NFL draft history suggests that, whomever it is, it could be a good thing if the 49ers select a cornerback with the No. 7 overall pick.
Draftnik: In a pinch, Prince is the pick for 49ers
But what if Peterson is gone, too? And Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Marcell Dareus and A.J. Green are also sporting the NFL-hat-with-blazer look. Anything can happen, of course, but it’s an entirely reasonable scenario.
Baalke talks like Tuna
Niners general manager Trent Baalke entered the NFL as a Jets scout in 1998 and spent his first three seasons under coach Bill Parcells.
Takeo Spikes: ‘It’s hard to tell what’s going on’
The NFL lockout was lifted Monday. And confusion has reigned today.
49ers have previously hit jackpot at 7, 45 and 76
Pro Football Reference lists the top players ever taken at every spot in this year’s draft (scroll to the right) and star-studded 49ers have been selected at No. 7, No. 45 and No. 76.
Tollner: Alex Smith close to becoming a championship QB
During his final stint with the 49ers, Ted Tollner didn’t see much of injury plagued Alex Smith in action. But he clearly liked what little he did see.
Grab bag: Vereen impresses; Riley learns; Marecic writes
Cal running back Shane Vereen met with the 49ers at the NFL Combine and one topic of conversation was Vereen’s 42-carry, 192-yard performance in Cal’s 34-28 win over Stanford in 2009.
Spread schmed: Harbaugh more concerned about DNA
On Wednesday, Harbaugh said he’d more or less arrived at this conclusion: If a quarterback has the right stuff it probably doesn’t matter if he never took a snap from under center in college.
Stanford players talk physical football, Harbaugh style
Fear not, though. The Singletary/Harbaugh comparison breaks down quickly. And the differences go well beyond their preferred spelling of “physical” — with Harbaugh, presumably, siding with Merriam-Webster.
Baalke on Alex: ‘The olive branch has been extended’
The olive branch, of course, is a one-year contract the Niners offered Smith prior to the lockout, as reported by the Sacramento Bee. What’s the benefit to bringing Smith back, Baalke was asked. After all, he’ll have yet another offensive coordinator and a new offense to learn – factors that are often cited for his largely disappointing six-year career.
Niners’ schedule highlighted by holiday Har-Bowl
The NFL unveiled its regular-season schedule today and a game with one of the season’s most compelling off-the-field storylines – the meeting between brothers Jim and John Harbaugh – is slated for, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving night, in Baltimore.
Kaepernick inspiring a devoted pre-draft following
Say this for Colin Kaepernick: He’s made fervent believers out of those who’ve worked with him leading up to the NFL draft.
49ers’ pro day: 15 Stanford players among invitees
Here’s the complete list of pro-day invitees, which includes 15 players from Stanford and 10 from Cal:
Rathman’s role may not be reprised in Harbaugh’s WCO
Jim Harbaugh may have memorized those Bill Walsh installation tapes, but it’s worth noting that he’s never used a fullback like the 49ers once employed the versatile Tom Rathman, who had more than 40 receptions in four of his eight seasons in San Francisco.
Q&A: NFLPA’s Mawae on talks with 49ers, lockout
Before he became fully embroiled in negotiations with NFL owners, Kevin Mawae, the president of the now-dissolved NFL players’ union, was involved in brief discussions with the 49ers last August.
Roddy White and Alex Smith: A Twitter tale
Just when you thought there was no real NFL news during the lockout, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White delivered Tweet No. 1,430 of his career this afternoon.
Lockout, money played role in Scaccia’s jump to AFL
Scaccia only expects to earn about $6,000 to $7,000 if he plays the final 14 games of Arizona’s regular season, which ends on July 23. But he said those paychecks played a role in his decision to rejoin the AFL.
Speed thrills: Taiwan Jones runs well before a full house
The Raiders, who have a famously insatiable appetite for speed, were, of course, present today. But so was every NFL team besides the Vikings, Jets, Jaguars, Chargers and Ravens. The large contingent was a nod to the fact that you can’t, as they say, coach speed.
NFL Mock Draft: A surprise to the Niners at No. 7
Within the first 16 picks, we have four quarterbacks off the board, two trades and one unforeseen development from Denver that sends one of the draft’s top-rated players falling to the 49ers (but not that top-rated player).
Niners’ 2011 preseason schedule unveiled
Here’s the 49ers’ schedule (make that, tentative schedule) — times have not been determined.