49ers’ top-5 position battles of the offseason

To get you prepped for Tuesday’s OTA, here are the 49ers’ top-five position battles. 1. Chris Culliver (6-0, 199 pounds, 25 years old) vs. Chris Cook (6-2, 212, 27) vs. Dontae Johnson (6-2, 200, 22) for No.2 cornerback Culliver is the favorite – the 49ers spent a third-round pick on him in 2011. But he tore his ACL a year ago and does not seem to have fully recovered yet…

June 1, 2014
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Vic Fangio names Eric Reid the 49ers’ starting free safety

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. FANGIO: I just want to let you guys know we’re going to miss Parys (Haralson) here. I want to laud his career here and his stay here. He was a great teammate, a great friend of the organization, a really good player and we’re all happy for him that he’s going to be able…

August 27, 2013
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Fangio on Reid: “We’ll probably start him in this game coming up and we’ll see how he does with that.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   What’s your feeling about this depth? It seems to be developing across the board. In these first two preseason games it seems like everybody you put in will do well defensively. “Yes, we’ve been able to develop some good depth at some places, other places not as quality as…

August 19, 2013
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49ers 15, Chiefs 13: Grades

My grades for the 49ers’ 15-13 preseason victory over the Chiefs: QUARTERBACKS: D. Colin Kaepernick completed one of two passes for negative three yards. He overthrew the one pass he attempted downfield. Colt McCoy and Scott Tolzien were horrible. McCoy threw an interception and Tolzien averaged just 3.8 yards per pass attempt. If those two keep playing like that, the 49ers won’t be able to trade either one for a…

August 16, 2013
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Dobbs suspended Week 1 vs. Packers

The 49ers just announced Demarcus Dobbs has been suspended without pay for Week 1 of the regular season against the Packers. Dobbs apparently violated the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse policy. In the meantime, Dobbs can practice and play in preseason games and he can return to the 49ers’ active roster Monday after the Packers’ game.

August 14, 2013
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Training camp report: Kendall Hunter returns to sloppy practice

SAN FRANCISCO – Here’s what stood out to me at Saturday afternoon’s padded practice at Candlestick Park. THE GOOD 1. Kendall Hunter – He returned to practice for the first time since he tore his Achilles’ tendon last November. He didn’t participate much, but he got his feet wet. 2. Jonathan Goodwin – He returned to practice after missing the past two week and immediately took over his spot as…

August 10, 2013
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Fangio says Brock has “been doing OK” in training camp

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   What have you seen from CB Tramaine Brock here since he’s taken over that number thee job? “He’s been doing OK. He’s had some plays that he’s missed on his assignments and exact pickups, but, he’s been improving on that as we go through this whole entire week….

August 6, 2013
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Training camp report: Jenkins has a good day

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Monday afternoon’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. A.J. Jenkins – Today was his best practice as a 49er. He caught seven passes, and he caught two more in half-speed drills against the scout defense. His best catch of the day came against Tarell Brown in team drills. Lined up at split end, Jenkins beat Brown on a square in for…

August 5, 2013
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Justin Smith estimates he’ll be 100 percent healthy in one month

SANTA CLARA — Justin Smith spoke to Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon for the first time this offseason. Here’s what he said. Q: How did you elbow surgery go? JUSTIN SMITH: I thought it went pretty well. They went in and repaired it. The strength and everything came back pretty good. I’m almost 100 percent. I’m looking forward to that. Q: Are you still rehabbing? JUSTIN SMITH: I don’t know…

June 12, 2013
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The 49ers’ top 10 offseason position battles

Here are the top-10 position battles on the 49ers I’m looking forward to this offseason. Which battles interest you the most? 1. No.2 and No.3 cornerback: Carlos Rogers vs. Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Chris Culliver. Tarell Brown probably is a lock to start, so Rogers, Asomugha and Culliver will compete for the other two cornerback spots in the 49ers’ Nickel defense. Rogers and Culliver will compete to cover the slot. The…

May 5, 2013
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Projecting the 49ers’ DL depth chart in 2013 and 2014

