How much of an issue is speed for the 49ers’ offense?

This upcoming season, the 49ers arguably will have the slowest base offense in the NFL. I’m talking 21 personnel – Frank Gore at tail back, Bruce Miller at fullback, Vernon Davis at tight end, Michael Crabtree at flanker and Anquan Boldin at split end. When those players are on the field for the 49ers, their fastest players are the tight end and the quarterback. If the 49ers want more speed,…

May 15, 2013
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49ers suspend Brandon Jacobs for the rest of the season

The 49ers just announced that they have suspended running back Brandon Jacobs for the rest of the season. As you probably know, Brandon Jacobs wrote this weekend on Instagram that he is “rotting away” on the 49ers and, “This is by far the worst year” of his career. The 49ers did not say whether Brandon Jacobs will get paid while he’s suspended or not. Last season, the 49ers cut Braylon…

December 10, 2012
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Prediction: 49ers will beat Seahawks in very low-scoring game

The 49ers will beat the Seahawks 12-6 tonight. If the game was in Seattle on turf, I would have to favor the Seahawks in a short week. But the game is at Candlestick, and the grass field will negate the great quickness and speed of Seattle’s defensive front. Both the 49ers and Seahawks will run more than they pass. Marshawn Lynch will carry the ball 30 times for 80 yards, Frank…

October 18, 2012
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Taking stock of Trent Baalke

Here is a list of every player Trent Baalke has acquired since he became the Niners general manager in 2010. I categorized the players by offense, defense and special teams. Is there a pattern in how he acquires players? OFFENSE Mike Iupati – 17th pick in the first round of the 2010 draft. Pro Bowl alternate in 2011. Randy Moss – signed in 2012 to a one-year, $2.5 million contract….

June 20, 2012
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Preview: How the Niners match up against the Seahawks

Yesterday we broke down how the Niners match up with the Green Bay Packers. Today, let’s check out how they match up with their main NFC West rivals – the Seattle Seahawks. 49ERS DEFENSE VS. SEAHAWKS OFFENSE: Seattle signed Aaron Rodgers’ backup and Mike McCarthy’s newest quarterback protégé, Matt Flynn. Although he’s only started two games in his NFL career, he’s performed marvelously in both of those games and many…

May 24, 2012
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Grading the 49ers: Red zone offense

Before: Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker, Kyle Williams and Frank Gore. Grade: F Why: Vernon Davis is a monster red zone target, but he got double covered constantly last season. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman wanted to establish his red zone offense with Braylon Edwards at the beginning of last season – force feeding him fade passes in the corner of the end zone. Edwards couldn’t catch a single…

April 29, 2012
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Randy Moss to workout for the 49ers on Monday.

According to Adam Schefter, Randy Moss will fly to San Francisco today to work out for the Niners on Monday. This is a good move for the Niners. Moss may be the best deep threat wide receiver they could realistically get this offseason. They’ll probably pass on expensive free agents Vincent Jackson and Mike Wallace, and probably miss out on Kendall Wright and Stephen Hill, both of whom will get…

March 11, 2012
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The Wide Receiver Blues

The 49ers, as currently constructed, are probably talented enough to play in the Super Bowl right now. But, if they add a big, No.1 wide receiver this offseason they could be big preseason Super Bowl favorites for 2012, even without an elite quarterback. They’d have a complete juggernaut of a roster. Their biggest weakness would be Alex Smith, and he’s not weak. So, which wide receiver should they add? He…

January 26, 2012
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Alex Smith on Braylon Edwards, Joe Hastings and conservative play calling

SANTA CLARA – As you know, the Niners cut Braylon Edwards yesterday. As you may not know, they’re most likely going to promote practice squad WR Joe Hastings to the 53-man roster to fill Edwards’ spot. Alex Smith answered questions this afternoon Edwards and Hastings. He also answered questions about conservative play calling. Here you go. Q: What were your thoughts when you heard Braylon Edwards had been cut? ALEX…

December 28, 2011
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Braylon Edwards cut

