Posted By: mike (30/08/2007 12:27:06 PM)
Comment: Ima Ninerfan..thanks for the info on the prototypical DE size for the 3-4. He's close to the minimum, isn't McDonald undersized w/us? OK, don't use ABrown on the line, how about an upgrade to DSmith & BMoore? This guy's still young in his prime & sounds like a playmaker. At TED LB he's got the size to take on & shed blockers to stop the run. That's his strength & has been his main job. I don't know what our cap situation is nor what the BEARS need help with. After I'd guess midway(+) to the season Willis if all goes well w/his progress s/b ready to make the D calls then Smith could back him up, ABrown could start @ TED & Moore could stay at backup since he plays better when he's fresh. We probably could get 2-3 yrs out of him. The BEARS are stacked at the DLine position (wish we were) & this guy is just looking for more playing time since he's being replaced by younger players. He definitely would get the playing time he'd want with us. Probably a long shot unless our scouts really are knowledgeable about this guy since TC & the preseason is practically finished. He'd have to learn the 3-4 & the switch to LB. I don't think either of our TED LB's have been in a Pro Bowl before. Always looking to upgrade & help our team esp our DLINE...trust me I'd like to find some help there NOW, if possible.

Posted By: Ima Ninerfan (30/08/2007 11:30:23 AM)
Comment: mike, that guy sounds pretty good but he fits the size of an outside linebacker in a 3-4. As you know, we have plenty of LB's so I'd think the Niners wouldn't be interested. In our 3-4 scheme a DE should be between 270-290 lb. Good lookin' out though.

Posted By: mike (30/08/2007 8:02:34 AM)
Comment: Matt..here's a quote from an ESPN article about ALEX BROWN(DE) who's wants/exploring a trade >> "The defensive tackle position relies on speed and quickness when attacking upfield gaps, and the BEARS are loaded there. Brown was a starter last season and is extremely valuable because he's versatile enough to be a 3-down player and is also effective against the run." >> 6'3", 260 lbs, DE, 26 yrs old, 4th Rd/02'pick fr Florida. 47 tackles/41 solo/7 SACKS/2 forced fumbles/2 fumble recoveries last season. Has started 64 consecutive games. Named 2nd-alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl after being named a 1st-alternate for the 2006 Pro Bowl. One of just 7 defensive ends in the NFL that has started every game since 2003. Would he be effective in a 3-4 & do you think we would be interested? Do you think we could work something out w/t BEARS? Would be great for our rotation. He does have 3 yrs left in his contract. What do you think Matt?

Posted By: Mike in Sac (29/08/2007 6:04:03 PM)
Comment: Fan if afgan land...buy a slingbox. Check it out on slingbox.com This will allow you to transfer local broadcast from the US to the internet anywhere you can connect. One issue, must have family of frined here locally to get it setup for you.

Posted By: oneniner (29/08/2007 12:59:33 PM)
Comment: SonocoNinerFan .....you made my point...you said "but Staley has shown he can hang since OTA's"....OTA's are not real games (i.e why is there doubt jacobs could be number 3 because even till now he hasnt show up in real games)...again my suprise comes from there is no big reason to demote K harris....he his 25, 4 yr vet i think, 1st round pick, 1 yr left on contract, has had his best OTA's, yes he was not consistent but he his not even on the bottom list of terrible RT's in the league....what is the rush to play staley, i would think we need to be cautious bout throwing a rookie at RT, again this offense was built to run the ball...if it was me, i would wait till K Harris messes up during the first two games to demote him......again we forget Gore has not played behind Staley ....it is too risky..

Posted By: NotASororityGirl (29/08/2007 10:35:12 AM)
Comment: Matt, Does this, in your opinion, "seal the deal" that Nolan/McCloughan made a masterful trade w/ New England in order to acquire Staley? Given even the worst case scenario that I can imagine (i.e. a top 10 pick next year), it seems to me that we still come out ahead with Staley. Also, with what you have seen from Joe Thomas and Levi Brown in TC and preseason, would you say Staley has outperformed them so far?

Posted By: 49erMiner (29/08/2007 9:00:44 AM)
Comment: Now we just need to get York to sell the team back to Vinnie and we are back in business, That was a man who inspired his players to work for him.

