Posted By: johnp (04/01/2007 5:13:30 AM)
Comment: I know we'd never be so lucky, so I'll not even say, "How 'bout Seifert???" But why is even uttering George Seifert's name so taboo around here? He was the genius behind the dominating defenses of the dynasty years. Was there some falling out that relegated him to a self-imposed exile of salmon fishing out of Bodega?

Posted By: Gianni (04/01/2007 2:44:41 AM)
Comment: hi matt and thanks a lot. for me you are a probowler! i'm from italy and i'm sorry for the mistakes i will make. what about mike singletary? not the halloffamer, but the linebacker coach (i know he's the same). after 4 year coaching he's supposed to be a future head coach somewhere. but ... nolan fired davis, coordinator of a very poor defense greatly improved in the last 9 weeks and emanuel d-line coach and d-line didn't ever seem to me more struggling than lb or db. but about linebacker: what a mess! everytime i saw an unknown player in 9ers jersey first i thought "he's a special teamer" but then i realized and was sure "he's a linebacker!". smith ulrich moore lawson haralson slaughter green navies, the unseen foreman (and waived parrish to sign him!) and maybe i forget someone: aren't they too many? and didn't they struggle more than D-line or D-backs? and lawson who startrd quite well but finished so and so? of course there are things i don't know, things i can't evaluate, but i'm in big doubt about these early coach moves. thanks a lot again!

Posted By: mark (03/01/2007 4:14:35 PM)
Comment: Matt---can you tell us why the NFL has its pro bowl teams selected before the end of the season? I have not seen all the games of the cornerbacks who made the Pro Bowl for the NFC, but would find it hard to belive they played better than Wlat Harris, who has been big all year starting with a standout game vs Cards highlighted by his sack and strip of Kurt Warner, continuing with his 3 interception game vs Raiders, his strip of Tory Holt and return for td (called back) and climaxing with a virtuso performance vs Broncos. If the voters had that Bronco game to judge before they voted, maybe Walt gets what he rightfuly deserves, a pro bowl gig.

Posted By: Sadie Harvey (03/01/2007 3:10:38 PM)
Comment: Aloha Matt! I immediately sent your blog re Davis to Mike Florio at PFT where they featured it. Fair, since you credited them with the mid-season rumor about Davis! In their article they say that talk has started about Donnie Henderson joining Nolan and the Niners. Have you heard any scuttlebutt about that possibility? It does make sense, given their past history together and his immediate availability. Any other names that you have heard? How about for D line coach? Any chance of Quinn coming back? Or a re-interview of Singletary's nephew who got beaten out by Emmanuel? Happy New Year and thank you for your wonderful Blog! Your No. 1 fan in Paradise, Sadie

Posted By: kem99 (03/01/2007 1:32:55 PM)
Comment: red & gold Not to quibble, I don't know if pointing to the Bengals is the best example of how things should be done. They were, afterall, expected to at least make the playoffs this year but did not qualify. And, given how Cincinnatti's defense played for most of this season, perhaps Lewis should be more "hands on". Even in 2005, their defense was not great. On the other hand, I can point to the Patriots where Belichek is involved in the offense and defense, especially since Weis and Cremmel left.

Posted By: http:// (03/01/2007 1:06:55 PM)
Comment: In our dreams, Nolan brings Dave McGinnis or Dom Capers to fix our defense. Both bring experience and credibility to a defense that badly needs both. I love Donnie Henderson but think he may be a bad fit if Nolan wants to go purely 3-4. Thanks, Matt!

Posted By: Sean Matteson (03/01/2007 12:31:50 PM)
Comment: For Brandon - As far as I know A. Smith isn't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or what many people call a "mormon". If he were he probably would have gone to BYU which is a church school like his predecessor Steve Young. I live in Utah and am a member of the Church. I'm sure I would have heard of his affiliation if that were the case.

