Zed, I have something called dedication to my QB in Alex Smith. A QB that has worked a lot harder then JT. I rather have a QB that THINKS instead of one who UPCHUCKS our game away. I'll be rooting for the opposition until Mike NOlan has been removed and Alex Smith is our starter> Can we say hello #1 pick in 09? Look, I don't enjoy what I have to do. I'm sick about it, but I don't want Nolan, I don't want JT, and if Martz refuses to work with our current QB in JT, sack him and hire Cam cameron if he's not been hired. Nolan's idiotcy just amazes me. Thank GOd Goodell gave us a brutal schedule that saddle us with either 3 wins or 5 wins, take your pick.

Posted By: Zed Rational (31/08/2008 8:16:51 AM)
Comment: Let me see if I got this. J.T. O'Sullivan "cheated" because he already had a year in Martz's system when he entered the quarterback competition? Oh my God, does Arlen Specter know about this? Is the commissioner going to levy a fine on the 49ers? Are we going to lose a draft pick? LOL! I guess we could also say that Alex Smith cheated by having been a number-one draft pick, or by having started 30 NFL games, or by entering the competition as the front-runner and being the first to get the snaps with the first team. O'Sullivan cheated? What an absurd argument! Sounds like something a third-grader would come up with. But you know what? Who cares why O'Sullivan has an advantage over Smith. He does, so he starts. It's that simple.

Posted By: Jake (31/08/2008 8:11:22 AM)
Comment: Aside from Josh Morgan, the 49ers draft looking pretty bad for 2008. Would have loved to seen DeSean Jackson in a Mike Martz offense.

Posted By: foreveryoung49ers (31/08/2008 3:07:55 AM)
Comment: Some thoughts on Alex Smith: He is intelligent with a high IQ, but if it results in too long decisions it's a handicap. Smith should have been intelligent enough to learn Martz system fast. If he cannot win over a career backup he doesn't deserve the starting job. I am happy about our coaches to make their decisions based only on the plays and not on Salary or former obligations that is a first overall pick. Smith lost his job! If O'Sullivan struggles we start over again next year with a complete different QB Set. But now I hope for this years Greatest Show on Grass let by O'sullivan beating the former Martz saviour and NFL Europe allumni Warner!

Posted By: Traj (31/08/2008 2:51:44 AM)
Comment: Another interesting name is former Kentucky star, QB Andre Woodson, being released by the Giants. Traj.

Posted By: Traj (31/08/2008 2:21:15 AM)
Comment: If the Niners are looking for a sixth WR candidate that is a veteran, then I would think that Roydell Williams, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, would fit the bill. He just got cut and last year he had 55 Receptions for 719 Yards with 4 TDs. Someone will definitely swoop him up. Traj.

Posted By: wco (31/08/2008 1:32:53 AM)
Comment: look for Drew Stanton to be in a 49er uniform...

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (31/08/2008 12:57:18 AM)
Comment: I don't know what's left in his tank, but OT Willie Anderson from Cincy has been a pretty dependable OLman, and if he's healthy, might be worth a look.

Posted By: Darren (30/08/2008 11:08:22 PM)
Comment: There is nothing wrong with the blog except for certain individuals that get a kick impersonating other people. Debates are terrific on a forum. People just have to learn to listen and respond intelligently. Then there's no problem.

Posted By: Darren (30/08/2008 11:06:31 PM)
Comment: 1967+13=1980. 1980+28=2008. Now, guess how old I am, RealFan49? If I'm a teenager, theN I pity anybody that's a 49er fan that would prefer their team to cheat instead of a team that used to win their games with honesty. If you feel ALex should be cut and JT is GOd, I'll be glad to give it all up by 2009.

Posted By: Realfan49 (30/08/2008 10:56:15 PM)
Comment: Darren is a teenager who gets his kicks from making folks mad enough to reply. Just ignore him, he's only pretending.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (30/08/2008 10:34:57 PM)
Comment: Andre Woodson washed out of NY too? Triplett in Seattle? There's some interesting names floating on the cut lists. Be interesting to see whom, if anyone, we put a claim in for? Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Dre Moore?

Posted By: mt (30/08/2008 10:31:33 PM)
Comment: Matt - I have a suggestion for this blog. First off, let me say the reporting, both in frequency, quality of information and quality of writing, is top-notch. On the other hand, the "Comments" section has lately become a bit of a drag to read, due to running conversations and arguments between the same group of folks, over and over again. My suggestion is to somehow (don't have enough IT skills to say how) limit the input per column to one per customer, thus limiting the on-going ragging. Other than the "Comments" section getting stale and predictable, your blog is the first bookmark I click on each day. Thanks for the great service and kudos to the Press Democrat for keeping a 49er beat writer employed!

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (30/08/2008 10:25:05 PM)
Comment: I see Brandon Moore on the Cards cut list too, guess he's lost that desire to compete?

