49ers move Bowman to PUP, Lattimore to NFI

The 49ers just announced that they waived Jewel Hampton, David Reed, Devon Wylie, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Kion Wilson, D.J. Campbell, Kevin Greene and Colton Schmidt. Other roster moves: Marcus Lattimore, Brandon Thomas, Keith Reaser and Trey Millard were moved to the NFI list. Blake Costanzo was released from IR. NaVorro Bowman, Garrett Celek and Kaleb Ramsey were moved to the PUP list. Players on the NFI list and the PUP list will…

August 25, 2014
Read More >>

Jim Harbaugh says he is “very pleased with the job Blaine Gabbert is doing.”

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Friday afternoon. Here is a transcript. Q: What happened to Blake Costanzo? How did he get injured? HARBAUGH: Something with the knee. Q: He was placed on I.R. Could he return at some point this season? HARBAUGH: I don’t think it’s a season-ending injury, but I hate to talk and then be wrong and then get criticized for not…

August 15, 2014
Read More >>

Scott Tolzien deserves better than to leave on a fade route

Here is my Wednesday column. Scott Tolzien is no longer a 49er. He deserves a proper goodbye. The 49ers’ third-string quarterback the past two seasons got cut on Monday. He was a terrific quarterback at the University of Wisconsin, the Johnny Unitas Award winner in 2010, but no team drafted him after his senior season. His arm wasn’t strong enough for the NFL then, it isn’t strong enough now and…

August 28, 2013
Read More >>

Too early to worry, but 49ers show they have issues to solve

Here is my Friday column about what we learned in the 49ers’ first preseason game. It’s almost impossible to evaluate the 49ers’ starters after their first preseason game. We don’t know how much the 49ers game planned for the Broncos – probably not very much. And the starters played just one series. Frank Gore and Justin Smith did not play at all. That should change next week. Gore should get…

August 9, 2013
Read More >>

Top 5 storylines of the 49ers’ offseason

Last week I listed the five biggest questions the 49ers must answer this offseason. This morning I’m sitting on my bed thinking about the five biggest storylines of the 49ers’ offseason. Here’s what I came up with. Trent Baalke. He’s been inconsistent. In 2011, he arguably had the best offseason in the NFL, drafting Aldon Smith and Colin Kaepernick and Bruce Miller and signing Carlos Rogers and Jonathan Goodwin and…

February 18, 2013
Read More >>

Week 6 grades: Defense & special teams

SAN FRANCISCO — Here are the Week 6 grades for the defense and special teams. Defensive line: D. They got zero pressure on Eli Manning. They held Ahmad Bradshaw to 23 yards on 11 carries in the first half, but they gave up 93 yards on 16 carries to Bradshaw in the second half. At one point in the fourth quarter they gave up almost 70 rushing yards on 7…

October 14, 2012
Read More >>

Scarface at the ‘Stick

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat just posted my article for Friday. It’s about how these 49ers set the tone in their football games. It’s also about Tony Montana vs. Joe Montana, in a sense. I spoke to Anthony Dixon and Blake Costanzo for the piece. To read it, click here. To set the tone for yourself, listen to ‘Tony Montana’ here. (Warning: Curse words)

January 19, 2012
Read More >>

Alex Smith saves the day (Lowell column)

My dad wrote his column on Alex Smith. In it, he gives the quarterback his due – Smith did what almost everyone said he couldn’t. He won a shootout. He led not one but two game-winning touchdown drives. And he did all this in a playoff game. To read the column, click here.

January 14, 2012
Read More >>

Donte Whitner has two personalities

SANTA CLARA – Donte Whitner talks slow and low like he’s your grandfather. But on the football field he’s a completely different person. Whitner explained this phenomenon to me today in the 49ers locker room. GC: Do you have two different personalities? WHITNER: You have to. If you take your aggressive personality home to your wife and your kids there’s going to be some trouble in the household. Your kids…

November 3, 2011
Read More >>

Blake Costanzo: “In Cleveland I used to help fold towels.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s the transcript of today’s Q&A with special teams standout Blake Costanzo. Q: Brad Seely said you’re a guy who looks like maybe you should be working a nine-to-five job. Is that fair? COSTANZO: Well, I do. I don’t look like much of a football player. I say all my genetics are hidden inside. But I actually do help. In Cleveland I used to help fold some…

October 26, 2011
Read More >>

Spillman and Costanzo debate the burger

C.J. Spillman likes fast food burgers. He ate Carls’ Jr. for lunch today. He walked into the locker room drinking a milkshake and holding a bag full of burgers – maybe they were bacon westerns. Blake Costanzo walked over to him, frowning. “You’re going to eat a burger an hour before practice?” he asked, amazed. “You’re just jealous of my superior genetics.” Spillman said with a smirk. “Don’t be jealous.”…

October 6, 2011
Read More >>