Posted By: Big Daddy T (29/08/2007 8:57:23 AM)
Comment: Matt...ball control n defense are the two components necessary for a good team to become a great team. On paper da defense looks solid. Playing time creates chemistry. I don't see that chemistry out there yet but i'm hopeful that it gells quickly into a destructive defensive unit. Time will tell hw good Nolan is as an effective game day coach. 9 n 7 this year is not out the realm of possibilty. 8 n 8 passing mark. less than .500 a major disappointment. Keep up the great work.

Posted By: SonocoNinerFan (29/08/2007 7:17:38 AM)
Comment: oneniner . . . you didn't see Kwame being benched coming? Maybe not on draft day, but Staley has shown he can hang since OTA's. BTW, you don't ALWAYS have to be overpowering to open holes. It's usually about footwork, set-up and taking the correct angle to the defender. It's only one play, but Staley got susbstantial push at the point of attack on Hicks TD from the 2 yd line against the Bears. Staley will be fine and deserves to start.

Posted By: StonerLab (29/08/2007 6:31:39 AM)
Comment: This can't come as a surprise to anyone that Staley get's the nod to be the starter. But I still think there's going to be a possible trade sometime during the season on Harris.

Posted By: oneniner (29/08/2007 6:20:06 AM)
Comment: wow...i didn't see this coming.....i really think this is a bad idea, i would have waited till the second or third game, we are a running team.....Fan in Afghanistan = you can watch the game online, not sure how but do some reseach......I really dont see how staley is going to overpower veteran players in the running game....Matt am i making too much or do you think staley would be a force in the running game....

Posted By: Jake (29/08/2007 5:26:05 AM)
Comment: Mark, York would be absolutely "crazy" to pull the plug on Nolan even if the 49ers are a .500 team this year. I don't think the "new" John York would do that. I do agree Nolan has to become a better gameday coach, especially solving the team's road woes, but as far as a roster builder, he has been pretty spectacular to this point.

Posted By: mark (29/08/2007 4:20:48 AM)
Comment: Matt...only if it is easy love to know if antonio bryant has hooked on anywhere? winborn on a roster?..its clear that the current mgmt knows how to evaluate"football players" now...just hope they can scheme and really coach...nolan still doesnt look comfortable on sideline...way too many "top down" errors...I think york is still york and 2-14 to 7-9 to? if it is not at least 8-8 I think york will pull plug really do.....

Posted By: Fan in Afghanistan (29/08/2007 3:15:44 AM)
Comment: Matt, I want to thank you for the constant updates. Being abroad working on an agriculture project in Kabul, I have no idea if I will be able to see a game on TV or not this year, but reading your daily summaries keeps me in the know and able to follow the team I have enjoyed watching as long as I remember. For all the fans living overseas, we get used reading about the NFL much more than we can watch it, and the blog format is so much more informative than merely reading similar game recaps from the local and national media. The only thing better is if someone can convince the 49ers (or the NFL, for that matter) to stream the games online for us that have access to internet but have sports stations filled with cricket and rugby and not American football. So, thank you and I look forward to your articles. And make sure you find a co-blogger before you burn yourself out, because I have truly become addicted to the blog. Thanks!

Posted By: chad (28/08/2007 10:53:19 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, is it possible for Kwame Harris to become a guard rather than a tackle? His shortcomings seem to come in pass protection and it is easier to protect the quarterback from a guard position, right? I've read all about his superior run blocking skills...why not move him to left guard after Allen leaves next year?

Posted By: Andrew G (28/08/2007 8:02:33 PM)
Comment: How much does it show about the former regime that all but 1 of their first rounders are no longer playing, while every McNolan 1st rounder is currently starting? You have any idea if Harris is in Nolan's long term plans? Will he still make the big bucks if he sits for the year?

Posted By: mike (28/08/2007 6:09:12 PM)
Comment: You were right Matt about the prediction, good call. I'm so psyched about our 1st Rounders & excited seeing them develop. Congrats to Staley, great work & keep it up!! Also huge props to Scott McCloughan for the sweat, creativity, & his persistence in making the calls to make this pick happen. I remember him saying this was the hardest deal to make because no one wanted to at the time, then finally he was able to swing one w/t PATS. Very Walshesque..awesome work. That right side as well as the entire OLine is on it's way to being solid this year w/Smiley at guard. Way to go McNolan!!