Report: 49ers to hire Adam Henry as wide receivers coach

The 49ers will hire Adam Henry to be the wide receivers coach, according to reports. Henry coached LSU’s wide receivers the past three seasons and helped develop Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry in 2012 and 2013. Good hire. Big upgrade over John Morton, one of the 49ers’ worst position coaches the past four seasons.

February 8, 2015
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49ers mini-camp: Phase 2 of a laid-back offseason?

Last year’s offseason was completely different than this year’s offseason. Last year was strenuous. Jim Harbaugh made every practice extremely competitive. Players got hurt. Michael Crabtree blew out his Achilles’ tendon right away. So, Harbaugh created an open competition for the No.2 WR job. That didn’t work out so well. Quinton Patton broke his finger during training camp. This year’s offseason has been much more laid back. Michael Crabtree, Anquan…

June 14, 2014
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Ron Caragher Q&A

I interviewed San Jose State head coach Ron Caragher over the phone last week. Here is the transcript. Q: Most of the top QBs in the upcoming draft went to non-major-conference colleges. Is that a coincidence, or is college football evolving? CARAGHER: Quarterbacks can come from all different types of colleges. Even a backup like the guy from USC – Matt Cassell – made it with the Patriots. At USD,…

April 28, 2014
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DeSean can fill need for speed

This is my Wednesday  column. Yes, of course the 49ers should trade for Eagles’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Not even a discussion. On Tuesday, CSN Philly reported that the Eagles are shopping Jackson for a third-round pick, and that the 49ers are interested. Let me list the reasons the 49ers should make this trade: 1. The 49ers have two third-round picks, two second-round picks and a first-round pick. The 49ers…

March 19, 2014
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Seahawks pass game in a funk

This is my Wednesday column on the Seahawks’ passing game. Don’t blame Russell Wilson. People say the Seahawks’ passing game is spiraling counter-clockwise down the toilet because Wilson is in a slump. No. It might be more accurate to say that Darrell Bevell, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, is in a slump. “His passing game appears chaotic and out of sorts,” said a former NFL offensive coordinator. “Some weeks, Bevell is…

January 15, 2014
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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
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Dave Miller: “There is a job waiting for Greg Roman should he decide to return to the college game.”

The National Football Post’s Dave Miller recently wrote a blog breaking down the top assistant coaches in college football. At the bottom of the blog, Miller wrote this: “There is a job waiting for San Francisco 49ers’ assistant Greg Roman should he decide to return to the college game. The New Jersey native is very well-respected nationally, not just on the West Coast.” So, I have five questions for you….

July 2, 2013
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What Roman needs to be head-coaching timber

Here is my Monday column on Greg Roman. We’re in a football lull right now, but the 49ers are always in season. So, let’s dissect their most recent move, signing their promising offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, to a two-year extension through 2015. Roman is a good offensive coordinator. From 2011 to 2012, the 49ers’ offense ranked third in rushing yards and ninth in points per game. Jim Harbaugh thinks Roman…

June 24, 2013
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Report: 49ers hire Eric Mangini as an offensive assistant

The 49ers just hired former defensive backs coach, head coach and ESPN analyst Eric Mangini, according to ESPN. Mangini will be an offensive assistant for the 49ers. He will help Jim Harbaugh, Greg Roman, John Morton and Geep Chryst find weaknesses in opposing defenses. Mangini’s primary background is defense, but he was an offensive assistant for the Baltimore Ravens in 1996. All credit to the 49ers for improving their coaching…

June 1, 2013
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The one player the 49ers should avoid in the draft

If there is one player the 49ers should avoid drafting at all costs, who is it? If you can’t think of just one player, can you make a top-five list? I’m saying the 49ers should not draft USC wide receiver Robert Woods, who’s projected to get picked at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second. The 49ers happen to have a pick at the end…

April 18, 2013
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Three keys to the game for the 49ers and the Falcons

