Here is my Friday column previewing the 49ers-Colts game. Even if Indianapolis hadn’t traded for Trent Richardson on Wednesday, the 49ers still would have a tough time beating the Colts on Sunday. Look at the facts: The Colts ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards without Richardson. They average 5 yards per carry. To beat the 49ers, you have to run the ball well and that’s what the Colts…
Top five questions as we head into training camp, starting Monday: Will Dashon Goldson hold out? He wanted a multi-year extension from the Niners, but the July 16 deadline passed and the Niners didn’t give him one. All he can do now is sign the one-year franchise tender. The same situation happened to former Niners nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin two seasons ago. Franklin wanted an extension and didn’t get one,…
Trent Baalke is having a monster year. On Friday, the 49ers extended his contract through the 2016 season, this coming a few weeks after he won the NFL’s Executive of the Year award. Almost every move he made in 2011 worked out. It was like he was on a heater at a craps table in Vegas and he was hitting ten the hard way over and over again. Here are…
SANTA CLARA – According to reports, former 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin signed with The New Orleans Saints this afternoon. The deal is for one season. With Franklin out of the picture, the 49ers defensive line would appear to be set, barring injury. It is: Justin Smith at RDE, Isaac Sopoaga at NT, and Ray McDonlad at LDE. The 49ers have the cap room to resign safety Dashon Goldon if…
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports this morning that the 49ers have over $30 million in cap space. Some of you asked whether the 49ers have to spend a minimum amount of that cap room this year, but they don’t. Individual teams don’t have to spend a minimum amount until 2013. This year, the league as a whole must spend 99% of $3.184 billion. In related news, Manny Lawson…
If Aubrayo Franklin leaves, it’s conceivable the Niners could fill the hole in the middle with Isaac Sopoaga, a seven-year veteran who spent his first four seasons at nose tackle.
Tomsula, allergic to glad-handing, was never hired by a friend or former colleague in his four stops in NFL Europe. He earned his positions by word of mouth — you know, man, that guy can really coach.
Due to popular demand (one person on Twitter), we present the inaugural Inside the 49ers mailbag. If your question doesn’t appear below, it could appear in Mailbag No. 2:
In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay has San Francisco selecting LSU conerback Patrick Peterson, the winner of the Bednarik (top defensive player) and Thorpe (top defensive back) awards this past season.
Willis, obviously, can withstand pain. But he couldn’t do much when he received a concerned look after the results of an X-ray on his broken right hand came back after Sunday’s 25-17 loss to the Rams.
