The Vikings recently waived quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson so they could place Josh Freeman on their roster. Brian McIntyre is reporting the 49ers have claimed Bethel-Thompson off waivers and cut quarterback John Skelton. Bethel-Thompson spent the 2011 training camp with the 49ers and may know their playbook. The 49ers cut Bethel-Thompson in 2011 for Scott Tolzien. Then in 2013, the 49ers cut Tolzien to sign B.J. Daniels. Then the 49ers cut…
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Friday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: What’s the outlook for Patrick Willis for Sunday’s game? HARBAUGH: We’ll see. He’s progressing good every day. We’ll see what the chances are tomorrow and the next day. Q: How did Michael Wilhoite look this week in practice? HARBAUGH: Good, good. He’s done a nice job in games and practice. Q: Is he at…
SANTA CLARA — Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. ROMAN: Good afternoon. We’ve got a very good Houston team coming in. We’ve got a very complete defense, a playoff team that won a lot of games there, a complete team. When you look at their defense, it starts up front but they’re really talented at every level of their defense. You look at their…
Here is my Thursday column about the 49ers’ signing of John Skelton. SANTA CLARA – You think you know Jim Harbaugh, and then he goes and signs John Skelton as a backup quarterback. Signing Skelton is a defining move of the Harbaugh Era. Not because Skelton is good. He isn’t. He represents a dramatic shift in the 49ers’ offensive philosophy. Skelton does not fit into the offense the 49ers have…
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Would you address the move of releasing B.J. Daniels and bringing in John Skelton? What’s your reasoning for that move? HARBAUGH: Felt like we wanted to have two veteran quarterbacks, two guys who have started games, played in games, won games. Felt like that’s what we needed to do at this time. We’ll…
SANTA CLARA – John Skelton spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: What are your thoughts about coming to this team and initial impressions? SKELTON: I’m excited. When I first talked to the coaching staff about the possibility of coming here, I got super pumped, just being able to work with Coach Harbaugh and the rest of the staff. I think his track record, especially for…
SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ locker room Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: We talked to Jon Baldwin yesterday and he said he’s been getting some extra work with you. What’s your assessment of him and how he’s progressed since he’s gotten here? KAEPERNICK: He’s been great. Jon has come to work every day, he’s been ready, he’s been trying to make sure he’s making…
I don’t know for sure, but as I analyze it, it seems the Chiefs are the team that will most likely trade for Alex Smith. Here’s why. The Chiefs legitimately have no realistic quarterback options on their roster. Matt Cassel has exhausted his nine lives, and Brady Quinn is not the answer. The Cardinals, the other team reportedly interested in Alex Smith, have at least three quarterbacks on their roster…
The biggest advantage for the 49ers is the Cardinals QB, John Skelton. He struggles mightily in most situations and unfortunately for their team, it is a battle to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. Nothing like having a quality player on offense and not be able to get him the ball. Does that sound familiar? I don’t think the 49ers will blow out the Cardinals. I don’t think the 49ers…
SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Friday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the Arizona Cardinals offense. What do you see in the Cardinals and what are the biggest challenges for you guys going into this game? “Well, number one, when you think of the Cardinals you’re going to think of [WR] Larry Fitzgerald, obviously. And he’s one of the top receivers in our league,…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Tarell Brown said Thursday about the Arizona Cardinals offense. Q: How do the Cardinals use Larry Fitzgerald? BROWN: He’s their X receiver (split end), so I think I’ll get him most of the game. They move him around a lot. They do a great job of putting him in the slot, putting him in the three-receiver slot as well. I think we’ll all have an…
NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR’s The Murph and Mac Show Thursday morning. Here’s what he said about the 49ers’ game plan for their upcoming Monday night match up against the Arizona Cardinals. COSELL: “I think the 49ers will approach this game the exact same way [they approached the Seahawks]. I don’t think they’ll feel that the Cards can score very much. They’ve got a got a quarterback…
Here’s what Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said about his team to Bay Area reporters Wednesday morning on a conference call. Q: How is your schedule this week impacted by the Monday night game? WHISENHUNT: We just did a normal week Monday-Tuesday, so we’re going to have the extra day of practice today and then our normal routine Thursday. That’s the schedule that we’re going with since we played…
The 49ers play the Cardinals in Arizona Monday night. In the meantime, I’ll break down a couple of key matchups every day. The 49ers pass rush vs. the Cardinals offensive line and QB John Skelton The Niners have really struggled to sack the quarterback this season. They’re tied for 24th in sacks with just 11. Pro Football Focus ranks them 17th in overall pass rush. On the other hand, the…
We’ve broken down the Niners matchups with the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. Now let’s break down their matchup with another rival – the Arizona Cardinals. 49ERS DEFENSE VS. CARDINALS OFFENSE: The Niners pass rush is young, excellent and improving, and the Cardinals pass protection is no good. They gave up 52 sacks last season, 2nd worst in the NFL. They gave up four to the Niners –…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Tarell Brown said this morning about his injured ankle and the Niners upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. Q: Did you tweak your ankle yesterday? T. BROWN: Yeah, I’m alright. Q: Is there a difference playing Cardinals with Kevin Kolb at quarterback rather than John Skelton? Bigger challenge for secondary? T. BROWN: Most definitely. Kolb is a gunslinger. He’s been a gunslinger since his college…
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…