Posted By: red & gold (03/01/2007 12:20:21 PM)
Comment: Great Move to make a change at D-Coordinator. It will be even better if Nolan can hire one that he has full trust in so that Nolan can concentrate on learning how to manage the game better, (especially the clock) Chuck Bresnahan in Cincinatti praises Marvin Lewis for being hands off of his O & D Coordinators and 100% HEAD COACH. That's what I hope will happen in SF. GREAT JOB MATT! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS INTO THIS BLOG. IT IS BY FAR THE BEST OUT THERE!

Posted By: pr7z (03/01/2007 12:20:15 PM)
Comment: Hi matt, Your blog is the most credible source of Niners info. I always appreciate your fact based analysis and discussion of topics that others do not cover. Can you comment on Donnie Henderson's probability. Thanks .

Posted By: Tim (03/01/2007 11:47:45 AM)
Comment: One more thing, do you think we will see free agent inflation (see SF Giants and Zito) given that a lot of teams have money under the cap this year. I would rather struggle through another season or two if it keeps us from paying inflated prices for average talent. I know Nolan seems to have taken a page from the A's by looking for the "right" guy at the "right" price. What is the risk of coming up a bit empty because the prices are not "right" and is there a negative impact to the overall team pay scale if they overpay based on market conditions?

Posted By: blade (03/01/2007 11:47:01 AM)
Comment: as usual great stuff matt.I'd like to see harris,moore,lewis and of course BY stay in the line up ,with brandon moore in the line up the deff seems to play so much better and aggressive,if they pick up one good corner to compliment harris and a solid pass rusher one big play maker on off we really don't seem that far away,any thoughts on some players they are seriousley considering?

Posted By: Brandon (03/01/2007 11:09:31 AM)
Comment: Matt- I wondered if you could settle a bet. Is Alex Smith a Mormon?

Posted By: Corey (03/01/2007 10:37:44 AM)
Comment: Matt - Thank you! Excellent post, as always. Two questions for you: (1) based on what you heard and saw this year, do you thing that Singletary is ready to be a defensive coordinator? From the outside, his impact on the team this year did not appear significant. (2) No matter what one's opinion of Billy Davis is, there is something to be said for continuity. Do you think that adding a new D coordinator and implementing a new scheme will slow down the 49ers rebuilding and negatively impact their ability to make the playoffs nest year? Thanks again.

Posted By: Patrick (03/01/2007 10:28:24 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, glad to read your blog once again. I thought Billy Davis firing could go either way, our defense was total crap until the 3 game winning streak, but after that we've been playing very well, until shawtae was injured there was drop offs. I'm wondering if you know how much of the change did billy take credit for, or was it all Nolan's ideas. Also, does coach singletary know alot about defensive playcalling?

Posted By: wsmith (03/01/2007 10:22:31 AM)
Comment: I'm curious as to who might be D-Coord candidates? Any thoughts Matt? Dom Capers, Jim Bates? My guess would possibly be Dave McGinnis, current LB coach in TN. He coached LB's on that great Bears team of the 80's, including coaching Singletary for 7 of his 12 seasons. He has always been known to have a great defensive mind, and obviously has a history with Singletary. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Posted By: http:// (03/01/2007 10:15:22 AM)
Comment: Matt- Did you hear Scot McCloughan on KNBR last night? Reading between the lines I think Kwame is destined to be a back up at best (if not traded or cut) and will be replaced via free agency. Is it reasonable to expect the Niners to look for 4-5 impact free agents and then utilize the draft to add depth and talent given that very few rookies make a big impact in year 1? Does that mean we will see them select more for talent than position?

Posted By: Drake (03/01/2007 9:54:22 AM)
Comment: Matt, Yet again, you have scooped everybody, as of 9:45 am neither ESPN, CBS, yahoo!, 49ers.com or sfgate have this. I'm surprised on two levels: 1) it seems the company line has been Davis's defense overachieved according to it's talent-level; 2) when Nolan was hired he said he had lists of candidates for each assitant coaching position, so I would have thought he'd have the replacement announced at the same time. It'll be tough to judge this move since the replacement coach will have a different cast and hopefully talent-level. Who would you guess some of the candidates might be? Thanks again for your outstanding work?

Response: Thanks, Drake. But I can't take credit for this one. Damon Bruce from KNBR reported it late last night. --Matt M.