Posted By: Darren (30/08/2008 10:17:11 PM)
Comment: 49er69--My team, my way, fan since 1980. Never complained about missing a playoff. NEver complained about not getting a Superbowl. Never complained about not winning in our division.----- Until one day, the NFL came along and took away Eddie D. John and Denise York came along to ruin the franchise. They fired Mariucci for losing the playoffs. They fired Erickson for floundering and axed Donahue for not doing his job in helping improve our team. They then hired a dimwit in Mike Nolan. Then McCloughan or York or both probably let Mike Nolan hire Mike Martz. Rather then help out our CURRENT QB, Martz inserts his boy in JT O Sullivan, who did not have to learn a single thing applying for the role of 49er QB, unlike Joe, Steve, Jeff, or even Tim Rattay and Alex Smith that has had to learn a system. THen our great QB Alex SMith is being sold out by you, Lowell Cohn, other greedy selfish 49er fans that want to have a Superbowl or a playoffs game.----I wish you can see what our 49ers have become. I"m ashamed to look at them, and they have one year to change their attitude. It starts with: Fire Nolan Commit to Alex Smith Get rid of JT O Sullivan I get none of them, goodbye 49ers.

Posted By: Rame (30/08/2008 9:42:19 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, Let's assume everything goes as hoped and the offense is brilliant this season. If that happens, Martz will likely be plucked from the 49ers for a head coaching position somewhere. Does Nolan have a successor lined up?

Posted By: 49er69 (30/08/2008 9:42:02 PM)
Comment: BYE BYE DARREN!!! Take your free speech to another teams site because your not a SAN FRANCISCO 49ers FAN. Real fans are fans for life. I've been a 49er fan since 1969 (I was 7). A lot has happened since then, some good, a lot of bad, a lot of good (5 rings), some bad, but no matter what I will always be a 49er fan. You on the other hand are willing to give up. You make my stomach turn.

Posted By: ska (30/08/2008 9:14:45 PM)
Comment: Vienners - Are you kidding? You must not have watched the game last night. Didn't you see Robinson lay that Charger out to spring D. Walker on the kick return for a TD. Robinson is a captain on their special teams, and that is more than Clayton was going to contribute to the team.

Posted By: Vienners (30/08/2008 8:53:23 PM)
Comment: I am extremely disappointed at RB Clayton's release. I don't understand Nolan's love for MR. He has not done anything to prove his place.

Posted By: shobbrobb (30/08/2008 8:19:04 PM)
Comment: Alex Smith a GREAT quarterback?..roflmao

Posted By: Nolan was right (30/08/2008 8:16:16 PM)
Comment: Lowell Cohn spells it out for the few Alex Smith fans left - http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080829/NEWS/808290225/1057/SPORTS0908&title=Coaches_are_right__Smith_s_the_wrong_QB

Posted By: http:// (30/08/2008 8:12:19 PM)
Comment: Alex Smith was booed off the field numerous times last night. The fans have spoken. Cut Smith!

Posted By: Darren (30/08/2008 8:02:25 PM)
Comment: I just heard Chris SImms got cut and a lot of 49er fans want him and ditch Smith. I hope to God the 49ers FO doesn't do such a foolish thing and sign Simms! I don't care what money that brings, Smith is still a great QB. Finally, what is up with A Battle? I hope to GOd they're not serious in making him our no. 3 WR! Put Hill or Morgan as no. 3, slot Battle no. 5! Why didn't the 49ers sign 6 WRs? Good grief, just made my season on Madden 09 hard, and lost 60 to 39 to the Raiders using Nolan's lineup...and bad playbook. Go 49ers.

Posted By: http:// (30/08/2008 7:51:07 PM)
Comment: Any chance the Niners add a QB such as Quin Gray or Chris Simms and cut ties with Small Hands Smith?

Posted By: shobbrobb (30/08/2008 7:45:31 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt.Do u have any idea if the Niners are interested in John Welbourne or any of the OL/DL linemen recently cut?

Posted By: Danny in Gainesville, FL (30/08/2008 7:01:32 PM)
Comment: Matt...Of whom in the Niner front office does Arnaz Battle have naked pictures??? In a Martz O, the #3 WR gets on the field a great deal. Given this, what is the argument for Battle remaining a borderline starter??? I could understand his prominent role in previous years because (a) their WRs were garbage, (b) he's a great blocker on 1st and 2nd down, and (c) he's a team leader. As the #3 WR, only (c) holds this year: The WRs aren't garbage anymore, and his blocking prowess is mitigated by the fact that he'll usually be lined up in the slot and be playing primarily on passing downs. I might be crazy, but, with Hostler gone, I don't think slot WRs run blocking vs. OLBs on 3rd and 7 is going to be an integral part of the O this year (at least I hope not). Furthermore, over the years, he's been the Niners' #1, #2, and #3 WR, yet his best statistical performance was a middling 59-686-3 in 2006 (I do understand that the Niners' O was, at best, middling overall during that time). So basically, with Battle this year, the Niners have a mediocre WR whose best asset (blocking) won't be utilized in the offense. Why not give Hill or Morgan a shot in the slot and let Battle do his "team leading" on special teams and from the bench like Ulbrich did last year? If you say, OK, this isn't a big deal because VD is actually the 3rd option in the passing game, that seems even more a reason to take a shot with the young guys. That's why the only explanation I can come up with is this "naked picture hypothesis." Or maybe it's just another sad example of Nolan preferring consistently mediocre vets to potentially above-average youngsters? Or maybe I need to get a life? Please help!