This is the opening to my Saturday article on the keys to the game for the 49ers and the Falcons. The Falcons need a miracle to beat the 49ers this Sunday. That’s the consensus of NFL critics. The Falcons need a fire alarm to go off in the 49ers’ hotel at 3 a.m. They need the entire 49ers team — players and coaches — to evacuate the building and catch…

January 18, 2013
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Cosell explains how the 49ers’ offense should attack the Packers’ defense

Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR Monday afternoon. He explained how the 49ers’ offense should attack the Packers’ defense. Here’s what Cosell said. Q: What do you see as the key matchups in this game? COSELL: We spoke about one, and that’s the ability to limit Rodgers when he gets outside the pocket. If he breaks down your defense that way and starts making explosive plays, you’re in trouble. I think…

January 8, 2013
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Who is Tom Gamble and what would the 49ers lose if he leaves?

Tom Gamble, the 49ers’ Director of Player Personnel, is being courted around the league to become a general manager. He’s already interviewed with the Jaguars, and the Jets, Browns and Chargers are reportedly interested in him as well. About a year ago, the Raiders expressed interest in him, too. Gamble has a great reputation in the NFL. He was a college scout for the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2004….

January 4, 2013
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What we learned about the 49ers: The good and the not-so-good

SAN FRANCISCO – We learned a few things about the 49ers today – some good and some not-so-good. Here are those things. The Good The 49ers earned the No.2 seed and a first-round Bye with the win and the Packers’ three-point loss to the Vikings. The Packers and Vikings play again next weekend. If the Packers win, they play the 49ers at Candlestick in two weeks, on Saturday, January 12th…

December 30, 2012
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49ers Week 17 grades: Coaching

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers stomped the Cardinals 27-13. Here is the grade for the 49ers coaches. Coaching: B-. The 49ers stomped a team they should have stomped, but they got beaten in the first quarter. The Cardinals scored six points and the Niners scored none. The Cardinals had two first downs and the Niners had none. The Cardinals had 42 yards rushing and the Niners had 10. The 49ers…

December 30, 2012
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Why the 49ers-Cardinals game matters

There are two reasons why this game against the Arizona Cardinals matters deeply to the 49ers. First, there are playoff implications. If the 49ers win, they’ll be 11-4-1. They’ll get the No.2 seed and a first-round Bye if the Packers lose to the Vikings. If the Packers beat the Vikings, the 49ers get the No.3 seed and they would not get a Bye. They would play the No.6 seed at…

December 29, 2012
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Brent Jones: “This team will not win the Super Bowl unless the defense carries them.”

Brent Jones spoke on KNBR Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: On a 1-to-10 scale, how much of an alarm meter would you ring on Sunday night? BRENT JONES: I think it’s a 10. The thing that scares me the most is the defense. There have been four games this year – the Vikings game, the Giants game, the Patriots game and this game where we just flat-out got…

December 26, 2012
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How will the 49ers make up for the loss of Manningham?

As you all have probably heard, Mario Manningham tore the ACL and PCL in left knee against the Seahawks and he’s out for the rest of the season. The 49ers now have lost their No.2 and No.3 wide receivers (Kyle Williams tore up his knee against the Saints). The remaining wide receivers on the 53-man roster are Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, Ted Ginn Jr. and A.J. Jenkins. How do you…

December 25, 2012
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Vernon Davis says he’s the 49ers’ primary receiver in practice, “but when we get to the game, it just doesn’t work out.”

SANTA CLARA – I spoke to Vernon Davis at his locker on Friday. Here’s what he said about his level of involvement in the 49ers offense. ME: What do you think of the Diamond formation? The offense used it 17 times last week, and it doesn’t feature a tight end. You lined up at wide receiver and fullback. VERNON DAVIS: It’s fine. I’m pretty much a supporter of anything the…

December 14, 2012
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49ers Week 14 grades: Offense

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers beat the Dolphins 27-13. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: C. They’re a big, strong run-blocking line that struggles in pass protection. The 49ers came out passing in the first half and the line wasn’t up to it. Anthony Davis gave up three sacks in the first half. He was a complete liability and he forced Greg Roman to abandon the…

December 9, 2012
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