I have no inside knowledge. I’m playing the cut game, and I hope you’ll join me because it’s fun. The Niners need a veteran backup quarterback who’s better than Josh McCown. The Green Bay Packers just cut Graham Harrell, but he doesn’t meet our qualifications, because he’s not a veteran, and he’s not better than McCown. He’s only intriguing because he played hehind Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and he…
Ian Williams in, Dominique Zeigler out, and Green Bay cuts a quarterback
Matt Maiocco reports that nose tackle Ian Williams and linebacker Keaton Kristick have made the team. Maiocco also reports that the Niners have cut safety Chris Maragos, safety Curtis Taylor, wide receiver Dominique Zeigler, and wide receiver Joe Hastings. Maiocco reports Hastings will be offered a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Ian Williams making the roster probably means Will Tukuafu gets cut, unless Harbaugh wants to…
McCown cut — a tragic tale of hair gel
It’s being widely reported the Niners have released quarterback Josh McCown. On the surface, this makes no sense. McCown is clearly a better quarterback right now that the other backup, rookie Colin Kaepernick. And McLeod Bethel-Thomson is a rookie too and he’s probably going to get cut today, just like McCown The Niners must want to sign a different veteran quarterback to be the backup, a better one than Josh…
Predicting the 53-man roster
The Niners will announce their final 27 cuts Saturday, and then we’ll know their 53-man roster. Before they make it clear for us, here’s my prediction of what the full roster will look like. Please feel free to leave your own predictions as well. QB: Alex Smith, Josh McCown, Colin Kaepernick ANALYSIS: Kaepernick showed last night he’s not ready to play in an NFL game right now, and McCown showed…
The good and the not-so-good from Thursday night’s game
Here’s the rest of the good and the not-so-good from last night’s exhibition game against the Chargers. THE GOOD Kendall Hunter: Finished the game with 113 all-purpose yards. Twice he was thrown to the grown and he landed on his feet to gain more than five yards. He’s very fast, he has a very low center of gravity, and he’s very balanced, all of which makes him a very good…
Alex Smith: B+
I just finished watching the tape of the San Diego exhibition game, and I’m giving Alex Smith a B+. That’s a very good grade. He completed 8 of 10 passes and overall he looked confident and decisive and accurate. Why a B+ and not an A or and A-? For one, the longest pass he completed was nine yards, meaning he wasn’t asked to do anything extraordinary or out of…
I need to check the film
I’m starting the film of last night’s exhibition win right now. I’m focusing on the quarterbacks, the runningbacks, the offensive line, Aldon Smith, Demarcus Dobbs, and the players I said absolutely needed to perform. I’ll be back at you in a few hours with lots of analysis.
Alex Smith: “The O-line played great.”
Here are the in-game quotes from Alex Smith, courtesy of the 49ers. Did the offense have to come out and prove something tonight? “I don’t know if we had anything to prove. It’s the fourth preseason game. We definitely wanted to get the taste out of our mouth from last week though. Get some rhythm, convert on some third downs, move some chains and hopefully points on the board and…
NaVorro Bowman in-game quotes
Here are in-game quotes from NaVorro Bowman, courtesy of the 49ers Talk about what you saw on your forced fumble and fumble recovery: “It was just a basic blitz. I had the running back on me one-on-one and that’s something that a linebacker wants to get when trying to get a sack. Running backs really like to cut and once they don’t cut, you give them one move and get…
Live blog: 49ers vs. Chargers
This is the live blog for the 49ers fourth and final exhibition game. I will updating this frequently throughout the game with extra observations and analysis. FIRST QUARTER 7:10 Frank Gore isn’t playing, so Kendall Hunter gets the first three carries of the game, rushing for 19 yards. He’s the second-best running back on the Niners by a wide margin. 7:11 As soon as I write that, Hunter rips off…
Live blog tonight
Just a reminder, I’m writing a live blog tonight to keep the conversation going. I’ll be blogging from home just like you, and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Top 5 moments from training camp
The Niners are no longer in “training camp mode,” as Jim Harbaugh would say. They’re in a process of transitioning to regular-season mode. But before we all change our modes, let’s relive the highlights of training camp. Here are the five most interesting moments of Niner camp 2011: Harbaugh takes player reps. One minute he’s Coach, blowing his whistle and barking instructions at his players. But when he flips his…
Frank Gore: Emmitt Smith but faster
Frank Gore spoke on a conference call this afternoon about his three-year contract extension and how happy he is that he can one day retire as a 49er. He talked about why it’s important for him to be a Niner for life, what drives him, and who he patterns his game after. He also revealed a compliment his old offensive coordinator and current San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner…
Shawntae Spencer talks about his hamstring and Michael Crabtree’s foot
SANTA CLARA – Shawntae Spencer spoke yesterday at his locker about two injuries – first, his hamstring pull, and second, Michael Crabtree’s recently-healed foot fracture. From what Spencer said, both he and Crabtree seem on track to play week 1 versus the Seahawks. You can read Spencer’s words for yourself. Q: You’re back on the practice field. How’s it going? SPENCER: Still playing it safe. Last two days I just…
5 players who absolutely need to perform on Thursday
The Niners fourth and final exhibition game against the San Diego Chargers this Thursday means very little for some players, and it means everything for others. This is not a make or break week for Alex Smith. He’ll probably play very little. His make or break week will come during the regular season. But on Saturday Harbaugh and Baalke will cut 27 players, so for the backups Thursday’s game is…
Gore signs three-year extension, $13.5 million guaranteed
SANTA CLARA– According to Pro Football Talk, Frank Gore has signed a three-year contract extension with the 49ers. The extension is worth $21 million with 13.5 million guaranteed. This extension is worth roughly half of what DeAngelo Williams’ is worth, which is notable because Gore and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were apparently seeking a contract comparable to the one Carolina gave Williams a few weeks ago. Kudos to both sides…
Alex Smith Q&A
SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith talked to reporters at his locker today. Here’s everything he said. The last question is a question I asked him after the other reporters left the area around his locker, and it was the first time I’ve asked Smith a question one-on-one. He was gracious and thorough and he even cracked a joke. Enjoy. Q: Do you plan to play on Thursday? ALEX SMITH: I’m…
Braylon Edwards: “This offense will be explosive. I do believe that.”
SANTA CLARA – Braylon Edwards went into detail today about the extra work he’s doing with Alex Smith after practices and his high expectations of the offense in the regular season. At the end, he addressed his possible suspension for week 1. NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello says his case is “still under review.” Here’s everything Edwards said. Q: How do you feel like you’re doing so far with the grasp…
Harbaugh on Crabtree, Staley, Gore, and more
SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke this afternoon after a morning practice. He talked about Michael Crabtree, Joe Staley, and Frank Gore extensively, but he also dropped some nuggets you’d find interesting. He announced that Jonathan Goodwin is now the starting center, not Adam Snyder. He also explained the reasoning behind cutting LB Scott McKillop. Here’s the complete transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. You activated WR Michael Crabtree off the…
Gore says his agent felt good about the meeting
SANTA CLARA – Frank Gore spoke at his locker this afternoon about his contract negotiations and he was smiling. He didn’t say anything about signing a contract extension, but he said the meetings went well. About forty-five minutes after he spoke, Pro Player Sports marketing tweeted, “Congrats to Frank Gore on signing his extension with the Niners today.” Rosenhaus’ office had no comment. I will update you with any Gore developments…