Posted By: Darren (30/08/2008 6:50:50 PM)
Comment: Nope, still 5 and 11 due to: Inept Dline. Even though J Smith is considered a good player, look at his cast! Only Ray McDonald better be along side him and not Franklin! Oline is still bad. LBs are a bit better. Secondary looks old out there. We don't have a #1WR. If JT has nobody to rely on for #1Wr, 5 and 11 instantly, or 3 and 13. Alex Smith better be our QB next year or I give up being a fan.

Posted By: Parker (30/08/2008 6:43:00 PM)
Comment: Niners should have cut their losses with Jay Moore Injuries and kept Ryan Grant on the roster. He's a gamer and will be long gone next week. Probably to the Cardinals.

Posted By: http:// (30/08/2008 6:41:05 PM)
Comment: Demian or is it Darren? Hmmm

Posted By: Mike in Glendale (30/08/2008 6:34:10 PM)
Comment: Since the Niners apparently aren't giving a spot on the PS to D.J. Parker, I wonder if they're looking at Dre Moore, the former Maryland DT who was a fourth-rounder (and recent cut) for the Bucs. Sad to see Curry and Haley go, but not really surprised.

Posted By: penryn niner (30/08/2008 5:58:21 PM)
Comment: Matt, after watching Balmer and Rachal for training camp and the exhibition games do you feel the 49ers regret passing on players like Curtis Lofton, DeSean Jackson or anyone else in particular? Jackson was the guy I was hoping for with the 39th pick.

Posted By: Demian (30/08/2008 5:34:10 PM)
Comment: Cohn doesn't know what he's talking about Matt. Quit advertising. Get back to reporting. Cohen is about as terrible as Banta Cain's spin move.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (30/08/2008 5:30:57 PM)
Comment: Nolan should start Wragge at RG. I'd be surprised if he doesn't... Staley, Baas, Heitmann, Wragge, Jennings should give us our best line play. I've been impressed with the OL... Much better than last year so far. Can't wait for week 1!!

Posted By: kem99 (30/08/2008 5:29:11 PM)
Comment: Matt -- Ahmad Brooks was waived by the Bengals. We know the 49ers had a lot of interest in him when he came out in the supplemental draft a couple of years ago. I assume he would not be eligible for the practice squad but any thoughts on whether the 49ers might still have interest?

Posted By: mike in MD (30/08/2008 5:26:14 PM)
Comment: Why didn't they put Zeigler on the 53-man since they cut Lelie? He would make a good addition to a young core of wideouts & has looked good in MM's offense. Isn't 6 WR's ideal? Any news on Morgan? He's been ill for quite some time now.

Posted By: DMC (30/08/2008 5:19:40 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt. A little suprised we kept all d-backs but makes sense in long run. Who saw Utah beat Michigan today in the big house? That's how it will be all year. That underdog in red and white winning everywhere. I predict playoffs for the niners. Go 49ers. GO

Posted By: bigsteviej (30/08/2008 4:13:24 PM)
Comment: Just read that Deltha O'Neal was cut by the Bengals -- Cal fans will certainly remember him. Was a 1st round pick in 2000. Had 10 picks in 2005. If my memory's right he also returns punts. I know the Niners are carrying a lot of DB's, but could he contribute on this team?

Posted By: Kyle (30/08/2008 4:10:37 PM)
Comment: Any idea how the WR depth chart will play out? Is it somehow possible that the combo of Bruce being old, Johnson being hurt for most the preseason and Morgan playing out of his mind pushed Morgan into a starting, or at least 3rd option, role?

Response: I'd still assume that Bruce, Johnson and Battle are the top three guys. (But, hey, when it comes to receivers, I've been wrong before.) --Matt M.

Posted By: Jonathan (30/08/2008 4:07:12 PM)
Comment: wow im surprised ulbrich is still ahead of spikes did u see him get dragged about 3 yards by a rb vs the chargers do u think spikes with get the starting job?

Posted By: James (30/08/2008 3:44:16 PM)
Comment: First. So, no word from Nolan on Grant and the practice squad???

Response: Practice squads may be established beginning Sunday. --Matt M.

Posted By: Doug (30/08/2008 3:36:25 PM)
Comment: Any news on whether it's Goldson or Roman?

Response: Nolan said last week that it was Roman. --Matt M.