In the NFL, hits to knees take back seat

Here is my Sunday article on hits to knees in the NFL. This article runs in the Press Democrat’s Sunday sports section. SANTA CLARA — Is it possible the NFL’s efforts to eliminate head-to-head hits have made the game more dangerous? If a defender hits someone in the head or even as low at the shoulder line, that’s a 15-yard penalty, probably a fine and maybe a suspension, too. But…

December 15, 2013
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Roman: “I really believe we’ve got a balanced offense.”

SANTA CLARA — Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   Opening comments: “Getting ready to play a very talented Tampa team. It’s kind of an interesting season for them, certainly. It’s really been an interesting year for a lot of teams. But, they’re playing at a really high level lately. When you turn on the film, these…

December 12, 2013
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Fangio on Glennon: “He’s got deceiving pocket presence.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.   Do you sense any, I don’t know if let down is the right word, but is it tough for these guys to get back to work after a big win against Seattle? “No. I don’t think so. Like I told you last week, the last four games…

December 12, 2013
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Harbaugh: “I don’t ever talk about any jobs other than the one I have.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here is a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.   So, when are you heading off to Austin, Texas? “Trying to be funny?”   Yeah, trying. Any comment on rumors that you are going to be up for that University of Texas job? “I don’t ever talk about any jobs other than the one I have.”   With this…

December 11, 2013
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Harbaugh: “We didn’t get a fast start in terms of moving the football offensively.”

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke in the defensive meeting room Monday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.   Were there a few more people getting treatment today after having such a physical game yesterday? “It was normal, a normal day.”   Did it seem like a more physical game than usual? “It was very physical.”   On the 18-play drive in the fourth quarter, how well-executed…

October 14, 2013
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Brent Jones: “I’m focused on where we’re going to get output offensively from our WR position.”

Brent Jones spoke on KNBR Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Will there be anything Scott Tolzien can tell the Packers that will make a difference? JONES: I think generally there could be a nugget or two. You know what he can do – and maybe they’ll change this up, but when you change stuff up that has been consistent, you kind of mess up your own team –…

September 3, 2013
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This won’t be a rehearsal, this is a game to shape the 49ers’ roster

Here is my Saturday column previewing the 49ers’ Sunday preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. If you expect the 49ers to treat Sunday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings like a dress rehearsal for the regular season, you may be disappointed. Most NFL teams treat the third exhibition game like a dress rehearsal. The 49ers did that last season – Alex Smith played the entire first half. But, I’ll be…

August 24, 2013
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The Jim Harbaugh Game: The coach and his world of contradictions

Here is my Monday column on Jim Harbaugh. SANTA CLARA – Here’s how you play The Jim Harbaugh Game: Listen to his next interview. Write down the exact time he sets himself up for future contradiction. Then, predict how long it will take for the contradiction to occur – a year, a month, a day, an hour, a minute, etc. Harbaugh most recently set himself up on June 11. One…

July 29, 2013
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Carlos Rogers: “My play on the field speaks for itself.”

SANTA CLARA – Carlos Rogers spoke to Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: What do you enter camp feeling like you have to accomplish or work on? ROGERS: Everything. Me and my coach were talking about that, thing that he can see I need to get better at. When you’ve done it so many times and you’re OK at a lot of positions, we try to…

July 24, 2013
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Eric Reid: “I’m going to try to get on the field, and when I am I don’t want to have any downfalls.”

Here’s what the 49ers’ No.1 pick, Eric Reid, said to reporters Friday afternoon on the side of the practice field. Q: What’s the biggest message you’ve gotten from Harbaugh so far? REID: Just get on the field. I’ve had my plays, I’ve studied, so now it’s just doing it, make my checks, do my job. Play football. Q: Have you watched any tape of Dashon Goldson from last year and…

May 10, 2013
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Eric Reid: “I’m a very cerebral player.”

SANTA  CLARA — This is the transcript of Eric Reid’s conference call, courtesy of the 49ers.   How does it feel to be a Niner? “It feels amazing.”   How would you describe your game to people who are unfamiliar with you? “I think I’m a very cerebral player. I pride myself on knowing the defense. I pride myself on being able to get the guys lined up on the…

April 25, 2013
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Trent Baalke’s mid-offseason progress report

In my humble opinion, you’re doing pretty well so far this offseason, Trent. I’m not going to give you a final grade today. That wouldn’t be fair. You still have the draft in a few weeks, and that’s when you need to perform your best. You have 14 picks. You may feel this year’s rookies will be better and cheaper long term than what’s available on the free agent market,…

March 24, 2013
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How the Vikings used Percy Harvin against the 49ers

The 49ers will face Percy Harvin at least two times next season. Can they match up with him? They couldn’t last season when he was on the Vikings. Harvin caught nine passes for 89 yards and he ran once for nine yards. A couple of his catches were screens and a couple were swing passes out of the backfield. I want to show you three plays in which Harvin beat…

March 22, 2013
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Who is the 49ers free safety of the future?

The 49ers signed free safety Craig Dahl yesterday, but he’s not the Niners’ free safety of the future. He may not be their free safety of the present, either. He’s probably a backup, and a mentor for whichever free safety the 49ers draft in a few weeks. Will the Niners draft a safety who is similar to Dashon Goldson – tall and hard-hitting, like LSU’s Eric Reid – or will…

March 17, 2013
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Dahl on the 49ers: “They told me there was an opportunity to play in the voided safety position. I’m hoping to fill that void.”

49ers’ free safety Craig Dahl spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Saturday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: Have the 49ers told you what position you’ll be playing, whether you’ll be competing for a starting job, that kind of thing? DAHL: They told me that there was an opportunity to play in the voided safety position in the secondary. I’m hoping to come in here and mesh well…

March 16, 2013
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49ers free agency preview: Goldson and Walker out? Casey and Cribbs in?

Free Agency starts Tuesday at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. To get you greased up for the signings, Rotoworld’s Evan Silva made a list of the top 100 free agents, and guessed where each one would sign. To read Silva’s list, click here. These are the predictions you’ll find most interesting: 5. FS Dashon Goldson (Silva ranks Goldson as the fifth-best free agent available): Eagles, five years, $40.5 million. 15. DT…

March 11, 2013
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What the 49ers really need

Matt Barrows wrote a blog this morning arguing why the 49ers’ biggest offseason issue is the pass rush, not the secondary. I love Matt’s work and I usually agree with his opinions, but I disagree this time. The 49ers need to address the secondary with greater urgency than the D-line. If Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean Francois leave in free agency, then the 49ers need to address the D-line after…

March 6, 2013
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Grant’s post-Combine 49ers mock offseason

Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over, let’s try to predict what the 49ers will do this offseason. Here’s my best guess. I’m eager to read yours. FREE AGENCY OUT: Dashon Goldson, Isaac Sopoaga, Ricky Jean Francois, Larry Grant, Leonard Davis, Tramaine Brock, Clark Haggans and Ted Ginn Jr. Goldson wants too much money, and the 49ers want a free safety with cornerback skills. Jean Francois signs with the…

March 1, 2013
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Grant’s 49ers mock offseason: 1.0

Many of you have asked me for my best guess about what the 49ers will do in free agency and the draft. This is my first best guess. I’ll make subsequent best guesses in the coming weeks. The 49ers will cut David Akers and Parys Haralson to create cap space to give the franchise tag to Dashon Goldson. Goldson probably wants a five-year contract worth about $8 million per year….

February 19, 2013
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