What will the 49ers’ DL depth chart look like in 2013 and 2014? Here’s my best guess, and I’m interested to read yours as well. 2013 BASE ROLB, or “Leo” or standing rusher – Aldon Smith (although Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio could choose to play Parys Haralson here to keep Aldon Smith fresh for the sub packages, like 2011). RDE or Under tackle – Justin Smith, Glenn Dorsey NT or…

April 30, 2013
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Manningham moved to I.R., Jerod-Eddie promoted to 53-man roster

The 49ers just announced they’ve moved Mario Manningham to the injured reserve and replaced him on the 53-man roster with rookie undrafted defensive tackle, Tony Jerod-Eddie. The 49ers could be missing as many as three defensive tackles against the Cardinals on Sunday. Justin Smith has a partially torn triceps, Will Tukuafu has an injured neck and Demarcus Dobbs is out for the year with a knee injury. Jerod-Eddie (6-5, 301…

December 28, 2012
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Harbaugh on Carroll: “I don’t remember getting any cards from him at the holidays.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   I heard you say yesterday that the Cowboy will ride. Do you expect DT Justin Smith to play Sunday against Seattle? “If it’s humanly possible.”   Is it going to be humanly possible? “We’ll see. We’ll see how he feels today and tomorrow.”   How do you feel about just the overall…

December 19, 2012
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49ers place Dobbs on injured reserve

The 49ers just announced they’ve placed second year defensive lineman, tight end  and core special teams player Demarcus Dobbs on the injured reserve list. Dobbs injured his right knee against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Dobbs played for every special teams unit, so whomever the 49ers sign will most likely be a versatile special teams player capable of stepping in and playing right away.

December 11, 2012
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Harbaugh: “I thought Greg called a great game like he always does. We had a good plan.”

SAN FRANCISCO – Here is what Jim Harbaugh said at his post game press conference after the 49ers beat the Dolphins. Q: Can you talk about Colin Kaepernick’s 50-yard TD run at the end of the game? HARBAUGH: Great call by Greg. It was a great third down conversion. We’ve been struggling on third downs. Good to get that one to pop. To get the touchdown was great. It was…

December 10, 2012
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Demarcus Dobbs arrested, out against Rams

Demarcus Dobbs was involved in a car crash Friday morning. He was reportedly uninjured, but he was arrested for being under the influence of alcohol and possession of marijuana. He will not play against the Rams this Sunday – he is not making the trip to St. Louis. The 49ers released this statement: “The 49ers are aware of the recent matter involving Demarcus Dobbs. We are gathering the relevant facts…

November 30, 2012
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Injury Report

SANTA CLARA – Two key 49ers were limping in the locker room this afternoon – Ted Ginn Jr. and Demarcus Dobbs. Dobbs was on crutches and his left leg was wrapped from the ankle to the knee. He hardly put any weight on the injured leg. Ted Ginn Jr. had a boot on his right foot, and as he limped slowly out of the locker room I asked him if…

August 27, 2012
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Five questions for the defense

SANTA CLARA – Tuesday was a defense-dominated day in the 49ers’media tent – Vic Fangio, Larry Grant and Ricky Jean Francois all spoke at the podium, and I spoke one on one to Chris Culliver in the locker room. I asked each guy the same few questions, and here are their responses followed by my conclusions. Question 1: How would you characterize this defense? FANGIO: To me it’s in the…

August 21, 2012
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Preseason Week 1 grades: The defense and special teams

SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my Preseason Week One grades for the 49ers defense. Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith didn’t play. The rest of this unit allowed 4.3 yards per carry to the Vikings, which is below the Niners’ stellar standard of run defense. The standout player of this group was Demarcus Dobbs, who completely dominated the Vikings’ backup left tackle. In the second half, Minnesota had to give Dobbs…

August 11, 2012
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Fangio says he’s anxious for Friday’s preseason opener

SANTA CLARA – It was defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s turn to speak in the 49ers’ media tent on Wednesday. He discussed Friday’s upcoming preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the progress of his starting outside linebackers and a couple young defensive tackles. Here’s a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. What are you hoping to see out of your defense in this first go around, Friday’s game? “I’m anxious to just…

August 8, 2012
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