The 49ers cut Braylon Edwards, according to multiple reports. Edwards made this statement on his website: “I was released today by the 49ers due to my injury that required more time to rehab and hasn’t allowed me to re-sync with the offense. I wish the 49ers organization the best of luck during the Playoffs. “I will be working hard this off season to strengthen my knee and prepare for the 2012…

December 27, 2011
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Is Braylon Edwards a long term WR for the 49ers? Harbaugh says, “We’ll see.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch has seemed to be particularly hard, he’s always been known as a hard-nosed runner. From what you’ve seen, has he kind of stepped it up a notch in the last half of the season? “I would say like the way you said it: he’s always been a typically hard running…

December 22, 2011
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Vernon Davis on Braylon Edwards: “I don’t know what’s going on. Is he still rehabbing?”

SANTA CLARA — Vernon Davis spoke at his locker today for the first time in a couple weeks. Q: Were you happy with how you were utilized on Monday night? VERNON DAVIS: “Yeah, I was very excited that I was able to be involved in the passing game and help my team win. It’s a credit to Alex Smith and our defense for keeping us out there and keeping things…

December 21, 2011
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Roman on the red zone problems: “We’ve got to run it better down there to start.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what offensive coordinator Greg Roman said at his Week 14 Thursday press conference. ROMAN: Getting ready to play the Cardinals, who have obviously won four of five. They’re one of the hotter teams in the league. They’re hot for a reason. The defense is playing really well, keeping people out of the end zone – the Dallas game is probably their best game defensively all year….

December 8, 2011
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Wednesday’s injury report: Carlos Rogers misses practice due to a knee injury

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Wednesday’s injury report looks like. 49ers: Did Not Participate in Practice: CB Carlos Rogers (knee), LB Patrick Willis (hamstring) Limited Participation in Practice: CB Tarell Brown (ankle), WR Braylon Edwards (knee) Cardinals: Did Not Participate in Practice: RB Chris Wells (knee, hamstring) Limited Participation in Practice: S Sean Considine (achilles), DT Darnell Docket (quadricep), TE Todd Heap (hamstring), LB Joey Porter (knee), S Kerry Rhodes (foot), P…

December 7, 2011
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Harbaugh on Kyle Williams: “One of the best stiff arms I’ve ever seen, not only this year but really ever seen.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. When you play a team with such a quick turnaround as the Cardinals, do you have to do much work between those games or can you use a lot of the same stuff that you did for the first week preparing? “There’s some carryover. Then you know them from doing them a couple weeks…

December 7, 2011
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Friday’s injury report: Adam Snyder is probable, Sam Bradford is questionable.

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Friday’s injury report looks like. Notice that a couple key Rams are questionable to play – Sam Bradford and Chris Long. Jim Harbaugh said in his press conference today he expects Bradford to play. Why? “Educated guess,” Harbaugh said. Also notice that Braylon Edwards is listed as questionable and Adam Snyder and Bruce Miller are listed as probable. I expect Snyder and Miller to start,…

December 2, 2011
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Alex Smith on potentially clinching an NFC West title this Sunday: “Absolutely we’re talking about it.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Is there any flipside to a short week in that the next week you actually have more time to prepare for a team and you could put more into your playbook? “Yeah of course. Definitely, both sides, rest-wise and game plan-wise, film. For sure, it’s kind of like a little, mini BYE week. Get…

November 30, 2011
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Jim Harbaugh reads The Art of War, and more

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Want to start off and just say how saddened we are as a team with the passing of Chester McGlockton. Chester’s been a very close and dear friend over the last four years. Was a part of our team here with the 49ers and also at Stanford. Chester worked with the defensive…

November 30, 2011
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Braylon Edwards misses warmups, and other notes from practice

SANTA CLARA — I just got back from the practice field, and Braylon Edwards wasn’t on it. I expect the Niners make him inactive for this Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. I also expect Brett Swain to take his place at receiver on the active roster. And finally, I expect Ted Ginn Jr. to start opposite Michael Crabree, not Kyle Williams. Adam Snyder was on the practice field…

November 30, 2011
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