SAN FRANCISCO – Here are in-game quotes from Donte Whitner, courtesy of the 49ers. Evaluate the defensive performance overall: “Overall we got three turnovers in the first half. We had two penalties on third down in the first half that could have ended scoring drives or ended on four-and-one. We had an interception by S Dashon Goldson that was negated by a penalty. So, we’re doing a lot of good…
Live: 49ers vs. Texans
SAN FRANCISCO — This is the live blog for the 49ers exhibition game against the Houston Texans. I will be updating this frequently and answering questions as well throughout the game. FIRST QUARTER 5:08 Ahmad Brooks picks off Matt Shaub on a screen pass on the first play of the game, and returns the ball 13-yards into the Texans end zone for a touchdown. 7-0 Niners. Brooks continues to have…
The Yorks greet the fans
SAN FRANCISCO – At 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time John and Jed York were standing next to the field chatting. A group of twelve year olds walked right through them, unaware they were bumping the owners of the 49ers. As they passed the Yorks, one twelve-year-old had an epiphany, turned back and asked Jed, “Are you the owner of the 49ers?” Jed nodded his head self-effacingly and said yes, and shook…
Cops galore at Candlestick
SAN FRANCISCO – I just drove into Candlestick Park with my dad, and when we exited 101 and drove down 3rd street, we saw eight police officers surrounding a car at a red light. Some of the policemen had their guns drawn, and they were ordering a man out of the driver seat. “Get outside the car.” He stuck his hands out his window and didn’t move. My dad and…
49ers over/under
Jim Harbaugh said yesterday that Alex Smith will play the first two offensive series against the Houston Texans on Saturday, and Colin Kaepernick will replace Smith on the third series. Do you believe him? On Tuesday he said Alex Smith and the rest of the first stringers would play the whole first half, as is tradition in the third exhibition game. Just two days before that, Harbaugh said he’d make…
Gore, Rosenhaus to meet with Baalke, 49ers Monday
In case you haven’t heard, according to Mike Florio the 49ers will meet with Frank Gore and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus on Monday to talk contract extension. What do you think will come of that meeting? A. A contract extension that pleases Gore B. A trade C. Nothing significant I’m going to go with Answer A. Why invite Drew Rosenhaus to fly across the country for a meeting if you’re…
Colin Kaepernick’s footwork
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh did not invite reporters out to practice until 2:30 p.m., so I missed most of the players stretch, so I won’t be able to report on that for you today. Sorry about that. But I did get to see the quarterbacks warm up. When I got out to the field they were doing a three-step-drop drill and Harbaugh was watching closely. Alex Smith and Colin…
Jim Harbaugh on Michael Crabtree, Alex Smith, and Saturday’s game vs. the Texans
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke at the podium this morning at 11:00 a.m. He changed his mind for the second time in four days regarding how much his starters will play this Saturday versus the Houston Texans. Now he’s saying Alex Smith will only get a couple series to begin the game, and Colin Kaepernick will come in early to play with the first team. He says the focus…
The Michael Crabtree Walk-by
SANTA CLARA — Michael Crabtree presents himself to reporters once a day at 49ers facilities. He walks into the locker room and does something I call “The Michael Crabtree Walk-by.” First, he wears a full 49ers sweat suit, with a hoodie pulled over his ears and eyes. Covering the sweatshirt fabric which covers his ears are a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. He walks through the room slowly…
Braylon Edwards, reserve quarterback
SANTA CLARA – For the first time all week, all the 49ers were on the field for the half hour the media was allowed observe them. They wore shorts ‘n shells, and the only players who weren’t practicing were Chilo Rachal, who’s reportedly “working through something,” Shawntae Spencer, who is working through a hamstring, and Michael Crabtree, who is working through a lot of stuff. Braylon Edwards and Joshua Morgan…
Locker Room Luau, Starring Isaac Sopoaga
SANTA CLARA – To be accurate, the luau started in the showers and then moved to the locker room. Isaac Sopoaga brought the speakers for his iPhone with him to the showers and put on a reggae song called Jah Live by a South African artist named Lucky Dube. The song starts with a lady singing, “Jah lives!” Will Tukuafu and Sealver Siliga sang along to this part in a…
Greg Roman talks all things offense
SANTA CLARA – It was offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s turn to speak at the podium in the media tent this afternoon. Roman’s style is to give a preamble before the questions start, which is fun. And if you were wondering, I asked the question toward the end re: halfbacks and fullbacks. Here’s the full transcript of the interview, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Finishing up a really great week…
Alex Smith on Braylon Edwards and Michael Crabtree
SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith was the last player to speak to reporters today in the locker room, but I’m giving you his transcript first. He answered a lot of questions about Braylon Edwards, and at the end he touched on Michael Crabtree. Enjoy. Q: Have you been doing extra work with guys like Braylon Edwards after practice because of the time crunch? ALEX SMITH: More so than in years…
Five bubble guys
Here are five guys whose status to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster is on the bubble. You should pay extra attention to these players during the last two exhibition games. RB Xavier Omon: Would have to make the team as the fourth running back, or would have to take Anthony Dixon’s spot, which is unlikely because Dixon was Baalke’s draft pick last year. Still, Omon has performed better than Dixon…
The lonesome tight end
The quote of the day came from backup backup backup backup tight end Nate Lawrie. The third and fourth stringers broke into positional drills at 2:00 p.m., so Nate Lawrie hustled over to tight ends coach Reggie Davis. No one else ran to Davis. The other tight ends like Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker and Konrad Reuland were still in the locker room. Reuland came out to stretch later on…
What Baalke meant about Gore
Trent Baalke spoke about Frank Gore’s potential contract extension this afternoon on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Here’s what he said: “The best thing we can say is we’re doing everything we can to make Frank a 49er for life and whether that gets accomplished in the near future or not remains to be seen. But Frank’s a 49er. He’s a heck of a football player, he’s a heck of a young…
Jim Harbaugh on Taylor Mays and more
Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Tuesday afternoon press confrence, courtesy of the 49ers. You guys made a trade yesterday (sending S Taylor Mays to the Bengals), why was that deal a good trade for the 49ers? “Well I think it was, not just for us but for Taylor and it was a positive thing for Taylor. We’ve got a lot of respect for Taylor. I’ve been around him for about three or…
Shawntae Spencer “not concerned” about his hamstring
SANTA CLARA – Shawntae Spencer just spoke at his locker about his hamstring injury, and here’s full the transcript of that interview. As you may remember, Spencer pulled his hamstring on the second day of training camp, and then he pulled it again at the Fanfest at Candlestick Park. Q: At the Fanfest you practiced a little bit but since then you haven’t since. Did you reinjure your hamstring that…
Depth chart changes in the secondary
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers just sent out their depth chart for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Houston Texans, and there are some changes in the secondary. Dashon Goldson is officially the starting free safety while Reggie Smith is injured. Madieu Williams is officially second-string. Shawntae Spencer is still the starting right cornerback even though he’s injured. Tarell Brown is his backup, and Tramaine Brock is third-string. Chris Culliver is…
49ers ban tailgating during and after games
Eric Branch tweeted that the 49ers have banned tailgating during and after games at Candlestick park. The Niners are being proactive – they’re trying to head off tragedies. They’re doing the right thing. People are there to see a football game. If some people’s goal is to party during the game, let them stay home and watch the game on T.V. Lots of bad things can come from partying in…
