Here’s my list of the top five and bottom five 49er moments from the 2011-2012 season. The Best Moments 5. Justin Smith’s forced fumble v. Jeremy Maclin in Philadelphia to beat the Eagles in Week 4. The Niners’ record was 2-1, and although they had just stormed back from a 17-point deficit to take a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles had plenty of time to drive…
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat just posted the article I wrote for their Sunday paper. It’s about the art gallery that’s growing on the hallway outside the team’s meeting rooms. Not just everyone can view the gallery, though. Only players and coaches and certain football-related personnel can. 49ers public relations director Bob Lange graciously invited me in to see it this week. In my article, I describe it and I…
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh was especially talkative today. His Monday press conference transcript was almost 5,000 words. I’m focusing on about 80 of them. One writer asked Harbaugh an Alex Smith question. Harbaugh responded by calling his quarterback tough. Then he went on this tangent: “These guys are my heroes. All of them. Alex was heroic in this game. So was Justin, so was Donte, so was Aldon, so…
SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke at the podium in the Niners media tent today, and this is what he said. Q: The Saints have two Pro Bowl guards (Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans). Are those the toughest two guards you’ve faced this year? JUSTIN SMITH: Yeah, absolutely. Those guys are really good at what they do. They’re big guys. They move their feet – all the things you want….
Here are five reasons the Niners have a good chance to beat the Saints on Saturday. 1. The Niners can get pressure on Drew Brees with their front by attacking the weak link on the Saints line – center Brian De La Puente – with Aldon Smith on stunts. Justin Smith can occupy Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod and Pro Bowl left guard Carl Nicks and free up Aldon…
It turns out Jim Harbaugh overshot his Pro Bowl prediction. Eight Niners made the NFC Pro Bowl team – one or two or three short of his prediction. Six Niners ended up making the team as starters, and two made it as reserves. The starters are Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, Carlos Rogers, David Akers and Andy Lee and the reserves are are Frank Gore and Dashon Goldson. Not one…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch has seemed to be particularly hard, he’s always been known as a hard-nosed runner. From what you’ve seen, has he kind of stepped it up a notch in the last half of the season? “I would say like the way you said it: he’s always been a typically hard running…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Yesterday, head coach Jim Harbaugh made a pitch for QB Alex Smith for the Pro Bowl. If you were pick one of your guys that maybe isn’t on the top of the public consciousness, who would you pitch for the Pro Bowl? “All of them, almost all of them.” OK, which ones wouldn’t you…
SANTA CLARA – Here are more quotes I selected from Jim Harbaugh’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Larry Grant has played really well with Patrick Willis out. Have you thought about, are there different ways you’re going to look to get him involved when Willis comes back? Are there other ways to get Larry Grant on the field more than he had been before the last few weeks?…
Here are my Week 15 NFL picks. 49ers vs. Steelers: 49ers 9-6. The Steelers should struggle to score points. They won’t be able to run the ball – not against this front seven. So they’re going to pass, their offensive line is mediocre at best, and one of their best linemen, center Maurkice Pouncey, has a high ankle sprain and he’s questionable for Monday night. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Ray…
The Niners are going to have to be creative and efficient to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Here’s what I want to see from them. It’s a given the Steelers are going to blitz, blitz, blitz the Niners offense. They will bring extra rushers up the middle and other times they’ll overload the right side of the Niners’ O-line – the Anthony Davis side – and run four-man…
The great Matt Barrows made his case on KNBR a few days ago for DT Justin Smith as the Niners’ 2011 MVP. That’s a terrific selection, and it’s hard to argue with it – Justin Smith has been the best player on the league’s best defense this season. He’s certainly been the Niners most excellent player. But if I were picking their most valuable player, I’d go with Alex Smith….
SANTA CLARA – Around the fifty-minute mark of Jim Tomsula’s Monday group interview, the Associated Press’ Janie McCauley boldly asked the coach if we could sit in on a D-line meeting. Here’s what transpired. JANIE McCAULEY: Would you consider allowing us to observe a meeting? TOMSULA: No, ma’am. In due respect, our door is closed. What happens in that room stays in that room, and everybody can trust me and…
SANTA CLARA — During his group interview on Monday, Jim Tomsula gushed over his star defensive tackle – Justin Smith. Here’s what Tomsula said about him. Q: What do you see from Justin Smith that the lay person doesn’t if they’re just looking for him to get sacks? How much does he mean? TOMSULA: “I love the guy…He is unique man, he’s a unique cat. He is. He’s extremely intelligent….
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Want to start off and just say how saddened we are as a team with the passing of Chester McGlockton. Chester’s been a very close and dear friend over the last four years. Was a part of our team here with the 49ers and also at Stanford. Chester worked with the defensive…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday afternoon press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. As you reflect on that game last night, what was the thing that stood out to you that you guys did particularly well? “The thing that stood out to me the most was why you love football. It was competitive, it was two really good teams with really good players that were playing…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what Parys Haralson said today at his locker. Q: Was that the most complete win this season by the defense? HARALSON: When you’re playing a guy like Eli Manning, that’s a smart quarterback and I think he is one of these elite quarterbacks in this league with quite a few other guys. It was taking care of what we had to do, everybody being on the…
SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Vic, [LB] Aldon Smith was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, is he just providing everything you could have hoped he would at this point? “He’s played well in this last month. His pass rush has really picked up. He’s had games where he’s had opportunity to play more because the type…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of today’s Q&A with Ricky Jean Francois from the 49ers locker room. Q: How was the Bye week for you guys? JEAN FRANCOIS: A lot of guys stayed here and enjoyed the California weather. But there were two earthquakes out here, so I was good to dodge that one. It was good to go back home. It was good to see my family, hang…
It’s tough to say with certainty who’s been the best player on the 49ers defense this season. Has it been Patrick Willis? Or NaVorro Bowman? Or maybe Aldon Smith? Profootballfocus.com says it’s been Justin Smith, but they don’t stop there. They describe Smith as the “highest graded defensive player” in the league so far in 2011, and they rank him eighth in the running for the league’s MVP award. They…
