Minicamp notes: Alex Smith shines in Wednesday’s afternoon practice

SANTA CLARA – Here are some unofficial stats from today’s minicamp. Alex Smith completed 27 of 32 passes. In red zone drills he completed two touchdowns. For about an hour he didn’t miss a single pass. Most of his throws were short and intermediate ones to open receivers. Smith is clearly the most confident Niners QB when it comes to making decisions in the pocket. He was throwing the ball…

June 13, 2012
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Minicamp notes: Breaking down Alex Smith’s third down and red zone performance from Tuesday

SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith threw two touchdowns and converted one third down in Tuesday’s afternoon practice. He threw his first touchdown to Vernon Davis. The offense lined up in the red zone, Davis ran toward the end zone and Smith threw the ball high over Davis’ back shoulder. Davis leaped in the air, caught the pass and landed on his back. It was the catch Wes Welker couldn’t make…

June 12, 2012
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49ers sign Cox to 2-year deal. Rogers and Ginn on way out?

The 49ers signed 25-year old cornerback and return specialist Perrish Cox this morning to a two-year contract. This could signal the end for Carlos Rogers and Ted Ginn Jr. in red and gold. Cox will most likely compete with Tramaine Brock for the third CB job, while Chris Culliver and Tarell Brown will start. On special teams, Cox could take Ginn’s job as the primary returner. He returned punts and…

March 13, 2012
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Niners sign Ahmad Brooks to six-year extension. What about Carlos Rogers?

The Niners just announced that they re-signed outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks to a six-year contract extension. The contract is worth $44.5 million, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Now, the Niners have every member of their elite defensive front-seven signed for multiple seasons. They’ve solidified the strength of their team, which is always a good strategy. It’s interesting that the Niners gave Brooks the first long-term contract of the offseason, and…

February 28, 2012
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The top-five most important free agents for the 49ers to re-sign

Trent Baalke reiterated this morning at the NFL Combine that the 49ers want to keep their guys in place, as in re-sign their free agents. Baalke said there’s no priority list for who he wants to re-sign, which is baloney, probably. Let’s try to guess that priority list. Which of the 49ers free agents are most important to resign? And in what order? Keep in mind, no free agent is…

February 23, 2012
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Grant’s top-five favorite 49ers

This year the beat writers voted Donte Whitner the Garry Niver award winner for the player most accommodating with the press. Garry Niver covered the championship 49ers teams for the San Mateo Times. He died in the early ‘90s of a heart attack. My dad knew him very well and says he was a lovely man. The award is named in his honor. Whitner was a great choice for the…

January 31, 2012
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The outstanding rookies’ breakout moments

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat just posted my article for Thursday’s paper on the Niners outstanding rookies. I focus on their breakout moments from this season. My idea was to ask each rookie to identify and discuss his breakout moment, but Harbaugh’s rookies didn’t feel comfortable with that type of reflection – not right now, not during the playoffs. Luckily, Ricky Jean Francois is always up for reflection and discussion….

January 11, 2012
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Harbaugh says Ginn is “coming along very well,” and more

Here’s what Jim Harbaugh said today at his Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Have you guys made a decision yet (on who will fill the open roster spot)? “No, we haven’t made an announcement yet. We won’t until tomorrow, most likely.” What’s the purpose of waiting until Saturday for that move? “Until we know exactly how we want to do it. [WR] Ted [Ginn] had a good workout…

December 30, 2011
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The southwest corner

SANTA CLARA — For what it’s worth, the Niners really like each other. They may or may not man up against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Monday night – I think they will – but regardless, they get along. Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati are best friends. Parys Haralson and Aldon Smith act like brothers. Colin Kaepernick and Bruce Miller joke around with everyone. But there’s a cool section of the…

December 18, 2011
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Fangio: “With Roethlisberger, you always have to defend two plays.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Coach, how do you prepare for the Steelers team when you don’t know if Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is going to play or not? “Well, mainly you just prepare for their offense. Their running game’s not going to change a bit, no matter which quarterback is playing, and I don’t think their passing game…

December 16, 2011
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Have the Niners lost confidence?

SANTA CLARA — You might be wondering if the Niners lost some confidence after their 16-6 loss on Thursday night to the Baltimore Ravens. Here’s today’s scene from the locker room. You can judge for yourself. In the middle of the room Anthony Dixon started a dance party. He blasted his iPod speakers so loud it was hard to interview the players. The message was clear – today was a…

December 2, 2011
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Vic Fangio on Cardinals QB John Skelton: “He’s got good arm talent. This guy can throw the ball.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Is there any question in your mind which quarterback you’re going to be facing on Sunday? “Well, it seems like it’s going to be [Cardinals QB John] Skelton based upon the reports and the comments.” What about him and is there anything about him that stands out? He’s obviously had a couple of nice…

November 17, 2011
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Fangio: “I don’t see anybody running the West Coast Offense.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s press conference from this afternoon, courtesy of the 49ers. How do you expect to use your third corner back this week, third corner? Who do you expect it to be and how do you plan to use them? “I think it will be kind of similar to what it’s been lately. [CB] Shawntae [Spencer] is improving, he’s still not 100…

October 27, 2011
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Wednesday’s injury report

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Wednesday’s injury report looks like. 49ers: Did Not Participate in Practice: RB Moran Norris (fibula). Limited Participation in Practice: CB Tramaine Brock (hand), WR Michael Crabtree (foot), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (concussion). Full Participation in Practice: CB Shawntae Spencer (toe). Browns: Did Not Participate in Practice: G Shawn Lauvao (knee), WR Mohamed Massaquoi (head), S Raymond Ventrone (hamstring),…

October 26, 2011
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Greg Cosell breaks down the matchup with the Lions

Yesterday on the Murph and Mac show, NFL films analyst Greg Cosell broke down the Niners upcoming Sunday matchup with Lions. Here’s the transcript of what he said. Q: That 48-3 win was the Niners’ biggest win since 1987. What stood out to you? COSELL: Believe it or not, I was really impressed with their defense. Of course, I thought the Bucs came and played offense exactly the wrong way,…

October 14, 2011
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Harbaugh: “We know our secondary will be challenged. We know Calvin Johnson will be doing the challenging.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. How would you gauge the pulse of the team a couple days before this game? “Good week of practice. Locked, loaded, ready to leave fully loaded for Detroit.” A lot of people are calling this NFL’s game of the week. Really, you can’t have games with much more magnitude in October. Does that altar…

October 14, 2011
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Jim Harbaugh on Alex Smith: “Plays with a very calm demeanor and makes good quality decisions.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday Press Conference, courtesy of the 49ers. The first question doesn’t make sense unless you know that all the 49ers coaches wore their blue collar shirts to practice today, including Harbaugh. The players wore shorts ‘n shells and the coaches wore short-sleeve, blue collar button-up shirts with their first names embroidered onto little white patches, which were themselves embroidered above…

October 7, 2011
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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…

August 23, 2011
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Keys for 49ers vs. Saints

The Niners play the Saints in New Orleans tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. What are the top 5 things you’re looking for in the first preseason game? Here’s my list: Mistakes. The Niners have described themselves as “behind the eight ball” preparing for this season, because they needed to install brand-new systems on offense and defense, and the lockout hindered their ability to do that. Their opponent, the Saints,…

August 11, 2011
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